official

It's official. John and I are now registered for the 1/2 Marathon!

permission to break the rules

I've got nothin' from today. No pictures, no activites. Our days are just lazy summer days, and with all of the rain I think we've been in a bit of a rut. It feels like we are busy, but just nothing special to tell. Why do I feel like I have to post every day? I think I'm gonna let myself have an out on that one - post a bit each week, but only if I have something really to share. Oh, wait. I do have some funny conversations that Lio and Paloma had today. Normal sibling stuff - and I know that I shouldn't laugh when it's going on, but it's just so funny to me. I think it's the words that come out of Paloma's mouth, and the tone of voice she uses. She sounds like someone's mom. Someone's mad and bossy mom. And I don't know where she comes up with the stuff. It doesn't sound like me. I hope.

So... we were driving in the car, and Lio was being his annoying big brother self and bugging her, touching things she had. This is what I heard from the front:

P: "Don't even think about it. Don't touch it. Don't look at it. Don't even think about it!"

L: "Hmmmmm. I'm thinking about it. I'm thinking about it. Hmmmmmmm. I'm thinking about it."

P: "LI-O! LI-O! I said to not even think about it. LI-O!" (getting louder and louder, and she really enunciates the 2 syllables in his name when she's in this mode)

L: "Hmmmmm. Hmmmmmmm. Hmmmmm. Thinking about it."

P: "LI-O. LI-O. LI-O!"

It was funny, but maybe you had to be there?

So maybe not posting every day from now on. Giving myself permission to let this turn into what it turns in to. No strict schedule/rules to follow. I follow rules and schedules too much - I'm gonna work on that.

Lio was really mad in this picture. He just has the best time teasing Paloma, but can't take it when the shoe's on the other foot:

Health Footprint

Hey, hey! Its me John..the guest blogger. I recently saw a commercial for Anthem Blue Cross about everyone having a health footprint. What is a health footprint you ask? Their website explains it this way.....

Our health connects us. Studies prove it. When you do something healthy, those around you will too. Your positive influence on others is called your Health Footprint.

I do believe that our kiddos are hopefully seeing that their Mom and Dad have been trying to stay healthy...by exercising and eating good stuff. (except for my occasional potato chips and gummy bears) ! Anyways...we try to spend a little bit of time everyday just playing around outside. Whether its at the pool, driveway or backyard...we get to use some muscles and energy. Hopefully more and more of our friends and family will join us in being healthy and help make our Health Footprint even bigger!

Our future WNBA player ! She shoots! She scores!

We watched some of the Tour de France...to hopefully inspire our next cycling champion.

week 1 (again)

This week I am starting up my 1/2 marathon training again, after 3 weeks of nothing. I decided to stop going to that crazy physical therapy and do the work on my own, trusting myself to listen to my body and know when to move forward or when to quit. I'm still doing the stretches, everyday. I decided to start the training from the very beginning, from week 1, and build up slowly. After 2 days of "easy" runs, I know I did the right thing by starting over. It is hard! I don't know if I will make it for this marathon, but I am going to try my best. I struggle with every step, but am glad to be back at it and running towards my goal. 12 weeks to go.

new visitors

I never got around to filling the planters on our back patio with flowers this spring. Yes, add that to the list of vegetable and cutting gardens that never got done. So when I found some butterfly bushes for a good price, I decided to pop them in my planters, and the plan is to re-plant them in my yard in the fall since they are perennials.

This week the blooms on the butterfly bushes opened, and we've had lots of visitors - different types of butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds! Now, if I can only keep them alive long enough to re-plant in the fall!

citrus

Did you know that citrus aids in iron absorption? This is for you, Jamie. Take care of yourself, and let the people who love you take care of you.

Holly Hobby and endless possibilities

My sister Michelle e-mailed me about this great site where you can design your own fabric and have it printed - no minimum orders, and really not that expensive when you consider how much you would pay for fabrics you love (Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, everything in stock at Sew To Speak in Columbus)!  I haven't had a chance to look at the site too closely yet, but am thinking there are some really great possibilities.  I hope that John doesn't read this post, though.  I mentioned that I wanted to make Paloma a tote that she will need for pre-school (yes, possibly more freezer paper stencils), and he insinuated that I was going to make her look like one of those kids where the mom makes everything, and everything is without taste - think Holly Hobby style.  I'm afraid of what he would say if I wanted to design the tote fabric as well!

