Running Shoes

I still remember the experience of getting my first pair of running shoes.  I was in ninth grade.  I had a plan to give track and field a shot, and so I showed up at the first conditioning practice.  I had never really run before, unless you count running around the yard playing Frisbee or tag, and there I was taking more laps around the second floor of the high school in two hours than I did in nine-weeks of classes.  The floors were not great on the knees, but we were young, and it was the dead of winter, and we really didn't have anywhere else to condition.  My track coach told me I had to get some decent running shoes.

At the time, I had only some basic sneakers - we called them tennies - that were the everyday use kind, the kind that you bought at the shoe store at the mall where the shoe salesmen would size your foot and then bring some boxes from the back room for you to try.  (Nowadays, my shoes all come from a shelf full of boxes that I search for my size and pull down myself, when my size is actually available.)  My tennies were fine, but they weren't meant for running.

So my mom took me to a JCPenney that has since closed and we went to the shoe department.  Neither of us knowing much about shoes, we looked for the shoes that were labeled "running."  I tried on a few pair, and I found my match.  I was so proud of those shoes.

Flash forward an undisclosed number of years.

We headed to the outlet mall, because even as I did in ninth grade, I still prefer Nikes for my long and narrow feet.  And the deals on shoes at the Nike Outlet are surely worth the 45 minute drive.  After trying on a few pair, I again found my match.

Mommy, I need some running shoes, too, so I can train for my race!

Over dinner one evening prior, I had asked Cortlan what he thought about running a race with me.  I have run one 10K and three 5Ks, so far.  My husband and kids have been to all of the 5Ks and have cheered me on at the start and finish lines.  As my first race post-injury, I am planning to run the same race that I ran last May, and this year they are also offering a 1K (0.6 mile) Fun Run for kids.  Parents can run with the kids, who will get their own race number, a t-shirt, and will get to nosh on the race fare after they complete the run, just like the grown ups.  All finishers will get a ribbon.  I noted Cortlan's enthusiasm at the prospect, and then we didn't talk about it again.  Until we were at the Nike Outlet.

Well, yes, you do need some running shoes, Cortlan.  So you can train for your race.

We got Cortlan his first pair of "running shoes" (and, of course, Everly had to get some, too).  He's hardly worn another pair since; he is so proud of them.  And since getting those shoes, he has begun his "training".  When I am done with my run, weather permitting, Cort meets me at the end of the driveway.  We do a little stretching, and then we run around our block at his pace, a little farther each time, with me encouraging him to keep going, to move his arms, to pick up his feet; with him smiling and breathing heavy, happy and working hard.  Everly has gotten in on the action at times (as hard as she tries, she just isn't quite as quick as her big brother, but I think it is only a matter of time) and we have even had a couple of neighborhood kids join with us on a few of the runs.

We have less than a month before our big race.  I can't wait to see how it goes and how proud he is when he crosses the finish line.  I know I will be proud and smiling.

I wonder if he will remember those running shoes.



Maybe someday we will all run a race together. 



Museum Highlights

On this rainy, dreary Friday, I have never been happier with our purchase of a museum membership.  We have already gotten well more than our money's worth, with this being our second trip to the Natural History museum, and having already gone twice to the Science Center.  Even with two trips to each place, we haven't really done the same thing twice, yet.  We are able to go for a few hours before or after nap and not feel like we have to rush through everything...because there is always next time!  When we woke this morning, going to the museum wasn't on our radar, but sitting at breakfast thinking about what to do, it seemed like a perfect day for a visit.  Vacuuming and laundry can certainly wait!

We spent some time looking at the rocks and minerals.



And, of course, strolled through the dinosaur exhibit.  The only one that Everly would agree to hold hands with was Cortlan, and he loved it.



The discovery zone was a favorite spot.



And no trip would be complete without getting to push the button on the elevator.

