Our Little Artist

Taite's school has a drawing contest going on for their Student Directory Cover. This is right up Taite's alley. She LOVES to draw! Basically, the kids just had to come up with something reflective of their school.

She wanted to incorporate their mascot, the Ponies into her picture. But, she also wanted KIDS in it! Ah, what a great idea....kids on an illustration for an elementary school directory! :) What we loved about her kids is that she thought of two actual 3rd graders, two 2nd graders, etc. to draw. And, it had to be a boy & a girl for each grade. So, if you look above, the two kids on either end are 3rd graders (Braden & Jade, to be more specific). As you go in toward the sign they're holding, there are 2nd, 1st & kindergartners (she, of course is the girl 1st grader!). They're all holding a sign that says "We (heart) Cline Ponies" (I don't know if you're able to see the writing).

Obviously, we know it's a long shot that she'll win. This is her first contest to ever enter, so we had to explain that you can't always win. But, we think she did a great job. I love her creativity and how she has a story behind everything she draws. I'm glad she got to use one of her passions for something like this! How fun!

Paige's 1st Day of School

Paige started preschool on Friday. This is our 6th year at Friendswood Methodist. Things are a little different this year. It's always been a "Mother's Day Out" program, but they're in the process of becoming licensed so they'll be an official "preschool" now. There's also a new director. A lot of people left because they feared the changes. I'm glad we stayed. I feel a kind of loyalty to them since we've been there so long & secondly, things are headed in a great direction! I'll have to keep you posted! Paige is still going 2x a week on Mondays & Fridays. These are actually great days for me to help at Taite's school, so I love the days. Paige was ready to go. We're so, so excited because one of Paige's teachers was one of Taite's favorite teachers. Ms. Donna. She was Taite's teacher when I was SUPER-pregnant with Paige (Paige was born a week into that school year). So, Ms. Donna has literally known Paige since she was born. She is a retired teacher who came back to teach preschool several years ago. She just loves what she does & is 110% "in" to what she does every day. Paige's other teacher, Ms. Angie is a former kindergarten teacher & has kids at Taite's school. She seems really nice.

Paige has 7 other kids from last year's class in her class this year and her good friend Tyler (my old roommate, Michelle's son). So, they were all really comfortable going into the classroom. Although, they had one cryer, so they were really not letting the parents into the room. We had to say a quick good-bye & leave. Paige did fine, but I was kind of bummed that I didn't even have time to get some good pictures. Here's what I got! Better than nothing! ;)

I hope Paige will have a good year. We all know she's the aggressive one! I think she'll do fine. She's really excited & is glad to have all of those friends in her class again. Looking forward to a fun year!....

5K Training!

Yes! That's what it said....5K training!

My brother Steven ran his first 5K this summer. He tried to talk us into doing it with him and Lewis & I quickly declined. I had no desire to run in the summer! Steven loved his first 5K & said he was ready for another one. So, a few weeks later he calls me & says, "okay....I've got it! There's a 5K in Friendswood in October!"

So, there's where this craziness started! Lewis & I told him we'll do it! I have NEVER done any distance running in my life. Even in my young sports days & in high school sports, I was a sprinter, not a distance runner. God forbid a coach makes me run a whole entire lap around the track! I'd run those quick drills no problem, but I just never had the endurance for distance. So, in short - distance running has never even interested me.

BUT, I thought I needed a new challenge in my life! So, about 3 weeks ago, I started running! It's amazing - just like Steven told me. Seriously, the first week I couldn't even get around the block. Now, just 3 weeks later, I can run a full mile....even pushing Paige in the stroller! That is a big improvement & I've got 7 weeks to go. I think I might survive. I'm certainly not going for a time goal. I just want to finish. I think I can do it!

I'll keep you posted!