On Track

Whew! Been a busy couple of weeks. First things first: there are new pictures at my Shutterfly site. Use the "My Photos" link on the right of this page.

Marshall has been participating in Kindertrack the last 6 weeks (Track and Field for ages 4-7), and had his first Track Meet last Tuesday, "competing" in the Long Jump, 50 yard dash, and Frisbee (instead of Javelin; I just don't understand why they won't let 4-year-olds throw a Javelin). Let's just say that he's not so much "athletically inclined." Which doesn't necessarily disappoint either his Mom or his Dad, since it means we may get out of spending all of our free time for the forseeable future going to sporting events. (NOT something either of us look forward to!) He had a lot of fun, though, which was the whole point, and even got a ribbon, which he is VERY proud of. Here's a picture of him with his ribbon (he's only frowning because he had to concentrate on standing still for the picture).

Below is a video of him running his race. He came in last, and was quite upset (so upset that Mommy wanted to start crying too!). It's hard to tell from this, but he stopped running and started crying ("But I didn't win"). His coach had to help him to the finish line. Poor guy! He's fine with it now, though, and for the time being is ready to practice hard for next year!

Hunter has had a hard week or so. He had been sick with a cough/cold, then last week got an ear infection from it. Bad timing, because in addition to track, we were at the pool every day for Marshall's swim lessons. So 3 out of 5 days, Hunter couldn't get in the water to play. Then on Saturday, he was wrestling with Dad and Marshall, and hurt his knee. (Don't I always say it? If you're going to wrestle, you're going to get hurt!) It's not swollen or anything, but he couldn't (wouldn't?) walk on it for a couple of days, and it's still tender today. Although, I think he was more afraid to try than in actual pain. Milking it, the little bugger. I don't have many pictures of Hunter lately, because he won't let us take them! So we have to sneak them when he's asleep.

Audra, Audra, Audra. Nine months old now, crawling all over the place, pulling up on everything, and one of these days is going to just take off walking. Her favorite thing right now is having someone help her walk. So proud of herself when she does it. And she's a jabbermouth. That's not surprising to any of you who've been around my kids much, because all of them are. But Audra is at that stage where you just don't want to sit in church with her, because it seems like she just waits for some quiet so she can start yelling! Ah, well, they love that kind of thing here, anyway. She's also a very big eater (again, no surprise there; her brothers were too), and for the last month has refused to eat baby food and insists on feeding herself. I gladly acquiesce! If there's one babyhood chore I despise, it is the feeding of the baby food. I think I'd even rather change a dirty diaper. Well...maybe that's two babyhood chores...Ok, I could probably think of a few more. But they're so gosh darned cute!!! Here she is in our yard. She loves outside!