Hanging out on July 4th.
Ready to jump!
What a ham!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
I am here!
Just not "here". I have tons of photos to download and lots of updates to provide. We were away for the 4th of July weekend, so we are all still recovering.
Hopefully I will have an evening soon or better yet, this weekend, to update the blog. In a nutshell, everyone is fine and life is great. We are hoping to get Nate sleeping through the night soon but man he is stubborn.
Hopefully I will have an evening soon or better yet, this weekend, to update the blog. In a nutshell, everyone is fine and life is great. We are hoping to get Nate sleeping through the night soon but man he is stubborn.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
June - Birthdays Galore...
At James's birthday party. He had a Lighning McQueen "Cars" cake. He was SO excited!
James and Nate goofing around. Nate's new favorite place to play is James's toddler bed. He crawls up on it and gets off. Again, and again, and again. He rocks. He's also gotten somewhat injured in the process. Sigh.
Greg's birthday pancakes. My new tradition will be to make pancakes in the shape of your age. Sorry Greg, had to post this. :)
Greg's birthday cake was a strawberry shortcake cake, courtesy of The Pioneer Woman.
The photo of Nate I took today for his 1st birthday party invitiation.
James and Nate goofing around. Nate's new favorite place to play is James's toddler bed. He crawls up on it and gets off. Again, and again, and again. He rocks. He's also gotten somewhat injured in the process. Sigh.
Greg's birthday pancakes. My new tradition will be to make pancakes in the shape of your age. Sorry Greg, had to post this. :)
Greg's birthday cake was a strawberry shortcake cake, courtesy of The Pioneer Woman.
I am no Pioneer Woman.
The photo of Nate I took today for his 1st birthday party invitiation.
Changes
Notice I changed my blog colors? I felt like the red/black was more "winter" in theme. So I went with the blue and green. I'm so summery now. I feel light as air.
Not really, although I am happy to report that I've lost a couple more pounds. Greg says that when you casually say "a couple", as in "a couple dollars" or "a couple of friends", you always mean TWO. If you say "a few", it means more.
So I've lost literally a couple. If you can't figure it out from the above paragraph, you didn't pass basic high school algebra. Or reading comprehension.
In any case, change is afoot.
I haven't posted in a week. Sometimes I have something to say, and sometimes I have laundry (oh, crap, I have laundry...sigh). The past week has been good but busy as always. I am currently thoroughly enjoying all my boys being asleep while I sip a mom drink and watch TV.
The boys are great but some days are so trying. I just don't get it when they won't sleep or cooperate or are fussy. I also make myself feel better by reminding myself that I was once this little and I learned. But some days are just...long.
In good news:
- Nate is walking! Each day a few more steps. I literally cannot believe he will be one in a month. Seriously. WTF. The year has flown by.
- James and I often have discussions about people and who's a boy and who's a girl. The other day I asked him what Greg and Uncle Dave were - he said they were "mans". We'll get the plural thing down soon.
- James also claimed the other day that Monty (the cat) has a little penis. Sometimes the word penis is said too often in the house.
- James prays every night for a dog and a baby sister. We'll see about (a) and (b).
- One of Nate's top front teeth is through (the others are following). He looks a bit lopsided/red neck right now. But I love him.
- Speaking of my redneck, he is still not sleeping through the night. I mean, really? Seriously? SERIOUSLY? I really don't know how much more of this I can take. Otherwise, there will not be an (a) or a (b) (see above).
- Our summer has gotten all filled up. Good thing. I was worried it would drag.
- Some days I just want to capture my life forever like it is. I am incredibly blessed. Some days I just want to throw in the towel.
- I'm about THIS CLOSE to signing up for a marathon. Gulp.
- I feel stronger right now, at this very moment of my life, than I ever have. I have never been this sure of myself. It feels really good. Is that age, motherhood, or just plain old wisdom?
Am I sharing too much? Oh, I've had a few margaritas.
