Fun Run and Recovery

For the past two weeks, Amelia's school was hosting its annual fundraiser powered by Boostherthon. Instead of selling items, families gathered pledges to help the school raise funds for technology  upgrades, while the students experienced a world-class character program and participated in a Fun Run. Most students aimed to complete 30-35 laps at the Fun Run event. 

This year's Boostherthon theme was Castle Quest, an English castle theme all about bravery. The children not only raised funds for the school but also learned the six virtues (focus, self-awareness, respect, trustworthiness, creativity and life-learner) of a "true hero" from a cast of colorful characters, as they seek to regain Bravemore Castle by completing six challenging tests. Here is Amelia's video to seek donations: 

Every morning, all the students started off with a rally in the gym and learned about one new virtue.

 Even her teacher, Ms. Romer, got in on the action: 

And the assistant principal too:

Finally, yesterday was the big event: the Fun Run. Amelia and her classmates were ready to run:

The run was separated by grades and the 1st graders were on after noon, which was great as I was able to be there and cheer them on. Lining up and a short pep rally:

Due to space restrictions, the girls completed their laps first and then it was the boys turn. Off they go (they walked the first lap). 

After each lap, a volunteer made a check on their t-shirts to keep track on the laps everyone ran. 

They turned down the lights and the fun began: (it was very hard to take a good picture in the dark with all the kids moving).

 Cheering them on from the side lines:

 A video clip of the event:

The kids ran for 20 minutes and everyone completed at least 35 laps. I'm so proud of my little girl and her friend for their effort and endurance to raise money for their school. 35+ laps for this fast girl:

And then the girls cheered on the boys:

THANK YOU to everyone who supported this cause. These children truly appreciate it. 

Derrick was not able to attend the Fun Run as he was at home recovering from his hernia surgery. On Thursday, he had this procedure done, which lasted 1.5 hour. It was scheduled on Tuesday as the VA hospital had an opening. Not the perfect timing as I'm leaving the country on a business trip today but my man feels up to the challenge to recover and take care of the two children. The surgery went well even though the recovery from the anesthesia took longer than expected. (He surely won't call me a lightweight anymore when it comes to surgeries.) Luckily, my girlfriends came to the rescue and picked up the kids from school, fed them and entertained them till I was able to pick them up at 8pm from their house. No picture from the hospital but here is one from my man recovering at home. His "nurse" is very caring and attentive to his needs and wants :)

By the way, look at this vending machine at the hospital with their "healthy" food options:

Thursday was truly one busy and stressful day but we all made it thru. So thankful for my friends who helped out and the teachers at preschool that watched my baby till almost 6pm. On Friday morning, I felt like Superwoman aka MOM after looking back on the day before. 

Only 6 more hours to go until I depart to France and I haven't packed yet nor prepared breakfast, cleaned the bathrooms or written down all the lists for my family. I'm sure I won't have a problem sleeping in the plane tonight. 

Back to Normal

Since our extended Christmas break due to the weather here in TN, it took us a few days to get back in to a routine after school started back off.  Up to January 21st, the kids only attended school 4 times, which meant that the parents had to get creative and figure out what to do with them while still going to work. Luckily for us, Derrick works several days a week from home and was able to supervise Amelia while Elliot went to preschool and I went to work.

Playing school with the cat

Self-imposed number writing

On other days, I took her to work with me, which by the way, my daughter absolutely loves. She chose a desk and moved right in. All my co-workers are now displaying her art work on their desk. 

When both kids stayed home, Derrick took the day off and went with them to an indoor trampoline place for a couple of hours. He is definitely the cool parent. I only made up by bringing them Chick-Fil-A for lunch. By the time, the snow had melted and the temperatures were back to a more acceptable level, everyone was ready to go back to school and a regular routine. Last week, we started swim lessons, and the kids love it. My water babies have a private swim instructor once a week at the Y and are making great progress. 

