Run. Bike. Run.

After 3 months of to-the-books training, Scott and I hit the hills of Galena for a Duathlon of 

2 mile RUN, 17 mile BIKE followed by a 4.3 mile RUN.  

Easy, right?  

I can do this..no problem..right?

but the HILLS..those HILLS!  

Oh my!

 It was hard to even imagine what they would be like, until we were actually there.

I did my best to assimilate them in training, but really, there isn't many large hills by us.

Yes, I have been to Galena before and I have also seen this race as a spectator many a times,

 but until I was on those hills myself, I couldn't appreciate the altitude and the strength 

needed to propel myself the next mile.

.... but somehow, somewhere, I found the power.

And this guy had a lot to do with it!  It was great fun to race "with" him.  

And despite the continual rain showers that had me hoping I wouldn't loose control of my bike and left my running shoes and socks (and me!) soaked..I finished the race and couldn't have been prouder.  It was one of the hardest things I have done but the sense of accomplishment and personal strength achieved while doing so is something that so very empowering and powerful.

So much so, that I think I'll do another Duathlon in a couple of weeks (which of course I did!).  :D

Ten on Tuesday

1. Summer is in full swing around here and life is good.  Late nights playing outside in the yard and at the local parks.  MC is enjoying lots of time with the neighbor girls where they are either playing in each other yards or yelling talking to one another through the screen doors of our respective houses. And this is when they are only 4 years old. Oy!  :)

2. And so far so good.  I'm really enjoying having MC home all the time...no morning rushes, having the ability to make pancakes or muffins for breakfast and letting the day take on it's own form.  Our house is taking a bit of a hit (can we say daily case tornadoes), but I'll get around to picking up that toy for the thirty second time of the day at some point.


3. I'm sure there will be a day she will become bored, I will become frustrated, but right now it's just so very nice.  She will be starting a few camp days at her preschool here and there which she is really looking forward to and it'll give her great variety to her summer.


4. Our almost daily smoothie love is ramping up to new levels.  I have never been a fan of avocado but I know the health benefits it holds.  Today I made a smoothie with spinach, avocado, fresh pineapple and frozen mango.  YUM!  The avocado actually gives it a smooth thicker consistency so no bananas needed. Give it a try..you might be surprised.


5. Rylan's love for Sesame Street continues and now he likes to pretend he is Cookie Monster which is really, really cute..unless he does it with actual food, of course.  Then it's not.so.cute.rylan.


6. I raced in my second duathlon (2 mile run/ 15 mile bike/4 mile run) inside of a month this past weekend.  Had a lot of fun and I did really well with the first run and bike.  A little dissappointed with how I did in my second run but like everything, it is a learning experience.  


Looking back at my posts, I realize I haven't even shared the first duathlon experience which was in Galena...oops!  Look for that later this week.  Until then, here's a picture of my friend Stacey and I after finishing the Batavia Duathlon.

And a few more photos.  Thank you Scott for being our ultimate cheerleader and seeing us every step of the race.  He also took some great pictures, wouldn't you say?

7.  I also passed right by my set goal weight at Weight Watchers. WOOT woot!    Six more weeks of paying for "maintenance" and then my $'s will be shifted to coaching fees.  :))  I actually would love to loose a few more  pounds  because A.  I still have more to loose and B. to become a better athlete.. but I am so happy to be where I am.  I feel great and I love the person I am today.


8.  On Sunday, Makenna said to Scott..."daddy, when I get home, I want to go for a run so I feel better. " 


 lol...Scott looked at me and said, I wonder who she is channeling??  Yep, better continue to set that good example.   Smart kid.


9.  But really the truth is that this little guy thinks the world of his big sister and wants to do everything just like her.

10.  And another truth?  
This pup gets a whole lot of love, every. single. day.


Hope you have a great week! xo

Some Days.

When the stars align and everyone is happy and life is simple and full of such goodness and love.

When there isn't any specific plan to the day, but the day takes on an identity of it's own.

When at the end of the day, I can honestly say that it was a great day for all.

And when they do happen, I take a point to soak them all in and treasure each and every moment.

Pure Bliss.

When our morning started with an extra mouth to feed at the breakfast table, I should of known that this was going to be some kind of day.

And then kids find the coolest places to play and their imaginations run wild.
"Momma..we are in a plane and we are going to go somewhere special"  to now we are in "a train going to the city."

When cute little faces overwhelm this momma's heart.

When time is filled with showing her little brother all the cool things she can do, doing so with such patience and love and kindness.

