The last days of May

The sweaters are now put away in storage and have been replaced by shorts and summer dresses.

The flower beds are weeded, and colorful flowers are in their new homes.

The air conditioning is now on, as the temps reached the 90s.

We went to the camp ground and rode the golf cart.

We stayed out way past bed time.

We grilled.

The kids donned their bathing suits and ran laughing and squealing through the sprinkler.

I rocked the white pants today at work.


Summer is finally, officially, here.

Go Cort Go!

Last Saturday was a big day. 

Sometime around March, I decided that I needed a race to look forward to to get me back in "running mode" after totally losing my momentum due to an injury and a doctor's orders 6-8 weeks off that turned into about 5 months.  I decided to try the same race that I ran last May, a hilly local 5K.  When I looked up the registration information, I saw there was also a 1K Fun Run for kids, and it wasn't long after that that we were out buying new running shoes.

So Saturday was the moment we were waiting for.  Cortlan had done as well as I suspect any typical 4-year-old could do in "training" for his race.  The distance around my neighborhood cul-de-sac is 0.3 miles - almost exactly half of the race distance.  He had made it around once and three-quarters exactly once, never actually running the entire distance.  Cortlan can be a little unpredictable in pressure situations, so I wasn't sure how he would react to the race once we were in the moment.  He could have gone anywhere from standing still and refusing to move to tearing out of the gate on a mission.  When we got to the starting line, all that was on my mind was a start and a finish of any sort.

The race was really well organized.  They let the kids go in three volleys.  We were clearly in the youngest (and last) volley, which was the 1st grade and under group.  (There were a couple of kids that might have been near Cortlan's age, but most were closer to 1st grade than 4 years old.) When the start was signaled, we went.

And we didn't stop. 
Or walk.

We ran through the parking lot, through a soggy baseball field, up a relatively steep grassy hill, and back through the parking lot, chugging along at a nice steady pace the entire time except for a minor fall in the grass.

Along the orange cone-marked trail were volunteers in bright green shirts making sure we went the right way and providing the greatest words of encouragement for many first-time racers.  "Way to go!  You are doing great!" and "Looking good!  Halfway there!"  and, my favorite, "Great pace number 255!  Great pace!  Keep it up!"  Cortlan smiled a determined smile; I grinned ear to ear and encouraged him as we went.

We made it around a bend and saw the finish line and our best supporters yet - Daddy and Everly, and Uncle Leroy and Aunt LuAnn, who had made a sign to cheer Cortlan on.  I pointed out the cheering section as we approached, and Cortlan seemed to pick up the pace a bit.  We ran through the finish, where he got a participant's ribbon from someone in a bright green shirt followed by a huge hug from me.  I am so proud of you, Cortlan!

"I won!" he tells people, and I am glad he feels that way, because from the beginning it was all about a start and a finish, and that is a win in my book.

My Birthday 2011

It seems as though everyone approaches the concept of a birthday differently.  There are those that do not want a fanfare, those who don't even want to acknowledge the passing of another year, those that want a billboard announcing the big day, and those who want to celebrate for an entire week.  I think I fall pretty much in the middle of the spectrum.  I love birthdays.  A huge deal doesn't need to made of mine; I don't care to tell everyone I see that it is my birthday and I don't need a big party.  But I do like to reflect on the year that has past and celebrate a little bit, and I love to celebrate other people's birthdays.  Birthdays are special.  And frankly, I would much rather look forward to and celebrate the passing of another year than to dread getting older.

This year, my birthday started like this...

The Red dishes only get used on special days.  Thanks to John, the Red Mug was waiting for me when I went to get my coffee.

And ended like this...

Our power went out at around 7PM and didn't come back on until about 11:30.  I got to blow out numerous candles for my birthday.

And, in between, included moments like this...



Ice cream is a must on Mom's birthday, even if the flavor Mom wanted was unavailable.


Other highlights:
The first words out of Cortlan's mouth in the morning were to wish me a happy birthday...with no reminders or prompting from anyone.  And Everly repeated the phrase every time Cortlan said it.

The kids presented me handmade birthday cards, with words carefully written by Cortlan, and lots of Scotch tape to top off the decorations.

A co-worker surprised me (truly surprised me) in the middle of lunch with a delicious cake that had the perfect amount of chocolate icing and a layer of banana pudding in the middle.  Yum!

Dinner was also delicious, and Cortlan was quick to tell the waitress that it was my birthday (and he told everyone at his school, too, I should add.)

I got a fabulous gift from my husband - time.

