Venus Transit

Did you watch the Venus Transit?

The University of Notre Dame handed out free sun-viewing glasses to the first 500 people to show up at 5pm. We jumped on bikes and amidst much whining, crying, complaining, etc. we made it there and managed to get 3 pairs for our family of 6.

I had packed a picnic dinner (Gyros! Aldi has an awesome kit!) and the girls had fun sitting on the grass, eating, and then running and playing all over the grassy field in front of Jordan Hall with all the other families and kids that had come for the viewing.

Travis, Zoë and I managed to see one little speck at the one o'clock position of the sun before Travis took Zoë to Activity Days. I biked home with the girls and put them to bed. It was a fun outing (even with all the complaints).

 

Setting up dinner: Gyros!

She always manages to grab the best seat!

Yum! Messy but tastey.

Super Cool!
The girls were really sweet about sharing their glasses with other people who arrived too late to get some of their own.

Sunburst 2012

I still don't like to run.

But it was AMAZING to run a race with my daughter. And, yes, I'd do it again! In fact, next year I think Megan wants to join in.

Before the race- we had our running shirts sporting our Sunburst 2012 decals (can't see 'em).

Zoë was awesome and "trained" with me. It was like dragging a donkey some mornings, and other afternoons it was like chasing a gazelle. But, she trained and was prepared.

We were about 1/2-mile into the 5K (3.1 miles) race and she said to me, "Mom? I want to run the whole time. That's my goal, to run the entire race."

After the race.
I was SO PROUD of her!
And, you can almost see the decal on the side of her sleeve.

 

And SHE DID! I was ready to walk a few times (I was definitely not as in shape for this race as I was last year.) We finished in 35:03. Less than 12 minute miles made both of us really happy (and it was less time than Zoë's first 5K race.). We had other friends race "with" us, and it was great fun cheering on other friends running the 10K, Half-Marathon, and Marathon.

Travis rode bikes with Miranda and 'Nica to meet us at the end. It was a crazy and frantic day for him. He is such an awesome guy to do this for us!

'Nica loved the popsicle I brought her, and loved riding in the trailer. Zoë hopped in the back and I biked them both home. Miranda rode her own bike (no training wheels!).

Memorial Day Bike Ride

Sunday evening before Memorial Day, Travis was looking a little green and a little run down. He turned to me and said, "I think I might just take tomorrow off. I haven't had a day off, well, in months." Yeah, he even works Christmas Eve! (Although I don't think he went in on Christmas Day last year....)

I got a HUGE smile on my face, barely containing the urge to bust out into spontaneous dancing, and demurely (Ha!) asked, "So, what would you like to do?"

He said he'd like to go for a family bike ride.

Ahhh, be still my beating heart!

It took a few trips back to the house (diaper change kit, water, sunscreen) before we got underway. We headed along the river trail that runs from our house to downtown area. Sadly, they had it ripped up, so we had to turn around and head back by our house. We then decided to keep going to ride our bikes to St. Mary's Lake at Notre Dame and eat a picnic and feed the remaining (stale) bread to the birds.

Ahhh, heaven! It was sunny, warm, the ducks were sleeping in the shade, we had a great picnic! Miranda chatted the entire trip as she pedaled on the back of Travis' bike. Veronica was happy to be sitting in the bike trailer, just enjoying the breeze and the view. Megan was riding her bike really well, and trying to keep up with Zoë who was waaaay out in the lead.

We then came home and while 'Nica was taking a nap, we played with the water (sorry, no pictures of that). We then ate grilled hotdogs and toasted GIANT marshmallows (made into gooey s'mores) for dinner. A Perfect Day!

Taking a break before feeding the swans.

Ahhh, he looks so much more rested!

See that smile?
I sure do love this man!

Eating Ginger Snaps that Travis made. Yummmm!

Miranda posing with the swan she just fed. She got brave enough to even let the swan take the bread right out of her hand!

Megan ducking out of Zoë's camera shot.

Yeah, I'm on the phone.

'Nica is a little more comfortable with a water bottle in hand.

Tossing rocks, drinking water, and feeding/watching the birds.

Our Beautiful Daughters:

Yeah, I love spending time with my family!

Milestones

I asked Veronica this morning to put back the bottle of medicine she'd taken off my bedside table. She looked up at me and grinned. I asked her again. She still just looked at me and seemed to say, "Why!? This is fun!" So, then I said, "Nica, clean up. Go put it back. Clean up."

We both turned away from each other and the next thing I heard was her soft little voice (particularly soft compared to her immediately older sister) say, "Yes, Mom."


* * * * * * * * *

Megan learned to ride a "two-wheeler" on Mother's Day. That was the second best present I could get on Mother's Day this year (the best was the "day off" Travis gave me on Saturday; I didn't have to even think about anything to do about the house or with the kids. Freedom!)

