Glory Run

As previously stated, each April I am part of a committee that put on a run. This event is known as the Glory Run. There is a 5k run/walk, a 1mile fun run, and a tot-trot. Last year, Kailyn and I both participated in the runs. I ran the 5k and she well sort of ran the tot-trot. Actually, last year she more like sauntered along the course holding Tony and my hand. She was also the last person to cross the finish line! Determined that this year would be different, I decided to take her and a few of her little girl friends to the course to “practice” running it. Now, let me first say that the distance they run for the tot-trot is not that long at all. It is probably about four house lengths long. Apparently to Kailyn this is too long! The first time I just wanted to have them walk it, so that they would know where they were going. They all did this fairly well. On our second attempt, I decided it would be fun to have them race a bit and try and run as fast as they could. Kailyn ran about two house lengths and stopped. I asked her what was wrong and all she said was, “This is too much work. It’s too hard. I don’t like running!” I stood there for a minute amazed, my daughter not like running! Whose child was this!! Meanwhile, the other two little girls had passed the finish line and were trying to cheer Kailyn on to keep going. Upset that I wouldn’t carry her the remaining two house lengths to the end, she just walked begrudgingly to the finish line. Rather discouraged by this, I attempted one other time to get her to run the course, but again she stopped even further from the end and said, “It’s too long!” So, when race day finally did arrive, I figured again she would probably finish up the race last…if she finished at all! To my shocking amazement, she actually was really excited and did fairly well! Now, she didn’t win first by any means, but she did finish!!! Yeah!! And she got a medal for finishing the race…so to her that was an enormous win!!

The Master

Instead of having a spring break earlier in the year, we in the Augusta area have ours the second week of April. This time is known as Master’s Week. This is often a time when native Augustans either flee the crowds, craziness, and horrid traffic that surround Master’s Week or succumb to all the hub-bub and seek employment at one of the many catering, driving or golfing venues. This year since Tony was off for Master’s Week, he decided he would take a job working as a driver for an event’s company. I wasn’t too happy to see him work his week off, but God really blessed his sacrifice. Tony was given a really laid back group and he was able to go into the Master’s several times. In fact, I was even able to spend one afternoon inside the Master’s with Tony. In addition to that, Kailyn and I were also able to meet Tony for lunch several times…something we never get to do during the school year. On one of Tony’s visits inside the golf course, he decided to purchase a pink golf shirt with the Master’s logo in the corner for Kailyn. The night he gave her the shirt she wasn’t too excited, however, the next morning she awoke and immediately asked, “Mom can I wear my master shirt today?” I told her of course, Daddy would love to see her in it. That day her friend Carrie came over, and as I walked by Kailyn’s room I heard her telling Carrie all about her shirt. “Carrie, my daddy gave this to me. He said I am a master. Are you a master? Do you have a master shirt?” Apparently, Kailyn believes, and still does to this day, that she is a master of something and that her shirt proudly tells people this! Needless to say she now loves the shirt and asks to wear it all the time. And on the off chance that Daddy is wearing the shirt too, you will find her beaming with pride…because of course Daddy and her are the “masters.”

The Pony Wars!

Now, I know that I have previously stated that Kailyn had developed a deep love for princesses and was being trained by princess master Yoda (aka my cousin Beatrice)…but those days have ended. I think it would be safe to say Kailyn is no longer a mere patawan, she is definitely Jedi material! Now that Kailyn has mastered princesses she has moved on to bigger and better things…ponies to be exact! Around Christmas time of this past year, Tony brought a pony home for Kailyn one day. I must insert here that I am not just talking about random ponies…no these are the ones that come with clothes, houses, scooters, refrigerators, food and ANY accessory that you can think of…they are the infamous “My Little Ponies!” Anyway, this single pony started something I was in no way prepared for! It triggered something we call the “Pony Wars!” First of all, let me say that just because the word “pony” is in this title it doesn’t lesson the blow of the dreaded wars!

So, Kailyn was given some ponies for Christmas, Epiphany, Valentine’s Day and any other reason Daddy could think of to give her one! With each of these new toys came wisdom! Kailyn began to master the names and colors of each pony and what exactly there task was! She became a pony master! It was around this time that my previously mention cousin came to play. When Kailyn pulled out the ponies and began instructing her dear friend on the ways of the pony, Beatrice realized she was no longer the master, but the student! She wasn’t too happy about this! Intrigued by all that Kailyn had shown her she went home and began to gather her armada of ponies. It had begun!

On consequent visits to our house, Beatrice would bring her bag of ponies proudly bearing the letter “B” on their front right hoof and set them up facing off against Kailyn’s. The real trouble came when a new pony was introduced into the mix…or even worse, a new set of ponies! This newly acquired commodity became the envy and desire of the opposing side.

