Your Mom...

More memories to get on paper....

2009-12-29T20:57:00.004-05:00

Well, after four years of blogging about motherhood, I am proud to announce I FINALLY have this virtual mother's journal on PAPER! That's right, 400+ pages later, I have a book for the kids to enjoy someday and it feels SO good to have it in my hands. One New Year's Resolution accomplished - two days early! Ha!

Now that the holiday madness is over, the kids and I have been having a fun week being lazy in the morning, playing with Christmas toys, and enjoying our local gym pool. Matt and I even had a date night last night and were happy to have a non-family member successfully put our very "routined children" to bed! This morning, the kids were pumped to attend a half day "camp" at our local gym. They played tennis, made glittery snowflakes, and did more swimming. They were so happy and tired on our way home. Lucky little kiddos.

And lucky me, as I took a morning to NOT look at the watch while I did a solid workout, took a shower, got a pedicure and shopped around town for our New Year's Day gathering.

Lucy even got a call today from our previous, beloved babysitter, Miss Molly, who asked if she could take Lucy out to lunch and to get a manicure tomorrow. She about died when I told her about it. Lucy and Miss Molly look at each other as very special friends and I am so happy Lucy has a relationship like that with someone. I, of course, Lucy's biggest fan, love when people recognize that she's a spunky kid and people appreciate her as her own little person. It makes me proud that she can build relationships like that with people at such a young age.

These times and these breaks in "normal life" are a fun little treat I am learning to cherish even more, now that I have a little Kindergartner who needs to be out the cold, wintry door at 8:05 a.m. during the week.

Tonight we had dinner together at Chipotle and Lucy asked to sit real close next to me. We just snuggled quietly and chowed on our meal (we were starving!). She said something to make me laugh and as we looked at each other with huge smiles on our faces she said, "Ya liked that one?"
She is a hilarious person and sometimes acts way beyond her 5.5 years on this planet.

The little Tomma and I were watching Diego before bed tonight and he pulled my face to his and put both little, chubby hands on my face saying, "You are a wonderful good mom." and kissed me.

What a great year this has been and how lucky am I to be their mom!?

Christmas 2009 in the Record Books...

2009-12-27T14:39:00.011-05:00

What a fun holiday week this has been! Perhaps down the road it will be looked back upon as a year when the kids were SO into Santa Claus. Between our "Elf on a Shelf" (new this year), multiple run-ins with Santa (mall, Crossroads Village, tree lighting downtown, etc.), constantly talking about being on the "naughty or nice" list, watching Polar Express five times, etc. It seemed the topic of Old Saint Nick definitely took over the theme of our holiday!!

The past two weeks have been crazy busy - school parties, gift buying and wrapping, a trip to Flint, trips to Meijer Gardens and the Public Museum, the Princess and the Frog, preparing for Santa, getting to church early, dinner at our place X-mas eve and two days at my parents. I got a mystery cold/sinus infection this past week (figures...I have been healthy for 9 months) but as we all know, moms can't stop - especially at Christmas! We are an exhausted but happy crew.

The kids have spent the past two days loving their new toys, crafts and games. It was a success on all accounts! Happy New Year!

Being a Grown Up....

2009-12-15T14:22:00.005-05:00

Maybe it's just me, but still, on a fairly regular basis, I think it's funny that I am a "Grown Up."

It's sometimes funny to me that I am someone's MOM - their whole world. That I am the source for all their security, love, safety, well being. I mean, really? Me?

Wasn't I JUST singing "Annie" in my basement window well? Now I have these little people counting on me to pack their lunch and remember their homework folder?

It doesn't seem that long ago.

I remember specific days of my childhood. I remember the smell of my neighborhood in the spring. I remember being bored and making up things and riding my bike and running to the neighbors. The "grown ups" seemed so old and well, "grown up!"

I had no idea how a check book worked or how much time it takes to clean an entire house.

It's funny to me that last night, there I sat, a 35 year old woman running a meeting about things like finance and policies. That I have a job with a lot of details that I have to keep straight. That I pay a babysitter and I am the person coming home from the meeting.

