Come Run, Come All

For the second day in a row, Caitlyn and I have been able to run outside. We have only gone to Bashas and back which is about 2.5 miles. It has been so lovely being outside and C is doing a great job riding. I am hopeful that she will be up for some longer rides this fall...because-

I signed up for my first half marathon. It is an all women's race on November 7th in Tempe/Scottsdale, AZ. Two good friends are planning on joining me for the exciting adventure. Maria (from Gonzaga) and Jenn here is AZ.

I was beginning to look for a run group to train with and found exactly what I was looking for at Lifetime. They are starting a run club to train for PF Changs in January. They leave out of Liftetime, it works with my schedule and it is free for members. I attended their first meeting and was inspired to train for the full PF Chang's marathon on January 16th, 2011. Just 3 days before I turn 33. They kept saying "anyone can do it", "anyone can do it"...I guess I fall into the "anyone" category. I just kept thinking, the women's half is a perfect "half" way mark in miles and timing to train for the full. I had gone back and forth about it, but the Run Club has sparked my interest and I am ready to light the fire. I just registered!!

So, as Caitlyn and I took off on our short run this morning, I began to think of the Marathon journey. I pondered the following :

I really have no idea how I will run 26.2 miles physically and mentally, but I know the effectiveness of a task analysis and believe it will work for me the same way it works in many other parts of life. As a behavior analyst I use the task analysis to break down complex academic skills and self-help skills into small pieces, or teachable, attainable components. Once the first skill is mastered we add in the next one until the child has learned a skill/concept that seemed far out of reach when we began. The same goes for the 26.2 miles. I will have to break it down mile by mile, conquering each individual one until they begin to add up to 26.2. I also began to think about how running is such a mental "thing." I thought about our last couples prayer and support group dinner (TEAMS). We had discussed offering up pain and suffering that we experience to Jesus. I reflected on that and thought that could be a way for me to get through some of the physical pain and metal anguish I may encounter. I know that it won't be easy but I am ready to give it my all. I know that I will learn so much along the way, both physically, mentally and spiritually. I know that God will be with me along the way. I also thought it would be a neat way to honor those family members who have gone before me. I can use my run time to think of them, remember them in a special way and pray for them.

As for the guilt trip, sister peer pressure (eh,em, I mean encouragement and inspiration) I have been providing my little brother to run with me, I will just have to wait and see. He is working at the Operation's Center for the State Department in D.C. and his hours are totally crazy. Over nights and inconsistent. I do think he has good reason to pass on the 26.2 this time, but I have been doing my best to ask him to think past the "why nots." I know the list of "why nots" is very long and that they are all reasonable "why nots". I told him the only "why" he needs to remember is ... "why not." Let's live every day to the fullest and give life our all. I think it would be an amazing experience to share with him, not to mention we both need someone to laugh at while running. If he signs up I will totally spring for the 2 dollar, 26.2 sticker for his car and I will do the FeeBee run (from Friends) across the finish line or when ever he yells out FeeBee run. What other "why" do you need to run. Love ya Nate.

New Dos

The girlies got new hair dos today. Caitlyn's hair before.

A picture of the LONG hair -

C bear's new bob

Em's trim

Caitlyn did a great job during her first "real" hair cut. She had her bangs trimmed last year but this was the real deal. We are sad that C's curls are gone (for now) but her new do is darling. I have always loved this style, but since Em has curly hair it was never an option. So, C gets the cute "bob" do- it will look adorable with a little barrette.

Man Bag

When Bryan got home this evening with his laptop bag on his shoulder...

Caitlyn asked "Daddy, that your purse?"

Bryan replied "It's my man bag."

Caitlyn said "That Daddy's man bag."

Can you tell Bryan is the only guy in our household?

Gotta love the "man bag"

We got a good chuckle.

Caitlyn thought she was pretty funny when we laughed.

Personality

Caitlyn Eva was born with personality, that is for sure and we LOVE it. Lately, it has been so fun seeing it come out as she tells us stories.

