Vacation II - a Challenge

The September vacation was originally planned so that I could reunite with my Moms Panel friends and jump in with both feet into the world of athleticism, ha! The Moms and I had a decided earlier in the year to take part in the Expedition Everest 5K Challenge. Seriously? Moms + Running = Fun?

I hate running.

Bad word, I know - my kids will call me on it when they see it...but it truly describes how I feel about running.

Why would I "want" to run unless someone was chasing me? It is awkward, painful and something that I have never enjoyed. So why? Peer pressure, I suppose...but I guess there are worse things I could be pressured into doing.

I made the commitment - and since it was my 10th wedding anniversary this weekend...my husband made the commitment to run it with me. Not the way I had envisioned our 10th wedding anniversary celebration...but it worked for us.

He and the girls flew down mid week to join up with Nolan and I. As great as it was to have the solo time with Nolan, it always feels better to have all my birds in one nest.
Now because I am not a runner, my only objective was to finish. It was 3.1 miles that in my mind was comparable to running a marathon. I seriously doubted that I could do it.

But I did.

Certainly not record pace, but I finished. I didn't have to stop. I didn't hurt myself. I finished. Mission accomplished. I freely admit that it felt good. Not at the time mind you, but as my aching legs reminded me the next day of my accomplishment - and I felt good. Little did I know this might turn in to something bigger...or that I was weaker than I thought when it comes to peer pressure. This wouldn't be the end of my running career...

I owe a big thank you to my "Moms", without the support and encouragement of this group I would never have imagined "wanting" to do something like this. These are the ladies (and dad) that I would stand in a blistering parking lot with for the hours leading up to our first 5K together...and love it.

Heigh ho

Heigh ho, it's off to school they go!

Me and my kiddos before the girls' first day of school.
Nolan really adores "his girls", yup...he calls them that. They are not his sisters, they are "his girls"

His first day of pre-school was a few days later. Unlike the cautious, nervous entrance of last year...he couldn't get there fast enough!

I am the mom that cries on the first day of school. Then I foolishly did the math and realize that there are only 14 more years until I bring him to college. What a short span of time to have them under my wing. I must enjoy, appreciate, savor, embrace EVERY moment.

I am one lucky woman

I certainly could find at least a dozen times each day where I could use this expression and it would fit perfectly....however this isn't something that I blurt out on a regular basis. Actually I don't know if I've ever actually said that exact phrase. I'm sure I've tiptoed around it...
I'm one lucky mom.
I'm one lucky girl.
But I don't know about "one lucky woman" For some reason using the word woman to describe myself seems way to old.

Anyhow, as we ventured down the highway last night I took the liberty of assisting Maya remove another tooth (yes, her second in a two weeks and yes, I was a passenger I was NOT driving). As the standard protocol dictates for losing a tooth in our family, there were cheers and high fives all around. Conversation quickly turned to the tooth fairy and how she will be busy tonight because mom's friend "Disney Mom Tanya"'s son lost a tooth today too.

As the excitement began to subside, may just sat back proudly in her seat and exclaimed:

"I am one lucky woman."

Daddy and I shared a quick glance to see if we both heard what we thought we heard...the smiles on both of our faces indicated that we did.

I think we will both agree, we are the lucky ones.

Calling the T.F.

If anyone has a connection to the tooth fairy, send her our way tonight! Maya has lost her first tooth. We've been working on this one for probably two weeks, and it has FINALLY come out!Talk about excited, you would have thought we just scored tickets to a meet-n-greet with Hanna Montana or something the way the kids danced around and screamed like banshees. Seriously though, that was simply the best. The proud reaction from Maya....Macy and Nolan's excitement for her was just adorable and really special. They were all so proud and happy, and will be eagerly waiting to see what might be under her pillow in the morning.

Where did June go?

It's a bit of a blur at this point, the chaos of end-of-the-school-year events followed by a trip to Disney made June fly by in record time!

As busy as it was, it was a FUN month so I just wanted to post a couple pictures of the highlights.

Maya turned six! One of the milestones of turning six in our house is the option to get your ears pierced. She had been a bit wishy-washy and wouldn't give me a commitment either way...which was fine by me. They are her ears, her choice. Really though, I think it's her little way of needing to have the control, and avoid all the hype and hysteria in the pre-piercing days. I may have mentioned this before, but Maya is not a fan of being the center of attention. She prefers to quietly go about her business, unnoticed if possible. So at her request, she and I quietly slipped away one Sunday morning to do the deed. Not a flinch or a whimper from this kid!

Young Readers preschool was overtaken one June morning by superheros. Although the majority of our dress-up collection is made up of tulle & glitter, thankfully Nolan has his own little stash.
On the last day of preschool, we have made it our tradition to have all of the preschool students and their families over for a barbecue. We initially started doing this when Macy was in preschool because we were new on the "parenting" scene, and having never taken the daycare route we didn't have much of a circle of friends with kids our ages. It was such a success we've done it every year since. What I love the most about it is that it is an opportunity for the PARENTS to see the connections the kids have made. We had a fantastic turnout, smores by the fire and some good laughs.