Wasn't I JUST the kid who was eating the turkey t.v. dinner on a Friday night, grumbling about how I didn't like the sitter?

It doesn't seem that long ago.

Being a "Grown Up" is swell and all....it just doesn't seem like I'm supposed to be doing this yet. But at the same time, I have had this feeling in my gut lately, that ALL those things I have experienced...

Art, singing, sports, practice, family, holidays, teachers, traditions, the good, the bad, church, grade school, high school, college, single life, new friends, old friends, roommates, boyfriends, good times, bad times, moments, memories....

Prepared me to be this "Grown Up" in the world now. So I guess I need to accept that it's what I am and it's exactly where I am supposed to be.

But I may still get caught singing "Annie" every now and then....

Let it Snow!

2009-12-06T13:50:00.004-05:00

The snow has arrived (7 inches the first night!), and with it, even more excitement over this Christmas season. Lucy was the cutest on Friday morning when she got all bundled up before Kindergarten and headed outside for some play! We walked to school - right down the middle of the road. We were one of the only school districts in town who actually had school. I almost felt bad asking her to hurry it along on our way so she wasn't late. Lots of snow angels to be had this winter!

What a cute little snow bunny!

Promises...

2009-12-01T14:38:00.003-05:00

Tommy: "Mom? Even when I am a grown up I will still kiss you all the time. I promise."

The Day After Thanksgiving....

2009-11-27T16:03:00.003-05:00

7:45 a.m. Mom and dad try to sleep in and the kids play in the basement.

8:30 a.m. Kids catch wind of conversations....decorations? tree? Christmas?

9 a.m. Tomma starts sobbing when he realizes TODAY isn't actually Christmas. "But you said it's after Thanksgiving and after it snows!" (there was about .5 inch of snow on our cars this morning).

9:05 a.m. Wipe away tears on Tomma and try to explain the concept of "The Christmas Season" and counting down to Jesus' birthday.

9:15 a.m. Start bringing down boxes of Christmas decorations. Kids circle around us screaming "Woo! Waahooo!"

9:30 a.m. Kids bring up ghetto blaster from basement with random Christmas music CD. Start jamming out to "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...." while they dance around.

10 a.m. Realize nothing will be accomplished with kids flailing around us. Curious George Christmas movie is put on while we work on getting the tree and lights up so they can do ornaments.

10 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. Asked about 45 times if it's time to do ornaments yet.

11 a.m. Rest for a moment and stare at the lovely tree. Move on to next project...and next project...and next project.

4:15 p.m. Look around at all our hard work and feel excited.

6 p.m. Head out to local tree lighting ceremony for some hot coco and a first glimpse of Santa....

Christmas with a three and five year old. This is going to be a good one....

Words from the Tomma....

2009-11-19T15:30:00.004-05:00

Now You Know...

"Mommy? When I was born, I didn't even know what you were going to look like! I didn't even know who my mom was! I didn't even know what color your coat was.

And then I was born. And I realized you have a green coat and your name is Sarah Cavanaugh."

In the Back of the Car, looking out the window...

(to the tune of the Spiderman theme song)

"Normal man, normal man...does whatever normal can.
He uses his brain and solves problems. He solves people's problems.
Lookout...lookout for normal man..."

Goodbye...

2009-11-17T14:43:00.004-05:00

Off she goes, down the street.
A step ahead to talk to a friend.
I watch her walk and giggle and play.

The blowing blond hair that still surprises me.
Only five years ago, I didn't know who you were.
Only three years ago, you were lighting up the room with your words and that smile.
Only one year ago, things seemed smaller and simpler.

Watching you walk ahead of me, I can still see those baby legs through the sparkle jeans.

I feel the tight hand around mine as we near the door.
Maybe she's not so big after all.
Will I ever get used to the saying goodbye?

Why...

