The Belle in Training

The Belle has been asking to run a 5k for about a year now. We finally gave in and signed her up for one at the beach in a few weeks. Her daddy began training with her yesterday. She successfully ran a mile and asked if she could do it again when she finished. We thought it would be best if she rode her bike instead of doing too much in one day. I was so impressed at how much she enjoyed running!



We also signed The May up as a walker for the 5k. She was sure that since she is now 5 years old that she would be fine walking 3.1 miles......we will see!! The May and The Lynn rode bikes during The Belle's training. I should really look into a bikeathon next!

The May turned 5!

We had several days of celebrating our sweet May's 5th birthday! She started her birthday out by taking 80 (homemade) cupcakes to school and wearing a special "birthday girl" shirt that she specifically requested.



We started a dinner birthday tradition several years ago with the girls. They get to choose where they want to eat for their birthday. The May chose O'Charley's; ironically enough, I went into labor with her at O'Charley's 5 years ago! The waiter overheard us talking about it and gave The May a dessert for her birthday!




Saturday morning we had a Madeline themed party at the park (you can see in all the pictures how WINDY it was!!). We started off by reading "Madeline". Then the kids painted Madeline hats out of paper plates and bowls followed by a fun game of pin the hat on Madeline (the May colored the majority of Madeline herself). Special thanks to Mrs. Kelly who overnighted a special Madeline shirt all the way from California for The May to wear on her big day! The girls were so excited to play with all of her presents yesterday after church. She really loves playing school and thanks to Nana she pretty much got a classroom for her birthday. Thankfully, Nana came over after church and helped me organize The Lynn's room into a classroom/playroom.






I ordered The May a special Madeline clip to wear to her party off of Etsy. Unfortunately, it didn't arrive until Saturday afternoon (and the party was over). I thought it was so cute and thankfully I did get a picture of The May with her shirt and clip.


I still can't believe my sweet girl is 5!

Double The Sweetness

Our good friend Mrs. Carla had twin girls last week and they are SO sweet! The girls are in love with their new friends.

Student Of The Month!!

I am one proud momma! My sweet Belle received the student of the month award (for grades 1st-3rd) for the month of September at school. Each month the school has competition Friday (they have academic drills within the grade levels). The teachers also give out a homework award to those who haven't missed any homework assignments. I knew The Belle was getting the homework award but I had NO idea she would be the student of the month. Thankfully, I had my camera handy; I wish I could have seen her face when her name was called. Along with the award she got 2 free tickets to Triple Play (the bounce/jump place) so The May was equally happy about the award!

Still no need for the Maytag repair man!

The handle on our fridge broke yesterday. The Belle took matters into her own hands to notify everyone. No worries though she gave clear instructions on how to operate it.

Just in case you can't read the warning; it says: "no pull out of order sorry?" (I am still a little confused about the question mark. I am not sure if we are questioning that we are sorry or not.) The warning card to the left says "pull right here". I have to admit her warning cards have been very helpful. Every time I have gone to grab the handle I stop myself because of the card.

PUDDLE MUDDLE

I’m in the middle of a puddle…
in the middle…
in a muddle.
The puddle’s much too deep.
It spilled
into my boots.
Now they’re filled
with muddy water
to the brim.
I hope my feet
know how to swim!

-Elaine Magliaro

The girls were excited to go outside and play in their rain boots this afternoon. Unfortunately the rain started coming toward us and interrupted our puddle time. I love the pictures of The Lynn holding on tight to her cookie, the one with the look of panic on her face as the rain barreled after her, and how tiny the May's face looks with ALL that hair flopping around. The Belle is such a good big sister; she is so focused on helping The Lynn (even when she ran out of her boot) :) It was quite difficult running backwards in the rain and trying to take pictures all while trying to keep the camera dry!!! We quickly ran inside and everyone went straight to the bathroom to dry off.

I get the biggest kick out of my girls. It is funny to me that I have 3 girls so very close in age that are so much alike but yet so different. A couple of weeks ago I picked The Belle up from school and the following happened:

Me to The Belle: how was your day?
The Belle: good. This girl in my class out ran every 1st and 2nd grader today at p.e.
The May: EVEN YOU?!?!
The Belle: YES! But only because I had on these rain boots.
The May: I loved wearing my rain boots to school today.
The Belle: not me, I couldn't run at all with those things flopping up and down!

The next morning as the girls are getting ready for school the following takes place:
The Belle: momma can I please wear tennis shoes to school?
Me: Well, don't you want to wear your new mary janes?
The Belle: no mam, I can't run in those.
Me: (thinking to myself we haven't bought any new tennis shoes since last school year and she probably doesn't have any that fit) if you can find some that fit.

After trying on 3 different pairs of tennis shoes The Belle returns wearing a pair of play velcro tennis shoes.

The Belle: mom these are the only ones I can get to fit and I think I can make them work just for today.
Me: (a tad bit embarrassed that my 6 year old is wearing velcro tennis shoes) sure as long as you don't think you will get blisters.
The Belle: it doesn't matter if I do. I have to wear tennis shoes today.
Husband walks in and I say "there is your mini you".

Me to The May: do you want to wear tennis shoes today too?
The May (who is rocking a side ponytail on the top of her head, eating a muffin with her hand on her hip): uh no mam, I am wearing my gold sandals, Bethany in my class says my gold sandals are SOOOO cute!

Husband looks at me and says "and there is your mini you".

Who knows where The Lynn will fall when it comes to fashion and athleticism?!?!
*These are pictures of the girls in the said velcro tennis shoes and gold sandals*