The IRON Girl Duathlon

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the end of September I participated in my second duathlon- The Iron Girl! It was a 2 mile run, 19 mile bike ride, 2 mile run. This time I was running/biking alongside about 900 other women, 2 of which were my good friends Brenda and Carrie. The run was around Hyland Lake in Bloomington. It was a very pretty run. I was very happy with my time. I was in a pretty good mood when I headed into transition to get my bike. The crowd was so great cheering everyone on. There is nothing better than seeing my kids cheering for me! GO MOMMY! A smile crossed my face and I knew I could do it!! It wasn't until I saw the STEEP hill I had to head up on my bike that my mood started to change. Knowing I had to do the hill two times didn't help any either! The bike route was pretty hilly but a nice ride over all. After the 19 miles I started the run which ended up being more of a walk/run... but that was okay. I did my best and even beat my goal time by 5 minutes! I was so proud at the end to be with all these amazing women whose ages were from 16 to 70 years old! I hope I am still doing these races at 70! Now I am already thinking about next year's Iron Girl and improving my time! Biking into the second loopRunning to the finish line!Almost there!I did it!!Carrie, Brenda, and I at the end of the race!! Don't you just love our medals!

Apple Jack Orchard

Ahhhhhh APPLES! We just LOVE apple season here in Minnesota because it means HONEY CRISP! The most wonderful apple in the world. Well, at least until the Sweet Tango is in wide release because I hear it is even better. Oh how I love those mad scientists at the University of Minnesota who came up with these terrific apples. Each year we head out to get these tasty treats. Last year we discovered Apple Jack Orchards. You get to pick the apples yourself right from the trees! We went with our super good friends Tonya, Tessa, and Anthony. It is so much fun to watch the kids pick the apples. I just wish Dayne went for bigger ones. Pick some good ones kids!!

Dayne proud of his apples!

Lylah didn't want to smile for me!!

The kids took a ride on the Cow Train! They went all around the fields in their "cows"
The kiddos! Aren't they so cute!

Going to the orchard always makes us realize that summer is really over and fall is here.
Until next time!
Melyssa

Kindergarten Here he comes!

Kindergarten.... my baby is in school! Where has the last 5 years gone? It went by so fast. I know he is ready for this new adventure but I don't know if I am. It is strange to think of myself on the other side now. After teaching for more than 10 years I am now getting to see what it is like to be the parent at Open House and Conferences. I will be helping with homework now instead of just giving it! I will have to make sure he reads his 20 minutes each night and get a good night sleep! But he is ready and so excited. He goes to school all day every day of the week. He has a fantastic teacher that I know he will learn and grow with. I am pretty lucky this year he goes to the school I teach for Kindergarten since not all schools in our district have All Day Every Day Kindergarten. He will go back to his home school as a first grader so I am enjoying the extra time I have with him. So the adventure begins. I am so proud of him and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for him! Dayne and his fantastic teacher!