March already...and ignoring my blog

Again, I have been ignoring my blog and I don't really know why. It has been a weird winter for me...I had a somewhat depressing holiday season, and the winter is just dragging on and on...we have had snow, snow, more snow, and yes, more snow! The yard is piled up, the temperatures have been cold, my car is dirty, the driveway is pure ice, and it's been getting me down. But as "they" say, it's winter in Maine!

These pics are from Hannah learning to cross country ski one day, she really did a great job, it was alot of fun.

On a positive note, I have been doing yoga, working out, socializing with friends, and finding things to do to get through this winter...spring is definately on it's way and it is always fresh and revitalizing....oh, and another good note, it is staying light out until at LEAST 5:30!! yay!!

I need to not ignore writing, and I vow not too.

Ten-K fun!!

Here are the Pixies at the Dempsey challenge 10K! I have to say, it was a great time. The run was awesome, uphill and challenging for the first 2 miles, but then downhill and level for the rest of the 4 miles. Rose, Nicole and I ran together, and met up with Dena for part of her 5K. I think we all had a great sense of accomplishment...I know I do!! I really feel good when I challenge myself to do something more than what I have done.

Easing into fall...

Tomorrow is the last official day of summer, and fall will officially be here. I put this picture up because it is a combination of summer and fall things...Rose gave me the pink flamingos as a thank you for letting the kids use the pool all summer, and I found them a great home in the fall mums!!
Hannah is doing well so far in 1st grade, although I feel like the new school is like a prison or something...no stopping on by to chat with her teacher. The one morning I dropped her off, I wanted to go down to her classroom to say hello to her teacher, and I was not allowed. I do appreciate the security to keep the kids safe, but the school has definately lost the "small town" feel they had. How do people get to know these teachers? I met Hannah's once at the open house and basically introduced myself, that was it. So, I did make an appointment with her, which I am doing today, and I guess it's just to say hi.

Hannah has decided to try a swimming club this fall, the Westbrook Seals, and so far, she is loving it. I still can't believe how far she has come with learning to swim this summer, she may be participating in a meet this year!

Madelyn is Madelyn...more talkative and smarter every day...with that comes more stubbornness. Mary did say at daycare that she is just coming into her own...participating more, being more verbal, and being more independent. She is changing by the day!!

Chris and I went to his high school reunion last weekend...very fun. I got to meet his girlfriend from high school...let's just say that was interesting to say the least!

AND...I am almost ready for the Dempsey Challenge 10K next weekend!! Rose and I have run 6 miles twice aleady, and I feel very good and ready for it! I am so impressed with myself that I can run six miles fairly effortlessly....Yay!

Will Run for Wine...

Here we are...the girls of the Will Run for Wine!! This was taken at our Duo Duel 10K relay in August...we did great I thought! I actually got a better time than Rose, which is unusual for me!So now we are training for The Dempsey Challenge 10k race (not relay!!) I have never done a 10K before, but this morning we did it on our practice run! I am so psyched, since I have not done it before and I felt pretty good!
So, I will continue to get up a few mornings a week at 4:15 to run, at least until this 10K is over on October 2nd...then I might have to take a break for awhile! (Although I probably won't!)

September is Here!!

I cannot believe I have not written in so long!! As usual, we have been busy, busy, busy!!
The last weekend of August we had an end of summer luau...Shane and Larissa came to visit, we had a crazy time, eating, drinking, socializing, and doing a little late-night swimming...(we did NOT expect THAT to happen!) What fun!
Two days later, Hannah started 1st grade. It was somewhat anticlimatic...she still does not tell us much of anything that happens at school. I hate it! I wish I was a fly on the wall to see what goes on all day. I don't know her teacher at all, and hope to get to know her better as the year goes on. The great part of all this, though, is that Hannah is always excited to go to school, and she is confident and matter-of-fact about not knowing her teacher, or any kids in her class, etc. I do not worry about her during the day when she is at school.
Then, four days later, my baby girl turned 6!! We were going to have a pool party with a scavenger hunt, but Hurricane Earl threatened to wreck the swimming for the day, so we changed the venue to Chuck E. Cheese. It was a great idea! She had a blast, and it was well worth the money...they really make a little girl feel very special on her day, with songs, games, a chance in the ticket blaster, a crown, a medal, and lots of her friends there. It was really nice.
Hannah in the ticket blaster. She HAD a blast!!

Now, onward into fall and the school year!!

Summer!!

Going to the ocean beach...going to Aunty Shari's cabin in Michigan...camping at Whit's End campground...playing on the swingset...barbeques on the back deck...swimming in the pool with friends...making smores around the campfire...fishing with Grandpa off the dock...eating fresh Maine blueberries...learning to jump off the side of the pool into the water...going to the lake beach and floating in the tubes all afternoon...lots of delicious, fruity snacks...relaxing the the air conditioning and falling asleep in front of the TV...Hannah reading a book everyday...having margaritas with the girls by the pool as the kids swim...sleepover with Julianna...running at 4:30 in the morning and sweating in the humidity even then...Chris taking a trip to New York City for the Iron Maiden concert...camping at Acres of Wildlife with the Ruginskis...tie dyeing T-shirts...Hannah having a great time at gymnastics camp for a week...the giant waves at Scarborough beach yesterday...swimming in the pool more than we have any summers in the past...Hannah learning to swim...Madelyn swimming with just the floaties in her suit...watching fireworks at the cabin...jet skiing for the first time (Madelyn)...Hannah braving the water in her face to ride on the tube...watermelon...getting dirty playing on the beach at the campsite...riding in the back of the truck around the campground...late-night dance party when camping...make your own sundaes...teeter-tottering...mine tour...chutes and ladders...flying in an airplane to Grandma and Granpas...Hannah and Chris and Drew falling off the jetski into the lake...Mom's triathalon at Point Sebago...Hannah bungee jumping...running away from pirates...sunburns:(...Reese's birthday party...watering Mom's plants by the pool...spraying each other with the hose...playing Marco Polo in the pool...And we still have three weeks to go until school starts!!! Whew!!

Nicest Summer Ever!!

I have to say, since moving to Maine, this has to be the nicest summer ever!! That is why I have been neglecting my blog entirely, between swimming every day, going to the beach, going camping, our trip to Michigan, having friends over, Hannah having sleep-overs, gymnastics camp, friends here for swimming and cooking out...I haven't had the time!!It is all good, though, because the summers go entirely too fast around here!!
I have not one, but TWO swimming girls now, as Madelyn has moved up to swimming with just the arm floats and her floaty suit...they both are jumping off the sides like crazy!
This is also the first summer of being able to take the girls to the beach and they play nicely for about 2 hours or more!! I dare say, it is ALMOST relaxing for me...I better not say that too loudly...
But I have to confess...I have been secretly thinking about school shopping, fall clothes, scrapbooking, and quilting...all fall/winter activities...shame on me!!