Duke's Preschool Bday and Knights Ratty Class Photo!

I forgot today was Wordless Wednesday.  Next week I will be quiet, I promise!

Tuesday was a big picture taking day!  I dropped Duke off at preschool and we celebrated his 3rd birthday with his class.  He was so proud to be the one blowing out the candles!

What a sweetheart!  I brought in small cupcakes and juiceboxes for the kids.

I made it to the Knight's classroom too and took their class photo for the yearbook.  If you look closely you will see two little girls holding the class RATS!  Yep, that's right, Knight's class pets are rats:  Maisy and Roxy.  There used to be a Daisy too but she escaped in the teacher's house.  Yikes!

Tuesday

Monday was super busy and super productive!  Duke and I went to the gym and I walked/ran for 7 miles for an hour and 40 minutes.  I ended the day at 32,283 steps.  My goal is do get to 40,000 steps in one day this year.  I was close a couple of times last year but I have never done it.  After the gym I stopped and got Duke's hair cut.  He looks so cute.  DadOf4 asked if I had taken his picture yet, and I said, "Nope".  He replied, "Who are you and what have you done with my wife!"  Ha ha.  It is quite out of character for me.  :)

We also did 8 loads of laundry and put most of it away.  I didn't have time to sort all of the socks, but I will get to them today along with another load of laundry from clothes we wore yesterday.  A load a day keeps the chaos away!

Last night Prince and Knight each had a boy scout meeting. DadOf4 wanted to talk pinewood derby with both den leaders so it was a bit of a trick to get everyone in the right spot at the right time.  Knight had Drama club after school.  Princess, Prince, Duke, and I picked him up at 4:00.  Then we came home and started supper.  DadOf4 got home around 5:15 and we ate.  At 5:46, Knight and DadOf4 headed out to scouts.  I cleaned up supper and then at 6:30, Princess, Prince, Duke and I headed to Knight's den meeting.  DadOf4 left with Prince for HIS den meeting, and Princess, Duke, and I hung out for 15 minutes until Knight was done.  Princess, Knight, Duke and I all headed home around 7:05.  I got Duke a bath while Knight read to Princess.  Princess also gave Knight his spelling words.  Woo hoo - major multi-tasking!

I'm glad we survived Monday and are on to Tuesday.  If you are interested, head on over to my fitness blog to see my goals for 2012.  I need to figure out some way to get some additional steps in today.  I am a bit under the weather.  I have a sneaking suspicion that it is allergies more than a cold.  Our mold and cedar counts have been through the roof over the last few days.  I'm just going to keep moving today and see what great things we can accomplish on this fine Tuesday!

It Sure Is Monday!

I am dragging this morning and that 6:00 alarm was not my friend.  We had a thunderstorm last night and my little Knight woke up and came downstairs from 1:00-2:00.  Zzz.....

I signed the Knight up for a Drama club for K-2 at school.  I reminded him to go this morning and I hope he remembers.  We may have to have early bedtimes tonight!  I like the clubs that meet right at the school right after school.  All he has to do is walk to the library after school - all of about 15 feet from his classroom.  I'll pick him up from school at 4:00 - the Duke will have to have a semi-early nap so he can wake up at 3:45 to get the Knight.

As I ponder the thought of early bedtimes, I looked at our calendar for today and realized that won't be possible.  The Knight has a boy scout meeting tonight at 6:00 too.  Prince has a boy scout meeting too so DadOf4 and I will have to divide and conquer.  I will take the Knight, Princess and Duke to the Knight's boy scout meeting while DadOf4 takes Prince to his.  I can get the two little boys to bed on time this way and have a little chatting time with Princess after tucking them in. 

Off to the gym!  I was actually able to walk for an hour Sunday afternoon while the Prince had basketball practice.  Princess and I walked the track and watched their practice at the same time.  A win-win-win!

Prince's basketball and Princess time!

We've had a great Sunday so far!  We made it to church - a feat in and of intself.  After church we headed out to Cici's Pizza to celebrate good grades.  Prince got all As and Princess got 2 Bs and the rest As.  Knight got a really good report card too - they do not do letter grades for first grade.  It was nice to not have to worry about lunch or clean-up.  We have given up our normal going out once a week - our precious little Duke does not like to sit still so rather than fighting him at restaurants, we just eat in. 

After lunch Prince rushed upstairs to change into shorts for basketball practice.  Princess asked to come along so we all headed out.  We swung by Prince's BFF's house - they are on the same basketball team - and headed to practice.  While Prince and his BFF practiced, Princess and I walked the track.  This track is really nice.  It's one floor above the basketball court, and the court can be seen from the track.  It's nice - I get an hours' walk out of the deal.  Princess and I talked the whole time.  I love it!  I am so close to my mom and I really, really want the same for Princess and me.  We talked about her BFF going to a different middle school next year.  We talked about her most likely coming back to the same high school and what we could do to nurture their relationship while they are not attending the same school.  We talked about friends and what sports she would like to try (Softball).  I am so thankful for our time together.  I know my days of her thinking that I am smart, cool, exciting, etc. are limited.  I have heard that parents are not allowed to be seen at middle school by their tweenagers.  I love this little girl with my whole heart.  I want us to be close.  I am thankful for the hour we had one-on-one today.

Beautiful day here in the South

There are not a whole lot of things I really like about living in the South, but I have to admit I love today's weather.  I am an Iowa girl, born and bred.  To be able to play outside in early January as a child required coats, mittens, scarves, hats, and the determination that fun could be had in below-zero weather. 

That being said, it is over 70 degrees here today, sunny, and undeniably gorgeous.  My always-cold, almost-seven-year-old just shed his sweatshirt and is running around in short sleeves.  It would not suprise me to see the 8 1/2 year old here in a minute racing upstairs to change into shorts. 

Princess and I are inside for the moment making cookies.  Princess is flying solo with an assist here and there from me.  She likes baking, and I like having her do it - less chances for me to snitch bits of batter!  :)  I am betting the boys will have these cookies devoured before the day is done.  Another good thing!

This is our last down Saturday for a while.  Basketball is just beginning and baseball will follow.  We had such a fun time with the Prince in baseball last year!  He had a great team and he and DadOf4 had great fun going to practices and having some bonding time.  We are going to sign up the Knight this year too.  Life is about to get a little crazy but that's OK.  That's the way I like it.

Friday fun!

We had a good Friday.  Princess's 5th grade class headed to the fire station for a field trip.  This is their very last time - they will all move on to middle school next year.  Princess was pretty as a picture - but I am not partial or anything.  :)

She has a nice class this year and I love, love, love her teachers!  She didn't get her best friend in her class but she has done a good job of making new friends.

Even Duke got to come along for the ride!  He was really good - at three years old he CAN be good if he chooses to be and thank goodness he chose to be good!

Prince went to the Fire Station last fall and my little Knight will go in the spring.  Here are some pictures from when the Prince went:

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to our little Duke!  Three years old!