2009-11-13T08:18:00.004-05:00

There has been some talk from my 2 fans that I haven't been blogging as much as I used to. This is a true statement and it does bum me out. Maybe I haven't been inspired but really, the truth is, my brain seems to be consumed with the following things/topics:

1. I have a new hairdo, which now includes bangs and highlights. I enjoy it and have received many compliments on it, yet when I look at myself in a mirror or on T.V., I wonder to myself, "Am I becoming one of those women who gets hairdos to not look old, and yet the hairdo just screams: I am not trying to look 35!!!" Confusing....still working on perfecting it.

2. The kids. Oh yeah, the two people I am wholly responsible for. I feel like time is going so fast and I feel guilty enough about the time I am spending on other things like my "work from home" job and my volunteering position at the preschool. So when I'm not doing those things...I am trying to be very PRESENT with them. We've been making cookies and working on writing lower case.

3. Work. It's sort of a negative drain on me right now. The people I am dealing with our very different than me and a pretty "not fun" group. Maybe I've just had a rough week with it...we'll see.

4. With the weather turning colder, and the fact that I am hosting Matt's extended family Christmas in a few weeks, I have been into house decor mode. I am on my way to Ikea this weekend and am fired up to get some items to enhance and update! In addition, I just got new pics of the kids so a framing montage is also on the brain.

5. Being in charge of things is sometimes fun and sometimes annoying. I hope that my previous experience is actually helpful to people and that I am making good decisions. I hope that people respect me for the leader I am trying to be.

6. I am finding that I very hot and cold with running right now. Either I hate it or love it from one day to the next. Therefore, I am trying cardio classes, spin class or perhaps some weight training. Still chasing those dang 6 lbs. I have been chasing for ohh....2 years now.

Halloweenie Week 2009

2009-11-02T14:41:00.005-05:00

I imagined this week would be exciting, but man, is Halloween AWESOME with a three and five year old! Tommy's Halloween "show" at preschool was a major hit. For some reason, it felt more precious and fleeting than these events have felt in the past. It was so fun and cute to see these little wads singing songs on stage. Tommy was brave, being the first 3 year old onto the stage and telling everyone how much he "loves their costume," any chance he could get. Yet another event where that place feels like a second family to me - those teachers seeing me through good times and bad and creating moments with my kids I will never forget.

Then onward and upward to the new big elementary school parade and party! This one consisted of watching the classes parade through the school with everyone cheering for them - so fun! I think Lucy's class felt like rock stars and for good reason! As always at that place, I hear about it all via Lucy so things remain sort of mysterious but always fun, according to her. Glad it was a success!

Next up? Halloween day! The kids woke up like it was Christmas morning (soooo excited!!!) so we kept them busy until Trick or Treating. They were great and cute and polite. Lucy eventually broke off with Matt and some Kindergarten friends to hit more houses. My mom and I took Tommy the rest of the one block he managed to go around. He was so happy and so grateful for everything. In true Tommy form, lots of spontaneous, "Happy Halloween!" to randoms walking by and those that gave him treats. What will I do with that kid? He is too much 75% of the time. :)

And so we put another Halloween to bed and head into November. I am exhausted but so happy it was all a huge and fun success!

Creative Explosions!

2009-10-26T16:58:00.007-04:00

The girl is busy! There has been a virtual EXPLOSION of CREATIVTY for Lucy over the past few weeks. If she isn't drawing she is writing a song or a story. Is she's not doing that, she is playing the keyboard or singing. She is a busy body!

I especially love her pictures these days. Lately, people have been enhanced with earrings, bows, eyelashes and fingers (things that had not yet been recognized even a mere 2 months ago). I love that her pictures are always happy and cheerful, with smiling Lucy's and Tommy's throughout.

And STARS! She can now make stars and couldn't WAIT to tell "Lily and Olivia and Maddie and Alaia and all those girls" ALL about it. Ahhh the 5 year old girls....the love is LARGE and hugging and "BFF-ing" and the "See you tomorrow's" are almost too much for me to take. Makes me smile on a daily basis.

It is so fun watching her grow and grow and GROW! I wish I could keep all this art forever but her 25-year old self would think I was a nut bag for saving that much. Oh wait, this blog will make her want to hide in a hole as well.
Sorry, Luce! I love you, kid! :)

The Nicest Boy I Know...

