Iago is home from the vet with medicine. He needs to get 2 shots of insulin a day. We have to give them to him. It's really not that hard and he doesn't get very much, just 1cc twice a day.
He looks better, feels better and we are thrilled to have him home. It also didn't cost as much as we thought.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Iago
We have two cats. They been a part of our family for almost 15 years. We got them as kittens and they are littermates. About 6 months ago the Orange one, Iago was diagnosed with diabetes. We changed their food to high protein all natural and he seemed to be doing well. Yesterday he got pretty sick. We took him to the vet and he is very dehydrated. They kept him overnight to rehydrate him and are running some blood tests. They will let us know.
Good news is that he was thoroughly pissed at us when we put him in the carrier and even more pissed when he realized that he was at the vet.
Oldest loves the cats. He calls Iago his kitty. God please let him get better.
Good news is that he was thoroughly pissed at us when we put him in the carrier and even more pissed when he realized that he was at the vet.
Oldest loves the cats. He calls Iago his kitty. God please let him get better.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Tie
Oldest occasionally comes to work with me. It's always just for an hour or so, but he really enjoys it and is really well behaved. He helps me make copies and takes things off off my printer. He puts things into the shredding bin for me and helps me run errands around the office. He also likes to draw pictures and deliver them as "Mail" to some of my co-workers.
Yesterday my family was shopping and Oldest declared that he needed a tie. My husband asked why and oldest declared, "So the next time I go to Mommy's wok I look good." He has noticed that the men in my office wear neckties and wants to be like them. He's not yet 5.
When I got home from work he was so proud of his new tie and fancy shirt. He can't wait for the opportunity to wear it to my office.
Yesterday my family was shopping and Oldest declared that he needed a tie. My husband asked why and oldest declared, "So the next time I go to Mommy's wok I look good." He has noticed that the men in my office wear neckties and wants to be like them. He's not yet 5.
When I got home from work he was so proud of his new tie and fancy shirt. He can't wait for the opportunity to wear it to my office.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
"What's your favorite weather, mom?"
Wednesday it snowed. It snowed a lot. THere was enough snow for the first ski resort to open yesterday.
Wednesday it was my turn to co-op Oldest's pre-school class. I got to spend a couple of hours with my son and his friends. I also got to help 15 4-5 year olds put on snow pants and hats and mittens for the first time this school year. They always go outside to play, unless it it raining or way too cold. It's such a wonderful playground. There is a little hill that the kids can sled down when there is snow. All the kids loved the snow.
During snack time, right before we went outside, everyone was asked what they liked best about the snow. Everyone had an opinion. Some liked building snowmen, others loved sledding (Oldest). Some talked about how they love going skiing with their dads. (We are in Utah remember, so 4 year olds have been skiing for years.)
The best part of the day was when oldest said his favorite weather was snow and then asked, "What's your favorite weather, mom?". Well I have to tell you, it's not usually snow, but on Wednesday it was.
Wednesday it was my turn to co-op Oldest's pre-school class. I got to spend a couple of hours with my son and his friends. I also got to help 15 4-5 year olds put on snow pants and hats and mittens for the first time this school year. They always go outside to play, unless it it raining or way too cold. It's such a wonderful playground. There is a little hill that the kids can sled down when there is snow. All the kids loved the snow.
During snack time, right before we went outside, everyone was asked what they liked best about the snow. Everyone had an opinion. Some liked building snowmen, others loved sledding (Oldest). Some talked about how they love going skiing with their dads. (We are in Utah remember, so 4 year olds have been skiing for years.)
The best part of the day was when oldest said his favorite weather was snow and then asked, "What's your favorite weather, mom?". Well I have to tell you, it's not usually snow, but on Wednesday it was.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Happy Birthday Honey
My sweet loving husband turns 38 today. This is the 16th (is that right?) birthday that I've helped him celebrate. If you ask him, he can probably remember how we celebrated every single one. Just one of the many things I love about him.
I also love how intelligent he is, his open mindedness, his sense of humor and the way he tears up at the end of Field of Dreams. He is an amazing father, sacrificing a lot so that he can stay home with the boys so that they have never been in daycare. He has a sense of adventure and has taken some bold moves regarding his career and our family. I am proud to call him my husband and best friend.
I love you honey.
I also love how intelligent he is, his open mindedness, his sense of humor and the way he tears up at the end of Field of Dreams. He is an amazing father, sacrificing a lot so that he can stay home with the boys so that they have never been in daycare. He has a sense of adventure and has taken some bold moves regarding his career and our family. I am proud to call him my husband and best friend.
I love you honey.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Snow
It snowed! Enough to have some accumulation on the grass. This is the second time this fall that we got some snow in the valley. Last time was Oct 13ish and the boy across the street had enough to make a small snowman. We might get a little more this morning, but it should be warmer later this week. The mountains got some accumulation which is good for the ski resorts.
I'm not wishing winter too soon, but Oldest told me last week that he wants an outside party for his birthday. Since his birthday is in December, in order to have an outside party we need snow. And either a Dinosaur or a Robot cake.
I'm not wishing winter too soon, but Oldest told me last week that he wants an outside party for his birthday. Since his birthday is in December, in order to have an outside party we need snow. And either a Dinosaur or a Robot cake.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Little Big man
Last night after dinner Oldest announces that he has a lot of work to do. I ask him what.
Oldest: I have to take a shower 'cuz I'm very dirty from the sand at school. Then I ahve to do the dishes and help with the laundry.
So, I let him. He took his own shower, with just a little puddle on the bathroom floor. He helped load the dishwasher and then helped Dad bring up the clothes to be put away.
I don't know where this repsonsibility came from, but I congratulated him on completed all of his chores. He did a good job.
Oldest: I have to take a shower 'cuz I'm very dirty from the sand at school. Then I ahve to do the dishes and help with the laundry.
So, I let him. He took his own shower, with just a little puddle on the bathroom floor. He helped load the dishwasher and then helped Dad bring up the clothes to be put away.
I don't know where this repsonsibility came from, but I congratulated him on completed all of his chores. He did a good job.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sweep
Littlest is really into imitation lately. He wants to copy everything his older brother does. He also copies me. Last night we were playing with the perfection game and he copied all of my facial expressions before the pop. Very cute.
He also wants to help around the house. He must sweep the floor after I do. Heaven forbid I put the broom away before he gets his turn. Yesterday I handed the broom to him so he could "sweep". He then picked up with his fingers a rubberband that had fallen on the floor and walked around with it looking for the dustpan. He put the rubberband into the dust pan and walked to the trash can to dump it in. Just following the sweeping up procedures.
He also wants to help around the house. He must sweep the floor after I do. Heaven forbid I put the broom away before he gets his turn. Yesterday I handed the broom to him so he could "sweep". He then picked up with his fingers a rubberband that had fallen on the floor and walked around with it looking for the dustpan. He put the rubberband into the dust pan and walked to the trash can to dump it in. Just following the sweeping up procedures.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
1 2 3
Littlest can count to 12. He also recognizes all the letters of the alphabet. He loves numbers and letters.
One of is favorite things to do at the park is sit on the slide count to 10 and say BLAST OFF before he heads down. He also want me to count when I'm pushing him on the slide, actually he counts and I say the number after him.
He is also pointing out letters everywhere, not just the magnets on the fridge. Whenever I'm trying to work on the computer he wants to sit and press numbers and letters. I open many Word documents so that he can plunk away for awhile.
At the grocery store he wanders from aisle to aisle pointing out the numbers.
I don't know that this makes him especially smart, I think it is really a reflection of his adventuresome nature. And the fact that he can rarely sit still.
Oh, and he loves to pretend to sneeze. It cracks him up. Me too! Love you Boo!
One of is favorite things to do at the park is sit on the slide count to 10 and say BLAST OFF before he heads down. He also want me to count when I'm pushing him on the slide, actually he counts and I say the number after him.
He is also pointing out letters everywhere, not just the magnets on the fridge. Whenever I'm trying to work on the computer he wants to sit and press numbers and letters. I open many Word documents so that he can plunk away for awhile.
At the grocery store he wanders from aisle to aisle pointing out the numbers.
I don't know that this makes him especially smart, I think it is really a reflection of his adventuresome nature. And the fact that he can rarely sit still.
Oh, and he loves to pretend to sneeze. It cracks him up. Me too! Love you Boo!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
November? Really?
It's November 1st. It's been more than 2 months since I've written anything. I'm disappointed in myself. Goal for this month is to write something everyday. Get ready for my incoherant babbling.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Foreign Food or Olympic Dude
For those of you the right age you may remember an MTV game show called Remote Control. They occasionally played a game called Dead Alive or Indian Food. The host would read some words and the contestant had to guess if it was a dead person a live person or Indian Food. It always made me laugh.
