'We will be meeting at my house at 5:30am' is the text message I received. Come Again?! It was a 5:30 am departure for a 8 am race. At this moment I was wondering what the heck I signed myself up for. It was sold as the Happiest 5k on the Planet but I was thinking it may end up being the 'Crankiest' 5k. I don't do mornings. Can you tell?
I needed to wake up at 4am to ensure that I was ready and out the door by 5am. The only time I am up this early is if I hadn't gone to bed yet or my babygirl needs to be fed. I got on my black shorts with neon green and pink stripes, LOVE rainbow knee socks, and white tee-shirt. I added pink, purple, gold, and teal rhinestones to my face. The more color bling the better for this race. And off I went to meet my teammates for the trip into the city.
We got on the road about 5:45 am. And with just a brief drive-by in Newark (there was too much excitement over feet that we accidentally got off 280) we arrived there with ten minutes to spare. Enough time to take some pre-race pictures and then make our way to the start line.
We were in the 4th heat so there were about 3,000 runners ahead of us and 21,000 behind us. You could feel the excitement around us. People of all ages, races, and walks of life. All sharing in the same experience.
I can't explain how fun it was. Getting pelted with colored dust, walking 3.1 miles, and having a ball. The energy was unbelievable. It truly was the "Happiest 5k on the Planet'.
Color me thrilled! Well until the ride home...but we'll save that for another day!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Beach Time...and 15 Years
15 years. That is how long my hubby and I have been married. Both of us are all about our children. And truth be told, if my hubby could physically have the children, we'd have 10 kids by now. We aren't the couple that plans vacations without the kids. We are the ones that bring the kids with us EVERYWHERE. So in due fashion, we took the kids to the beach to celebrate our 15 years together.
This was the first time that babygirl had been to the beach ever and littlesoldier boy's first time this year. It started out as a great family outing. We beat the estimated time that GPS had us arriving (I always love that, and take on the challenge). We found free parking 3 blocks from the boardwalk.
We did the walk the entire boardwalk from start to finish before deciding to grab something to eat. The options are always so tempting. I try my best to make smart decisions. I hate to undo in one meal what took weeks to burn off. Littlesoldier boy went for the tacos, I the turkey burger, and hubby an Italian wrap. A large fry to share and two sodas for them. Total, $40. I guess for shore prices, not too bad.
After lunch, we headed for the beach. Babygirl was loving the sand. And littlesoldierboy was loving the water. Hubby took babygirl to put her feet in the water when his back went out. Not good. Needless to say, it was a chore to get him off that beach. He couldn't stand, couldn't walk, and neither littlesoldierboy nor I could carry him. It took nearly an hour, 4 extra strength tylenols, and the baby stroller acting as a walker to get him onto the boardwalk.
We took a very slow trip back down the boardwalk, let littlesoldierboy play in the arcade for a bit, and then headed home. Even though it didn't go exactly as planned (but does it ever?), we both enjoyed spending our day with the family, the sun, and the shore.
Happy Anniversary Hubby! Here's to another 15 years =)
This was the first time that babygirl had been to the beach ever and littlesoldier boy's first time this year. It started out as a great family outing. We beat the estimated time that GPS had us arriving (I always love that, and take on the challenge). We found free parking 3 blocks from the boardwalk.
We did the walk the entire boardwalk from start to finish before deciding to grab something to eat. The options are always so tempting. I try my best to make smart decisions. I hate to undo in one meal what took weeks to burn off. Littlesoldier boy went for the tacos, I the turkey burger, and hubby an Italian wrap. A large fry to share and two sodas for them. Total, $40. I guess for shore prices, not too bad.
After lunch, we headed for the beach. Babygirl was loving the sand. And littlesoldierboy was loving the water. Hubby took babygirl to put her feet in the water when his back went out. Not good. Needless to say, it was a chore to get him off that beach. He couldn't stand, couldn't walk, and neither littlesoldierboy nor I could carry him. It took nearly an hour, 4 extra strength tylenols, and the baby stroller acting as a walker to get him onto the boardwalk.
We took a very slow trip back down the boardwalk, let littlesoldierboy play in the arcade for a bit, and then headed home. Even though it didn't go exactly as planned (but does it ever?), we both enjoyed spending our day with the family, the sun, and the shore.
Happy Anniversary Hubby! Here's to another 15 years =)
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Family Pool Party
Yesterday my job held its annual Family Pool Party. I took the family along with my son's best friend. It was a long day. The party was 6 hours and it is a 3 hour roundtrip drive. Needless to say, we are TIRED. Good thing I am on vacation this week!
