Planting our garden

Last year was the first year we planted a garden with the kids.  It was a HUGE success.  We grew our own pumpkins, peas, tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini.  The only issue was that there were too many plants for our little space.  So this year we added another box so the pumpkins can sprawl on their own.

Aly made all these little signs to mark what the plant was.

And at the end of the day....this is where we found Jackson 

A whole bunch of randomness.....

We have had awesome warm and unseasonably nice weather this spring...I hope hope that it stays this way for the next couple of weeks..

We have been busy planning our summer trips which is always fun.  We will likely make our annual pilgrimage to Iowa in late June after Aly gets out of school and before the craziness of the summer really sets in.  Ryan may be able to join us for the latter part but he is unsure.

We are thinking about taking our kids to Hawaii in August.  The ONLY thing that is holding me back is the 11 hour flight with Jackson...the rest I think would be fine.

We have FINALLY found an area in NJ we could live if we have to move.  For the time being we are going to stay put in PA and see how Ryan like the commute and if I can survive and manage without him on a weekly basis.

Our garden is going to get planted this week.  We got all of the plants and seeds and hopefully we will get it in this weekend...despite the projected rain.

I get to race a super little sprint next weekend....it will be fun since I have done no racing since last September.

Jackson turns 2 in three weeks....let the terrible twos begin...about 3 months ago I think.

West River Drive TT and my first crash

This morning I went into center city to ride the West River Drive TT....I have never done a bike time trial before and I thought it would be good to see how they work.  We left Lansdale about 5:30 so we could get into the city and get warmed up before the event.  I thought I would be fine in bike shorts and a shirt....but it was COLD.

I had a long sleeve with my that I wore thankfully, but I was completely underdressed.  It was about 50 out but the sun was not out and it was chilly.  We warmed up...riding the course out and back.  It is flat and closed to traffic.  We were told that the runners and geese would not move for us.

There were about 40 people and they sent us off every 30 secs.  Apparently this series has been going on for over 10 years.  My HR monitor was  reading so I was playing with that while warming up...it would pick up then go out, then read 60 then 210....so annoying.

Finally it was go time...and thanks to the advice of Julia and Jen, I just rode hard.  Since it was my first one, I had no bench mark.  There were slight elevations but nothing crazy.....I wanted to catch the girl in front of me...which I did...and then I just rode...and then I thought I might puke....but alas the finish came and we were done.   I have a goal to beat this summer and it is a great little series.

After that, we rode the Philly Olympic course loop a couple of times.  I do not have great bike handling skills and there were tons of little narrow pathways we had to get on and road closures that we had to navigate.  The boys were bunny hopping the crap in the rode and I was just trying not to crash.

This is boathouse row, which we rode a couple of times...very pretty!

Oh and crash I did, we headed back to West River Drive to get in some more miles and head out the the hills of Manayunk.  There was a Hunger Walk in progress, so we were riding slowly through the masses to get through and pass their turnaround.

This guy was not pleased that the bikers were out on the pedestrian/ bike road and he was getting pissed at the riders apparently.  So when I went to pass him...he clotheslined me...and down I went.  Not fast, but hard.  Totally shaken and not wanting to start a fight in downtown Philly, I got on my bike and rode away.

Assessed the damage after the turnaround and I have some pretty big gashes in my knees and elbows...and my right thigh has a monster bruise..Likely that I will live though.  So first crashed done and survived!

Parent. Work. Train

Pretty much sums up the next few months.  Ryan is beginning a new job in two weeks that will have him commuting a much longer distance than center city.  While he is making the transition, he is going to live in NJ during the week and come home on the weekends.

HELLO single parenting....which actually for the most part, I do not mind.  The grocery bill will be lower, the ice cream will disappear from the house, and routine...there is a routine when daddy is away...yes!

I will miss the evening breaks that I am used to and the early am hours that I used to knock out at least one workout before he caught the train and the down time with the other half at night.

We thought initially we would move...the commute is a little over 1.5 hours each way.  As we looked into moving though, there were a lot of things that did not make sense.  We are picky in our house choices and we don't know if we are up for building again.  We can move 45 towards NJ and his commute will still be over an hour due to the train schedule.  So for now we are going to stay put....and see how it works out.

But being a mommy has its perks...Jackson is over the moon about what is going on in front of our house this week.  He sat enamored by all of the trucks!

Work is going well...my two little part time gigs give me enough down time to make coming home fun and keep me on my toes.  I work for two awesome women at Fleet Feet, who are moms, athletes, and understanding of having little children!  I have been helping Heather with the No Boundaries 5k program and it has been so much fun!  I am hopeful that I can manage the schedule once Ryan is out of town.

