My Lilly girl.

Every morning at school Lilly has "morning seat-work" that she must complete at school.  Today the children had to write their own word that started with the letter "i."

My sweet child wrote ice sculpture.

This might seem ordinary to you, but we don't see a lot of ice sculptures in these parts, so I found it extraordinary.

After school I was cutting her nails and she reminded me, again, that one time I cut her nail too short.  I told her that when she was old enough to cut her own nails she might make the same mistake, so she should really cut me some slack.  She then replied by saying "I am NEVER going to cut my own nails. I will pay someone to do that."

The kindergartners are working on "How to" stories.  Lilly chose 4 different topics to write instructions or a "how to."

She wrote: How to ice skate; How to play the piano; How to make a bed; and How to love a boy.

The last one was hilarious.  She wrote that you need a boy and a girl, then you need to meet somebody, then you get married.

I took her to her 6 year check up today and the doctor told me she would not need shots until she was in 6th grade.  That is when I realized that one day my daughter will be in 6th grade, it was too much to handle.  I asked her if she would please stop growing and if she could actually go back to 4 before all this school nonsense ever started.  She was annoyed by this request.

Meanwhile Jack threw a complete fit at the doctor because he was not being examined.  He kept screaming "my turn!!"  He really wanted to get his ears checked and he about lost his mind when Lilly got to sit on the examining table.

At least I still have one baby!

Race Day

5:15 AM race day.  The race started at 6:30AM and with almost 7000 runners in a small town we had to get there early to get a parking spot.  I went to bed at 8PM the night before and surprisingly got a decent amount of sleep.

I apparently picked a race during Jim's busiest week of school, ever,  He said finals week would have been a better week for a race in South Carolina.  He faithfully came along, worked long nights at the hotel, and even took our picture in the hallway at 5:15AM. On race day he finished his assignment, got the children dressed and fed and over to the finish line to watch us complete the race.

The most amazing thing to me about this race is not that I finished but that the first 8 miles were easy for me. Mile 8 to 9 was very hard and I was convinced that they just forgot the mile 9 flag marker and that we would soon be approaching mile 10.  That was not the case, but mile 9 and 10 were a little easier.  

At mile 11.5 I was ready to walk and Tina told me I would regret it if I walked and that she wasn't going to let me walk.  I remember thinking that there was no way I would regret walking for 1/2 mile.  Even the few days after the race I was still convinced that I would not have cared if I walked.  However, now that a few more days have passed I am so happy that I ran the ENTIRE race, Tina was right.

A little back story....Before the race my dad kept saying that he wanted to circle back and run me in after he finished.  However, I had strong memories of running a race as a 6 year old and my dad literally dragging me through the finish line and I did not want a repeat of that.  I knew that he would finish almost an hour before us and I didn't want him dragging me for 4-5 miles to the finish line. We agreed that he could circle back to mile 12 and run the last mile with me.

When I saw my dad, I was ready to throw up and be done with the race.  I asked if I could lean on him and he let me, and he dragged me in the last mile. Despite all my rants about not wanting him to drag me in like a child, he still helped me that last mile. 

As soon as we turned the corner we could see our children, Jack was grinning at me. We both ran over to hug and high five before we ran to the finish line.  (My dad graciously took my sweatshirt and wrapped it around his own waist because I couldn't stand it touching me for one more second.)

 (Below: I am in the purple, the girl in the neon green is blocking most of my body in the picture, getting ready to charge the finish line.)

I was convinced that I was going to collapse and or throw up before they handed me my medal, but I didn't. 

It was a wonderful race.  They had a flag marking every mile, a water stop every 2 miles with water and powerade and a digital clock, with medical and porta-potties every 2-3 miles, and beautiful weather.  The course was pretty much flat with a view of the ocean for the last 4 miles with plenty of spectators cheering us on.  The best sign we saw was "RUN! There is a zombie behind you!!"  The best shirt I saw was "DO NOT PASS: RACE OFFICIAL!"  Hilarious.

After the race we headed back for home.  I was so sore and stiff that a stranger asked if I had twisted my ankle.  I should have lied and said "Yes, that is why I am walking like this, because I twisted my ankle."

It was a fantastic race and mid February getaway. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Friday afternoon.

Friday afternoon we spent at "Boardwalk at the Beach" which is an elaborate shopping/entertainment strip mall on a boardwalk around a pond.

We visited the aquarium, rode the zip line, and fed the filthy fish.

My dad pushed all four kids around in my sit and stand stroller. It's meant for two babies.

These are the filthy fish that swarm the boardwalk in search of food from the people.  I was convinced that if you fell into the water they would try to suck the flesh off your body.  Hope you enjoyed that imagery.

And of course here is the building that was built upside down.

The aquarium had a great tunnel to walk through.  Walking under sharks was a little scary for Jack.

All the adults rode the zipline while we were there (adults include Jim, my dad, Tina and her husband, and myself).

I took video of Jim and my dad on the zipline and Jim took 100's of pictures of me and Tina.  So of course I had to make ANOTHER stop motion photography video with all the pictures.  The video was made in haste without thought to editing, so keep that in mind when the song abruptly ends with the video.

Travel Day 3 - The Palmetto State

It took several days of me talking about all the palm trees for Jim to correct me that they were palmetto trees.  Then I remembered that South Carolina is the Palmetto State.  I LOVE anything and everything tropical (except the unbearable heat and huge bugs).