Driving into work the other day one of the local radio stations was playing a variation of this game. Foreign Food or Olympic Dude. My guesses by myself in my car were 2 out of 3 correct. Again it made me laugh and took me back about 20 years.
~Peace
Driving into work the other day one of the local radio stations was playing a variation of this game. Foreign Food or Olympic Dude. My guesses by myself in my car were 2 out of 3 correct. Again it made me laugh and took me back about 20 years.
~Peace
Friday, August 15, 2008
Cherry Hill. What a Thrill!
Yesterday my family visited Cherry Hill water park. It was a trip that Oldest earned in June and July by doing something 21 times. We had a blast.
Cherry Hill is a smaller scale water park, we figured it was just the right speed for our young family. We were right. It was perfect. There is a lazy river that we floated and swam in for hours. There was a Pirate Ship kids area that Littlest loved. It had fountains and slides that we had to drag him away from when it was time to leave.
It also had a water slide that you rode in a tube. Oldest couldn't get enough of it. The first time down. He flipped out of it in a pool area and headed down the slide without me. Made me a bit nervous. It didn't faze him. He wanted to go again. And again and again and again and again.
We had snacks and an incredibly enjoyable afternoon. We are so glad we found this place and can't wait until next summer. There are still some water slides we didn't get to on the other side of the park. Oldest will love those. The boys were exhausted and Littlest fell asleep in the car on the way home. Too bad summer has to come to an end.
~Peace
Cherry Hill is a smaller scale water park, we figured it was just the right speed for our young family. We were right. It was perfect. There is a lazy river that we floated and swam in for hours. There was a Pirate Ship kids area that Littlest loved. It had fountains and slides that we had to drag him away from when it was time to leave.
It also had a water slide that you rode in a tube. Oldest couldn't get enough of it. The first time down. He flipped out of it in a pool area and headed down the slide without me. Made me a bit nervous. It didn't faze him. He wanted to go again. And again and again and again and again.
We had snacks and an incredibly enjoyable afternoon. We are so glad we found this place and can't wait until next summer. There are still some water slides we didn't get to on the other side of the park. Oldest will love those. The boys were exhausted and Littlest fell asleep in the car on the way home. Too bad summer has to come to an end.
~Peace
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
On a short leash. Or a leash period!
So, I'm training for The Other Half, a half marathon in Moab in October, and I'm out for a 4 mile run/walk on Sunday morning. I notice a dog run in front of me into the street and sit down to scratch something. Next thing I know a car honks it's horn. The dog moves, frightened and the car proceeds to move down the road passing the dog by a mere feet. The dog runs back toward the sidewalk and I call to it. It is too scared to come to me and heads back down the block, probably home.
Two things anger me about this. First that the driver of the car probably assumed it was my dog and was going to teach me a lesson by scaring it in front of me. "Stupid woman for letting her dog run loose. Let's scare them. That will teach her." That's what I envision them saying in the car. Either that or they are just totally uncaring people.
Second, who in their right mind just lets their dog out to run free in the city. Just open the door and let them roam? Answer: A lot of people. Later on that same outing I noticed another dog in it's yard. I started to cross the street and the dog came barking at me, followed me into the street. I yelled to it to go home about five times before it did.
My neighbor has a habit of letting her dogs out, They head to my yard, sometimes even the back yard to do their dootie. I don't like picking up dog poop, especially since I don't have a dog!
I think it is totally irresponsible to let your dog out without a leash or at least keeping an eye on it. Dogs don't have common sense, they don't know to stay out of the street because there is a moving ton of metal that might hurt them. They don't know that there are innocent people out who might be afraid of them. Their instinct is to run l, bark protect and chase. All things that could get them hurt if not monitored by their human. Put up a fence or put them on a leash if you are too lazy to be outside with them.
I have 2 cats. They have always been indoor cats, mostly because I am afraid about what might happen to them if they roamed the city. We don't have a dog. They are a lot of work and require a lot of attention more than we could handle with 2 young boys. Will we ever have one? Probably, but you can me sure that we won't let them out to roam the city!
Watch out~
Two things anger me about this. First that the driver of the car probably assumed it was my dog and was going to teach me a lesson by scaring it in front of me. "Stupid woman for letting her dog run loose. Let's scare them. That will teach her." That's what I envision them saying in the car. Either that or they are just totally uncaring people.
Second, who in their right mind just lets their dog out to run free in the city. Just open the door and let them roam? Answer: A lot of people. Later on that same outing I noticed another dog in it's yard. I started to cross the street and the dog came barking at me, followed me into the street. I yelled to it to go home about five times before it did.
My neighbor has a habit of letting her dogs out, They head to my yard, sometimes even the back yard to do their dootie. I don't like picking up dog poop, especially since I don't have a dog!
I think it is totally irresponsible to let your dog out without a leash or at least keeping an eye on it. Dogs don't have common sense, they don't know to stay out of the street because there is a moving ton of metal that might hurt them. They don't know that there are innocent people out who might be afraid of them. Their instinct is to run l, bark protect and chase. All things that could get them hurt if not monitored by their human. Put up a fence or put them on a leash if you are too lazy to be outside with them.
I have 2 cats. They have always been indoor cats, mostly because I am afraid about what might happen to them if they roamed the city. We don't have a dog. They are a lot of work and require a lot of attention more than we could handle with 2 young boys. Will we ever have one? Probably, but you can me sure that we won't let them out to roam the city!
Watch out~
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Hungry Hungry Hippos
If you wanna win the game you've gotta take good aim
And get the most marbles with your hippo
Playin' Hungry Hungry Hippos
Hungry Hungry Hippos
And get the most marbles with your hippo
Playin' Hungry Hungry Hippos
Hungry Hungry Hippos
The boys got a new game yesterday. They are really enjoying it. Oldest keeps singing the song. Littlest just feeds the hippos. It's kept them busy for hours.
It's just like I remember, Loud and Frenetic. It's been fun to play with them.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Lights Out
The power went out yesterday at 5:14 pm. I know that was the time because when the power did come back on that was the time that was blinking on the clock on the stove. The reason the power company reported was that a car crashed into a pole. The power was out for less than 2 hours, not tragic, but I was nervous about how I was going to keep the kids busy without power. It proved to be a non-issue.
The boys were unfazed when the TV went black in the middle of Curious George. Oldest asked if he could play a game on the computer, but I told him that the Internet didn't work when there was no power. So we played some games, sang some songs and they took their baths early because they needed them and again I didn't know how long the power would be out. We found out flash lights and the head lamp I used during the Wasatch Back and we were ready for a dark night.
Littlest was crabby tired and I got him to sleep by 6:30. Summer has been wearing him out!. Oldest and I played some more games and then, the air conditioning started up. Hooray! It was starting to get warm in the house. Oldest checked all the lights to make sure they had power. I restarted the Dryer and Dishwasher.
We made it! We need to disconnect more often. But let's keep the power on.
~Peace and Power
The boys were unfazed when the TV went black in the middle of Curious George. Oldest asked if he could play a game on the computer, but I told him that the Internet didn't work when there was no power. So we played some games, sang some songs and they took their baths early because they needed them and again I didn't know how long the power would be out. We found out flash lights and the head lamp I used during the Wasatch Back and we were ready for a dark night.
Littlest was crabby tired and I got him to sleep by 6:30. Summer has been wearing him out!. Oldest and I played some more games and then, the air conditioning started up. Hooray! It was starting to get warm in the house. Oldest checked all the lights to make sure they had power. I restarted the Dryer and Dishwasher.
We made it! We need to disconnect more often. But let's keep the power on.
~Peace and Power
Friday, July 11, 2008
Chocolate Milk
My kids drink Chocolate milk. Neither of them would drink plain white milk when they first turned 1 and it was OK for them to drink it. My feeling was and still is if adding a little bit of chocolate makes them excited to drink milk it's OK. We don't have soda or juice in the house so they drink Water and Chocolate Milk almost exclusively.
Yesterday, Littlest and I went to Costco to drop off a prescription and I knew we needed milk. Costco is still by far the cheapest. Littlest lead the way to the back cooler area and we get a gallon of chocolate milk. He wanted to carry it, so I let him, with some help of course. I noticed quite a few smiles from other shoppers as they watched Littlest over the top excited to be carrying the gallon of milk. He carried it all the way to the checkout, then to the car and finally into the house when we got home. He then got a cup for himself and one for his brother.
Yummy!
~moo
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Pedicure
I had my first pedicure right before Littlest was born, so I was 37. I loved it.
I had my second pedicure this weekend, 2 years later. Why did I wait so long? Well, for one I'm not one for spending money on myself and I will not go to a nail shop to get one, too many germs. So my only option is a spa, and that can get expensive. So I dropped a hint to my husband before mother's day that my feet could use a pedicure. He got it.
On Saturday morning I headed to the spa and got my pedicure. It was relaxing. Soaking your feet, getting a massage and then topping it off with great polish that will last a lot longer than anything I could do.