Oh crap. The laundry.
Not really, although I am happy to report that I've lost a couple more pounds. Greg says that when you casually say "a couple", as in "a couple dollars" or "a couple of friends", you always mean TWO. If you say "a few", it means more.
So I've lost literally a couple. If you can't figure it out from the above paragraph, you didn't pass basic high school algebra. Or reading comprehension.
In any case, change is afoot.
I haven't posted in a week. Sometimes I have something to say, and sometimes I have laundry (oh, crap, I have laundry...sigh). The past week has been good but busy as always. I am currently thoroughly enjoying all my boys being asleep while I sip a mom drink and watch TV.
The boys are great but some days are so trying. I just don't get it when they won't sleep or cooperate or are fussy. I also make myself feel better by reminding myself that I was once this little and I learned. But some days are just...long.
In good news:
- Nate is walking! Each day a few more steps. I literally cannot believe he will be one in a month. Seriously. WTF. The year has flown by.
- James and I often have discussions about people and who's a boy and who's a girl. The other day I asked him what Greg and Uncle Dave were - he said they were "mans". We'll get the plural thing down soon.
- James also claimed the other day that Monty (the cat) has a little penis. Sometimes the word penis is said too often in the house.
- James prays every night for a dog and a baby sister. We'll see about (a) and (b).
- One of Nate's top front teeth is through (the others are following). He looks a bit lopsided/red neck right now. But I love him.
- Speaking of my redneck, he is still not sleeping through the night. I mean, really? Seriously? SERIOUSLY? I really don't know how much more of this I can take. Otherwise, there will not be an (a) or a (b) (see above).
- Our summer has gotten all filled up. Good thing. I was worried it would drag.
- Some days I just want to capture my life forever like it is. I am incredibly blessed. Some days I just want to throw in the towel.
- I'm about THIS CLOSE to signing up for a marathon. Gulp.
- I feel stronger right now, at this very moment of my life, than I ever have. I have never been this sure of myself. It feels really good. Is that age, motherhood, or just plain old wisdom?
Am I sharing too much? Oh, I've had a few margaritas.
Oh crap. The laundry.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Have you ever had those days...
...where you feel like a failure?
- Fat
- Bad singer
- Bad mother
- Overspender
- Terrible duster
Well, I had that day yesterday. No need to explain what set it off.
Needless to say, I need to go running tonight.
And perhaps not eat another piece of cake. And perhaps instead of putting up a front of "oh, it's no big deal", make something/ANYTHING a big deal. Because in fact, I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE:
- I could be a LOT fatter :)
- I am a good singer. Just possibly not for songs that involve female leads
- I'm a good mom. I'm my kids mom. Dr. Laura would be proud.
- I spend because I care. And want to help the economy. And for God's sake, I shop for my clothes at Target.
- My house isn't a complete disaster. That's just my closet.
I know it sounds like I'm being egotistical - sorry, but this is MY blog. :) No, seriously, I am in need of reminding myself of these things when I feel like I've been beaten down.
I am just doing the best that I can. And I know in my head (just not always in my heart) that it's pretty good.
(except for the dusting)
- Fat
- Bad singer
- Bad mother
- Overspender
- Terrible duster
Well, I had that day yesterday. No need to explain what set it off.
Needless to say, I need to go running tonight.
And perhaps not eat another piece of cake. And perhaps instead of putting up a front of "oh, it's no big deal", make something/ANYTHING a big deal. Because in fact, I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE:
- I could be a LOT fatter :)
- I am a good singer. Just possibly not for songs that involve female leads
- I'm a good mom. I'm my kids mom. Dr. Laura would be proud.
- I spend because I care. And want to help the economy. And for God's sake, I shop for my clothes at Target.
- My house isn't a complete disaster. That's just my closet.
I know it sounds like I'm being egotistical - sorry, but this is MY blog. :) No, seriously, I am in need of reminding myself of these things when I feel like I've been beaten down.