I even took some time and went with my girlfriends to the movie theater to watch "The greatest Showman". This movie was awesome and I highly recommend it. I loved it so much, I bought the soundtrack. Now, Amelia and I are constantly listening to it. 

Did I mentioned that Derrick and I love hanging out with our two kids...the last half hour before bedtime, we usually spent together sitting on the couch and watching a show. 

So this little boy of mine brought me to tears at 6am one morning for being so selfless. Even though it was his sister's turn to empty the dishwasher, he volunteered and for a job well done, he was rewarded with a quarter. After we gave him the money to put in his piggy bank, he declared that he rather will take it to preschool to put in the missionary jar. His preschool collects change for a teacher who is on a missionary trip in Thailand and my son selflessly gave his hard-earned money to this cause without being prompted. This gesture made me think twice about how easy it is to be a bit more selfless and caring about others and filled me with pride. If a 4 year old can do it, surely we adults can too. 

Proud boy

One afternoon last week, we had a play date with our friends and my kids were so excited. I guess we don't have that many people coming over and they always love when friends come to play. 

On Thursday night, Amelia's school hosted their monthly Family Night and this month theme was art show. From every student at the school a picture was exhibited for all to look at. 

But there was also plenty of hands-on things for the children to do. Bongo drums:

And a private lesson:

An Instrument Zoo with some unusual instruments made from materials used every day in the household:

And an art studio, where the children were able to paint a picture for a collage wall and use their imagination with clay:

We finished the week off with Pajama Day for Elliot:

So far, we have been able to stay healthy and escape this flu epidemic that is haunting the country. At least until Sunday, when my body just shut down and I wasn't able to do anything except lay in bed and rest and sleep.

Luckily, I was feeling much better on Monday and I'm back to my normal self. Just in time for a busy week ahead at the office before I go on another business trip to Europe this weekend. 

Winter Weather

The weather here in middle Tennessee has been all over the place since Christmas. First, we endured two weeks of frigid (partly sub-zero) temperatures with only 2 days barely making it above freezing. And then the weather turned and we had a couple of wet days in the low 60's/ 18C. Within 24 hours our temperature dropped 40F/ 21C and it had snowed an inch. Because of where we are located at, depending if the cold front from up North or the warm front from the South is stronger, we get such a range of weather and it is really hard to predict too far in advance. Last year, our winter was very uneventful and quite warm but this season has been extremely cold and it started very early. Don't get me wrong, we love it though. The kids are excited about a snow day and since we know it won't last too long, we are enjoying every minute of it. 

When it is too cold to go outside for a few days, you get creative and entertain the children with all kinds of things: new magnet board/ dry erase board for the win:

Working out with Daddy is a favorite for Elliot:

My type A personality was scared to let them paint some peg dolls but I'm glad I did. Both kids did great and look at their beautiful masterpieces. I only added the details and eyes and I outlined Bell for my daughter but they did the rest. 

And I finally started painting again too:

Once the temperature rose above freezing, we even went to the park last Sunday. I ran 3 miles while Derrick and the kids fed some peanuts to the squirrels.  

But on Friday, schools and preschools were all closed as well as a lot of companies (mine included) due to the icy rain in the early morning hours, which later turned in to snow. Ice, ice, baby, ice!

This is the third time in the past 10 days that the children had an unexpected day off from school due to the weather but we are taking it in stride. First it was too cold and now the streets are too slippery for the school buses. By 3pm it started snowing and in less than 45 minutes, we were outside enjoying the snow.

After warming up inside, we ventured out again once the layer of snow was a bit thicker.

 The snow is too powdery to build a snowman. So, we made a snowoman:

It snowed some more over night and this morning, we measured a solid 2 inches/ 5 cm of snow.

Snowball fight:

Unfortunately, sledding was not a huge success as the snow was not solid enough but the street was icy so we had a good run there. 

 The only one who really isn't a fan of the snow is our cat, Indy. After all, she is a Florida cat.

Now, we sit by the fire and drink hot coca...perfect snow day!