The results

So, I ran the 5K. I did decently well considering I don't consider myself athletic. I was 2nd place in my age category and so got a medal! Yea! However, before we get too excited, I was 62nd out of about 170 people. So, like I predicted, I wasn't the fastest, but I wasn't the slowest either. I ran it in 24 minutes 14 seconds. I was 3.5-4 minutes behind the first place woman, so I wasn't extremely close. I will say I ran faster than I was expecting. I think it's the adrenaline of the race.

As a bonus, I also won a cool gym bag in the raffle afterwards. I guess that's what they do with all our entry money. So, it wasn't a total waste of money!

You vote

For those of you who don't know me, I hate to spend money. I'm a tightwad. I really have to convince myself that the money I'm spending is worth what I'm getting. So, on that note, you might have an idea where I'm coming from.
Last year, my sister and brother-in-law went to Disneyland. Just the two of them. Without kids. Alone. Doesn't that sound FUN!!!!! So, Scott and I have been talking about doing that as well.
Then, my parents and that same family went to DisneyWORLD. They loved it. Now, they think Scott and I should go. Scott (who has been twice) also thinks we should go. My mom has basically volunteered to babysit by encouraging us to go. They say we deserve it after a hard year adjusting to having twins. (Perhaps. Everyone has hard times in life.) My sister says we should especially go because we didn't go on a honeymoon. (7 years later still counts?)
Now, you can't go to Disneyworld in 2-3 days like you can Disneyland. So, Scott would have to take a full week off work. Plus, it costs more. Plus, we have to fly and can't drive.
So, it will cost a lot more. But, it would be a lot of fun. What's your vote?

(The resulting tally does NOT decide what we will do :) )

Flavor combinations

I was doing a google search for recipes for Scott's birthday cake. I don't like using generic box mixes, because I don't think they are worth the calories. They have to be doctored to make it worth it. So, Scott asked for a cake with peanut butter and chocolate. I'm to find recipes that I want to make and then let him make the final selection. I told Richard what I was doing and he wants me to find a recipe for HIS birthday cake. Peanut butter, strawberries, blueberries, and white frosting. Hmmmm.... I'm not sure I'll be very successful.

New tricks

Peter can now sit pretty well. He's gotten much more mobile and scoots all over the kitchen. He's trying to pull his knees underneath him but hasn't quite figured it out.
Marie can get up on her hands and knees and pull her knees forward. She hasn't figured out to move her hands, yet. She's getting close!She's also started the classic "stink-bug" sleeping position.

Preschool Program

Richard had his last day of preschool today. They did a very cute program. The kids sang songs. Then, the teacher gave them certificates, treats, and a little present. I did get a few pictures of Richard looking.You know how you'll see some kids who won't do a thing for school programs? Yea, that was my kid this time. This is how he spent the rest of the program. He would only turn around when a song was done. Even then, he hung his head. I wasn't totally surprised, because he easily gets shy and does not like to perform in front of crowds (kind of like me). However, I was disappointed, because he did just fine at his program back at Christmas. His teacher did approach me later and say that he did just fine in the practices. Too bad I didn't see those.He did participate with this girl when they were supposed to link arms and walk around in a circle when doing the chicken dance. At least he didn't ruin it for her.Just as the program was supposed to start, I realized his shorts were on backwards! I was in such a hurry this morning, I didn't notice. It was too late to fix it when I did notice. Chalk another one up for me in the "good mom" department.

He's going to miss preschool. He was sad when I told him today was the last day. He'll do a six week summer school program in July and then will go back to this preschool in the fall.

I guess it happens to all of us at least once

Audrey loves to help with things. Today she got a little too ambitious with helping. Richard wanted macaroni and cheese for lunch, so my sister started boiling some water. I was paying attention to feeding the babies. At one point, Audrey got the butter out of the fridge and was pulling the paper off. I took that from her and put what we didn't need back in the fridge. Things were noisy, as they always are, and I didn't hear her pushing a chair up to the stove. My sister fortunately noticed Audrey at the stove and saw her pulling her arm away from the stove. I think she touched the pot based on the shape of the burn. Audrey didn't cry, but she did keep saying, "Ow!" I gave her a package of frozen corn to help with the burning.I reemphasized to Audrey that she CANNOT help at the stove and that she's not to touch the stove or oven. Hopefully this experience will help her remember.

I felt like a great mom. I can't believe I didn't notice her pushing the chair to the stove!
At least she's smiling.

An ode to my sister

My sister has faithfully come and help me once a week since about last November. She takes care of the kids so I can exercise, take naps, and go to the store. She's pretty much made cleaning my bathrooms her responsibility. She makes dinner. She provides adult conversation. I am amazed at her willingness to serve me so diligently. Her example of service has been extraordinary. I hope to one day be able to repay her kindness. I am grateful to her husband and children for allowing her to come and give of her time.

Today was her last day. She's helping with an event at her children's school next week and then they are out of school. So, she needs to be at home with them. I feel we've grown closer over the last few months, and I'll miss seeing her so often. I know my children will miss seeing her and her youngest son who would come with her.

She's a perfect example of Christ-like love and service. She's an angel.

I caved in to peer pressure

The last time I ran a race was when I was on the track team in high school. "What?! She was on the track team!" Well, I was for about a month until I broke my foot due to a stress fracture. Anyone who knew me in high school would know I'm naturally pretty uncoordinated and nonathletic.