I am just doing the best that I can. And I know in my head (just not always in my heart) that it's pretty good.
(except for the dusting)
James - 3 Year Stats
I opened James' baby book and found I hadn't put in his 2 year stats. So I have no idea how much he grew this past year (I'll try to remember when we go in for Nate's 1 year soon). In any case, here's his stats:
Height: 38.5 inches (75%)
Weight: 31 pounds 6 ounces (25%!!!!!!!!!!)
His vision is 20/25 and his development is spot on. The nurse practitioner was very pleased and complimented my mothering skills.
I promptly burst into tears. I guess I just needed to hear that that day.
Goofball.
James is awesome these days, awesomely good and awesomely bad. He's pushing limits and yet still adores us. Just as a 3 year old should be doing.
Love the boy so much, but sometimes just want to sell him to the gypsies. I suppose that's normal.... :)
Height: 38.5 inches (75%)
Weight: 31 pounds 6 ounces (25%!!!!!!!!!!)
His vision is 20/25 and his development is spot on. The nurse practitioner was very pleased and complimented my mothering skills.
I promptly burst into tears. I guess I just needed to hear that that day.
Goofball.
James is awesome these days, awesomely good and awesomely bad. He's pushing limits and yet still adores us. Just as a 3 year old should be doing.
Love the boy so much, but sometimes just want to sell him to the gypsies. I suppose that's normal.... :)
The Lonely Mother
I was at a lovely gathering of moms last night, enjoying yummy food and conversation with good friends (hello K!). We got on the topic of how difficult it is to make good friends these days - we all meet at various events and get along well and then, poof, nothing happens. As one mom put it, she's the lonely mother on the block.
It got me thinking that doing a study about how stay at home motherhood has changed would be an interesting anthropological dissertation. Then I remembered that I haven't studied anthro since college. But in any case, it is really another example of how isolating stay at home motherhood has become. Gone are the days when your street was full of moms at home and kids running around the streets (out of fear, we keep our kids at camps and at schools or locked in the backyard these days, wearing helmets at all times). Gone are the days when extended families lived close to one another. And gone are the days pre-email, when in order to get together with someone, you actually made a phone call. And if they weren't home, you called many times.
I don't call people too often to make plans because I assume I'll be bothering them if I do call (I personally am not a big phone person) or I assume they already have plans (note the passive aggressiveness in that statement). I also figure that email is less "in their face".
I am fortunate that through my moms groups I've managed to meet lovely women and developed very close friendships -- these friendships somehow, luckily for me, formed themselves, and I met moms with kids very similar in age - this gave us the opportunity to meet up around nap times. I feel very lucky that this happened, because when we moved up here from Atlanta, I really didn't know anyone in the general proximity (I have close friends from high school and college but not within a 5 mile radius).
But still. But still. There are days when I am lonely too. I adore my children and enjoy also being at home with them or running errands or taking them to the pool. I also appreciate my friendships and would love to have more. But there are times too when I am just too plain old tired to "friend-date".
The lonely mother in me would love to make some coffee, put it in a mug, and walk next door - knock, be invited in, and have my children play for a few hours without stressing about helmets, safety and whether or not I'm missing out on a few emails.
Maybe the moms of the previous century did have it easier, even with all the conveniences we enjoy today.
It got me thinking that doing a study about how stay at home motherhood has changed would be an interesting anthropological dissertation. Then I remembered that I haven't studied anthro since college. But in any case, it is really another example of how isolating stay at home motherhood has become. Gone are the days when your street was full of moms at home and kids running around the streets (out of fear, we keep our kids at camps and at schools or locked in the backyard these days, wearing helmets at all times). Gone are the days when extended families lived close to one another. And gone are the days pre-email, when in order to get together with someone, you actually made a phone call. And if they weren't home, you called many times.