On the evening of her last day of school, Macy performed in the Ninth State Dance Showcase. Her class tapped to "Little Bitty Pretty One" she fit the part perfectly. There was a little bit of "Hoe Down Throw Down" during the final curtain...she loved getting to be a little bit sassy with the big girls.Since we still had 24 hours before leaving for Florida...the next day we attended the first annual gymnastics show. This was the first year the girls had taken gymnastics, and they loved it! I have to say (and I was approached by others that felt the same), that Maya stole the show. She has a drive and determination that really showed this day. She's a smallish six-year old, so I think it was a huge surprise to everyone when she did her bar routine unassisted (unlike just about every other kid). The crowd literally gasped, then cheered for her. Now Macy is equally as good, but I think the crowd was just enamored with Maya because she didn't crack a smile, didn't scan the crowd, didn't wave to the adoring fans...she just did her job, period. Macy on the other hand gets up there, does her thing and would be more than happy to sign autographs upon completion. Some kids crave the spotlight, some done. I've got one of each. I actually had to have Maya re-create this pose. As the finale, each of the gymnasts got up on the podium to receive their medal and allow for pictures. Maya jumped down so quickly I didn't get the shot!In the midst of all our our commitments this month, we managed to skip off to Franconia Notch for an afternoon. They have the most AMAZING bike paths, and there wasn't another soul around. It was a perfect day for taking advantage of the incredible outdoor activities we have right here in NH! I just love this photo, occupational hazard I guess! I can find beauty in a concrete and steel structure, plunked in the middle beautiful country.Nolan thought this was the coolest thing ever!

So that's the not-so-quick update - I'll be back to give a report on my fantastic trip to Disney!

For the last time

How often do you get excited about doing something for the last time? Last time shoveling the snow, last time packing a school lunch for the year, last time changing a diaper (okay gross although it might bring some sort of sentimental acknowledgement your baby is growing up) but at any rate there are plenty of things that one could be excited about doing for the last time.

Our evening was filled with "last times" because in just a few short hours Maya will be turning six. Six is HUGE. I clearly remember being six, it seems so much older than five and is as a catapult into adulthood...okay, bit of an exaggeration but that's par for the course in this family. But six in our home is when you get a pinata at your birthday, and when you are allowed to get your ears pierced, it's when you go to first grade, really six is a BIG deal.

So everything she did tonight she did with the disclaimer "I'm doing this for the last time as a five year old".

Everything.

Brushing of teeth, putting on pajamas, eating dinner, putting dirty clothes in the laundry, walking up the stairs...even baking "for the last time as a five year old"Miss Maya did all of her routines tonight for the "last time as a five year old" and drifted off to sleep, eager to wake up a six year old.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

I admit, I'm already one of those mothers I swore I'd never be. One that spoils her baby, her son...her only son. I swore I would never be the one to let him get away with more than the other two. Is it because he is my boy, or is it because he's my baby...or is it simply because I'm already drained from always trying to be on my A game with the girls? Whatever it is, it is what it is, but for the record I'm not that much of a softie with him. Just ask him, he'd tell you what a meanie I am.

January 23, 2009 - Nolan turned four.

I'll admit, this is hard for me. Why is it that four seems so much older, bigger, wiser than three? I really can't call him my baby, he's not even a toddler even more. He's a pre-schooler(sigh). I believe that I am in denial about this four year milestone. So much so that I sent my family invitations inviting them to his 3rd birthday party. I'm either in denial or a rotten mother for not even knowing how old my son is. Heck with the first child I could rattle off the dates of when she first burped or sneezed...yet I couldn't even get my third childs age right.

Regardless of my attempt to pretend that he was turning three, he turned four. I was already at work by the time he woke up on his birthday, so I left a few post-it notes in his path so he would know I was thinking of him.

When I returned home from work, he had added a bunch more to the collection I had left.

Now if you notice his O is colored in. This is a new thing for him, I'm sure it means something developmentally, but each and every time he writes an O in any word he colors it in. That is a heart next to the N. His favorite thing to draw lately is hearts, rainbows, trees, people, and Mickey Mouse. Can you tell he lives in a house full of Mickey Mouse lovin' girls? I for one am glad he is has older sisters, I'm thankful he draws hearts and rainbows and not skullls and monsters.

His birthday party was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and you can tell by this photo that he is not going to let me think he is three anymore.Here's a picture of the first masterpiece of 2009 - nice work Daddy!
So yes, the hoopla is now over and I'm not afraid to admit that I am somewhat sad to see the infancy and toddlerhood removed from my home....but it is amazing how much easier life is getting, and I say easier...it's really not, maybe just more manageable. All three of my kids are becoming independent. They can dress themselves to go out and play in the snow, they don't need me to take a shower...these little milestones that I appreciate so much, in reality are just little reminders that my babies are growing up.

So to my sweet baby boy - which you will always be whether you are 4 or 40 - Happy Birthday.

I love you. xoxo