Donkey Basketball

School kept rescheduling this even over and over and finally that was the day. Kyra really wanted to go because Ms. Dentler is one of those teachers playing basketball on a donkey. Neither of us wanted to go besides Kyra so we told her if she could find someone we know to go with, she can go. The Kissingers were one of the family who could take Kyra along. She had a blast. Looks like Owen and Maddy had fun too. 

Kyra said they let them ride a donkey afterwards, I guess it is two fun things in one :)

Puppies Rolling

Every. Single. Day. Those puppies are rolling on the floor having fun. 

Our Catcher

Still needs a lot of practice for catching but at least he tried it this year. :)

Weather

I cannot believe that tomorrow is May. It seems like weather turned from winter back to fall. It is still cold and so rainy and chilly and yucky. I can hardly believe summer is on the way. I am ready for steady runs. Not the ones I can fit in the day with no rain. Come on, spring, show up!

Go Or Not To Go Right Now

I told Brandon that I was thinking of going to visit my parents. Never mind both kids have been begging for me to take them.

I asked him if he cared if I did not come to his 3 baseball games. He said yes, he cared and he would like for me to come. Deal. Then I will be looking at the tickets for the beginning of school year!
Love him!

Brandon's Birthday Party

This year it was so relaxing! I did not plan anything, I just let the boys (and Kyra) play. I was very surprised how little time they played Minecraft! They played four squares, basketball, baseball, just chilling.

 We grilled/cooked lots of food - burgers, hot dogs, home made french fries (this Mom made them), etc. Boys stuffed themselves and were full for the cake although each of them tried it. I have to say as much great our first Stampy cake was, as much dissapoitment this professional cake turned out to be.

We ate some of it anyway and I brought the boys to their houses 2 hours later than their expected times. So fun!

Arguments

Okay, in addition to deciding whose underwear is supposed to be whose when they were, may be 2 and 3, and arguing about whose snotty bag was it when both of them were sick, today they argued about who calls each other Poop more.

And this is the life we are living! :)

BRANDON IS 9!

First thing Kyra yelled to me this morning:
- Mommy, we have 9-year old!!!! (yes we do!)

Brandon really liked the decorations, he just kept looking at each of them. He wanted to miss school but this year that day was a late picture day, so no missing this time.

I was so excited to give him another surprise. I came an hour earlier than his pick up time and drove him to Twin Kiss for a milkshake to remember late that it was Tuesday and it is not open on Tuesdays! Bummer! We drove to Rita's but it was not what we were both hungry for. Brandon said "Thought, is what counts". Thank you!

We played ball in the house until Jimmy got home, we ordered pizza and Pop and Nan came with a few more presents. I would say, as always, Brandon made out pretty well.

He got a bike, rebounder for baseball, 3 Lego sets, Xbox that he really wanted to play Minecraft, 4 games for Xbox, poster, crayons.

Here is the cake, made by someone from Jimmy's work. I am not a fan of American cakes but this one was very, very yummy. Fresh, made from scratch, fluffy, amazing cake!

9 year old is my boy now! Love him to pieces!

Getting Ready For Birthday

After busy weekend and game on school night, I let Kyra stay little bit longer to help me decorate. We put all the clutter away, put brick walls on, decorated the table with table cloth, confetti and what looked like red, white and blue diamonds and Minecraft banner. 

Here are some pictures from Minecraft on that wall to make it more real. I liked how Brandon looked at each of them and made comments :)

Hallway 

 Another piece of wall (what completely covered light switch) :)

 Jimmy blew some balloons and we were ready to go for the next day! :)

Package From Overseas

Yip, huge alphabet, huge Russian flag color bag, 4 books to read by themselves when they know letters, orange socks for Brandon, orange pen with Russian flag, spy pen that you can writes with invisible ink and you can see it with looking with flashlight on it, a fancy pen and coin wallet for Kyra and, of course, lot of candy. :)

Easter Egg Hunt

After going for brunch with cousins and grandparents, kids had Easter Egg hunt right here in the middle of our development. Pop and Nan hid 42 eggs and filled some of them with money, some with candy. I wish we timed them because I betcha it took them less than 2 minutes to get all the eggs and another two minutes to open them up and count money. They were about 30 something dollars richer. Thanks to Nan and Pop
On the move

 Where, where did Pop hide that bad egg???

