Good News!

306. Excellent Musicians. The Oldest tried out for Symphonic Band - the highest band at high school. She made 2nd chair. Not bad for a sophomore. She and another sophomore who was in symphonic band last year did better than a junior and a senior. (Only 4 tried out.) Congratulations, Honey!
(Miss Lou was ready for her to go challenge for 1st chair the next day.)

Taking Care of Essentials

305. A Six Year Old Boy's Priorities. Yesterday we were on the edge of late when the S-Train got in the car for school. His socks and shoes were in his hands. He had no backpack and no coat. But he had a light saber.

Its the Little Things that make us smile!

302. Sparkling Toenails. I just made up my own color. Mauve with gold sprinkles over the top. It makes me happy.

303. An awesome principal. Who not only will try on the superman outfit we got for her - but will fly all around the gym where kids were practicing Veteran's Day songs. The office staff were in giggles. The kids all turned their heads in unison to watch her, but never stopped singing! Amazing!

304. Sesame Street does it again! I found this on another blog.

Here we come Fall!

That last header was kind of somber for a blog that is supposed to be about what makes me smile. I just liked the patterns. And I had no good fall pictures this year. Last year fall was a blaze of glory. This year many trees are fading into a bare limbed state. It's gotten a little colder, so more color is starting to pop out. Hopefully we get the color pop around here before the leaves have just browned and wrinkled off the trees. But even if the leaves are a little less spectacular than last year, there are still plenty of beautiful trees. And (301. Leaves and Wind.) it's so fun to watch the wind brush the leaves off the streets and whirl them into street and driveway dervishes. A good brisk wind on a fall day blows all kinds of cobwebs away.

Some things are easier with friends

300. Running.
I'm not the best runner. Or the most consistent. And I'm very slow. But having moms who wake up early and are willing to run at 5:45 in the morning three days a week has been a huge blessing. Some days we just walk. But that's OK, because usually someone has longer legs than mine (not hard, I know) and I work up a sweat walking with them. (Their walk=My slow jog).
So, while anticipating running is not fun yet, having run feels so good. I'm actually getting to the part where exercising gives you more energy instead of just sucking it out of you.
We run the same distance we did when we started (about 3 miles). But it's getting easier!! I don't have to walk as much, and I can talk more while I run. I want to do a 5 or 10 K in the spring. I just hope I can keep this up. Hopefully it's not as cold this winter as it was last year!

Is it just me or are early risers getting more sarcastic?

299. Good Morning!
Me to Seminary Student, "Have a fabulous Day!"
Seminary Student, "Fine."

It's Fun to be Popular

298. The S-Train and his peeps. Yesterday I brought the big girls back to school after a trip to the dentist. (I know, who takes their kids to the dentist the day after Halloween! The ladies at the dentist said, "A good one!" Or one who didn't realize it was the day after Halloween when she made the appointment.)
Anyway.
I looked in the lunch room and saw the S-Train. So - I ended up eating lunch with him. After lunch it was so cute to see him take the long way around to where his class was waiting. He had to say hi and exchange high fives, waves, and fist bumps with the other first graders. It's important to stay in touch with your people.