Thanks for the great tip, Michelle!  Check it out at:

http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome   

sunflower field on Sunday

This past weekend we visited a sunflower field to take some pictures. (I so wish I had planted some this year, along with my other favorite cutting flowers! Where did the time go this Spring, and where is Summer going so fast?) I can't say it was the best outing - the flowers were of course facing the sun, and whenever I tried to get a picture of Lio and Paloma with the blooms their faces were all squinty. Lio was super excited to go to a Fossil Park that was close by, so would not stop bugging us to leave. Oh my, he was such a grump! It really made it hard for us to enjoy just being amongst all of those blooms. Because of his attitude, we decided to skip the Fossil Park altogether and just go home. We did get a few pictures, but it wasn't what I was hoping for on our sunny Sunday.

Me talking to Lio about his grumpy attitude.

Paloma blocking out the sun.

I scream, you scream

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? I like all kinds, but have to say that you can't ever go wrong with chocolate. Paloma agrees with me on this one. Lio is vanilla thru and thru, and John's a mint chocolate chip kind of guy.

I have to say that we have opened the door to ice cream this summer, and now there is no shutting it. What was once a special treat seems to be a weekly necessity. Whether we're making it ourselves in our ice cream maker, going to the Creamy Whip in our old neighborhood, visiting the ice cream Trolley, or going to Cincinnati's famous Graeters, we've become a bit addicted. ( The one place that I do not like to go is DQ - can pass that up anytime, which is weird because I remember loving it as a kid!)

Just wanted to pass on some ice cream love to you:

You have until July 31 to take advantage of a free ice cream cone at Graeters! Just print out the coloring page from the link below, do your artistic magic, and take to your local shop for a free dip. I know that it says one entry per customer, but I have a feeling we will be printing out more than one.   Below is Paloma's entry of our fun canoe trip.  Happy summer!

http://www.graeters.com/pdf/ColoringContest09.pdf

Sorry to leave you hanging !

Last week (since I'm the Monday Guest Blogger) I told you about how our bird feeder has also become a raccoon and a squirrel feeder.  As I was writing last week, I could hear rattling noises from the backyard...tell tale signs of an invasion.  I quickly grabbed the camera and took a photo as proof of my story from last week...I wanted to post it right away..but I thought that I would update you on the story this week instead.  We have moved the feeder away from the house and closer to the shed.  We also bought a hummingbird feeder instead...and we have already seen our quick winged friend zooming around.  We'll miss our song birds, but we won't miss the other critters.  from John the guest blogger.

celebration treat

We just got back from our last swim lessons!  Before we went, Paloma informed me that she was not going to do her swim lesson.  Nope.  No way.  She wasn't even going to get in.  OK, I can't say I blame her.  It was very cloudy and chilly, and she knew that the girl instructor was giving lessons today...the girl instructor that wouldn't let her wear her floaties and was no-nonsense.  So I told her that I hoped she changed her mind because we were having a celebration treat after lessons were all over.    

She ended up changing her mind - swam without floaties - didn't even try to negotiate with the girl instructor - did a fantastic job!  And was super excited about the hot chocolate with mini marshmallows celebration treat.

little fish update

We are ending the "private" swim lessons this week, and words cannot express how proud I am of all that Lio and Paloma have accomplished!!!  I was really just hoping that they would both get more comfortable in the water, and maybe start putting their faces in...

so imagine my surprise when Lio started doing freestyle (and wanting to practice it all the time!),

and got good at floating on his back,

and is attempting backstroke.

Paloma's gotten much more comfortable, too, as long as her floaties are on!  

