Back to School Time

Okay time, you can slow down.  Back to school time is always a sad and happy occasion around here.  A is to the point now where summers are pretty chill for him other than racing and weights.  I used to load him up with camps and opportunities for art, but now that I am working full time in a lab, I just can't take off and shuttle him around like I use to be able to.  Other than getting back to a go to sleep/ wake up routine, it isn't a huge difference to our family going back to school.  I do always get sad because I feel like he is growing up so quickly and the changes in his appearance and personality happen daily.  I am also sad because thanks to his ADHD, we fight getting up and getting ready every morning tooth and nail.  Simple things like take a shower, brush your hair, brush your teeth become huge fights.  I hate that part of getting back to a routine :( I hate the yelling, the fighting, the anxiety it creates in me as we are late almost every single day.  We've tried every hack, every trick in the book to make things easier but nothing works.  This is the part I hate, the part I dread about this time of year.  On to nicer happier things though.

Well, this one isn't that hugely happy.  We were headed out to do our normal first day of school pics and Ollie door bolted resulting in us chasing her all over the neighborhood.  Thankfully a guy stopped, had a dog, and slowed her down long enough for us to catch up with treats and catch her.  I'm writing this on a Sunday, and she has gotten out 4 times this week, 3 time with well-timed door bolts and one time we have no clue how.  I'm really perplexed as we have worked so hard to make a relationship with her and build value in us to her and it's just not working.  It's very frustrating and even Andrew has picked up on it and said why doesn't she love us mom like our other dogs.  We really need to get started with dog sports so we can increase our relationship and try and deepen that bond.  I have been letting her run lose some on my running route and only because she can run full out and is super tired so easy to catch.  Thank God she is cute.

I did two strength classes, three walks, and one run this week.  The heat returned and I have so much going on right now with meetings, and early morning experiments, and such that I just couldn't pack in any more runs.  Plus, with the night race, I was physically exhausted all day Sunday and with the dogs not letting me get any extra sleep, just felt horrible all day.  I did get one four miler in and it was glorious.  I sure do love running when I can fit it in.  I eagerly await cooler weather when I can run whenever, and I don't have to worry about heat stroke with me and my dogs.  

A couple of quick things to end on.  We had a new nutrition place open in Wamego, one I had been hoping would open for the last couple of years.  It finally opened and I have loved going over to get protein shakes and energy teas at lunch.  The problem?  Holy moly, it's expensive!!!!  I can easily spend 25-27 dollars on just a tea and a protein shake.  I have found a combo that is much cheaper, around 15-18 dollars but still.  Ouch.  I was hoping this would be my go-to lunch place as my microwave dinners just aren't cutting it lately but at that price, I don't think it's financially feasible to do so.  Sigh.  

And to end on the bestest of notes.  We had yet another night race. I am not sure how we slipped so many into the schedule, but yeah.  The last one wasn't the greatest with the adults acting up and we had some issues with passing but this week was a little better.  Heavy 160 was amazing with him pushing his car and giving Madden a run for his money for a little while. We took the ratcheting hub off which allowed him to drive with more confidence.  He even made some very smart racing decisions by not lapping the field as he was far enough away from the first-place car, and he knew that there was the potential for a wreck.  

In Heavy 120 Tony tried to completely unlock him and it didn't work so well as it scared Andrew and while he tried really hard to get it together, it allowed the other car to pass and get a half a track away.  Andrew was super sad because he usually beats Noah in this class and he thought it would be and win, but he figured out really quickly to never assume anything.  A good lesson even though it was hard.  I   love his new confidence and competitiveness.  It's cool to see.  

Y'all have a great week!