I'm so proud!

Payton has just been surprising me this week. She did great on both days of preschool, and has had very few potty training accidents. Every day she seems to grow more witty and sweet, which makes it hard to be frusturated with her during the whiny and needy moments. It's weeks like this, when I look at her, that my heart just about explodes knowing that I helped make her into the little girl she is. And I love that.

S for Stires

You can't see it in this picture, but there is a S on the back of this car. Thanks to Monica, this super (in her words) pimped out car gets to join our family since Sidney and Sophia have outgrown it. How cool is that? Payton is going to be thrilled. Monica, you are the best!

9

Today our long run was 9 miles- Jon went and mapped out our route last night after the party. I think the only thing that I can say about the run is that 9 miles is long in the car (esp. in traffic times around the city in Elk Grove), and it's even longer on foot. But we did it! I walked at the lights, and up part of one large hill and trekked through the rest. Next Sunday, I am running the 8.7 miles to Matt and Kristi's house, where Kristi offered to cook us breakfast and put our sorry behinds into the car and take us back. Don't think I will forget that one! Our upcoming week is two five mile runs, and 9 again on Sunday. Thanks for all of you that continue to keep us motivated! Just over a month to go.........

Sam's First Birthday Party!

Here are just a few pictures from the day yesterday. We had such a great time! Sam held it together very well, even being a bit tired. We were a bit surprised that he didn't enjoy his cake a bit more (thanks, Lani for being our Martha Stewart), but we all were able to eat the leftovers. Thanks to those of you that were able to make it out to celebrate, and for everyone who helped us out with cooking, cleaning and everything in between.

She did it!

Not only did Payton have a sucessful first visit to the dentist (she even let them clean her teeth!), she had fun at her first day of preschool. She cried a little bit in the beginning, but then settled down after a while. It was certainly helpful that we were allowed to stay the first day, saving the first day for flying solo until Thursday. There are 20 kids in the class- 12 boys and 8 girls. (That was the automatic teacher response in me, to note how the class was split up). I think she will end up enjoying herself, after the initial change wears off. We just can't believe that she's going to preschool!

Progress

We are making some more headway with the kitchen, much to the relief of both of us. Jon did an awesome job getting some more of our cupboards sanded and ready to paint. We still have a ton of touch up to do, but just knowing we have the cupboard situation somewhat in order makes us both feel a lot better.

Again, we are faced with another busy work week! I am about to get a small taste of what my world will be like in the next two weeks when I have all four of my school back on track. Friday found me driving to all four sites, as well as our district office... it went by so fast, but was very chaotic. Thank goodness I am good at time management, otherwise this job would be a disaster!

Today we had a victorious day in our house- Payton used the potty 13 times. With much bribery and fanfare and lots of setting of the timer, she did it. She had one accident at the end of the day, which we felt was pretty excellent! We'll see how the next few days go... especially since she has her first dentist appointment tomorrow, and her first day at the new preschool on Tuesday. If anyone out there has more potty training ideas, we'd love to hear them! We'll be broke if we have to keep paying for diapers for two!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

4:38 am

We are both up. Because we are crazy. Jon just left for his run, and I am next. It took me three tries to log on the right way. Did I mention that we are crazy?

It's been a long week

Between another very busy work week, painting the kitchen (and redoing the cupboards) at night after the kids go to bed, and along with our marathon runs... we are spent. That's really all I can say.

My work week has been completley consumed with managing my para-educators (a.k.a instructional assistants). There has been some crazy drama that surfaced this week, and two have been released from thier contracts. What a process! If it is not the kids, it the parents... if it isn't the parents, it is STAFF!! I still am enjoying the new challenge, but going with the learning curve.....

Luckily, we have some fun things ahead to break up the craziness. Jon and I just bought tickets for the Dave Matthews Concert at Raley Field on August 25th. We haven't been to a concert together in a few years, so this will be fun for us. I am going to an event sponsored by my Mama BootCamp Master at Arco Arena... we get to do a workout in the arena to raise money for girls to go to the Sacramento Monarchs games. Sam's first birthday is almost here, so we will get to plan that as well. We love the birthday parties!

Keep your eyes open for new pictures of the kitchen!

This week

I am not quite sure where the week went, but it is over! It flew by- both of us were crazy busy at work. I am just starting to settle into the new position, and have been really enjoying myself and learning a lot of new things. Jon has yet another park day today, and was not looking forward to going this morning.

The bright spot of our week was getting the recessed lighting put in the kitchen! We are so excited about this. Next stop- BRIGHT GREEN PAINT (Blarney stone?!). It looks a little questionable on the can, so we will have to try it out and see. Jon spent the day sanding the cabinets as we are going to paint those white as well. It will be so neat when we are all done!

I'll post some pictures of the "new" kitchen soon. Happy Weekend!