12 months of races | august | head for the cure 5k

August became a crazy and busy month for us this year. Life things happened, school started and things just got pushed aside... like my running. Also, finding a race for the month of August was hard because it's hot. So very hot and muggy and people here don't really like to run in that. Luckily though, a very awesome race just so happened to be scheduled on my birthday this year. The Head for the Cure is a great race for a very awesome cause, fighting to beat brain cancer. There was no better way to celebrate my birthday than doing what I love and raising money for such an awesome cause. 

The race started early and is super close to where we live. It was also pretty shaded which made for such a nice environment to run in. I was really hoping to push hard and maybe get a new PR(birthday wish ;)) but towards the end I started getting a runner's headache and wasn't feeling too hot. I was however, very proud that I was able to run the first mile in 7minutes. I finished in 23:17 and was 7th in my age group. Lots of awesome motivation from running this race!

I am getting so excited for the fall weather and cooler temps. Looking forward to some more fun races too!

missouri state fair

This weekend we quickly decided to head to the Missouri State fair for the last weekend it was here. I absolutely love going to fairs and we always have such a fun time! This trip was no exception. We left a little late since our cute little neighbor had her birthday party at the farm in the morning.  We had a blast celebrating her birthday and playing with the animals at the farm and then we quickly piled in the van and drove the almost two hours to the fair.  

Once we got there it was hot and muggy and we decided to start it off with a yummy lunch.

After our delicious lunch we went and visited all of the exhibits. The kids enjoyed the giant produce and looking at bees but the favorites are always the animals and this year they really enjoyed the rabbits! 

The kids had a lot of talking and asking questions to the police car. They thought he was so funny and it was so cute to watch them all interact with him.

  Poor Oliver slept through most of the animal exhibits. 

  After we saw most of the animals we were all getting pretty tired. It was extremely hot and sweaty and Wayne's back was bothering him pretty bad so I was doing most of the stroller pushing or kid carrying. We decide to finish the day off at the fair with some fun rides and a few quick games. 

  Wayne won Sabrina this giant stuffed unicorn. From the moment she saw this unicorn, she never stopped talking about it. She would remind me during lunch "mommy! there's a pink unicorn!" and so when it finally came time for games she was so very excited. This little unicorn goes pretty much everywhere and sleeps at the end of her bed. She is one very much loved little girl!

  We had so much fun this year at the Missouri state fair. We are hoping to go down to Wichita and visit the Kansas State fair with my brother and his family come September. Fairs are definitely a fun family tradition that we enjoy more and more every year! 

first day

Well, it's official! We now have a first grader, a kindergartner and a preschooler all in this household! It's crazy to think how fast time has just flown by and how much these cute little kids have grown up. It's wonderful and awesome and scary and bittersweet all rolled into one. I am proud of my kids and so excited for them on this new adventure!

I think out of all of my kids, Sabrina was by far the most excited to start school. She has been asking almost everyday since last year when she would be able to ride the bus and go to school. And when we finally got to meet her new teacher and visit her classroom at sneak-a-peak, she cried because she didn't want to leave. I am so very excited for my Miss Bre. I know she is just going to do awesome in preschool and I am already enjoying all of the stories of her new friends who are in her class. 

Chase was really excited to start school. So much that he woke up at 6 all dressed and ready to go. Chase loves to learn so I know that kindergarten is going to be so fun for him. He was a little quite when he came home from his first day. He is pretty overwhelmed with the big change of a new school, new teachers and new friends. I think he thought that all the kids from preschool would be in his class so he was a little bummed, but I am not too worried. I know that he will make friends easily. He is really excited about his teacher and so am I. She is really sweet and fun and perfect for this class of kindergartners! I can't wait to see Chase just blossom and grow! 

Wow! Fisher is a first grader! When did that happen? Fisher loves being in school. He loves going every day and was so bummed this summer when summer school was over. I am excited and terrified of this year. Mostly because Fisher and Chase are going to a brand new school, which means for Fisher a whole new routine and place he is going to have to get adjusted too. I am pretty confident that over time he will be fine but it still worries me. I want Fisher to succeed and grow and be more independent. I am pretty excited that is resource teacher from his last school is with him and that will make things easier. I am also really excited for his teacher. She taught at the school that Fisher was in when he was in the special autism class for preschool. So she had met Fisher before and knows his previous teachers. I am so extremely proud of Fisher. He is growing and accomplishing new things all the time. I know first grade will be so much fun for him!

We are all so excited for this new school year! It's definitely going to be a fun filled year! 

last day of summer (vacation that is)

Yesterday marked the last day of summer vacation for us. Today our Mr. Fisher began his first day as a first grader, and tomorrow, two more little people from this house will join him as they begin their school routine as well.

This summer was a good one. We enjoyed every minute of it. Lots of sunshine, amazingly perfect weather(not too too hot), lots of playdates with friends, hours in the pool, traveling to different states, visiting places we have never been before. The list could go on and on. It was jam packed and crazy and just everything awesome.

Yesterday, after a morning of running errands, the kids and I decided to have picnic at the park. Which of course lead to exploring and walking along the paths.

The twins,  as I will sometimes call them because people are always asking if they are. They are too funny together, and even though they can fight quite a bit, they are still such good buddies.

We have this nice little park that has become our favorite new place. It's tucked away and hardly ever busy. It is also right near some train tracks which Fisher just loves. He loves to just sit and the grass and watch as the train goes by.
 

Both Wayne and I thought it would be fun to go grab a quick bite to eat for dinner to celebrate the official last day of their summer vacation. It wasn't anything too fancy but the kids loved it! And again, to finish off the night Wayne took them to their favorite park to play.

Yes, this summer was good to us. I am thankful for the fun memories we were able to create. Thankful for the endless amounts of laughter I heard or the rainy day snuggles and catching up on old movies. It was a great vacation and although it went by far too quickly, the kids are really so excited for school to begin.

Here's to a wonderful and awesome school year!