P365 - 2017 - Day 243 - Here's to a great year!

P365 - 2017 - Day 243 - Here's to a great year!

After more than two weeks in my classroom, I am done and tomorrow I will officially start this school year in Half Day Pre K.  Here's to a great year!

P365 - 2017 - Day 242 - #tri4mike

 P365 - 2017 - Day 242 - #tri4mike

My Wonderful Husband is just a few weeks away from his first 70.3 and his team shirt came in the mail today.  He will participating in this half iron man race along with some friends of his from high school in support of a classmate and friend who was paralyzed in a car accident.

P365 - 2017 - Day 241 - Class of 2021

P365 - 2017  - Day 241 - Class of 2021

In the blink of an eye we have reached another milestone....The Bear and The Princess are about to begin their high school career!  Today was Freshman Orientation at SRHS and these two Rams are ready to go.  Class of 2021 here they come!

P365 - 2017 - Day 240 - Bring on this last crazy week

P365 - 2017 - Day 240 - Bring on this last crazy week

Bring on this last crazy week of Summer.  I need to finish my classroom, get started on my graduate class, get everyone's school supplies and clothes, go to orientations, take the kids to walk their schedules and learn their new buildings, get everyone to practices, games, and work, oh and run too.  Today was a "marathon" day that began at 5:30 to wake up and go for an 8 mile run and then spend the day in my classroom.  After  getting home, I droppedThe Bear at practice then took The Boy for his supplies and The Princess clothes shopping.  I was a woman on a mission today and there was no stopping me!  Missions accomplished.  Bring on the rest of this week.  I dare you.

P365 - 2017 - Day 239 - sweet little throwback

P365 - 2017 - Day 239 - sweet little throwback

Just a sweet little throwback to The Boy's first day of preschool.  Eight years later and he is beginning middle as I begin teaching preschool.

P365 - 2017 - Day 238 - some love

P365 - 2017 - Day 238 - some love

As I have said before, every day is "dog day" around here. But since this is apparently National Dog Day or some such thing,  here's some love for The Pooch.  He looked so cute holding his "woobie"....

P365 - 2017 - Day 237 - What's all the quacking about?

P365 - 2017 - Day 237 - What's all the quacking about?

What's all the quacking about you ask?  My classroom is coming along and taking shape.....  I have spent the past two weeks in there making it my own and even though I forfeited the end of summer, I am loving every minute of it!!!

P365 - 2017 - Day 236 - 20 years

P365 - 2017 - Day 236 - 20 years

It seems like yesterday but at the same time it feels like I have been with this man my entire life.  Twenty years ago we said "I do" and never could have known the many twists and turns this journey would take us.  All we knew then was that we wanted to travel the road together.  It's been one heck of a ride and I look forward to the rest of this journey with my best friend by my side.  Happy 20 year Anniversary to to my other half.  Love you.

P365 - 2017 - Day 235 - Varsity

P365 - 2017 - Day 235 - Varsity

Congratulations to The Bear on making the SRHS Boys Varsity Soccer team.  Here's to a great 4 years.

P365 - 2017 - Day 234 - SRMS here we come (again)!

P365 - 2017 - Day 234 - SRMS here we come (again)!

Another Leonard kid is heading to Southern Middle School.... The Boy had his 7th grade orientation today, found out his team (Seahawks!), opened his locker, checked out his classes, and walked the halls of his new school.  I can hardly believe that we are here already, but it is time for this guy to start on his newest adventure and join his brother and sister as a RAM.  SRMS here we come (again)!

P365 - 2017 - Day 233 - too cool to miss

P365- 2017 - Day 233 - too cool to miss

I had been hearing about the eclipse for months but somehow I didn't prepare for it.... I just wasn't sure what to expect and as it drew closer, I was in classroom mode and not really thinking about it enough to plan.  Thank goodness one of my co workers is not only prepared but also kind... she gave me one of her extra pair of glasses and the kids and I were able to view the eclipse.  My Wonderful Husband had a surf lesson and the people he was giving lessons too were also willing to share, so he was able to see the eclipse as well.  I'm super thankful for the eclipse save today - that was too cool to miss!

P365 - 2017 - Day 232 - Today's

P365 - 2017 -Day 232 - Today's

My Wonderful Husband participated in one last triathlon before the big one.  Today's triathlon was in Medford Lakes and he place fourth in his age group.  Now for some final training and prepping for the Half Iron Man AC.  He's totally got this!

P365 - 2017 - Day 231 - newest addition

P365 - 2017 - Day 231 - newest addition

My Wonderful Husband was excited about his newest addition to his surfboard quiver.  This single fin has his name written all over it.

P365 - 2017 - Day 230 - feeling pretty accomplished

P365 - 2017 - Day 230 - feeling pretty accomplished

After all week in my classroom, I left today feeling pretty accomplished.  The room is arranged, the boards are up, my lamenate pile is growing, and I have a three page long "To Do" list.  Believe it or not, that's still me feeling accomplished! haha  I'm looking forward to getting back in there on Monday to get more done!

