My Ninja Cheerleader...

Aidan has ALWAYS gotten our money's worth out of his costume and this year is no different. Before I left for the Portland Marathon, he put this number on to say good bye to me!

But he wouldn't let me take his picture until I told him that, "Yes, I do believe I can win this race." He was really concerned that I wasn't believing in myself enough and felt the need to give a little extra pep talk. I now get why moms are so crazy about their boys, they are heart melters for sure.... Future girlfriends, daughter in law, I apologize right now... He's going to be a hard one to let go!

Kindergarten Play Time!

Aidan's kindergarten class is learning about "cooperation" and to show the parents just how good they are at this concept, they performed a play! Once again, if seeing this little performance didn't make you smile, we just might have to get you checked in somewhere. It was darling!

The wonderful Ms. Robison. Oh how we adore her so! She returned from teaching in South East Asia and we are so glad she did, she's wonderful!

Set designing crew! If we are friends on facebook, you may have heard me mention that Aidan informed one day after school that he was going to be riding a motorcycle over the audience and flipping in the air. You can imagine my surprise when I showed up to the play and found out this was not true and instead, he was a set designer. But isn't that the most amazing set you have ever seen? (It's the colorings behind the kids!) Flipping motorcycles or designing sets, we're proud regardless!!! 

B*S*U Game!

Dunder Mifflin came through once again, as did Ryan's bowling skills. We recently had a company family outing with xpedx and there was a little friendly competition for some BSU tickets. Yes my friends, Ryan bowled a 180 to take the prize. And some people laugh when they hear he took a bowling class at WSU. Apparently it paid off people. 

Black out game! (I know, the irony wasn't lost on this former college student!) But the real meaning was that BSU debuted new black jerseys, so fans were instructed to do the same. Aidan took it seriously!

Not bad little tickets!

I promise she had on a black coat at one point... But when you are dancing the ENTIRE game, a little body gets hot!

See what I mean?

A friendly neighbor gave Morgan some BSU playing cards that are apparently from last year because Morgan's wanna-be boyfriend Kellen Moore is in the pile. Oh this girl...

Putting a sticker on your face is always such a good idea at first...

Yep, in the distance, real Army men. Was Aidan excited when the cannon went off with each score? Do I need to even ask?

Aidan requested I take this picture and send to his friends at school, "because there is no way they'll believe that I really was here!!!!" 

More laughing.

And cheering.

And being crazy!

I don't know why I don't have as many pics of Aidan, but he was right along side crazy-pants, joining in on the fun!

Boise's Newest Baller!

Aidan has always been a bit on the shy side and has not had much interest in organized sports, except for he is convinced he has a big future in lacrosse. Lacrosse doesn't start until 1st grade, so we thought we'd have a year off, until basketball sign ups started! This kid was BEYOND excited to start. Right now, everything in Aidan's life is revolving around basketball. He tried his hardest to sleep in this morning and has been eating a ton, all so he can grow!

On another note, Aidan is definitely coming out of his shell. We received our first message from his music teacher to help her put the damper down on all the socializing going on... Of course we will reinforce this, but I am secretly thrilled our little guy is finally finding his groove. 

If you are having a rough day, stop by any kindergarten boys basketball practice. If your mood isn't suddenly improved, sorry sir, but you're beyond help.

And the coolest part, Aidan's coach showed up in a real fire truck! Our coach is a firefighter at a station literally two blocks from the school and he was on duty, so he rolled up in this... Aidan was practically shaking with excitement when he saw this...

And the best part was, he brought along his co-workers, one of whom is married to my co-worker! Small little Boise we live in. 

Thankfully, no fire calls during practice. Coach would have to have left, leaving Ryan in charge. Yes, people, my husband. Soccer and basketball coach extraordinaire. There is nothing he doesn't do! 

City of Trees Marathon!

NO, I did not run another marathon! Ben Towne Foundation Boise Chapter represented at the City of Trees Marathon, to cheer on the runners, hand out refreshments and have another opportunity to tell the community about Ben Towne Foundation! It was a VERY fun morning and we learned that if we really want to raise awareness, we need to bring the kids...They were the BEST!

Runners, where are you? This crew is READY.

We can always count on this girl to bring her A-game.

Aidan LOVED having runners take the water. He'd get so excited and have to tell someone or anyone that yes, a runner DID take his water.

If you don't have a Ben Towne Foundation tee, you are missing out! 

No runners? Let's dance!

And dance....

and a little more...

And keep it going! 

Gray hair.

Morgan found out today that her art teacher also teaches at Boise State University, which led to her asking her art teacher with great excitement "to set me up on a date with the football team." Her art teacher, stifling giggles, asked which football player she was referring to. Morgan replied, "ALL OF THEM!!!"

*In related news, the local drugstore reported a complete sell out of "Nice n' Easy, Cover my Grays" hair coloring.

Family Picture Time!

I get why the kids (Ryan included) complained and complained about getting family pictures on a Friday night, after we had spent the week and a half living in a construction zone and living in our basement and the day before I left for Portland. I can't say I was too excited myself and actually had picked up the phone to reschedule, but didn't. Getting into Jen takes an act of Congress, but now I see why she's so popular! Long story short, I'm glad that I bribed my beloveds and forced them all to smile recently...