Pool, BBQ, co-workers, and music. It has all the parts of being a good time - if I wasn't the drink nazi. In order to make sure that we didn't have any underage drinking, I needed to check everyone in and keep an eye on the teenagers. That is a task in and of itself. I think next year we should have it off premises so I don't need to worry about it. That aside, my son and his friend had fun and my co-workers finally got to meet my babygirl.
Now is it me or is something wrong with this? One of the attendees had an 8 or 9 year old daughter that he had swimming topless so her shirt wouldn't get wet. I know she is a kid and all, but that is so inappropriate. Don't you think?
Pool, BBQ, co-workers, and music. It has all the parts of being a good time - if I wasn't the drink nazi. In order to make sure that we didn't have any underage drinking, I needed to check everyone in and keep an eye on the teenagers. That is a task in and of itself. I think next year we should have it off premises so I don't need to worry about it. That aside, my son and his friend had fun and my co-workers finally got to meet my babygirl.
Now is it me or is something wrong with this? One of the attendees had an 8 or 9 year old daughter that he had swimming topless so her shirt wouldn't get wet. I know she is a kid and all, but that is so inappropriate. Don't you think?
Monday, August 20, 2012
Swings, Sand, and Airplanes
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On Sunday, for family day, we went to the air show. My littlesoldierboy had fun looking at all the military vehicles and the plane formations. The show was temporarily held up while the police chased some kid on a four-wheeler off the track. Apparently the FAA frowns upon that.
All and all it was a fun weekend. It is these kind of weekends that I look forward to. Especially the spending time with my kids.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Going Away
So my baby sister is moving to Miami. I'm a little sad, but a selfish sad. She is 22 and a semester away from graduating. It is just hard to think that she won't be a short drive away. She is also the first of any of my siblings to leave the state for an extended period of time. And she is the youngest. My family is extremely close, to the tune that we all live within 10 minutes of the next with 30 minutes being the furthest.
We are all going to miss her, but no one as much as my mother. She will be without a child living home for the first time in 38 years. She also is a worrywart. And I can sympathize. In just 4 short years my littlesoldier boy will be off to college. We are hoping he stays in the area but know that might not be the case. I am going to try to not think about it and enjoy the next 4 years regardless if they may be the tough teen ones.
Here's to hoping my sister has a safe and fun experience in South Beach. We will be counting down the days till the Homecoming Party!
In other news, babygirl now has the hand/mouth coordination down and she also has been climbing to stand. It may not be long until she walks. Oh how quickly she is growing.
We are all going to miss her, but no one as much as my mother. She will be without a child living home for the first time in 38 years. She also is a worrywart. And I can sympathize. In just 4 short years my littlesoldier boy will be off to college. We are hoping he stays in the area but know that might not be the case. I am going to try to not think about it and enjoy the next 4 years regardless if they may be the tough teen ones.
Here's to hoping my sister has a safe and fun experience in South Beach. We will be counting down the days till the Homecoming Party!
In other news, babygirl now has the hand/mouth coordination down and she also has been climbing to stand. It may not be long until she walks. Oh how quickly she is growing.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Fair Is In Town
On Sunday we attended the fair. It was babygirl's first fair. 6 hours and a total of 4.5 miles walked, I've come to the conclusion that I am not a fan. The rides didn't seem stable, the games are overpriced for a chance to win a crappy prize, and the food - well if I wasn't counting calories, would've been great - but doesn't fit into my diet.
We got there around 4pm and it was extremely hot. So hot that we were breaking into a sweat just standing there. Of course I had forgotten the sunscreen and with the skin I have, that was an extreme bummer. We walked around for about an hour. Little soldierboy got sucked into playing a shooting game for $5. $5, my friends to take 4 shots with a cork gun. And to even win a crappy prize, you need to hit and knock down 3 cups with 4 shots. Such a scam. But we knew that when we handed our $5 over. Littlesoldierboy hit 1 of the 4 shots (technically 1 of 3 as 1 of the shots misfired - again - a SCAM!).
Next we decided to grab something to eat. Since hubby was volunteering at one of the food stands, we thought we would 'donate' our dollars to his stand. I was good and ordered grilled chicken. I did howeversteal borrow a mozzarella stick and some fries from littlesoldierboy. Not more than 10 seconds after we sat under the tent with our food, a thunderstorm rolled on in. Luckily for us, we got hungry at just the right time.
