Run Like A Mother 5K

Ready to run!

My friend Amy sons, Charlie, Jack & Chase before the race

Almost there!

Just crossed the finish line!!

Me, about to cross the finish line

The Brown Family

After the race, I was so excited. What an awesome crew to run to!

On Mother's Day this year I accomplished one of my life goals, to run a 5K. I'm not a big athlete, mainly because I'm clumsy and enjoy watching sports more than I do playing them. However, I read about this race in the newspaper and it was right up my alley. It was for runners of any ability but catered to beginners. The race was called "Run Like A Mother" and was for women only that didn't have much time for themselves so when they ran, they had to run like a mother so they could get onto something else! There was a Sunday night training for 6 weeks to get you ready so I signed up with my friends Kristy & Amy.

I asked Chase if he wanted to race too because there was a kids 1 mile fun run. I told him that we could train together, although we never actually ran more than a block or 2 together. I usually "trained" with my friend and neighbor, Kristy. My goal was to run the entire thing, which was big because I never ran the entire distance of the race prior to that morning.

Chase's race was first and I had told him that he didn't have to run the whole time and he would stay on the track so he would be able to see us. Little did I know that the kids route left the safety of Neuqua Valley's track! Needless to say, he followed the rest of the kids and made it back in 9:40!! I was so impressed with his mile time! Watching him race made us SO PROUD of him. He told me he "walked a little" but I thought for a 5 year old that has never ran before, he did fantastic. He was so excited and can't wait to do it again.

My enthusiasm for my race was big after watching Chase. The day was gorgeous and the women all around me running gave me motivation and I actually had fun running! I reached my goal and didn't walk, it felt great to accomplish something all by myself and for myself. For most people a 5K run isn't a big deal but to me it was, so I'm motivated to try again sometime! I think this will be a Mother's Day tradition in my house.

Mother's Day Tea

So proud of this little boy!

Chase's "mad" face for Little Bunny Fu-Fu

The Wednesday before Mother's Day, Chase's preschool class had a Mother's Day Tea for the kids and their moms. It was very cute, the kids sang songs for us, we ate some yummy treats, Chase "read" me the alphabet book that he had made throughout the school year and the kids gave us gifts. Chase made me an imprint of his hand that he painted. I of course love it! It was a great memory to share with him!

Random April Pictures

On their new scooters from Grandma & Grandpa

A visit with Grandpa over spring break, we had lots of fun bowling together, going to dinner and just hanging out. We can't wait to go back this summer to fish!

Hollywood

Summer in April? One weekend the weather went into the upper 80's so we couldn't resist breaking out the water squirters and having a blast with the neighbors!

Chase, Anthony & Luke at the Wheels All Around

(driving a back hoe!)

Dressed up for a 50's Sock Hop dance at school, it was so much fun!

Chase skating, he's getting good almost ready to start a real hockey class!

Over spring break we took the boys to the DuPage Children's Museum, they loved "building their towers!"

Easter Egg Hunt

Showing off his eggs

On the hunt

On the balance beam

With the bunny

This year we went to an Easter Egg Hunt with Casey and Cassi at their gymnastics studio. We had a great time with our cousins hunting for eggs, playing on the equipment and just playing together. The trampoline was a favorite thing to do too. I think we just might do this every year!

Easter 2011

Dying eggs

Finding the eggs on Easter morning

Opening baskets

Coming downstairs

It seems like every year just gets better! The anticipation of Easter this year was big. The morning was even better! It started a little rocky with Buddy finding an egg and eating it as we came down stairs but after that, the boys were really excited. The bunny brought all kinds of goodies including candy, books and butterfly nets.

Later in the day we went to Dana's house for a delicious Easter lunch. Both of our families were there so it we got to see everyone in one shot. The grandmas hid eggs in the backyard and the kids had a blast hunting all over again, especially since their cousins were with them!