Are My Kids Friends?

Today has been a one of a kind day here in our house.

First off, this really has nothing to do with exercise, outside of the fact that we (me and my little partner D-Man) did our nap-time Max Abs with Shaun T.

Why has this day, of all days been so momentous?  Because my children spent the entire morning playing together.  This has happened in spurts here and there; they've been known to play school and the super fun chase game - until someone runs into a wall or slips backwards on their socks - you know what game that is.

But today, they occupied themselves the WHOLE morning.  They woke up at different times, Sweet Jordan first...and when Drew woke up, you would have thought The Beibs walked into the room.  She was so excited.  That was not so unusual...but it gets better.

They ate their breakfast, talking and laughing with each other for over half an hour.  They both ate, and nobody whined about anything.  Drew got up and got his sis some water...never even asked me for help.

Next, they moved on to school.  Big Bro was the teacher; he's a pro since he's been in pre-school for 2 years.  They had calendar time, learned about the letter "J" for Jordan, and even a bathroom break.  I had to get them cheese sticks, apples and juice for their class snack, and was informed that normally the teacher doesn't have snack, but since today is Saturday, it's fine. 

Mr. S taking a snack break.

I had to go upstairs and clean the bedrooms and bathrooms.  Those two just followed me up, and went right into Big Bro's room and he read her books.  For over an hour.  Even her girlie princess books.  Then, they turned on his Hot Wheels boom box, and they had a dance party while I vacuumed.  

I had to keep myself from checking in too much, you know how that can totally ruin the momentum and throw the oh so peaceful situation into certain doom.  But, even the few times I peeked in everything was running smoothly and kept on that way until lunch!

I was in amazement.  It's one of those catch 22 situations.  I've always said, "Boy, it will be so awesome when those two can play together on their own!"

But...I have to say, I felt a little lonely this morning!  They only wanted me around if they needed something...and then they were off again...no need for old Mom anymore!  I was the one who was waiting by the bedroom door for them to call my name...nope...not even Sweet J, who normally is by my side all. the. time.

I suppose this is just another one of those times when you realize your babies are growing up before your very eyes.  3 and almost 5, and BFF's (when it's convenient of course!)

Now, as one would expect, I'm the one stuck cleaning this mess up, but it's totally worth it!

The aftermath.

Is It Still the Weekend?

So, since I'm a teacher, we have plenty of breaks.  This just so happens to be 'Winter Break'...and we packed it to the gills with things to do!

I'll start with my 10.5 mile run on Saturday morning.  Since I'm writing in part about my journey to a much fitter me, that's a great place to begin.

Saturday morning:  I left the house at 6:23 a.m.  It was dark, so I decided to carry my phone with me, in case I might need it.  I didn't need it, but I had to carry it in my hand for over an hour and half which was annoying...but a small price to pay in the event that I needed it...which I didn't...you see where this is going.

The sun didn't come up for about an hour, which was actually a good thing.  I prefer running in colder, darker weather.  Maybe I was made for living in Alaska or something.  I guess Michigan isn't that far off.

Timing myself has been such an inner struggle for training this time around.  I thought that I wouldn't care that much about pace at all; just getting back into it was enough...turns out I was wrong.  I tried not to look at my watch during my run, but I couldn't help it, then when I finished, but I couldn't help that either.   I was totally disappointed in my mile pace, which completely bummed me out about the run as a whole; even though I thought (before I looked at my watch at the end) that it was a good run.  I felt good the whole time.  And I finished.  End of story.  I'm not trying to set any record, I just need to keep that in mind.  I have one month left to train and beat my last half marathon time from 2006!


So glad I had my Shakeology after the run because I had no time to feel tired, or run down this weekend!

Still Saturday morning:  Left for Imagination Station science center in Toledo at 9:30 a.m.  This place is awesome.  I have some pictures, but our camera is still on the fritz.  We went with some friends and their kids.  So glad they suggested it!  Kids had a ball.  Every kid and parent in the Toledo area and beyond had the same idea, get there early and leave just before as melt-down occurs.  My child started screaming, "Let me go!" as we were leaving the restroom.  I totally got the, "Get your screaming kid out of here before my kid loses it because of your kid" stank eye from a few parents.  But...2 thumbs up for Imagination Station...for kids and dads.

Drew in the submarine.

Tree house slide.

Dad up in the tree house...

Saturday evening:  Surprise birthday party for my uncle.  He insists that nobody mention the age, so I'll just say it's somewhere between 59 and 61.  Love that guy, and it's always fun to get together with family.

Who doesn't love a Lalaloopsy?

Birthday morning!

Sunday:  Sweet Jordan's birthday on Monday, so grandparents came over for some low-key festivities.  Jordan felt so special, and she had her little cupcake party just like she wanted.  My mom found awesome cupcake cake molds and my theme birthday cake tradition continues...nobody ever said I was professional.  During Jordan's pre-party nap, Drew and I made time for some Insanity Max Abs.  Love my workout partner!

