Lynamland--School Version--Goes to the Olympics

Special Olympics, that is.

Yes, it's hard to believe that that time of year rolled around.  The West Central Special Olympics were held at Simpson College on Tuesday {ya know, Coach's birthday}, so while all my colleagues were hunkered down teaching inside {bahahahaahaaaa!!!}, I was outside enjoying the perfect weather.  Sweet revenge, my friends.  Sweet revenge.

It was a glorious, magical day.  There's something about kids who spontaneously cheer each other on... when they have no idea who the people they're clapping for are.  The smiles, the joy!  Seriously...I cry each and every time I go.

This year, I only had one athlete make it to state, Jewel.  She has made it to state for the last three years in a row!  Coach better watch out... I may be taking over :)



{check out that form!!!}

Even though only one of my six made it, we'll all be venturing up to Ames to cheer her on next month!

In the meantime, catch a few more glimpses of the world's best {and caaauuutest} Olympians, in my opinion.

{Here we go to Special O's!}



{again.  The form!}




{Leon.  Focused.  Determined.  In his own lane!!}



{Line?  What line??!?}



{Check out those ribbons!!!}



Happy Birthday Coach :)

Today is the love of my life's birthday.  Though he asks me not to make a big deal of it {enter his stubborn streak}, I still do {enter MY stubborn streak} :).  It includes a new fungo {yet to be ordered}, a Hawkeye flag {which is already flying loud and proud}, baseball practice after school, and an oh-so-yummy meal at Outback tonight.

I love this man with all of my heart.  8 years ago on his 30th birthday, I threw him a surprise party with all of his friends there.  Tonight... it's going to be a smaller, more intimate group with me and his other favorite girl in the whole wide world.

So in honor of this special day, here are some of the latest and greatest pictures of the birthday boy and his second favorite little lady :)

{sporting our new Ankeny Hawks gear}

The picture below is my newest favorite picture of Coach and Lovebug together.  There's something about how Lovebug is leaning into Coach and he's holding her up.  I just absolutely LOVE it!!!!

{love at its purest form}



A Few Friday Randoms

~ I organize closets--mine, Coach's, and now Lovebug's in ROYGBIV {red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet} by long sleeves, 3/4 sleeves, short sleeves, and tank tops.  It helps me remain semi-sane in the mornings. 

~ Lovebug cannot go potty unless she has no pants, socks, or shoes on.  I must work on that.

~ This weekend is our first weekend in awhile that we don't have much going on... and I couldn't be more excited for it!!!

~ On Sunday, I will begin my church-shopping experience.  You see, Lovebug has not been baptized {yet} and I really need to get that done!

~ This winter we had a very windy storm... and it knocked our grill over.  Which broke the handle.  I'm going to try some Krazy Glue and see if I can fix it.  Luckily, it still works and our burgers the other night were nice and tasty. 

~ Our driveway is the neighborhood hang out spot.  This makes Lovebug happy and mad all at the same time.  Happy when she attempts to hang with the big kids.  Mad when Mama makes her come inside.

~ Yesterday at Holly's house, Lovebug got into Holly's bathroom vanity, got out her deoderant, took the lid off, lifted up her shirt, and applied it correctly.  This could mean she pays way too much attention to me in the mornings... or she's trying to tell me she's going to need it soon ;)

~ Opening Day happened yesterday... and the Yankees won {is anyone surprised?!?}. 

~ I am a card carrying member of the ABWC {Ankeny Baseball Wives' Club} now, and received my first email about our get-togethers yesterday.  Of course, I still need to figure out my April calendar to I can reply.  Priorities ya know...blogging, calendar, replying to emails.

~ I make weekly menus for our meals... most weeks.  On the weeks I don't get it done, I feel helpless when I get home and have no clue what to make.  This week was one of them.  I have yet to share any of these weekly menus with you followers, but maybe I'll start soon.

~ The last time I had my hair cut was in October of 2010.  I think I'm due for one.

~ I do annual End of the Year parties for my students and their parents.  This year's theme is tropical island.  We're singing Kokomo by the Beach Boys.  The kids are not getting into that song quite like I am :).

~ Coach's birthday is in 2 weeks... and I have no clue what Lovebug is going to get him.  Grrr...

~ Diet Coke fountain pop tastes much better than Diet Coke from a can

~ These are just a few of the random thoughts floating through my mind these days. 

What Have I Done?!??!?!

Many of you faithful followers may be very aware that I.Hate.Pink!!!

I will NOT wear it... on anything!!
I hate that it's on my fancy schmancy thirty-one swirly lunch tote
I attempt to buy cards without pink envelopes
I hate that my parents once painted our dining room in that color!!
I just downright hate it!!!


Until Lovebug rolled into town.


And now look...

What have I done??!?!?   It looks like bottle of Pepto exploded all over my precious, innocent, lovable little girl. 

Can We Say Obcessed??

It's not secret Lovebug has a love for Mickey Mouse.  And now... it's moved on to Dora.  But it is much more than love. Can we say obcessed much?!?! 

We went shopping, just us girls, and Lovebug spotted a Mickey Mouse shirt across the store.  You see, she had to see it!  Unfortunately, it wasn't in her size :(.

However, as we turned around, she yelled "Dooora" {pronounced Dew-ra!}, so I had to take her to see it.  Lucky for her, it was in her size.  And of course, as an obcessed person would, she insisted on wearing it the next day :).



{working on her cheese face!}



Sleeping Beauty

A few days ago, I was cleaning the kitchen and then I heard it...

the dreaded noise no parent wants to hear...

COMPLETE SILENCE!!!!

My mind immediately sprang to Oh no!!  Not the stairs!!!!!

I ran around to see if I could catch her in action.  Nope.  Not there.  Next thought? Bathroom!  Nope, not there either.

I ran all over the main floor and upstairs of our house, only to realize I couldn't find her anywhere!! 

Insert fear now!

I turned around with tears welling up in my eyes to find this...

My little sleeping beauty :)



Irish Eyes

Here are a few picks of our lil' Irish lassie from St. Patrick's Day, 2011. 

{wee bit.... try lot o' bit!}

{attempting to try on one of her new hats}