Porter the Preschool Graduate

Porter finished his year of preschool and is ready for his kindergarten debut in the fall! I got kind of teary on his last day of school when I saw what awards he took home: "biggest helper" for always being willing to help everyone and the "really sticking to to it award" for sticking it out even when he was frustrated by certain concepts (once when he was frustrated he couldn't cut using a pair of scissors, he used the scissors to snip off a chunk of his hair). His teacher said he's really worked hard this year on listening and managing his emotions.

 Porter's ABCs

Porter can be a challenge. He's super stubborn and the more you push him to do something, the more he digs his heels in and will refuse. When he's frustrated he'll usually lash out by calling other people names and he's super territorial, even adding new friends into the mix can bring out a mean streak if he feels like his friendships are being threatened by the new kids. He has mischievous streak and gets some wild ideas (like peeing into an empty water bottle and then flinging the liquid around as he and his friend jumped on a trampoline. Yep, that really happened).

It's easy for Porter to get labeled as the trouble-maker or class clown (he also loves the attention he gets from the other kids for his silly and naughty behavior). I've had other moms tell me that I have my hands full with Porter or that they don't know how I handle him. I know they aren't saying it to intentionally hurt my feelings (it is true after all), but I can't help but get defensive of my son. I want so badly for people to SEE HIM as I do. Yes, he's all of those things, but he's also so sweet and can be so thoughtful and kind. He's curious about everything is always asking where things come from or what things are made of. Porter is my project kid...give him a job to do and he's so happy and content. Even if it's picking up sticks in the yard, he thrives on having a job to do. He loves to snuggle and will come sit by me and just want hugs.

His teacher, Miss Sheri, was so great to see the positive characteristics in Porter and that made all the difference in preschool. He had some rough patches for sure, but she still loved him and he knew that. That's why those awards he got on his last day of school mean the world to me. And to him too. He was SO PROUD of himself!

Preschool in Review

September: First day of school with his broken collar bone

October: He dressed up as Batman for Halloween, but took his costume off 5 minutes later. He told everyone he was "black man"

November: Green Eggs and Ham day at school

December: Gingerbread houses, Santa and problem solving by building a tower with cups

February: Happy 5th Birthday! A boy and his dog (Honey's Dog, Lady) on a winter hike. Painting at Honey's house, and sorting candy at the Valentine's Day party. Crazy hair day (but this was right after Porter had cut his own hair so I buzzed it. He didn't really have any hair to do anything "crazy", but he still wanted his picture taken)

April: He went antler shed hunting with dad and found some treasures. He made his own Easter egg basket out a milk carton and painted it at school.

May: Class Campout Day. Love the photo of Porter with his friend Daniel. This was a love/hate friendship that eventually turned into all love.

To end the school year, Miss Sheri hosted a carnival for the kids. There were bounce houses and games, balloon animals, and face painting.

Congratulations Porter on a great school year!

Random May Moments

With warmer weather, we opened up the sandbox and the kids didn't waste anytime getting their dirt on. 

 Grant loves marshmallows, even more, being silly with marshmallows

 Blake's dad built us this bird house several years ago. Each year we get a family of birds that build their nest in it. We love seeing the baby birds grow. And now that Blake's dad is gone, this bird house is a special reminder and connection to him.

 Grant loves to watch rock-crawling on youtube with dad.

 The boys pretending to fix their tractor.

 And look who showed up and wanted to use the potty!

Family Adventures (Razor Style)

Early in May we took the Razor out on our first full day adventure. There are some trails near our house that we'd ridden, but those were short rides. We were planning on a few hours, but this turned into a five hour ride! Our kids were super troopers.

Before we started on the trail:

 View once we reached the (almost) top:

Because I am so paranoid, there were a few spots where the kids and I got out so Blake could do some tricky maneuvering.

Grant and Porter both fell asleep on the ride down the mountain. I can't believe they slept through so many bumps on the trail.

First successful ride as a family! We can't wait to do some more adventuring on the trails this summer!

13.1 (version 4.0)

On May 12 I ran my 4th half marathon. 

The last one I ran was in September of 2013. During that race I got a stress fracture in my foot so I took the rest of the winter off from running to let it heal. Then in March of 2014 I found out I was pregnant with Grant and didn't even both to get back into running at that point. After I had Grant (October) we were headed into another winter and I thought "I'll worry about exercise in the spring" Well, Spring of 2015 came and I was SO out of shape. I gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy and it was HARD to get back into a routine of exercise. I ran/exercised off and on during the spring and summer of 2015, but not very consistantly. Finally, when Grant was a year and a few months old, I bought a pass to our community rec center in December of 2015. That was the kick in the pants I  needed! I didn't have to worry about babysitters for my kids because they had a daycare. I met some awesome new friends there and I looked forward to seeing them there and that kept me accountable. I went to Zumba classes and after a while I dared to try out a power toning and found out I loved lifting weights (albeit light ones, but still!). I started to feel confident and strong again. 

I started running consistently again and I was timidly planning on running the September half in 2016, but a few weeks before it I rolled my ankle doing a jump in Zumba class. I let it heal and that winter I started running again. I met some other friends who were also training for a spring half marathon. We ran together outside all winter...through all the freezing temperatures, snow, and wind. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have been able to get my winter runs in because I totally would have wussed out.

The day of the race came and I was SO nervous! My stomach was in knots and I wasn't sure I could do it. Along the race route I found the people who mean the world to me that gave me the boost I needed to keep running. Blake bought the posterboard that morning and had the kids decorate it all by themselves as they waited for me.

I remember passing Blake before the finish line, but I didn't even know the kids ran with me to the finish line. I had total tunnel vision, but I'm so glad they did because these pictures are so fun!

 My official time for the race was 2:06:45. That's 7 minutes faster than my old time!

 My good friend Bridgette who ran her first half marathon. We did a lot of training runs together and she was a huge motivator and awesome pace setter!