Some Firsts

One of Adrian's former players came by to visit Sunday night. He showed the boys how to ride on a longboard. They had so much fun. (And I keep giggling at Travis in his borrowed helmet.)

For whatever reason this is the first time I can remember Adrian reading the bedtime story. Because Nicholas has the book (Froggy Plays T-Ball) memorized, he called Adrian out everytime he missed a word.

Travis has started boycotting his highchair as of late. He agreed to the booster seat on the floor until we come up with another plan.

Free Food Rules

Who doesn't love to score free food? You offer it, I'll take you up on it. I've got hungry mouths to feed, including my own.

On Saturday, our neighbors (one of the few we actually know and only because coincidentally the husband works with Adrian) entered and won a free ice cream party from Edy's. The company is promoting neighborhoods and community. Cyndi wrote a nice essay about how her neighbors are like family. She received enough ice cream and supplies - bowls, scoops, spoons - for 100 people. I took Nicholas over while Adrian stayed back with the napping Travis. We made name tags with our name and favorite flavor of ice cream. Nicholas picked chocolate and I picked caramel delight. Yum! (We did bring back some french silk for Adrian.)

This morning was free pastry day at Starbucks. And there is a location conveniently across the street from my building. Nice, huh? My co-worker printed off a bunch of the coupons. The hitch was you had to buy a beverage. Non-fat caramel latte and a cinnamon roll - technically half, I couldn't eat it all. Probably the highlight of the work day.

Then tonight was Super Hero night at the neighborhood Chick Fil A. If you came dressed as a super hero, you got a free kids meal with the purchase of a meal. So Nicholas went as Batman, and Travis went as Spiderman. We got a lot of looks from people walking around. The manager was very excited to have participants for the theme. And the cow, of course, was excited. He came over to tease the boys. Thankfully Nicholas has gotten over his fear of giant costumed creatures. And next week is pajama night!

A New Stage

I don't think I was ready for this time to come. Nicholas needed bigger underwear (and socks). Elmo and Diego were getting a little small. I went to the new Wal-Mart by work on Friday to score some new underwear and socks for the kid.

He no longer fits the toddler section. How did that happen seemingly overnight? I had to go the boys section for size 4 underwear and size 10-2 socks. And I even ended up with a pack of solids and camouflage underwear to top it off - no characters! (He was totally stoked, by the way.)

So I was okay about it. It's just underwear and socks, right?

Saturday we went to the mall for tennis shoes for the boys. Travis had beaten his up pretty good. Nicholas only had his Vans which were too flat and clunky and he ran goofy in them. They had their feet measured. Of course they had both grown. Nicholas has moved on to the kids shoe section! Aacckk. I was bummed. And he was even more bummed. Shoes with real laces! Adrian helped him pick out a cool pair - you know, that would make him run faster.

Nicholas is becoming a big boy. I knew he was growing but the thought of shopping in the kids section hadn't occurred to me yet. But maybe, just maybe, I think he might be able to wear 4T pants in the fall and we can still get some bargains in the toddler section. It's too early to tell. We might be in a full on transition to the boys section.

Outtakes from the NY Trip

These didn't really fit into the summary but they are memories not to be forgotten, and some notes to our future selves.

There's a scene in Dumb & Dumber about the most annoying sound in the world. Travis can replicate it after 6 hours in a car. It's a constant "aahhhhh" with a high pitch and intermittent screeches. He's not mad, sad, or happy. Just vocalizing at the top of his lungs. I'm sure if he could use more words there is something he wants to say, I just wish we could translate blood curdling screams.

Nicholas asking, "are we still in Pennsylvania?", "are we in NY yet?", "are we going to be the hotel soon?". Oh, and asking about hotel proximity translates to the need for a restroom.

In NC, the standard house fly is very common. In NY, you have more than your standard house fly. You have deer flies and horse flies. Nicholas did not know this - until a fly landed on his knee and proceeded to suck his blood. He screamed and cried. Boy, did he cry. He made it very clear that the fly hurt him. We cleaned him up and put a band aid on it (those always lessen the pain). And ever since then he always asks for us to verify the kind of fly around us, just to be sure.

Adrian took the boys through the McDonald's drive-thru for breakfast (while I was at my race so I was not a witness to this). Travis had his blanket pulled over his head with his arms sticking out, very ghost like. The girl at the window got a very good laugh out of it. I'm sure Travis made her day.

I hope this one doesn't hurt anyone's feelings but it is a classic - in my mind. We were in my in-laws' kitchen and my father-in-law passed gas silently. Nicholas said, "Mommy, it smells like the Easter eggs we made. Mommy, where do they keep their Easter eggs. Mommy, I want to eat one of the Easter eggs." I had to shoosh him discreetly and explain it to him later. But he was sure that he was missing out on some hard boiled eggs.

