Not much to say, so here are some pictures....

I don't really have anything to write about -- well, I do, but I'm tired and can't really think at the moment. So, I'm posting some pictures of the boys.


Sam with his banana on the way home from the 5k today.

Pictures from last weekend -- toasting marshmellow's on the back deck.

Busy Weekend Coming up!

I need to get my post in early today. We're busy. I hope I have time this weekend to keep up.

First, Sam had his annual check up this week. He did really well! After only gaining 1 lb between 12-24 months, he out-did himself this year. He gained 5 lbs!!! And grew 3 inches! He's a big boy now at 32 lbs and 38 inches. That's about where Josh was when he was 4!

When the nurse was going through the milestone "check list" she asked if he feeds himself, and I answered "He CAN when he feels like it" and then she moved on to the next question.

"Does he speak in sentences and can he express thoughts?"

Before I could answer Sam piped up and said, "Yes! I can feed myself because I'm 3 now. I'm a big boy."

I looked at the nurse and in answer to her question said, "Hmmm what do you think?" Then we both laughed.

Anyway, moving on... This weekend is the James R. Sargeant Legacy 5K Lung Cancer Survival race in our neighborhood. Last year we had a great time! It was awesome to see Jim get up out of his wheel chair and cross the line walking, surrounded by his family and friends. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. It was incredible. I'm so proud of Mary and what she's done to ensure Jim's legacy lives on even now that he's passed away. I found pictures from last year on line. They are here.

Last year, Rich came in 3rd in his age group and 23rd over all. He was hoping to run again, but we're going to Linda Leigh and Andy's for dinner tonight and we're spending the night so he won't be as rested as usual. And Josh was invited to a birthday party at the exact same time as the race. Since I'll be helping Mary, someone has to bring Josh to the party. It's just not possible to do both. So Sam and I will go to the race and Rich & Josh will go to the birthday party.

The nice thing is there is always next year! This is such a fun family and community event. If you live in the area, you should definitely come down and take part.

Thirteen Random Things...

I went to visit my friend CrazedParent and accidentally got tagged just by reading her "13 Things" post and since I'm desperate for content for NaBloPoMo so I guess I'm "it."

I feel like I've been doing these things quite a bit so I need to think of some new stuff -- I'm digging deep here....

1. I have flown around the world twice. Once in each direction.

2. The best display of Christmas lights I have ever seen was in Singapore in late November (I think I was there around this time of year.) It was AWESOME!!!!

3. I love popcorn. In fact, if left on my own, and I didn't have children to feed, I would eat popcorn for dinner more often than not.

4. I love anchovies and use them in cooking quite a bit. But I don't always "tell."

5. I often dream of winning the lottery but don't play very much because I am genuinely disappointed when I don't win. In fact, I don't think I've ever matched more than 1 number.

6. Charlotte's Web was my favorite book growing up. Sometimes I would finish reading it and reread it straight away. I also cried every time I read it when Charlotte died (oops, did I just give away the ending?)

7. I had a security blanket when I was little. I called it my "Daisy Blanket." I think the remnants are still at my parent's house. Apparently, it was yellow with daisy's but I only remember it being completely white (it was very well loved and worn). My mom must have had to sneak it off to the wash!

8. I also had a favorite baby doll named "Julie." She is still at my mom's house and Sam played with her when we were there last July.

9. I am notoriously bad at getting birthday cards in the mail on time. I only ever do the Christmas cards because Rich reminds me. Often.

10. I love sleep. I never pulled an "all nighter" in college because I'd never have been able to function the next day. And I always figured "If I don't know it now, being tired won't help!"

11. I have a BA in Communications, but I loved my History and Religion classes. I didn't major or minor in them because I didn't know what "to do" with them.

12. I'm really bad at math. Really, really bad. Rich says it's a good thing Josh does the math flashcards with me because then I can learn them too!

13. I love the Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella. (ooo I just discovered that's just pseudonym she writes under!) They make me laugh out loud and I even convinced Rich to read them. I told him if he wanted to begin to understand how my mind worked, he'd have to read the books.


Okay that's it for now. And since I don't feel like tagging anyone in particular, if you're reading this, "Tag! You're It!"

Jumpin' Josh Flash

Today Josh has Jump Rope For Heart at school. The kids go out and get pledges and then jump rope to raise money for the American Heart Association. Josh's school has continually been one of the top schools in the Nation for JRFH. It seems every year they are the top K-2 school in the state, if not the nation. Last year they were 3rd in the state overall and 29th Nationally. Not bad.

One of the things they can do is jump in memory or in honor of someone. You don't HAVE to, but Josh really wanted to. But he just didn't know who to jump for. When I suggested he jump "in honor of all those that need the AHA" he balked -- because that wasn't for SOMEONE!

Then I suggested my maternal grandmother. She had open-heart surgery way back in 1976. Josh liked that idea -- so this year he's jumping in her memory. Here's his card, he even decorated it with hearts and him jumping rope ....

I'm really proud of him. He didn't reach his $1,000 goal, but he did end up raising $158.

He was so determined to raise money, he donated all the money he was saving up for a new Pokemon game. Granted it was only $6, but it was ALL his money.

And he was very determined to practice. Here he practicing.

Last night at bedtime he came down and said he was "too excited about JRFH to sleep." What a sweet heart!

I can't go see him do it this year. Sam has his 3 year check up today at the same time. Last year it was so much fun to see the kindergartners attempt to jump. Josh has come a long way since then!

Good Luck Big Guy!!!!!