Super Run (aka Maumee Rec 5K)

Today was a super exciting day for me.  Alan and I ran the Maumee Rec 5K.  It's a small, affordable run close to our house.  I ran it last year as my first 5K in a looooong time.  Since it's in July, of course it's super hot.  Very hot.  Most guys were running without shirts on  for this one.

 Well, the great news was that despite the heat, Alan and I both placed in the race!  Alan got 3rd in his age group, and I got 1st place!!  Yes, 1st place!!  It was so exciting.  When I got to the table at the end and turned my popsicle stick in (for timing), I saw that I was the first one to come in for my age group.  I could hardly believe.  What an awesome day!! :)

Rock Climbing at BGSU

Sydney got a great opportunity today at summer camp - rock climbing!  They went over to the indoor rock climbing wall over at BGSU.  Even better Alan got to go over then and see her.  She did a great job.  She didn't make it to the top, but she did go up pretty high and really enjoyed it.

Swimming with Elle

Since Alan goes for a long run in his marathon training on Wednesday nights, we've been trying to invite friends over for swimming dates.  Tonight Elle came over.  As you can see, she was definately not shy about jumping into the water!  She did great - I was trying to encourage our kids to jump in without plugging their noses, just like she does.

Happy 4th of July!!

I have achieved a great accomplishment... this year I vowed keep the flowers on my patio alive (especially the basket that was my Mother's day gift!!) and to keep the pool clean for the 4th of July. And I did it!! The pool has been the biggest challenge around here - ALWAYS green and yucky on the 4th, just when you want to use it. But not this year. I have been reformed - I keep a calendar and check the levels at least 3 times a week. Oh, and the most important, the weekly shock. Even though it was a close call - when we got home from our camping trip we realized that the salt chlorinator wasn't working and the pool had no chlorine for days, it was on the edge of ruining it all... but Alan got it fixed and everything worked out. We've been really enjoying the pool as it has been close to 90 degrees for the last couple of days.

Here is a super cool picture I took of my guys. Awwwww

Cedar Point

We had waited so long for the new water ride to open.  Shoot the Rapids looked pretty cool, but due to some technical difficulties they had to wait to open it until long after the park opened for the year.

  Unfortunately we found out that they put a new height restriction on it and it was taller than Zack.  He was bummed, he really wanted to ride on it.  We did go with Sydney and she liked it a lot.

 Zack got the consolation prize of cotton candy.

The kids had a great time playing the old fashioned football game!

Teach a man to fish...

I often wonder what the kids can do to help out more around the house.  Today I started thinking that maybe they can make their own sandwiches!  When offered the opportunity they were pretty excited about it - Zack even jumped without excess nagging (I mean "encouragement").

In the end they had made a couple of pretty good PB&J's.  It took a bit of supervision and instruction, but it's a start!

Zack's 5th birthday

Zack requested a Monster Truck cake for his birthday, and this is what I came up with (oops, forgot to cover the board before I put the cake on it...). That is Grave Digger, pretty awesome!

We had the grandparents over for some cake, ice cream and presents. Zack was thrilled to be getting this Lego set that he wanted.

That is one happy birthday boy!!

Zack waits in anticipation of blowing out the candles...

Sydney is being quite motivational! He did a great job blowing the candles all out. It was a great birthday :)

Bowl-a-rama!

Today the Summer Camp program went bowling. The kids had a lot of fun. It was funny to watch them hurl the balls down the lane, and then the balls barely even rolled at all! Sydney won on her lane, with a score of 91!

Hey, pay attention - maybe you're getting a spare!

Sydney and her best bud Gabriella. :)

Swimming party day

Appropriately, we spent the first official day of summer in the pool! I thought it was a supposed to be a sunny day, but it ended up being quite overcast. The kids didn't mind a bit. They had some water gun battles, and played with all of our pool toys and rafts. They are all turning into accomplished swimmers, how nice to see them improve!

Sydney is Jacob's target...

Zack appears to be plotting his revenge on both Sydney and Jacob!

Everyone enjoying a snack after swimming. Good times!

Zack's b-day party at Heros

Heros is *the* place for birthday parties.  Or at least the kids think so  :)  Since Sydney has had a couple of big parties with friends, Zack had his there this year.  The party began with decorating a t-shirt, with his best bud Chase.

Next they got on the bouncer and slides.  Fun for everyone, even for big sis!

 It was a good group of friends.

 After the inflatables, the kids went to the "sandlot" and had a "food fight".  They hurled all sorts of stuff back and forth and the team with the least amount of items on their side in the end won.  Too bad Chase got hit in the head with a rubber chicken :(

 They also did a race on wheeled boards.  It proved to be a bit more difficult that it looks!

 Next the kids moved over to the carnival games.  This are is always a big hit and they get to pick out a prize.

 Of course the birthday boy gets the biggest prize!  No surprise, he picked out a jet.

Finally the gang headed over to the dining area, which was decorated like it was back in the 70's.  Pizza and juice was served.

After blowing out the candles on a his cupcake, the kids each got to decorate their own cupcake with yummy treats like jellybeans and gummy bears.  Those cupcakes are delicious!!



Finally it was time to open the presents.  He got a ton of toys.  Such nice friends!  Zack had a blast and it was a very special day for him :)

Safety Township

Zachary had the great opportunity to go to Safety Township this year.  The program was around back when Sydney was entering in to Kindergarten also, but I could not figure out how to make arrangements to get her there so she did not attend.  Zack got to carpool with Elle, who lives in our neighborhood and also goes to Childrens Discovery Center.  I am very thankful to have great neighbors and friends who can help us out like that.  That arrangement worked our very well.

The kids got to ride around a little town in these cool cars and learn all about safety rules - in cars, on bikes, stranger danger, and much much more.  He has been telling us all about it all week! 

 At the end of the week there was a graduation program to share all the information they had learned.