The kids fell asleep in the car, are still sleeping, and soon we are off to Grandma and Poppy's house for some more egg dying and pizza.  I SOOOO needed a few days off.

Just some random thoughts today...

• You know it has been a long winter when upon seeing (or wearing) a short sleeve shirt, your daughter says, "Uh oh! No sleeves!"  as if the shirt is broken.
• Two mornings in a row with no tears (from anyone) before school is amazingly awesome and refreshing. 
• Running on a stomach full of Chick-fil-a (even if it was the tax day meal promotion) is no fun at all.
• Kids are just flat out funny sometimes.  On Sunday, we were headed to my mother-in-laws house for some pre-Easter festivities.  Cortlan decided he wanted to dress up like an Easter egg.  So, what did he do?  He put a pair of blue underwear on his head and socks on his hands.  That was his costume.  Seriously. (I don't know how it is when you just read it, but I can tell you it is impossible to not laugh when you see it in person.)
• I know what I want for my next birthday.  Now, if I can just get the right people to read my mind.
• Having a classroom with no windows isn't so bad on a rainy spring day.  I can just pretend it is nice outside, and I do.
• I would love to write a book someday.  I just have no idea what it would be about, or who would buy it.  (Ok, and as an aside, do you want to write a book someday, too?  Because sometimes I think everyone wants to write a book.)
• I love to hear my kids sing.  Cortlan makes up the most entertaining songs.  The latest one went something like, "He ate something he was allergic to; He kinda threw up; In bed."
• Everly doesn't make up her own songs, but she does her best to sing to the radio.  When you hear her belt out a couple key words at just the right moment in her cute little 2-year-old accent, you can't help but smile.
• And speaking of, I love that we have a free trial of Satellite Radio.  When the kids are in the car, you seriously can't beat Channel 116 - Kids Place Live.  Those "free trial" people really know what they are doing.  (I can deal without Absolutely Mindy's "Birthday Missions" though.)
• What else do I love?  Spring.  I can feel the change come over me as the temperatures go up, the flowers start to bloom, and we can get outside to play.  That's not to mention spring break, Easter egg hunts, hanging out with family and friends, and the fact that summer is just around the corner.  Ahhhhhhh.....

Waving a White Shirt

I've read the magazines, and even a book or two.  I know that two-year-olds want to have more control than they are able to have, and they have a hard time controlling their emotions and impulses.  I get that life must be frustrating when you know what you want but either a) can't express it, b) can't get it yourself, or c) aren't allowed to have it and can't understand why.  I also know that giving children as much control as possible in their life by providing reasonable choices and "picking your battles," as well as talking to them in a way that expresses your understanding of their out of control emotions, helps everyone in dealing with this difficult phase of life known as "The Terrible Twos."

But exactly what do you do when none of that works?

I give Everly two choices of outfits in the morning.  Meltdown.  She wants a third.

I give Everly three choices of outfits the next morning.  Meltdown.  She wants a fourth.

I open the drawer this morning and tell her to pick the pants she wants.  Of course, she picks the red ribbed leggings that she wore in our Christmas card picture.  And has to wear the matching Christmas picture shirt. It is April.

Fine, I thought. My fault.  I obviously should have removed all unreasonable choices from the drawer.  But there are worse things than a child wearing a Christmas outfit to school in April, right?  At least we got away without a meltdown.

Not so fast.

We still had to pick socks.  Socks.  The meltdown began.  And it was a mess.  If it wasn't about which socks she was going to wear, it was about who was putting them on her.

I give her different choices.  I attempt to validate her emotions:  I understand that you are upset about wearing these socks.  I try reasoning with her.  I walk away.  John tries.

Nothing helps.  

We deal with the same thing at night with PJs. "Micky all clean?" she asks, and we brace ourselves for the reaction when her favorite PJs are in the wash.  She picks her own PJs, we get them on her, and then she gets upset because she changed her mind.  I swear she just looks for a reason to meltdown sometimes.