Make-shift Pinkalicious Cupcake party...she loves her new Pinkalicious game too! 

My workout partner in crime.

So excited to be at Kalahari!

Monday morning:  Leave for Kalahari Resort in Sandusky.  If you have never been there, you should go.  Hands down, an awesome place.  Ginormous indoor water park.  Anything you can think of involving water is there, all in one spot.  The kids stayed in a hotel for the first time, and had a BLAST.  We will be going back for sure.  Maybe a lame excuse for a workout, but if you're not used to swimming, and treading water and staying afloat in a wave pool while holding on to at least one kid...man, that was my workout for Monday.

Family photo

Since there's a safari theme...

Little Mermaid ready to go!

Tuesday:  Woke up at the insane water park and I managed to do some abs and push-ups before we hit the waves again.  We stayed until about 1:00...the kids began to come loose at the seams...rightfully so, this place was awesome, but overwhelming to say the least.  We left for home, and here we are.

Tuesday evening:  Another great dinner with my BFF and cousin, Jenny.  We are, well, cousins...but we were college roommates, and BFF's.  As always, life happens and you get married, have kids and time gets away from you.  But, we've been meeting up for dinner every few weeks, and I really enjoy chatting and just catching up.  We can just pick up where we left off last time...love that!

All in all, a great weekend.  I keep calling it a weekend even though today is Tuesday.  Give me an extra day or two off of work and I can't remember what day we're on anymore!  Love that feeling!

Needless to say, with all of the festivities and happenings this "weekend", meals have been a little shotty.  But, I did pack some healthy snacks for our trip so we didn't have to settle for some of the fried up snack bar foods at the water park.  We didn't eat perfectly, but it's not the end of the world.  Tomorrow's another day, and it'll be fine to pick up where we left off.

How was your weekend?

Have you had a super fun weekend get-a-way recently?  with or without the kids?

Bitter, Sweet Valentine

My Little Valentine is having his party at school tomorrow, which is a blessing for this procrastinating Mom.  One might call it procrastinating, but the other might call it:  Yesterday's Valentine prototype was for the birds, so thank goodness there's one more day to get it right.

We've got Football Valentine making going on this evening.

So, this is my first attempt at a real live craft.  We used all of the crafty stuff:  glue, yarn, hole puncher, construction paper, scissors...and of course, fruit roll ups.

Please excuse the current picture quality...I'm using my phone, which is NOT a smart phone of any kind.  Our camera was given as a gift to me from my husband on our first Christmas together...dating!  Needless to say, almost 10 years later, it's no longer working.

This year's VDay is a bitter sweet one.

The Sweet:  Sweet Jordan and Big Man Drew are digging the "holiday" this year.  Jordan is smitten with Daddy and the fact that they are Valentines.  Drew is feeling cool because he has Mommy and Jordan as Valentines...not to mention the little cuties in the Butterfly Room at pre-school!

The dining room all decorated, heart waffle faces for breakfast, goodies, and books.  They love it!

My Valentines...xxooxxoo

The Bitter:  Our sweet, white, fluffy, family pet lost a long health battle last night, and is spending Valentine's Day as healthy and happy as a lark in Heaven.  She was a feisty little thing with the cutest under-bite and was my Mom's little old lady.  She was such a loyal little lady to my parents and my Sister...I know she is terribly missed especially by her Best Puppy Friend, Frankie.  We love you Chloe and we will miss you.

The Weekends

I Love the Weekends.  Who doesn't?  2 days out of the week for time with the fam.

It's like I get to know my children a little bit more each weekend.  Time to talk to them, and watch them play is priceless these days.

With Sweet Jordan about to turn 3 in the blink of an eye, it's really crazy to think about how things have changed in a year.  We've gone from crib and diapers to full blown soon-to-be pre-schooler with an opinion, and sass, and a hysterical sense of humor and outlook.
She's my princess with a rugged edge.  Not too prissy, and not too tom-boy.  Just the right combination.  She's my be-bopper; just bopping around with her blonde waves, probably belting out a song at the top of her little lungs.
She loves her big brother more than anything, and seeing their connection is enough to make me cry...just thinking about it!

Drew Man is pushing 5 these days, and he is the most caring little boy I have ever known.
He's my sweet, loving, old soul.  He's best friends with both his Grandpa and Papa.  He's also best friends with Spike the dog.  Spike lives a couple hours away, and he gets emotional thinking about how he misses is doggy pal.
He's smart as a whip, loves to read and looks exactly like his Daddy.  He wants to be just like him and play football too.  Except not a teacher; no, he wants to be a train conductor.
He loves his family more than anything in the world.

I can't wait until.......we say it all the time.  It's true, the times ahead are bound to be awesome.  It has been, and will continue to be incredible watching my children grow up.

I love to sit and imagine my babies a year from now, and in high school, and all grown up.  I just feel it in my bones that they both are going to be amazing people and take the world by storm.  They show me that every day.

But, for the time being, I'm going to focus on them. now.