Okay, I don't have much time to write, but I know we have some family members that are dying to see this video!!
Yesterday, May 13, 2013, having 'completed all of the requirements for Kindergarten', our Parker-Man graduated from Westminster Presbyterian Cooperative Preschool.
This was a beautiful ceremony made to make all of these kiddos feel special and celebrated...and one that made this Momma shed a tear or two.
Especially when they sang 'skinnamarinky dinky dink' and every time he said 'I love you', he pointed at his proud Momma sitting in the audience. Who knew that would be the moment that would open the flood gates?
Brandon was asked to record it, so this video is of the entire program - which I'm glad he got, because it really is the cutest program I've ever seen. Great job teachers - we love you so much!
Congratulations to the Westminster Presbyterian Cooperative Preschool Class of 2013!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Happy Mother's Day
I love these boys. Happy Mother's Day to all of you Moms out there!! I hope you're enjoying your weekend as much as I am!
{My silly boys are pretending like the super tall grass weeds behind our house are a swimming pool and they're doing cannon balls. They were loving it!}
Thursday, May 2, 2013
First {soggy} Camping Trip
This past weekend we went on our first camping trip this year.
It rained for the first 48 hours of our little trip.
But, we stuck it out, and by day three, we ended the weekend with the most beautiful day of 2013.
We all agreed it was worth the soggy days before.
I mean really, what good is a camping trip without a little mud?!
We love being outside. My boys love dirt, rocks, wildlife, bugs, playgrounds, water, campfires, new friends, bunk beds, hiking, and everything else that makes up our family camping trips.
This trip {although it was soggy} was wonderful. We made new friends and played with old friends. We played countless hours on the playground {yep, even in the rain}, we hiked the trail right outside our campsite, we ate {tons} of camping food, we had campfires, slept {quite comfortably} in our own beds in the camper, we rarely had any glimpse of technology, and we enjoyed some quality {outdoor} time together.
My favorite part of the trip was seeing this owl. He was hangin' out on the trail.
{We later found out that he was 'fledging' - a time in a young owl's life when it learns how to fly, find food, etc. His parents were close by, keeping an eye on him. He was the most friendly little guy!}
Andrew's favorite part of the trip was throwing rocks in the water.
{While the older kids were fishing.}
Brandon's favorite part was roasting marshmallows and sitting around the campfire.
{This part always makes me a nervous wreck...kids and fire...eeeeks!}
And, when I asked Parker was his favorite part of the trip was, his answer was simply: 'Well, Mom, I liked all of it!'
I mean, look at this place. Beautiful.
Yep, this spring/summer holds a lot of camping in it for the Riffel family. Coming up we'll head to Uncle Riff and Aunt Carol's house for a few days. In June we've got plans to go to the lake to visit some friends and a trip to Jellystone {in Lawrence}. And, in July we'll be heading to South Dakota for a week.
Spring and Summer time around this house means a lot of things goin' on. We've made some pretty big decisions around here and one of them is that our constant
On this snowy day, I just have one thought to leave you with: Happy spring my friends! {I'm just sure it's out there somewhere!}
Friday, April 26, 2013
Spring Days
Ugh! I've had about enough of this coooooold weather!
You see...this time of year is one of our favorites.
SPRING time.
And, even though these cold days feel more like winter than spring, we've managed to squeeze in a few good, spring-like, days here and there.
Days where we've had (some cold) soccer games...
Days where we've been able to 'shoot some hoops' on our new basketball goal.
Days where we've worked on the yard, rode bikes and scooters to the cul-de-sac, walked the dog, made new neighbor friends, and yes, we've even had a few ice pops.
I can feel it. Warmer weather is just around the corner (although I think I said this three weeks ago). And, with more soccer, t-ball, and our first camping trip planned in the coming weeks, I am hoping and praying that dear, old Mother Nature decides it's time to quit playing tricks on us and warm things up a bit.
Not that we are ready for 100 degree weather just yet...but, some nice 70 degree, open the windows, plant some flowers kind of days would be perfect.
Our flip flops are begging to be dusted off and worn...and our new shorts and t-shirts are almost jumping our of our drawers! I think it's safe to say we are all hoping for some warm spring days in the forecast.
Happy Friday and here's to some (warmer) spring days that are coming up soon!
You see...this time of year is one of our favorites.
(Parker was so ready for soccer to finally start this year. It kept getting pushed back because of all of the snow and cold weather!)
SPRING time.
And, even though these cold days feel more like winter than spring, we've managed to squeeze in a few good, spring-like, days here and there.
(Shhhh...Don't tell Andrew he's not really on Parker's team. Every week he warms up with the team and stands on the sidelines waiting to play. We are all excited for next year, when he'll have his own team!)
Days where we've had (some cold) soccer games...
Days where we've been able to 'shoot some hoops' on our new basketball goal.
