Twice as nice

Liv started her second year of preschool last Wednesday. I am a little late getting around to posting it, but she is no less loved and treasured!!She was beyond excited to see Mrs. Sherrie again and meet her new class who were sure to become her soul mates and life long confidants!

She ate her breakfast, picked out a perfect outfit, and waited at the front window for an hour before we had to leave!!Oh the excitement and anticipation! I am very happy that she is so eager and independent. She is shy, yet loves feeling like part of the group and being social- remind you of anyone?!!Here's to the second time around- may it be even better than the last- if that is even possible!

Oh, and this one- this silly, crazy, hysterical thing that keeps cracking me up with the funny things she says and does?Yeah, she LOVES having the house to herself three days a week!!

Pardoned

We have had a couple of not so stellar days at our house this last week. Nerves were shot, people were tired and everyone was out of control. I know, I know, non of you have days like this, but it happens over here!!

So after my last thread of patience broke the girls were given a talk about being happy, obeying, and not screaming at the top of their lungs in the house, the car, or just EVER- and sent to their rooms to think about it and quite frankly to give me a moment of sanity.

Next thing I know Abby has walked in and handed me this note sealed in a yellow envelope [she also let's me know she may not have spelled things right :)] and quickly runs back to her room.Seriously, how could anyone not forgive the bad behavior instantly! I guess she can stay...she is a gem of a daughter!

(By the way this is Abby with her Student of the day Bee Chain and her first school project- the Timeline of her life so far. And yes, after ONE day of school she came home and declared that she was going to grow out her bangs! I think she is a little too grown up these days!!)

SuperPaul to the rescue *UpDate*

Yesterday it was discovered that the AC unit was broken!! We came to this conclusion when we were sitting downstairs on the couch at 3:00pm just sweating to death and said to each other "Is it hot in here?". Sure enough the motor has seized and we spent last night VERY uncomfortable with all the windows open and the fans running full speed- but you all know Paul doesn't do HOT!

So this morning he pulled on his tights and tied on his cape and flew out the door on his mission to re-establish peace with the August Sun outside that bakes our house relentlessly!

God speed to you good man!!!!

**UPDATE**
Upon returning home from carpool and soccer practice I was greeted by the most cool and sweetest of breezes. All is right with the world!!

1+1=Big Fantastic Day

Yesterday (August 24, 2009) was the much anticipated First Day in the Big First Grade at American Heritage!

Abby is now:
-in Mrs. Soderstrom's First grade Class-one size bigger in her uniforms, and shoes!
-gone all day long (8:15am - 3:05pm)
-eating lunch at school (really, the highlight of the day!)
-enjoying THREE recesses
-LOVING the new art classroom and teacher Mrs. Bowmen
-quickly making a new best friend, Brinkley
-sitting next to her cousin Asher (we will see how long that last!)-using a flip top desk instead of a "cubby" for her things
-going to soccer practice twice a week right after school with games on Sat.

-far too old to be called my baby anymore!(Can you see the excitement? Can you? Can you?)

Love you Abby- this is going to be a FANTASTIC year of firsts for the both of us!!

Bike the Bear 2009

Our worthy opponent:50 miles around the lake- bike it twice.

Here we are, eager to begin, just as the sun crested over the western mountain line on the hills of Garden City. The temp was 53 degrees and the weather was perfect!
This shot was taken about 20 miles into the ride (Shamae is taking the picture while riding), sooo sorry Kelly that you are a blur from an apparent smudge on the lens, but you have to agree I look FANTASTIC!!! :)
Here we are as I started pulling the lead again at mile 85 right after our second run through the hills and the temps were now 100 degrees with no shade, and yet we were doing great! (Kelly is taking the pic) There was a bit of a head wind, but it was crisp and cool blowing in off the lake which felt really good. Two other riders hooked onto our group around mile 60. Lou and Dave were hitting a wall after doing the first 50 alone and they fit right in with us and our fitness level. With our group now 5 instead of 3 we were able to cruise it around that second lap even faster than the first time. I have a new understanding and appreciation of the Peleton in the Tour de France!

We beat our goal (to come in under or at 7 hours) and cruised into the finish line at 5 hours and 50 minutes! We averaged 18 miles an hour (our goal was 15) and just so you know we burned 5,783 calories! Yes we deserved that cheeseburger and fries at the finish!!!I was so worried that I would not make it and would die of exhaustion, but really all the physical and mental preparedness really payed off- we did awesome, even if I do say so myself!! Way to go Team Griffiths you guys were great and it was so fun to work, push though and take our bodies further than they had ever gone before (and have them perform so well) together!

Shamae wants to do it again next year, anyone up for the challenge? Anyone? It was a total blast and good time. I will check this off my list of things I want to do in this life and revel in the accomplishment. However, I kind of think I will just go back to my Triathlons next summer- those are done in an hour!!!

Off to the races we go!

I leave this afternoon for my 100 mile bike race along with my sister Shamae and my brother Kelly- PLEASE wish us all the luck you can give, I am going to need it. I feel like I have prepared all that I could, now I just hope I won't die!!!
I will post up the story when I get back!


OH, and a HUGE congratulations to my Sister Hillary and her husband Rand- she had her baby girl last night!! Pop over and congratulate them on their new bundle of joy!!!

All for that smile

Abby arrived home Saturday afternoon, much to all of our delight- we missed her sooo much!! Liv couldn't keep our secret from her for more than a second before she spouted out "Abby we have a big surprise for you!!". They went bounding up the stairs together and the look of pure excitement, surprise and elation was springing from her eyes. It made me very happy that she truely loves her new room and keeps telling me so even today.

(This is a picture that she made a few weeks ago and said "I want to put this in my new room someday." How could I not!)

I think it came together really nicely. It was a really fun project to do with the help of Liv, she LOVED the idea of creating a surprise for Abby! Paul still would like to build her a headboard to complete it, and we await my generous sister's white dresser that she is going to pass our way to replace the brown one.

I asked Abby what the favorite parts of her vacation were and she replied:

1. Collecting rocks from the river next to the cabins (she has a bread sack FULL).
2. Eating different foods "I only didn't like three meals"
3. Swimming in the pool at the hotels "I learned to do a back flip!"
4. Playing the "glasses game" with Laurynn and Alayna while driving (she starts laughing to herself!).
5. Seeing a family of Mountain Goats and squirrels, that kept trying to get the nuts out of her backpack while hiking.

I can't wait to see all the pictures and have her tell me about them and then hear what "Actually" happened from my parents!!

PS: Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and concerns for my sister. She was released back to her house this past weekend with her Labor and Dilation holding steady. She will still be on strict bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy but at least she isn't stuck in a hospital bed and the baby is looking good.

Hill- STAY IN BED!!!!! :)