So much is going on these days, I just don't know where to start. Too much has happened since my last post to back track, so we will just move forward! Mark and I both ran in the marathon this past weekend. He ran the full (26.2 miles) in 3 hrs 13 min and I ran the half (13.1 miles) in 2 hrs 45min. Yes, I finished before him and therefore accomplished my goal!! Whoo Hoo!!! Very sad that it was so close and he ran twice as far as I did, but hey...he is a natural, I am NOT!!! He enjoys running, I do NOT!

The kids are all doing great! Knock on wood....NOW!! Regan is in dance classes now and she loves it. Her favorite is tap because of the shoes. Dylan is taking gymnastics and he is doing great. We moved them to the YMCA so they could both take classes at the same time instead of sitting and watching the other one. It has worked great so far. Adam is still doing mom and me gymnastics at Cypress Academy. He loves it. I am ready for him to be potty trained so that he can move to the pre-school class and I can just watch instead of participate. I know I will look back and miss those days, but right now I am ready for him to move on. Call me crazy.

In other news, we will be taking our first Disney vacation in early February!!! I am so excited! I think I am more excited than the kids! We are driving (not too much looking forward to that part) so it will be a long trip for everyone. Mark wanted to run the Austin marathon this year which happens to be on Feb 15, the day after we get home from Disney World. He asked if I thought he would be too tired. I just laughed. Oh no, 2 days in the car with 3 pre-schoolers, 5 days walking Disney world with 3 pre-schoolers, 2 more days of driving with 3 pre-schoolers....I think he would be in great shape to run 26.2 miles the following day....don't you??? Hee Hee! I guess he is in for a rude awakening. After all, he works all day and does not spend ALL DAY with the kids very often, much less 9 days in a row! This should be fun.

I started training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this weekend. The official walk is not until April, but it will be intense. The first day is a 26.2 mile walk, followed by a night in a tent, and then another 13.1 miles the second day. My friend, Julie, and I are doing this together to celebrate her being 10 years cancer free. So far, the hardest part has been the fundraising. I am required to raise at least $1800. in order to participate. Thank you so much to those of you who have already contributed. I really appreciate your support!!! We went to a launch party this weekend and it was so inspiring. We need to find a cure for breast cancer, soon. If you are interested in participating with us, or if you want to make a donation, click on the link below for more information! Thanks!

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk2009/Houston?px=4516496&pg=personal&fr_id=1750&et=seWujYCrFcarsJ8qAmGHDw..&s_tafId=310694

Now for pictures...they are getting so big!! If you get a chance, leave a comment at the end of this post so that I know who actually reads this blog. Maybe if I know that people actually check it, I will be more motivated to update it.

Everyone take care! I will try to update again soon!

Love, Wendy

That's my girl!!

Regan is wearing her Disney Princesses nightgown. She came up to me out of the blue and said:
"Mommy, I don't want princesses on my gown. Do you think you could get me a nightgown that has QWEENs all over it?"

It was such a Regan statement, I had to write it down somewhere to remember it. Take care!

School Festival

St. John Early Childhood Center had its annual Nursery Rhyme Festival recently, so here are some pictures. The kids were suppose to dress up like a nursery rhyme character, but mine did not want to participate. We had great ideas, like jack and jill, Mary had a little lamb, jack be nimble, etc, but none of them would wear anything fun. So we went as Regan, Dylan, and Adam.

This is Adam and his new girlfriend. They were so cute together!

Adam finishing off a cookie

Searching for more prizes

Adam's class photo

This was actually Adam's last day of preschool for the year. I decided to pull him out and wait another year before starting him. He was having a hard time adjusting, so it wasn't worth it. I think he will be ready next year.

Regan had a blast riding the train

Princess Regan and Prince Charlie...she talks about him nonstop!

Regan's class photo

Dylan riding the train

Dylan wishing on a star! So sweet!

Dylan's class photo

Everyone here is doing good. We are all recovering from colds, sinus infections, etc. Regan and Dylan have their first school "field trip" this Friday to The Oil Ranch. I will be going (of course), so I will post lots of pictures next weekend.

Hope everyone is doing good!

Wendy

Catching up!

I know, I know...it has been a LONG time! I have no excuses.