(This was actually the day we put it up! Since then we've had quite a few games of PIG and the boys love, love, love their new goal! In fact, every morning, when we leave the house, Andrew talks about that 'doal' in the driveway!)
Days where we've worked on the yard, rode bikes and scooters to the cul-de-sac, walked the dog, made new neighbor friends, and yes, we've even had a few ice pops.
I can feel it. Warmer weather is just around the corner (although I think I said this three weeks ago). And, with more soccer, t-ball, and our first camping trip planned in the coming weeks, I am hoping and praying that dear, old Mother Nature decides it's time to quit playing tricks on us and warm things up a bit.
(I love this photo...kids playing basketball, someone handing out a few brewskies, toys strewn through the driveway...this is what Spring should look like.)
Not that we are ready for 100 degree weather just yet...but, some nice 70 degree, open the windows, plant some flowers kind of days would be perfect.
Our flip flops are begging to be dusted off and worn...and our new shorts and t-shirts are almost jumping our of our drawers! I think it's safe to say we are all hoping for some warm spring days in the forecast.
Happy Friday and here's to some (warmer) spring days that are coming up soon!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
13.1
On Saturday, April 13th, we ran a half marathon.
13.1 Miles.
I've been asked many times since that day, how it went....am I sore...did I really run the whole thing...what was my time...etc.
I love it that people are so interested in this. In running. I love it that we received so many texts, Facebook messages, and phone calls to wish us luck in our race.
I've always been a 'runner'.
It's something I do for fun (well, it's the only thing that burns calories the way I want to). And, it felt so good to accomplish this half marathon with two of my close friends.
I'm grateful for my husband encouraging me to do this. Well, actually, I'm grateful for all of our husbands for their awesome encouragement! (Even if they do still need some training on cheering!)
To answer some of your questions: We trained for 10 weeks. I finished in 2:15 (two hours and fifteen minutes) - 15 minutes faster than I thought I would finish. I ran the entire race...in fact, 2:15 is around a 10 minute mile pace. My fastest mile was 9:27 (believe it or not, it was the last mile of the race!) and my slowest...well, we won't go there. He he. I was really sore on Saturday (I hobbled all over the place and slept...a lot!), right after the race...but, by Tuesday, I felt great.
So great, that I was considering running another half marathon the following Sunday. (I didn't, but I really wanted to...Brandon was going out of town so I didn't want to push myself too far and feel icky while he was away.)
It feels good to be at this point. At the point in my life where I am comfortable with my exercise routine, and wanting to do more. It's funny when a five mile run doesn't seem like enough...or that one half marathon is too small of a goal.
I need this in my life. Not only to feel good about myself and to be a healthier person for my family, but to teach my boys that exercise is important...that making time to take care of yourself is important.
Whatever your goal is this year (I've seen a lot of them on Facebook!), stick with it. You CAN do it and once you've reached your goal, you will feel so good about it.
I mean, just look at us. We are ready for the next one! Anyone up for 'Running with the Cows' on May 11th? Go ahead. Do it. I know you're up for the challenge!
13.1
13.1 Miles.
I've been asked many times since that day, how it went....am I sore...did I really run the whole thing...what was my time...etc.
I love it that people are so interested in this. In running. I love it that we received so many texts, Facebook messages, and phone calls to wish us luck in our race.
I've always been a 'runner'.
It's something I do for fun (well, it's the only thing that burns calories the way I want to). And, it felt so good to accomplish this half marathon with two of my close friends.
I'm grateful for my husband encouraging me to do this. Well, actually, I'm grateful for all of our husbands for their awesome encouragement! (Even if they do still need some training on cheering!)
To answer some of your questions: We trained for 10 weeks. I finished in 2:15 (two hours and fifteen minutes) - 15 minutes faster than I thought I would finish. I ran the entire race...in fact, 2:15 is around a 10 minute mile pace. My fastest mile was 9:27 (believe it or not, it was the last mile of the race!) and my slowest...well, we won't go there. He he. I was really sore on Saturday (I hobbled all over the place and slept...a lot!), right after the race...but, by Tuesday, I felt great.
So great, that I was considering running another half marathon the following Sunday. (I didn't, but I really wanted to...Brandon was going out of town so I didn't want to push myself too far and feel icky while he was away.)
It feels good to be at this point. At the point in my life where I am comfortable with my exercise routine, and wanting to do more. It's funny when a five mile run doesn't seem like enough...or that one half marathon is too small of a goal.
I need this in my life. Not only to feel good about myself and to be a healthier person for my family, but to teach my boys that exercise is important...that making time to take care of yourself is important.
Whatever your goal is this year (I've seen a lot of them on Facebook!), stick with it. You CAN do it and once you've reached your goal, you will feel so good about it.
I mean, just look at us. We are ready for the next one! Anyone up for 'Running with the Cows' on May 11th? Go ahead. Do it. I know you're up for the challenge!
13.1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)