Fortunately, Everly is not always like this.  She can be so cute that she makes you melt.  She has the most adorable giggle and smile, and makes me laugh on a regular basis.  I love her to pieces.  But the girl likes control.  I feel for her.  I like control, too.  So, I am trying to put the control in her hands when I can.  For now, the wardrobe is one of the safest, easiest places for that to happen.

But I seriously feel like I need a sign to wear any time I leave my house:  "She picked her own outfit today.  Yes, even the shoes.  Yes, even the multiple barrettes and bows in her hair.  I gave up the fight."

I could have worn my sign on a recent trip to Toys R Us.

She Says, No. 5

Everly (from the back seat of the car):  Mommy-Joyce!  Mommy-Joyce!!
Me (turning around and looking):  Are you talking to me?
Everly:  Hehehehe!!

Everly (at dinner, upset about something like not wanting to use her fork or eat her veggies):  Mommy, you hutting myyy feelins!

Everly (at dinner, with her cup out of reach because she was about to knock it over):  Want my milk!
John (trying to urge her to ask nicely):  You want more milk, please?
Everly (very angry):  I've plenty!!  Want my milk!!
Me:  Did she just say that she has "plenty"?!
John:  Well, there is some in her cup, so I guess she doesn't need "more".  Then, to Everly:  You want your cup?
Everly:  YES!!!

Everly:  I haf go potty. Get treat.
Me:  Yay!  Everly!  Good job going pee on the potty!
Everly:  I make Mommy happy!!  Treat?

(Yes, after she started to regress instead of progress with the potty training, we started bribing her with a single Smartie. Yesterday, she went the whole day without going pee in her Pull-Up. She did go #2 twice, and asked every 20 minutes or so to go on the potty to get a treat, but every time she asked, she actually did go. I am hoping this doesn't backfire.)

Then, later, Me:  Are you going to eat that treat?
Everly: No, hold it.

And she did.  I don't know if she ever ate it, or if she just lost it in the yard somewhere along the way, but she held on to that treat like it was the last one ever.

He Says, No. 5

Some snippets of recent conversations with Cortlan:

Me: So, what did you do in school today?
Cortlan: Well, I only think on Tuesdays, so can I tell you on Tuesday?

Cortlan:  Mommy, can you take my plate up [to the dishwasher] 'cause i have to tell Daddy something really, really long.
Me:  Well, you take your plate into the kitchen and then come back and tell Daddy.
Cortlan:  Ohhhhh. Ok. (He reluctantly takes his dish to the dishwasher, and then tells his "long" story.) Daddy, you know Mr. Giraffe doesn't pay to watch television? He just watches it straight away. Oh yes, he does. He doesn't even pay!

(Overheard)
Cortlan: Everly, are you sleeping?
Everly: Yes.
Cortlan: Then why are your eyes open??

Cortlan:  Mommy, I am sorry that I got off the porch when you told me not to.
Me:  Thank you for apologizing.  (And then I go on to give him a speech about trust, ending with how important it is that I am able to trust him.) 
Cortlan (proudly remembering a line from a Berenstain Bears book) :  And trust is something that cannot be put back together.
So, so true.

Me  (as I try to fix the parachute on his little figure):  Cortlan, you really did a number on this.
Cortlan:  I did six.

Rewind to April 1

On March 31, Cortlan said to me, "Mommy, I am going to play a trick on you tomorrow."

It took me a second, but I then remembered what April 1 is.  The thing I was not aware of is that Cortlan knew what April 1 is.  (See?  He does learn stuff at school that I neglect to teach him!)

I had been waiting for a year when I thought Cortlan would be able to understand the concept and take an April Fool's joke without just thinking it was mean.  Maybe this was the year.  Game on!  After he went to bed, I poured a bowl of Kix and milk.  And then I put it in the freezer.

As luck would have it, Cortlan woke up early on April 1 and asked if he could eat breakfast at home, a rare treat due to typical morning time constraints.  "Sure!" I said, never having been happier for him to be awake at such an hour. 