Who IS this big, beautiful girl and WHERE is my baby?

Jen captured Aidan for sure.

Hands down, one of my favorites. Sorry I just can't commit to one!

Super Aidan! Please don't ask how much sugar was offered for this pose.

Because we always walk down beautiful paths, holding hands. Actually, we should start.

Love these little bugs!

Mommy and her #1 girl!

Mommy's best guys!! I love these two.

When the sun sets, the wild things come out...

Thank you Jen! 

Life Lessons Learned During the 26.2

I know, I am way behind in my blogging, BUT I have to post this one before my senile brain takes over and I completely forget all of these wonderful life lessons I learned during my recent marathon! This was such an amazing experience... My first marathon was to prove I could do one. My second was to prove I could do one after having children. This one by far was for the best reason... To support Ben Towne Foundation. I signed up for this race in January, yes a long time ago. It was when Aidan had his tonsils out and I was tired and feeling horrible for my little guy. It struck me howI was dealing with 1/1,000,000,000 of what a parent with cancer has on their plates. It also hit home that with only 3% of the national cancer budget going to fight pediatric cancer, someone has to DO something! It can't be the families battling or who have battled. It has to be US, as in you and me! Fast forward 10 months, there wasn't NEARLY as much training as should have occurred but overall, a SUCCESS! Almost $17,000 raised by Team Ben Towne Foundation and I at least didn't embarrass myself and kept my mileage within the 9 minute mile area... So onto the life lessons:

• If you are going to sign up for a crazy race or adventure, rope in Laura. She's always a great sport, loves to laugh and is just an all around fantastic friend.
• Hey laughing hyena, tone it down at dinner before the race. You're going to get yourself so amped up, you are only going to get 2 hours of sleep before 4 hours of running. And stop laughing so hard you have to run to the bathroom so you don't pee your pants. That's just embarrassing! Yes, reliving college stories with Liz is funny, but wait until the next night, ok?
• Hey chatty Cathy, stretch a little before 4 hours of running. There is a reason why all 13,000 runners were doing so when you were giggling with Laura and repeating over and over, "I can't believe we're doing this! Wahoo!" 
• When you think you are going to pass out from starvation at mile 13, hang on. Taylor Swift's "Ronan" just might come onto your iPod, you might just have your first downhill (phew) and a dad with his two kids just might be holding a sign that says, "Remember the REASON you are running this race." All is good again.
• Boo yeah, to Taylor Swift, awesome downhill and random man holding sign. Don't freak out with excitement over this inspiring moment and start sprinting. You are at MILE 13, ONLY halfway... 
• FYI, you were running this race with 13,000, almost 7,000 were also doing the marathon. So at mile 16 if you accidentally break into air guitar because "Welcome to the Jungle" comes on your iPod, guess what? People are going to see you and it's going to be kind of embarrassing.
• Along those same lines, lip syncing and hand movements to Pink on the St. John Bridge also equals embarrassment. People were driving past you for the love of God.
• If you give a wild fist pump and hop in the air at the top of St. John's Bridge for a photo op (and didn't stretch or train beforehand), your Achilles' tendon is going to feel like it's snapped, which is going to lead to the worst calf cramp, which is turn will lead to overcompensation on your left foot, which is going to lead to ALL FIVE toenails falling off on left foot. Save the fist pumping for the end, preferably while sitting in a wheelchair, front part of shopping cart, whatever you can find. And no, it's not likely that your next pedicure will be half off.
• Give a "whoop" when you see your favorite fan sign that states, "Give a whoop, if you haven't done a poop (in your pants)."
• High Five every single kid along the course, after all, you are running this race for the little peeps.
• Get a little teary eyed when you see high school cheerleader, all decked out in cheer gear, with her dad, who is wearing her school's t-shirt and he's also waving pom-poms. It's a reminder that thousand of parents are also cheering on their children... in hospital rooms.
• Drink the beer at mile 23, it might have helped you. Dangit, you hate regrets! When offered, always say yes to the beer!
• When you cross the finish line, try to keep your exhaustion to yourself. The medics at the finish line don't appreciate running to catch you from falling and all you can mutter is... "food." 
• Only do marathons with plenty of food at the end. But next time, let's not lay down on the chocolate milk table, okay? Better yet, let's not fill your mouth with Ginger Snaps before laying down and pouring chocolate milk into your mouth. There are some things you should only do in the privacy of your home and this is one of them.
• Do it again and do it for Ben Towne Foundation. Yes, I know at mile 20-23, you mentioned never again. But let's be real, it was a pretty big honor to run for such an amazing cause! 

A HUGE thank you to who all who financially supported this endeavor, who emotionally supported this effort and who are continuing the movement for Ben Towne Foundation. People that I love more than life, love and miss Ben so much and I would give anything to lessen their grief. I can't do that, but I can sure run my little toenails off, so run my toenails off I will!

www.bentownefoundation.org 

No, Laura doesn't have her hands in her pockets, she and I are wearing black gloves. Because we were awesome and prepared like that. (Ha! Laura's training regimen included eating well and drinking less and she STILL rocked it! Atta Girl!)