2009-10-20T14:47:00.003-04:00

Tomma: "I have something to tell you guys...we had music today and Miss Sherri's class came in our room too! Her class was really enjoying it...."

Tomma: "Mom? I want to give you my "being good" stickers at school because you are such a good mom" (while kissing me and putting them on my sweater).

Why is he so ridiculous all the time?

What I Will Remember...

2009-10-14T14:52:00.008-04:00

Then where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within.- Eric Liddle

Numb toes and chattering lips in the 9 minute coral area with John. One hour of nervous laughs.

My confidence in the whole thing, as a first timer. I believe it was due simply to the hours I had put into training and trusting the process.

How the first mile was the fastest mile of my life.

How it didn't seem that crowded for some reason.

How much I loved running past Pasta Bowl, Lincoln Park Zoo, BoysTown, Wrigleyville, Miranda's old apartment, Harry Carey's, Armitage, and all the old places I had spent time in 1998.

That it was pretty quiet and smelled like Starbucks a lot of the time.

Singing Elvis, singing drag queens and dancing men with wooden guns and tight shorts.

Getting unusually sore legs at mile 12 and getting a little worried.

Getting really sore legs at mile 18 and trying to ignore it.

Seeing the Mile 20 sign and realizing, this is no joke. Here we go.

Separating from John at Mile 22 and feeling really alone but then realizing, this is how it should be. Perhaps all along, I was preparing to do this last stretch by myself.

Eminem, Coldplay and Black Eyed Peas, I could NOT have done it without you.

Seeing the Finish Line and feeling like I could barely move my body forward.

Feeling more stunned and shocked when it was over. The happy and accomplished feeling came the next day, for some reason.

Loving every painful minute of the whole thing...

Here I Go...

2009-10-07T14:55:00.008-04:00

Well, in four days, I am off and running. It has been quite a year for me. I trained all winter/spring for the Fifth Third Riverbank Run. After bronchitis, mass flooding around the city the week of the race, and a new, uphill course, I survived. I remember thinking that day, as I ran for the finish line - "How in the HELL am I going to run 10.2 miles MORE than I have just run?"

Fast forward five months later and here we sit. In the back of my mind, since I ran my first 10K three summers ago, I thought I might have a marathon in me. It's been on my "Bucket List" since then and I am excited and pumped to make this happen.

I am well trained. I am a resourceful girl, so I recruited friends to join me for 5 miles here, 10 miles there. But for the most part, I have done this alone.

Dark, rainy parking lot meet-ups from friends were greeted with relief many a Saturday morning. A happy distraction and good conversation for the next 45 minutes.

Leaving at 6 a.m. to avoid the heat in August.

Wanting to eat eggs and bacon and sit with my family on the couch but getting out there, clipping on that ridiculous water belt and doing it one. more. time.

Passing on one more beer or glass of wine on a Friday night. Leaving early from places I was having fun.

Hailing that cab to Grant Park on Sunday morning, I know it will all be worth it. In my mind, the true marathon is really arriving at the starting line, with all your training behind you. Arriving with a healthy body is another goal attained. One that I should be ESPECIALLY grateful for, since many of my friends have struggled with injuries and the like.

My ipod is full of new songs, the weather looks cool, and I am writing my name with permanent marker on my long sleeve wicking shirt so random strangers will cheer my name.

I am ready to run 26.2 miles in Chicago on Sunday morning.

Holy crap. Wish me luck!

Friends, Love and a New Day...

2009-09-25T12:20:00.006-04:00

Well, we are surely on a roll with Kindergarten. We are ending week three on a high note. This includes Lucy's first "new friend from Kindergarten" playdate. Chloe is her name and she lives one street over. They have the exact same hair color and hairdo and they like to call each other "twins." Funny to see them bomb out of the school (first in line) and run to me while hugging, holding hands and grinning from ear to ear. So excited!!

PB & J's have been eaten, showing off her fish, her room, her basement, her dress up clothes, etc. All is well and fun and very, very "5 year old girl-ish." Giggling and laughing and hugging. So dang cute! Happy she has made a new friend she is so excited about.

