I have been yearning for one of these for such a long time!!!! It's a pj day for us...well, except Shawn and Mikey who went to OSH this morning. :) I'm so glad to have been able to fix some random things around the house that needed fixing (a broken dresser, overgrown tomato plants that need support, an insufficient sprinkler making my grass die, etc. etc.) Not to mention, I've been able to catch up on my blogging!!!! sigh.....
Next on my list....prepping for a playdate that the boys and I are hosting this Tuesday! YAY! It will be music-themed...so we will make and decorate our own maracas using empty water bottles and beans/rice/lentils. We are also looking forward to a fun game of musical chairs!
More fun times are coming our way!
5.31.2009
More See Jane Run Photos
As soon as I posted the last blog, I received an email from another mom running wild with all the photos from the event. I thought I'd share more to showcase all of these amazing mommies!!! They all rock!!!!
Moms Running Wild!!!!
Our 80's warm up...
Our pre-race huddle
The starting line
Tracey and I crossing the finish line and my right foot about to fall off. LOL FUN TIMES!!!!
Moms Running Wild!!!!
Our 80's warm up...
Our pre-race huddle
The starting line
Tracey and I crossing the finish line and my right foot about to fall off. LOL FUN TIMES!!!!
We Run for Chocolate and Champagne
On Saturday, Tracey and I ran the See Jane Run 5K, which was held Washington Park in Alameda. The course ran along the Alameda State Beach so the view was fantastic! The weather was also great for a run..not too hot, not too cold. The race benefitted the organization called Girls, Inc, which provides afterschool and extra-curricular activities for school age girls in Alameda.
This was my very first 5K ever and very much an accomplishment for me, the girl who NEVER EVER EVER was or would have thought she would ever be a runner. (I used to make my running buddy in high school make up a time for my mile test. lol) I was inspired by a group of moms in Tracy that I run with called "Moms Running Wild". I participated (or at least tried to) in a 12-week run clinic to prepare 5K virgins for this race. Sad to say, my training came to a halt before we left for Arizona and Hawaii. So, I ran this race VERY unprepared! Here are Tracey and I all bibbed and chipped, waiting for the race to start.
I definitely could not have done it without the moral support from Tracey! Midway through the run, I think I landed wrong on my right foot and hurt my achilles. But she offered some great encouragement and we made it through the finish line in about 41 minutes. (I'll know the actual time when our timing chip readings are posted.) She was whispering sweet nothings in my ear about how I don't want my kids to see me cross the finish line limping...lol. But it worked! :)
This was my very first 5K ever and very much an accomplishment for me, the girl who NEVER EVER EVER was or would have thought she would ever be a runner. (I used to make my running buddy in high school make up a time for my mile test. lol) I was inspired by a group of moms in Tracy that I run with called "Moms Running Wild". I participated (or at least tried to) in a 12-week run clinic to prepare 5K virgins for this race. Sad to say, my training came to a halt before we left for Arizona and Hawaii. So, I ran this race VERY unprepared! Here are Tracey and I all bibbed and chipped, waiting for the race to start.
I definitely could not have done it without the moral support from Tracey! Midway through the run, I think I landed wrong on my right foot and hurt my achilles. But she offered some great encouragement and we made it through the finish line in about 41 minutes. (I'll know the actual time when our timing chip readings are posted.) She was whispering sweet nothings in my ear about how I don't want my kids to see me cross the finish line limping...lol. But it worked! :)
At the finish line we were greeted with medals, champagne and chocolate. If every race was like this, I would definitely do it more often! What a great way to spend a Saturday morning....
Tracey and I at the finish line!
Tracey and I at the finish line!
Here are some close-ups of our goodies!
May AA Meeting
Ahh...another monthly Arts & Appetizers meeting with the girls has come and gone. May's meeting was held at my home the same day we returned from Hawaii (I know, crazy right?). But it was a lot of fun and Shawn and I concocted some yummy Maitais and Pina Coladas with all the Hawaiian spirit we still had in us from the trip. The cocktails were complete with little umbrellas and all the garnishments we experienced in the islands.
Here is a shot of the group working hard ... on our drinks. ;)
Each meeting, we usually have a crafty project idea to work on. This time, Stephanie came with our project idea. We painted small canvasses and created little photo displays. Most of the girls only did one canvas, but I loved my first one so much I decided to make a second one. Here is the product of my efforts, which I am so very pleased with!
The one on the left will have photos of my three boys and says "i adore you" and the canvas on the right will have photos of me and my fantastic hubby and says "you & me". I just absolutely love them and am trying to find the perfect place for them in our home.
Here is a shot of the group working hard ... on our drinks. ;)Each meeting, we usually have a crafty project idea to work on. This time, Stephanie came with our project idea. We painted small canvasses and created little photo displays. Most of the girls only did one canvas, but I loved my first one so much I decided to make a second one. Here is the product of my efforts, which I am so very pleased with!
