Cross Country Race

Every year the elementary school has a cross country day. Grades 1-5 participate in different races. In first grade Isaac came in 2nd Place, just steps behind Demarcus. In second grade he came in 1st place, just steps in front of Demarcus. So the heat was on this year. He woke up Thursday morning and said, "Mom, I think I'm nervous, I have butterflies. What if I don't win?" I tried to tell him that sometimes we win and sometimes we loose, and that's okay.

3rd grade boys: lined up ready to go.

Take off. Isaac isn't even in this picture, he and his main competitor Demarcus took off too fast.

Yes, he's running in his socks! Apparently running bare foot is the latest thing. I don't think it's smart. Plus, those were new socks...now they are brown on the bottom.

Coming in the "home stretch" for 3rd place...in front of Demarcus.

He was a little disappointed to get 3rd (out of 96 boys), but he's a good sport. He shook it off. He said, "I shouldn't have started out so fast. I just didn't want Demarcus to get ahead of me."

Isaac indeed has skill. I can bet none of those boys can run a 10K (6.4 miles) with their dad in under an hour...he did that last weekend.

Hayden turns 5!

We had a very HAPPY boy at our house on Sunday and Monday. Hayden's 5th birthday was on Monday May 10th, but we celebrated it on Sunday along with Mother's Day because Aaron was leaving for a training conference. We couldn't let Dad miss ALL the excitement.

He got a plethora of out door activities. It's his favorite place to be.

Since we celebrated the day before, cupcakes were in order for the after school snack.

Here's the big 5 year old sporting his new running outfit and shoes getting ready to play a mean game of croquet.

Hayden has been a true joy to have in our family.

He has a smile that is contagious!

He is sweet and thoughtful.

He is mellow and very even tempered (unless provoked by an older sibling).

He is content and happy all the time.

He is super smart.

He is silly.

He gives great hugs and kisses.

He is a great helper and will always be the first to jump in and help someone.

We love him and are proud of him.

NOT so helpful helper

Halle was white from head to toe! But the sugar cookies were good.

C.A.I.T.E.

This girl cracks me up! Her favorite thing to do these days is read Junie B. Jones. In fact, most days this is how I am greeted as she gets off the bus and walks down to our house...

...her nose in the book. "Hi Caite, how are you?" "Good, I'm almost to chapter 6".

Each grade has a different color Friday shirt that they can only wear on Friday with their uniform bottoms. Kindergarten is turquoise. I couldn't get her to wear it (because she won't wear regular t-shirts...they look like boys) until last week when I made her some matching leg warmers. She was all over the "fashion statement". Now she likes her Friday shirt...but only when paired with the warmers. Go figure! That's our little DIVA!

Responsibility Revolution

I had a friend call me about a month ago and tell me about her new favorite thing. It wasn't a lotion, dessert, or pair of shoes...it was the Responsibility Chart. She told me all about it and how it had changed her kids view of responsibility and mom no longer has to nag to get things done. She told me how to make it and where to get the vinyl graph. I got it done, and it had it's grand debut for FHE a few weeks ago.




Here's how it works. Everyone starts on Level One. each person has a set of 5 things that HAVE to get done everyday before they can play or watch TV. Once those things are done they put a magnet in the square and can move down to Level Two. They now have the liberty to play with friends, play outside, or do whatever they think is fun. They can also start earning tickets. Tickets are give for doing extra things, like unloading the dishwasher, helping dad with the yard, or just being EXTRA kind. Tickets are saved up all week and every Monday night we open the "Gardner Family Store". I have a box of prizes worth different amounts. This has alleviated stress at the store when the kids are begging for something. "Mom, can I pleeeease have it." Yep... I buy it, put it in the box and say "it's worth 10 tickets, or 50 tickets." then the kids have something to work for.

There are also weekly things that they do such as their Family Home Evening assignment, journal writing, a service for someone outside of our family, and a weekly goal.

We are just finished week 2. So far it has been wonderful!!

Raingutter Regatta

Aaron stirred things up a bit when he told he Cub Scouts (and their dads) that we would be doing a Raingutter Regatta instead of the Pinewood Derby this year. The boys and dads worked on their boat designs and in the end they all had a fun time.

It did look a little bad when Isaac ended up winning. But to his defense he did a lot of the work himself. Including the paint job on "Bolt".

Due to a sick Halle, I couldn't attend, so Aaron took pictures for me.

Happy Judges: Brother Tobler and Brother Vandygriff

"Safety always comes first in scouting", hence the life jackets.

The finals!

It was close but "Bolt" pulled off the victory.

Little Sisters Caite and Marrin did a good job passing out the Sail Boat cup cakes.

When all was said and done, the boys (and dads) had a great time. Aaron even received a few apologies.

Fundus Reunion

Back in Med School, Aaron had a great study group. It took a little while to find people who were compatible in personalities and study styles, but a group was formed, trust established and friendships were made. It's fair to say that Aaron, Scott, Anthony, and Kelly spent more time together than apart... the FUNDUS was formed (there's a lengthy explanation on how they got their name, something about them being the "fundus" (funnest) study group).

We have all gone our separate ways during residency: Aaron doing pediatrics in Little Rock, Arkansas, Scott doing emergency medicine in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Anthony doing radiology in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Kelly doing family practice in Traverse City, Michigan.

We haven't seen each other since graduation 3 years ago in New York, so it was time for a FUNDUS reunion. We started planning about a year ago, so everyone could get the same vacation month. Stars aligned and plans were made. We decided that Arkansas was a pretty central location for everyone to travel. We ended up renting a big cabin in Eureka Springs. It was a perfect location for all of us nature lovers.

Although the weather did not cooperate and it rained most of the time we still had a good time. We were able to pick up where we left off and it felt like we had been together all along. Adventures and stories were swapped, friendships rekindled, good food was made, and all the kids had a BLAST being together. When the skies cleared we were able to see the quaint town shops, go hiking, and hang out skipping rocks at the river. It was a nice laid back weekend. We all had a good time. We have already talked about places for the next reunion, something more extravagant when we are making more money. Did I hear Bali? Maybe...just give us all a few years to finish residency, fellowships, and save up $$.

(of course I forgot my camera, but fortunately Scott and Laurie both had theirs, so I just need to wait for them to send me pictures and I will post them.)