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There has been a lot of sibling love around here lately and for that, I am always grateful. It is seriously my most FAVORITE moment as a parent (and Matt too), when the kids are hugging, snuggling or just generally looking out for each other. Tommy runs to Lucy when he sees a commercial for a "SNOW WHITE DVD, SISSY!!" or Lucy runs over and kisses his large head when Tommy bonks into something (ha!). They have been snuggling in our bed together before bedtime and kissing each other goodbye when we separate for whatever reason (without my prompting to do so). Just a lot of cuteness that makes my heart beam.

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It's a lovely fall Friday - we've got a night out tonight and a fun weekend ahead. My marathon training is coming to an end and a huge, five month goal is wrapping up on October 11th. I feel so empowered!

Truth be told, I am feeling more enthusiastic and at peace than I've felt in about a month. My "old girl" seems to be coming back and I feel so relieved. I hadn't seen the "real her" in a while and it sure was a yucky, scary feeling. I could actually see it in her eyes that things were different...something was off. Thank god for girlfriends...old friends who I could call and vent to, and new friends who pulled through when I least expected it. Thank god for 6 a.m. runs in the dark because it was sometimes the only moment in the day when I had a clear mind and I could be alone. Thank god for old preschool teachers who gave me a hug because they knew I needed it, and parents who listened to me cry on the phone at 10 p.m. when nothing seemed to be working.

Challenges will remain, but it is nice to feel like sometimes things CAN all go right and good and fun. That all this hard work IS paying off and that phases will continue to come and go, but you are still a good parent, no matter what's going on. No matter what.

In the End, it's All Going to Be O.k....

2009-09-15T20:33:00.006-04:00

...and if it's not o.k., it's not the end.

That's a goody quotie that my sister gave to me a long time ago.

Last week was challenging, to say the least. Most likely my most challenging week of parenting to date. And that's saying a lot...since in March 2006, I had a non-sleeping newborn, and a 21 month old girl who was screaming and jumping in her crib and wanting to potty train, all at the same time. Ahem.

I can't bear to go through all that went down last week, but we're gonna go ahead and say there were MANY moments where I was asking God for strength, crying to random people I barely knew, and calling my child psychologist father at least 3 times a day for pep talks and brainstorms. And breathe.

Yesterday was a new day. We have a plan, we are in sync and things are starting to work. Things are far from perfect. But today WAS kind of perfect. I will take today. All I needed was one really, really good day to know that things will get better. Everything WILL be o.k. And can I get a "Yeah!" for today.

Tommy started his Preschool 3's program this morning. It's a new long day for him (he eats lunch there, packed in his Spiderman lunch box! Exciting!). He was wonderful and cute and a little shy. I had to remind him to give me a kiss and with a quick "ten miles!" (our secret saying for I love you) - he was on his way. He fell asleep in the stroller this afternoon. Pool little guy was too tired from the big first day.

He is the greatest little boy I have ever known. And apparently, he is a fan of mine as he mentioned in the park this afternoon, "Mom? I love you more than any moms in the big blue sea." And perfect.

Dropped Off....

2009-09-08T09:26:00.005-04:00

This morning, we walked Lucy up to her first day of Kindergarten. Over the past few days, she had shared some anxiety about how long she was going to be gone from me and some sadness in losing her lazy mornings with Tommy and I. But this morning, she was eager and excited to get her new school clothes on, her backpack, and head out on the walk to school.

Upon arrival, there was some nervous silliness with some friends. Once entering the school, she was ready to get everything all set up on her hook, etc. I gave her two kisses, walked her in and walked out.

And breathe. And run away before she looks back.

At our elementary, they decided to have an "assembly" to introduce the teachers, sing the school song, etc. ALL of the children and ALL of the parents attended. NOT a great idea for Kindergartners, in my opinion. Sure enough, Lucy walked in weepy and stressed with the teacher's assistant. At one point, she was wailing and calling for me so Matt and I had to hide outside the gymnasium. After dropping her off at places for the past five years, I have learned that a quick goodbye and not seeing us again is the best for us all.