Acting as naturally as I could, I handed him his bowl of cereal and watched him dig in.  Or at least try to dig in.

What's going on?

April Fool's!

Fortunately, the April Fool's joke was a success, and Cort reacted in the way I had hoped.  What I have especially loved is hearing him recount the story to his teachers and friends and grandparents with a big smile on his face. 

Now I have a whole year to come up with something for next April 1. 

13.1- Here I come!

I am fortunate to have some friends who know a lot about running:  One has inspired me tremendously over the years, as she logged mile after mile with a running stroller and then a double running stroller, who had the insight to buy me Run Like a Mother for my birthday last year, who can totally relate to me as a mother runner, and to whom I will always be grateful; One that I consider my "resident expert," who has run countless races of all distances (quickly, I might add), and has coached people to successfully run countless more, who can whip out a training plan with codes and jargon in no time flat and then clearly explain it and convince me that I can do it in an even shorter period of time; And one who I knew as a runner even before I knew her name, as I saw her run on campus for years before I met her, who makes it seem so natural and effortless and just part of life, who also inspires and motivates me on a regular basis.

Thanks in large part to these three friends, I now have the motivation, inspiration, training plan, confidence, and running partner to do something I never really thought I would do: run a half marathon.

Monday was Day 1 of the meticulously thought out, friend-written training plan that beats the pants off anything I could have found online and that will ultimately prepare me for the 13.1 mile race in September.

And as I was driving home on Monday, the rain beating down heavily on my windshield, I comforted myself with one thought:  At least it is warm.

My plan:  to run a three mile tempo run -  rain or shine.  (Yeah, I hardly know what tempo run means, but I am learning.)

I got home, changed my clothes, bracing for the rain, wishing I didn't have to get my new shoes all wet, hoping my ipod could hold its own against the water.  I stretched.  I laced up my shoes.  I stepped out the door.

It stopped raining. 

I ran my three, pacing as best I could according to instructions.  On this day, one of the warmest days we have had this year, with the air so fresh after a spring rain, it was hard to not dance when my favorite song came through my earbuds at mile 2.

My three miles ended at the entrance to my neighborhood, where I began my cool down.  I made my way back towards my house, and with about ten steps left to my sidewalk, the rain began again.

And within ten minutes, the sky completely opened up and gave us one of those completely thorough drenchings that beats so heavily on the roof that you stop what you are doing and look up.

There was one time on Monday that I was able to run.  And there was one time Monday that the rain stopped.  I realize the rain didn't stop just for me, but there was something about that run in a sunny spot right between some dark clouds and pouring rain, something that made me feel like even the Universe is supporting me right now.  And I certainly can't let the Universe down.

So, 13.1 - here I come!

A Saturday Morning Story by Cortlan

Cortlan told me he wanted to tell me a story.  He sat on my lap, and I typed as he talked...

Once upon a time there was a turtle named Noah. And he jumped up onto a jelly jar and swirled his paintbrush around, jumped down off the jelly jar and then he jumped into his swimming pool marker house and he took out one of his markers and hopped onto his jelly jar again.

Me: You know turtles can't jump right? 
Cortlan: Yeah, he actually walked.  He just really wanted to jump.  He's actually a sea turtle and he swam. 
Me:  Ok.  Back to the story. 

He made little dots...blue, green, purple, and pink.  And red.  And then he hopped off his jelly jar.  He actually swam.  He worked his computer and then he swam all the way into the ocean, all the way under the water to get some water and then he went all the way back out of the water and sprayed some water out.  And then he wrote a picture that said, "Happy birthday from turtle.  I wish you love my birthday card and I love you, my other turtle."  He jumped back onto his jelly jar, put his paintbrush away, put his marker away, and went to bed.  The end.

Me: Very nice!  Does the story have a name?
Cortlan: Just call it "Effy."