First Day of Preschool

Laura had her first day of preschool today. She is enrolled at East Elementary (where I work) and her teacher is Miss Niki. Laura's been kind of hot and cold about starting preschool. Here's an example of Laura being excited about preschool. Miss Niki emailed parents asking for a picture. Laura had many different smiles she wanted to experiment with for the photo.

 

Here is an example of Laura this morning. Not feeling very excited about preschool.

 

 

After giving her a vitamin, she seemed to snap out of it and was excited to go.

 

After her first day, she came out of the school with a big smile on her face. I hope that continues the whole year.

 

Preschool

Laura's first day of preschool is tomorrow. Stay tuned...

Go Daddy!

Eric competed in his first half ironman this weekend. The kids and I did not go and cheer for him as it was in Cedar Rapids (2 hours away) and the race itself would take approximately 6 hours. We sent him a video before the race and I think it did the trick as he finished under his goal time in 5 hours and 41 minutes. We're very proud!

This is the video we sent him.

 

 

Family Vacation

We went to Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minnesota for our family vacation this year. We had a great time! Enjoy the video.

http://animoto.com/play/KhgGAp8Hih02aCdM3kKlTg

Beautiful People

In 1990 my Grandpa Green rode his bicycle from Seattle, Washington to Eldridge, Iowa. When he returned home he was interviewed by a local newspaper reporter. I have always treasured this quote from him.
"We were just coming out of Williston, N.D. and had targeted a campground 30 miles to the east. We were battling some strong headwinds and my companions decided to wait in town until the wind died down. Me, I like to get my work behind me. There were lots of hills and I was struggling up a pretty steep grade. All of a sudden a car passed me and when it got in front of me its brake lights flashed on. It then went on ahead a ways and stopped maybe 400 yards in front of me. It sat there for a minute and pretty soon the passenger door opened and closed, then the driver stuck his arm out the window and gave me a big thumb's up sign. When I got to the top of the hill there was a cold beer sitting right in the middle of the road. Talk about beautiful people." Gene Green

I am training for my next half marathon. In the past 3 days two different older gentlemen have given me the thumb's up sign. I think of my grandpa, think of beautiful people, smile, and keep going.

Summer Project

It all started with a dresser I inherited from my mom that she had as a young girl. It's an Ethan Allen dresser as Grandma Claussen would only buy the best. As young girls, Heidi and I had this dresser in our room and over the years the paint chipped and it started looking old and worn. When Eric and I moved into our first house we ended up getting this old, worn dresser and we had it in our bedroom. I had it on my list to refinish it, but it just never happened. When we moved into our new house, Laura inherited the dresser and I bumped up the refinishing project a little bit higher on the list as a 50 year old dresser sitting in a brand new room makes it look really old. This summer I finally did it. I finally refinished the dresser and I absolutely love it!


Before

Sanding



 



Water damage from a diaper pail.



Primer

Painted Light Hearted Pink

After...We love it!

Wednesday Errands

It doesn't even phase me anymore when Laura jumps in the van in dress up attire. Today she went to Sherwin Williams and Walmart dressed as a bride. Of course, Laura turned every head (which she loved). Meanwhile, I was definitely looking like the worn out mom wearing a snot smeared shirt with a hole in the arm-pit, a hair-do that will never be in style, and a makeup less face, Oh, and I was wrestling a one year old that didn't want to ride in the cart. Who knew the circus was in town!