Last Hershey Bears Game Win

They do ham shoot out at the last game. Surprise/nor surprise, Brandon won it. He hit the puck so well that.. well.. we have ham now :) Proud of him!

Cousin Meet

The DC Bibbs came here for Easter and got cousins together for a little bit. 

They came to watch Brandon's baseball practice. Very nice of them! (Jetta Speck is in background)

Love, love this picture of two girls!

Pink Fluffy Unicorn

There is this song on Youtube - "Pink Fluffy Unicorn Dancing on Rainbow", and girls in Brandon's class, apparently, call him Fluffy Unicorn. On the first picture Olivia, lacking pink marker, used orange to draw him. On the second page girls were arguing who gave him his name first. :) So funny!

Cookie Makers

Brandon had a bunny made out of cookie in class with Mrs. Weimer but when we went outside to play on school playground, girls knocked it down on accident. Brandon did not throw a fit, he just asked if we could get the ingredients and make it at home. Of course!

Big blue is mine, small blue is Kyra's and white with lots of chocolate is Brandon's :)

Older/Younger Twinner

Kyra:
- Mommy, did you know that if twins are born, one of them is older than another?
Me:
- No way! :)
Love her so much!

Good Friday All Three of Us Are Off

I requested off that day to spend with the kids - the only day they had left from Easter vacation. Kyra had a sleepover at Emma's, Brandon called Corey Baker to see if he could come with us to Palmyra bowling. He could :) I took all three kids there. Brandon, as before, did not want to get bumpers and then started pouting that he was not winning because Corey and Kyra had bumpers on.

Since kids are crazy about the song Pink Fluffy Unicorn Dancing On the Rainbow, all the kids decided to be Fluffy :)

Overall kids were a good sport, cheering on each other, it was a lot of fun, Brandon turned around after he got a few good shots too! I took them to Palmyra playground afterward where me and Becky met for clothes exchange. We all had our first picnic of the year on the playground, drove home where boys played half hour of video games and then we went to school playground.

When Jimmy got home he took the kids to play baseball  at school. What a busy, physically active day for them!

Races Progress

Okay, by May 2014 I completed several races. When I put them down on the paper and saw the progress, it really surprised me (in a good way). It is very motivating to see that you improve:

Hershey Half Marathon - 10/2012
Total number of participants: 3928
My place: 3310
My time: 2:49:49
My pace: 12:57

Hershey 10k - 4/2013

Total number of participants: 2250

My place: 2096

My time: 1:15:30

My pace: 12:10

Got The Nerver Triathlon - 5/2013 
500 yards swim, 15.6 miles bike, 3.1 miles run

Total number of participants: 479 individual racing

My place: 457

My time: 14:06 swim, 1:13:52 bike, 37:35 run (12.11 pace)

My pace:

Philadelphia Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon 9/2013

Total number of participants: 18 137

My place: 16 295

My time: 2:47:59

My pace: 12:49

Hershey 10K - 4/2014

Total number of participants: 2201

My place: 1695

My time: 1:07:44

My pace:10:55

Super Busy Weekend and Hershey 10K

What a weekend! First on Friday I took Kyra to see Rio-2 to Cocoaplex and Brandon went for a sleepover at Brody's. In the morning I did gazillion of errands and left earlier for work to stop at Party City for birthday stuff for Brandon.

I worked for 10 hours, came home at 2am, took a shower and got ready for the next day. By the time I fell asleep, it was 3am. I got up at 5.30 for a race I first was debating to run because of the weather this season. I ran only for 3 weeks in the last month since November. I did not think I would make it anywhere close to my time last year when I ran with Renee and I did not want to get demotivated when seeing slower pace. 

In the end I decided to run it and put my best effort into it. Race is still a race. I LOVE the spirit of it. It is so electrifying! Everyone seems to be on runner's high and everyone is excited to start moving. That is one time where I did not care if I was doing it alone. Athlete "community" is great regardless of your company. Family members stand on the entire route cheering for the runners. There were young fathers, feeding the babies, while watching two others, kids sleeping in strollers, kids being read to to be occupied, kids giving out high five, I SOOOO wished my family was cheering me on too. 