The past week was very busy and Miss Caitlyn was babysat a few times by some of our favorite babysitters that all start with B. Bradie watched her while I attended a meeting and when I returned home I learned that Caitlyn had heard a siren outside and was talking to Miss Bradie about an "emergency." WOW!! They had fun doing play-dough and playing too. She had to give Bradie hugs and kisses when she left. Sooo sweet.

Bethany watched her on Wednesday while I billed some hours upstairs and they had fun painting, watching Sesame Street, and eating Mac and Cheese.

.

Aunt Bonnie kept her on Friday while I volunteered at E's school and she told AB a long story about how Emma had spilled a drink in one of our decorative vases we have on the step and that Mommy had to clean it up. Aunt Bonnie was very impressed with the details of the story. I came home and heard about it and did not know any thing about it... I guess Miss Caitlyn has a story telling side to her. Hmmmm- where did she come up with that???

She has been doing a super job going pee pee in the potty and LOVES her new undies from Gymboree. She went two times today. It is sooo funny, she tries to push more out after she goes. She definitely gives life her all.

I love being able to talk to her and having her comprehend so much more. We have many "chats" before we go food shopping and she says things like "no scream Mama, no crying." Gotta love self monitoring. She will even go sit in the bathroom for 10 seconds at home when we send her to time out for screaming. It is a process and we are getting there. She tells me "I go to school when I three." I ask her who her teacher will be. This year she says "Mrs. Lang", Emma's teacher of course. LOVE IT.

Caitlyn is such a good little sleeper. She plays hard and sleeps hard. When I put her down for her nap...this is our conversation

Mom: "I love you Caitlyn"

C: "Love you Mama"

Mom: "God Bless you"

C: "God Bless you Mama"

Mom: "Sweet Dreams"

C: "Sweet Dreams"

Mom "I will see you after your nap (or in the morning)"

C: "See you after nap (or in the morning)"

I just love this little back and forth conversation we have as I lay her down, cover her with her elephant blanket, put her paci in and turn on her music. I love ya little sis- you are so special.

Congrats to Emma

Emma along with Mommy and Daddy have been working hard on reading since February or so of this year. We have been using the Direct Instruction curriculum Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Emma has done a super job and been a good student for Mom and Dad over the past few months. When Kindergarten began she had completed lesson 50. Her accuracy was excellent and her fluency was coming along. She could sound out almost any 3-4 letter word if it was spelled phonetically. She was reading short stories as a part of the instruction and answering the comprehension questions.

After attending open house night with Emma's teacher we learned that she would be tested on sounds, letter names and 36 sight words (or puzzle words as they called them in Montessori). Sight words are words that are used often and about half of them are not spelled phonetically (from, of, was). After 25 sight words and the sounds are mastered, the kiddos move into reading "Sam" books. Sam books are similar to BOB books, starting out very simple (and boring) and getting more complex as they go. We have a set of Sam books and BOB books at home from USU and Emma has been reading both of them so we knew she had more than enough of the skills needed to do so.

At the time of the assessment Emma did not know many of the letter names since we have never taught those (because you don't need to know them to read). She must have been a little shy as well because the assessment came back saying she only knew about half the sounds and 7 sight words. So, after a quick email to Emma's teacher, a little practice on the sight words and another assessment...Emma knew every single sound and 31 out of 36 sight words. We could not been more proud of her hard work. She started Sam books this week and is moving along. She brought home #4 this weekend. YAY. As a part of my volunteering I get to read with the kids. Emma thought it was pretty special when I got to read with her in the hallway. (I did too).

I know that this is a small accomplishment when you look at the big picture of life, but it is a very important one. We are seeing Emma learn to read before our eyes which has just been awesome, but it is even more important that she is now on the same page at school and home. Mrs. Lang has seen her demonstrate her skills and she is on the reading path. We plan to continue our instruction here at home to support what she is doing at school.

