Apples and Applefest

Today we headed over to Brookdale Farm to pick apples.  I wanted to pick a decent amout to bring back to Philly since we go through them so fast.

The kids did great picking fast and furious.   Before long we had 50 lbs of apples ready to go!  We got home and peeled about 20 lbs or so for a huge pot of applesauce and some apple crisp!

Tomorrow is the Applefest Half Marathon.  I LOVE this race.  It is really close to my parents house, the course is nice, hilly, and the meanders through town.  It is the perfect fall half marathon in New England.   The last time I ran this was the fall after I had Brianna, and I was slated to run it again tomorrow with my dad. 

However, my hip and leg have been bothering me...although they were relatively pain free today.  The right thing is to wait to see what the Dr. says but I am itching to get back into running...I have not ran since Quakerman and that has been a LONG time!

Moose

This is currently one of Jackson's favorite things to do....ride Moose

He loves these guys...feeding them treats and getting them dinner

Last night Moose disappeared.  I let him out around 9 or so and he went wandering...he does this often.

Usually he comes home but not last night.   Of course not.  Ryan is gone and I really can't be running all over the neighborhood in the pouring rain looking for him.  So I left the garage door open and went to bed.  I woke about about 4 and went downstairs hoping that he had returned.  Nope.

I called the police about 7...letting them know that he was missing.  Low and behold...a police cruiser was in my driveway about 15 min later....Moose had spent the night with them.

Good thing Jackson has his playmate back.

On a happier note...

Since I could walk much better this morning...we headed to a local farm.

The kids were great the past few days while I was holed up on the couch...we have some awesome friends that have helped me out this weekend so that I could get some rest and take it easy on my leg.

It is still warm here...like 80 today so we are enjoying the Indian Summer weather and we got some mums to plant for the fall.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to have all three look at the camera at the same time!



When it rains....it pours!

Shocker...who is playing in the pouring rain...like it is sunny and 80!

An eventful couple of days we have had...and not so much of it good.  I have been having really bad right leg issues for a while.  I thought it was the hip and have been seeing an ART Dr. for that.  On Thursday, Ryan was home from plan review so I needed to get some errands done.   First stop, I went to get out of the car and could not put weight on my leg at all.

Off the the Dr. on Friday and he thought it might be a stress fracture.  Sat I got in to see a Dr. to get me a referral for the X-ray to see if that would show anything.  Taking 3 kids while getting an X-ray is super fun.  Thank goodness the techs were helpful...they put to show on for the girls and I took Jackson with me.  He waited in the back and covered himself in FRAGILE stickers....go figure.

So the initial diagnosis is a bone infection.  I should know more this week.  In the meantime, I have some steroids and pain killer to help out.

September Blues

My mini vacation is over.....boo hoo!!!!

The good news is nothing really changed while I was gone as evidenced by Jackson sucking the whip cream out of the container.



The trip was great.  I spent a lot of time sleeping, reading, and enjoying great company.  We had a great condo on the beach and it was nice to enjoy a meal that did not include "could you please sit down and finish your dinner"

So back to the grind it is....we are keeping busy with Fall activities and adjusting to kids in different schools and the kindergarten routine.

I have been nursing a hip injury that has put a little halt in my running and my biking.  But I DO NOT MISS MY BIKE one little bit.  Nope not at all...it has been parked in the garage since Quakerman and I am sure the tires are flat by default now.

So plans are on hold as to what I am going to run this fall.  I am working with a guy who specializes in ART therapy that is helping me get things back together...well I hope.

Ryan heads to Korea on Sat for the week..he has been busy with plan review here in Philly for the past two weeks.





Off I go

YAHOO tomorrow I leave for a little getaway!

Yesterday as I was sitting trying to eat my lunch...Jackson had climbed up in the chair and was trying to push me out while Brianna was in front eating all the good stuff out of my salad.

All I could think of was on Thursday there will be NO kiddos eating my food or climbing into my chair.