Random thoughts for the day

• I have for years said that they need to make Reese's Peanut Butter flavored gum.  They have recently come out with flavors such as Mint Chocolate Chip flavored gum.  If some day they come out with Reese's Peanut Butter flavored gum, I just want to have it on public record that I had the idea.  If I could do it, if I knew how to patent it, I would.  Because I know it will be a big hit someday.  Just wait.
• I never thought I would be the mom who was reluctant to get her daughter's hair cut, but here I am.
• A little time capsule tidbit:  I am thrilled, thrilled, that strawberries are only $1 on sale this week at our new Shop n' Save (they are normally at least twice that, and we eat a lot of them) and bananas are $0.24 per pound (last week, $0.54, and again, we eat a lot of them).  But gas for $4??  Seriously?  It is scary to think about how much higher it will go before summer is over.  Sigh.
• I have several friends that are due to have babies this summer.  Weirdly, I feel so far away from baby-mode.  I am so happy for my friends and am excited to see the babies and hold the babies.  I loved being pregnant, and in some ways I kind of miss the thought of going through the stages again to get to the two-year-old phase.  But realistically, I am really glad that it is them and not me.  And I mean that in the most congratulatory, loving, and supportive way possible.  I just know my limits.
• After this evening's run, I will have run 94 miles since starting my half-marathon training program.  I am really looking forward to my 5K on Saturday.  And, while I am a little nervous for him, I am especially looking forward to Cortlan's 1K.
• Speaking of running, I have about ten different routes of varying distances that I regularly run.  It occurred to me yesterday that not once have I run one of my routes backwards.  And in fact, it kind of makes me a little nauseated thinking about it.  Is that weird?
• Everly changed at least one component of her her outfit three times this morning before leaving for school.  Cortlan wore a coffee scented belt to taekwondo yesterday.  I came into work this morning with hair dripping and pants soaked through from the torrential downpour I experienced for the whole ten second sprint to the door.  Nice.

My Baby

Cortlan was two years, two months old to the day when Everly was born.  Everly turned that age on May 9th.  It is weird to think about what it would be like to be bringing a baby home now.  And it is interesting to think about my perception of the two of them, then and now.  When we brought Everly home, Cortlan immediately became the big brother.  He seemed so grown up.  She was the baby.  Sometimes I realize that I still kind of think of her as a baby, but she is so not a baby anymore, and I have been reminded of that a lot lately.

First, there is the potty training, which is going fabulously.  When we started "bribing" her with a Smartie for going pee on the potty, she immediately figured out that she could manipulate the system.  There were days when she went potty every ten minutes, just so she could get a treat.  By Easter, when her treat became a jelly bean, she had lengthened that time quite a bit.  Now, she is initiating the trip to the bathroom much of the time, and only asks for a treat some of the time.  When she asks, she gets it, but now there is a stipulation: only if her Pull-Up is clean.   She often wakes from nap dry.  Still no success with Number 2, but hopefully that will come soon.

Then there are the words that come out of Everly's mouth and the thought that she puts into them.  After bath tonight, Cortlan had his hooded towel on that is made to look like a monster.  Everly looked at him and said, "Agh!  Moser!" with a feigned scared look on her face.  And then she giggled.

Conversations with Everly are often interesting and entertaining, like this one, which occurred on the way home yesterday after having walked through some mud: 

Everly: What's sis on my yeg?
Me: It's a little dirt on your leg from walking through the mud.  It's ok.
Everly:  What's sis on my yeg?
Me:  It's dirt.  We will clean it off when we get home.  Don't worry about it.
Everly:  What's sis on my yeg?
Me:  It's dirt, Everly.
Everly:  What's sis on my yeg?
Me:  Dirt.
Everly:  Der's sompin' on my yeg.  What's is it?
Cortlan:  IT'S DIRT!

And I love that my kids have conversations with each other now.  Like this morning, when Cortlan asked Everly if she wanted to play, and she answered him, and they went back and forth about what they were going to do.  It seems pretty inconsequential, but it says a lot to me about how much they've grown.  They are two human beings with their own thoughts, and they are quickly gaining independence.  I didn't have to be the interpreter, or the go-between, or even tell them what to do.  I didn't have to tell Cortlan to play with his sister, or Everly to play with her brother.  They are becoming playmates, as I have always hoped.  And I hope that they continue to be.

On a daily basis now, I see it:  My little girl isn't a baby anymore.  I guess I am kind of okay with that.  I guess I have to be.  I am just glad that I get a lot more time with her as a two-year-old, because despite the ups and downs, I love this age.

My Mother's Day

I woke to the sound of the bedroom door closing behind John and I knew that was the cue for me to stay in bed as long as I wanted (within reason, of course).  I heard the rustling of the house coming to life, and I just laid there, listening to the sweet sounds.  The slow awakening was a nice break from the typical:  Everly busting into the room declaring, "I all done sleepin!!!" or Cortlan suddenly appearing at my bedside saying, "I have to go potty!"  I enjoyed my comfortable bed for a little while longer, and I emerged from the bedroom.