September 7, 2010

Emma is now on Sam book 11 and enjoys reading to Caitlyn at night. She also passed off her first word family book (blending) and read 74 out of 76 words. She has memorized her phone number and address and has been playing teacher with Caitlyn. Yippee!

Here is a message from Nana and Papa that they sent in an E-card.

Emma,
Congratulations on being able to read!! How proud we are of you! I just can't wait till Nana can have a book read to her before I go to bed! What fun that will be!
I am thinking about you and Caitlyn. I want to hear stories about your school and about what Miss Caitlyn does while you are away. I know she misses you, but soon she will be in school. We love you! Keep up the good work! Nana and Papa

After reading her card from Nana and Papa she said "that made my heart feel happy." So sweet.

Daddy and Em planting her plants. She worked for this. 25+ sight words = planting with Dad. When she gets the last 4 she earns a trip to the treasure box at school. Way to go Emma, keep up your hard work.

PS- E also mastered her phone number this week, next is her address.

Thankful

My good friend Tara did a post like this on her blog and I loved it. I am going to borrow her idea.

Thankful

two healthy girls

a giving and loving husband

family members that are like friends

dear friends

coffee !!

healthy food

dishwashers and washing machines

heat (thankful that it is hot and not flooding like other parts of the world)

my work

Jesus

an assertive and receptive Kindergarten teacher for E

Emma's LOVE for school

Caitlyn's LOVE of life

so much more :-)

An August update

We have been working so hard with Emma on reading, it is rubbing off on C bear. She went and got a box of BOB books out of the pantry and announced "I am reading, I am reading" as she threw them into a pile when she was done. LOVE IT.

We keep trying new foods from Trader Joe's and absolutely love the wheat pizza dough that we can make into yummy pizza. Here is the first layer, then came LOTS of cheese and chicken meat balls and mushrooms on Mom and Dad's half.

I couldn't resist this cute little bum. We have been trying to get C into undies as much as possible when we are home. She loves wearing undies and has gone pee pee a few time in the potty !! On this day, she was going bare bum and decided to do a little coloring while watching Sesame Street. Too cute, to pass up. Hey when you are two, you can do what you want with a bare bum.

Caitlyn at the Mesa Children's Museum for the Arts. She had fun at the play date with our Mom's group.

A day in the life of this mama

My friend Jenn did a post like this and I thought it was neat. It was a glimpse into what her life is like on a day to day basis. I thought it would be fun to look back years from now and remember today.

5:30am - wake up, get cup of coffee that B had made me shower, get ready

6:20am- wake up Emma, help her get dressed, comb and do her hair

6:30am- wake up Caitlyn, change diaper, put her hair in a little bun

6:40am- downstairs for breakfast (cereal, fruit and milk), get Emma's lunch in backpack, items in car, Emma vitamin, brush teeth, tidy kitchen, shoes on

7:00am- load up and head to Edu-Prize to drop off Emma for Kindergarten

7:25am- arrive at Edu-Prize - give Emma her loving wishes for the day, kisses (Caitlyn requests hers on her knee??) and off Emma runs onto the Kindergarten playground

7:35am- through the Starbucks drive through for my daily iced Americao with cream and splenda (and yes I do realize that I already had a small cup of coffee), you will see as the day progresses why I need caffeine. Talk to my parents on the phone (since they are so busy now that they are retired I can hardly catch them).

8:00am- arrive at the Stenhoff house to pick of Bethany who is going to watch Caitlyn for me as a mother's helper while I work

8:30am- arrive at home and get settled in

8:30-11:00am- finish an Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) report for a client in Gilbert Public Schools. Develop academic/social and self help programs for the same client.