I am so excited for a little "mom" time and to spend some time with girlfriends.

Reading books, laying on the beach, and enjoying my own meals!

In the blink of an eye

My triathlon season is over....and Jack is letting daddy know what he thinks of football

These are the pieces that he ripped out with his mouth like he was a lion...but then he set them nicely on top of the dog....really what is with this kid?

On Saturday, I raced my second Half Ironman.  In the end, it wasn't really a race.  The swim was fine...long but fine.  I was second overall out of the water.  I got on my bike hoping for a good solid 56 miles.  Since I ride this regularly I was pretty confident I could bike well.  It was all going pretty well and then at mile 53 I got a flat.  Pretty much sums up my summer on this bike.  The good news is I am getting pretty speedy at changing them.  If there were awards for most flats changed in a season I am guessing I would be All American!

Ryan and the kids were at the lake where all the transitions were so I finished up and started the run.  It was not a great run for me, but fun to have the kids there.  They saw me at the out and back and then Aly and Bri ran the finish line with me.    All in all it was good to have another one under my belt. 

I was not at all sad to hang my bike up in the garage though.   I have been having hip issues for the past couple of weeks and I don't know how much of it may be related to the bike.  So in 2012, I might break it out again. 

I have decided though parenting Jackson is almost like a Half Ironman on a daily basis...In a matter of a few minutes he can wrap himself in scotch tape....climb the kitchen table

Climb out of the crib...or practices future stage diving techniques on the furniture.

This would be the latest and greatest....jumping from the chair to the ottoman.

So happy training to me ALL WINTER!

Lessons Learned

Brianna started preschool yesterday.  It has been one busy week for our family.  There are many lessons that we have learned throughout the week.

Did you know that the color is no longer brown...it is chocolate?  Just ask ANY kindergarterner...they know.

Double braids are better than one...it is really what is in.

You can send just about anything for lunch as long as there is a large container of Ranch to dip it in.

And sharing is just sometimes hard....right Jack?

New Beginnings

Today marked a special day.  Aly's first day of Kindergarten. 

I think this picture, really sums up how she has felt over the past two weeks

She was definitely nervous..but she did great and she rode the bus and did not shed a single tear!  She was tired when she came home and talked a little about her day but I got the sense she just wanted to relax for a while.

Today also marked the first day I went to work.  I got a part time job at a local running store Fleet Feet.  I think it will provide a good balance between being home with the kids and getting out a little more.  So for the next couple of weeks, I am training and then I will be helping out there.

Tomorrow Brianna goes back to preschool!  She is so excited!

In the morning

Jack is most definitely the first one up the in morning.  I have often returned from workout numero uno and I am trying to enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee prior to the craziness of the day.  Usually he will sit at the island with me and play with cups while I finish my coffee...

This morning he found a headband that he was insistent that he work in to his fashionable outfit...he must be taking lessons from the big sister.  

Eventually though the cups loose their appeal...usually pretty quickly and he starts throwing them off the counter...so this morning I put him to work..HE LOVED IT...

So apparently I can check vacuuming off my to do list...



Fall is Coming

Our Fall is rapidly approaching...evident by the pumpkins in our yard that are getting ripe.  School starts tomorrow and then preschool starts on Thursday.  New Backpacks are ready and everyone is eager to start.

Jack is still mowing along side of daddy....obsessed with anything that he can drive.

We may have outgrown some of our toys..but it still doesn't stop us from having a little last summer fun.

Finally, we headed back to CT for a quick trip to Spring Valley and caught up with some of our neighbors..it was great to see everyone and the kids are all getting really big.

Ryan is home this week and then he travels next week.  We booked a trip to Hong Kong in November so I can finally see Asia.  It should be fun to see the city.  My last triathlon is this weekend...I will be glad to put away the bike and focus on just running.  The weather is getting cooler much faster than I remember from last fall.