A for Effort

I have a good friend who really is more than just that, she is a friend that really gets me. I crave plans, family fun and making memories for my little ones. I tend to look past sensible, throw out realistic and force the fun when necessary. So when I text my friend asking if she too wanted to dress her kids up in costumes, venture to the zoo with hundreds maybe thousands of other crazy people and drag our husbands along all for some Halloween candy I already knew the response... of course! If there is a family fun event in a hundred mile radius she knows about it and either welcomes my proposed plans or has had it on the calendar way before me.










































So after a rushed morning gathering my boys from their grandparents after a late night at the fall fest, we made it to church with costumes stashed in the trunk. Service ended, we made our plan and headed for the zoo. The boys didn't know what we were doing, my husband was holding back his grumbles and I was pushing all my sicky tummy feelings away because we were going to have fun. As I knelt in the grass in front of a small white house blocks and blocks away from the zoo entrance making last minute adjustments to Pacey's fish costume I ignored my husbands muffled complaints and got excited for the memories.























Well there are no positive, picture worthy moments to report. We quickly discovered the line for trick-or-treating was outrageously long, there was no way our kiddos would last and maybe just maybe our husbands were right. No it couldn't be true, ok ditch the idea of candy I mean Target is down the road filled with candy for a few dollars, let's just enjoy the animals. She led the way blazing a trail weaving through parents holding crying kids and leaving the husbands in the dust. After looking at the lion, witnessing an orangutan pounding on the glass clearly upset at all the monkey costumes and more and more raindrops hitting our face we gave it up. I threw the kids in the stroller, yelled "we are leaving talk to you later" and booked it to the car. As I agreed with my husband that was a once in a lifetime attempt and wondering why anyone in their right mind would even think that was a good idea we left in the pouring rain.

Now most would probably throw in the towel and conclude fun wasn't happening that day, oh no not this mama. We brought pumpkins to my mom's for Sunday dinner and made everyone join in the carving experience. Uncle Andy was the funniest, stating "I'm not a dad yet I don't need to do this", well sorry sir today we ARE having some fall fun. Pacey was not interested at all, Trexen loved it for about fifteen minutes and we ended with the adults carving pumpkins while the boys played. I saw smiles though, we did have fun and Trexen hasn't stopped talking about his scary pumpkin all day.






































































Sometimes ideas are actually better in our heads than in reality but I say we got an A for effort.

Endurance was Tested

Today was the Roo Run Run, Trexen was registered, had his number and ready to put all his practicing to the test. If you haven't experienced the Roo Run Run it is pretty funny, a race for kiddos 2 years- 6 years. They get a t-shirt, an official number and medal at the end. I signed Trexen up a few weeks ago with some specific intentions. My husband and I want to facilitate a healthy lifestyle filled with activity for our little ones and in addition we are desperately trying to help Trexen overcome his painfully shy nature.


















My entire family has been hyping this race up for weeks now, encouraging him and preparing to cheer him on. Trexen was excited to wear his gold tennis shoes and pump his arms to fly past the other competitors. Morning arrived with dark gloomy rain clouds, cool air and anything but ideal conditions for a child's run. We debated all morning about what to do my husband ready to throw in the towel and move on while I was already configuring an indoor race track somewhere in our house with a finish line and balloons, I mean he was going to run no matter what.

We decided to get in the car and head to the zoo hoping the rain would stop in time for the race. Trexen fell asleep on the way and we were running late making for a crabby three year old and an anxiously frantic mama. On a positive note the rain had stopped and Trexen was quickly snapping out of the crabbies but I could only picture us getting to the start line and missing the race because we were so late. I impolitely told my husband to grab Trex and start running towards the race while I woke Pacey and followed (let me add we had to park blocks and blocks away from the zoo entrance).


















