Peacock Strides for Babies 5K

Kate ran her first 5K today! She did SO well! But I admit, I totally held her back. She was ahead of me the whole race. I kept calling up for her to stay where I could see her. The race was so hilly! I was dying trying to keep up with her and run the killer hills! At one point she did waited for me. I said, "Oh you are so sweet to wait for your old mom." She said, "My hoddie zipper is stuck and I didn't want to cross the street without you." So, I fixed the zipper and we crossed the street and off she ran. Then we came to a really large hill that I could not see the other side. So I hollered up to Kate to wait. I told her to walk with me until I could see the other side. So she skipped up this huge hill - show off! I was so proud of her. She did such a good job! I really did hold her back. I need to find her a better running partner. Way to go Kate - you are a natural runner!

GOING UNPLUGGED

So, as most of you have heard we are unplugged. We have a new family rule...no TV during the week and limited viewing on the weekend. I am not sure how this will all go down, but I have just been feeling very strongly that TV does not need to be a part of our daily lives. We will see how it works tonight. I did go by the library and got some books for the kids...including some origami and drawing books. I got out some old puzzles, and thank goodness the weather is nice, so outside is an option. I think we can handle today, no problem. I will keep you posted!

Dr Seuss Birthday Celebration

The girl's school had a big celebration for Dr Seuss' birthday. The second grade performed Seussical the Musical. It was really cute. The Principal was the Cat in the Hat and the vice principal and the instructional coach were Things 1 & 2. The kids LOVED it! Here they are singing about green eggs and ham!

Kate listening to the speaking parts!

Happy birthday Dr Seuss! Thanks for all the fun silly books!

Happy Birthday Stevie!

Stephen decided for his birthday he wanted to go tubing. So, we got the girls out of school early and drove for THREE hours to a tubing place in North Carolina called Hawks Nest. Here is the birthday boy all warm in his Christmas gifts - water proof hunting attire!

Here is one of the tubing runs - can you see the lanes? They had like 4 or 5 different runs with each having several lanes.

Here is the old sky lift and slope. They don't use it any more...Stephen said it was a horrible slope...the worse he's ever skied! No cameras are allowed on the tubing slopes and I don't' think I could have managed a camera anyway, as Clair had to ride with me! (Bowen rode with Stephen.) It took us awhile to get the hang of it, but once we did we had a blast...next year I think we might stay over night and get in a couple sessions! After our sessions we headed home. We stopped off in Ashville, NC for dinner at a yummy Italian place. Bowen told us it was the best day of his life...the girls agreed. I hope we have many more family days that our kids feel like are the best of their lives! Happy birthday Stephen!

Lots of Snow in SC!

Snow was in the forecast for several days. I decided we need to buy a sled. So, the day before the snow I went and bought a sled. As soon as it started to snow the kids rushed out with the sled! They were SO excited, but alas...there was not enough snow. But they sure had fun! Clair as the snow starts to fall!

Kate in the new falling snow!

Bowen boy, so excited for the snow!

So that afternoon it snowed and snowed and snowed. After dinner the kids were dying to get out in the snow. So we bundled up and despite the fact that it was dark and night time we got to use our sled for the first time. We were outside for over an hour before we came in...we didn't want to keep the neighborhood up! The next morning we woke up to almost 4 in. of snow! That is a lot for SC! Behind our house in the woods, Stephen saw some deer.

Here is the proof of almost 4 in.

We joined several of our neighborhood friends on a nice sledding hill near our house.

So, I think I like the snow - if it happens only once or twice a year...and if it goes away quickly!

Career Day

It was career day at school a few weeks ago. The kids are supposed to dress like what they want to be when they grow up... Kate the entomologist!

Clair the chef!

Bowen the artist? No, he actually informed me he wants to be a Fox News guy when he grows up! (Stephen is so happy!) But he drew this picture and wanted me to take a picture of it to post on the computer, so here it is!

More Photos from our Friend!

Ice Ice Baby!

