First 5K

Two weeks ago at lunch a few friends were talking about needing to turn in their registration forms for the GIPS Family Fun Run.  I joined in on the conversation and decided on a whim that I would sign up too.  Danielle also signed up impulsively.  I called Zach to see if he would do it with me.  He agreed, but he was confused about where this sudden desire to run came from.  In the next two weeks, I went running five times.  I had a run/walk routine that I tried to increase each time.  This Saturday morning was the race.  The forecast looked bad.  There was a lot of wind and a 100% chance of thunderstorms.

Monroe was dressed for the rain.  She stayed with Shelley's daughter, Faith, while we ran.

Zach's goal was to run the whole thing.  My goal was to run more than I walked.

My first-ever running number

Our group of friends before the race

Danielle and I decided to run together.  We both had very limited training, and we thought we'd be at about the same level.  It was a good choice.  We pushed each other the whole way.

Our 2.5 mile selfie

We did it!

We both met our goals!

After the race

The first timers

 They had a bounce house that Monroe played in after the race.

While Monroe was playing in the bounce house, they were doing awards.  Abby and her family were watching because Matt was convinced that Abby had done well.  He was right!  She placed third in our age division.

Holding hands

Post-race family selfie

I still don't like running, but I don't hate it either.  We'll see if we run more 5Ks in the future.

Preschool Program

Monroe is officially done with her first year of school!

First and Last Day of Preschool

She had her end-of-the-year preschool program on Monday.

Her class of 11.  They sang five songs for us.

This was their first song.  

This second video is longer, but it's quite entertaining :)

After the program, Mrs. Wildauer said that that was the most enthusiastic performance from four-year-olds she'd ever seen.

Group picture

Nana and Papa

Derek and Lea Ann were in town too!

Monroe LOVED Mrs. Brown.  She was the perfect teacher to have for her first school experience.

It was a great morning.  

I can't believe the year is already over!  Monroe learned so much and grew up a lot!  We are thankful for a wonderful preschool experience!

Mother's Day

Grandma watched Monroe on Friday, and they made me an adorable Mother's Day gift!

Mikki also had the kids make Mother's Day gifts.  Monroe made this stepping stone for our yard.

On Saturday morning, Zach took Monroe Mother's Day shopping, and I got our garden planted.  I planted zucchini, spaghetti squash, cucumbers, romaine lettuce, and red peppers.  It has been a few years since I have had a garden, and I am excited to do it again. 

I found a cute idea on Pinterest for making garden markers.  Monore painted five rocks for me.  

Then Zach and I gave them faces.  

I think they look super cute!

On Sunday, Zach and Monroe went and got me donuts at Paradise for breakfast.

We went to church and then we drove to Hastings.  We did lunch and hung out with Zach's family at his cousin's house.

When we got home, it was flower time.  We bought pots a few weeks ago and plants this week.  We waited for Mother's Day to plant them.

Ready to help!

Calling in reinforcements

I love how the pots turned out.  They will look great in a few weeks when they fill out.

All done!

Now the front porch has these three big pots and then three on the table.

I also got a hanging plant for the back yard.

This is my favorite picture from the day!

After planting, we went to Carlos O Kelly's for supper.

I got beautiful flowers and some perfect cards from Zach and Monroe.

Thank you for making my day special!