Boooohooooo more!!!

If I didn't know better, I'd think it was ME that was going back to school, because this week has just completely mentally and emotionally exhausted me! Hayley started Prekindergarten on Monday and Todd had his first day of two year old preschool today. Of course Todd handled his first independent adventure like it was no big deal. But it was absolutely bizarre for me to be walking out of the preschool completely empty handed. The entire morning I had this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach like I was forgetting something!

Hayley told me not to worry about Todd, that she'd "take care of him." I wasn't quite sure how to take that knowing Hayley! But Todd is already the cool kid since he's been hanging with the big kids for the past two years. I'm pretty sure he is convinced that he's really a PreK kid too. And I could tell he really felt like hot stuff sporting his new backpack, that only contained a change of pants for my big boy!

A summer of fun comes to an end

School starts tomorrow for Hayley and I have SO many mixed emotions about this! She'll be in VPK, which means she'll be at school EVERYday. Granted, just for a half day, but still every weekday. Little Todd will also be starting school for the first time and will attend on Tuesday and Thursday. He is THRILLED and seems to completely have his own class, his own independence, and his own backpack. So while I'm sad that I'm going to be ALONE for two mornings out of the week, I'm also pretty darn excited that I'm going to be ALONE for two mornings out of the week!! And how will I spend this ridiculous amount of child free time? Well first, I plan to go to the bathroom. BY MYSELF. Something I haven't done in four years. Then, I may just sit and enjoy the silence, the state of bliss that will be no one under the age of five questioning what we're going to have for lunch, what we're going to do the rest of the day, and whether or not I am lost. So after those initial ten minutes were I've accomplished a bathroom break and enjoyed five minutes of silence, I fully expect the sniveling to commence... I'll be ALONE! At least I've still got Chloe, who incidentally seems all too thrilled at the prospect of having 6 hours a week where there is no chance of teeny tiny fingers being stuck in her face.

We've had a fun summer though and both the kids have transformed into little water bugs. The pool has been a daily thing and Hayley is all over the big pool across the street from our house, much less our backyard pool. We again spent a lot of time in the jogging stroller, and Todd has developed his own training style with me. As I stopped for a drink of water the other morning, Hayley yelled at me to "keep running!" It was HOT out and I replied, "I'm dying." Todd said, "no, you IronMommy!" Clearly, while Hayley is still my drill sergeant, Todd takes more of a psychological approach to coaching!

And speaking of IronMommies, it certainly explains the lack of blogging. Our little group has been growing and we've spent the summer getting teams started in several different states. We even had an interview and article with our local paper. It's been a very exciting adventure and I'm looking forward to another winter of racing and yes, marathon training. After cutting back on miles this summer, I've realized that there is definite serenity that comes with marathon training. Somehow knowing you've got a 23 mile training run coming up just puts all of your other life problems into perspective. I'm looking forward to the stress relief!

California Girls...

...ain't got nothing on our Florida girl, but it was a very cute song for Hayley's 1st ballet show! We've spent the summer at a very low key ballet class and Hayley has had an absolute ball learning new moves and coming home to show them off to Daddy. While Todd and I watched on the sidelines each week, Todd picked up a couple of new moves too (much to Daddy's dismay). Next time you see Todd, just ask him to show you his tondue!

Before we left the house, Hayley told me she was not at all nervous about her performance.


Todd styled his hair in eager anticipation of seeing all the "honeys" in Hayley's dance class.


Hayley seemed completely at ease and not at all intimated by the packed house of anxious parents. She remembered all her moves and seemed to really enjoy performing in front of people.



She really enjoyed coming back out onto the dance floor at the end of the show to do her curtsey and take in all the audience applause!


And she was absolutely thrilled when Daddy presented his little ballerina with a bouquet of flowers! She told us that "this is the best night ever." A phrase she reserves for, well, pretty much every night! She's a VERY enthusiastic child!

You can watch Hayley's flower winning performance here: