Spring program

Just quickly...last night was the boys' spring program at LEAP. It went just dandy and now we're done. ;)

Asher performed with the bells and drumming classes...playing some lovely pieces. 

No, the photo's not crooked...Micah is, lol. Looking his dapper little self, Micah performed with his recorder/chimes class and also sang with his Sound of Music class. He looked so adorable up on stage! I'm biased, obviously. Don't get me wrong...the seven little girls were all very cute, too, but the tie/vest/mohawk combo just really did it for me. ;)

Noah and Asher performed with their guitar class earlier in the day (each student has been working on a solo piece), but the class didn't perform at the program on account of having missed two class days due to snow recently, such that the group pieces weren't quite ready. :)

And that was the spring program. :) I have more pictures (and some for friends) but they'll have to wait to be processed. Heading out the door just now... ;)

Teacher appreciation.

Done. :)

Thirteen teacher gifts to be delivered this afternoon at LEAP. Each bag has a stainless steel water bottle, some drink mixes, reusable ice ball thingies and a note to that teacher. The tag on top says "School's out. Summer's here. Thanks for all you've done this year...Stay cool!" and then the teacher's name is printed on the reverse for easy delivery. I was rather proud of myself...after searching high and low for inexpensive gift bag options that weren't too short or too wide, I just asked for extra brown bags at the liquor store...they were just the right size, lol!

(Yes, I know it seems impossibly early to be a last day of school. ;) Technically, next week is the last day of classes at LEAP. We won't be there then so are handing our dealios out today. And, for what it's worth, our "official" last day of this school year isn't until July anyhow since we homeschool and do our own thing, lol.)

Whew.

Well, despite more than a hundred miles fewer training runs this year compared to last (let's blame the snow and cold, lol), I finished the Colorado Half Marathon for a second time this morning. Molly and I headed up to the starting line way too early (left the house about 4:30) but at least had brought blankets to huddle in while we waited:

For our morning chuckle, when our bus arrived, the announcer person informed us that coffee and water was available, that we were at the starting line for the half marathon, that porta potties were ready, but that toilet paper had been forgotten. ;) He informed us, though, that they were working rapidly to correct that oversight (I imagine someone is going to be in trouble, lol). Once off the bus, sure enough, someone announced that toilet paper had arrived and to please clear the area so they could distribute it as quickly as possible. Initially, though, their makeshift solution was only rolls of paper towels, but within a few more minutes someone else arrived with actual toilet paper. ;) Entertaining.

In any case, after a bit we finally got started. This year, they introduced pace groups, which were awesome. Even though I wasn't shooting for a specific time, it definitely helped me keep going to have a clearer idea of where I stood. As anticipated, I didn't beat my previous time, but I felt pretty good about my run. Molly, meanwhile, managed a new personal best...yay, Molly!!

Here we are after finishing:

Done. ;)

And, just a few shout outs...

- To the bride & dedicated bridesmaids running together, congratulations! Seems like a good way to get in shape before the wedding day. :) (According to their shirts, the big day is 06.01.13.)

- To runner number 2227, thank you sincerely for being so nice and tall...you may not have noticed me but I ran in your shadow as we came out of the canyon and you blocked the rising sun quite nicely, lol.

- To the runner in blue who occassionally skipped, thank you for sharing your joy...seeing you randomly switch to skipping raised my spirits in the last few miles.

- To all those involved in making the Colorado Marathon (and associated races) happen, you rock! Thank you for making the experience such a smooth one...I very much appreciate the organization and time that went into the day!

Happy.

Sorry I've been quiet here. I've got some slow computer issues this week. :) But. All's well. In fact, life's pretty good. Here are some of the things making me happy right now...

1. Swim team's over until fall for Noah. He had his last school year season meet yesterday and set new personal records in three of the four events he swam. Given the 7-8" of snow we received from Winter Storm Achilles on Wednesday, the meet (though originally scheduled to be held in the recently reopened outdoor pool) was moved back indoors. ;) 

(Note. Yes, there's obviously a summer swim team at this same place where we do the school year swim team. Noah opts not to participate in that, though, as it requires practice five days a week at 7am, lol.)

2. JOAD is also over until fall. I already mentioned the final tournament, but we also had our team potluck last weekend, so now we're officially good. 

3. Course, that didn't stop the boys and I from heading to the archery range this morning for some "fun shooting." :) I even brought my bow and shot with them. Amazing how much happier they can be when shooting at 3D animal targets instead of a paper target with scores, lol. 

4. Even though Winter Storm Achilles rather interrupted my tapering/training plans for this last week before the Colorado Half Marathon that I'm running again on Sunday, I managed to get out in the sunshine this morning and enjoy a short run. (For the record, my training this year has been much less regular than last year. I'm good with that. My plan is simply to finish and be thankful that the race has kept me motivated to exercise at least some for the last few months, lol.)

5. Our latest school session is now over (I graded stuff tonight), so I get a break. ;) 

6. I'm feeling very blessed to have so many lovely friends...friends I've known for years and years, friends I've made through our local homeschooling group, friends I've "met" through the internet...friends. I know I'm usually not the most forward in these groups (I'm an incredible introvert really), but I truly value having people in my life who get what I'm talking about and share interests and laugh with me. 

7. Even though there's still snow in my yard, I'm choosing to think positive, warm, sunny thoughts and am looking so very forward to spring and summer. ;)

That's enough for now. :) Mostly, just feeling happy here. Hope you are, too...

Spring?

Was treated to this happy scene last Friday at the end of my morning run...

Delighted to see signs of spring finally! And, I just love how fluffy the little goslings are. :)

(We'll just ignore the forecast for snow on Wednesday, shall we?)