11:00am-thank Bethany and send her with her Mom, Tara

11:15am- prepare lunch for Caitlyn and myself while making Emma's lunch for tomorrow

11:30am- eat lunch with my lovely 2 year old Caitlyn

11:45am- leave to get E a bit early to go through Dunkin Donuts drive through to get E's teacher a little gift card for her bday (she drinks tea or something from there)

12:20pm- pull in car pool line at Edu-Prize

12:35pm- finally get to Emma and greet her and hear about her day

12:50pm- pull into garage, unload car while girls play in the loft

1:00pm- prepare Emma's sight word lesson for her to do independently while I put Caitlyn down

1:25pm- read, rock, sing to Caitlyn before nap time

1:35-2:10pm- work with Emma on academics

2:15pm- Emma goes to rest while I clean up kitchen

3:00pm- mail came, go to door and see the blog book Bryan ordered me on the step, sit down to look at it, talk to Tara on the phone

3:30pm- E comes down, help her make a card for Mrs. Lang, get out water colors for her while I prep dinner and make drinks for tomorrow

4:00pm- wake up Caitlyn and get her ready for her ISR refresher with Miss Angelee

4:25pm- leave house, drop E off at Stenhoffs for a play date with Mathea while C is at swimming

5:00pm- Caitlyn goes to ISR lesson at Angelee's in Queen Creek and does awesome (she tells her "I have two arms", as she jumps off the step)

5:45pm- pick up Emma (she had lots of fun)

6:00pm- in the door to enjoy dinner that Bryan made for us- wheat, organic pasta, salad and rolls -mmmmmm

6:30pm- change clothes and off to my Total Conditioning at Lifetime to burn 595 calories - ohhhh yeah and major stress relief

8:30pm- shower (long shower), snack and this blog post

Yes, my wonderful, awesome husband cooked, cleaned and got the girls down so that I could go work out. Thanks honey.

OK- I am headed downstairs to watch the first ever episode of Mad Men (since we have started watching it) but we are lost, so we got it on Net flicks.

GOOD NIGHT.

Not all days are quite this busy but they are all full that is for sure. I am so thankful for this blessed life (even when it is busy and the wonderful people I get to share it with). I love you Bryan, Emma and Caitlyn.

Now, I am looking forward to girls night over at Jenn's tomorrow night and my long run on Saturday. But, until then I will give every moment my all. sweet dreams

Tomorrow I am going to have Bryan post about a day in the life of a Daddy !!

A message to my sweet girls

Dear Emma,

You are unrepeatable, irreplaceable and unique, and the day you were born, the world changed for the better because you are in it. There never was or ever will be anyone like you. You are special. God loves you.

Dear Caitlyn,

You are unrepeatable, irreplaceable and unique, and the day you were born, the world changed for the better because you are in it. There never was or ever will be anyone like you. You are special. God loves you.

I found this on The Foundation for Life and Love website founded by Melanie Pritchard.

http://foundationforlifeandlove.org/default.aspx

Happy 7th Anniversary

Happy 7th Anniversary to my super duper wonderful husband !

Just a few of the many things I love about you-

The fact that you love me, even on the crazy busy days

Your love for the girls

The way you teach and parent the girls

How you give our family your ALL

Your work ethic

Your passion

Your ability to look beyond and into the future

Your social skills

Your assertiveness skills (so attractive)

Your cooking

The fact that you will fold laundry and clean

Your toes

Your laugh and smile

Your willingness to deepen your faith with me and as a family

Your love for family especially grandparents

Your level headed perspectives

Our past adventures

Our present life together

&

Our exciting and fulfilling future

I love you hun- happy 7th anniversary. To many more busy, fun, ever changing years together. You are the best husband and Daddy to our gals.

The Davey's pizza and homemade ice cream party

We had our summer pizza and ice cream party on July 23, 2010. Bryan made extra yummy ice cream this year. Everyone loved it.

My super awesome friend Tara Stenhoff and baby Kolbe Norman. So sweet.

July fun

I am always taking pictures of E before she heads off to school. I thought I needed one of Miss C before she headed to Noah's pirate party play date.

Caitlyn having a yo ho of a good time in Noah's pirate play room.

Emma on "red" Friday before school.

An action photo from the carpool lane -

Emma as Clifford the Big Red Dog. She was sooo excited for school on this day.