So, in true SC fashion, we don't get snow, we get ice! The kid were so excited to go out and play! I kept telling them it isn't like snow...it is hard, sharp, and crunchy - you can't build snowmen or snowballs, or make snow ice! It is good for nothing! Well, I was wrong! I finally agreed to let them go out! Our sweet neighbors across the street were out looking for their teenagers. They had sleds and everything. Well, next thing I know Mrs. Laura was taking my kids sledding. She offered me a sled, but after breaking my nose last year sledding, I declined! But she spent the next 45 plus minutes going up and down the icy hill with my kids. Sadly, it wasn't until after I brought Kate in that I thought to get my camera...so I have no photos of Kate! :(
Here is Bowen, Clair and Mrs. Laura! That little sled was flying! My kids LOVED it! (The sled was Mr. Craig when he was a little boy! They don't make them like that anymore!) Here they are at the bottom of the hill!

Climbing the hill for the hundredth time. Shortly after this Bowen was ready to go in. But not Clair. Finally Stephen had to just say enough! I think she would have let Mrs. Laura sled with her all day!

For repayment I brought Craig and Laura (and Stephen) out some yummy tres leche carmel hot chocolate! Mrs Laura really earned hers! I am so grateful for such sweet neighbors!

Teaching Digital Immigrants how to Use the Blog

Today I am teaching my parents how to post on the blog. This is the 2nd time I have taught them and I am hoping it isn't a case of "3rd times the charm." They think I am mocking them, but really I love them. :)

Above is a picture of the 2 illegal...I mean digital immigrants.

Smart Kiddos!

I am just bursting with pride...the good kind...for how well my kids are doing in school. They are so well behaved, and are smart and work so hard. Kate made the principals honor roll again and also got back some great standardized tests scores. Clair also did really well (no true grades for Kindergarten) and is just really learning and growing SO much! And, if I had to give Bowen grades for being my little helper at home...of course he would be making all good marks too! Way to go Bright kids...you really are...well...BRIGHT! :)

Thanks to our good friend for this cute photo! I will make sure you all get copies soon!

A few other oldies

My dad wanted me to post these other pictures from my cousin. I love them.

Call Charm X 5

My cousin Theresa posted this picture of my dad (the youngest...at the far end) with 3 of his brothers and his dad. I have never seen this picture and I just love it. I figure since not every member of our family has a Facebook account that I would post this on the blog for others to enjoy too. Since the Call men in our family (even younger generations)all talk about Call Charm...I thought the title was suiting. What handsome men, but shhh don't them that...it will go to their heads! :)

Rockin' New Years Eve!

We invited a few friends over (we had 13 people total) for a Beatles Rock Band New Years Eve party...or Ringo'ed in the new year! Get it Ringo...Beatles...ok...
So we set up a big screen in the sun room and KT and Creighton brought their projector and we rocked out and ate (we had SO much yummy food it was insane) for several hours. Here is one the the groups playing! Here is some talking and eating...

Here is the all girl PJ band!

Here is all the married ladies...all the married ladies...since they liked it then they went and put a ring on it! Oh oh!

It was a fun night! Happy New Year!

After Christmas Sunday

The Sunday after Christmas I asked Stephen to take the kids outside and take some photos of them in their new clothes from Stephen's parents! They looked so cute! Stephen was so frustrated because they wouldn't all look at the camera! (He's just now figuring this out?) :)

See the kids far away....that's them! :) (Look at the poor wind blown greenery on the front of the house! The wind had been horrible!)

Up close, but once again, not all looking! But dang they are cute!

Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas! Here are Bowen's gifts from Santa!
Here are Kate's (left) and Clair's (right) gifts from Santa!

Here are the three little monkey's waiting to see what Santa brought them!

Run, run, run to see what you got! Oma and Opa were left behind in the dust!

Kate so happy to get a DSi! (Sorry the picture is blurry...it shows her true joy!)

Bowen and his train and bike!

Clair and her beloved violin! She loves it so much!

Yoyo Stephen playing Bach's concerto in G minor!

Clair just loved her violin! She wants to play it all the time!

Look at those eyes! She can't get enough of it!

Bowen watching his train go through the tunnel!

It was a great day! The kids were happy, and the parents were happy! What a great day! The only thing that would have made it better would have been having Mimi, Papa, Emily, Joel, Britni, Jack, and Brooklyn with us!