TEAM GSF Practice Run - Chardonnay 5K

I thought I hung up my running shoes for good after the Team GSF Santa Barbara Relay last year.  I could barely run the 4 miles (while everyone around me was passing me and running 5 x's longer than me), my knees hurt, I was out of shape and I just figured I am not a runner.

Well fast forward to last week and things have changed although I still wouldn't classify myself as a runner but I am doing much better thanks to a fabulous trainer that I have been working with since the beginning of the year.  I've been running again, sometimes up trails, sometimes up and down hills and running four miles for me now is my warm-up.  Did I really just type that?!  

The Chardonnay 5K and 10-Miler was last weekend and I joined my friends for a Team GSF practice run.  I opted for the 5K even though I felt pretty confident I could have done the 10 miles (slowly) but here is where the "I am not a runner" comes in, I had a social event that same evening which consisted of high heels and being able to walk in heels was more important to me.  See, real runners would have ran the 10 miles and real runners can still walk after a long run, I can't! hee hee ;)  

I loved getting to run along side the Strong family, especially Gwendolyn! 

And just like that, the 5K was over. 

Ronda Fallon 35F 

Santa Barbara 25:09 8:06 2/31 

 Women 35 To 39

And can you believe it, I got 2nd place in my age group?!  I was just as shocked as everyone else! My time really wasn't worthy of placing, I just lucked out that all the serious (and fast) runners stayed home. I definitely improved from my last 5K shaving off about 6 minutes!

And 2nd place meant I got a medal!

Proud moment ;)

Proud family ;)

It is exciting to be apart of this team!

And here is where I am going to publicly commit to the half marathon in November (slowly though) ;)

Afternoon Dance Party

The Fallon kids love a good afternoon dance party.  I wonder where they learned all this fabulous dancing from?! 

Preschool and TK Update

Tierney and Thatcher 

(on a side note, I worked with Tierney's mom many years ago and I am so glad we've reconnected by having children at the same school).

Thatch reading Tierney a story. 

It's all about insects this month at preschool.

And planting seeds.

And finger painting.

And bug projects.

And snakes too!

In the past month they have had visits from rescue dogs and

the police department and not pictured were visits from the fire department, a trip to the duck pond and one of the teachers brought her horses to school. 

Of course Thatch was sent home with an accident report.  If we filled one of these out every time he had an accident out of school, his file would be pretty thick ;)

Happy notes!

And this is what Sam does...

Lots and lots of worksheets....

I'd say preschool is a lot more fun ;)  And with that being said, Sam skipped half the week last week.  She definitely wasn't feeling 100% but I also could tell she needed a break. So we took one.  My idea of what Transitional Kindergarten should be is a little bit preschool/a little bit Kindergarten.  Too bad my idea is not the same as the school district..... And with that, Samantha sure doesn't have the best attendance but there will be plenty of time for that in the coming years ;)

Thatcher's 1st Dentist Appointment

Thatcher had his first dentist appointment this week.  This kid loves going to the doctor so you can imagine the excitement leading up to his appointment.  There were lots of questions and anticipation as to what treasure he would be picking out of the prize cabinet at Dr. Lyman's office. 

"Cheese, look at my shiny teeth!"

"Too bright!"

"What are you doing Dr. Lyman?"  

The kicker was Thatcher at first refused the new toothbrush Dr. Lyman offered him because he said he'd rather have something from the treasure cabinet.  Lucky you, Thatch, you get both! ;)    And I should note that he got an excellent report just like his sister did when she was his age on her first visit.  Let's just hope those good reports continue when they start to take x-rays ;)

One happy boy with a new toothbrush AND a dinosaur key chain!

Thatcher Riding a Two-Wheeler

We were just as shocked as he was when he took off on two wheels over the weekend.  He barely turned 3 a month ago, Samantha was about 3 months shy of her 5th birthday before she learned to ride a two-wheeler.  It took Sam a few days to get the hang of it but it took Thatcher all of about two minutes.  No joke.  

We are pretty sure this little balance bike he started to ride before he was two years old helped him to pick up a two-wheeler so quickly.  He actually never really rode a bike with training wheels, he always rode the balance bike.  

And we are not sure who is more proud, us or him?!  He has been beaming all weekend, telling everyone that he can ride a two-wheeler.

Such an awesome weekend!  

Random March Photos

Helping daddy dig up the backyard.

And then not helping so much by hitting daddy's foot with a shovel....

Goofballs.

Strong goofballs.

Birthday party fun!

More birthday party fun!

Looking forward to more days like this!

Night night Thatch.

At the car wash!

Don't look at his shoe choice....

Dance party!

It was a LATE night dance party....

My weekday coffee date.  I'm so lucky!

Home Depot kid in need of a haircut.

Pete to the rescue!  

After flamenco cupcakes for Fallon's 5th birthday.

Zoo camp with Luke over spring break.

POSE-er!

A pre-Easter egg hunt with friends at the Macaluso's beautiful new home. 

Giving some egg hunt direction...

Success!

x's 2!

Downward Dog