P365 - 2017 - Day 229 - LBI Splash and Dash

P365 - 2017 - Day 229 - LBI Splash and Dash

My Wonderful Husband and The Boy participated in the LBI Splash and Dash.  The Boy had an opportunity to join our neighbor Joe on a relay team - Joe swam and Matty ran.  They finished first among all of the relay teams with a total time of 27:29.  There was a tiny snafu with the timing chip so we don't have Matty's splits, but with Joe's swim time of 7:35, Matty ran a sub 20 minute 3 miles!!  My Wonderful Husband completed the swim and run in 29:24 and finished first in his age group!!  It was a fun night and a great job by all!

P365 - 2017 - Day 228 - Monmouth vs Rutgers

P365 - 2017  - Day 228 - Monmouth vs Rutgers

The Boy and his team, the Wall Breakers, had the opportunity to go out on the field and be "ball boys" for the Monmouth University vs Rutgers University men's soccer game.  He had a great time and just might be dreaming about walking out on a college pitch again someday.....

P365 - 2017 - Day 227 - my new motto

P365 - 2017 - Day 227 - my new motto

I was back in my classroom today - this time with a better handle on things, a theme, and a plan.  I think this might be my new motto for this year.

P365 - 2017 - Day 226 - understatement

P365 - 2017 - Day 226 - understatement

Classrooms were officially opened today, preseason training has begun for the kids, my marathon training is ramping up, and I am still waiting to hear back from Monmouth and get that show on the road.  To say that I was a bit overwhelmed today would be a vast understatement.  I think I need to read this book.

P365 - 2017 - Day 225 - park myself

P365 - 2017 - Day 225 - park myself

After an 18 mile training run, all I wanted to do was park myself on the beach.   So that is exactly what I did.  It was so hot that I actually welcomed the umbrella that My Wonderful Husband brought up and I had a perfect view to watch two of my guys on the waves.

P365 - 2017 - Day 224 - 1 mile ocean swim

P365 - 2017 - Day 224 - 1 mile ocean swim

My Wonderful Husband is in full on training mode for the AC Half Ironman in September.  Tonight he thought it would be fun to change things up with a 1 mile ocean swim.  He participated in the Barnegat Light 1 mile Ocean Swim and finished in 22:15!  I might be able to run a marathon, but 1 mile in the ocean looked super far!!!  I was really impressed!

P365 - 2017 - Day 223 - my favorites

P365 - 2017 - Day 223 - my favorites

We go in so many directions lately so those moments when we are all in one spot are so special to me.  After 9 pm, in the kitchen, lots of laughing and joking, everyone talking loud to be heard, and my heart was full.... these three are my favorites!

P365 - 2017 - Day 222 - first place

P365 - 2017 - Day 222 - first place

Congrats to My Wonderful Husband on his first place finish in the Vincentown Super Sprint Triathlon.  He clocked a 6:54 run pace!!  Great job!!!

P365 - 2017 - Day 221 - slow down

P365 - 2017 - Day 221 - slow down

Between practices, work, and the freedom to go to friends' beaches, I don't always get all three kids with me at the same time anymore.  I also don't always get long uninterrupted days at the beach much these days.  So the days that I get and whoever can join me is appreciated.  Summer has always marked the passage of time so much for me and this summer more than ever it is marking how far we have come and grown the kids are becoming.  Not only do I want summer to slow down... I also want life to slow down.

P365 - 2017 - Day 220 - curl up...and read

P365 - 2017 - Day 220 - curl up...and read

After days of worrying, scrambling, and finally taking the necessary steps into a big life change, there was one thing I wanted to do for a little while.  Curl up on the sofa and read of course.

P365 - 2017 - Day 219 - I got this

P365 - 2017 - Day 219 - I got this

It was a rainy day spent problem solving.  The entire day was spent on the phone with the state department of education and countless colleges to try to map out the path to the credits that I need to take.  It was an emotional ride of a day since I was in a bit of a time crunch and it wasn't what I was expecting to be doing right this moment.  In the end, my shirt says it all.  I got this.

P365 - 2017 - Day 218 - Champs

P365 - 2017 - Day 218 - Champs

Congrats to The Princess and her team, the Twin County Storm.  They are the Crusa/ FC Bucks Tournament Champs!

P365 - 2017 - Day 217 - breathing in the summer

P365 - 2017 - Day 217 - breathing in the summer

Back again looking out to the sea for some clarity and answers.  Watching two of my boys on the waves and breathing in the summer.

P365 - 2017 - Day 216 - salt air

P365 - 2017 - Day 216 - salt air

Some days, the questions are just too big, the worries just too great, and the only thing that you can do is breath in the salt air.  It was a challenging day with some unexpected information.  I just needed a breather before tackling the situation.

P365 - 2017 - Day 215 - plenty of time

P365 - 2017 - Day 215 - plenty of time

I can hardly believe that we already a few days into August!  The Summer is going by entirely too fast....but there is still plenty of time for playing at the beach.....

P365 - 2017 - Day 214 - can not wait

P365 - 2017 - Day 214 - can not wait

I have another Ragnar coming up and tonight the team met to discuss details.  It is getting closer and I am so excited!  I signed on for this close to a year ago and I can not wait to Reach the Beach!  Team Resting Beach Face is ready to go!

P365 - 2017 - Day 213 - Just because

P365 - 2017 - Day 213 - Just because

Just because... what a pretty reminder of a lovely wedding.... they make me smile.