I Don't Want to Grow Up...

...I'm a Toy R Us kid!

I am Not a Runner

I am not a runner. I have always said this and despite finishing a 10K race this weekend, I still believe it to be true. I don't "train" for races and I have no aspirations for running anything longer than 10K. I hate running "just for fun" on the treadmill or even at home. But I have to admit, I love being part of 5/10K races. I like feeling part of something healthy and positive. I like being "out there" in the community. I like the mental toughness I have to rely on to get me through the run. I like not being too comfortable in my comfort zone. Admittedly, I like being the cheered rather than the cheer-er every once and awhile. And I like knowing I am strong for my girls. Finishing anything difficult is always empowering and I definitely like that. Here are some pictures from my recent race. I ran with my great friend, Tabitha. Despite the fact that the first 4 miles were uphill, we had an awesome time!

Ellie Turns 5!

Some of my favorite pictures from this past week, and quite the week it was! First day of school, school birthday celebration, trip to American Girl Store, her first race and a visit from all her aunties, uncles, grandparents, etc. We had a wonderful "small" family celebration at our house with just the grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am continually amazed at how awesome our family is. They drive from all corners of the state (some just coming in from LONDON!...ahem, Auntie Tara) just to celebrate our special little girl. Ellie said the highlight of her actual birthday party was playing with her cousins... "Even better than presents" she said. :) It truly moves me to think how blessed we are.

My favorite picture overall

Ellie's "Pretty Woman" moment!

How much "girl" can you pack into one picture?! Ha!

Yep, it's love.

Not the ensemble I had in mind for her party but somehow she ended up in this interesting Mexican sarong. I swear she makes anything look adorable. :)

Joy

Ellie's requested special lunch on our way to American Girl store!

Seriously. Look at that face.

Even better that Mema joined us!

Dan made this cake as he does every year for his girls' birthdays but this one was by far his best!

The cousins (minus Kate and Cole sleeping upstairs)...for the record, we had a 0,1,2,3,5,6 and almost 7 year old represented! So cool!

Race Day

You go girl!

A big THANK YOU, to everyone who made Ellie feel so special this week! It was very much appreciated. XOXO

The First Role Play

Kate playing mommy to Ellie's Baby Alive doll. 17 months and we are starting to see more of Kate's play personality. She loves to give the baby a bottle and then tell everyone Shhhh because the baby is sleeping. Even though we've been through all of this with Ellie, we are no less excited!

One Last Visit to the Zoo...

Today I took the girls to the zoo for what will probably be the last time this summer. We timed everything so perfectly that we saw every animal in its best and most active/interesting moments. We McDonald ladies had a blast! :)

Back Again

It's been awhile since I have posted on this blog. I blame two culprits: Facebook and Kate. :) The ever-dreaded Facebook that I reluctantly joined, is quick for sharing pictures and when I do, the blog seems redundant. The second culprit, Kate, is her own little time warp and the moment she is awake it seems I have time for little else! I love that little monster with all my heart but she is a toddler in full force these days! When she is asleep (which is often because she sleeps 15-16 hours a day!) I am running around putting together everything she just tore apart and/or spending some much needed one-on-one time with Ellie. When she is awake, she is very demanding of my attention and with two kids, that attention is always requested in two totally different directions, at the SAME time! :) All moms with kids know this dilemma well. But in all truthfulness, I miss writing. Facebook is nice for sharing pictures but there is no room to really express anything of depth or consequence. I think everyone who reads this blog has seen my Facebook posts so you know all the pictures and moments as of late but I want to also share with you the thoughts and feelings behind the moments. Kate will be 17 months old this weekend. She is BEAUTIFUL and her eyes impress me every time I see them. Kate seemed to skip a lot of the later baby stage and moved full force into the toddler world. She weaned herself very early, helps herself to what she wants when she wants it, and in general, moves through her days with an intense independence. There is no stopping her. :) She loves, eats, sleeps, and cries with sheer intensity. But she has a snuggly sweet side that keeps me completely wrapped around her little finger. She will venture to the other side of the room and I will say, "Hey you! Get over here and give your Mama a kiss!" and she will crack up and toddle all the way back just to do so. She loves to cuddle and curl up with Mommy and a pile of books and if I stop moving and sit/plop/lay down on the couch or floor, she stops what she is doing and immediately lays her head down on my chest/lap/etc. Kate is VERY funny. She loves to say "Hello" with this really funny intonation that cracks us all up. She knows how to get her sister Ellie in hysterics and her dancing moves in the car are priceless. My favorite thing she does is look out of the corner of her eye (like her daddy does with his signature one eyebrow up) and look at me like "OK, are you ready for this?" and then proceeds to do/say something perfectly timed and humorous. She is just awesome. Ellie is growing up into a beautiful little girl. She is my reminder that we are doing an OK job! She has her daddy's easy laughter that warms our house and she has the SWEETEST heart for her sister. She never tires of being there to take care of Kate, make her laugh, get her through a long moment of waiting for food/sleep/mommy/etc. She always wants to be the first one Kate wakes up to and sometimes the two of them will just play for 20 minutes through the crib slats. Ellie reads to her, creates puppet shows, or just makes up goofy tricks that send Kate into uncontrollable fits of laughter. She wants to include her in everything and protects her fiercely. This is even more impressive because Kate is kind of a brute to her big sister. She rejects her for want of mommy all the time and I think Kate is trying to assert her power early. But this never affects Ellie girl. She never is offended but always patiently returns to love on Kate all over again. She is and has always been very bright, observant, and polite but it is her sweet compassion and love for others that I am most impressed by. I am so proud of her. As for me and Dan, we are steadily waiting for the next phase in his job. The calls for sergeant placements should be coming soon and we eagerly await this next chapter. I am SO excited for fall (my FAVORITE time of year) and back to school. I love the season and all that comes with it. I am struggling to fit more of me into my day to day and add dimension to a sometimes one-dimensional mommy world. I have no idea what I am looking for (volunteering? more time with friends? back to work? something else?) but I think I'll know it when I see it. Well, I would like to type so much more but Kate is calling and Ellie is ready for breakfast! My day awaits!