I entered the living room, where the kids and John were snuggled on the couch watching Curious George, and Everly immediately looked up and said, "Happy Muss Day, Mommy!"  Cortlan followed suit, "Happy Mudders Day!"  Everly invited me to sit beside her and I got comfy under the blankets between my two favorite kids.

The day continued, full of love, smiles, and laughter - a simple breakfast with me using the special Red Mug and Plate; John taking the kids to the store while providing me with a quiet house; husband-assisted, kid-picked gifts including a hanging basket, Twizzlers, a necklace, and bracelets (that Everly immediately put on and wore for the rest of the day); my first ever Mother's Day brunch (for which John had made reservations and which included an awesome made-to-order wild mushroom, spinach, and brie omelet and scrumptious desserts, among other tasty delights); relaxing in the sun on the deck with a book; and ending with a trip to my grandmother's house where we got to spend some bonus family time.

I love Mother's Day.  I love relishing in the sweetness of my kids.  I love the pride I feel when I look at them.  I love being reminded of love. 

I love being a mom.

Mother's Day 2011

What I am loving right now

A Mother's Day tea party at the kids' school, including a special table with my kids, cupcakes to decorate with icing and marshmallows and chocolate chips and sprinkles, and several pieces of very special artwork.

Band-Aids and stickers.

And taking time to smell the flowers.

So much to love.

I hope

A measurable amount of rain has fallen in this area twenty-seven out of the last thirty-three days.  Breaking it down, there has been rain every day in May so far and twenty-four days in April.  I am typically not one to complain about weather...I like a nice variety: snow and rain, freezing and sweltering temps alike.  But at a point when we are supposed to have emerged from the cold, dark winter, it would be nice to have a bit of sunshine to welcome us.  The weather has certainly affected my mood lately, but the weather isn't the only thing.  Maybe I have been paying too much attention to negativity or maybe I have read too many blogs and Facebook status updates, but lately, the way people have been reacting to a large variety of topics has mystified me, angered me, stumped me, and well, irritated me.  I am not going to get into those particular topics, though I have started several blog posts about them only to (thankfully) pull back the reigns.  Instead, I am going to take what I have seen and read and heard and attempt to be constructive. 

To my children:

It is hard being a parent.  I came close to including "in this day and age," or "working" but, no.  It is hard being a parent.  Period.  As you grow up, please realize that I am doing the best I can to prepare you for life.  Every parent has difficult decisions to make about what is best for him or her.  Though I plan to guide you, I am not going to be a helicopter parent.  There are lessons you will have to learn through experience that may not be pleasant for either of us.  And as much as I would sometimes like to, I am not going to shelter you from the world.  At least for a while, your father and I probably have the means and ability to create our own world for you, one in which you rarely have to be exposed to negativity, pressure, responsibility, bullies, mixed messages sent by the media, and rules that are set by other people.  But I believe that you have to learn to navigate the world we live in, as it is our reality.  I believe you have to learn to "play the game," whether the game is perfect or not.  I believe you have to learn how to deal with all types of people, not just the ones we hand-pick for you.  And while I have no idea how you will turn out, I have high hopes for you.

You will someday leave my care and guidance, and I hope that at that time you will have the confidence and knowledge to make good decisions.  I hope that you will have a strong sense of self and awareness of right and wrong.  I hope I will have been able to take advantage of the many teachable moments that present themselves and that you will know how to handle adversity, that you will know what it means to be responsible. 

As you grow up, I hope that you have opinions and can express them with confidence.  But I hope that you realize that, in most cases, there is no "right" way to do things, and what may be right to you may not work in someone else's situation.  I hope that you are open-minded and willing to listen.  You do not have to agree with everyone, but my hope is that you will be respectful, even in your disagreement.

Whether next door or across the globe, not everyone is living the same circumstances.  Not everyone has had the same experiences as you, and you have not experienced what everyone else has.  I hope you will not judge.  And I hope you will not begrudge, either.  It is ok for someone else to have things that you don't; you certainly have things that others do not, as well.  Be happy for people.  And strive for what you want.

I hope you will at least make an effort to obtain all of the facts about a situation before you get angry.  I also hope you will not hold resentment.  (A great quote by an anonymous person:  "Holding resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.")

I hope you will carefully think about who you might hurt or what you may be revealing before you hit "send" or "update."  Technology is great, but certainly has its shortcomings, too.
 
I hope you will be a giver in life, and not a taker.

I hope you will learn to see the positive, try not to be cynical, trust. 

I hope you appreciate what others do for you, and return the favor.  Or at the very least, be grateful and express that gratitude.

I hope you find happiness and are happy with your self.

I hope you find love and love your self.

I hope you love life, and enjoy it to the fullest.

I hope you try, and realize that I do, too.