Fast forward quite a few years. I have joined a bunch of women from my church and we exercise twice a week. The woman in charge motivated me to start running last year. So, I've been running for about 17 months. Well, these women I work out with are running the local 5K this Memorial Day. I didn't want to do it. I never would have signed up on my own. However, one brought the sign up forms and said she would deliver them. Almost all of them are doing the race. I caved in to peer pressure and I'm running my first 5K this Monday. I know I'll finish, because I can run farther than that. I know I won't be the fastest, but I know I won't be the slowest either.

Ice cream

I found peppermint ice cream for an awesome price at the store (could it be because it's considered a Christmas flavor?) and I couldn't help but buy it. I LOVE peppermint ice cream. In fact, I love desserts and this is just one more. I'm no snob when it comes to dessert. I pretty much like them all. Of course, I love some more than others, but I'll eat pretty much anything. Too rich? Not a problem. Cheesecake, doughnuts, pastries, brownies, cookies, etc. I love stuff with fruit, nuts, pumpkin, zucchini, etc. I see recipes and all I can think is, "When will I ever have enough events to make all these fabulous foods?" Yum!

My sleeping girls

Audrey is such a little mother. Last night, her bunny and bear got priority and slept on her pillow. She then made sure she slept far enough away from them to not knock them off. We thought it was so cute!
Marie had a really bad night last night. She hasn't been taking good naps for about a week. She normally takes a couple of naps that are 1 1/2 -2 hours long. Well, for the past week, she's been taking about 3 20-30 minute naps. So, back to last night, she was up at 4:00 to eat and would not go back to sleep! She just cried and cried. I wrapped her up. I unwrapped her. I cuddled her. I put her down. I checked her diaper. I tried to feed her more. I went to the family room so she wouldn't disturb everyone else and snuggled with her on the recliner. She'd finally collapse in exhaustion and sleep for 10-15 minutes. Then, she'd wake up and be restless and cry. She finally would eat again at about 7:30 and then slept most of the morning. We gave her some Tylenol shortly before dinner, because she'd developed a fever. Poor girl couldn't stay awake to finish her dinner!

Happy Mother's Day!

I want to express a Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there. Many of you have been an inspiration to me and have taught me how to improve my own mothering approaches. I am overwhelmed at the responsibility given to me to raise these dear children in this tumultuous world. My children are such a blessing! I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be a mother.

I have had a great day. Scott let me sleep in and take a nap. He made dinner as well. Richard and Audrey came in my room this morning with bags of candy. I still love Tootsie Rolls. I know they are considered "cheap" candy, but I love them! So, Scott had each of them give me a bag.

I would also like to express thanks for my own amazing mother! She has dedicated so much of her life to me these past few months. I am extremely blessed to have a mother who care so much about my sanity. She comes as often as she can and has put so much on hold so that I can have help. She's taught me about sacrifice, patience, love, service, charity, humility, discipline, and being a disciple of Christ. She puts her family ahead of her self and has as long as I've known her. She taught me how to cook, work, and play. She made sure I learned about music and gardening. She supports me in times of difficulty and celebrates with me in times of joy. I love you Mom!

Garden

Scott and I planted more stuff in our garden. We bought peppers (because Scott loves them), cantaloupe, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, chives, oregano, basil, and cilantro. We put them in the planter boxes last night. We have also planted peas, which are growing, and some carrots. Hopefully they'll grow! We'll see how our first attempt at having a garden turns out.

shopping

My sister took pity on me and invited me to go shopping with her. We went last night. I must confess I am not a "shopper." I hate hunting for clothes that I like that are in my size and most importantly in my price range. Did I mention they have to be modest? I have a very short attention span for shopping, which I suppose is a big reason why my wardrobe is so out-of-date. If I'm going to pay money for clothes, I want to like them well enough to wear them more than twice before I think "Eww." Sigh. So, I bought shoes and some shirts to make other shirts modest enough to wear. Oh, well. At least Scott doesn't have to worry about my shopping habits. He's usually pushing me out the door to buy something.

Locked in

We will be officially locked in our kitchen (which is where we do a lot during the day) for the next several months. We live in a split-level home with three staircases off our kitchen. Marie is rolling around enough that we are getting concerned she'll roll down one of the staircases. So, I dug out two gates from our storage to block our two staircases going down. Once Marie or Peter learns how to climb stairs, we'll have to get out a gate to block the third staircase that goes up. This will all last until the two of them can both go up and down stairs with ease. Richard and Audrey have already complained and it's only been one afternoon.

Marbles

I have come up with a new idea to promote good behavior and I'm surprised at how quickly it's working! Both Richard and Audrey get 5 marbles at the beginning of the day. Each time they exhibit negative behavior for long, they lose a marble. Richard's vices are hitting/kicking/pushing/bossing/etc. Audrey, talking back to me, and not being obedient. Audrey's vices are throwing temper tantrums, being mean to Richard, and not getting to the potty in time to keep herself totally dry. It's amazing how quickly they change their behavior if I say, "You'll lose a marble!" They can also get extra marbles for good behavior. When their jar is full, they get a prize. They are doing really well! I'm pleased.
Do any of you have any great ideas to get your children to be nice and such?