And then midday, although this little girl wasn't ready for a siesta..

these 2 were.  Buckle up for SAFETY SNOOZE.

When just like magic, this little guy falls asleep and remains in his carseat for his entire nap. (yes, he still naps, in the garage..with a fan on these days.)

And while Rylan snoozes, the girls go outside and practice our summersalts, cartwheels and climbing on the swing....because it isn't cool enough just to swing anymore.

But...when the swing does call her name, she tries pushing herself to go "higher and higher."

And that's takes lots of energy, so a mid afternoon pick me up is in order.  Meet our fruit and spinach smoothie.. which is always met with a big, happy smile.

Rylan wakes up and after ample time to allow him to actually "wake up" ( it is not uncommon for this sweet boy to be quite the crab initially after his nap), Daddy is home and we make our way outside again for some playtime with markers....and Elmo comes too of course.

And time to play frisbee with Daddy..

And what is a summer dinner without a popsicle for dessert?

When Rylan spots the camera and immediately moves on over and gives his sister a giant big love squeeze.

( and it melts my heart every time).

When PJ's, teeth brushings, cuddles and a little show time are all that's needed before heading up to bed.

YEP....
Some days are just perfect, in every way.
(And I am so glad I started the day documenting the moments.)

Ten on Tuesday


1. Yes it's Tuesday..and I am here.  I would like to re-introduce myself.....ha,ha..I keep on trying to be a better blogger, but life gets in the way and I have things like kids, house, classes, workouts..yada yada yada...  Going to try and get here more often though.  I'll be back before next Tues..pinky toe promise.

2.  Makenna Claire is officially done with Three year old Preschool and she is on summer vacation. WOOT!  It's amazing how much a little girl can change in a matter of nine..only 9...months.

Last year to now.....

3. She celebrated her end of the year with her classmates at a picnic park lunch.

Where all the kids were handed their special award. 

 Makenna received the "Future Teacher" Award.

Uhh...mmm..that's my kid..one with the strong outgoing personality wanting to help everyone and "advise" them on how to do it right.  

I had a good chuckle with that award!

They have her number..although, I think they figured that out in the beginning of the school year. 

Lots of hugs given to her teachers.  

And although this photo is not the best quality by any measure, it makes me smile. 

 If a photo can demonstrate her personality, this would be it.  Love it!

4. So now that school is out, we are in the full swing of SUMMER!
I am very excited about doing so many activities with the kids.  With Rylan in full on toddler mode and now that MC is 4 and listens pretty well, we are going to have tons of fun being out and about.  In full disclosure though, the kids and this momma do so much better when we are active. Days I try to stay home are usually full of frustrations and will power battles.

I am thinking about making a summer bucket list.  How fun would that be??  A few of my ideas so far..

-Pool visits.  Many. Pool. Trips.
-Visit a water park.
-Make home made playdough.
-Visit the zoo.  Often.
-Visit EVERY play park Bolingbrook has to offer.
-Fingerpaint outside.
-Dance in a sprinkler.
-Visit Lisle's Balloon Fest (I have wanted to do this for years!)
-Bike riding with Makenna

Hmmm..I think I may make this into a scrapbook layout.
What's on your summer to do list?

5. Two weekends ago, Scott and I raced again.  The Western Springs Tower Trot 10k and 5k have been on our calendar for years and it's always such a great well run race and lots of fun for everyone.  This year was a bit different because not only was Scott racing, so was I.  Scott ran the 10k and then ran the 5k with me as my pacer.  Seriously,  I am such a lucky girl.

Scott smoked the 10k with 7 minute miles and my goal for the 5k was to get under 30 minutes which would beat my personal best by a little under a minute.  And what did I do????  29:59...Boo YA!

I had a good laugh when I saw my race time posted, but hey, I did it!  :D

6. This weekend I am racing again in another Duathlon. And this time it looks like the weather is going to be beautiful.  Weeeeeee.... My friend Stacey and I are going to do great...I am sure of it!

7. This last weekend I had a haircut appointment.  Little did I know that Scott conspired with my mom to take me clothes shopping afterwards.  A girls day complete with new hair and a new closet full of clothes and lots of mom time made for an awesome Saturday.  It was wonderful.

8. And on Sunday, we had a low key day with a few hours spent a few hours at the Bolingbrook Airport where they were showcasing their planes.

9. Ahh.....so many things to do in this season of sunshine.

10. Welcome Summer..how we L.O.V.E. you.