I hated her being so sad and worried. As I sit here and type this, I feel sick to my stomach. However, a very thoughtful friend of mine with a child in the same class called me right away, letting me know she peeked in on the post-assembly class. She reported that Lucy was fine, engaged, no longer sad. UGH....I wish it had started out this way.

I SO hope she has a great next 2.5 hours with lots of fun. I SO hope at pick-up time, that she is smiling and singing a different song. And I REALLY hope she wants to go back tomorrow. Oh please, God, let her be excited to go back.

Too bad I am a wilting flower and will definitely NOT put in my two cents when that parent survey comes around regarding how the first day of school rolls out. Uh huh.....

***Post Pick-Up Update: Smiles and happiness. No sad words and definitely seems to want to go back tomorrow! Yipee!

Killing Me Softly...

2009-09-02T20:32:00.002-04:00

I try to keep this blog light and breezy and all good news, etc. BUT. I can't take it anymore. Lucy is killing me. Killing us ALL right now. I believe she will find it humorous to look back on her ridiculous behavior someday and for that reason, I shall share not only the good, but the bad and the ugly as well.

Things that have happened in the last 2 weeks that are utterly absurd and left me stressed, sick to my stomach or basically wanting to kill her include:

1. Throwing a fit when I try to leave her with a babysitter to go to work for my whopping 4 hours/week. This includes scream-fests down the street while the 14 year old temp sitter stands there looking confused. (p.s. new regular sitter starts next week. Thank the lord, Jesus). Rumor has it another little girl did this about 25-30 years ago, as well, but I can neither confirm nor deny this.

2. Throwing a fit when I say really mean things like, "Hey. Time to go inside and eat."

3. Throwing a fit at my mother in law's home during her first overnight experience. Telling her really neat things after a fun day like, "I don't like this house. I didn't want to come but my mom made me." Ab. Surd.

4. Whacking her brother for no reason or for ANY reason, causing him to cry and through his PLG tears, say things like, "Sissy is trying to break my stomach."

5. Throwing a fit at bedtime for "one more kiss," "one more song," or "one more story." Seriously, didn't we cover all this when she was two??!!

The list goes on...and Kindergarten starts Tuesday morning. We have high hopes that school starting will "reset" her little whacky internal clock or neediness routine she has going right now.

One minute she loves me, the next minute she doesn't want me around. The dependence vs. independence fight within her little five year old body is just going nuts right now. Let's hope the fight ends soon, before I get sent to the looney bin.

Simple....

2009-08-27T13:21:00.002-04:00

As I handed Tommy a plate with a PB & J on it:

"Thanks, Mom. You are the greatest mom I've ever, ever had."

You Can't Say We Didn't Try...

2009-08-25T19:58:00.010-04:00

You will never be able to say we didn't try camping in the summer of 2009. I wonder if we will talk about this strange summer for years to come, due to the especially cold, rainy weather.

We had two camping trips scheduled this summer - one to Higgins Lake and one to Manistee. Both were busts. There was lots of rain and thunderstorms. There were high winds. There were temperatures too cold for us to head to the beach. But we managed. We were able to sneak in a few s'mores and some fun bike rides around the campground. We did see the beach at least one day and had a GREAT time visiting with the Minor, Allen and Cavanaugh families.

But there was a lot of sweating on our parts. A lot of "taking one for the team." A lot of secret conversations away from the kids like, "WHY did we decide to do this?" or "WHAT are we going to do with this entire rainy day?" and "Seriously...could it be worse??!!"

We do it all for the experience and the sheer fun of getting outdoors with the kids. Matt and I both love it and want our kids to experience the simple pleasure of camping. We love the IDEA of walking to the beach and playing, coming back to a burger on the grill and songs around a campfire. Unfortunately this IDEA never became a REALITY this year. But we will prevail. We are already talking about places we should go next year. We might be nuts.

