Organized Confusion: October 2013

Well October is halfway over but it’s been busy! We had a BIG birthday for Reese on the 1st when she turned 6. I can’t believe I am old enough to have a 6 year old. Reese has been having a BLAST at school, and we’re looking forward to getting her first report card this week. Ryan volunteered at school on Friday and the teacher told him she’s an excellent listener but that she stacks chairs like a champ. We figure if all else fails she has a career as a janitor to fall back on (we do have higher hopes though).

Ryan spent time at Wood River this week as a Watch D.O.G. (Dads of Great Students). They help with getting kids into school each day, they do perimeter checks throughout the day, volunteer in classrooms, have lunch room duty and are a male presence in the school. Reese was thrilled as his name was announced during announcements as Reese’s dad, and she got to take her picture with him for the Watch D.O.G. Wall of Fame. He had a great time and will definitely do it again.

Brynn and I have been keeping busy with story-time at the library (which she loves) and with a new group that meets once a week at the Church near our house for toddler time. She enjoys both and loves seeing her “frennies” (friends) as she calls them. She also has been LOVING the cooler weather we’ve been having. We have hit the park up a few afternoons already with many more to come.

Reese lost her second tooth the night before her birthday.

Last week she got a great report from the dentist as well!

Brynn in her hand me down fall clothes from Reese

Reese in the same outfit

Today we all got up REALLY early and headed out for a cool fall morning of hard work. Monsanto volunteered for the Harbor Half Marathon and I ran the half. The girls got to help out filling water cups and coolers before they headed out with Ryan to find me on the course. Brynn popped right up when we asked her at 5:30 a.m. if she wanted to go help Mommy and Daddy. Reese felt the need to complain about her clothes first, but what else is new.

The girls helped out, Reese more than Brynn, who spent her time, eating pizza and sipping water and then pouring the rest out of the cups. After the race they got to ride in the gators to drop off coolers and other items using during the race.

It was great seeing Ryan and the girls at two stops along the race, while they yelled “Go Mommy Go”. What was even better was kicking some tail and placing second in my age group. I was only a few minutes slower than the overall Masters winner (masters is someone over the age of 30). I finished in 1 hour 48 minutes and 17 seconds. For those of you keeping track that is 33 minutes faster than when I ran the same race in 2010.

Around mile 7mile 10coming in strong in the back to the left, in a HARD sprint to the finish