Spinning my Wheels to Eat the Pumpkin...

Now that my race is over, I am having a very hard time motivating myself to run long distances. Anything over 3 or 4 miles over the past 2 weeks has just been soooo hard to do. I guess I didn't realize how much having that "end of summer goal" helped to keep me moving. It doesn't help that I've had to run while pushing at least one child 99.9% of the time. After 30 minutes of pushing 60 lbs., I am pretty much all set.
In addition, what are with all the fall goodies??? This time of year is worse for me than the holidays EVER are. I love anything apple or pumpkin flavored. I eat apples with LOTS of caramel apple dip! I eat pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin cake! I have violent urges for Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks every day at 3 p.m! I can't say NO to the damn pumpkin!
So between the lack of motivation to run and the eating...I am feeling like a big ole sack of Honey Crisp apples. Oh yeah, I love those too.

Renewed...or at least Trying...

And just when you thought it couldn't get worse...it did. T'was a day that shall go down in history in our family as "Black Monday." The dolls and babies of the house have gone away for a while, to be earned back over time with good behavior (we are talking the mother load over here, people). So let us reflect, to the tune of the 2006 fallen Idols...because people, I had a Bad Day.

Onward and upward we go...and a better day it has been. One might call it a New Day, in the words of one, creepy Celine Dion.

The silliness makes me feel better...

Today, Life Not So Much Beautiful....

The weekend went too well. I knew something had to crash and burn. Lucy started out this morning whining about nothing and.....it. never. stopped. I don't think I have the energy to fill you in on every "nails on a chalkboard" moment. Instead, I shall share the morning in bullet points...
1. Whining that she wants to take a shower, doesn't want to wear summer clothes, wants a pigtail, no a pony, no a bow...
2. Whining that she doesn't want to go to dance class.
3. Pack up family, walk to class and she decides she is randomly "scared" and throws a fit at dance class. Try every tactic known to man and every mother on earth to get her comfortable, and willing to stay for class.
4. Feeling very frustrated, embarrased and defeated, we leave dance class (bye bye $10...full morning of getting ready...leotard and tights on and ready...Tommy entertained by another child and playing nicely while class is going on...moms staring at me...).
5. Both children screaming in jogging stroller as I leave Parks and Rec office.
6. Decide a 30 minute jog will be nice for everyone....Lucy thinks differently.
7. Pass neighbors on way home from jog with Lucy 1/2 hanging out of stroller and screaming at the top of her lungs...
8. Start crying when we get home because I am so done with being her mom this morning. "Why do you have tears, mom?" she asks (not sure she's ever really seen me cry).
It is hard to be the mom of a 3-year old girl sometimes. Really, really, really hard. She spent the rest of the morning "checking in" with me with little hugs and kisses on my leg. She knew she had disappointed me. She knew she had screwed up majorly. And before people start thinking I am a hard core mom, I must say this girl is feeling perfectly fine. Eating well, acting fine otherwise, and no fever. This girl has never batted an eye at anything...classes, preschool, etc. Not for even one day, even when she was barely 2 years old at nursery school. I have no idea what got into her. And I felt so bad for Tommy. Poor kid got dragged along for all of it. We really haven't had a morning this bad in a very, very long time.

Life is Beautiful...

That movie is one of the best I have ever seen. I saw it when it first came out, before I had kids or had even begun to think about having kids. There is a scene that pulled at my heartstrings so much, I have never forgotten it. It was a moment that really helped me understand, even as a person without kids, the love that a parent can have for a child.
In the midst of the horrors of the concentration camp, Guido (the Dad) protects his son by pretending that survival in the camp is an elaborate game with which his son must play along or be sent home. Giudo goes so far as to play "pretend soldier" by walking a goofy walk, while the Natzi leads him by gun to another area of the camp. The son is peeking at his Dad and laughing, oblivious to what is really going on.
There was something about this scene that always stuck with me. The sheer determination to protect his son from the scariest moment of his life. The ability to look outside of yourself, when in agonizing terror, and just completely focus on keeping your child safe.
There have been times when I think back to that scene now that I am a mom. I have had my share of moments where I have had to "keep it together" for the kids in a time of terrible worry or fear. That moment, to me, is a true example of selfless love for your children. I wish all parents were able to do this (sadly, we all know, that isn't true). And sure, it was just a movie, but for some reason I have never forgotten it.
And if you haven't seen that movie, I highly recommend it.