I don't call people too often to make plans because I assume I'll be bothering them if I do call (I personally am not a big phone person) or I assume they already have plans (note the passive aggressiveness in that statement). I also figure that email is less "in their face".
I am fortunate that through my moms groups I've managed to meet lovely women and developed very close friendships -- these friendships somehow, luckily for me, formed themselves, and I met moms with kids very similar in age - this gave us the opportunity to meet up around nap times. I feel very lucky that this happened, because when we moved up here from Atlanta, I really didn't know anyone in the general proximity (I have close friends from high school and college but not within a 5 mile radius).
But still. But still. There are days when I am lonely too. I adore my children and enjoy also being at home with them or running errands or taking them to the pool. I also appreciate my friendships and would love to have more. But there are times too when I am just too plain old tired to "friend-date".
The lonely mother in me would love to make some coffee, put it in a mug, and walk next door - knock, be invited in, and have my children play for a few hours without stressing about helmets, safety and whether or not I'm missing out on a few emails.
Maybe the moms of the previous century did have it easier, even with all the conveniences we enjoy today.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Half Marathon - A Recap
2:10:00.
That's what I wrote on James's Doodle Pro yesterday. That was what I was going to visualize during the half marathon. I kept saying (publicly) that my goal was 2:15:00. And Greg and I worked out a pace average (around 10:18) to get to that goal.
But honestly, I wanted to go faster and I hoped I could.
So...
We got up and out the door today at 5:20 a.m. When my alarm went off at 4:45 a.m., I had probably slept 3-4 hours of bad sleep, accompanied by two Nate wakings. It was a relief to have the alarm go off and get things going. I'd packed the entire house in two small bags so Greg would have anything/everything he'd need for the time I'd be running. Food, clothes, dvds, toys, games, etc.
The alarm went off and then again after I'd hit snooze. I heard a noise outside. Thunder? No, can't be. Supposed to be lovely, only 10% chance of rain.
Um. Yeah.
Major storm. Pouring down rain. Now, I didn't plan and didn't have a wind breaker or a hat. Nor does my iPod do well in the rain. Bear all this in mind (along with the clogged duct in my left "girl" and the lack of sleep).
On the drive up, the boys were great. Awake but not fussy. The traffic was awful to get to the Naval Stadium in Annapolis. I had to pee EXTREMELY BADLY. I ended up putting on a long sleeved cotton race shirt and Greg's hat and jumping out of the car with just 15 minutes to spare until race start (traffic was that bad, even though we were there pretty early). I get to the bathroom line. When I say it was 200 people long, I mean, it was 200 people long. I have no idea why it took so long or what people were doing in the port-a-potties (pooping? doing lines of coke? placing bets with their bookies?) but at 6:58 a.m. I decided to say screw it and I got in race line. The need to pee was strong, but I just decided to ignore it until the first water stop, where there would be potties.
I didn't have the iPod with the playlist I'd worked so hard on. But I refused to let that upset me or get me down. I carried my old Rio and programmed in radio stations (plus it has some music on it - "Bridget Jones's Diary" soundtrack and the Best of Tom Jones. No joke).
Race started on time at 7 a.m. It took me a while to get to the start line (2 minutes?) so my first mile pace was 11 minutes or so. Or more, actually. I wasn't sure if the timing chip would time me from 7 a.m. or from the actual starting point.
I felt really calm and stayed true to my slower pace even while being passed a lot. After 2 miles, we approached the Naval Academy Bridge. No joke, it's tall, and long, and high. It sucked but it was early on so it was okay. I kept up the 10-10:30 pace for the first 5 miles, at which point I decided to go with the crowd a bit more. I felt strong. But I was nervous about sputtering out at the 10 mile point.
Luckily, miles 4-11 were on a lovely trail (the B&A) and it was flat, woodsy, and just slightly rainy. By 8 a.m., the 5 radio stations that were broadcasting sermons had switched to music, so I could stop listening to "She's A Lady" again and again. The trail was great. The rain was still there but less so. By that point I'd tied the long sleeved shirt around my waist. I wish I could have thrown the hat away but Greg wouldn't have liked that.