Now, let me state her that we thought this was all in good fun…just two little girls playing…not true! It began with just one little spat about how her pony was being mean to my pony and escaladed into what we comically refer to as “Pony Wars.” These delicate pink and purple ponies had transformed into vicious, territorial nightmares! These so called wars slowly eked their way into Beatrice and Kailyn’s pre-school and had gotten so bad, that the ponies have now and forever will be banned from said school! It was clear an intervention was needed! We decided to have a meeting so as to come to some mutual agreement between the two foes. After much talking and a bit of arguing, an arrangement was reached and for now the ponies have signed a peace treaty- we can only hope it lasts!

Kids truly say the sweetest things!

A few days ago, Kailyn and I were sitting on the steps to wave goodbye to Tony as he headed off to teach one of his night classes. As we sat on the bottom step about to wave and blow kisses goodbye, Kailyn looked up at me. Very practically she said, “So, mom. You want to talk?” All I could do was stare at our darling three year old with astonishment. She was as serious as she could be! Then as if to start a conversation, she continued, “You know I love you, right?” In that moment I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time! So, we proceeded to sit and have a little chat. It wasn’t a deep conversation or anything serious…just talk of flowers and trees.

Jump City

Since winter is still very much in the air and playing out doors has become more work than fun (once you have layered on your coats, scarves, hats and gloves), I was looking everywhere for other alternatives and activities for Kailyn and her little friends to do. While doing this I stumbled on the simple most glorious thing. It’s a place where Kailyn and her little friends can run, jump, slide and be just plain crazy without all their winter gear on. They can even do all this without shoes on! And here is the best part, I can just sit and read a good book, have a conversation or simply do a bit of work on the computer. I am not constantly saying don’t go too far where I can’t see you, maybe a stick isn’t the best idea for a magic wand to hit each other with, make sure you keep your gloves on and all the other numerous warnings. This wonderful winter playground is no other than a place called Jump City. They have places to jump, an obstacle course, and Kailyn’s favorite a really, really big slide. Sometimes when we go that is all the girls do…up and down, up and down for hours! The best thing about this little place is that it is never really busy. Most times it is just us and maybe one other person. The girls absolutely love it! Not to mention, sometimes we either swing by the swanky new library down the street to grab a few books or maybe have a picnic (weather permitting). Needless to say, it has been a great lifesaver in these cold months!

Valentine's Day

This year was Kailyn’s very first year exchanging valentine cards with all her little school friends. About two weeks before we went shopping for valentine’s and quickly found the perfect ones. They were Disney princess valentine’s with tattoos inside…fun! Anyway, we bought them and addressed and signed them all, eagerly awaiting the fourteenth of February! I think if I said Kailyn liked Valentine’s Day it would be a drastic understatement…she loved it! When she got home from school, we poured out all her cards and piles of candy. She was flabbergasted! “Is this all for me?” I reassured her it was and that she was very lucky to have so many wonderful friends. She eyed her “loot” for about a minute and then in a hugging motion grabbed it all toward her and sighed saying, “I love Valentine’s Day!” Now, as if this wasn’t enough, the best was yet to come. Earlier in the week she had received a valentine package from Baba, Grandma, Jacqueline, and Jasmine. Not only did she get stickers and a toy, but money from Baba and Grandma to buy something special for herself (which was used to fuel her pony addiction and purchase more ponies for the upcoming “pony wars”). In addition to that, when Tony got home from work that night, he came bearing numerous gifts, candy and flowers! All in all the day was more like Christmas than Valentines Day, what with the surplus of presents and candy, but it was a huge success and so much fun!

Bonfires!

This fall Tony dug out and created a fire pit for us and built us benches made from an old tree. When he did this, I don’t think he or I was prepared for how much Kailyn would want to use it and how much she absolutely loved bonfires! Our first bonfire was a bit of a bust due to the fact that we didn’t have much wood, but it was a bonfire nonetheless. After a few other bonfires, in which we were prepared with plenty of wood and hundreds of marshmallows, I noticed something one day. We were out back playing in the yard and Kailyn and Carrie were sitting patiently on the benches Tony had made. Each of them had a stick in hand and were staring at the center of the fire pit. I approached them and asked what they were doing. “Having a bonfire. We are cooking our marshmallows and dinner. “Carrie, bonfires are my favorite and they are the best!” “YEAH,” was Carrie’s simple but happy answer. They sat there for about five more minutes and then pretended to tend the fire and after that proceeded to throw a few sticks on the pile. This little scene was simply adorable to me, and no matter how many bonfires we would have, during the day this was one of their favorite games! How cute!