Any training...well, I came home pretty tired from Tucson.  It seems to be getting better but the red eye home and Ryan being gone this week has left me TIRED.  I am going to do a bike TT this weekend which I have never done.  Hopefully my legs will cooperate and we can ride in this awesome weather.

Last night Aly and Brianna were right in the mix as they set up a bike race course of their own!  That made bedtime easy peasy as we rode until it was dark.

Easter and American Girl

 This past weekend we traveled to NH to celebrate Easter, with my family.  We held the annual egg hunt and the kids had a great time.  Jackson rode the tractor all around...he was more interested in that than anything else.

We headed home to PA on Sunday and early Monday morning we headed to NYC to American Girl.  This was what Aly chose as a birthday present.  We took a couple of her friends and we had lunch in the little cafe there.  They were so cute!

So Brianna really did not care for American Girl...she went along for the ride...but it is certainly not her thing.  Everyone had a doll, so she decided she wanted one...we got one that looked like her - see above picture.

After lunch, we headed downstairs so they could get an outfit...and Brianna found the little stuffed puppies that go with the dolls...that was REALLY what she wanted.  So we returned the doll in favor of a new puppy - chocolate chip....at a fraction of the cost...I'll take it!

TUCSON!

 I spent this past weekend in Tucson.  It was so much fun!  A weekend away training, no kids, no dinners to prepare, and lots of fun new friends!  I was glad to finally meet Jen and some of her other athletes.  We trained hard and had a great time.  I was able to connect with Caroline, who is hard core and grew up a few towns from me in NH, Julie, who was my roommate and super athlete mom, and Julia who was just so much fun to be around!

Friday morning we climbed Mt. Lemmon.  The views were breathtaking.  I thought the first few miles were the hardest.  It was a 25 mile climb but the descent was worth it.  I LOVE descending fast.  We went for a short run when we got back and it was HOT!  Lindsey and I ran together and managed to get it in before hitting the pool at the house.

Saturday was the hardest day....I have only been training for triathlon for a little over a year and never have I ridden my bike 80 miles...and it was a hot 80 miles.  Jen might have downplayed LIED about the climb at the end describing it as a little climb, when in fact it was in my opinion much harder than Mt. Lemmon.  I rode back to TriSports with Jen, Mia and Stacie and that was nice.  The conversation back determined that next year we would have a spa trip that might include small amounts of riding and running but mostly the spa!

When we returned to Trisports Sarah, Bethany, Mia, Stacie and I went on a short, short run before heading in for lunch.

The POOL is my favorite and swimming outside makes it better.  It was fun to swim with everyone in the sunshine!  Kate designed some AWESOME suits for us!

Sunday we hit Sabino Canyon....I have never been trail running, so this was a first.  It was about 6 miles up and then we ran down the paved road to finish.  Lindsey and I ran together and took lots of pictures.

Sabino Canyon pics

We did have a little visit from a rattlesnake which made our night interesting.  Glen took some awesome pictures and we manged to convince him that it was probably not all that smart to play with a rattler.  

After Sabino, Jen was so kind as to allow us to to TT repeats back up Mt. Lemmon.  I was not sure if I would make them but in fact I felt okay!  We did miles 1-5 twice before we called it a day.  

Monday we did trail running again which was not as technical as Sabino but fun.  I was glad to run back with Jen Maher and Mia.  We hit the pool for the final time and then I caught a LONG flight back to PA.  I spent more time on the runway in Dallas and Philly than in the air total.  I rolled in at 3 am and mommy duties began at 7!  

Thanks Jen and Jerome for a great weekend. 

an April is here......

Jackson kept busy while I was in Arizona.....the kids had a great time with Grandma and the house was kept in order which was AMAZING.

Tucson was great....and I will post more tomorrow.

Is it really March?

This is what this weekend weather brought!  

A picture is worth....

 

I don't know if Brianna is going to recover...meeting Mater just might have done her in....

Our trip has been happy, exhausting, and filled with tons of crazy days....long long days.  The kids are having a blast!  We spent the first day SOAKED in the Magic Kingdom...but other than that the weather has been great!

We have come home each night to the hot tub and the pool which has been great!

Getting ready to roll

In less than 48 hours...we leave for Disney...Can you tell we are getting ready?

Some people think this is vacation....I do not think that this is going to be a vacation....Typically we go to Aruba in March...we love it there our little slice of heaven by the ocean.  THAT is a vacation.

Rides, park passes, massive schedules of where to be when to get to what we need to be....not a vacation!

