Happy May Day

One of these years, I'll get my act together and make May Day baskets with my girls. Each year, May Day sneaks up on me and I have nothing on hand to leave on the doorsteps of our neighbors and friends. I remember making May Day baskets with my mom....it's just one of those things that stick with me and makes me smile. Next year, I'll be on the ball and have a cute idea in mind, and the girls will almost be 4 so they'll be at the age when they'll enjoy it and perhaps even understand.
Just because we weren't ringing doorbells and running away before the door is actually answered, doesn't mean that we weren't busy! This morning, I ran my first "competitive" 5K race. It took place here in Ames and donations went to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation....those of you who know me, know that I can't turn down a donation to a great cause, and if I can exercise and be active along with it, then I'm totally in!
I ran my 5K (3.2 miles) in 31 minutes and 22 seconds. It's a personal best time for me, which is exciting. I run a few times a week, but getting into the race setting provides a whole new rush! As I was getting ready to head out the door, here's what I saw:. A whole bunch of daddy love going on, which made it hard to leave, but also easy because I knew they were in great hands!
When I returned from the 5K, I hurried up to get ready to take the girls to "Step Into Storybooks" at the high school. It was a free event sponsored by the Ames Public Library and Ames Rotary Clubs. Local businesses featured a children's book and then had an activity to go along with it. There was also a petting zoo with baby pigs, baby goats, a pony, baby ducks and a rooster.
The horse-drawn hay ride was our favorite, though, by far!
Each of the girls got a new Ty beanie baby from Mary Greeley (Ames' Hospital). Their book was called "Checkup!" and each child got a stuffed animal that they got to name and then take to the doctor. They listened to their heart, weighed and measured them, and then gave it a shot to keep it healthy. It was great!
Finding the animals buried in the bird feed and corn. Activity for Click, Clack, Moo...Cows That Type
Putting hand prints on The Magic School Bus...pledging to be "green" and save the environment.
Sitting on the tractor was pretty fun too!

Later in the afternoon, my friend, Jess, had a spa party, so I went to that for a few hours. Following that, Brandon and the girls came over to Jess and Steve's and we grilled out. Several of our other friends were there too, but one guest captured Myah and Maysen's attention. Baby Alex. Baby Alex is 6 months old and is a fighter! He was born at 24 weeks gestation, but he's more than thriving now. In fact, he was able to go off of his oxygen yesterday so we were able to capture his adorable little face in some pictures! I'm thinking more than one of us is getting baby fever, but we may have to wait just a little bit longer :)