Hurricane update:

We survived! We were very lucky! Our house took a small hit, some up-rooted trees, a blown down fence (portion), and a broken window. Nothing very dramatic! We were without power for 3 days, but luckily my mom had power, so we stayed there. I did make the kids sleep in the guest bathroom under the stairs for fear of tornados. The wind was VERY loud and the windows did shake! It was scary, to say the least.

School update:

Regan and Dylan are doing great in school! They never even mention being in different classes. I guess they get enough of each other at home :) Since the storm (and the 2 week break they had from school - week of illness, then week of post-storm cleanup) neither have had a problem going into class. They are both shy kids, so it takes a little prying them off my leg most mornings. The past 2 school days have been easy!

Adam is still having a hard time adjusting to me leaving each morning. His teacher does say that he is getting better, but the first hour or so is all tears. It is pitiful to watch (through the one-way glass).

Marathon update:

My friend, Janice, and I are up to running 5 miles. This is amazing to me, simply because I am not sure that I have ever run 5 miles total in my life prior to starting this, much less all at one time. We are averaging an 11.5 minute mile.

Mark is running a lot more! He is suppose to run 17 miles one day this week. CRAZY!!!

Kids update:

Regan - She is getting so big, so fast. She is still very petite, but has a huge personality. She weighs 34 pounds and is 40 inches tall. I know this because we had to visit the doc yesterday for a swollen foot and hand. She was biten by some mosquitos (VERY BAD sworms since the storm) and her foot and hand swelled up and bruised. The doc put her on steroids (for swelling) and an antibiotic to knock out infections. It is much better today. Her vocabulary is amazing for a 4 year old. She will talk your ear off and asks a million questions every hour. She doesn't skip a beat when she is talking to you. Every word comes so easily to her. She knows exactly what she wants to say, and she says it. She is not the "girly" girl that I always thought I would have, but she is just like me...imagine that. I still get to dress her cute and make bows for her hair...for now anyway. I don't imagine that it will be that way for very much longer. I keep trying to convince her to take dance class, but she wants nothing to do with it. She prefers karate and soccer (not that there is anything wrong with either of those activities, they just don't wear tu-tu's). I am holding on to gymnastics as long as I can :) She is really good at gymnastics, and just got moved to a higher level class (her and Dylan both). Her favorite toy is the bug catcher that she collects worms, love bugs, and lizards in. She will spend all day outside digging in the flowerbeds for bugs. Nice. She is also a dog lover...hmmm, wonder who she gets that from? She gets up every morning and goes straight to the dogs to tell them good morning and feeds them. So sweet. She also loves helping take care of Adam. She plays the "mom" in our house, and the boys pretend to be her kids. It is so funny to hear some of the things I say! Her nickname is still "Princess", and it will be until she stops responding to it!

Dylan - He has passed Regan signifiantly on the growth charts. Last weigh in he was 40 pounds and 41.5 inches tall. He is still my sensitive child, very emotional and sweet. He is constantly coming up to me saying "I love you" for no reason. The latest thing is "Mom, you are the best". It sounds so grown up....Mom. He has started sticking up for himself a little more. He will get mad at Regan when so doesn't give him an opportunity to talk (A big reason we chose different classes this year). I love seeing that tougher side come out of him. His favorite activity is swimming...by far. He talks about it everyday. It doesn't matter if there is a hurricane outside, he wants to go swimming. He is very good at it too. He can stay under water forever. This is amazing considering how bad his asthma is. Even his asthma doc was impressed that he likes swimming. She said most asthma patients find it uncomfortable, and he is a "true asthmatic". Speaking of asthma, we have had a great summer...hospital free. Lets hope that this fall is just as health friendly to us! Dylan is getting better at wearing his glasses. I think he realizes that it is easier to see with them on. I do still find them in crazy places, but recently I noticed that he was putting them on without me asking him too. That is a huge step! He is the best big brother to Adam! They will play and wrestle until I make them stop for fear of someone getting seriously hurt. I always call Dylan "D", but he has recently asked me to not call him that. It is so hard to stop...it just comes out of habit. His nickname is "Handsome", and I am sure that one will have to go too. I will continue using it until he asks me to stop :(

