Dirty Girl Mud Run 2013

Earlier this year, a coworker/friend of mine suggested that the females on our staff participate in the "Dirty Girl Mud Run" this spring.  She offered it up as a chance for us to each step outside of our "box," build some camaraderie, and have some fun.  Little did she know just how far outside of my box she was asking me to step!

When Brian heard about it, he just laughed.  Encouraging and urging me along the way, he insisted on attending to witness the event with his own eyes.  (I'm pretty sure he thought I wouldn't go through with it.)
 
But it was my sister is actually the one who said it best (with more than a hint of disbelief in her voice, "Um.  You HATE running, and you HATE getting dirty.  Do you KNOW what a Mud Run is?"

Yeah. 

So the day finally came for all 25 of us to run/walk/hobble along the 5K course, attack obstacles, and crawl, slosh, roll, through the mud pits along the way.

And it was awesome.

Truly!

And I made it.  Successfully even!

It is worth noting:
1.  I ran most of the way.
2. I did not "avoid" (or walk around) a single obstacle.
3. I did not hurt myself(!)
4. I finished in the top 10 of our team.  (It was not a timed race.)

Seriously.  I really did it.  I can hardly even believe it myself!

Unfortunately, Brian had to leave town suddenly the morning of the race to be with his grandmother who is quite ill, so he didn't get to see it.  But next year!  Next year we will do it again(!), and Brian will see.  And the girls will see.  That even their neat-nick, high maintenance Mama can get down and dirty, and have fun doing it.

I think they would like to see that.  :)

Our team "Before"

 

 Waiting for the race to start

 

I have to get into THAT???

 

 My personal favorite...the slide into the mud pit.  :)

 

 

 PROOF that I ran!!!

 There I am!

Next time I will remember to close my mouth when I hit the mud.

 

 The final pit was free choice.  :)

 

 

I guess Sarah chose to dive.  :)

I promise, it was all out of love...!

  

 

  The "After."  It really is hard to tell in photos how muddy we were.  It wasn't a sticky, clay mud.  It was more of a sandy, gravelly, wet mud.  A gooey on the bottom, wet on the top, settles in between your toes, and weighs you down, wet-type-mud.

 

 

 

Celebratory beer. We made it.  :)

Templeton Carnival

While Brian prepped and primped for Prom (okay, okay...he was actually working...) the girls and I headed over to my school to celebrate the spring carnival with my students.  It's safe to say they had a BLAST, with the highlights being:  the pony rides, the face paint, and the shaved ice.   My students loved seeing them, and the girls loved hanging out with the kids I spend all day with. 

Painting Badge!

Last weekend, Camryn's Brownie Troop earned their painting badge at My Masterpiece Art Studio.  The trip was their choice of reward for meeting (and exceeding!) their cookie goal of 500 boxes! 

They were super excited to put their skills to work, and got to take home three pieces of their own artwork.  They had a great time, and it was fun to watch them build their creations!  :)

Tulip Fest 2013

We finally made it down to the Tulip Festival this year, and it was a beautiful day for it!  This long-standing tradition began before Camryn was even born, and this year, we brought all 4 girls to try and capture some new memories.  We can't wait until ALL FIVE can run, jump, and play amongst the rows and rows of tulips.  :)

 

Sweet cousin loves...

Three little families...

 

 

At Camryn's request...

And one just for Grandpa...

 

Science Fair 2013

This year, Camryn entered her own project at the Deer Creek Science Fair.  She and her daddy picked a topic long ago, that they'd been wondering about:

What type of exercise increases your heart rate the most:  walking, running, biking, or scootering?

Easter weekend provided the PERFECT sunny Saturday to carry out the experiment.  They collected the data, and over the next few weeks, she and I put together a display of her findings.  

Last week, the Science Fair finally arrived, and Camryn was able to share her project with the whole school!  Way to go, Camryn!  :)

Happy Birthday, buddy!

For the second time in recent weeks, Aubrey was invited to a friend's birthday party...without her sister.  This marks a turning point for both of our girls...no longer is Aubs the little sister left behind as Camryn attends functions meant for "big kids."  She now IS the big kid....big enough to be the invitee without her sister, anyway.  And boy, is she fond of that idea!  She's certainly not timid in these social situations, and has not been needing the guidance of a big sister, or anyone else, to join in the fun.  One might even call her a "party animal."   Happy Birthday, to her buddy, Hudson!  Thanks for the invite.  Aubrey had a blast!!!