SPOOKY SPRINT 2017

I ran the Spooky Sprint in it's inaugural year back in 2015, missed it last year, and came back this year to do it just for fun again (I'm just not speedy yet, and I'm almost constantly sore from Bootcamp - just 3 more weeks of the 12 to go!) Lee, Maria, and Lori dressed as M&Ms, but I decided to wear my sugar skulls skort instead (I know Sandra would be proud). I stuck around for a while afterward to eat a delicious bowl of jambalaya and drink some hot coffee to warm up, and to just chat with friends I don't see very often (I haven't been racing this year, and I haven't been running much lately due to all the Bootcamp classes).

 Jennifer Lynne and her oldest (one of Cora's favorite little dancing girl friends):

 Speedy Gonzales was in the walking event, but I also spotted her acting as official race photographer during the kids' 1-mile run (which I ran too, even though my kids weren't there - plenty of other kids to encourage):

 The Mack Pack cleaned up with awards!

 Cora took my picture when I got home. She asked me if I had won a trophy, and when I told her that I did not have a fast race today, she said "That's OK mama, you can probably win one next time. I'm glad you had fun with your friends!" We're definitely doing something right - I love that attitude!

(Yes, I was cold during the race, but the skort was worth it!)

TWINS

Working in the yard, in the 30-something-degree weather, picking up sticks to clear parking areas for the party, in their matching sweatshirts from Uncle Jamie.

RED RIBBON WEEK 2017

Monday: Wear Red Day to kick off Red Ribbon Week

Tuesday: Crazy Sock and Crazy Hat Day

(James is wearing his Sierra Nevada Bigfoot hat and socks with a dragon riding a shark, and Cora is wearing her kitty-cat ears and socks with cats in glasses - she had picked a matching pair for part of her friend Cara Beth's birthday present last month) 

 Wednesday: Tacky Tourist Day

(We'll have to plan this better next year... Cora is a birdwatcher in crazy colors because we don't own a fanny pack or kid-sized Hawaiian shirt, and James is wearing Jay's old 80s warmup suit)

 Thursday: Pajama Day

(AKA the day that Cora and James have been looking forward to since school started back in August. Cora had planned for her and her good buddy Anna Paiten to wear matching purple skeleton PJs and she was SO PLEASED when I asked them for a photo together at drop-off)

(James had his photo taken in the cafeteria, where he'd gone for his usual 'second breakfast')

 Friday: Jersey Day

(Since we don't own jerseys, the kids wore their soccer uniforms, socks and shorts included!)

JAMES AND DARCY

James shyly handed me this crumpled up piece of paper after school today...

Darcy is in his 3rd Grade class at Bowmar and is also in his Ballet 1A class on Wednesdays. Apparently there is some sort of 'like' going on here (not love, he assures me, despite her signature), because when I asked him if he had crumpled it up because he didn't like it and wanted to throw it away he quickly said "No! I'm keeping it!! Darcy is my friend girl!"

HALLOWEEN DANCERS

Today the kids were allowed to wear Halloween costumes for dance. Cora chose Elsa (of course) and James told me, when questioned about his choice of green bodysuit, "It's not easy being James". The kid CRACKS ME UP. I should have taken more pictures... one of the girls came as a unicorn riding a blow-up unicorn...

I was able to sneak a couple shots through the crack in the curtains during Cora's ballet class: 

CUB SCOUT HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL

James was so excited to put on his Dipper costume for the first time this evening and head to his Cub Scout Halloween party and carnival. He posed for a few photos before we left the house:

 The party started with instructions, then the boys (and their siblings) went round and round the room for 30 minutes playing carnival games and earning candy for their trick-or-treat bags, then ended with a costume contest.

 All the Bear Den Scouts in costume (William's stick figure costume lit up, and I should have taken video of Brycen as the dancing Amazing Spiderman - the kid has moves):

 James won best costume for his Den and he was VERY proud!

 (His Pack Leader, Amber, had a pretty incredible costume!)

SECOND GRADE JOURNALING

Since we missed Open House last week, I spent some time in Cora's classroom afterschool today. She gave me a tour, showed me her various workbooks, and blushed at the praise her teacher gave her in my presence. Cora is doing really well this year and Mrs. Njiti just loves her! I especially liked getting a peek into her journal, and these pages stood out to me as needing documentation here on the blog (even though they're from back in August):

 "What is your favorite thing to wear? Why?"

My twirly dress. Even it has robots on it. It is purple and pink.

"Do you like school? Tell why or why not."

I love school. It is the best. I like it because I can play with my friends at recess all the time. I love my teacher. She is the best. My favorite thing is recess. I like math and reading.

(Anna Paiten, Grace, Cora, Cara Beth - and yes, they all wear dresses every day.)

BRIDGING CEREMONY

Back in time for Girl Scouts! Cora had her Bridging Ceremony this afternoon (where she officially bridged from Daisy to Brownie) along with a celebration of Juliette Low's birthday. The girls sang songs and did a couple of crafts, then we bridged, followed by a birthday party complete with cupcakes and far too many snacks!

 As far as Girl Scout sibling tagalongs go, James is the best (and all the girls agree!)

(Lining up by birthday (mostly) while talking about Juliette Low's birthday)

Coming up with an alphabetized list of Girl Scout words:

Starting their craft:

(Cora and Emma are basically inseparable during Scouts)

Introducing Cora Mae, Brownie Scout!

This group of girls is really a wonderful mix of kids! We have all ages (grades K-6th) and all personalities, but they're all sweet, and showing us they can be hard workers and strong leaders!