I try extremely hard to keep composer with my husband in public. This is something I am always aware of and have seen wives unintentionally disrespect and belittle their spouses in front of others too many times so I make it a point not to. HOWEVER I am human and today was the wife speed walking half a block behind yelling up to my hubby to go faster, run, move, get to the race! Oh my why did I do that, I'm sure people were watching and listening thinking I was a crazy person, it was just a preschoolers race for pete's sake.

With an almost 2 year old in my left arm, his rain boats barely on, my giant purse bouncing around, a new camera around my neck and sweat appearing on my face we got to the start line just in time. My family, have I told you how wonderful they are, were there waiting to cheer him on; my dad asking all the race volunteers for details wondering how the waves were set up and the layout of the course. He quickly realized it was a tiny little maybe 20 foot course and there were no rules or details to be had. I stood at the finish ready to click away capturing the moment when the gun went off, ok not really but someone said start. Where was my boy, did someone push him over, is he ok?


















Once the race ended and crowd cleared we saw him, clinging to his daddy with a face filled with crocodile tears. After all that, all the preparations and stress he let his intense fear of people get the best of him and didn't run. My heart sank, I was sad and disappointed, I knew he could do it. My husband was quick to say I told you so and I could tell our endurance as parents was put to the test today. I expressed my disappointment but took into consideration he is only three and very shy. After all said and done when the other kids were packing up to leave he ran his own race. Stretching his legs, pumping his arms and smiling ear to ear.

























As I sit in front of this screen replaying the moments in my mind the race didn't matter. He was exposed to a somewhat real race, was challenged and in his own way and time was the biggest winner of all to family who cheered, jumped up and down and told him how proud we were. Endurance was tested by we kept on, put things into perspective and walked away with an unforgettable memory.

The Last Hurrah

TODAY: PARTLY SUNNY, WARM AND HUMID WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND T-STORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.
HIGH: 89
WIND: W 5-15

This is the exact weather forecast from one of our local news stations. It started out being warm, humid and 92 with no showers but by last night there was a chance later in the day. Perfect, sounds like a great forecast for our last summer hurrah. The Deforest Splash Pad closes this weekend so I thought it would be fitting we end our PB & J summer there.

6am rolls around and I find myself half off the bed with a two year olds feet in my face. Trexen learned how to open his gate and can now walk into our room so he must have crawled in early this morning. I had a pep talk with myself late last night trying to find the motivation for a morning run. Easily persuaded to stay in bed I peeked my eyes open looking for the slightest chance of bad weather. Instead the sun was just coming up, bright and warm with a thin layer of haze. Running shoes went on and out the door I went to work towards my 10k goal and spend time in prayer with God.

Just an hour later my phone is beeping like crazy friends are texting and emailing saying it is storming. Well that's funny it was beautiful at my house and the forecast didn't call for morning showers. The scrambling started and a new plan was made. My littles were helping me dust while I frantically vacuumed, scrubbed and made a metal note to keep my house more clean at all times. By mid-morning our home was filled with coffee, donuts, my favorite group of mamas and 12 kids (only 2 girls) running around, laughing and begging to wrestle.

The weather had been an obstacle this summer forcing me to be flexible and think quickly. Hoping this fall will be a bit more stable but if not we can have fun anywhere! Here are some upcoming PB & J Days:

~Friday September 9th- Lapacek's Orchard
~Friday September 16th- Sun Prairie Dream Park
~Friday September 23rd- Henry Vilas Zoo
~No PB & J September 30th

PS....A new blog is in the works, stay tuned!

Friday Already

When your first thought out of bed is "how can it be Friday already?" you know the week was successful. We had an extremely busy week kind of throwing off our good balance and routine but filled with all fun stuff. Our building theme week kind of lacked however. I wasn't quite sure where to take the theme from the beginning, holiday Monday shortened our week, PB & J day at the zoo and then some alone time for grocery shopping didn't leave us much time for building.

We managed quite a few forts, stacking (and eating) mini marshmallows and artwork on a giant cardboard box.












The zoo was crazy busy, little ones, chaperons and teachers everywhere. Didn't stop us from having a good time though, the kids were fantastic and enjoyed the animals.