STM Cross Country

I'm still not sure how it happened but this year I had the privilege of coaching the middle school cross country team at St. Thomas More.  I was asked if I would be willing to help and somehow that turned into me being one of two parent coaches.  And since I never ran cross country in high school this was just as much a learning experience for me as it was for our team.  We only had about 5 returning runners and the rest were all newbies.  

I had such wonderful support from all the parents that they really helped to make my job easier.  So all I had to do was teach the kids how to enjoy running and how to stick with it and keep them accountable.  I really had so much with them!  

ready for our first meet

my assistant passing out snacks after a meet

no school this day so these 3 met me at the gym for a treadmill workout

ready for the boys race

S crashing pre meet pep talk 

our eighth graders

waiting for the gun

at Championships

It was a fast two and a half months and I was sad to see it end.  I'm hoping to get the opportunity to coach again next year.  Our team went from being the lowest ranked in our conference to being in the middle.  That's pretty impressive for such a young team and for it being my first year.  I can't wait to see what we can do next year!

Back to School

Savannah started first grade on Wednesday, August 17th.  This year there were no tears and no sad faces.  Last year the first day was the day after returning from Grams' house so I made sure that we returned earlier this year.  She was more than excited to go this time! Her teachers are Mrs Wahlen and Mrs Schaal in 1A which is the class she secretly wanted.  Most of her friends are in her class as well.  We're looking forward to a great year of learning and growing. 

thumbs up after a great first half day

then to the pool after school

second day was a gym day

W and I enjoyed a run while S was in school

first full week and she already earned Teacher of the Day

W and I worked lunch duty before his school started

The day before Walker's first day was a walk through day.  We were able to play in his classroom and meet his teachers even though we already knew he would have Mrs. Pyle in the Duck class.  This year he will be going 5 days a week and is now able to stay for lunch bunch---woohoo!!  His first official day of school was Wednesday, September 7th.

walk through day

heading in for his first day

a great first day calls for frozen yogurt after wards

It's starting off as a great year in Preschool and First Grade! Let's hope the momentum keeps going.