The exciting thing is we are meeting some of Ryan's family there and we have rented a big house with a pool and I fully intend on soaking up some much needed sunshine on at least one afternoon.

The kids are over the moon...Brianna came down this morning decked head to toe in Cars gear asking if today was the day she got to meet Mater.....I told Ryan to call Disney and make sure Mater was not on vacation next week.  The magic is still present and that will make the trip worth it.

On turning 36...

This morning I was finishing a run before heading into TRX...as I ran into the Y parking lot there were two crazy ladies yelling for me with this....Life is just good and I have awesome friends.

Meanwhile...I am not a huge birthday person....but now I think I officially enter the late thirties - eeekkkks!  But there is so much good going on it is hard to worry about another year....so 36 things that I LOVE and am thankful for.

1.  My kids...healthy happy and full of life

2.  My husband who works hard to provide us a great life

3.  My health

4.  My great group of friends....it would not be possible without them

5.  Our ability to travel...we leave for Disney on Sat and I will be in AZ at the end of the month

6.  Our parents who have been so helpful in flying in and out of PA

7.  Our siblings....thank goodness for cousins

8.   Warm chocolate chip cookies

9.  Meeting the kindergarten bus

10.  Good books at the end of a hard day

11.  Naptime 

12.  A good glass of wine

13.  Girls nights outs

14.  Mexican food

15.  Triathlon

16.  Watching Aly learn to read and write

17.  Running in NH

18.  Staying home with the kids

19.  Good coffee

20.  Great playdates 

21.  Having kids that sleep really well

22.  Reading books by the fire

23.  Making cookies with the kids

24.  A great spin class

25.  Newborn babies

26.  Our house

27.  Brianna's spunk

28.  Swimming

29.  Weekend family nap time

30.  Adult dinners

31.  Good sushi

32.  Jackson being ALL boy

33.  Teaching swimming

34.  Our place in Aruba

35.  Hanging all day in PJs

36.  Knowing how to sew

Differences

Are they really from the same parents......

Jackson is currently obsessed with rain boots...

So like his dad....LOVES cereal!

The age of innocence....

Nothing like a good cup of coffee to start the day.....especially with the snow boots which have not come off in three days.  Pick you battles mom...and that is not one of them.  We will remain prepared in case of a midnight evacuation.

Recently a number of people have stopped me...whether in the parking lot, at the grocery store, or at the pool and commented how I should enjoy this time...because it certainly passes fast.  Lets be honest...in the moment some of these days drag on forever....you know when it is only 9 am and you are wondering if it is to early to start dinner.  The days where the three hours of preschool seem so short and you seems to only repeat the same three words.

No thank you, please don't, that probably is not a good choice

And sometimes...in the midst of all these things you forget that you are trying to be good parent, teach them about life, and raise responsible kids.  Today Aly came home from Kindergarten and told me that she had gym. She also said that the gym teacher told her she needed to wear pants to school on gym days. 

 When I asked her what she said, she replied, "I told him that I can do anything in a dress and I don't wear pants"  You go girl...she has not worn pants since the age of 2...I don't expect the gym teacher to change that.

In the craziness of our daily activities, I often forget how lucky we are.  When Jackson was trying to climb into the Fed Ex Truck, he is currently vying to be a truck driver, and the girls were fighting over who got to sit in the pink booster seat...a women rolled down her window and said, "Enjoy every moment"  

I think I asked her if she wanted to take them home.  ALL OF THEM.  

The best though was last night as I was at the Dr. and in the waiting room with the three kids...it was nearing dinner and everyone was tired, cranky, and running wild.  An older gentleman came out and looked around...it was only me and the kids in the waiting room.

"Are these all yours", he asked.  

"Yes" I replied cringing at the thought that he was going to once again tell me how LUCKY I was,

"That is one hell of a grocery bill  you got them,"  he said as he walked out.

I burst out laughing.....totally true...and worth every penny...

Our Presidents Day Tea Party it won't be long before the tutu's are gone.

This is how we roll....

Safety first especially on the swings....My biking riding almost 2 year old - YIKES....is all about the safety.

This morning I sent Ryan to the grocery store with the three kids...I know better I really do..but he was leaving for a couple of days and we were trying to divide and conquer the tasks...he had a list....and guess what was NOT on it..

Sadly, there is another shelf which has the additional kinds he could not fit.  I like ice cream but do not LOVE it....I cannot say the same thing for the rest of our crew.

While it will last this week since he is traveling....it will disappear upon his arrival home...this is why the kids remind me that he is the FUN dad....