There was a lady there, at least 60's. She was getting her first pedicure. She liked it. Someone commented that it is something you can do without until you've had one, then you are hooked. I can't wait until next Mother's day.
I had my second pedicure this weekend, 2 years later. Why did I wait so long? Well, for one I'm not one for spending money on myself and I will not go to a nail shop to get one, too many germs. So my only option is a spa, and that can get expensive. So I dropped a hint to my husband before mother's day that my feet could use a pedicure. He got it.
On Saturday morning I headed to the spa and got my pedicure. It was relaxing. Soaking your feet, getting a massage and then topping it off with great polish that will last a lot longer than anything I could do.
There was a lady there, at least 60's. She was getting her first pedicure. She liked it. Someone commented that it is something you can do without until you've had one, then you are hooked. I can't wait until next Mother's day.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Haircuts and Lollipops
I don't have a lot of haircut memories as a young child, but then I'm a girl and had long hair for most of my life. But I do know that for boys, getting a haircut cannot be too much fun and they get them often. But we have a place here in Salt Lake that does nothing but kids haircuts. I gotta tell you it's such a great idea.
The place is called Cookie Cutters. They have a slide in the lobby. Kids get to choose a video to watch and each cutting station has a different vehicle to sit in. They've made it fun to get your haircut, or at least not a horrible experience. After the haircut they get a balloon, with a weight that is a cookie cutter and a lollipop. Our appointment was for 5:00 we were out of there with 2 kids hair cut by 5:17. Very efficient too!
Why can't my haircuts be like that.
The place is called Cookie Cutters. They have a slide in the lobby. Kids get to choose a video to watch and each cutting station has a different vehicle to sit in. They've made it fun to get your haircut, or at least not a horrible experience. After the haircut they get a balloon, with a weight that is a cookie cutter and a lollipop. Our appointment was for 5:00 we were out of there with 2 kids hair cut by 5:17. Very efficient too!
Why can't my haircuts be like that.
Paper Airplanes and Dinosaurs
Last night Littlest had a gym class that my husband took him to. I stayed home with Oldest. He was getting restless during dinner, so I asked him if he new how to make paper airplanes. He did not.
We got out some paper and I proceeded to show him where to fold the paper. He thought it was "kinda cool". Our airplane flew around the kitchen, then the living room. Soon his was the Scooby Doo plane and mine was the Backyardigans plane and they were chasing each other.
They crash landed in Dinosaur world. My next idea was to get some of his dinosaurs out. They chased they planes for a bit, but it morphed into dinosaur school time. The moving T-rex was the teacher and the others were the class. They were headed to a field trip to the dinosaur museum, which in their world would just be the museum. Tomorrow would be bike day. He did a great job at controlling the class and answering the little dinosaurs questions.
Our hour went by so quickly that Littlest got back from class. Tired and ornery. He had had a long day. Time for Littlest to go to bed.
My husband took Oldest out to ride his bike for a bit then came back in to play a dinosaur card game for a while.
Great night using our imagination.
We got out some paper and I proceeded to show him where to fold the paper. He thought it was "kinda cool". Our airplane flew around the kitchen, then the living room. Soon his was the Scooby Doo plane and mine was the Backyardigans plane and they were chasing each other.
They crash landed in Dinosaur world. My next idea was to get some of his dinosaurs out. They chased they planes for a bit, but it morphed into dinosaur school time. The moving T-rex was the teacher and the others were the class. They were headed to a field trip to the dinosaur museum, which in their world would just be the museum. Tomorrow would be bike day. He did a great job at controlling the class and answering the little dinosaurs questions.
Our hour went by so quickly that Littlest got back from class. Tired and ornery. He had had a long day. Time for Littlest to go to bed.
My husband took Oldest out to ride his bike for a bit then came back in to play a dinosaur card game for a while.
Great night using our imagination.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Plumbing 101
So our toilet has been running lately. Not constantly, but about once an hour to refill part of the tank. Saturday we decided to fix it. We discovered that the rubber ball in the tank had a small hole in it, thus the leakage and refilling. My husband turns off the water to the toilet , pulls out the ball and we head to The Home Depot for a replacement.
{foreshadow}
Turning off the water to the tank was not an easy task. The valve didn't had a handle and we needed a screwdriver to turn it. How long has that been there unturned I wondered? Maybe we should replace that too. What if we needed to turn off the water quickly some day in the future.
We get our part easily at Home Depot and head home. The repair was quick and we continued on with our day. About an hour later, on a whim, I check the floor behind the toilet. The valve has a leak. Back to the store for my husband, this time Lowe's. He calls me to ask what size it is, 3/8 or 5/8? I measure as best I can but what I measure is not an option. Someone at the store says that 3/8 is pretty standard. He heads home with that.
Turn off the water to the house, remove the valve from the toilet side, remove the valve from the wall side. Remove the valve from the wall side. I said, remove the valve from the wall side. This puppy will not budge. Finally it moves, or so we think. We then realize the valve is not turning but the pipe attached to the valve connecting to the wall pipe is turning. Not good. What do we do. It is 3pm on a Saturday. We have no water running in the house, cannot turn it back on and a plumber would cost a fortune. I call a neighbor.
John comes over with some tools, the right tools and he and my husband manage to re tighten the pipe to the wall and get the valve off. We then realize that the new valve is the wrong size. We need a 1/2. I head to Home Depot one more time.
It's fixed! No leaks! and we upgraded the toilet for a future overflow emergency. With 2 young boys I know this will come in handy!
~Peace
{foreshadow}
Turning off the water to the tank was not an easy task. The valve didn't had a handle and we needed a screwdriver to turn it. How long has that been there unturned I wondered? Maybe we should replace that too. What if we needed to turn off the water quickly some day in the future.
We get our part easily at Home Depot and head home. The repair was quick and we continued on with our day. About an hour later, on a whim, I check the floor behind the toilet. The valve has a leak. Back to the store for my husband, this time Lowe's. He calls me to ask what size it is, 3/8 or 5/8? I measure as best I can but what I measure is not an option. Someone at the store says that 3/8 is pretty standard. He heads home with that.
Turn off the water to the house, remove the valve from the toilet side, remove the valve from the wall side. Remove the valve from the wall side. I said, remove the valve from the wall side. This puppy will not budge. Finally it moves, or so we think. We then realize the valve is not turning but the pipe attached to the valve connecting to the wall pipe is turning. Not good. What do we do. It is 3pm on a Saturday. We have no water running in the house, cannot turn it back on and a plumber would cost a fortune. I call a neighbor.
John comes over with some tools, the right tools and he and my husband manage to re tighten the pipe to the wall and get the valve off. We then realize that the new valve is the wrong size. We need a 1/2. I head to Home Depot one more time.
It's fixed! No leaks! and we upgraded the toilet for a future overflow emergency. With 2 young boys I know this will come in handy!
~Peace
Saturday, July 5, 2008
On your marks, get set, GO!
Oldest and I watched part of the Olympic Swimming Trials last night. When I turned them on he announced that it was a swimming race. He's very into competition right now.
I love the Olympics, always have. Watching the incredible athletes always sparks a fire within me. We moved to Salt Lake in 2000 because of the Olympics. Not compete of course, but my husbands job as a sports journalist allowed the opportunity to live in an Olympic city during the games and attend events. We probably never would have been able to do that otherwise. The experience was incredible and I hope that someday my children get experience the Olympics live and in person.
Last night swimmer Dara Torres made her fifth Olympics at age 41. Maybe 40 really is the new 30?
We recently go a gameboy game. Mario and Sonic at the Olympics. Oldest has gotten pretty good at some of the events. Littlest has picked up a new phrase, " On your marks, get set, GO!"
I love the Olympics, always have. Watching the incredible athletes always sparks a fire within me. We moved to Salt Lake in 2000 because of the Olympics. Not compete of course, but my husbands job as a sports journalist allowed the opportunity to live in an Olympic city during the games and attend events. We probably never would have been able to do that otherwise. The experience was incredible and I hope that someday my children get experience the Olympics live and in person.
Last night swimmer Dara Torres made her fifth Olympics at age 41. Maybe 40 really is the new 30?
We recently go a gameboy game. Mario and Sonic at the Olympics. Oldest has gotten pretty good at some of the events. Littlest has picked up a new phrase, " On your marks, get set, GO!"
Friday, July 4, 2008
Independence Day
Today is the 4th of July. It is the day Americans celebrate their Independence. It has turned out to be a big independence day for Oldest too!
Our neighborhood has an annual parade. The children in the neighborhood ride their bikes or scooters or wagons around a couple of blocks, neighbors cheer and then we all have a potluck lunch. This year the local fire station brought a fire engine to lead the parade. They stayed to cool everyone off with the hose. We even had the fighter jets fly over again this year. It was a very enjoyable couple of hours.
