Back to School

It's that that time again. Next week is back to school for Madison. I can't believe she is entering 1st grade already. Other than cutting into her morning sleep (she likes to snooze til 9:00) she is looking forward to going back to school. She's a pro now, not nervous a bit. Last night we met her teacher and found out who was in her class. Her teacher seems very nice.

Collin and Caden start Sept 9th. Caden seems really young to be headed off to pre-k twice a week, but that is how old the other kids were. I would love to spy on him while he was at schood, to see him marching to the lunch room lined up with the other kids.

Carnie Kids

As good parents we are preparing our kids early for their future careers. After much meditation and praying, Kerry and I have decided that our kids should strive to work at a carnival.

Here is Madison at her first day of training, laying on a bed of nails.


She is also training for tightrope walking, acrobatics, and those high swing thingies.


Collin is working on his clown routine, which includes juggling, balancing, and pulling coins from his ears and nose.


We are waffling on Caden since he hasn't shown much promise in the few disciplines we have tried (lion tamer, boy shot out of cannon). He is showing a lot of promise bowling on the wii. He doesn't typically break 100, but he is getting occasional strikes and spares. So we may consider a career in the Pro Bowling Association. So starting next week he is going on a diet of beer and cheese fries.

sunday bike ride

In keeping with my goal of riding more this year, and since we had been on vacation for two weekends, I decided to ride today. Yes I went in the middle of the afternoon. Yes it was about 106 deg outside. And I paid for it.

It started with my eyes. For those of you who ride off road you know how your eyes can start to lose focus due to the constant jarring and you have to concentrate on keeping focus? Well that started earlier than normal and happened a number of times today. And the constant rush of warm air was burning my eyes (I didn't wear sunglasses because I don't like the contrast between the wide open bright spaces and the shadows in the trees unless I have yellow or clear lenses, which I don't. Sunglasses also make your face hot).

Then my arms started to get tired from the constant jarring. And it was so hot I didn't feel like I was sweating because it evaporated off immediately. I did drink a lot, approximately half of a 100oz camel back.

The roots were giving me a lot of problems today. The trail has a lot of roots, and you have to hit them perpendicular or they have a tendency to twist your wheel. I found myself on several occasions in a very awkward position, with one foot clipped in, one foot still clipped to the pedal, and hopping down the trail trying not fall over. But I managed to stay upright the whole time, which was better than my last ride when I went tumbling backwards down a hill when I couldn't get unclipped fast enough.

My legs felt pretty good the whole time, but the heat forced me to cut the ride short and take the road back to the car for fear of completely bonking.

A 32 oz Gatorade and candy bar brought me back to life.

random caden pics

How could I not share these?!

our house guests

Mike and Holleigh went to Austin this weekend and let us watch their kids, er uh dogs. They are easy to take care of and the kids are enjoying their temporary pets.