Count Down to Christmas...

Stacked on the front seat of my car is a large pile of Christmas cards just waiting for me to get to the post office when it is open, not incredibly packed and I am without kids. Only 2-3 more gifts to pick up, baked and exchanged cookies this weekend and finally got a Christmas tree (it is actually very pretty considering there were slim pickings 7 days before Christmas). Owen is bubbling with excitement about Santa coming. Yesterday morning in between the gym, tree picking and Joey's basketball practice we stopped at home which is pretty uncharacteristic of my "running-all-around-town-day" but thankfully we stopped to pick up Joe because Santa came through our neighborhood on the firetruck. Owen was out of his mind with excitement...funny thing-Joey was jumping up and down too even after his many I-am-too-cool-for-this-and-I-know-the-deal-about-santa looks this holiday season. Tonight both boys helped to decorate the tree...well half of the tree is decorated with my hideous LED lights and the one bin of ornaments the boys put up before Owen fell asleep on the floor and Joey became bored and went back to playing bey-blades. While it lasted...it was so nice, Joey telling a story about each of his favorite ornaments and Owen carefully unwrapping each ornament from its package asking first if it is fragile and then commenting about one of its features. "This is a red crane." "Its door opens. Look." Busy, fiddling with the stupid lights, not hearing his comments he tells me "Look in my eyes" and repeats exactly what he just told me. He does this in the car and gets frustrated with me when I can't turn around and look in his eyes. He doesn't care that I need to keep my eyes on the road. He is a trip. I am restless tonight, gearing up for the big week ahead...hence my blogging on a school night and actually typing, not just posting pictures because I feel obligated to get something up here. 90 students demanding my attention in 9 1/2 hours should be enough to get me to go to bed...

FALL

The first weekend in December and a flurry of activities...Owen's angel breakfast at St. Paul's Preschool, Joey's first basketball practice, Christmas shopping, painting the new sunroom, Christmas carols and Santa at the Chalfont Firehouse...I figure before I start posting winter pictures I better catch up on the fall. Some Updates---Joey likes 4th grade, had a fun but long football season and on the morning of his 10th birthday woke up with his first shiner (he ran into a tree when Trick-or-Treating)---Owen LOVES school, is a completely loveable stinker and is finally giving into the whole potty training thing (which I now need to take back after Joe interrupted this posting because Owen had peed on his side of the bed while watching a Barney video). Some Fall Moments--- Joey plays at the Linc., Eagles home opener, first day of school, cycling 175 miles, running 13.1, ongoing construction at Churchville, ongoing construction at home, costumes!, Girls in Lake Placid, Alex runs a marathon, first flight w/kids "t-shirt time", seeing the Gulf of Mexico, Houston & the Hutchins, Thanksgiving!!, Foot Spas...ahh-a new love...thanks Aunt Amy, Hello Newman...

Race for Owen 2010

The Philadelphia Rock and Roll Half Marathon---NF Endurance Team---Race For Owen!!

Year 3...my Dad and I made it again 13.1 miles! So proud of my Dad, great to run the first 5 miles with him. Loved having Mom, Joey, Owen and Joe there to cheer us on! My Dad and I are so thankful to our wonderful family and friends...your donations were beyond generous and so appreciated. Thanks to my Churchville Elementary family for another excellent Dress Down Day this year!

Hard to believe...

September 11, 2010...hard to believe nine years have past. I always think of my Aunt Amy and Uncle Frank on this date and the many friends, loved ones, they lost. The fact that I haven't blogged since May, my house is a mess, I have yet to mail long overdue baby gifts, I haven't read or graded my students first essay and at least 12 people passed me on my morning run...all of which seems very insignificant on this day. The blog is being posted (finally), my house will be straightened- probably not cleaned, I will eventually make calls and send presents, the papers will be graded (maybe not this weekend, but definitely this week) and they passed me...so what?? I did make it two times around the lake (12 miles!)---next Sunday I will not be fast, graceful or pretty but I am ready. So after a day of some reflecting, I am going to continue on not sweating the small stuff, try to be better about keeping in touch with friends and family (many whom I REALLY miss) and completely enjoy my boys, my new group of 32 sixth graders and the many moments that make up my busy days. It has been a wonderful summer and although I am amazed that we are already 11 days into September, I am thankful for the wonderful moments of our lazy summer days...Owen going down the slide by himself at the pool, Joey scootering down the street to go hang out at a friend's house, spending late nights (not worrying that it's a school night) talking with Joe and watching movies. Loving all the "Wow" moments...fantastic "Milestone" birthday blasts...days of fun with Findlay, Patrick and Chris... first Triathlon (998 women competing!)...demolition of our sunroom...visits to the zoo...crossing the finishline with my brother during my 2nd Triathlon (amazed that I didn't drown in that freezing bay)...waking to the sounds of Loons at the lovely Cowan cottage...cheering on Joey as he sang "Sweet Home Carolina" @Cove Karaoke...running alongside Owen in his first 25 meter race and screaming for Joey as he crossed the finishline in his first mile long race. So...although summer-to-fall is always a tough transition for me, I am excited about many more moments to come as Joey enters 4th grade, LV football season revs up, Owen is @ his most-favorite-school everyday, EAGLES games with Joe, gearing up for a half marathon next weekend followed by a 150 mile bike race in 2 weeks and all of the much-loved-fun-fall-holidays. Lots to look forward to...