Oldest wanted to ride his bike this year. About a month ago we took the training wheels off of his bike and he has been working on riding on his own. For the last month he hasn’t had too much luck. Baby steps of progress but he wasn’t ready to ride it by himself in the parade.
Then last night, when my husband told him he didn’t think he was ready to ride it in the parade, Oldest had a breakthrough. He started riding without any help. Not only that, but he turned corners and braked all on his own.
He rode his bike in the parade today. All of our neighbors commented on how well he was riding. He was very proud of himself. So were we. He loves his new found independence.
Happy Independence Day!
Our neighborhood has an annual parade. The children in the neighborhood ride their bikes or scooters or wagons around a couple of blocks, neighbors cheer and then we all have a potluck lunch. This year the local fire station brought a fire engine to lead the parade. They stayed to cool everyone off with the hose. We even had the fighter jets fly over again this year. It was a very enjoyable couple of hours.
Oldest wanted to ride his bike this year. About a month ago we took the training wheels off of his bike and he has been working on riding on his own. For the last month he hasn’t had too much luck. Baby steps of progress but he wasn’t ready to ride it by himself in the parade.
Then last night, when my husband told him he didn’t think he was ready to ride it in the parade, Oldest had a breakthrough. He started riding without any help. Not only that, but he turned corners and braked all on his own.
He rode his bike in the parade today. All of our neighbors commented on how well he was riding. He was very proud of himself. So were we. He loves his new found independence.
Happy Independence Day!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
SING!
Littlest has been singing. He doesn't say the words necessarily but he know the rhythms and inflections. It's very cute. And very loud.
Oldest's favorite TV show is SpongeBob SquarePants (we will not let him watch Power Rangers) Littlest was singing the theme song. Maybe we are watching to much TV.
Oldest's favorite TV show is SpongeBob SquarePants (we will not let him watch Power Rangers) Littlest was singing the theme song. Maybe we are watching to much TV.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Keeping Cool
Watching the weather forecast on this mornings newscast made me feel hot. It's going to be hot. Very Hot!. Highs around 100 degrees. Overnight lows somewhere in the 70's. Summer has arrived with a vengeance. At least it's a dry heat. :)
This year we have had to recharge the AC in our 11 year old car, replace the compressor and recharge the AC in our 10 year old car and replace the 25 year-old furnace in our house so that it could actually blow the AC in our house. A lot of money for keeping cool. But when it's this hot you really have no choice. I am grateful that we are in a position to be able to do that and that that is all we had to do.
There is always something to complain about, gas and food costs are rising. We had to spend extra money to replace a "luxury" like air conditioning. The kids are grumpy and don't want to listen. But in the larger scheme of thing they are pretty insignificant.
I look at the news and the thousands of people in the Midwest who have lost everything because of flooding. I look at some friends who are dealing with illness. Yesterday I heard about a friend of a friend who just found out her 5 year-old has cancer. I don't know them but as a mother I can't help but feel sad. Please help me send prayers and/or positive thoughts their way.
So, starting right now, only positive thoughts, focus on the good stuff. No complaining. I'm in a good place.
~Peace
This year we have had to recharge the AC in our 11 year old car, replace the compressor and recharge the AC in our 10 year old car and replace the 25 year-old furnace in our house so that it could actually blow the AC in our house. A lot of money for keeping cool. But when it's this hot you really have no choice. I am grateful that we are in a position to be able to do that and that that is all we had to do.
There is always something to complain about, gas and food costs are rising. We had to spend extra money to replace a "luxury" like air conditioning. The kids are grumpy and don't want to listen. But in the larger scheme of thing they are pretty insignificant.
I look at the news and the thousands of people in the Midwest who have lost everything because of flooding. I look at some friends who are dealing with illness. Yesterday I heard about a friend of a friend who just found out her 5 year-old has cancer. I don't know them but as a mother I can't help but feel sad. Please help me send prayers and/or positive thoughts their way.
So, starting right now, only positive thoughts, focus on the good stuff. No complaining. I'm in a good place.
~Peace
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Race
Saturday Oldest and Littlest participated in a kid race. They were both very excited. Oldest met a new friend, a little girl with a scooter. They rode their scooters before the race even started. They needed to rest for a few minutes before the start.
The race started Oldest was off, faster than me. I had to run to keep up with him. He rode his scooter about 1/3 of a mile and decided he was done with it and wanted to run. We handed it off to Littlest who was with my husband and Oldest and I started running. He ran the whole rest of the race. On through the finish line , through the "Spray Zone" and on to the watermelon and cookies. I was impressed at how fast he finished.
We waited for Littlest, who also ran across the finish line. Both got finisher ribbons and got to stand on the winners podium. It was a morning of fun. We will definitely do this again.
Oldest won a raffle and got a certificate for $20 off a new pair of running shoes from Salt Lake Running Company. We headed there to get his new shoes. They have blue stripes, laces, are a little big but not too much, and are very fast :)
Littlest loved the scooter so we got him one of his own. Now he is set to race another day.
~Race on
The race started Oldest was off, faster than me. I had to run to keep up with him. He rode his scooter about 1/3 of a mile and decided he was done with it and wanted to run. We handed it off to Littlest who was with my husband and Oldest and I started running. He ran the whole rest of the race. On through the finish line , through the "Spray Zone" and on to the watermelon and cookies. I was impressed at how fast he finished.
We waited for Littlest, who also ran across the finish line. Both got finisher ribbons and got to stand on the winners podium. It was a morning of fun. We will definitely do this again.
Oldest won a raffle and got a certificate for $20 off a new pair of running shoes from Salt Lake Running Company. We headed there to get his new shoes. They have blue stripes, laces, are a little big but not too much, and are very fast :)
Littlest loved the scooter so we got him one of his own. Now he is set to race another day.
~Race on
I Scream
A few years ago my husband and I went to a major league baseball game where one of the vendors was hawking Ice cream. He walked around yelling, "I SCREAM!" It got your attention.
Last night we went as a family for ice cream. Littlest was way too excited. He kept saying "Ice cream. Ice cream." The line was very long. Every time someone other than us got their ice cream littlest took I scream to a new level. He certainly has a sweet tooth. He gobbled his twist cone faster than Oldest who didn't even finish his.
I was a fun day capped by a sweet night.
~ah summer~
Last night we went as a family for ice cream. Littlest was way too excited. He kept saying "Ice cream. Ice cream." The line was very long. Every time someone other than us got their ice cream littlest took I scream to a new level. He certainly has a sweet tooth. He gobbled his twist cone faster than Oldest who didn't even finish his.
I was a fun day capped by a sweet night.
~ah summer~
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Racing Day
Racing day, it's racing day,Racing day, it's racing day!It's not nervous pacing day.Today's the day we race. ~The Backyardigans
Today, Oldest has a race. Littlest is participating too, but that's just more of a way for him to not throw a 2 year-old fit.
Oldest has been wanting to do a "kid race" since my 1/2 marathon adventure in April. On Father's Day we went to play mini-golf and came across a registration form for a Kid Race. It's taking place in a near-by neighborhood and the proceeds go to help a local children's grief support program. www.thesharingplace.org
Oldest is very excited. During the first part of the race participants ride "something". I think he will ride his scooter because his bike doesn't have training wheels anymore and he still hasn't perfected riding it. He's better but not good enough to ride it .80 of a mile without getting frustrated. The remaining .30 of a mile is a run. Oldest's race is non-competitive. (There is a competitive division but I think Oldest needs to participate and have fun, not be upset if he doesn't win.)
Littlest will ride on Dad's shoulders and then run to the finish line.
Oldest will wear the "race shirt" I got him a while ago. It says FUTURE MARATHONER. He's asked me if I want to run across the finish line with him.
~Peace
Today, Oldest has a race. Littlest is participating too, but that's just more of a way for him to not throw a 2 year-old fit.
Oldest has been wanting to do a "kid race" since my 1/2 marathon adventure in April. On Father's Day we went to play mini-golf and came across a registration form for a Kid Race. It's taking place in a near-by neighborhood and the proceeds go to help a local children's grief support program. www.thesharingplace.org
Oldest is very excited. During the first part of the race participants ride "something". I think he will ride his scooter because his bike doesn't have training wheels anymore and he still hasn't perfected riding it. He's better but not good enough to ride it .80 of a mile without getting frustrated. The remaining .30 of a mile is a run. Oldest's race is non-competitive. (There is a competitive division but I think Oldest needs to participate and have fun, not be upset if he doesn't win.)
Littlest will ride on Dad's shoulders and then run to the finish line.
Oldest will wear the "race shirt" I got him a while ago. It says FUTURE MARATHONER. He's asked me if I want to run across the finish line with him.
~Peace
Friday, June 27, 2008
FORE!