It was on the trail that I really started to pick up my pace. I play mind games with myself and kept on doing the math. Because of the slow first mile, I told myself I had to make up the deficit of those two minutes (that I was slow for the 2:10:00 final). So I started running 10 minute miles, then 9:45s, etc.
I got to 10 miles and felt....great. Strong. No pain, no shortness of breath. So I kept it up. The miles on the B&A trail are "out and back". So once you turn around and go back to the highway, it's all downhill to the finish line (except for a little, gradual incline right before mile 13). So my mile 11 was ridiculous at 8:47.
Mile 12 was hard. I'll admit it. I had pushed it and was TI-RED. But I was running below a 10 minute pace still, somehow. So I kept it up. And then some guy said there was only 3/10s of a mile left and I just perked up. I started really picking up my pace, then I saw my sweet family cheering me on (they'd spent the 2 hours playing "camp" in the back of the car), and then I really kicked it in the last 10th of a mile and sprinted to the finish. My final time: 2:06:29. My overall finish was 415 out of 1104 women runners. So top 50th percent.
In the end, I exceeded my goal by 9 minutes, finished in the top 50th, and felt strong. And it was raining and I didn't have my iPod. Somehow I pulled it out.
I might not be the fastest out there, but I run my own race. And that's the important thing. And I have a lot of support from family and friends (Lauren and Mollie came out today with their families and I was thrilled to see them). Life is good. I feel good. Is there a marathon in my future?
p.s. The sun came out at mile 12. I was actually grateful it didn't come out before but I would have loved to have heard a bit of Beyonce during the run. :)
That's what I wrote on James's Doodle Pro yesterday. That was what I was going to visualize during the half marathon. I kept saying (publicly) that my goal was 2:15:00. And Greg and I worked out a pace average (around 10:18) to get to that goal.
But honestly, I wanted to go faster and I hoped I could.
So...
We got up and out the door today at 5:20 a.m. When my alarm went off at 4:45 a.m., I had probably slept 3-4 hours of bad sleep, accompanied by two Nate wakings. It was a relief to have the alarm go off and get things going. I'd packed the entire house in two small bags so Greg would have anything/everything he'd need for the time I'd be running. Food, clothes, dvds, toys, games, etc.
The alarm went off and then again after I'd hit snooze. I heard a noise outside. Thunder? No, can't be. Supposed to be lovely, only 10% chance of rain.
Um. Yeah.
Major storm. Pouring down rain. Now, I didn't plan and didn't have a wind breaker or a hat. Nor does my iPod do well in the rain. Bear all this in mind (along with the clogged duct in my left "girl" and the lack of sleep).
On the drive up, the boys were great. Awake but not fussy. The traffic was awful to get to the Naval Stadium in Annapolis. I had to pee EXTREMELY BADLY. I ended up putting on a long sleeved cotton race shirt and Greg's hat and jumping out of the car with just 15 minutes to spare until race start (traffic was that bad, even though we were there pretty early). I get to the bathroom line. When I say it was 200 people long, I mean, it was 200 people long. I have no idea why it took so long or what people were doing in the port-a-potties (pooping? doing lines of coke? placing bets with their bookies?) but at 6:58 a.m. I decided to say screw it and I got in race line. The need to pee was strong, but I just decided to ignore it until the first water stop, where there would be potties.
I didn't have the iPod with the playlist I'd worked so hard on. But I refused to let that upset me or get me down. I carried my old Rio and programmed in radio stations (plus it has some music on it - "Bridget Jones's Diary" soundtrack and the Best of Tom Jones. No joke).
Race started on time at 7 a.m. It took me a while to get to the start line (2 minutes?) so my first mile pace was 11 minutes or so. Or more, actually. I wasn't sure if the timing chip would time me from 7 a.m. or from the actual starting point.