Adam - Crazy man. I think he is around 24 pounds, but no idea on the height (yes, he is the 3rd child). He is quite the character. He loves anything relating to a ball. Baseball, football, basketball, soccer, golf....you name it. He is also very good at hitting, kicking, throwing, swinging, etc. All of the neighbors are convinced that he will play pro sports one day. How often do you see a 2-year-old dragging a baseball tee, baseball bat and ball out of the garage, down the driveway, and into the cul-de-sac to play ball with the big boys? It is so cute. I will have to get a pic one day soon! He is in a big boy toddler bed now and we are attempting potty training. I know he is physically ready, just not interested yet. He is still attached to his paci and the famous "rags" that Regan introduced him to. Adam is also a very picky eater. It is a job just getting him to eat. He is very small for his age. He looks a lot like Regan and has a very similar personality. He is VERY independent and knows how to throw a good tantrum. Hard headed to say the least. He also has a sensitive side to him (in his momma's boy mode) and will cuddle and say "I wuv you mommy". So sweet! He also LOVES gymnastics! whoo hoo!! (but so did Regan and Dylan at this age!) The coaches keep telling me that he will go into an advanced preschool class when he graduates from mommy and me class (3-yrs-old AND potty trained). He likes to help Regan dig for bugs and play monster with Dylan. I love that the 3 of them are so close in age, they really do play well together (most of the time). His nickname is "Monkey" and it fits him perfectly. He will climb ANYTHING...you name it, anything. His goal is to be up higher than anyone else in the room. Crazy kid.

This picture should be an advertisement pic for those saftey nets across your driveway to prevent kids from running into the street!!! AUGHHH!!!

Sorry for the long post...lots of reading. I hope everyone is good!

Love,
Wendy

First day of Pre-school

Wow, what a day! All three kids gone for 5 full hours. It was amazing.

We got up early this morning, prepared 3 lunches, packed 3 backpacks, got 3 napmats covered and packed into the car, ate breakfast, got 3 little ones dressed, brushed teeth, combed hair, then 2 of them had to change clothes because of toothpaste of their shirts, took pictures, went potty, changed a diaper, and loaded the minivan for preschool.....whew.

Everything was going great as we walked into the building. Adam was clueless about what was going on, he is used to dropping Regan and Dylan off at school, then coming home with Mom. We dropped Adam off first, and he went right in to blow bubbles with his teacher. I was able to put away his stuff, sign him in, and talk a little to the teacher aide before I went over to tell him goodbye. I said "Mommy's going now, I will see you later okay?" He said "Okay momma". As I started to walk away, he followed saying "wait mommy, wait". I told him to go blow bubbles with your friends, and I will see you later". He said okay and went to blow more bubbles. We left for Dylan's room.

Dylan froze at the door. I had to about shove him into the room. He was very quiet and withdrawn, but no tears. I told him I would be back right after rest time, and he said okay. He didn't want to sit at the table, so his teacher aide came and sat with him to help him write his name. He seemed fine when we left for Regan's room.

Regan stayed attached to my leg the ENTIRE time I was unpacking her stuff. We met a couple of friends and talked to the teacher a little, but she was not budging. I had to pry her off of me while she cried and I gave her to the teacher. She always has a hard time in the beginning, but experience has shown that she is fine after a while.

As I walked out the front door of the school, I felt a huge sense of relief, a little sadness, and a lot of trust in the school and teachers. St John is by far the BEST preschool. I just can't say enough about it. Regan and Dylan have been there since they were 18 months old, so everyone knows us well. It feels like family.

When I went to pick them up this afternoon, I thought I would start with Regan since she had the hardest time this morning. She was still napping, and the teacher said she had a GREAT day! She cried for about 5 minutes and then was fine the rest of the day. Same story with Dylan. He had a GREAT day, but did shed some tears after I left earlier. He was fine after a few minutes.

Adam was a different story. He was in the teachers arms when we got there, and apparently had been in her arms most of the day. She said "he really missed you mommy". The teacher was able to distract him a little on the playground to watch the birds, and then again at lunch, but that was it. Poor baby was so sad. His voice was hoarse and his eyes were so red. Friday is going to a rough drop off. Hopefully it will get better with time. His teachers are great, so I know he is in good hands.

When we got home, we celebrated with some ice cream cone cup cakes. Everyone was in a great mood before we even drove up the driveway (3 minutes from the school). I think we will all sleep good tonight.

Love, Wendy