Travis got Zoë a new bike since she had outgrown (literally) her old one. Zoë is very happy with her new bike, and looks great riding it around. Megan was super excited to get a "new" bike (Zoë's old one) and was already talking about painting it. Something must have been said about her needing to ride the bike before that could happen. I think also that Megan would be losing the very cool bike bell might also have been a motivation because we were outside on Sunday with the bikes, and Megan got on. With encouragement (LOTS of shouting praise) she took off! She was still very nervous, and would crash into anything that loomed out at her (bushes, trees, sisters, other bikes, etc)

So, for Family Home Evening last night we went on a LONG bike ride: 3 miles up to the Student Center on the Notre Dame campus. Zoë was on her bike, Megan on her bike, Travis pulling Miranda and Nica in the bike trailer. I ran/jogged. Whew!

But, Megan made it the WHOLE WAY and crashed only once into a tree (that leaped out at her). She was so proud of herself and glowing with her accomplishment, as she should be! Zoë was a trouper to be the leader, and give Megan something to work for. Nica cried when we pulled her out of the trailer. Miranda cried when we put her in (she was also very excited to get a 'new" bike as a hand-me-down from Megan adn was disappointed that she didn't get to ride her bike. But, she's still very SLOW. I can walk faster than Miranda can bike at this point. Still, I was lagging behind all the bike riders and got a good fast run, especially on the way home.

Yay! I love family bike rides!!!

Visitors

My dad and his wife, Jan, came for a visit this last week. We really wished they could've stayed longer, but we packed as much as we could into the five days they were here.

Tuesday: Arrival

Grandpa Wing built a bike trailer for Zoë to attach to the back of her bike.
She is now able to pull around "babies" behind her bike, just like her mother does.

Wednesday: Fernwood Gardens & Naps

After working at the farm in the garden, we drove up on this misty morning to Michigan where we hunted for frogs, watch trains, dodged raindrops,
and munched lunch with the chipmunks and birds.

We were all a little tired when we got home...
the girls watched a movie while Grandpa took a little snooze.

Thursday: Notre Dame Campus, Library, Studebaker Museum, Naps, and Swimming

We walked around campus, toured Travis' lab and saw his work,
saw some of famous murals (Touchdown Jesus), and statues (Jump, Mama, Jump!)
and looked around the administration building ('The Dome") and the Basilica.
(Grandpa Wing went back later to watch Travis do an experiment with the fish eyes).

We took some books back to the library, looked for a movie,
and borrowed the pass to the Studebaker museum.
Miranda was engrossed in watching "The Jungle Book".

This car was one Grandpa Wing used to drive.
He also showed us one he almost bought, and another that a friend of his had
that drove up to 160 mph!
(Did you know Grandpa Wing got too many speeding tickets?)

Not exactly "rest" time,
but it was some down time watching Disney's "Princess and the Frog"
while mom took a nap and we waited for Zoë to come home on the bus.

Our good friends have started heating the pool we spent all summer swimming in.
It was even a HOT day (up in the 90's) but the pool was heated as well.
While Zoë took piano lessons, we got started on the fun.
She joined us in short order.

Friday: Amish Country (Shipshewana & Bonneville Mill), Volleyball & Pep Rally

We drove out to Amish Country, stopped and got some yummy food (cheese, peanut butter, wheat, and some "treats") at E&S Bulk Sales.
Then we headed to Bonneville Mill, just north of Middlebury.
It looks beautiful at the end of summer!
Not as frozen as early April, not as "dead" as end of October.

Uh, huh. They were worn out!

Zoë was a good sport about missing out on all the day-trips.
She had a great Fun Run at school, and enjoyed the time in the evenings we did have.

While Grandpa Wing was teaching Veronica how to walk at home,
the rest of us rode our bikes to campus and enjoyed an Irish Women's Volleyball game
(at least after I got over my buzz after being smacked in the head with a ball).

We then headed over to the Irish Green and each of us girls got a shaped balloon.

Miranda's balloon popped, and so did the replacement, hence the tears.
(Although utter exhaustion might have played a role)

Saturday: Football Tailgating and Bike Trailer

We pushed the double stroller holding 3 girls up to campus where we bought Hotdogs and Burgers, chips and soda (which we ate at Travis' break room because it was COLD outside). We then went home and vegged for a while.

Zoë and Jan didn't join us because they, unfortunately, got sick.

Miranda wasn't interested in wearing her ladybug wings.
Travis was helpful, though.

"Look! I'm a Beautiful Butterfly!"
(What movie quote?)

During half-time,
whileND was trying to gear up and at least hold Stanford (which they didn't), w
e all headed out to the garage where
Grandpa hooked up the bike trailer to Zoës bike
(she was feeling better, thankfully!)

Zoë gave a ride to the the first passenger:

Zoë pulled the second passenger
(who chuckled the whole time and did NOT want to get out!):

She even gave the third passenger a quick ride:

Just the highlights of our packed and fun and crazy week. We loved having our guests here, and enjoyed all the conversations and fun and memories we built. We hope to see you again, soon, Grandpa Wing and Grandma Jan!