Oldest came to work with me today. He earned the opportunity as a reward and I thought it would be a boring day in the office. He packed his backpack with some activities and snacks. We were going to order pizza into the office and have a picnic on my floor. Nothing really exciting.
I listened to my Voice mails first thing and there is a voice mail from my boss. The trophies for the Client Appreciation Golf Tourney needed to be picked up and brought down to the course. Would I mind doing it? They needed to be there about 12:30. I could stay for lunch.
Oldest delivered mail, helped make copies and retrieved items from my printer. He also had various other errands to run around the office. There were very few people there and it was fun to have him there to "help" me.
We left at 11:00 to go get the trophies and drive down to the course. Oldest was excited to go into the trophy shop and wanted to hold the trophies in the car as we drove. When we got to the course we dropped off the trophies to the appropriate place and proceeded to the course to wait for my boss to give me something I needed to take back to the office. The golfers weren't done so we watched for a bit. A colleague noticed us and I asked if Oldest could ride in the cart to the next hole. Oldest not only got a ride but he got to drive. He did well. And got a golf ball from my friend. We waited a little longer. Went up to eat lunch and then headed back to the office.
Not what we planned for the day, but very fun. Better than running that work errand by myself. Oldest is a pretty good driver.
~Fore!
I listened to my Voice mails first thing and there is a voice mail from my boss. The trophies for the Client Appreciation Golf Tourney needed to be picked up and brought down to the course. Would I mind doing it? They needed to be there about 12:30. I could stay for lunch.
Oldest delivered mail, helped make copies and retrieved items from my printer. He also had various other errands to run around the office. There were very few people there and it was fun to have him there to "help" me.
We left at 11:00 to go get the trophies and drive down to the course. Oldest was excited to go into the trophy shop and wanted to hold the trophies in the car as we drove. When we got to the course we dropped off the trophies to the appropriate place and proceeded to the course to wait for my boss to give me something I needed to take back to the office. The golfers weren't done so we watched for a bit. A colleague noticed us and I asked if Oldest could ride in the cart to the next hole. Oldest not only got a ride but he got to drive. He did well. And got a golf ball from my friend. We waited a little longer. Went up to eat lunch and then headed back to the office.
Not what we planned for the day, but very fun. Better than running that work errand by myself. Oldest is a pretty good driver.
~Fore!
Summerfest
Summerfest opened yesterday! Summerfest and I turn 40 this year. Summerfest is a 10 day music festival in Milwaukee, my hometown. I grew up going to Summerfest. I saw many concerts there. From the days before the Amphitheater when the Main stage looked like a side stage I saw groups like Huey Lewis and the News in 1984, the Violent Femmes the same year. My high school band geek friends and I went every year to see a jazz group called Spyro Gyra.
Later I saw groups other groups, Pearl Jam, REO Speedwagon, Bo Deans, Hootie and the Blowfish and many other I cannot recall. My husband and I started going every year to see the musician Pat McCurdy, a Milwaukee native that has somewhat of a cult following. My husband even offered to buy me a ticket to our first Jimmy Buffet concert at Summerfest on our first date.
When I worked in downtown Milwaukee, my husband would meet me for lunch there since it was only a couple of blocks from my workplace and you could get in every weekday from 11am-1pm with a pin you could buy for $1.
So, Summerfest has a special place in my heart and has left me with very special memories. But, I've got to tell you I don't think I like the way Summerfest has grown up. There seems to be more violence there, the crowds are immense. Maybe it's because I haven't been in 8 years. Maybe it's because I'm now a parent and it doesn't look like a place I would want to take my little kids. I don't know maybe I'll change my opinion in a few years. Maybe it's just Summerfest's mid-life crisis
Anyway, Happy 40th Birthday Summerfest. I hope you enjoy many more. Me Too!
~peace
Thursday, June 26, 2008
High Maintainence
It was unbelievable. On Saturday morning as I am trying to get ready to run my final leg of the Wasatch Back, I head to the locker room of the school we stayed to brush my teeth and put in my contacts. As I enter the locker room there is a cluster of a dozen or so women crowded around the only mirror and three sinks (of which only two worked) putting on make up and curling their hair. Did they forget where they were? Did they not realize that in a matter of hours they would be sweating like pigs, slogging up a mountain? I was appalled! I had to fight my way to the sink to spit and put in my contacts without a mirror.
The kicker though, a woman stuck her head in front of me while I was spitting out my toothpaste and said, " I just need to make sure my part is straight." Huh?!?!?
~peace
The kicker though, a woman stuck her head in front of me while I was spitting out my toothpaste and said, " I just need to make sure my part is straight." Huh?!?!?
~peace
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Slim Jims
Is it possible for someone to live on Slim Jims? Lately that is all Littlest wants to eat. We offer him some of his previous favorite foods but he shakes his head, says "uh uh" and heads to the drawer that that holds the Slim Jims. We bought them a while back for a car trip. Now we have to stock up on them because he has at least 3 every day. I know it is a stage that he will grow out of, but until then they are a staple in the house. Maybe he can be one for Halloween?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Other Half
I registered today for another 1/2 Marathon. This one in Moab, UT on Oct 19th. I must be crazy!
My Wasatch Back Experience
We did it. My team finished the Back, faster than we thought we would. We finished in 29:57:31.8 averaging a 9:55 min mile. It was hot, it was cold, it was long, it was short. It was 30 hours of fun and exhaustion. As Oldest would say, it was "AWESOME".
HOT
Was it hot! My first leg started at 2:57 pm. I don't know what the temperature was, but it was mother hot. 90-95 easily. This leg was 4.0 miles through farmland and the small town of Eden, UT. Some residents of Eden put on sprinklers to cool runners down and other teams had huge water guns and spray bottles to help too. Sportsmanship was running high! My leg was relatively flat and I finished on pace.
The rest of the runners from my van continued the legs up to Snowbasin. It was beautiful. But the 2 runners who ran up the mountain just said it was hard. We increased our overall time to -35 minutes, handed off to Van 1 and headed to our next exchange point, East Canyon State Park.
We got some food, tried to sleep, but the call that Van 1 was close came an hour early. Time to get ready to run again, this time uphill in the dark. I put on my reflective vest and head lamp and started up to the exchange gate. I didn't know what it would be like to run at 11:30pm, but it was peaceful and cooler. The low overnight up in the mountains was in the 30's. It was during this leg that my bosses team caught up with us. They cheered me on and gave me encouragement. Many of them have worked in our office and they have become my friends. Ashly was the runner of that leg and she did pass me on an uphill. They went on to finish in 26:51:19.5.
This was my most difficult leg. 3.9 miles with a 600+ft elevation gain already at altitude, but I loved it. The rest of my vanmates ran through the night. Through small towns and by resivoirs. Our last runner said he felt his run was spiritual. He finished at 5:00 am with the sun starting to come up over Rockport resivoir. THe frogs were croacking and the birds were chirping. He was at peace.
We handed off to Van 1 -1:30. TIme for a shower and some sleep. The van was quiet as I drove it to Heber City. We got there at 5:30 and I proceded to find the shower, get some breakfast and crash on the westling mats the school put out on the gym floor. Sleep came slowly and went fast. At 8:30 the call came that I would need to run in 40 minutes. We were now -2:00.
This was my hardest run. I was tired. I was slow, very slow. It was 4 miles that just wouldn't end. But it did, and I was done. We had 5 more runners and we were done. Unfortunately the hardest legs were still ahead of us. UP and OVER Guardsman's Pass. Very hard legs straight up then straight down. But, my warrior friends made it look easy. I'm very proud of us.
We were all slower this morning, but everyone did incredibly. We were glad to be done and get some food and rest. My Vanmates Jason, Rebecca, Bonnie, Jenneifer and Colby are amazing people. I'm glad I got to know them. I hope I get to run with them again.
At the finish line, we got to run across as a team. My family met me there and Oldest ran across with us. I let him get my medal.
The team is registered for next year. Count me in.
HOT
Was it hot! My first leg started at 2:57 pm. I don't know what the temperature was, but it was mother hot. 90-95 easily. This leg was 4.0 miles through farmland and the small town of Eden, UT. Some residents of Eden put on sprinklers to cool runners down and other teams had huge water guns and spray bottles to help too. Sportsmanship was running high! My leg was relatively flat and I finished on pace.
The rest of the runners from my van continued the legs up to Snowbasin. It was beautiful. But the 2 runners who ran up the mountain just said it was hard. We increased our overall time to -35 minutes, handed off to Van 1 and headed to our next exchange point, East Canyon State Park.
We got some food, tried to sleep, but the call that Van 1 was close came an hour early. Time to get ready to run again, this time uphill in the dark. I put on my reflective vest and head lamp and started up to the exchange gate. I didn't know what it would be like to run at 11:30pm, but it was peaceful and cooler. The low overnight up in the mountains was in the 30's. It was during this leg that my bosses team caught up with us. They cheered me on and gave me encouragement. Many of them have worked in our office and they have become my friends. Ashly was the runner of that leg and she did pass me on an uphill. They went on to finish in 26:51:19.5.