It's also been really interesting seeing their personalities come out.  Lio is just like me and is a rule follower - does whatever his swim instructor asks and wants to please.  Paloma on the other hand tells the swim instructor that she's not interested in what he wants her to do, or tries to negotiate with him.  It's pretty funny to watch.

the latest pet idea

Lio would really like to have some chickens as pets. Where oh where would he get such an idea? We were invited to a summer get together tonight - delicious homemade breads, local bacon, fresh lettuce and tomatoes from the farmers market - made the most delicious BLT's I think I've ever had. And the wonderful hosts have chickens as pets.

This one is called Honey, and she was Lio's favorite.

Notice the fancy feathers around her chicken feet? That's what sealed the deal for Lio. At least he's picked the chicken with the most style! He was even brave enough to hold one of the chickens, and even spent lots of time around their coop. The chickens are almost old enough to start laying eggs, and the thought of fresh eggs every morning is quite appealing. But I don't think we are ready for chickens as pets, even if they are related to dinosaurs. (Did you know that?!) Maybe someday.

(thanks to the wonder of FB, I was able to export these pics from my friend's page for you to see!)

scones

I found a really simple recipe for currant scones in Gourmet magazine, and Sunday was the perfect lazy morning to try it out.  The best part of it all was Paloma pulling the kitchen chair up to the counter to help.  

They were pretty yummy, eaten nice and warm right out of the oven.

CURRANT SCONES

(Best eaten the day they're made.)

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 3/4 sticks cold butter, cut into small pieces

3/4 cup whole milk

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup dried currants

Preheat oven to 375'F with racks in upper and lower thirds.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

Add butter and blend w/fingertips or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal w/some small butter lumps.

Stir in milk, eggs, and currants until just combined.

Drop batter in 1/4 cup mounds 1 inch apart on 2 ungreased baking sheets.

Bake, switching position of sheets halfway through, until bottoms of scones are pale golden, 15-17 minutes total.

Transfer to a rack and cool to warm.

Raccoon Feeder

This spring we bought a bird feeder so that we could check out the song birds around our woods...and see them while we are eating in our kitchen. We have seen a great variety of birds including cardinals, robins, goldfinches, bluejays, chickadees, woodpeckers, cowbirds and of course sparrows. The thing is...this bird feeder has actually also become a squirrel feeder and a raccoon feeder. I guess they have to eat as well. Thats the pros and cons of the feeder...I'm thinking of getting a hummingbird feeder as well...I'll update you all when that happens.

you are invited to a party

Today I'm having a little party for myself, and thought I'd invite you all to join. Excited?! Don't get your hopes up too high. It's actually a pity party. Hope you still want to come.

It's almost been 1 week since my first 5k. I did it. I finished. Was it glorious or amazing? Nope. My heel and ankle were hurting so bad, and I probably, make that definitely, should not have run on it. I went to a specialist, and he determined I have achilles tendonitis. It's fairly common in runners, from doing too much too fast. The thing is, I felt like I was really easing into it, going slow, following the program to a T (since I am a big rule follower). And I was feeling great, seeing results, knowing that I could do this 1/2 marathon training. Just goes to show that I am really not a runner, and my body knows it! The doctor prescribed lots of rest. No walking, no bike riding (which John and the kids are off doing this moment), basically nothing cardio that involves using feet. He also told me to go to physical therapy 2X week for 4 weeks. Really?! Is it that serious?! I decided to follow orders and be a good patient, be that rule follower that I am. The thing that really stinks about it is that I have to pay $25 for each visit!!! And the first visit is today, and my insurance is having me pay $50 today - $25 for the therapist evaluation, and another $25 for the treatment. So the course of treatment is going to cost me around $300 including that initial visit to the specialist, and his prescription to the pharmacy for Lidoderm patches to ease the pain. Not only am I going to lose all of that training I built up, but I'm also going to be out a lot of money that I could use on so many other things. If I didn't want to get back to training so bad, I would just skip that therapy and lounge at the pool for the rest of summer. And who is this person that wants to run crazy distances? Who have I become?! I know that there are much bigger problems in the world and in your lives, but I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself. Thanks for letting me let it all out.