This year I did not run a full mile without walking yet. Here I refused to walk, determined to run till I could not. I was amazed when I saw the cone saying I already did 1.3 miles. I allowed myself to power walk. Next mile seemed to be very difficult, I did not know why. I felt like I already needed sugar rush.

At 2.25 mile mark they were giving out Gatorade and water. When I took a few sips of Gatorade (which I typically do not drink), I was up and going. I kept consistent speed till I hit 5.7 miles. Then it became difficult again. The end of those races in Hershey is always up the hill, it is simply killing. 

I had my watch on but I did not want to get demotivated so I just kept going without looking. When I saw the clock at the finish line I shook my head because I did not think it could be true. It showed 1:08 something. Email came with my official time - 1:07:44, pace 10:55. First time ever me going into 10 minute mile :)

 I was so shocked I could not believe my eyes. That is the time when I felt like I conquered the world. I not only was running fast with only three weeks training, but I took whole 8 minutes of my last year result. It is JUST crazy!!! I still, still, still cannot believe how well I did. VERY, VERY happy. 

When I came home, Brandon said: "Good job, Mom", one of the best praises I have ever heard from him :)

Kyra told me she could not have done 6 miles. "I could do only 2 miles and then I will be very pooped out" :) She is so funny :)

At night we went to see Hershey Bears play. It was such a busy weekend! Feeling accomplished!

Tantrums

I do not know what happened to my nice, polite, sweet girl. Lately she turned into what I thought teenager would be like. However, she is still 7.5 years old.

One of my clear long memories of myself, is when we went to Sochi (where Olympics were) a summer before I started school, three months before I turned 8. I feel ashamed now, but I remember what a monster I was. I did not listen to anyone, I pouted, I complained, I crossed my arms across my chest and looked like a mad turkey. I am sure it was not pleasant and I do not know why I acted that way but I did.

Kyra.. I am not sure, is that the same? She talks back, she complains, she whines, she has no tolerance for something she does not like at the moment (Brandon who is playing ball and she wants him to stop right this very second), she is being rude, demanding, she throws stuff and gets mad when she can't do something but would not ask for help, she gets mad at her hair because she can't do a ponytail with it since it is not long yet, you name it.. That about covers it. I REALLY... R-E-A-L-L-Y hope that it is just a stage.

I do not like us constantly telling her her behavior is not okay and send her upstairs to come down. I want my sweet girl back. The way she used to be a month ago. Kyra, please come back, it hurts me seeing you this way.

7 Going On 13

Oh boy.. That was big. Kyra's class has field trip to Lake Tobias scheduled. I was very excited at the opportunity to spend some time with Kyra outside of school but with her classmates. When paper came home, Kyra seemed reluctant for me to go. When I sat her on the couch to tell me what was going on, she told me that some boys laugh when parents come to school and she did not want me to come. OUCH! 

I said I would not push it so if she did not want me to go, I would not. I left for the kitchen to make supper and here what Kyra brought to me:

Although it was difficult, I gave her a hug and thanked her for the note. As much as I hurt was, I was impressed with her identifying the emotion she felt and her realization that it hurt me and she tried to make it better for me. She is only 7.

I emailed Ms. Dentler to see what was going on and why boys were laughing. She had a casual conversation with Kyra behind closed doors and Kyra let Ms. Dentler share their conversation with me. Kyra's fear was that I would baby her in front of everyone and come on.. If she did not say anything, I probably would have. I asked her if I promised I would not baby her, would she mind if I came? In this case, she said no, it would be okay for me to come...

Ohhh those sometimes hard described emotions of 7 year old!

Or Maybe Not

Just in time for an inch of snow. Yikes.

Spring Is (Finally!) Here!

Short sleeve warm weather, short clothes...

Smelling flowers...

My Little Writer

I was going through kids'writings/home works. Here is what I found. Love the colors and emotions of the story! (Kyra)

Looks about right :)

In the tune of "Everything is awesome" from Lego Movie.

Totally sounds like that song! "Everything is poooooossum when you are hanging with me..."

Report Card Surprise

A surprise. Brandon got C+ on social science. Wow. Never had anything lower than B+ and now boom! Two remarks stating he has inconsistent effort. He is rushing through her work and does not double check. Basically meaning he cares about it sometimes enough, at times not as much as he should. 