The one on the left will have photos of my three boys and says "i adore you" and the canvas on the right will have photos of me and my fantastic hubby and says "you & me". I just absolutely love them and am trying to find the perfect place for them in our home.
5.30.2009
Ahoy, Maties! A Pirate Playdate!
Last Thursday, the boys and I had fun with friends at a pirate-themed playdate. Tons of fun from beginning to end! Here's some shots of my little pirates....
The kiddos enjoyed a treasure hunt where the little group was given a series of clues, where each one led them to the next and, ultimately, to a secret hidden treasure: goodie bags full of pirate treats!
The gang found the first clue on the oven.
The found the loot inside the nose of the giraffe!!! Of course, Mikey had to get in on that action.
Ahoy, maties! Til next time....
The kiddos enjoyed a treasure hunt where the little group was given a series of clues, where each one led them to the next and, ultimately, to a secret hidden treasure: goodie bags full of pirate treats!
The gang found the first clue on the oven.
Pirate Jake showing off the clue they found in the bathroom. :)
The found the loot inside the nose of the giraffe!!! Of course, Mikey had to get in on that action.Ahoy, maties! Til next time....
5.07.2009
A Bittersweet Thursday
Wow. It's been a little while since I last blogged. Talk about being busy. I forgot what it's like to go into work more than 2x per week! Sounds crazy, but it's true. I would be going in every day this week, except for Thursday. I have a huge project that I want to finish before I'm out for 2 weeks. It is difficult trying to get everything done and still have any energy left to do things around the house. That's why my laundry room looks like this:
Everything is clean; I promise. It doesn't take much time and/or effort to load and transfer the clothes to the dryer. But, boy, does it takes every last fiber of my being to motivate myself to fold and put it all away.
This evening was very bittersweet for me. Isaiah's future elementary school, Anthony Traina, had their open house. It was a meet and greet for all the students, parents and teachers that gave the kids a chance to explore their new stomping grounds. I was happy because Isaiah was happy and very much looking forward to this coming transition. But, of course, I was emotional about my baby becoming a big boy!!!
Despite my emotions, I love his new school. It's in our home's development, which is pretty new, so the school is also very new. The classrooms were equipped with computers, and they looked like good ones; nothing like the dinosaurs they had Isaiah's old preschool! :P Isaiah loved the multi-purpose room because he said, 'that's where we eat and do talent shows.' Now, I'm looking forward to watching him do one of his 'cool tricks' at a talent show.
I also love that his school is so close to home. It is less than a quarter of a mile from our house, so I walked with the stroller, while Isaiah rode his scooter. Papa even met us there; the school is midway between Shawn's walk from the ACE train station to home. Here's my big boy leading our way home.
I choked back my tears and went straight to the kitchen to serve dinner. Baby Liam and I had been working all afternoon on a beef, barley and lentil soup that started out in the slowcooker and ended up being transferred to a pot after it started overflowing...ooops. :\
While cooking, I was singing and dancing the songs from the Jersey Boys musical to entertain Liam. He particularly loves the high notes in Sherry and Big Girls Don't Cry. I love how my babies think I'm the best singer/dancer in the whole wide world!!!!!!!
Everything is clean; I promise. It doesn't take much time and/or effort to load and transfer the clothes to the dryer. But, boy, does it takes every last fiber of my being to motivate myself to fold and put it all away.
This evening was very bittersweet for me. Isaiah's future elementary school, Anthony Traina, had their open house. It was a meet and greet for all the students, parents and teachers that gave the kids a chance to explore their new stomping grounds. I was happy because Isaiah was happy and very much looking forward to this coming transition. But, of course, I was emotional about my baby becoming a big boy!!!
Despite my emotions, I love his new school. It's in our home's development, which is pretty new, so the school is also very new. The classrooms were equipped with computers, and they looked like good ones; nothing like the dinosaurs they had Isaiah's old preschool! :P Isaiah loved the multi-purpose room because he said, 'that's where we eat and do talent shows.' Now, I'm looking forward to watching him do one of his 'cool tricks' at a talent show.
I also love that his school is so close to home. It is less than a quarter of a mile from our house, so I walked with the stroller, while Isaiah rode his scooter. Papa even met us there; the school is midway between Shawn's walk from the ACE train station to home. Here's my big boy leading our way home.
I choked back my tears and went straight to the kitchen to serve dinner. Baby Liam and I had been working all afternoon on a beef, barley and lentil soup that started out in the slowcooker and ended up being transferred to a pot after it started overflowing...ooops. :\While cooking, I was singing and dancing the songs from the Jersey Boys musical to entertain Liam. He particularly loves the high notes in Sherry and Big Girls Don't Cry. I love how my babies think I'm the best singer/dancer in the whole wide world!!!!!!!
