It was all smiles for the first day of school this week

After more than 10 weeks of summer break it was back to school on Tuesday this past week. Both kids were really looking forward to it – they were both excited to be entering the next grade. And despite a full summer they were actually getting a little bored of being away from the stimulation of school. They slipped back into the swing of things right away and it seems like it has been a relatively easy transition.

Marcy and Tina flexing their muscles before setting out to tackle the Beast

On Saturday we all headed up to Breckenridge for the annual Spartan Races. Once again Marcy was tackling the Beast – which is a crazy 14 miles long with 30 obstacles along the way such as crawling under barbed wire, carrying heavy logs up a steep hill, climbing ropes or dunking yourself in freezing water. It is not for the faint of heart. Marcy and Tina finished in just over five hours and they were both so exhausted they cried at the end. Although Marcy has recovered well and was moving around ok today.

Jude flying over obstacles in the kids Spartan race

For the kids they had a 1 mile obstacle course featuring many of the same obstacles just kid-sized. Both Jude and Anna finished the race well and Anna was so excited she decided to do the little kids 1/2 mile race afterwards. So, she picked up two medals.

Anna climbing the rope in the kids Spartan race

Showing off their medals after the race

We couldn’t wait around for Marcy to finish because Jude had his first soccer game of the season at 3pm. So, we drove back to leave Marcy and Tina to complete their tortuous race. Jude had a great soccer game. His team won 6-0 with Jude setting up one of the goals and he played really well throughout the game.

Cheering on Jude at his soccer game

Today was a quiet day at home after a very busy day for everyone yesterday. Jude and I played some soccer at the park and we had a short family basketball game.

Anna sporting her new hairstyle

The last week of school vacation turned into a pretty busy week even though we spent it mostly at home. We started off at the hair salon. After growing it out for over a year Anna decided that before school started she wants to get most of it chopped off. We all think it is an adorable new ‘do.

Climbing the walls, or at least the doorways, at home

The kids learned a new trick this week courtesy of our neighbors. They showed Jude and Anna how to wedge your feet into a doorway and climb up. As you can see Jude got pretty high.

All dressed up

Marcy and I went to a wedding on Saturday for our good friends Rich and Maggie, the first wedding we have been to in a decade or more. So, Marcy and I both got dressed up so Anna decided she wanted to get dressed as well. She really wanted to wear a tie so I tied it around one of my winter jackets for an interesting look.

After the 5k many years of students gather around Mrs Clark

This morning we all ran a 5K in Wash Park, it was a charity event for some friends of ours from school. Jude did great, running his heart out to finish in 32 minutes while Anna took it a bit slower with her school friends. Marcy and I also completed the race well. Afterwards, we ran into Mrs Clark who taught both Jude and Anna two years of pre-school.

After the boat ride where we all get drenched

The city of Denver has a reading program encouraging young kids to read. If you go to the library and show them how much you have read they give prizes – both Jude and Anna won a free ticket to Elitch’s. So, today was the day we went. After finishing the 5K, we quickly went home and got on our swim stuff and headed to Elitch’s. It was quite the day. Anna is over 48″ now which brought so many of the rides in play for her now. I went on a couple of very intense roller coasters with her.

It was a long day and a busy weekend. We should all sleep well tonight.

Getting ready for a cousins water balloon fight

It was another full week in Iowa with lots of fun activities. There was a trip to the zoo, to Living History Farms, an indoor trampoline place and more. With the Olympics on there was a lot of watching swimming and gymnastics. One night I took Jude out on one of our Jude and Daddy dates – we went to putt putt golf and then dinner at a sports bar.

A trip with Grandpa in the Jaguar

By the end of the week our kids were ready to get home. Jude especially was getting homesick, so on Saturday we made the long drive back. We had to drive in separate cars because Marcy had the new car she bought in Kansas City.

Jude’s favorite thing to do, soccer in the backyard

Today was just a relaxing day spent at home. The kids stayed home all day enjoying some time with their favorite toys, activities and the neighbor kids. Anna decided she wanted to mow the lawn, even though the mower was pretty heavy for her, and even harder with the grass so long from being away, she managed to do a great job.

Anna mowing the lawn for the first time

A big Des Moines welcome

We started off this week at a hotel in Kansas City where we were staying to buy Marcy a new car. We bought a new Ford Explorer and she drove it to Des Moines Monday morning where we had a big welcome. Jude and Anna wasted no time and within 30 seconds of arriving they were both jumping in the pool.

The five cousins are in the pool every day

Since then the kids have spent a good chunk of every day in the pool but they have also done a few other activities. Baba always makes it fun with treats, games and outings. This morning they went out for pancakes at Perkins and they have had donuts and many other goodies.

Matching USA swimsuits Chloe, Anna and Ella

The Olympics started this weekend and Jude, Anna and Lily are getting quite into it, particularly the swimming and the gymnastics. Tonight Anna and Lily were so motivated by the gymnastics that they spent over an hour doing handstands and flips as well as push ups and sit-ups. They were just full of energy all night.

Setting up for the cousins triathlon race

All five cousins enjoy triathlons so today Lily set up a family race. Jude, as always was super competitive and he ended up winning the race. This all happened while Nathan and I were away playing golf – we did 36 holes today so we were away all day.

Jude in action during the triathlon with Lily coming from behind