Ukrops 10K

The day dawned crisp, cold and clear- which was ooldes better than the forecast had called for- cold, windy and rainy! Learning my lesson from last year- I spent over 30min just trying to find a place to park- we left the house early, and of course, found a great parking space right away (thanks, Dad, for teaching me how to parallel park!).

I bundled the kids up in the wagon and we were off! Here they are anxiously awaiting the start of the race- aren't they cute?!? I love this spot to watch the race- in the middle of the grassy island on Monument Ave- Mile 1 on one side and Mile 5 on the other! Here, all the runners are fresh and excited! Once the leaders passed Mile Marker 5, on the other side of Monument Ave, we crossed over, too, and then got to watch everyone pass by, again, not looking so fresh and happy- but heck, they are doing better than I could!!

Checking out the 2 bands near us- this one we liked because they were near one of the famous monuments that give the road its name.

Ready to cheer on their Daddy and friends!!

Can you tell it had warmed up a bit? They are giving me a thumbs-up since they were having so much fun!! Donuts, juice boxes, signs and lots of room to run- what more could a kid ask for??

Yay Daddy!! Notice ALL the yellow and black? It seems that more than 1/2 of the runners were wearing VCU shirts this year instead of dressing up in fun costumes. Let's hope all this team spirit helps the Rams tonight in their Final 4 game!!

Miss Gillian (one of Al's bosses) made a little detour to say hi- it made the kids' day!!

Once Miss G passed us, the race leaders did on the other side of the road, so we hopped on over. Addie and I kept cheering, but Alden, well, he had other plans- sit on the wagon and eat a ridiculous number of chocolate frosted donuts....

Addie saw this lady standing by herself a few feet away from us- and asked me if she could go stand with her- so sweet! The lady was so tickled and told me that having Addie stand and cheer next to her made her day. I love how Addie already has a tender heart for others!

Al- wondering where Addie is.... Love how he still has plenty of energy after running so many miles already!! He ended up finishing with an amazing time of 49.24- wow!!

There goes Aaron- one of Al's other bosses- he is married to Miss G- and was excited to have an excuse to visit Richmond AND run in this race.

And here is Miss G again- not too focused on her time so much that she couldn't stop, grab a quick drink (we were right after the drink stands) and say good-bye to the kids.

What a mess- the kids thought it was hysterical that the runners would throw their cups on the ground- THE GROUND!! When they did get hit with an occasional splash, they would both laugh, thinking it was the funniest thing ever.

All done- once our friends had gone by, we loaded up the wagon and headed for our car. They were both exhausted- getting up at 6am and running around outside for over 2 hours will do that to even the best of a preschooler!!

It was a great time this year- who knows how many Perrecas will be running in the race next year.... Both kids showed great interest in it- and I'll be on the sidelines to encourage them!!

March Madness

No, I'm not referring to the basketball tournament- but it IS really sweet that the team from our very own backyard is in the Final Four!! I am referring to this- the white fluffy stuff. Snow. The pictures don't do it justice- both cars are dusted with it, it dusted the ground- and it really started snowing once we got IN the car to head to church. Crazy!! The kids both wanted to know if this meant we should put up the Christmas tree and wait for Santa....

Notice the roofs- coated in snow- you can even see it all over the ground!

Thankfully it was all melted when we got out of church. What's really crazy is that this time last week- the kids were both in shorts and short sleeves, running around the yard SWEATING! God sure does have a good sense of humor.... He has totally shown me that He is in control and I really can only plan but so much....

When Alden Runs Out of Paper...

He starts to decorate his sister- who is happily part of the artistic process....

Sigh.... Now you see what I have to color my hair now....

Faculty Basketball Game

A few weeks ago, I heard on the school announcements that I would be playing in the student-faculty basketball game. Yes, I was told, I did NOT sign-up- for those of you who know me, you understand. I am a good sport, and once telling the director of the said event, that I have zero athletic ability, I joined in with gusto. See the cool socks we are all wearing? My idea!!

The game was a blast- playing with so many fun ladies- and having a chance to get in a few students' faces- made it all worthwhile!

Here were all are trying to come up with a plan.... Don't we look cute?

Practicing...

The part I was good at- sitting on the side lines cheering for the other players!!

An action shot- I did my fair share of running up and down the court- it's a work out I tell ya!

Even though we did not win (we lost by 3), it was fun, the kids laughed and I earned some "cool" points, but the best part, hands down, was the fact that Al was able to come- and he even stopped and got OUR kids so they could come and watch Mommy play soccer (no matter what I did, they were convinced that I was playing soccer). I am so blessed to teach at this school, work with these lovely ladies, and have such an amazing family to cheer me on!!

Playground Fun

On Saturday, Al took the kids to a local elementary school to ride bikes. They caught a glimpse of the playgrounds (there were 5- yes FIVE), and decided that playing on them would be FAR more exciting than riding bikes....

They both climbed this with no hesitation- gone are my cautious children!!

Alden hot on Addie's heals...

Alden taking sliding up a notch...

Addie quickly scaled this ladder- amazing!

This was rather tricky- but they had no problem at all

I have zero athletic ability- and am extremely grateful that Al IS athletic- and clearly, our children take after him in that department- whew- thank you Lord!!

Top 'O The Mornin' To Ya

St. Patricks Day was a lot of fun this year as the kids totally got into it!

Here they are after school, all geared up for dinner at a park- it was just gorgeous weather so we had to take advantage! This picture just says it all- Addie is sassy and Alden is busy exploring and being a lady's man.... Love those kids!

Being super cute

Little Miss

Mr. Charmer

In the car waiting for Daddy to come back with our special dinner of Chick-fil-a! Hamming it up!

Playing at the park- having a blast!!

Here are some funny stories from this years St. Pat's Day....

1. They wanted to know why we hadn't gone to visit him at the mall like the Easter Bunny and Santa.

2. They also kept getting leprechauns and St. Patrick confused- was it St. Pat who was looking for treasure or was it the leprechaun who told kids about Jesus?

3. At their school, while the kids were playing outside, a "leprechaun" left green footprints across their table as well as trail of chocolate golden coins and green milk- they were SO excited!!

4. Both kids were convinced that a leprechaun had been to our house while we were at school and left them pots of golden coins and green milk.... Um, no. When I told them that if someone had tried to get into our house, Kierke would have barked. Their response? Get rid of Kierke! I was able to check my email via my phone and tell the kids that the leprechaun had emailed me to tell me that he only had time to visit children once this year- and since he had visited them at school, that was going to be it. He also told me that he hadn't left them any more chocolate coins since he didn't want them to get cavities. Thankfully they bought both stories- whew! ****Note to self for next year- buy chocolate coins!!****

It was fun this year and I look forward to more holidays with the kiddos as they seem to "get it" more and more!

Drumroll....

Up today, I have never dyed my hair- no sun-in, no highlights, nothing. I haven't really needed it as my hair has been light brown with natural highlights. That is until I had kids and my hair turned dishwater brown- blah.

Today, I changed that. I dyed it for the first time- and I loved it!!

Before- Alden wanted to get in on the picture- Addie took it- not bad for 5!

And after- it's a bit lighter and I love the subtle highlights!

Another snap shot using the timer as both kids were napping!

I loved the almost-instant results of this and will most certainly be doing it again!!