21k

i ran my first ever half marathon on June 13th.

(band on the run)

i did even better than i thought i would.

2:28:52

i just wanted to do it under 2:30.  

i did it.

i had so much fun running it.

seriously.

oh, i began to hurt near the end.

i wished i was already done when i still had a few k left.

but then i had a couple friends call to me from across the street and cheer for me...

and i suddenly had the energy to finish strong.

to speed up that little bit.

i love that about encouragement.

i felt like i was at my end, and those cheers, those words "Go Michelle!"

the boost i was in need of.

i was nearing the turn around (about 3-4k from it maybe)

when i began to see the forerunners.

i couldn't help but smile when i saw them heading toward me.

i smiled, cheered some of them and even clapped for some of them.

it was so exciting for me to see them.

they were an encouragement to me.

last year most people at the race were random faces in the crowd.

then my husband joined the running club here in town.

this spring i began to go to the fun runs they held.

i got to know them all a little.

on my first ever half marathon i knew the faces of some of the other runners.

i could cheer for them by name.

one of them even encouraged me by name which made me laugh.

(he spoke before i could)

i couldn't help but smile at everyone.

i truly had a fun run.

crossing the finish line and hearing people cheer for me was a wonderful feeling.

i had done it.

i had raced my first ever half marathon.

and didn't feel like i was going to die.

i just need to sit down and get some food.  

but, i wasn't going to die.

my girl ran her first ever 1K

my boy ran his second ever 5K 

(the first one was earlier in the week)

he ran it with my husband.

i usually want to be at the end cheering each of them on when they cross the finish,

but this year i loved hearing them cheer and receive their hugs as they were proud of me.

i have worked hard.

i did it.

however...

the half marathon was still only a stepping stone in my training for my 40k on my 40th.

next step:

14K trail race

at The Limberlost Challenge

*photo taken by me 

with Gertie

not edited.

School Days: Gr 2 *part 2*

part 1 HERE

Grade 2 is done.

i got the report card thursday and it says grade 3 next year.

it doesn't say much else, but it does say that.

(stupid strike. the teachers can't do any comments on the report cards)

on thursday my boy said he was a little sad to be done school.

he said he will miss doing math.

that's right.

you read that correctly.

he was a little sad because he'll miss doing math.

way to go teacher!

my boy does like learning.

always has.

but his teacher has made learning fun and exciting.

the boy has loved all the research they have had the opportunity to do.

he has loved the science and math.

he loves to learn new things and his teacher has given him many many opportunities for that.

i have a boy who is excited to be heading into grade 3 next year.

this kids was scared to go to school each day in JK.  

tears constantly.

to see him now.

to know the change that has happened.

wow.

he said he likes to make new friends.

what?!  

who is this kid?

that used to be a huge fear for him.

now he's excited to see what friends he'll make next year.

i know that confidence is 3 fold.

one: 

because God has been answering my pleas for my boy and his confidence.

two: 

we as parents have intentionally encouraged him to learn new things, 

without pushing him too far too fast.

and three: 

the amazing, encouraging, supportive teachers he has had.

my boy made his teacher a card last night.

he had me print a photo of some Canadian Geese.

and he drew a picture in the card of his teacher bird watching.

his teacher loves birds and has brought that love into the classroom.

my boy made a card earlier in the year - just because - and drew a picture of his teacher bird watching.  

"i'm going to draw the same thing as the last card, mommy"

he said to me as he sat down to draw.

he was so excited to bring the card this morning.

thank you Mr Goodyear for an amazing year.

*photo by me

with Gertie

not edited

School Days: SK

age: 5/6

year in school: 2

grade: Senior Kindergarten

class: JK/SK split

My little girl headed off to school this morning with her Supergirl shirt on.

i bought it for her yesterday, as a little end of the school year gift.

She had a present, a card and a couple flowers in her hands.

and the largest smile on her face.

She was heading to her last day as a Senior Kindergartener.

She had an amazing year.

she had quiet moments.

nervous moments.

loud moments.

happy moments.

crazy moments.

she even had a very sad moment.

with a phone call to mom.

but she loved school. 

she adored her teachers.

She had one teacher and 2 ECEs.

each one was amazing.

They each brought different personalities, and skills to the class.

the class was full of imagination and wondering.

which is exactly what my girl does 24-7.

she grew in her reading levels, and surprised herself.

her writing improved, and so did her drawings.

her communication grew more clear each month.

they took walks along the Hunters Bay Trail, or down to the park.

they played outside.

they toured the school on rainy days so they weren't stuck in the classroom.

They drew.

they built.

they imagined.

they created.

they had opportunities to research things that interested them.

dolphins, dolphins, dolphins.

The teachers were encouraging when i'd be in the library and my girl would want to come for lunch.

they understood the importance of, and encouraged, time with family.

i took the kids on a trip with my parents, last week.

they missed a whole week of school.

but my girl didn't feel as though she would be missing too much.

she knew she'd be having an amazing opportunity with her family.

we got back just in time to go to the year end trip.

we went to Algonquin Park.

hiked the Spruce Bog Trail, and went to the visitor centre.

at the end of the day my girl got to get her picture with her teacher.

at the beginning of the year she was drawn more to the one ECE.

but now, for whatever the reason of the switch, she has grown attached to her teacher.

when i asked who her friends were this year she listed a bunch and in amongst the list were her teacher and the ECEs.

this morning i gave her a paper to write down a couple people from her class she wanted to pray for over the summer.

name number 2 on her list of 3 was her teacher.

thank you Ms Lipskie!

you have made an amazing impact on my girl.

thank you for loving her and encouraging her.

she has grown so much this year.

 on to summer break!

*all photos taken by me 

with Gertie

not edited.