He's 8

August 27, 2004 at 12:07 a.m. I got the greatest birthday gift (just 8 minutes shy of being born on my actual birthday) of all when Mitchell came into the world.

I can't believe he is already 8 years old.  What a smart, fun, amazing, kind, fearless son we have been blessed with.  He is also the person I always refer to if I am ever asked "who is your hero?"  He never loses his smile, is ready to take on just about anything in life and is always full of optimism.  We love you Mitchell Lee!

Mommy and Mitchell's First Day

For the first time ever, we are all working/going to school in the same city!

I'd never really thought of this fact until Mitchell and I both had our "first" day of school together on Tuesday.  Even though I've been at work for several days before this, it's always exciting when the students are back and it truly feels like the school year has begun.

Mitchell and Chad rode their bikes to school on the first day, an added bonus of being a big time 2nd grader!

Both Mitchell and I have each had a great start to our new school year and I have also been able to keep to my training schedule for the most part.  Last week I ran 8 miles for my long run and this is a down weekend with only 5 miles to run. September will bring 4 mile tempo runs (shudder) and long runs that will start to reach double digits within a few weeks.  The school year will soon be in full swing along with an  increase in miles on the running shoes!



2012-2013 Back to School Night

Another school year starts tomorrow for Mitchell!

And all the renovations look amazing at Mitchell's school!  He is excited to start 2nd grade and I am equally as excited to welcome students to EMS tomorrow as well!!!

Mitchell has been talking about his new room, who he has in his class that he knows and the new people he can meet and become friends.  We are so thankful for a wonderful end to our summer and all the fun that comes with going back to school.  Any stress or fears that might be felt by any of us this year is nothing compared to our feelings at this time last year as Mitchell's surgery loomed in the immediate future.   What a difference a year makes for our family! :)



8 States

Recently Mitchell returned from an end of the summer road trip with his Grandma and Grandpa Ammeter to Alabama.  My brother and his family just moved there and he was very excited to visit them and play with his cousins!

Going on such a long road trip with Grandma and Grandpa meant lots of times for movies, playing his DS and of course swimming in the hotel pool after a long day on the road.

Mitchell had so much fun playing with his cousins and seeing their new home!  Can you guess what his favorite part was???

He had a great time and is excited to take us back to see them next summer!  Mom and Dad said he was a good traveler and even humored his Grandma when she wanted to stop at state lines to take a photo. :)

All in all Mitchell has counted that he has visited 8 states this summer.  Not a bad tally and it was a great way to end his summer before school starts again next week.

On an Adventure

This week our boys have both been out of the house at different times having special time with grandparents.  Collin spent the first part of the week in Nebraska having time alone with Grandma and Grandpa Bunger and he loved it!  Mitchell left while Collin was gone on a trip to Alabama with my folks to see my brother and his family in their new home.

 While Mitchell is still down south, we have been having some special time with Collin and have been on several "adventures" as he has called them.  After my 7 mile long run this morning we went to Pillsbury Crossing for a picnic lunch.  Then after lunch we decided where we would go exploring on the park map.

 This spot is usually the falls, but with the extreme dry weather it was more rocks than water.

 We went down to the creek bed to look for frogs, minnows and of course....throw rocks!

Yesterday we also went out to Wildcat Park and explored the trail, creek bed and rocks there as well.  Collin agreed that both places would be fun to visit when Mitchell returns for a new adventure and while he says he misses his brother, he is enjoying his one on one time with mommy and daddy this weekend.

Starting Over and Sticking With It

This week I have officially started work for USD 383 with the start of new teacher meetings and a successful first experience being a part of Camp Dewey at EMS.  I have been working at school quite a bit over the past few weeks and I am very excited to become a part of the wonderful staff at Eisenhower Middle School!

Chad and I also completed the Brew 2 Shoe 10K last Saturday and I was thankful to have him running with me.  It wasn't a great run for me, but it was within the pace I needed it to be for my training schedule.  I am determined to stick with my training as I start my new position this fall and I had a fairly strong 3.1 mile tempo run this afternoon on the treadmill where I averaged about a 9:08 mile pace, which I haven't been able to achieve for most of the summer. 7 miles to run this Saturday, and I think this time I'll leave College Heights off my route . :)

 It was finally cool enough this past weekend for the boys to erect the tent on the lawn for a backyard camp out they have talked about doing all summer.

Collin lasted a grand total of 20 minutes in the tent before he came back inside to sleep in his own bed, but Chad and Mitchell made it through the whole night.  Another fun summer activity achieved at the Bunger house!



Bring on the Brew 2 Shoe

Ready or not.....the Brew 2 Shoe 10K is tomorrow morning!

And the boys thought the hats were great and perfect for running errands in the rain this morning.

I took part in this race 2 years ago and it was a struggle.  My pace has still been slow with the summer heat so I have no thoughts of a PR, but I am looking forward to running again with Chad and supporting the Manhattan Running Compay.