Following the storm, it cooled down significantly. We walked around, played a few more games, looked at the exhibits and animals, and was just counting down the time until hubby was off duty. Babygirl slept most of the time, and really didn't enjoy it as much as I thought. I think she is still too young. It is hard to see much from the baby stroller and she can't enjoy the food or games.
On the way home, littlesoldierboy tells me that next year we should just rent a movie and order pizza. That is my kind of family time. He is such my kid! And I love him lots! He was a trooper during the whole outing and helped with his sister.
All and all, we walked 4.5 miles in 6 hours and I burned 674 calories, enough to offset the mozzarella stick, fries, and 2 small zeppoles I ate. And I spent time with my kids, which made it all worth while!
We got there around 4pm and it was extremely hot. So hot that we were breaking into a sweat just standing there. Of course I had forgotten the sunscreen and with the skin I have, that was an extreme bummer. We walked around for about an hour. Little soldierboy got sucked into playing a shooting game for $5. $5, my friends to take 4 shots with a cork gun. And to even win a crappy prize, you need to hit and knock down 3 cups with 4 shots. Such a scam. But we knew that when we handed our $5 over. Littlesoldierboy hit 1 of the 4 shots (technically 1 of 3 as 1 of the shots misfired - again - a SCAM!).
Next we decided to grab something to eat. Since hubby was volunteering at one of the food stands, we thought we would 'donate' our dollars to his stand. I was good and ordered grilled chicken. I did however
Following the storm, it cooled down significantly. We walked around, played a few more games, looked at the exhibits and animals, and was just counting down the time until hubby was off duty. Babygirl slept most of the time, and really didn't enjoy it as much as I thought. I think she is still too young. It is hard to see much from the baby stroller and she can't enjoy the food or games.
On the way home, littlesoldierboy tells me that next year we should just rent a movie and order pizza. That is my kind of family time. He is such my kid! And I love him lots! He was a trooper during the whole outing and helped with his sister.
All and all, we walked 4.5 miles in 6 hours and I burned 674 calories, enough to offset the mozzarella stick, fries, and 2 small zeppoles I ate. And I spent time with my kids, which made it all worth while!
Friday, August 3, 2012
7 months and counting
Baby girl turned 7 months today. As I say every month (and nearly every day) - the time goes in a blink of an eye. During the month she has learned to crawl, and boy is she fast. She also does planks and sit-ups. Her core is unbelievably strong.
She still continues to sleep with me and eat about 2 to 3 times a night. I am actually enjoying snuggling with her at night and in the morning. I fall more in love with her every day.
She has graduated to stage 2 foods and her favorite is Cinnamon Raisin Granola from Beechnut. But she will eat almost anything. She has a very big appetite.
She is now in 3-6 month clothes although a lot of the 0-3 still fit. She is getting my money's worth out of her clothes - or I should say my sister's money's worth since most of her clothes for the next 4 years has been given to me from my sisters (I have 3 nieces).
Bedtime is still around 11pm and other then getting up to be fed, she sleeps until 8am. The creature of habit in her, which I LOVE!
She doesn't go back to the doctor until 9 months (for shots - boo!), so I don't have a weight update. She is starting to fill out, so I would suspect she is about 13 lbs. I'll try to weigh her myself tomorrow for a more accurate weight...on the plus side - I am within 5 lbs of my prebabygirl weight - woot woot!
In other news...I had a very bad day - please say a prayer that what has been lost will be found. I can definitely use them today. Thank you.
She still continues to sleep with me and eat about 2 to 3 times a night. I am actually enjoying snuggling with her at night and in the morning. I fall more in love with her every day.
She has graduated to stage 2 foods and her favorite is Cinnamon Raisin Granola from Beechnut. But she will eat almost anything. She has a very big appetite.
She is now in 3-6 month clothes although a lot of the 0-3 still fit. She is getting my money's worth out of her clothes - or I should say my sister's money's worth since most of her clothes for the next 4 years has been given to me from my sisters (I have 3 nieces).
Bedtime is still around 11pm and other then getting up to be fed, she sleeps until 8am. The creature of habit in her, which I LOVE!
She doesn't go back to the doctor until 9 months (for shots - boo!), so I don't have a weight update. She is starting to fill out, so I would suspect she is about 13 lbs. I'll try to weigh her myself tomorrow for a more accurate weight...on the plus side - I am within 5 lbs of my prebabygirl weight - woot woot!
In other news...I had a very bad day - please say a prayer that what has been lost will be found. I can definitely use them today. Thank you.
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