May Race- The Modesto Classic

May was an adventurous month for the family....birthdays, vacations and lots of projects! It only seemed fitting that the race would be too. I signed up for the Modesto Classic while we were in Florida but I forgot that Bryan was working and I would have the kids OOOPS! I didn't want to back out so I figured the only other option was to run with them.

We had given up our double BOB (the greatest stroller EVER) a while ago since Chris is huge, but luckily my friend Julie has one. The kids have really loved coming to all the races with me the past few months so I knew they would be excited. I got them all bundled up in the stroller and loaded them with snacks. You would have thought that with the amount of snacks I packed for them I was running a marathon, not a 5K.....but hey, I needed to keep them occupied.

The kids loved all the free food from the vendors. They made sure to hit up each one to add to their food stock pile before the race. Kaiser was one of the big sponsors and the had a free Kids Run, it was a 1/2 mile and I knew it would be a great first race for them. Right before the race I told Chris that he was going to be in charge, that if Dani needed something, he needed to help. He takes jobs like this very seriously.

During the race the kids were great....heavy but great. They loved watching all the runners and the pretty scenery along the Tuolumne River. At the end Dani kept saying, "Faster Mommy, faster!!!". Then right when the finish line was in sight Chris raise both hands above his head and yelled, "Yeah Mommy, you did it, we finished." What a true statement, pushing 100lbs of kids in the stroller was not an easy task but I finished in 28 minutes so I was pleased.

My race buddies fueling up on Doritos and Gatorade before the race.

After my race it was time for the kids. They had a 1/2 mile Fun run that the kids wanted to do. I knew Chris would do fine, but was not sure about Dani. But I think the lure of getting their own race numbers and a medal at the end was enough to get them to do it. I knew Chris would be fine on his own so I told him to run as fast as he wanted and then to wait at the Finish line for us. Dani and I would run this together. I think this was one of the Top 5 experiences as a parent. they were both so excited at the start and took off running. Chris was gone before I knew it and Dani just chugged right along. About half way into it she looked at me and said; "Mommy this is awesome." She smiled and giggled her way through. We were able to wave to Chris as he looped by us and headed for the finish line. As Dani and i neared the finished she loved hearing all the people cheering for her and then seeing Chris waiting there for her at the finish. They both got their medals and had the biggest smiles no their faces.

I can not even tell you how proud I was of them both for finishing the race and enjoying it as much as they did. Half a mile may not seem like a lot but for my Dani girl and her little legs, it was. I think we may have some runners on our hands because they are already asking when the next race is.

Here is Chris pre-race munching on the chips that the Frito lay sponsor had.

Dani was busy fueling up on Gatorade

Here are my racers at the starting line ready to run!

Dani running up the little hill!

Here comes speed racer!

Chris and his medal.....he ran it in 4 minutes :)

Dani and her medal.

So we are looking forward to the June race and the whole family being able to run again. For any of you out there that have ever thought of getting your kids in these races, I would encourage you to do so. They had a blast.....plus I got some great naps out of them!

Disney Character Breakfast

For part of the kids birthday bash at Disney World, Bryan's parent's and sister got them seats at the Mickey and Friends breakfast and the Grand Polynesian resort at Disney. The kids were greeted with lei's and made to feel very special since we were celebrating their birthdays. All the characters even had birthday cards for them with all their signatures.

The restaurant was beautiful and the kids were both so excited to see all the Disney characters. Right before we ate they did a parade with Lilo, Stitch, Pluto and Mickey around the restaurant. All the kids got maracas and followed them around dancing. Believe it or not my kids can be shy at times and I was not sure how they would do.....man was I wrong. Dani busted right out there and took off behind Stitch. She could have cared less if we were there. I think tha tmight have been their favorite part of hte morning. It was so fun to see how excited the kids got when each character came to our table and spent time with the kids.

Dani shakin' her groove thing

Chris thought it was pretty fun to dance with them too

The kids with Lilo

I think at this point Stitch scared her a bit

Pluto definitely had a sense of humor, Chris was laughing so hard here

Dani had so much fun with Pluto, I think he was a favorite.

Chris and his birthday cupcake!

Nothing like Mickey sprinkles on your treat!

Mickey and the kids....This is Chris's I am cool pose :)

Dani looks so grown up here it makes me sad!

My two favorite boys outside the restaurant.

Bryan and I

Me and my baby....can you tell I am having a hard time now that she is THREE!!!!!

More Florida.....the beach

Florida has it's choice of beaches to go to.....we found a gem. We went to New Smyrna Beach just south of Daytona and it was great for the kids. The best part was that you could drive right onto the beach and park your car. This was great since carrying all the stuff is the worst part. The weather was perfect and the kids were in heaven with all the sand and a multitude of sea shells to be found.

our spot for the day

Again.....Dani had no fear of the water and went running in.

Dani was so excited to go in the water with Daddy

Dani and Chris had a blast building a sand castle with Nana

Taking a break from the hard work while Nana got water

The finished project......so proud!

Disney World....birthday style!

The big adventure on our Florida vacation was taking the kids to Disney World......this was their first Disney visit. Although we had just flown in the night before we knew that first day we just had to go. Manly because it was Dani's birthday and we wanted to make sure she felt like a princess. So off we went with Papa and Nana to expierence Disney through the little ones.

As we were driving onto the Disney property the look on the kids face was priceless. She was so excited about getting to see the princess castle she did not know what to do with herself. We went tot he ticket window and got their tickets and Dani's special birthday pin. We talked them into giving us one for Chris to since his birthday is in a little over a week.

From the parking lot we decided to take the ferryboat across the lake to Magic Kingdom. We we walked into view of the princess castle from across the lake I thought Dani was going to keel over. She was in heaven. The ferry boat trip across the lake set the ton for a great day!

The entrance to the Ferryboat that would take us right to the gate to the Magic Kingdom.

AS you can see Dani was more concerned with making sure we all knew where the castle was then taking a picture.

Dani got her special Birthday Button and loved all the attention she got.

Dani and I on the boat with Magic Kingdom in the background

Chris was a little unsure of the heat and humidity.

Nana and Dani waiting to go in the park.

The first view of the castle as we walked down Main Street

Dani waiting for the princesses performance in front of the castle

She was awestruck at the sight of Cinderella

Dani and I hoola hooping before lunch.

She actually did quite well.

Bryan and Chris on Small World.....the AC made the insane making song worth it.

Chris and Dani with no other then Donald himself.

Dani and I on the Magic carpet ride.

Dani was loving the time she got with Arial....as you can see we bought her the Ariel shirt for her birthday.

Ariel giving Dani a high five for turning THREE

Dani and her hero!

Dani enjoying some ice cream.

Bryana and I waiting for the fireworks to start outside the Castle.

Dani thought it was great how the castle changed colors.

Here is the gang (minus Papa behind the camera) waiting for the show.

We had such a great day here and Dani was treated like royalty....Chris too! They got free candy int he candy shops, free ice cream from the ride attendants and everyone saying Happy Birthday to them. Disney was a hit.....plus know all our Disney loving friends won't turn us into CPS for not taking them to Disney sooner then now.