This was my most difficult leg. 3.9 miles with a 600+ft elevation gain already at altitude, but I loved it. The rest of my vanmates ran through the night. Through small towns and by resivoirs. Our last runner said he felt his run was spiritual. He finished at 5:00 am with the sun starting to come up over Rockport resivoir. THe frogs were croacking and the birds were chirping. He was at peace.
We handed off to Van 1 -1:30. TIme for a shower and some sleep. The van was quiet as I drove it to Heber City. We got there at 5:30 and I proceded to find the shower, get some breakfast and crash on the westling mats the school put out on the gym floor. Sleep came slowly and went fast. At 8:30 the call came that I would need to run in 40 minutes. We were now -2:00.
This was my hardest run. I was tired. I was slow, very slow. It was 4 miles that just wouldn't end. But it did, and I was done. We had 5 more runners and we were done. Unfortunately the hardest legs were still ahead of us. UP and OVER Guardsman's Pass. Very hard legs straight up then straight down. But, my warrior friends made it look easy. I'm very proud of us.
We were all slower this morning, but everyone did incredibly. We were glad to be done and get some food and rest. My Vanmates Jason, Rebecca, Bonnie, Jenneifer and Colby are amazing people. I'm glad I got to know them. I hope I get to run with them again.
At the finish line, we got to run across as a team. My family met me there and Oldest ran across with us. I let him get my medal.
The team is registered for next year. Count me in.
Friday, June 20, 2008
It's Here
Well, today is the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay. Can I just say, where did this year go.? I met my whole team last Monday and we finalized some of the details. At 9:00 am my team takes off from Logan , UT for our trek to Park City. http://www.ragnarrelay.com/
I start my first leg about 3:00pm in Eden, UT. We wind our way through the mountains through the night and end in Park City about 5:00 pm Saturday. My other legs will be at about 1:00 am and 11:00 am . I'm excited and nervous, just like with the 1/2 marathon. I'll run a total of 12 miles over the 3 legs and not sleep much for the next 36 hours.
We get to run across the finish line as a team. My family has plans to be there to cheer us across. I love you guys! xo xo xo
Sunday, I'll write about the journey. After I've slept though.
Park City or Bust. Knees don't fail me now.
You can do anything you set your mind to!
~Peace
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Speech Class
Oldest and I attended a weekly speech class over the spring. It was a group class at a local elementary school. Oldest loved it. I was not so impressed. GROUP SPEECH for preschoolers? I never felt like he was working on what he needed.
Today we start speech class up at the University. I'm curious to see how this class is run. I sure hope it will be more individualized. He has specific needs ( problems with th, ch and occasionally substituting the first consonant in a word, like tid for kid) and with encouragement and practice he'll get it.
Lately he's been having a running commentary on everything. He's talking all the time. Making up stories. He's always loved to hear us read to him, I really want him to learn to read himself. I'm hoping this class will give me some help teaching that.
We've gotten a summer activities book for Pre-K kids. He loves doing it. I showed him the certificate at the end of the book for when he finishes all the activities. He's determined to get that certificate quickly. Last night he did 8 pages of homework. I hope when he gets real homework in a few years that same excitement is there.
~Peace
Today we start speech class up at the University. I'm curious to see how this class is run. I sure hope it will be more individualized. He has specific needs ( problems with th, ch and occasionally substituting the first consonant in a word, like tid for kid) and with encouragement and practice he'll get it.
Lately he's been having a running commentary on everything. He's talking all the time. Making up stories. He's always loved to hear us read to him, I really want him to learn to read himself. I'm hoping this class will give me some help teaching that.
We've gotten a summer activities book for Pre-K kids. He loves doing it. I showed him the certificate at the end of the book for when he finishes all the activities. He's determined to get that certificate quickly. Last night he did 8 pages of homework. I hope when he gets real homework in a few years that same excitement is there.
~Peace
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
21 days
You've probably heard that it takes 21 days to modify behavior or make something a habit. Well, since I haven't posed in about 6 weeks, I think it's time to modify my behavior.
We've made this a family project. We have 4 sticker boards up with a calendar starting with today. We are all going to try to modify behavior, create new good habits. We will each get to put a sticker on our board if we our successful for the day. Our reward will be a trip to a water slide park. Oldest is excited, Littlest is clueless. They both helped decorate the charts last night.
So starting today, I will post 21 times in the next 21 days. I'm giving myself an off day this Saturday because I will be in the middle of the Wasatch Back, but I will make it up with 2 posts on another day.
I'll fill you in on my family's success along the way!
~peace
We've made this a family project. We have 4 sticker boards up with a calendar starting with today. We are all going to try to modify behavior, create new good habits. We will each get to put a sticker on our board if we our successful for the day. Our reward will be a trip to a water slide park. Oldest is excited, Littlest is clueless. They both helped decorate the charts last night.
So starting today, I will post 21 times in the next 21 days. I'm giving myself an off day this Saturday because I will be in the middle of the Wasatch Back, but I will make it up with 2 posts on another day.
I'll fill you in on my family's success along the way!
~peace
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Star of the Week
Oldest was star of the week at his pre-school. Being star lets you be first when doing activities, and you get a poster made with your favorite things and your friends ideas of what they like best about you.
We, my husband and I, got to attend on Thursday which was the day that his friends talk about what they like about him. They all liked how he plays with them, either Monster Trucks (his favorite toy) or outside on the playground riding bikes.
The best part of the ceremony was when his teacher read what he wanted to be when he grew up. Oldest wants to be a parent. Wow! She said that girls will sometimes say they want to be a parent, but boys, hardly ever. She said we should be proud of what we are doing as parents.
Oldest looks up to us and wants to be like us. We must be doing something right.
~Peace
We, my husband and I, got to attend on Thursday which was the day that his friends talk about what they like about him. They all liked how he plays with them, either Monster Trucks (his favorite toy) or outside on the playground riding bikes.
The best part of the ceremony was when his teacher read what he wanted to be when he grew up. Oldest wants to be a parent. Wow! She said that girls will sometimes say they want to be a parent, but boys, hardly ever. She said we should be proud of what we are doing as parents.
Oldest looks up to us and wants to be like us. We must be doing something right.
~Peace
Saturday, April 19, 2008
3:00:10
I ran my first half Marathon today. My goal before I started was to finish. As I was running I gave myself a new goal: 3 hours. As you can see by my title. I almost made it under 3 hours.
It was a super day. I got up at 5am. Made some coffee and ate a couple of pieces of toast. My neighbors who were also running picked me up at at 6:15 and we headed to the starting line. I wasn't nervous or anxious and waited for the start. A gospel choir was singing at the start and they were very inspiring. The race started and it took about 5 minutes to cross the pad that started the timing chip. I crossed at 7:o7. Wow did it feel great running with 20,000 people.
My family was at mile 4 cheering me on. I ran over to give my boys a kiss since I left so early and didn't get to see them. I also handed off the sweatshirt I was wearing because I was getting warm. I left them at 7:56.
I started walking for a bit and a women next me asked if that was my son. She said his smile when he saw me was priceless. She also said that she wanted to finish in 3 hours. I was moving faster than her and decided that I could do that too!
The next 5 miles were uneventful. I noticed that there were a bunch of us running walking at about the same speed, so I used them to pace myself.
At mile 9, we met back up with the marathon route. As I rounded the corner I noticed the lead car come by. I screamed to the women running just behind me to hurry up so that we could run with the lead pack. We did, for about 3 seconds. Man were they moving. The leaders finished 22 miles as I was finishing 9.
About mile 11, my legs were so tired I needed to walk a lot more than I had been. For those of you from Salt Lake I ran around Casey and Debra from Channel 2, morning team for a while. They finished just in front of me.
My family came down and cheered me on at the end. I loved every minute of the race. I finished 295th in my age group (35-39), still beating out about 40 runners. Next year when I run I'll be in a new age group. Perhaps I finish better.
Next year? You bet!
One woman running at about my pace had on a shirt that had a great saying and I told her so. It said "The woman who starts the race is not the same woman who finishes the race." Very true. I feel empowered!
Also, What a great way to spend Earth Day!
~Peace
It was a super day. I got up at 5am. Made some coffee and ate a couple of pieces of toast. My neighbors who were also running picked me up at at 6:15 and we headed to the starting line. I wasn't nervous or anxious and waited for the start. A gospel choir was singing at the start and they were very inspiring. The race started and it took about 5 minutes to cross the pad that started the timing chip. I crossed at 7:o7. Wow did it feel great running with 20,000 people.
My family was at mile 4 cheering me on. I ran over to give my boys a kiss since I left so early and didn't get to see them. I also handed off the sweatshirt I was wearing because I was getting warm. I left them at 7:56.