I felt really calm and stayed true to my slower pace even while being passed a lot. After 2 miles, we approached the Naval Academy Bridge. No joke, it's tall, and long, and high. It sucked but it was early on so it was okay. I kept up the 10-10:30 pace for the first 5 miles, at which point I decided to go with the crowd a bit more. I felt strong. But I was nervous about sputtering out at the 10 mile point.
Luckily, miles 4-11 were on a lovely trail (the B&A) and it was flat, woodsy, and just slightly rainy. By 8 a.m., the 5 radio stations that were broadcasting sermons had switched to music, so I could stop listening to "She's A Lady" again and again. The trail was great. The rain was still there but less so. By that point I'd tied the long sleeved shirt around my waist. I wish I could have thrown the hat away but Greg wouldn't have liked that.
It was on the trail that I really started to pick up my pace. I play mind games with myself and kept on doing the math. Because of the slow first mile, I told myself I had to make up the deficit of those two minutes (that I was slow for the 2:10:00 final). So I started running 10 minute miles, then 9:45s, etc.
I got to 10 miles and felt....great. Strong. No pain, no shortness of breath. So I kept it up. The miles on the B&A trail are "out and back". So once you turn around and go back to the highway, it's all downhill to the finish line (except for a little, gradual incline right before mile 13). So my mile 11 was ridiculous at 8:47.
Mile 12 was hard. I'll admit it. I had pushed it and was TI-RED. But I was running below a 10 minute pace still, somehow. So I kept it up. And then some guy said there was only 3/10s of a mile left and I just perked up. I started really picking up my pace, then I saw my sweet family cheering me on (they'd spent the 2 hours playing "camp" in the back of the car), and then I really kicked it in the last 10th of a mile and sprinted to the finish. My final time: 2:06:29. My overall finish was 415 out of 1104 women runners. So top 50th percent.
In the end, I exceeded my goal by 9 minutes, finished in the top 50th, and felt strong. And it was raining and I didn't have my iPod. Somehow I pulled it out.
I might not be the fastest out there, but I run my own race. And that's the important thing. And I have a lot of support from family and friends (Lauren and Mollie came out today with their families and I was thrilled to see them). Life is good. I feel good. Is there a marathon in my future?
p.s. The sun came out at mile 12. I was actually grateful it didn't come out before but I would have loved to have heard a bit of Beyonce during the run. :)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
James's Birthday Photos!
James at his school party, May 14.
Greg joined us at the party at school.
Just because I didn't want Nate to feel left out. :) Here he is at 10 months. Pulling up, cruising, and standing for up to 10 seconds on his own. AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH.
Greg joined us at the party at school.
Just because I didn't want Nate to feel left out. :) Here he is at 10 months. Pulling up, cruising, and standing for up to 10 seconds on his own. AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH.
James and his Lightning McQueen birthday cake. His reaction was "Wow" in a hushed tone. Considering how bad the decorating was, I was touched. Of course, consider the audience.
James Turns 3
I won't bore you with the details of James's birth. However, I will share that it was at 3:15 p.m. (I think, oh gosh, I've forgotten already!) on Monday, May 29, 2006. In 2006, it was Memorial Day, a holiday. Therefore, the hospital was very quiet - no scheduled inductions or sections. So, while we were at one of the busiest hospitals around, we had a LOT of time with our nurse and doctor. All in all, it was an easy labor and the best gift was James.
In our family, birthdays somehow become birth MONTHS. We like to celebrate. A Lot. So, for James's birthday, he will have had three separate celebrations. The first a cupcake party at school (see earlier post about the Great Cupcake Deception), the second a family dinner party here complete with homemade Lightning McQueen cake (I do not have a future in pastry, I think I will stick with momming, singing, and running, along with marketing and event planning!) and Happy Meals, and finally, a playgroup/larger family gathering. The one request James has had was the Lightning McQueen cake/cupcakes. At his school party, he got the cupcakes. Last night he got the actual L.M. car shape cake. Next weekend he will have a sheet cake with a Cars race scene on it.