Friday morning we went back to the ocean.  It was warmer and sunnier and none of us northerners were prepared for the lovely southern winter day on the beach.  My friend Tina and her family came to Myrtle Beach with us and the kids had a wonderful time together.  Tina and I trained every step of the way together for this half marathon, it was great to be there together.

The weather was beautiful.  Not warm enough for me to step into the ocean, but Lilly felt otherwise.

After our morning at the beach we went to the runners expo to pick up our race packets.

At the runners expo the kids won free t-shirt's and other sundry items, and then of course we had to buy stuff as well.  Lilly picked out a sweat wicking headband for me to wear during the race under the condition that it belong to her AFTER the race.  In fact she told me that everything I got in my bag should be hers after the race.  We had to buy sunglasses too, because the sun doesn't shine too often in the Pennsylvania winter and we were unprepared for Myrtle Beach.

We spent the afternoon walking around "Boardwalk at the Beach" which is actually not next to the beach.  More pictures to come.

Myrtle Beach Travels Day 1&2

 I believe in "the jinx", and I feel strongly that when I announce things to the world they fall apart, so I didn't tell you that my New Year's resolution was to run a half marathon.

I picked the myrtle beach half to train for last October and pretty much kept it secret until the last month of training.  When you go out for a 10 mile run, people start to suspect it's not just for fun anymore.

We left Pennsylvania last Wednesday with Jim, the children, and Jack's crazy rash to head south.

Jack's rash got worse before it got better. It spread to the soles of his feet and his lips, but eventually went away.  I guess the doctors were right. Whatever.

Wednesday afternoon we met up with my dad in Virginia and then drove to Rocky Mount, NC to stay the night.  The next morning we got on the road and headed further south to Myrtle Beach, SC. (My dad gave me the half marathon training plan and trained with me for the race.)

We went to the beach, which was incredibly foggy and humid.

Jack was afraid of the ocean and never warmed up to it.  On the other hand, Lilly loved the water and the sand. She is still my little water baby.

Lilly's hair had the most beautiful curls.  I made her stand there so I could take her picture, she was not happy.

Happy Valentine's Day and WARNING - images of crazy rash.

Jim ordered the kids sponge-bob snuggies for Valentine's day.  Why?  Because they were $2 on woot.  Jack and Lilly were very excited, although Lilly asked why it was so huge and why couldn't I pin it shut in the back.  She determined that she would wear her robe AND her snuggie (which opens in the back) so she would be covered and warm on both sides.

Jack broke out into crazy rash today.  That is my official diagnosis.  The doctors could not determine what kind of rash it was so I helped them by making the diagnosis for them.

He was examined by a medical student, a resident, and the attending.  The medical student checked Jack's ears with the otoscope 5 inches from his head.  I'm no medical student, but I am pretty sure you need to be close to the ear to look INSIDE the ear.   He also asked Jack to take a deep breath. I laughed and told the medical student that Jack did not know what it meant to take a deep breath. It reminded me of the time Jack was 4 months old and they told him to stand on the scale and hold onto the bar so they could get an accurate weight. Ummm....he can't stand.

It was not very nice to laugh at the medical student, I regret it....a little.   If you call to have an appointment the same day then you have to see at least the med student and the resident, and if they don't know what's wrong with you then you see the attending.  I think it is to discourage patients from ever getting sick.

I was convinced it was the start of chicken pox and the med student agreed with me.  The other doctors told me it was NOT chicken pox.  That does not reflect well on the med student, or me, at least I knew about the otoscope.

Crazy rash has been spreading like crazy since last night, which is how the disease's name originated.  I made Jack sit next to me with no clothes watching cartoons so I could observe the rash spread.

Pictures do not do crazy rash justice.  Also, Jack does not like me to take pictures of him when he has a rash and is watching cartoons.

The doctors claim it's a virus and the rash could get worse, turn purple, spread over his entire body and then go away in a week.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Jack and Lilly in the morning.

We can't quite get his waffle on the table fast enough.

A moon morning

I was dragging the recycling to the curb when I looked over and saw the moon, and it was beautiful.

A bright spot this morning.

The rest of the day was not as bright.  Sometimes you just need to curl up on the kitchen floor.

Dance

Last night the primary school put on a family dance.

The minute we got in the gym she was off running around with friends from her class. She picked a special outfit, that seemed to channel a 1980's Madonna look.

I know you're wondering, do the children still dance to the YMCA and the Macarena?

Yes, yes they do. One of the cool mom's taught these girls the YMCA.

This picture is my favorite, I just wish it wasn't blurry.  You can see the look of urgency in her face to find her friend and tell her everything that is happening in her life.

I wish I could have captured it better, because it was unbelievable for me to watch.  I could picture Lilly's teenage years starting a tad early.  She was too cool and slightly embarrassed by her mom.

Jack either wanted to dance with his dad or his neighbor girlfriend, who is a bit young for him if you ask me (16 months old).  Mostly Jim and Jack hung out by the snack table.

After the dance I tried to get Lilly to tell me everything about her life. 

 I desperately wanted to be one of those little girls that she told all her secrets to, but she already instinctively knows it's not cool to tell your mom everything.  Luckily for me it's still cool to have bedtime stories, kisses, hugs, and lots of love at home.