Marathon, with a capital "M"

What a week it has been!!!!  Charlie and I have kidded all week that we've run a marathon and a half this week.  Now, I must confess, I am NOT a runner, which means that I'm DEFINITELY not a marathon runner.  I wish I was a runner....  it seems like such a fun hobby, but...  it's just not for me!   For those of you that are marathon runners, you know exactly how many miles are in a marathon.  For those of you that aren't runners (ME, remember??), there are 26.21875 miles in a full marathon.  Now, I know that some of you are doing a lil' eye rolling at the .21875, but I'm telling you right now: if Lindsay Lee EVER runs a marathon, I'm going to be taking credit for EVERY milimeter I run.  Ok, Ok...I digress...back to our busy week. 

Charlie was in Haiti last week with a team of people from our church.  They were looking at specific mission opportunities in that very poor country!  He had a good trip and arrived back safe and sound Saturday night.

We had a FANTASTIC Labor Day weekend with the Kivette's.  They arrived Friday evening.  Jackson and Eliza were beside themselves until Cole Kivette arrived!  The boys always love a sleep over buddy!  Saturday morning, Jackson played his first flag football game.  He looked pretty tough with the black patches under his eyes.  His team won!!  I was quite impressed with how well the 5-7 year olds ran plays.  The coaches are really doing a GREAT job with all these boys!

Tough man!!

Getting set up

We won!

Cole is excited the Packers one! :)

Saturday afternoon, we enjoyed a nice time on the beach.  Unfortuantely, we weren't able to go into the water for very long.  The waves were very rough!  We had a fun time just playing on the beach.

Aaron helps build a sand castle

The kiddos

Looking at Pokemon cards

Our family enjoyed a day of relaxation on Monday (Labor Day).  We enjoyed breakfast out, which is one of our favorites.  That afternoon we joined some friends at the pool.  The kids had a great time swimming while adults had a little fellowship time.  In the back of our minds....back to the grind tomorrow and the official end of summer. 

Eliza will be taking gymnastics every Tuesday this year.  She had her first class this past Tuesday.  She had a BLAST!  She's in the same class as several of her friends.  We had to leave early to pick Jackson up from school, as the kids had their yearly check ups that afternoon.  Eliza was distraught.  After I explained that we weren't attending a birthday party, and we would be back at gymnastics next week, she was OK.  (This is all after she had gone potty, couldn't get her leotard back on and came running into the gym with just her undies...she's her father's child!) 

During (a nutritious McDonald's) dinner Tuesday evening, Jackson lost his 5th tooth! His two front teeth have been hanging on by a thread for quite sometime!  I thought when one tooth came out, they both would come out.  No such luck!  He lost the one tooth and the other one is still hanging on by a thread.  The other tooth is crooked because it's so loose, and he really looks like a "snaggle tooth!"  (It's too cute!!!)Unfortunately, Jackson must have swallowed the tooth because it wasn't in the chicken nugget or ranch sauce he was eating.  For those of you who don't know, the tooth fairy DOES visit when there isn't proof.  Jackson wrote the tooth fairy a note (complete with punctuation... a "?"...which he's learning about in school), and the tooth fairy delivered--2 dollar bills and a "special" coin. 

"Snaggle tooth"

"Yesss!  The Tooth Fairy DID leave me 2 dollars and a 'special coin!'"

Wednesday was Eliza's first day of school.  She started the 5 mornings a week 3 year old class.  She was VERY excited!!  She hadn't quite gotten why Jackson has been going to school, but she has not.  It was also her first dance class with Ms Gretchen.  Our preschool provides an optional dance class through preschool.  It is so nice because the class is incorporated in her day, rather than us having to take her elsewhere.  I'm VERY grateful!

She can "write" her name!  Genius!

Eating a yummy breakfast before school.

BIG girl!

Walking down the hall to Eliza's classroom

Wonder if she'll "write" her name with the etch-a-sketch?? 

I'm happy to report Jackson has NO cavaties.  He had a dentist visit Thursday.  Eliza came too, and she was in awe watching big brother have his teeth checked and cleaned.  It's her turn to go soon, and I'll know she'll do a GREAT job after watching Jackson.  (Plus, you get a new toothbrush AND go to the treasure box...who wouldn't??)

Friday evening, Charlie and I had the opportunity to go on a date! (WHAT?!)  We met up with great friends for dinner and a little game playing.  We had such a good time!  Can't wait until next time.

Saturday, the kids attended their first Carolina football game, and boy, did we have fun!  I must say, I try not to wish my children's lives away, however it's so nice that we can do day football game trips now that Eliza is 3, without problems.  We got to Chapel Hill a little early, jumped around Tarheel town, heard the band, got tattoos at the Bell Tower and got to our seats in time for kick-off.  We did a lot of walking, and both kids were troopers.  They enjoyed seeing the game, and Charlie enjoyed explaining the game to Jackson.  We left at the start of the 4th quarter because we were tired!  Needless to say, we all slept well last night!  I was asleep by 9:30 and that's unheard of!

Sliding in Tar Heel town

NO fear!  She flew down the slide.

Tar Heel tattoos

Check out that hair!!!

Sweet boy!

<3

Love this pic!

We HAD to have pom poms (and a couple of other things...)

Fun times!

And now, it's Sunday.  Charlie had an excellent sermon today!  I (as many others) have been reminiscing about this day 10 years ago.  I am EXTREMELY grateful for this time we have with our children and families.  Your life can change in a matter of seconds!

...and now, let the marathon start all over again....  Have a GREAT week everyone!

(BTW...the posting date of Thursday is when I started this blog entry.  I completed it on Sunday.)