Google

I broke my streak of posting everyday. Thursday just threw me for a loop.

If I had posted on Thursday, this is what I would have told you:

I went to a Google workshop all day Thursday at the County Office of Education. It worked out perfectly, because I had to drop off a few science fair applications. I really don't like driving downtown unless I absolutely have to. Killed two birds with one stone.

Anyhow, the workshop was great. Two of my coworkers went as well. I never knew Google could do so much! It's pretty amazing, and I have a feeling we only just scratched the surface of what Google is capable of doing. Google's mission? To make the world's information universally accessible. I like that.


Learning new skills. Yay!

One neat thing we learned how to do was an archive search to find actual articles from scanned newspapers. While the teacher was talking, I decided to do a search on my own name.

Here is what I found: CLICK HERE

I started laughing when I realized this was a scanned copy of an article from the Merced Sun Star when I was 8 1/2-years-old! I wrote about the true meaning of Christmas. What a kick! There were only eight of us in the class, so I told the group what I found. The instructor got a kick out of that and said he was going to share that with future workshops!

I learned a lot and can't wait to share some of this stuff with my classes and other teachers. It's always good to get out of the classroom for a bit. It energizes me.


Rosa is our fourth grade teacher and resident health nut at school. This girl hasn't had a piece of candy in over three years! She gave it up for Lent one year and NEVER had another piece since. Personally, I think she took the whole Lenten concept a little too far!


Maria is the fifth grade teacher. She's been teaching forever. She's wonderful! She used to be a nun. She used to be the principal. Sometimes I still want to call her Sr. Maria.

Great workshop.

Preschool

Hudson is so ready to go to preschool. I am so ready for him to be at my school going to preschool.

I talked to my principal this morning, and she said our pre-K might be open this spring! Fingers crossed!!! As soon as it opens, Hudson will be a student. I can't wait to see him in his little uniform.

The only tough thing is saying goodbye to Linda who has been with him since he was 8 weeks old. Linda has been our daycare provider since Evan was 2. That's a long time to rely on someone. She loves our kids like her own. That part will be hard.

Whenever the state gets in gear, we could be looking at a new school. Yay!

Dead Car

I walked out to my car this morning to find that it was dead. Not even a click when I turned the key. Ugh. Evan left lights on last night when he was looking for his shin guards.

Long story short. Eric came home and jumped us so my car would get out of the garage. Evan and I got to school by 8:45.

Car trouble stinks, but at least the rest of the day was fine.

Other than a very cold soccer practice, there is not much else going on.

3rd Place, Baby!

This morning I found out that I placed third in my race from Saturday morning! It was quite the amazing news!

I ran around school telling pretty much anyone who would listen to me, including kids!

I never thought I'd ever win a trophy at one of these races. What a rush!

Race Video

Eric and I are so proud of both the boys! In the video, Evan is in a bright yellow shirt, and Hudson has on a white shirt with orange long sleeves. They had such a good time.

By the way, we are going to work on Evan's humbleness. You'll see why at the end of his race! That kid cracks me up.

Family Weekend

This was a great weekend. We spent lots of fun together as a family. I really don't want this weekend to end.

After yesterday's race, we came home, showered, and rested for a bit. Then it was out to watch the OLPH junior varsity boy's basketball game. Evan is only in first grade, but the coach said he could come out and practice with the boys everyday. He is an honorary member of the team.

Since Evan is a part of the team (but doesn't get to play in games), he still likes to go to the games and sit on the bench to support his teammates who are 4th and 5th graders. Yesterday's game almost got canceled because the other team only had two players show up. Instead of canceling, the coaches let the kids scrimmage...and Evan got to play!


I know the picture is awful, but he's the little guy with long gray pants and a long-sleeved gray shirt.

The entire crowd of parents watching him were cheering for him every time he got the ball. At one point, he shot for a basket that almost went in. The entire crowd yelled, "Ohhhhhhh!" It was really fun to watch him out there. He really knows what he is doing in terms of offense and defense. Let's just say he takes his sports very seriously.

After a great b-ball game, we headed home. We played a fun game of family Wii. Eric won.

Then Evan and I laid in my bed for a nap, and Eric and Hudson laid on the couch for a nap.

Soon enough we had to head out yet again for Evan's indoor soccer match.


Another junky picture, but Evan is standing right by the soccer ball.

This is the first time we have ever done indoor soccer. It felt like we were at a hockey game because there were glass partitions and huge nets stretching to the ceiling. The fields are tiny compared to outdoor soccer. And it was freezing in that warehouse! Oh so cold! I had on three layers plus a jacket, and I was still cold.

Indoor soccer is okay, but it was kind of hard for me to really get "involved" because there was a giant window in front of me. Oh well. Evan loves playing.

We had a great dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory which was right around the corner from indoor soccer. I didn't order Mizithra Cheese like I usually do, but I still enjoyed a huge plate of meat sauce spaghetti and stayed within my Weight Watcher points.

Today was another good day. The best part for me was when Eric and the boys rode their bikes with me while I ran through the neighborhood. It was really neat having them with me instead of running alone. The only bad part was Hudson cutting me off or veering into the middle of the road. Even with him doing that, I still maintained an 11:55 mph pace for 20 minutes. Go me!

It was just one of those great weekends that I wish could go on longer.

One last thing. Eric made a super delicious dinner of broccoli beef. So yummy!


Five points. Great value meal!

My Little Racers

At the last minute on Thursday, I decided to sign the boys and myself up for the Race The Dream run which benefits Break the Barriers organization. I say last minute, because I texted Eric on Thursday saying, "Hey, wanna get up early on Saturday to run?" Evan and I picked up our packets that afternoon.

I wasn't ready to run two miles, but I figured I'd run for at least 20 minutes, and then walk/run to the finish as needed.

The boys were SUPER excited, especially Hudson because it was his first race.


This is just before the race started on a dirt trail at Woodward Park. Evan ran the quarter mile, and Hudson ran 1/8 of a mile.

Evan's race was first. Man oh man! The kid was amazing! He shot off the start line, took an early lead, and maintained it the whole way! When he was about 20 feet from the finishing chute, he threw up his arms in a victory sign. It was too funny. Humble, the kid is not. Needless to say, he earned first place for the 6-year-old boys.


Evan showing off his first place trophy.

Hudson had a great race as well. He had to race against 4-year-olds because they don't have a 3-year-old category. He did fantastic! He didn't seem scared or nervous. He just ran as fast as little legs would go! It was so fun to watch.

Once Hudson was heading back to the finish line, I jumped in behind him to cheer him on and coax him to keep up the good work. He got a sticker and a blue ribbon! His Daddy also bought him a pack of Starburst, so that kept him pretty happy!

After their races were over, I dashed to the start line of my race with about 30 seconds to spare. Just before the gun went off, Elaine Vela (the music teacher at my school) called me to see where I was. We found each other and ran the whole two miles together. It was great!

She helped me maintain a decent pace of about 12 minute miles, and we were able to talk and chatter (along with huffing and puffing on my part). I ran my goal of 20 minutes and figured I could finish without stopping, and I did! I was pretty proud of myself. I'm not winning any speed times, but I got out there and ran two miles.

Doing these races is so far out of my comfort zone. I still sort of don't believe that it is something I like to do!

I finished the race, and Elaine took off to finish six miles. Running with someone is fun!

It was a pretty great morning.