Update on the Avon Walk Training & Preparation

Well, the Walk is less than a week away now and I'm feeling a bit nervous and anxious. My walking partner Melissa and I did a final endurance walk on Friday -- 22 miles in about eight hours! I have to admit we were feeling a bit beat up by the end of it but after a hot shower and a good nights rest we both bounced back pretty well by Saturday.

Thanks to many of you, I've exceeded my fundraising goal so a big "thank you" to all. Below is a picture of some the words of encouragement that a few of you sent along with your contributions -- thank you for those also.

If you'd still like to make a contribution, it is certainly not too late. Just click on the link below to go directly to my "personal page" to contribute.

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk2008/WashingtonDC?px=3855872&pg=personal&fr_id=1430




This week I'll spend some time packing my gear -- hoping not to forget anything but I'm feeling pretty well-prepared. Not much left to do but hope for good weather. It would really stink to have to walk 40 miles in the rain! I'll do an "after the Walk" post as soon as I get a chance. Stay tuned.

Catch Up Post -- Beware -- Long Post!!!!

The first and most important thing to update on is that Christian celebrated his 5th birthday on March 14! Wow, how fast those five years went by. As most of you who are parents know, birthday celebrations aren't only a day anymore. The celebration seems to go on and on...

The festivities began with a bowling party with 19 of his closest friends! And while the bowling alley customer service left much to be desired, the kids never noticed and all seemed to have a blast! I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed and felt a bit stressed early on, but after a beer or two I was having a great time (it was a bowling alley after all -- isn't beer drinking mandatory!)

Christian loved his Star Wars cake and I have to say, it tasted as good as it looked.

Christian was very happy that along with many of his friends from his current school that some of his friends from his previous school were able to come too. It was really nice to see everyone.

After bowling and cake all the kids got to play in the little arcade at the bowling alley and mostly just run around. And, as luck would have it, that weekend there was some kind of Junior Achievement event going on at the bowling alley too and they had a professional dee jay there playing "rockin" music the whole time. Really helped the party atmosphere. I don't think Christian's feet touched the ground the entire time we were there!

And the evening ended earlier than usual with the birthday boy falling fast asleep well before 7:30 and sleeping straight through until 8:00 the next morning!

Grandma GoGo arrived the day before the actual birthday for a week long visit. On the actual birthday "day" we just had a mini celebration at home and opened presents from Mom & Dad and Grandma GoGo. We bought a mini strawberry cake -- Christian's favorite -- and surprised him with it after dinner.

Mommy with the birthday boy!

During GGG's visit we went to the park a few times since the weather was so nice. This picture was taken on one of our walks to the park. Christian loves his Grandma GoGo!

The final phase of the birthday celebration was the Saturday after. Shane, Grandma Bailey, Granddad, Grandma GoGo, Christian and I all went to Red Robin for a family birthday dinner. Christian loved it -- very kid friendly place -- and was surprised after dinner when several of the servers came over with an ice cream sundae complete with birthday candle and sang a rockin version of Happy Birthday to him! He really had a great 5th birthday. I don't know what we'll do to top it next year!

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Then, before we knew it, it was Easter weekend. It really came up fast this year. The Easter Bunny was very good to Christian this year. He got lots of candy and little goodies but he also got his very first "car". It's a jeep and I have to say it is one sweet ride.

So, there you have it, I think I'm pretty much caught up. Life is good in BaileyTown! Hope it's good in your town too!

Playing Catch Up

I know it's been a long time since my last post but the last few weeks have been quite busy with Christian's birthday, my Mom (Grandma GoGo) visiting from Michigan for a week and then Easter. I've got a lot to blog about so as soon as I find a good block of time I'll get an update out.

Also, I've been pretty busy training to do the Avon 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. I committed a few weeks ago to participating so on May 3-4 in Washington, D.C., I'll be walking almost 40 miles (26.2 the first day and 13.1 the second day) to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research.

So far my longest training walk has been 14 miles and I'm hoping to do a 16 mile walk this Saturday. If anyone is interested in supporting my efforts you can go to my Personal Page at avonwalk.org and click on "Make a Donation" and follow the easy instructions to make a contribution.

And, a drumroll please....I passed the 1000 mark for hits on my blog! Now if I could just get more of you to comment and let me know that you've been by that would be a "good thing"! Thanks for stopping by!

With Age Comes Responsibility

As part of Christian's martial arts training he now has to complete a daily chart of chores/responsibilities, checking off those tasks he does over the course of the day. He turns this chart in to his instructor at the end of each month and can earn things like uniform patches, medals, trophies...even new uniforms! One of the items listed on his chart is to make his own bed. I have to tell you that that one caused me a bit of alarm because while I am all for him doing more around the house, I am a bit anal-retentive about how a proper bed should be made! So, after taking a deep breath, we started the first day of the month with he and I making the bed together and that worked out quite well. Until this morning, when he announced to me after breakfast that he wanted to try to do it by himself. After another deep breath, I agreed it would be a good thing for him to try this on his own. I had to leave the room though since I knew that if I spotted a crease or wrinkle I wouldn't be able to control the urge to offer my help. In my mind I comforted myself with the thought that I could always make adjustments afterward when he wasn't looking. Well, imagine my surprise when he announced that he was finished and I went into his room to find a beautifully made bed and one very proud almost five year old boy! He was so proud of himself in fact that he asked me to take his picture with him next to the bed that he worked so hard to make. The following pictures speak for themselves.



A mother let go a little bit today and a little boy grew up just a little bit more too -- but, I'm afraid I'll have to draw the line when he asks if he can do his own laundry!!!

Christian Earns His First Belt in Tae Kwon Do

On Saturday Christian took his test for his White Belt in Tae Kwon Do and passed with flying colors. He did an awesome job and was very proud of his accomplishment. He had to do three different attention stances, the sparring stance, the front snap kick, the high block, tiger crawls, the Korean words for uniform, instructor, practice area/school, and count 1-5 in Korean. It was a very proud moment for Shane and me and we hope this is the first of many belts for him.

With his teacher Instructor Mike

Grandma and Granddad were on hand to watch him test and get his belt

At home and very proud!

Monkey

He can do the monkey bars all by himself now!!! He's so proud of himself!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The "Valentine's Fairy" visited our house last night and left some fun surprises for Christian. Some art supplies -- Color Wonder paper and markers, some paints and his very own stapler!!! He was very excited about that! And chocolate -- M&Ms, yummy!

He also got quite possibly the world's biggest Valentine's balloon! Happy Heart Day to everyone!