First fieldtrip of '08-'09

Today, I chaperoned Shea's class on a fieldtrip to the Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville, GA. Yes. You read that right. There are Kangaroos in 'them, there hills" of North Georgia. http://www.kangaroocenter.com/ and did you know:
* Kangaroos are the second fastest land animals at 55 mph?
* Kangaroos have a gestation of 30 days, but nurse for about 15 months?
* "Kangaroo" means "I don't understand" in Aborigine so they told us at the center?
* There are more than 300 Kangaroos living in the North Georgia Mountains?
* I've always been intrigued by Kangaroos? I mean...they start with the letter "K" & seem pretty fun. How could you not love these animals?

I'D LIKE TO THANK....

* The group wearing flourescent "Happy Runner" shirts
* My 6'4" pacer
* Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. for my enhanced performance supplement
* The guy wearing "Pain is WEAKNESS LEAVING the Body"
* Our new friend, Wendy, for her Wisdom...when going uphill "only look 10 feet in front of you"
* Dr. Swayze for bilateral arthroscopy and showing me proper form. I'm sorry Doc, but I couldn't resist returning to running despite Dr. orders
* Liquid gold aka liquid chondroitin glucosamine
* My MP3 player containing: Daughtry, Heart, Destiny's Child, Madonna w/ Justin Timberlake, LeAnne Womack, Club Nuveau.....
* The girl wearing "It's not that BAD"
* Jordin Sparks for the National Anthem, Freeze (see my playlist), and a fun FREE concert!
* My Sister-in-law, Katy. I love ya'! We are going to rock the half marathon!
* My family (and Katy's) for coming down and being at the Finish Line
* My Heavenly Father for a strong healthy little body.

Happy Birthday to You.....

It was nearly 12 years ago that Rusty and I began REALLY hankering for another little Speidel.

It was 9 3/4 years ago a pregnancy test explained why I had fainted a couple weeks prior, why I was feeling nauseas, and confirm what we had been hungering for 2 years...another baby was on the way.

It was about 9 1/2 years ago I was told to "buy pink."

It was 9 years and 1 day ago that Shea Adaline Speidel came into this World.

...Happy Birthday Dear Sheaaaaaaa......Happy Birthday to You!

BAK 2 SKOOL

Thank Goodness...My spelling was starting to suffer, I began to struggle with my grocery store math, and our life needed structure.

Rett started middle school, playing the Alto Saxophone, back into LaX, and Scouting.

Shea is in 4th grade, wearing cool skater shoes, and making new friends.

Asa is rip roaring into 1st grade and trying to plan his birthday... which is about 2 months away.

Ivy and Mom are back to their one on one time. Ivy just got her 1st haircut. She held totally still. Mom couldn't cut too much off. Babysteps. No one could tell that her hair is less 3 inches.

INPO's Family Fun at the Georgia Aquarium

We spent an evening at the Georgia Aquarium for INPO'S annual Family Fun Day. IT WAS WAY FUN because...

Ivy could pretty much run from one thing to the next with mom/dad trailing behind. We were exhausted by the end of the day

Asa could 'pet' the string rays/sharks/shrimp incessantly.

Shea could really take in the gift shop, yet still opted to save her money. What will power.

Rett could return to the pirahnas after Deepo and eat treats freely because they had numerous treat stations throughout.

Not your average classical violin...

Shea started the violin about 10 months ago and we are enjoying her new found talent. We hope she continues for a long time. It has brought out my violin from 25 years ago and spurred my interest, as well as broadened my love of the violin. For instance, there is the fantastically talented, "hip hop violinst", Miri Ben-Ari. But my favorite is crazy fun violinist, Alex Depue (click on "FAVORITE WEBSITES" to the right) to name some of the more renowned....I never would of imagined the possibilities on a classical instrument.

Six Flags

Each year, the elementary school offers a reading incentive. Read for 6 hours and recieve a pass to 6 Flags amusement park. All three children accomplished this so we knew we would be going to 6 Flags sometime this summer. We were thankful to only have 3 tickets to buy and then we found some coupons to further help finance our day of fun. We took the money we saved and put it toward fast passes. Then the fun began. I hadn't rode a rollercoaster since before Rett was born. (gasp) I was either pregnant, nursing, or watching wee ones. So this was a big day for me as well as Asa and Ivy who had never gone. It was EXTREMELY hot and quite busy. We were thankful for the fast pass especially when the rain sent many home. I finally got to ride the beloved Superman and It's my favorite. It locks you in then turns 90degrees, and the entire ride you're belly down. I got into it trying to put my hands out like Supergirl only to have the full effect diminished because of restraints. What made the ride for me was seeing the bottom of the shoes of the people in front of us because they were "flying" also. In addition, at the beginning of the ride, you 'fly' up stairs just as if you were truly flying. It was so COOL! It made feel like I was still young at heart. Oh and we got to get pictures with Wonderwoman, Batman, and Green Lightning. It was Great! I look forward to returning, but hope to go when it's cooler next time.

Riding Thomas the Train

Asa intimidated by superheroes