Back to Running

Monday I laced up my shoes and headed out to try this running thing again. I ran a mile and decided that was enough for a first day back. Part of me had hoped to go for 2 miles but my lungs were not having it. My legs were tired but could have gone a little further.

Today I ran again and only went a little further. I am keeping with the slowly increase your distance theory. Not sure there is any merit to it but it got me a little further down the road today than on Monday.

I am not in a hurry to get back my distance or have any goal in mind other than just being able to consistently run a 5K distance again. I think I have a side goal of increasing my distance to be 5 miles at a time but right now, that's not at the top of the list.

Oh well, I can't complain too much. I got out there and did it. It's a start.

Weekend Review

Saturday morning consisted of lawn work and what I equate to household lawn moving (vacuuming/washing floors inside). After nap time the boys, Ryan and I headed to Bass Pro Shop in search of a rod and reel for Miller. We found a rod and then killed a little time looking at the live fish display and then touring the store (next adventure, count the dead, mounted animals). As usual, good time.

Afterwards we debated on where we would eat. The decision was Bubba Gump's since we haven't been to the beach in a while and it was something different. Epic Fail! The Saturday night traffic was ridiculous. I think it took almost an hour to make it from 595 to A1A!

By the time we got there, both kids were on edge (Mom and Dad too). We had a decent dinner but it was a little cool. Mason LOVED his shrimp mac and cheese. Miller; not so much. He wanted regular Kraft Mac and Cheese.

Sunday we got ready to head to Jess and Nilsen's "Gender Reveal" party. Miller fished and Mason tested my patience near the pool and inter-coastal. He was fine but lots of work. Miller caught his first fish, I think it was a snapper, and a puffer fish. It was cool to see him reel in his catch. :)

Jess and Ryan had a perfect day for a party. Beautiful weather, great attendance, and of course, an exciting reveal. A girl and a boy! That's the combo I picked and Miller switched to at the last minute. Mason and Ryan both picked two boys.

Jess and Ryan were happy to share their news and we wish them luck. I know it sounds sappy but they shared a beautiful moment with their friends and family. I am happy to say we were part of it and wish them well. This was a very nice weekend with the family and friends. These are the moments that make me remember how nice it is to have such good friends and family.

Kindergarten Decisions

Next week we will be attending the elementary school "round up". From what I can tell, it's a chance to meet the teachers and begin the registration process. With the "holy cows, that snuck up on me fast" realization that it's time to get serious and get my documents located for registration, I started to ask others with school age kids about the schools they chose.

Bad idea. All it did was make me second guess a lot of things. If you dare, weed through this thought process but in the end, unless something really sets the internal mom alarm off next week, Miller is going to the school a half mile from our house.

When we moved to this area, part of the reason was for decent schools. Little did I know that literally the year we moved, the school slipped from an A school to a B school. Meh, how bad can it be, right? My thought process on school is that it's the people your children hang around with and the involvement at home that helps make the child successful. My kid isn't stupid so as long as we can find a way to keep him challenged and engaged, he will be fine.

Second thought on the matter, did I mention it's a public school half a mile from home and has after care on site? Hello $$$ saver. Private school is a consideration for when he's older (and ideally it's called college not middle or high school).

Then the magnet school and charter school opinions rolled in. Luckily almost all agreed, charter is iffy at this stage in the game in FL. Magnet schools...seems the only people really interested in them have little girls that are definitely on the theatrical/performing arts track AND their zoned schools are questionable. I changed majors in college several times. I couldn't imagine putting Miller in a track at 5 years old!

One of the school teachers at day care said her kids went to the school we are looking at. She knows some of the teachers and had good reviews. The neighbors down the street also had positive comments. The only problem, both sets of kids are already in high school so things may have changed.

Coming full circle, I went on their website and found it outdated. I googled some other things on the school and all of the parent comments were good but again, outdated. The state test results had the school above the average for the state and the nation so I can't complain there (again, a few year old results). This had me second guessing myself.

This morning I looked at a few other schools and found the websites are basically a Broward County template. Some had newer info but most of the links didn't work. Whew, made me feel less annoyed with the school I was looking at.

I did also find out they have a new principal this year. That could be a good thing in bringing the test scores and school around if it was a staffing issue. So...as I mentioned, long story short, we are still looking at the school next door as our only option.

PS-they do require uniforms so I am glad Miller has gotten used to his. One less battle to fight next fall.

Day 3 of the Long Weekend

Day 3 was pretty uneventful. We had most of our chores done so it was a kid focused day. Miller and I painted his treasure chest he got for Christmas. He did a pretty good job and it reminded me how much I miss doing crafty things. Too bad I don't have a craft room...or maybe it's a good thing I don't have a craft room. :)

The kids continued to watch too much tv but both kids did a pretty good job kicking their colds. Their coughs are subsiding and sound much better. I, on the other hand, have a terrible sore throat and my ears hurt. I hope I can kick it and it doesn't develop into strep. Ish!

