WEBSTER FAMILY

The boys did the Apple Hill 5K Blossom Run.  Ben said it was a really difficult course--mountain air & hilly but that it was also the most beautiful fun!  They had a blast and were so glad that they did it. They both got around 30 min (can't remember the exact time). Xander was amongst the Top 10 for 10&U--way to go!

It is exhausting when your children get to the "I can do it" phase. But this time around, my kids have one up-ed even that!  They think that not only can they do it themselves but they also have the right to do mine too. I sat here for at least 10  minutes while the little girls "tied" my shoes. Seriously- they would not let me help. 

My niece, Eveyln, was declared CANCER FREE at the beginning of April.  She beat cancer!! Whoo-hoo!  Her parents had been putting off any trips or real celebrations for the 10th anniversary and so once they got the green light, they planned their trip. While they were gone, we got to have Evelyn and Eli for 2.5 days.  It was tricky having 6 kids under 7 but we managed and I was pretty impressed with myself by the end. I managed to have every one be happy (with minimal tv) and get all the kids to Xander's 1st grade performance and music makers ON TIME!  :) Oh and I can't forget that I started work that very same week--CRAZY TIMES





We were outside one night and my neighbor, Russell, started playing with the kids. He decided that he wanted to teach them all how to play golf.  He had fun and the kids had a blast! And surprisingly, no one was injured. The club was not swung around and did not crash into any one's head. It was pretty impressive! Thanks Russell!

Poor Evelyn though! Crazy A thought she was a baby (she is 3 mos older than A) and treated her as such-always asking to hold her, to cuddle her. She tried to do things for her and Evelyn was so confused.  It was funny to watch but I felt bad for the kid!

 Each student was asked to dress up from a different country. These are the clothes Ben & I bought in the Canary Islands that a typical costuming for a Canarian...thankfully X could squeeze into it!

 Xander has done so well in first grade! He loves his teacher and his class. We are always getting good reports.  This year the kids did another choral performance.  It was fun and we were so glad we made it!

While it is only April, the air feels more like July or August. It is DRY!  We've been learning about what that does to our hair :)

As mentioned in the previous post, running has become part of our family. One of the running clubs runs is on Saturday so Ben has graciously signed up to be Xanders running buddy.  They run 3 miles every Saturday morning at 830AM along the American River.  (As of May, they have up Xander's run to 4 miles though!).  On this particular morning, the boys came down and realized they matched

Xander LOVES to run. He is always telling us how well he did at school. So when his friend told him about a running club, we checked it out.  When we found out it only cost about $50 for the year, we jumped at the chance.  The club runs cross country in the fall and track in the spring.  We recently had the first track meet (and probably last one) and Xander had a blast!

I signed Xander up for 2 events as I had no idea what to expect and didn't want to be there all day. So we entered the 400 & 800.  Eliza & I went to support Xander and we packed a few snacks and headed out on our way. Well, lunch time rolled around and we had yet to run. SERIOUSLY? I only let the kids eat half of things when they told me they were hungry because I didn't have cash for the snack bar as back up.  (I was TOTALLY unprepared).  Long story short, the races went great! Xander learned some important things about racing & competing--like sprinting at the end. And we finally wrapped up at 4 PM!  I raced the kids to the car and stopped at the first hamburger fast food we could find...they were so hungry.  But they were all super good and happy the whole day and I got to hang out with my friend Kaylene and run into an old friend (Coach Barbara!!) so it was fun.  If we ever do another track meet though, I will be much better prepared!

 I guess that I am not a fan of any part of the teething process. I do not like when then come in and I do not like when they come out!  This last one was especially disgusting...Ben video-d my reaction because, well, the kids thought Xander was being hilarious as it dangled and bled and I could not handle it over his dinner plate.  After a few minutes of theatrics (because the kids begged me to do it again and again) the tooth finally came out and the singing began, "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth..."  Xander has been super proud with each tooth that he has lost--its too bad the tooth fairy isn't more on top of things.  Oh well, he eventually got some money and all was well again!

And I don't know if I've mentioned it (at least on the blog) but the last few months have been nothing but teeth--Xander, Violet & Abby all got molars at the SAME time (lots of fussing that week) and Xander loses one and Abby gets one...it's all been kinda crazy.  Maybe that's why I am so anti-teeth right now??