Go Ahead and Judge Me.....

Today the weather was horribly miserable so to pep up the mood I started watching the TV Show "Glee". Ellie never usually watches TV (she hates sitting still) but I glance down and notice she is mesmerized by it all of a sudden. It is when they are singing. Of course it happens to be when they are doing the spoof on Olivia Newton John's "Let's Get Physical". Disclaimer: PBS Kids is usually on in our house not men gyrating on TV. Please also notice all those books on the floor in front of her - we read all those this afternoon......In other words, I am begging....please don't call child protection services on me! I promise Glee is not a trashy show!

Bada Bing it's Ellie BEAN!

My goodness has just been 3 days with Ava in preschool and Ellie has decided it's Showtime!" The first day, I think Ellie was in shock that Ava was gone and even more shocked that I wasn't as good of a partner in crime as Ava is for her. She LOVES being the center of attention and gets offended if we are not chatting at all times while she is awake. I realize now that she would be ten times more exhausting if she was the first child rather than the second. This bonding time I have with her alone is precious though and I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to do it.

Accessory loving most be in the Valdez gene pool.

The "edgy" daughter

It is a miracle! Ava sat still long enough for me to french braid her hair. I think it might be a one time deal.

After I picked her up from preschool in the afternoon it had morphed into a side pony tail. Still a good start!

Ellie Bean hanging out with Camden one of her bffs. Camden is just 3 weeks older than her.

A room full of toys and they both just want to play with the electronics

ELLIE BEAN FINALLY WALKED FOR ME! I had to use the method that I used with Ava, baiting her with chocolate pudding. A tried and true method. WAY TO GO ELLIE!

Update on the running...

Only a month and a half till the Marathon! I have a feeling this will be my only marathon but it is still a check off an item on my bucket list. The runs are now taking up to 2.5 hours and this week we are running 15 miles. That is now the longest I will have ever run at one time! It has been a big stress reliever for me lately and has been a positive goal to motivate me forward. It has also been beneficial that I am running for a charity. I can't do a half hearted job or skip long run days when my supporters have donated to a great cause on my behalf. Cancer Survivors are tough tough people and I want to make them proud and have at least half of their tenacity. If you would still like to donate (I still have a long way to my fundraising goal) here is the link to my personal fundraising page with the American Cancer Society:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY10SouthAtlantic?px=16971818&pg=personal&fr_id=27503

Thank you to all who have donated and are supporting me in this run!

The Virginia Pilot ran an article about Melissa and my team "Dummies running for our Mummies" on Sunday 9/13 on the front page of the Kempsville Beacon section. Woot!

In July, Ava slammed a glass door on my toe . It is still swollen today so when I went to the doctor they confirmed it was broken. I'm now taping it for long runs but that is about all you can do with a broken toe. Honestly, when you start to run over 10 miles you just need to wear closed toed shoes. My feet look like troll feet now. It ain't pretty. Let's not even talk about chub rub either!

Ava's first day of PreSchool

Ava and Ellie practicing "writing" on the morning of the first day of school. Ava was SO excited.

This picture makes me tear up... it makes me realize she is not a toddler anymore but a KID. UGhh!

Waiting to go in her classroom with sissy. Ellie is pushing her around the hall way.

Her buddy Jude from Sunday School and Tuesday AM Bible Study is in her class!

"Mom why can't I go to school too!?" Thank Goodness Ellie Bean is still a baby...not for long though!

ZOO with Nanny and PopPops

Nanny and PopPops made another short trip to VA Beach to visit. We had a fun day at the Zoo and Skinny Dip Frozen Yogurt bar enjoying the weather.

The budding artist

Mini now eats more than Ava. No Joke.

VA Zoo in Norfolk

Nanny teaching Ava about plants

Ava loves maps just like Daddy. Especially since these are all pictures

Ellie has a gashed up nose because Ava accidentally kicked her with her cast. They are going to open up an investigation on me!

Ava getting some drum time

Another budding Shoe Lover.

Showing us where we were on the map. Her favorite were the giraffes.

The wagon was the perfect height for most attractions

She is such a bruiser. She can down a whole cup of water in 2 minutes.

Our favorite exhibit of the day- the baby giraffe!

Ellie and the Elephant

The Lions looked like they were posing just for us!

Baby piggies!

Ava's favorite movie right now is Babe so she had to have a chat with this pig.

Hanging out with the Prairie Dogs!

Great Day

Tuckered Out

Loves to help PopPops with all his tools.