Moving on from day 3...one item on my chore list was to cancel a subscription to "Elmo's Learning Adventures." Man, what a racket. I did a similar mail order with Dr. Seuss books for Miller. This one was much more aggressive and I honestly paid for more than I anticipated purchasing. Today when I tried to cancel, they put me through the ringer with several terrible options other than just cancelling. I know why they outsource because the lady on the phone had a thick accent that made the already scripted conversation even harder to follow. In the end, I have one last ridiculous shipment coming. They tried to tell me I am 5 away from completing the set, blah blah blah. I don't care. Just quit sending them. Then they tried to get me to pay for the shipment that is on it's way via credit card.

I had to catch myself while talking to the customer service agent. I knew she had to read the script and try to prevent me from cancelling. I made sure I was as polite but firm as could be and did thank her at the end for taking my call. Glad that ones over.

Day 2 of a Long Weekend

In the morning, Ryan took Miller and headed out to do some grocery shopping. I took Mason and headed to Target and Bed Bath and Beyond. We were on a mission but didn't find what we were looking for. Oh well, all of the boys got new t-shirts (Mason = Thomas, socks too, Miller = Power Rangers*, Ryan = The Goonies, we watched the movie the other night with Miller).

During what should have been nap time for Mason (he really struggles on the weekends and usually only does an hour before a poop interrupts and it's all bets off after that) I headed outside to do some yard work. I trimmed the topiary; it was out of control. I think I trimmed at least 6 inches off the top!. Then I cut back some front bush things and weeded until I got grossed out and scared of what was lurking in the depths that I couldn't see. It was a good 2.5 hours of outside time for me.

The kids played outside and had more than their fair share of tv this weekend. I hate to admit we resorted to tv time with them but since they were fighting colds and sickness, it was the only way to get them to rest and chillout.

On weekends, Miller gets to watch a movie with Ryan and I. It usually takes 2 nights to finish it so last night we started Swiss Family Robinson. I guess I am the only adult who has never seen it. It was pretty good and Miller really likes it so far. 

*Neither Ryan or I "get" Power Rangers. It is the worst show in the world and yet Miller loves it. I can't figure that one out and hope it's a phase that moves through quickly. Super heroes, fireman, trains, etc. all are much better in comparison.

Day 1 of a Long Weekend

What I thought would be a difficult weekend (don't jinx yourself, don't jinx yourself...) has been going ok so far. Both kids are fighting off colds. Mason has the runny nose thing going on and Miller has a terrible cough. Luckily, it means they are both content to watch a little more tv than normal and leave us to get some chores done.

Ryan, Miller and I each had a list of things we would like to get accomplished this weekend. Some of mine included a little yard work. Today it's raining so it has forced me to do some things I have been itching to do but just didn't want to. You know, cleaning the junk drawer, the wine drawer, the closets, the cupboard under the bathroom sink, etc. I know no one will ever see or care but after a certain point, I hit the breaking point. You can only shove so much stuff in a drawer and pretend the house is clean.

Ryan's been out in the garage fixing / building some new shelves that are level and better lighting for him. I noticed he too started cleaning out some drawers that no one will ever look in but it's nice to be organized. In fact, when he checked on my progress, he asked if I found any treasures I had forgotten about. The answer was no but I did find some stuff I bought and stashed for the kids.

Time to get back to work. Hopefully the rest of the weekend continues to be productive yet not a mad dash to get things done.

New Year's Recap

New Years went off without a bang which is actually the best way to celebrate the new year. No drama, no hangovers, no unpleasant attitudes from the kids or Ryan and I. Nice and low key.

The kids (us too) had a play date with the Higgins/Malecha clan and some snacks/appetizers on Christmas Eve. We were home before 7pm to put Mason to bed. Miller got to stay up and watch Star Wars with us. He was super excited and kept up with the show pretty well. We had to explain bits and pieces but he liked it. Of course, he and I fell asleep with less than 30 minutes remaining in the movie so we got to watch the end the next morning. Even Mason liked the final flight/fight scene where they blew up the Death Star.

Ryan and I had debated on staying up until midnight but decided against it. We were in bed before 10:30. I never even cracked my bottle of champagne. We are so lame. Oh well...maybe in a few years when the kids can get their own breakfast and sleep in past 6am...

New Years Day we headed to the park to play with Norah and Caleb. We hit up two parks that morning. Talk about lucky kids.

I tried to return to running but after 2 short runs, my ankle hurt again. I took this past week off from running but am bound and determined to get back on it next week. If it still hurts, I will suck it up and go to the doctor. I may have to start riding bike and we all know how terrible I am at that. I think there is a greater chance of serious injury with me on a bike, on the roads down here. Yikes!

I am off to Tulsa for work this week. Hopefully my flights are uneventful and so is the work portion. I am ready for things to return a slower pace at work. The last few months have been accelerated crazy. I like being busy but things have been a little too busy.