I started walking for a bit and a women next me asked if that was my son. She said his smile when he saw me was priceless. She also said that she wanted to finish in 3 hours. I was moving faster than her and decided that I could do that too!
The next 5 miles were uneventful. I noticed that there were a bunch of us running walking at about the same speed, so I used them to pace myself.
At mile 9, we met back up with the marathon route. As I rounded the corner I noticed the lead car come by. I screamed to the women running just behind me to hurry up so that we could run with the lead pack. We did, for about 3 seconds. Man were they moving. The leaders finished 22 miles as I was finishing 9.
About mile 11, my legs were so tired I needed to walk a lot more than I had been. For those of you from Salt Lake I ran around Casey and Debra from Channel 2, morning team for a while. They finished just in front of me.
My family came down and cheered me on at the end. I loved every minute of the race. I finished 295th in my age group (35-39), still beating out about 40 runners. Next year when I run I'll be in a new age group. Perhaps I finish better.
Next year? You bet!
One woman running at about my pace had on a shirt that had a great saying and I told her so. It said "The woman who starts the race is not the same woman who finishes the race." Very true. I feel empowered!
Also, What a great way to spend Earth Day!
~Peace
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Big Trucks
Ever wonder how they make concrete for the highways? Let me tell you.
Today I was lucky to co-op at Oldest's school. It was a field trip day. We went to see one of his classmates Dad at work. This dad works for one of his family's companies. They make the concrete that makes our roads.
First, they bring in large chunks of old road by a large dump truck. A jack hammer vehicle breaks it into smaller pieces. Next a truck with a jaw like grip thing on the front rips out the metal in the smaller road pieces. Yes the roads we drive on have metal in them and the metal they pull out of old roads gets recycled into new cars!
After the metal is removed, the smaller road pieces go through an elaborate conveyor belt system that breaks it down into even smaller pieces that are sifted a few times so that they don't end up too big. Once they are broken down into very small rock they are placed on a huge pile until they are loaded on a dump truck again for transport to the construction site to become our roads again.
Before they leave the trucks are weighed on a huge scale. Everyone on the field trip, the class, teacher and co-oping parents stepped on the huge scale. Altogether we weighed 1700 lbs.
The experience was priceless. One of Oldest's classmates rode with us in our car and they talked the whole way there. They pointed out every truck we saw on our trip. I loved listening to their discussion. On the way back they were exhausted. Not much was said. Probably very low energy because after we got back and had snack time they all perked right up and played on the playground.
I loved my time with my son today. We both learned something new.
~Recycle
Today I was lucky to co-op at Oldest's school. It was a field trip day. We went to see one of his classmates Dad at work. This dad works for one of his family's companies. They make the concrete that makes our roads.
First, they bring in large chunks of old road by a large dump truck. A jack hammer vehicle breaks it into smaller pieces. Next a truck with a jaw like grip thing on the front rips out the metal in the smaller road pieces. Yes the roads we drive on have metal in them and the metal they pull out of old roads gets recycled into new cars!
After the metal is removed, the smaller road pieces go through an elaborate conveyor belt system that breaks it down into even smaller pieces that are sifted a few times so that they don't end up too big. Once they are broken down into very small rock they are placed on a huge pile until they are loaded on a dump truck again for transport to the construction site to become our roads again.
Before they leave the trucks are weighed on a huge scale. Everyone on the field trip, the class, teacher and co-oping parents stepped on the huge scale. Altogether we weighed 1700 lbs.
The experience was priceless. One of Oldest's classmates rode with us in our car and they talked the whole way there. They pointed out every truck we saw on our trip. I loved listening to their discussion. On the way back they were exhausted. Not much was said. Probably very low energy because after we got back and had snack time they all perked right up and played on the playground.
I loved my time with my son today. We both learned something new.
~Recycle
Monday, March 31, 2008
No Hablo Espanol
Littlest somehow changed the setting on the answering machine to spanish. And the handset battery has drained so phone is hopelessly lost. Don't bother calling.... :)
~Peace
~Peace
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Bowling
Oldest’s preschool class takes a lot of field trips. They focus on social skills for young children and getting them out into the community is a big part of that. They recently went bowling. Neither my husband nor I co-op’d that day so we didn’t see him bowl. But last week while on Spring Break we took a trip to the bowling alley.
Oldest was very excited. He got a 6 lb. blue bowling ball and some bowling shoes. The lane bumpers were raised and he was ready to go. He understands how to hold the ball and the swinging motion, but having little fingers he used two hands to throw. Some of the throws were slightly overhand, but he managed to get the ball down the lane. He was patient waiting for his turn. All in all it was a fun experience. He even called some of my husband’s strikes.
Two games were played and oldest scores were 54 and 69 respectively. Not bad for a 4yr old.
~Peace
Oldest was very excited. He got a 6 lb. blue bowling ball and some bowling shoes. The lane bumpers were raised and he was ready to go. He understands how to hold the ball and the swinging motion, but having little fingers he used two hands to throw. Some of the throws were slightly overhand, but he managed to get the ball down the lane. He was patient waiting for his turn. All in all it was a fun experience. He even called some of my husband’s strikes.
Two games were played and oldest scores were 54 and 69 respectively. Not bad for a 4yr old.
~Peace
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Inspiration
A couple of years ago Jenny Crain visited my office to help do some training on Leadership. I was lucky enough to have lunch alone with her one day. I really liked her. We had a lot in common. We are both from Milwaukee and the same age. Her day job was that of a business coach. She helped people in my business set goals and achieve them. During that lunch I picked her brain on the coaching subject. She was my inspiration to go through my company’s Certified Coaching program. She encouraged me to go through the program and offered to be my coach through the process if they would let her. I successfully completed that over a year ago and now, on top of my other work duties, I spend some time each month with a couple of people helping them set goals and achieve them. Even though she wasn’t my Master Coach I appreciate her encouragement. I really enjoy the coaching that I do and hope to do more of it in the coming years.
Her other job was that of a runner. She ran competitively since high school and was training, at almost 40 years old, to qualify for the Beijing Olympics this summer. During a training run in the rain last August, Jenny was hit by a car. She survived, but has a serious brain injury in addition to other physical problems as a result of the accident. I have been watching her progress over the last 7 months at a blog her family has been updating. (www.jennycrain.net)
I ran 5 miles today and when I was eating lunch checked the blog. I read about her courage and strength, goals and setbacks, achievements and victories. Again I am inspired. Jenny, I dedicate my first half marathon to you. I hope I finish. But even if I don’t, I know that it is the journey that is the achievement and sometimes you have to redefine your goals.
~peace
Her other job was that of a runner. She ran competitively since high school and was training, at almost 40 years old, to qualify for the Beijing Olympics this summer. During a training run in the rain last August, Jenny was hit by a car. She survived, but has a serious brain injury in addition to other physical problems as a result of the accident. I have been watching her progress over the last 7 months at a blog her family has been updating. (www.jennycrain.net)
I ran 5 miles today and when I was eating lunch checked the blog. I read about her courage and strength, goals and setbacks, achievements and victories. Again I am inspired. Jenny, I dedicate my first half marathon to you. I hope I finish. But even if I don’t, I know that it is the journey that is the achievement and sometimes you have to redefine your goals.
~peace
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Boy Cookies
I offered Oldest a cookie today. He said no. He wanted a boy cookie. I asked what boy cookies were. He said we had them in the freezer. I look and we have grasshopper cookies in there. I ask him if that was what he wanted and he said yes, those were boy cookies.
I mention it to my husband and he chuckled. He bought some girl scout cookies the other day and told oldest that they were girl scout cookies. Oldest obviously thought that the cookies I offered him were for girls and in turn thought the grasshopper cookies were for boys.
~Peace
I mention it to my husband and he chuckled. He bought some girl scout cookies the other day and told oldest that they were girl scout cookies. Oldest obviously thought that the cookies I offered him were for girls and in turn thought the grasshopper cookies were for boys.
~Peace
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Keep them laughing
In my previous post I talked a little about our trip to San Francisco. Here's a bit about the actual trip home.
We got to the airport about 2 hours early, which is just about right since we had a car to return. Before we get there though we stop at REI to buy a small fold-up light-weight duffel bag. We always bring more home from a trip than we go with and our bag was just at weight when we left. Delta now charges $80 for an overweight bag. I think the $12 spent on the duffel was a good buy. Now if we can only remember to take it on all of our trips.
We drop off the car, get a SmarteCarte and load up and out. We proceed to the train that will take us to the terminal. Oldest sits in the very front window which looks out at the track below and pretends to be driving the train. Littlest must sit there too. Must do everything his big brother does.
