10k in the hood

Last minute registration and buddy participation. It's was a BREEZY morning in Brambleton when Megan and I rolled out with these turkeys. The jogging strollers make great sails;). I applaud Megan's ability to 'just do it'. So we did!

Almost lost a bag of veggie sticks, thanks to a runner a few steps back Nolan had great ride. The last mile was all Megan and all I could do to not lose her! Thanks for the motivation--i didn't intend for her to start looking at 1/2 marathons for us--geesh!

Best post race feast--breakfast burritos and bloody marys!

Press pause to the potty

Who is ever ready for potty training--I mean really? Some say 2 is the magic birthday-some 3, some wait for the little guy to 'want it' with drew in a state of struggling to express himself I figure this might be his chance to show/prove his independence--or make a total mess...

So.... One rainy Thursday morning when I had gone out with my girlfriends the night before, I thought it would be the perfect day to give it a chill shot.

Friday--we had a mops morning and all went well. Thank a weekend of life happened and potty training became a bit of a side bar... He will get it though. Sometime before college.

He did great and we had noting else to do. I was a day of pee and constant resupply.

Some reason drew grew up real big that day--even went to the dentist for the first time!

As an update--I had a feeling over spring break with the adult/kid ratio more in our favor things would become a bit more clear for our pint size peer. Low and behold it was a great bonding experience for him and Om (what he calls Oma sue;)! While a great wolf lodge he even managed to poop--on the floor--but at least not in his pants!!

Baby steps

Choke points....

So how to families of more than one get through choke points....  

My kids are awesome.  

ONE AT A TIME.  

Put them together and its CHAOS.   

So what's a choke point?  when we are ALL trying to get some where or accomplish something at the SAME time.  I should just avoid them - as most days its not worth trying...  

So here is an every day scenario....  lets go outside and play.  Seems easy enough.  

Everyone put on your shoes and jacket - once that is done, I will help you open the garage door and get your toys out.

Nick - I cannot put on my jacket (because last time he took OFF his jacket he opted to pull the sleeves thought making it IMPOSSIBLE to put back on without re-threading the sleeves.  We have this discussion EVERY TIME)

Shane - you would think by the law of averages 50% of the time he would get his shoes on the right feet - WRONG.  Not even close to figuring out the jacket zipper.  Tries every time though - gotta give him credit...

Drew - well we are just lucking is he can find his shoes - in frustration he just irritates his brothers.

So today - a favorite choke point of mind is the after school unwind.  On beautiful days we have the wonderful pleasure of playing with LOTS of kids - right off the bus.  Its wonderful.  So we do that for 1-3 hours.  Literally.  Today - it was windy - so 1 hour.  

We come inside and now its time for homework.  I come in, help said brain children take off and put away shoes and clothes (yes, hooks and baskets designated for little kid ease...)  

I put drew outside to play in 8' walled back yard  while I head upstairs to set nick up on reflex math and Shane on a puzzle book.  less than 5 minutes later I come back downstairs to this........

EVERY pile of poop (only 5 because I cleaned it up the other day THANKFULLY) was stepped on REPEATEDLY, by the 2 feet tall brainless wonder...  He was also knocking at the door to come in - Hmmm - no, you can stay out there...

Hey Winter - your drunk - just go home.....

Yup - Sunday night and what is in our forecast - snow - lots of it - 3-6 inches and I would say we got 8".  Sunday afternoon you could feel it in the air and by 4 pm you could see it in the air.  By 6PM all schools were closed (yup, Wayde doesn't even give the plows a chance anymore...)

Monday morning

So as I glanced at my handsome husband I came to the realization....  Its time for the winter man to go...

Yup, its the beard - take it away...

Its spring time!

And he looks 10 years younger again, just like that!

He went off to work too - leaving me with this St. patty's day crew...

I love snow, I love snow, I love snow...  I had to keep saying that as i put the kids clothes on for the upteenth millionth time this winter....  We have purchased new boots for Nick (he grew out of the hold ones) new gloves for Shane and Nick (holes - and they were on sale...)

I love when snow comes in the house... I love when snow comes in the house.....

Dawn and I obligatorily took the kids outside for an hour - the look on both of our faces was.... this AGAIN.  Both husbands at work - all kids at home (tired of each other) we almost offered a swap as the kids needed something different....  Nope - the last eating of the snow - drag everyone back inside, take the wet stuff off, put it by the first place UNTIL NEXT YEAR!!  I am BEGGING YOU

My kids have it GOOD....

Seriously, they have a great life - Here is just a typical Thursday morning.....  Yup, those are new 'roads' along our floor.  Sadly that little trick didn't occupy them as long as I had hoped...

Next up - Pool!  they LOVED it and I have to admit, Golds has an AWESOME pool for Shane and Drew.  Now I just have to get drew swimming (I say this as Shane was doing countless back flips underwater...  he really does have gills.)

Best part of Golds Gym - no age limit that I could find on the hot pool!  So Shane LOVED it and soaked it in for a good 5 minutes!

Taco bell on the way home...  Seriously, that is the life!

Exhausted

Saturday morning - March 15 - big day - got even bigger with a howling ear infection Friday night.  

No, the ears weren't howling, but Shane's voice was as the poor little guy was in some serious pain.  Advil, benedryl and a hot compress later he finally fell asleep....  So right before our spin class i zipped him into our clinic - YUP Big time ear infection and both sides (he said he couldn't hear us very well....) first one of the season.

What a trooper - he continued on with heading with us to the gym (excited about being allowed to just veg with the gym movie....) at 10:30 for my Irish cycling class and to golds at 12:15 to finally complete and submit my body flow video.  I had 8 awesome buddies come support me (most importantly my ever supportive husband).  We recorded the video.  Than Shane and I came home and did this.....

And than this.... (starbucks... hot chocolate and coffee)

Had to show you my new legs are part of the fitness note - the hot pants of 2014! 

Thanks Chris, Megan, Dawn, Natalie, Teresa, Kate - and her brother and Carrie.  It feels so good to have your support and encouragement - now lets see what Les Mills has to say. 

Van Gogh or no....

A preschool art show!

The teachers are so very creative in having the kids made artwork and put it on display.  Shane is conveniently standing right IN FRONT of his - but they are great!

I took photos this morning as my buddy Dawn wasn't able to attend said 'art show' so instead of allowing her to 'mommy guilt' herself into attending - i offered to take photos instead - its a 2 for 1 - we won't have had photos and now we do....

Drew just HAD to be part of it all.

Donuts holes?!?  Van Gogh, was that your recommended nutrition??  why of course right