On the way back we stayed at a Hampton Inn (in Frederick, MD on 15). I took Nicholas down to the lobby to gather breakfast. It was a top notch offering, by the way. We spent longer than expected because we made our own waffles. Stacked up some omelettes, sausage, home fries, boxes of cereal, yogurt, milk, OJ, etc. I told you it was a good one. Anyways, Adrian stayed in the room with Travis. Adrian's watching TV and hears Travis messing around with a door - he assumed it was the bathroom door. He waits a second and then calls out for Travis to which he receives silence. Yeah, it's because Travis opened the main door and was booking it down the hall in his pajama top and diaper. Adrian caught a glimpse as Travis turned a corner. Luckily he was headed towards a dead end. I'm relieved he didn't make it anywhere and no one snatched him up. But I'm sure they would have released them after the endless most annoying sound in the world screams.

NY Trip in Photos

Ithaca Commons playground

Picnic style room service breakfast

Ithaca is gorge-ous!

From the lookout across from the waterfall

All of us at the bottom of the waterfall

The fort

Cute shop in Old Forge

Warm-up runs before a race. I love the scenic view at the track.

Nicholas seriously watching a race

NY Trip in Words

We spent a week on the road - and lived to tell about it.

The car was packed to the gills with everything we could possibly need to survive. We planned to do some other activities while in NY, especially since it's the summer and the weather is enjoyable up there (compared to the suffocating heat and humidity of NC).

We have heard how beautiful Ithaca is and how everyone just loves it. Some friends of ours had relocated there a few years ago and we gave them a call. Luckily they were in town and available to meet up with us after dinner. Before that we checked out the Commons in the downtown. Browsed a couple local bike and running shops, played on the playground, ate at a tavern. Then we went to visit our friends. They live just a couple hundred feet from an elementary school with nice playgrounds. So convenient for leg stretching and energy burning after a long car ride. Driving around Ithaca we saw a lot of scenery - and a lot of hills. People cycle and run everywhere, they must be in great shape. The next day (Wednesday) we went to see the highest waterfall in the northeast and the accompanying gorge and river.

We checked in at Vernon Downs first to get settled. Then it was off to Verona to catch up with Adrian's parents. A relaxing evening playing outside, eating hot dogs and all the sides (cheese puffs, potato salad, etc.) The boys were wiped out from the hiking and playing with their grandparents.

Thursday morning we went into Rome and ate at one of Adrian's favorite places, The Iron Kettle. It was the best omelet I have ever had...hands down. Peppers, onions, tomatoes, cheese, and salsa on the side. Next door to the restaurant is where Adrian used to have his sports card and memorabilia store for more than a decade. It's now a head shop. Very amusing to us. We walked across the street to see Fort Stanwix for a bit. There are a few people dressed in costume. Nicholas thought it was neat to see a real fort from a war.

That night we went out to dinner in Utica and met up with Adrian's aunt and cousin. I found that Travis loves ricotta cheese as much as I do. He was more than willing to finish my stuffed shells for me.

Friday we drove into Old Forge - a very popular area in the winter. We found a little diner on the main road. Fresh haddock sandwiches. Then we walked around and checked out some shops. Most were the standard fare of knick knacks and t-shirts. There is a chair lift (for skiing in the winter) that probably has spectacular views - but we'll wait until the boys are older and not squirmy. And before the kids could find out about the amusement park we headed back.

That night we met up with Adrian's parents at the track at Vernon Downs. I got to see my first race! The boys loved it. And they loved the buffet complete with chocolate cake and soft serve ice cream. We did not win any of our bets, oh well.

Saturday we drove up to Sylvan Beach at Oneida Lake. Adrian spent a lot of time there when he was a kid. Lunch at Eddie's was required, so I was told. Old diner style with hot ham sandwiches and milkshakes. We tried to check out the beach but a storm was coming in off the lake. So we had to look fast and high step it to the car. We had our last visit of the trip with Adrian's parents. We had a lot of fun spending time with them and the boys enjoyed getting to know them even more. A big thanks to them for everything. The boys loved seeing deer in the front yard. That kind of thing doesn't happen at home.

Then it was dinner time. Adrian's cousin Leslie had reservations at Carmela's in Utica. Free pasta dinner for the Boilermaker runners. Time to carb up for the race! We had a lot of fun eating dinner with other runners. Back to the hotel to rest up, or at least try.

Sunday morning came all too early. 5 am to be exact. I had to be at Leslie's by 6 to get a ride to the race. After the storms passed through the day before it cooled down and cleared up. Perfect race weather and the cold breezes were refreshing. We did a lot of standing around and checking out the other runners gathering. 12,000 runners - a new record!