Here are pics of the kids running their mile race - they did awesome and had lots of fun! So proud of them, and they are so proud of their ribbons!

big fake eyes

This big guy was wandering around our garden, and we had a great time watching him.  I think the most amazing part about him is his fake eyes, used as a defense to trick his predators into thinking he's bigger than he really is.  How do I know about this defense mechanism?  Well, when you have nerdy children who know these facts, it sort of rubs off on you! 

no wind needed

Even though it wasn't really a windy day, Paloma wanted to fly her kite on Sunday. (Lio joined in on the fun for a bit, too.) I can't even count how many times she ran up and down the driveway, each time managing to get enough wind to get her kite into the sky. It was pretty fun watching her fly down the driveway, her kite flying above her.

*sorry about how blurry the pics are. still trying to figure my camera out in action mode. hope they captured the fun anyway!

swim lessons

Today Lio and Paloma had their first swim lessons of the summer! Only one other little boy signed up, so we are basically getting private lessons. They run every day for two weeks, and by the end I'm hoping I have some little fish on my hands. Lio took lessons last year, and I have to say that they really helped him with being more comfortable in the water and boosted his confidence. This year I'm hoping he gets better at putting his face in the water. Paloma was nervous at first - I really didn't think she was even going to get in! But she eventually warmed up and joined in. Her face didn't go near the water, so same goal for her. I can't say I blame them - I don't like putting my face in the water, either!

Dinosaur Park

Welcome to the Dinosaur Park. Today Lio and Paloma worked for most of the morning creating a park with their toy dinosaurs. They made signs that they posted all over the house advertising their park. So....of course we checked it out. Lio was waiting by the playroom door with his toy cash register. It would cost us 25 cents each and an extra penny if we wanted to feed the dinosaurs.

After we made it through the entrance we were greeted with a stage presentation...outlining the safety precautions for the park. It was quite entertaining.

Here is the picture of the park. Notice the separation between the triassic, the jurassic and the cretaceous period dinosaurs. They had a lot of fun setting things up and we had a lot of fun seeing them play together and use their imagination.

happy 4th

Tomorrow is the 4th of July.  We don't really have any big plans - running my 1st 5k in the morning if my foot feels better (if not, Mr. Running Man will take my place), and Lio (hopefully Paloma, too!) is going to do a fun run for kids that is 1 mile.  I'm so not faking this injury, and am a bit upset that I may have to postpone my training after working so hard, not to mention all of the running stuff I've bought!!!  Very discouraging.  :(  

We haven't even talked about going to see fireworks, but I'm betting we won't.  That would make for a really late night, and I don't know if we can handle anymore of those for awhile!

The night we stayed up catching fireflies, we also did a few sparklers.  For some reason Lio was really nervous and a bit scared, which is weird because he's done them for the past 2 years.  Maybe the seriousness of being safe has hit home with him this year.  I don't know if he would even enjoy loud fireworks at this point!

Whatever your plans, I hope everyone has a very happy and safe 4th of July!

"Lightning" and late nights

2 years ago, Lio had a pet lightning bug that he named... drum roll please... "Lightning".  Every time we saw a firefly, he would look to see if it was his special friend.  He even drew a picture of Lightning that we taped to his new bedroom window after we moved, so that Lightning would know how to find us.

The other night we were up a bit late so spent some time catching fireflies.  That was the 1st of a few late nights for the kids, and we are paying for it.  Tonight they will both be in bed by 7, and hopefully will fall fast asleep.  I think it's going to take a few early nights to make up for those late ones!

last game

Last night was the Panther's last t-ball game.  Lio had a great hit his final time at bat - I was so excited for him!  I have to admit that even though I felt a bit nostalgic about it being the final game,  I am glad the season is over.  

The Crossman cousins were in town and spent the night.  I think it's the most fun that Paloma has ever had at one of the games!  They all give her so much attention, and she was full of giggles the whole time.  Lio came out of the cage to see what we were up to.  I think he would have rather been with us than playing in the game.

*note the adorable shirt that Paloma is wearing, thanks to the genius sewing skills of Aunt Michelle!  Lio got a great bag from Aunt Michelle that he uses to keep all of his Ugly Doll stuff safe and sound.  Thanks for the great gifts!!!