Last Tri of the Season

Chris and Ed raced their last tri of the season while we were in the Dells—at Devil’s Lake State Park. The views at this place were breath taking. I loved the place and would love to go back.

Aside from the views though, from a weather point of view this was one of the worst races for Chris in recent memory—cold and rainy the entire race. Chris has a “core” problem. Not a real problem, just that if he gets cold it takes him a LONG TIME to warm up. He doesn’t enjoy the races when it’s cold. He’d rather it be 100 degrees outside than cold and rainy. There have been several occasions over the years that I’ve had to pick him up in god- knows-where-land during his training bikes, swims, runs because he gets hypothermia. Looking on the bright side for me though---there was a big concession stand building where Ti and I and the girls hung out during the rain and sipped hot coffee AND we didn’t have to stick around after the race as the boys wanted to leave immediately.

Despite the nasty weather, it was still a good time!

 

Wisconsin Dells

We spent the weekend with our good friends Ed and Ti and their gorgeous girls, E and C, at the Wilderness Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.  Fun splashing at the indoor waterparks, a ride on an old fashion horse and carriage, eating Cracker Jacks (first for the girls), bunk beds.....I thought about doing the zip line but it really can't compete with zipping through the rainforest in Costa Rica so I opted out!  Last time I was at this park I was pregnant with Arose so this time around I really got to enjoy the fun rides.  I think I had more fun than M!! 

Can I just say I am so happy that Ed and Ti moved back to the area from Las Vegas!!  Thanks, Ed and Ti.  Can't wait to see you guys next month!

Anyone in need of a doctor?

As part of M’s Star Student projects last week, she was to pick what she wanted to be when she grows up.  Normally, she says that she wants to be a lawyer  like her mommy (awwww!) but she changed her tune this time and decided that she wants to be a doctor (a shout out to Aunt Lisa I think!).  

ARose was her first patient.  Poor little ARose.  She was a trooper though!  Guess she should get used to this type of big sis abuse J

M's Little Secret

Last night at the dinner table we were having our normal conversations with M trying our best to dig into her day.  We have to be very specific and very creative in our questions.  Otherwise, it’s an “I forgot” response!!  Well, tonight the topic turned to having girl and boy friends.  M mentioned that she is friends with a little boy that sits at her table in class.  I said that’s great….that she should have girlfriends and boyfriends.  Her facial expression turned immediately to a sheepish, girl that has a crush on some one look (which, btw, was adorable but frankly I was not prepared for this!).  She said she already had a BOYFRIEND.  I said, oh, a boyfriend, boyfriend???  She said yes.  I asked who and after some coaxing she revealed the lucky mate……………..

H from the Pettit’s (Ang, he doesn’t know and apparently M doesn’t want him to know!)  

I told her she has great taste in boys, that she couldn’t have picked a better boy.  I slept beautifully last night knowing that she is off to a great start!

Fun at Six Flags

Star Student

M had a little bit of a rough week last week in school…going through the expected adjustments of a new kindergartener. Her teacher was really awesome about the whole matter and in an effort to make M feel better about school she made M Star Student for this week. Of course, being new to the school scene as well, I had no idea what this meant. I thought she had been really good or something so she was rewarded. She had been good but turns out that Star Student isn’t about that. Each week a different student is picked to be Star Student. Each day during that week the class gets to learn a little bit more about the Star Student…..pictures of the student and the student’s family, likes/dislikes, birthday, favorite books…. Chris was even able to read to M’s class today as part of her Star Student “status” which he says was really fun (and M felt really special). I think this was a fantastic move by M’s teacher because M has really enjoyed school this week. So far so good!

Sand, Sand and More Sand

I really have no idea why we haven't made it over to the sand dunes in the 10 years we have lived here!  Today we changed that....we drove to the Michigan dunes for the day.  It was really awesome.  The track up those dunes is quite a workout.  But just like with any good workout, you feel great when you make it to the top of the "really big sand hill"---as M was explaining to her friends this afternoon.  The beach and the water was nice too.  Perhaps nicer than on this side of Lake Michigan.  We are definitely going to be making more trips there next year.  I can't wait to check out some of the antique shops around the area in Harbor Country on our next trip.

M's Brazil Adventure

This months package from Little Passports was from Brazil.  M (and I) learned about amethysts, tucons and uakari monkeys.

Bittersweet

Today was simply gorgeous.....sunny and low 70's.  Sounds pretty close to perfect, huh.  So what's my problem? 

SUMMER is coming to an end (sniff, sniff)--that's my problem.  SUMMER is the season that has my heart--the heat and all its glory!  Yea, I am one of those people.  OK, I'm not a fan of 90's plus humidy but I'll take one of those hot days over any Winter day in OP (well, maybe not the very first substantial snowfall). 

Dealing with the changing seasons and a kid new to kindergarten all in the same week is just not fair! Slightly unbearable!  But not one to sulk too long, we made the best of our Fall-like night by building a fire and enjoying some S'mores.  It was really nice...I admit!  Give me a few days and I'll be ready for my next favorite season...Fall.