We check in and of course the bag is 5.5 lbs overweight. Pull out the duffel. Gotta remember to pack that on the next trip. We go to security. Everyone gets through pretty easily. Where is the stroller? We left it on the other side. The TSA people were very nice. They folded it up, moved it through and and gave the boys Junior TSA sticker badges to wear. We go to look for food because it is now only 2pm and our flight doesn't leave until 3:30. Options are limited in the Delta terminal wing. Since San Francisco isn't a Delta hub we could choose from a sandwich joint and sit in the terminal and try to get the boys to sit still or go to the 1 restaurant, Perry's, and eat there. We decided on the restaurant. It was good and mostly relaxing.
The boys get antsy and need to run around. The terminal is about 100 feet long, not a lot of running around room. But the work on getting the wiggles out. Then comes the announcement. Maintenance problem with the aircraft. We are delayed. Luckily it was only about 1/2 hour. We get on the plane and the flight attendant hands them both cookies. As we are walking through 1st class, oldest announces that he is thirsty. I say, obviously loud enough for passengers to hear, that he will have to wait until after we take off and the beverage cart comes through because I forgot to get a bottle before we got on the plane. Some nice man in first class gives him his unopened bottle form 1st class. My kids are lucky they are so cute.
Actual time in the air was just fine. Boys watched a video and ate some snacks and behaved. The gentlemen in the row in front of us commented on how well they did. Hurray!
Finally we land. Everyone gets off the plane a little grumpily. We get to the baggage claim and all passengers are standing around waiting impatiently for their bags. Then it starts. The baggage claim turnstile starts to move and bags start to fall out and down onto the turnstile. Littlest starts laughing hysterically every time a bag falls. Everyone starts to notice and laugh with him. It was a classic moment. Thanks for cheering us all up!
Peace~
We got to the airport about 2 hours early, which is just about right since we had a car to return. Before we get there though we stop at REI to buy a small fold-up light-weight duffel bag. We always bring more home from a trip than we go with and our bag was just at weight when we left. Delta now charges $80 for an overweight bag. I think the $12 spent on the duffel was a good buy. Now if we can only remember to take it on all of our trips.
We drop off the car, get a SmarteCarte and load up and out. We proceed to the train that will take us to the terminal. Oldest sits in the very front window which looks out at the track below and pretends to be driving the train. Littlest must sit there too. Must do everything his big brother does.
We check in and of course the bag is 5.5 lbs overweight. Pull out the duffel. Gotta remember to pack that on the next trip. We go to security. Everyone gets through pretty easily. Where is the stroller? We left it on the other side. The TSA people were very nice. They folded it up, moved it through and and gave the boys Junior TSA sticker badges to wear. We go to look for food because it is now only 2pm and our flight doesn't leave until 3:30. Options are limited in the Delta terminal wing. Since San Francisco isn't a Delta hub we could choose from a sandwich joint and sit in the terminal and try to get the boys to sit still or go to the 1 restaurant, Perry's, and eat there. We decided on the restaurant. It was good and mostly relaxing.
The boys get antsy and need to run around. The terminal is about 100 feet long, not a lot of running around room. But the work on getting the wiggles out. Then comes the announcement. Maintenance problem with the aircraft. We are delayed. Luckily it was only about 1/2 hour. We get on the plane and the flight attendant hands them both cookies. As we are walking through 1st class, oldest announces that he is thirsty. I say, obviously loud enough for passengers to hear, that he will have to wait until after we take off and the beverage cart comes through because I forgot to get a bottle before we got on the plane. Some nice man in first class gives him his unopened bottle form 1st class. My kids are lucky they are so cute.
Actual time in the air was just fine. Boys watched a video and ate some snacks and behaved. The gentlemen in the row in front of us commented on how well they did. Hurray!
Finally we land. Everyone gets off the plane a little grumpily. We get to the baggage claim and all passengers are standing around waiting impatiently for their bags. Then it starts. The baggage claim turnstile starts to move and bags start to fall out and down onto the turnstile. Littlest starts laughing hysterically every time a bag falls. Everyone starts to notice and laugh with him. It was a classic moment. Thanks for cheering us all up!
Peace~
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
I left my heart
We were on a trip last week. I had a conference to attend in San Francisco and the whole family came along. It was wonderful. We went to Muir Woods, a Redwood National Monument, north of the city. One word: Spectacular! There are some nice trails there and the boys hiked right along with Joe and I. We went about 2 1/2 miles and the 4yr old walked the entire way. Even more amazing is that the not quite 2yr old walked half of it.
My family did some fun things without me while I was in meetings. They went to a maritime kids museum and watched some surfers near the Golden Gate Bridge. As a family we road the Powell Street Trolley car to the Wharf, went to Pier 39 and had lunch. Ice cream at Ghiradelli Square.
We had dinner with my aunt and uncle who live in San Francisco. They are both deaf and are such interesting people. My aunt can hear a little so we are able to communicate by speaking. My uncle is completely deaf and my husband spent time writing notes back and forth. Perhaps I will talk more about them in a future post. At dinner the boys did very well. We went to probably the nicest restaurant the boys have ever been too. It was enjoyable.
The trip ended with a sojourn to Monterey. We stayed at a hotel right on the beach. 4yr old and I collected sea shells and he made friends with another family who was on vacation too. 4yr old and their 5yr old splashed in the waves. The water was freezing, but it didn't bother them. Hot baths were in order that evening.
Our visit to the Aquarium was nice. We were about 2 weeks early for the opening of their new Splash Zone exhibit specifically for kids, but had fun nonetheless. 4yr old makes fiends everywhere and found some kids "just his size" to have fun with. Almost 2 yr old had fund trying to pick up the starfish in the touching pools. Boys!
All in all, trip was great. No major problems and well-behaved kids! I think the whole family feels refreshed. Now it's time to get back to work.
~Peace
My family did some fun things without me while I was in meetings. They went to a maritime kids museum and watched some surfers near the Golden Gate Bridge. As a family we road the Powell Street Trolley car to the Wharf, went to Pier 39 and had lunch. Ice cream at Ghiradelli Square.
We had dinner with my aunt and uncle who live in San Francisco. They are both deaf and are such interesting people. My aunt can hear a little so we are able to communicate by speaking. My uncle is completely deaf and my husband spent time writing notes back and forth. Perhaps I will talk more about them in a future post. At dinner the boys did very well. We went to probably the nicest restaurant the boys have ever been too. It was enjoyable.
The trip ended with a sojourn to Monterey. We stayed at a hotel right on the beach. 4yr old and I collected sea shells and he made friends with another family who was on vacation too. 4yr old and their 5yr old splashed in the waves. The water was freezing, but it didn't bother them. Hot baths were in order that evening.
Our visit to the Aquarium was nice. We were about 2 weeks early for the opening of their new Splash Zone exhibit specifically for kids, but had fun nonetheless. 4yr old makes fiends everywhere and found some kids "just his size" to have fun with. Almost 2 yr old had fund trying to pick up the starfish in the touching pools. Boys!
All in all, trip was great. No major problems and well-behaved kids! I think the whole family feels refreshed. Now it's time to get back to work.
~Peace
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wasatch Back
A friend of mine is putting together a team to run the Wasatch Back Relay. This is a run in the mountains, from Logan UT to Park City UT. Each team has 12 people who each run 3 legs of this relay. It is about 178 miles total and takes place over 2 days. Each person ends up running between 11 and 16 miles total. I know people who have participated in this in previous years and they loved it. It's a big party and everyone has a great time! I have all but paid my entry fee as far as commitment to the team. I think it sounds like fun. It's in June, so there is time to train. I just hope I don't get the uphill legs.
http://www.ragnarrelay.com/wasatchback/index.php
Peace~
http://www.ragnarrelay.com/wasatchback/index.php
Peace~
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Spring!
It is finally starting to feel like spring. The forecast today is for sun and 50 degrees. Hooray! Winter has been long. Someone has been sick in our house just about every week this year. With all the fevers, puking, coughing, sneezing and a few stitches I'm ready to open up the house, turn off the heat and get rid of the germs. I'm anxiously awaiting the croucuses and keeping an eye out for that first robin. Hurry up!
1/2 Marathon
I filled out and mailed an application to participate in the Salt Lake Half on April 19. I'm now committed. I've been working out and running pretty regularly since the 1st of the year. Last night on my way home from the gym, I noted how good I felt. This is progress. Before I left work I was tired and really didn't feel like running, but I went anyway. I am so glad that I did. Especially since I have a half marathon to participate in in 8 weeks. My goal for the half: FINISH!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Finding Forty
I'm turning forty this year. Getting ready to enter the second half of my life (if you look at average life expectancy). I'm looking at the first half of my life as my growth period. I made it through childhood, graduated form high school and college, met and married my wonderful husband, had my beautiful children, and even have a good career and a mortgage. I have everything I need. Now it's time to work on getting myself fit, finding balance in my crazy life and having a bunch of fun. The first forty years flew by and were great. I want to make sure that I have a blast in the next forty too!
Peace~
Peace~
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