Race Day

Yesterday Seth ran the Knoxville Marathon's kid's race - 1.2 miles - with his friend, Ryan, and Tim. Seth and Tim finished their run in about 11 minutes (Ryan crossed the finish like a few minutes prior to them), and they had a great time doing so. Seth really challenged himself to see it through. We're so proud of him.

Here are a few photos of the runners. This first picture is one of my absolute favorites -- it captures an amazing father-son moment:

Tim and Seth cross the finish line at the 50-yard-line of Neyland Stadium.

A proud papa with his running mate, Tim and Seth share a moment following the race.

Magic Moment

Last Saturday the boys' school hosted Will and Mary Pope Osborne for a book signing. Mrs. Osborne is the author of the wonderful Magic Tree House series, which both Seth and Reed love. Reed was especially thrilled to have the opportunity to meet her and have her latest book signed. Unfortunately, Mrs. Osborne had a broken wrist and was unable to sign books (they were stamped instead), but she and her husband were gracious enough to meet each child and have photos taken with them. Here are Seth and Reed with the Osbornes:

Mr. Osborne is an author as well. He's recently adapted the Magic Tree House books for the stage, which Reed will be seeing with his fellow first graders next week at the Tennessee Theater. (Seth and I will have a special date the night before to see it ourselves.) Watch for the musical to come to your town, and take your own children. If it's anything like the books, I know they will love it.

P.S. Last night Seth and I went to see the Magic Tree House Musical, and this morning I saw it with Reed and his fellow first graders. I highly recommend it -- wonderful adaptation of the books and such fun seeing Jack, Annie, Morgan, and more come to life on the stage. According to the Web site, the proposed fall 2009 - spring 2010 tour will include engagements in the Southwest, West Coast, and Canada as well as a return to locations in the Midwest, East, and Southeast. Visit www.mthmusical.com to see if it is coming to a venue near you.

Spring Is Like a Perhaps Hand

Spring is like a perhaps hand

(which comes carefully
out of Nowhere) arranging
a window, into which people look (while
people stare
arranging and changing placing
carefully there a strange
thing and a known thing here) and

changing everything carefully

spring is like a perhaps
Hand in a window
(carefully to
and fro moving New and
Old things, while
people stare carefully
moving a perhaps
fraction of flower here placing
an inch of air there) and

without breaking anything.

by e.e. cummings

Cycling Into Spring

All week we watched with anticipation as the temperatures climbed: 50 on Wednesday, 60 on Thursday, 70 on Friday. Today started as an overcast day, but as we drove toward Townsend, with our bicycles loaded, the clouds broke and temperatures reached the expected mid-70s.

We discarded our sweatshirts, donned our helmets, and took off on our first bike ride of the season. Tim and I were so proud of the boys' riding -- we even decided that it's time to take the training wheels off of Reed's bike and move Seth to a larger bike (his knees were nearly knocking the handlebars). Here are a few pictures from our ride:

We had to stop midway to refuel for the bike ride back to the van. Nothing fuels you up like a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream. Yum!

(De)construction

Tim is in transition from KUB to a new job, with a two-week break in between. We decided that it was the perfect time to renovate our master bath. When we handed the boys a hammer on Monday, they weren't quite sure if we really meant what we said: "Knock a hole in the wall." It just seemed too good to be true. Well, we meant it, and they loved it. They've been great helpers for their dad this week. These pictures show that hard work can be fun:

Other than the thrill of pounding holes in drywall, the boys had their first lesson in power machinery. Tim helped them use a saw to cut through the drywall -- much quicker than the "hole" method. Thankfully I can report we still have all of our fingers and toes.

With every construction project comes a substantial amount of dirt and debris. (Anyone familiar with drywall dust? Ugh.) Having two helpers also means having someone always handy to hold the dustpan for you ... very helpful.

Our project isn't complete, but it has come a long way in a week. I have to add that we were blessed by two other helpers on Friday -- two of Tim's former KUB coworkers generously gave their time and know-how to aid in the renovation. We are most grateful, as their effort was an amazing help. Thanks James and Blake!

Tiger Scout Fun

Reed joined Tiger Scouts this year, and he's been enjoying the den meetings, field trips, and scouting traditions.

On a recent field trip to the television studio of WBIR, the troop watched a live taping of "Live at Five at Four" (I know, the name makes no sense -- I tried to find an opportunity to tell the anchors (as I know they'd appreciate my keen observation), but it never happened). Reed and his fellow scouts were featured on the show, waving to the audience. Thankfully my mom and dad were watching at the time and spotted his smiling face.

This morning was the notorious Pinewood Derby. It was Reed's first experience in this event. Tim and he worked hard building his car all week, and it performed well. He didn't win his heat, but he still brought home a blue ribbon.

Tuckers on Ice

On February 22, many families from our church gathered at a local ice rink to enjoy an afternoon of skating. Considering this was Seth's second time on the ice and Reed's first, they did extremely well. (And considering this was Tim's first time and my second on the ice in 20+ years, we did extremely well also!) Here are some photos from our slipping, sliding fun:

Within an hour, Reed -- a brand-new skater -- was trying his hand at speed skating. It's not so easy when you're holding on to mom, so here he tries it on his own.

Only his second time on the ice, Seth did very well. He likewise tried his hand at speed skating.

When I was a girl, I celebrated many of my birthdays at the Ice Chalet. It was such fun to skate on that very same rink with my boys.

Even the Olympians need a hot chocolate (or Mountain Dew) break!