I think though...this might just come in handy...there has been a little smack talk about a little 5k race that might happen in the Miller Household....eat all the ice cream you want buddy!  Tomorrow I will post the 18 boxes of cereal he is currently working his way through

This weekend we got rid of the first couple of bins of baby stuff...I am all about moving this stuff out the door and we have friends who are having a girl...so we traded clothes....Jackson made out in the deal quite well

If you have any tips on how to get him to not sleep with snow boots on I am all ears!

Moving right along....

The week went by fast and it is hard to believe that we are midway through Feb.  We made a quick trip to CT this week while my mom was down.  We have been working on the houses....this has not been our year for rentals.  While we have fared quite well in the 9 years we have owned them this year was certainly our worst.

Onward and upward...we are in the process of filling them again for the next academic year.  Hopefully we get a good crop of students this year and all is well.

Everyone is busy...we head to Florida in a couple of weeks so we have been spending more time in the pool with the kids.  Jackson our fearless leader is jumping in and last week he was swimming with the help of a noodle....watch out swim team here we come.

He is not into sharing....AT ALL....the age I know but it results in many meltdowns....as he wants what the girls have.  He sat tonight and would let no one touch the new water bottle I got.....

I think March is going to be Operation Binky removal....since we are traveling a fair amount I might just forget it at home and see how we do

Less is more and the Brooks Pure Project

On Saturday Brooks Running came out to the store to host a Pure Love Run promoting their new line of minimal shoes.  

I am finding this movement to running in a minimalist shoe so fascinating. I never really took much interest in the barefoot running movement.  I read the book and thought it was interesting, but it did not move me to attempt my next run with nothing on my feet.  I think that working in a running store has allowed me to develop my own little theory on the minimalist shoe....quite simply

you should run in a shoe that works for you, your body type and your running style


What has amazed me recently is the rush to run in less.  Just yesterday, we were at a health fair at a local pharmecutical company and many people asked about running barefoot.  While our approach is a little different in looking at the actual foot and taking some specific measurements seated and standing.....there are times were the individual is not interested in what might work for them rather what is the current trend.

Admittedly, I have not tried the Brooks line...I have spent the better part of the last 4 months or so rehabilitating a torn ligament in my hip.  I did however try the Saucony Mirage...along the same lines as the minimal shoe but with some midfoot posting for stability.  I have not run in them but I have worn them for longer periods of time and I can definitely feel a difference in the way my foot and lower leg muscles are working.  I am not sure if I will make the transition to a shoe in this line.

I think though....the craze is somewhat crazy....the push to run in minimal even though you might injure yourself.

Valentines Fun

Movie night at the Miller house!!!  Grandma is here from NH and we are enjoying our time with her.

We had a nice quiet Valentine's Day....the kids had a blast with their different school parties.  I worked a Health Fair for Feet Feet and got to run outside for the second time since November....it was AWESOME.

Of course Jackson has his dancing shoes on and is ready for the party.

We have had such a mild winter here....it has been hard to not be able to run or ride...but this afternoon I was able to get out before PT....such a nice treat!

Patience

For the most part being patient is not really all that fun, especially for me.  In the short term it usually requires the ability to do nothing...to wait it out and allow the process to takes its course.  I think that learning to be patient, whether with our children, triathlon or work in general is a skill that takes a lot of hard work and practice.

Recently I have been working on being more patient...one of those passive new years resolutions that is still in the back of my head...

Boys - specifically those that are almost turning 2.....I guess I really never knew they could be like this.   On more than one occasion I have found myself turned to Ryan and saying, "who does this stuff"   It is immediately apparent that Jackson does not fall far from the daddy tree....the stories I have heard must clearly all be true.    He has so much physical energy, add to that he is incredibly coordinated.  Tonight as he was waiting to go to the car he was sitting at the island...and literally I saw his eyes light up...like a bullet he was one the counter attempting to swing from the lights hanging above.  Huge grin and not a care in the world that anyone else was watching.  I think I must say get down, no thank you, and please do not....more than anything else.

Triathlon....I had fun plans for this past fall to work on my running and biking to get up to par with my swimming....however, my hip had quite different plans.  It was ready for a lond hiatus and is beginning to show some positive improvment these last few weeks.  While I love swimming.....I don't love it 5 times a week ALL THE TIME...and certainly no 1650 time trials. Slowly, my hip has gotten better....literally two steps forward and one step backward....I seem to be in the clear FINALLY and have begun running and biking in the same week...which has not happened really since November....I have an awesome PT  Wendy, who has been teaching me patience on a weekly basis at APEX.

So onward and upward we move....hopefully settling into 2012 learning that patience really can pay off in the end...even if you have to remove all hanging light fixtures from your house.