BUT - the kids have had a blast, despite the dismal weather. They seemed relatively clueless about what they were missing with the cruddy weather. Someone asked Tommy yesterday what he liked most about camping and I was curious what his answer might be.
"Sleeping in the camper," was his response.
Hmm. Who knew that was the highlight? I guess it IS an adventure to just be somewhere new with the entire family within 5 feet of him. Ha!

We'll try again next year, but for now...this camper is folded up until next summer.

Hang out Summer Sunday...

2009-08-17T21:06:00.003-04:00

I have made a decision to just "hang out" for these last three weeks of summer. No summer camps, no major commitments. Yesterday, we decided to sloooow down. We all slept in, ate breakfast late and rode our bikes to the park. Later, I set up the baby pool in our back yard and the kids played.

It's days like these when I stop and smell the flowers, enjoy the simple things, and remove the junk from my head. The recipe for the perfect day.

Self-Motivate

2009-08-14T10:35:00.002-04:00

This is what my Saturday mornings look like these days....

Appealing, huh? "They" (meaning the crazies that have done this before), tell me I am rounding the bend (apparently the "post-16 miles" portion of the marathon training) where you might begin to ask yourself, "WHY am I doing this?"

"Why am I running for 2.5 hours on a Saturday morning, away from my lovely family eating waffles and snuggling on the couch?"

"Why am I not allowing myself more than one light beer on a lovely summer Friday evening in August?"

"Why am I pretty much taking on one more thing at this point in my life?"

Ahem....so I have already sort of "gone there" in my brain. At about mile 12.

However, I am really enjoying the training for the most part. Weekdays are a breeze and I actually like running 9 or 10 miles on a Wednesday as I step up my game. I get super excited when I think about running through the streets of Chicago with people cheering me on. It's tough to train alone, but last week, I pictured all the thousands of people who were out there...just like me...maybe running alone for their own reasons. We will all come together on October 11th to run 26.2 miles, after months of running alone, staying extremely self-motivated.

Odd, but exciting! Off I go...oh wait, I have to go eat some more.

Good Kids.

2009-08-11T10:58:00.004-04:00

That's what you have been the past week. I mean really, seriously, good kids. No major issues at all. Just a lot of loving, silliness and fun.

I know I am hard on you and I know I expect a lot. But really, you guys are the best. I am the luckiest mom.

Fun, kind, smart, resilient. The stars have been aligning lately, and for that - I am so proud! Winning hula hoop contests (ha!), sharing with each other, dealing with 3 days of rainy camping and never complaining, always being excited about everything, being a nice friend, loving new shoes from Payless (ha, again!).

I really, really love you all the time (even when you are naughty). :)
But I beam with pride for you when you surprise me with your greatness.

What they Do and Say Today....

2009-08-06T13:31:00.003-04:00

Lucy...

Wore a scarf in 82 degrees to run errands yesterday. Why?
"'Cause this is what Artists wear, mom."

I was on my t.v show for work and she was watching me with Matt.
"Sooo..mom is on t.v. and then she is just coming home to be with us after?"
"Yep."
"Weird."

Created an Art Fair for the Block Party this past week and just a lot of painting, painting, painting.

Feverishly riding her bike any chance she can get.

Being unknowingly gorgeous with her blond highlights and tan self. Not sure how I made a little girl so dang pretty.

Tommy...

Making anything a "web." This includes binoculars, door knobs, coffee table feet, curtain rods, etc.

So needing a nap each day but being done taking them.

Loving time with any little boy who will play any game with him.

Having dirty, tan feet and fluffy hair that needs to be cut every 3 weeks.

Me...

Eating and running. Running and eating. Wowza.

Hello, August.

2009-08-02T20:44:00.004-04:00

This is my only August with a 3 and 5 year old. We will fill it with two camping trips, visits with friends, a Superhero/Princess camp, running, work, meetings, beach days, pool days, fun. It sounds exhausting but exhilarating at the same time.

To celebrate the kick off of this luxurious month, tomorrow we are blowing off the first Monday of the month with a day at a local amusement/water park. It's the perfect start to August.

Behind these next four weeks are a lot of changes that make my stomach feel a bit uneasy. New schedules, new school, new life.

But for now, we have August.