Things on The Mind...

1. When did Tommy get so funny? All of a sudden this kid is busting out the laughs left and right. He went from "straight faced Willie" (we're not sure why he's named Willie for a minute) to "Giggling in bed to himself at 7 a.m. guy." This kid is killing me....
2. Despite all the chuckles, Tomma has had a rough week. He poured hot coffee onto himself and fell down the basement stairs. Seriously...send me the Mother of the Year award anytime. The worst...
3. Did anyone else think the Emmy awards were weird? Why did they do the circular stage - is it a Fox thing because of American Idol? I LOVED that all the winners had the seats where everyone's backs were turned to them all night. Also - I know I am psycho about the show and all, but why isn't Rescue Me up for more awards? They are on the FX channel so maybe it's political but I am seriously shocked. And secretly, I thought Seacrest did a great job.
4. Am I suddenly 12 years old again? If not, can someone let my face know? I have a large amount of acne that I am constantly managing. Also, recent pictures have shown some new 33-year-old crowsfeet. Note to self: Must get/start using wrinkle cream.
5. Will there EVER be a day where Matt doesn't have to spend an hour caring for his WOUND from the July 4th accident? Will this EVER END? Seriously...there is a lot of mysterious ointment (I said it) and bandaging going on in the bathroom in the morning. I refuse to look. Lucy accidentally walked in the other day and I had to spend the whole day explaining "why Daddy has a hole in his leg." Absurd...
6. Got an inquiry to potentially work on a special event for a foundation in town. Ironically, I've been thinking about the whole "work" thing lately. Perhaps this might be a nice thing...I am looking into it further to see what kind of time commitment it might be but I am intrigued...intrigued....
7. How much candy corn can a person eat before getting a stomach ache? I intend to find out...

"Fall"ing into Action...

My big "end-of-summer goal" race was Saturday morning. It went very well! Karen and I finished strong with a 9:20 mile and I was 19th for my age bracket. I really felt like I trained well and was in great shape for the race. I think that's it for me and races this year. I am looking at a potential 25K next May. That is, in fact, if I decide to pay for a winter gym membership, which I am not so excited about....we'll see....

In other news, we found an adorable new fall activity! It's a little nursery in town that turns their greenhouse into a family fall festival on the weekends. The kids were in heaven and I was very impressed with the place (clean, well done, thought out, good customer service). I think there must be an early education person involved...it was too good.

We also attempted a family picture for Lucy's first "show and tell" this week. This is a very rare occurance...and now you see why....






It was a beautiful fall weekend in the midwest - but now we are gearing up for mid-80's and feeling "like July" all week! Wacky!

I Love Me a 4-Year-Old...

This afternoon, before we headed home for nap/quiet time, I stopped by a playground by my house for some last minute burn out. It was quiet for about 5 minutes until the 4-year-old preschool program at the school came running outside to attack the slide, swings, etc. Lucy was in her usual "shock and awe" but played with her cousin and was butt happy. Tommy and I were hanging by the large stairs/slide with some kids.
I love to talk to kids this age...I think they are hilarious and innocent and so PLG that it kills me. Some convos I had with these wads of hilarity:

Me: "What a great day out, huh?"
Kid: "Yeah...but my parents put me in LONG SLEEVE! (in a rage of fury)"
Me: "Dang! It was chilly this morning...maybe you could roll them up to your elbows like me and pretend they're short sleeved."
Random girl next to us: "Umm...they are still long sleeved."
Me: "Well, you can PRETEND and maybe you won't be quite so hot."
Kid: "O.k!" And ran away while simultaneously rolling up sleeves....

Kid: "My birthday is Sunday and Roger and Olivia are coming to my party at Chuckie Cheese!"
Me: "Wow! You are so lucky! Happy birthday!"
Kid: Smiling and looking off into the sky while on the swing, butt happy....

While Tommy climbs up the stairs on all 4's:
Kid: "I started climbing up the stairs on the day I was born!"
Me: "Wow! You were really skilled at a young age!"
(side note: I love to talk to kids this way, and I think/hope that is why Lucy says words like "Actually" and "Interestingly" on a regular basis)
Another kid listening: "Me too! Since I was born I could go down slides!"
Me: "YOU ALL ARE AMAZING!"
Kids: All starting at me smiling and beaming with pride...