Expectations are clear. This is not to be repeated.

With Kyra nothing new. All advanced. Awesome job!

Aurora's Gymnastics Birthday Party

Her party was at Paramaunt Complex, we had 2 hours incuding 1.5 hours in the gym with no one else but invited to her party. Those beams that Kyra and Brandon are standing on at pretty high from the floor where those blue softies are. I jumped from it once and in the process of fall I thought I would die. I am afraid of heights and it was pretty high. Still remember just thinking about it.

Kids did not want to stop playing. Even sweaty, red and wet, they wanted more 

Buddies

Nan and Pop went to DC and I thought Oreo was lonely so we brought them in our house. 

Daddy Huggies

'Nuf said

Who Is Up For A Run?

Brandon was up for a run when I was on my way to a trail. His iPod died half way but we stopped at the stream to look at it and then shared my iPod together. Good, bonding times! 

My Roughhousing Puppies

It pretty much never ends. One of Brandon's favorite phrases is "Kyra, can you beat me up?" and she is happy to oblige.

What Is In Your Ankle?

Brandon fell asleep in my bed when I was at work. I awoke him up so he walked to his own bed. While walking he was telling me: "Can you, please, take my pillow, I have a hole in my ankle".

Next morning I asked him about "hole in his ankle" and he said he rubbed it against roller blades he used at birthday party at Doc's. Oh, now I get it!

Love

Love, love how my almost to be 9 year old needs me. He still asks to sleep next to me, he asks me to watch a movie with him, lay with him before he falls asleep and cuddles close to me. LOVE me some him!

Kyra And Who?

I am not sure how conversation turned this way but we were pretending Kyra was a grown up. She said she was 27 and I asked if she had a husband. Yes. What is his name? His name is Alex. He is 34. He works in Red Robin and Kyra works in Friendly's.

We were interrupted to continue our conversation but how interesting... :)

My Salads

Would never ever tried those in Russia. There we do cucumbers, tomatoes, scallions, parsley and dill with sour cream. Here:
Kale, dill, parsley, pepper, tomato, cucumber, avocado, cheddar cheese, almonds, couscous. This one I think also has a few raisins for sugar. No dressing. So healthy! :)

Birds And Bees Talk With My Girl

Kyra and I are laying in her bed. Light is off. Out of blue she asks:
- Mommy, do I have to have a husband to have a baby:
- Well, technically no, you remember how babies are made, right?
- Right.
- So technically you do not need a man to be your husband but me and your Dad would prefer you have a baby with someone you love and who is your husband.
- Oh.. But I do not want to have a baby, I want to adopt one. Is there a way not to have a baby?
- Hmmmm. Well, there are ways, yes.
- What are they?
- Well, you can take pills
(Thinking and shaking her head no..)
- No, I do not like taking pills.
- You can take a shot (then I pause)..
(Again, shaking head no)
- Definitely not this. What else?
- You can use condoms.
- What are condoms?
Should I explain in truth or cover it up until she is older? Why so?
- It is something that boys put on a penis..(pause)
- Why do they do that?
I am trying very, very hard not to laugh. I am sorry, I know, Kyra you are curious, I am trying to explain it the most natural way, but sorry, I can't keep chuckling :)
I ended up telling her that this way it protects a woman from getting pregnant.
I guess she is ready for real answers. I love to see how they grow and getting ready for older kids knowledge.

Benefit For All

Can't believe it is getting to be spring soon despite of the snow twice in the last two weeks. Now kids LOVE playing on the playground each day after school, way to get the energy out!

First PSSA Ever

PSSA is not something new in the state of PA but.. As Mrs. Weimer said, they will be asking questions of the chapters that children did not learn yet but the time tests are administered, that is why they try to cramp them all in at the last minute.

With Brandon, it is no big deal, he gets everything pretty quick but I would think some kids need much more time to process it. So unfair.

So for the tests, kids get snacks, they get extra 50 min of recess which makes it 1h 20 min and a day before the tests started, they had an assembly where they sang songs and some of them were to the tune of "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen, "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz and "What Does A Fox Say".

They said results should be mailed to us sometime in summer.
Now, April 3rd  - tests come and gone and tomorrow kids are having pizza/pj/movie party. What a great reward to look forward to!