It took 7 minutes to get across the start line after the gun went off. There was no turning back. All of the stories about the Boilermaker are true. There are a ton of spectators along the course. They have cow bells, garden hoses, popsicles - anything to cheer you on. And throughout the course there is also entertainment. Rock bands, polka bands, belly dancers, stilt walkers, a donkey, DJs, and bagpipers. A few runners are in costume to add to the flavor - I passed a pirate and a clown. I even got to wave to one person I knew - Adrian's aunt (Leslie's mom) was spectating at one of the cemeteries on the course. That gave me the extra kick for the final two miles. With all the people and music you don't notice the time or distance passing. I also didn't even notice the legendary hills that everyone talks about. I ran the whole 15K. All of my training paid off!! I can check off Runner's World's Race of the Month for July!

The after party is very impressive. 40,000 people in a small area surrounding the brewery - did I mention the free Saranac beer? And Leslie invited me to the Utica Roadrunners tent. Chocolate cake with buttercream frosting - the best ever, especially after you have more than burned off the calories. Many thanks to Leslie for hooking me up with everything.

I finally caught up to Adrian trying to find me in the crazy traffic and blocked off roads. I got showered up and we hit the road south. A brief pit stop in Fayetteville to see another cousin. Then we saw a lot of Pennsylvania...at 5 mph! It is a pretty state with green rolling hills, but we would have preferred to enjoy it a whole lot faster. That state will never ever finish repairing their highways. After that torture we couldn't complete the trek home. We stopped in Frederick, MD (determined to get the heck out of PA) for the night.

After a fabulous continental breakfast at Hampton Inn, we finished off the trip. Finally home. We missed our house with all of its rooms and space. After a week in a small sedan and hotel rooms, we are glad to spread out and take a break from each other.

Weekly Winners (July 5)

I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing July 4th holiday. With the lack of rain around here, the boys made do with a garden hose and dry red clay. Let them enjoy it. There's always time for a good bubble bath afterwards.
I'll be off next Sunday getting my tail kicked at the Boilermaker in Utica, NY. Photos will have to wait until the following week.
Take care! And check out Sarcastic Mom for more Weekly Winners. Please. I promise it's worth it.

Changed for the Better...or Worse

After moments of reflection recently I have found that some things about me have changed. I don't know if anyone noticed or if I'm overanalyzing. I used to be known for remembering birthdays and mailing cards like clockwork. This was mostly for my nieces and nephews. I wanted to be the cool aunt and wanted them to feel extra special getting a card in the mail - sometimes it included a sheet of stickers! I was diligent with Thank You notes, too. And every now and then I would send random holiday cards, like Easter and Halloween. My Hallmark Gold Crown Card was my friend.

Several months ago I was feeling life rushing by. The boys were growing up way too fast right before my eyes. I didn't feel I was giving my full attention to their changes.

Around that same time my job role changed to hourly (from salary) and overtime was limited. That meant working in the evenings stopped. Perfect for me. I no longer had to get the boys to bed by 8 so I could log back on for a couple hours. I switched my running from evenings to mornings. Doing it in the evenings made things so rushed - dinner, bath, bed time. Getting up before the crack of dawn has worked out so much better, even if I am a little more tired at night. (When you're at work at 8:30 and realize you've already been up for 4 hours and ran 5 miles makes you feel like you rule the world.)

These changes of no working or running in the evenings has opened up more family time hanging out at the end of the day. We have dinner, baths, and play time before bed. I don't feel that urge to just put them to bed so fast. The boys have been staying up a little later than they had before. Nicholas has been watching less of his cartoons and more Travel Channel. He loves Man Vs. Food and Bizarre Foods. Learning about different cuisines and cultures is really interesting to him. We talk about where the host is, what he is eating and discuss whether or not we would also do it. He absorbs the information like a sponge. (I won't tell you about how he knows not to pee in the Amazon River. It's a guy thing and it isn't pretty.)

If you gave me a birthday present this year and didn't get a Thank You note yet, please know that I really am grateful for your gift. I have acknowledged it numerous times in my head (during my me-time when I run) but it hasn't made it to paper. Consider this a public blanket Thank You to everyone. And if you're wondering about the boys' school pictures. Well, they're cut up and sitting next to the stationery. That's as far as they got. Oh - plus I'd have to find time to get some 2 cent stamps. The rate hike left me unprepared. (And no, my errand boy did not buy Forever stamps)

Some of you with recent birthdays, I do know you had them and I *think* I sent you an e-card. Sometimes I think about doing something - sending an e-mail or an e-card - so many times that eventually I think I actually did it. I started a few birthday presents but they're next to the sewing machine waiting to be completed. One day hopefully before Christmas they will get out the door.

Please accept my apologies, I haven't forgotten about birthdays, holidays, thank yous. I mean to do all of it. But slowing down and adjusting my priorities have moved things around on the list. I'm enjoying being a mom and a wife a whole lot. We're having a blast here as a family. Maybe when they start wearing me down again, I'll lock myself in the bathroom with the unfinished birthday presents and Thank You cards.