It's all just PLG because they have no idea who I am. Just some nice mom hanging out at their school playground. And they are all so butt happy to talk to a grown-up about things and the topics are random and hilarious. And kids just kill me....I enjoy interacting with them more than the average person. I wonder what I will do when I grow up and if it will entail anything like this. Hhhmmm....

First Day of Preschool...All About Tomma?

This morning was Lucy's first day of preschool. As you know, she went there for a toddler nursery school last year, so it didn't really feel like "a first" for us, but fun to have new teachers and kids in the 3's class! It's nice that there are a ton of new faces and potential friends this year. Lucy already made a little friend at orientation that she was excited to sit next to "during circle time" this morning.
But her biggest concern, which surprised me....was the Tomma. Some play-by-play in the car:
Lucy: "Now Tomma, don't be worried. I'll go to school and mom will take you to the grocery store. And maybe you'll get a cookie! A cookie, Tomma!"
Tomma: "Cook! Cook!"
Lucy: "That's right, big boy!"

Some other gems of the morning:
"Mom, I'm 3 years old now so I don't know if I'll even show Ms. Gloria my new school outfit." (2 year old teacher she has to walk by to get to new classroom)
For one fleeting moment: "Actually mom, I don't really want you to leave. But that's o.k." (moment gone.)

And at the end of the day, when I asked her what her favorite part was?
"Snack time."
Great. I'm paying the big bucks for crackers and cheese to be the highlight of her day. That's my gene pool, right there.

This Neighborhood O' Mine...

Five years ago, when we moved onto our street, we were childless and naive to the lovely community we were planning to "build roots" upon. We knew the schools were good and the homes were lovely, but we really just wanted a home "with character" and sidewalks for our future kids to ride bikes and go trick or treating.
We got all those things and so much more. Over time...we had our two children, new families moved onto the street, children our kid's ages moved in, etc.
And then this past winter thawed out and from out of their homes came lots of fun, friendly, interesting, people! The kind of neighbors you can only hope for and wish you can grow up knowing.
This summer has just been a blast and every time we step outside, you never know what may happen. Impromtu wagon rides, bike or scooter parades, bug or dirt analyzing, lunch with blankets in the front yard, tailgates, wine deck dates. Meaningful chats and laughs with other neighbors who are becoming great friends and people I can count on in a crunch (like when your husband starts spontantously bleeding out of a leg, for example).
This past weekend was really nice hanging around the neighborhood. I recognize that we are very lucky to have found this. More than one neighbor has said to me in the past couple of weeks, "This street is a gem! We are never moving!"
I feel the very same way.

Live and In Person....

Kind of boring...but at the end, make note of Tomma doing his "be-bop walk" he is known for....oh, and yes, I have large front teeth (as my mom kindly pointed out to me yesterday. ha!).



Lucy had preschool orientation this morning. She acted shy...which always drives me nuts for some reason. However, she snapped out of it when she got to FEED Razz the bunny his breakfast! The talk of the day, I tell ya...the talk of the day...I think she's going to love the new classroom/teacher/kids/things to do. She is ready to roll!

The Best "End of Summer"....

This past Labor Day weekend was truly one of the best weekends I can remember. It was a great mix of fun, friends, neighbors, swimming, Lake Michigan, alone time, couple time, and overall relaxation! We hung at the pool, went to the Lake, went out to dinner (child-free!) with friends, went running (9 miles! My farthest run yet!), and had quality time with Matt and the kiddos.
Lucy was in great spirits...with lots of spontaneous, "Know what, mom? I love you!" and "Mom? I am so glad you are my mom."
Tomma was hilarious with lots of smiles, laughs and screaming while keeping up with the big kids with sheer joy in his eyes.
It was a bitter sweet ending to a wonderful summer. At one point, it seemed our whole summer would be defined by Matt's leg injury over the 4th of July. But somehow, we made sure that didn't happen. The kids and I have had a total blast every week. We made the most of every day and I really feel like we did everything I wanted to do this summer. Beaches, picnics, parks, play dates, farmer's markets, walks, outside with neighbors and friends, gymnastics, pool time. Who could ask for more? And in our little town, school starts tomorrow. For our house, we have preschool orientation on Thursday. I like that I still have my little "babies" still hanging with me, while everyone else preps for the "school schedule." I am thinking I can maybe squeeze a couple more picnics in over the next two weeks. Yipee!