Being a three year old has its benefits. Simple requests are most usually granted.
We thought about getting him a bike for his big day, but we went to visit Toys R Us last weekend and James just didn't care too much about them. So, we went with his more current enthusiasm: SPORTS! He received a glove and a kite from us. And I am pretty sure his grandparents will indulge his soccer and T-ball fantasties. James is developing a good throwing arm and catching better every day. He always wants to play baseball. Always. It's hard when we're home alone because Nate likes to play interference. Perhaps Nate has a future in football. Anyway.
James's playgroup party would more naturally fall today, as it is the day after his birthday. However, I decided to make the executive decision (since I am the "boss" in the house, according to James) that the party will be next Saturday. I am selfishly attempting to rest for the 1/2 marathon tomorrow. Ha ha. Nate was up at 5:30 a.m. today. I have a clogged duct. I am nervous and excited and just want to finish feeling strong. So today is a day for me to relax, eat carbs, and visualize the race. I have a plan and I'm not trying to beat anyone. I don't want to finish last, and I'm pretty sure I won't (unless everyone who's running is amazing, but I wouldn't hope I wouldn't be last, unless I break my ankle - and then, I can be last), but the real truth is that this is MY run. And my gift to James, in addition to all the Lightning McQueen cakes he's getting. I'm giving him the gift of my health - I want to be here for a long time to see him grow up. His turning 3 and me turning 34 reminds me that time is going quickly. Running around my neighborhood for two hours every weekend might seem stupid to some, but in 40 years I know it'll be worth it.
Photos to follow in a separate post.
In our family, birthdays somehow become birth MONTHS. We like to celebrate. A Lot. So, for James's birthday, he will have had three separate celebrations. The first a cupcake party at school (see earlier post about the Great Cupcake Deception), the second a family dinner party here complete with homemade Lightning McQueen cake (I do not have a future in pastry, I think I will stick with momming, singing, and running, along with marketing and event planning!) and Happy Meals, and finally, a playgroup/larger family gathering. The one request James has had was the Lightning McQueen cake/cupcakes. At his school party, he got the cupcakes. Last night he got the actual L.M. car shape cake. Next weekend he will have a sheet cake with a Cars race scene on it.
Being a three year old has its benefits. Simple requests are most usually granted.
We thought about getting him a bike for his big day, but we went to visit Toys R Us last weekend and James just didn't care too much about them. So, we went with his more current enthusiasm: SPORTS! He received a glove and a kite from us. And I am pretty sure his grandparents will indulge his soccer and T-ball fantasties. James is developing a good throwing arm and catching better every day. He always wants to play baseball. Always. It's hard when we're home alone because Nate likes to play interference. Perhaps Nate has a future in football. Anyway.
James's playgroup party would more naturally fall today, as it is the day after his birthday. However, I decided to make the executive decision (since I am the "boss" in the house, according to James) that the party will be next Saturday. I am selfishly attempting to rest for the 1/2 marathon tomorrow. Ha ha. Nate was up at 5:30 a.m. today. I have a clogged duct. I am nervous and excited and just want to finish feeling strong. So today is a day for me to relax, eat carbs, and visualize the race. I have a plan and I'm not trying to beat anyone. I don't want to finish last, and I'm pretty sure I won't (unless everyone who's running is amazing, but I wouldn't hope I wouldn't be last, unless I break my ankle - and then, I can be last), but the real truth is that this is MY run. And my gift to James, in addition to all the Lightning McQueen cakes he's getting. I'm giving him the gift of my health - I want to be here for a long time to see him grow up. His turning 3 and me turning 34 reminds me that time is going quickly. Running around my neighborhood for two hours every weekend might seem stupid to some, but in 40 years I know it'll be worth it.
Photos to follow in a separate post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
