Summer Planning

This was one of those over-scheduled weekends that at first feels overwhelming but ends up working out perfectly. Saturday morning Aurora's Girl Scout troop volunteered for a creek cleanup, which was surprisingly educational and unsurprisingly fun and gross.

We got home, cleaned ourselves up, and Aurora's friend Melody came for a play date and sleepover. Our first activity was going the lake park. We have lived in this neighborhood for nearly 11 years and about 2 years ago decided to get on the wait list for lake park access. As of this week, we are officially members! In addition to a great park and lake access, there's also a nice pool so our summer plans just got a whole lot more fun. We may have to get a canoe.

We ended the day with pizza and cake at our neighbor's house (Will is turning 5!), and this morning headed out bright and early for donuts and a trip to Bee Cave City Park, where I went for a run while the kids played. After dropping Melody back home and running a few errands, I took the kiddos to the Scottish Rite Theatre to see Puff the Magic Dragon. Clark didn't remember ever going to a play and firmly decided he did not want to go. He threatened to look the other way the whole time, kicked and screamed and made such a fuss as we put him in the car. As soon as we got there and the music started, he was grinning from ear to ear, giving me big thumbs up. Afterwards they had all the kids get on stage with the actors for a photo op. It was great!

Then we went to a summer camp fair where Clark played legos, Aurora fed horses, and I spent a long time learning about nearly every summer camp in the area. There are some pretty amazing options out there, but very few that accept 4 year olds, last the full day, and go through August. Even fewer that are affordable and close to our house! That being said, it was a good way to spend our afternoon. If only I could spend the summer with the kids volunteering, going to plays, and swimming at the lake park...

Half Crazy

Well, it's been tough few days but I'm happy to report that I finished the Austin Half Marathon and earned the final magnetic piece of my Distance Challenge puzzle. Instead of recounting the whole thing here, I'll just let you read the latest (and last!) installment on the Austin Runners Club blog. I'm kind of digging this on-course photo, and here are the pictures from the blog; showing off my leg muscles and a whole lotta bling:

I've been recovering with lots of hydration, food, and sleep, plus yoga, massage, and another visit to the chiropractor. I'm feeling surprisingly good considering yesterday's effort! My chiropractor was happy to see that I was smiling and walking, and he said my back was much better today, so I guess all those hills must've been good for me.

I am glad to have today off. I hate to say it, but the kids have spent the majority of the weekend playing video games and watching movies while I've been out and about. I'd like to say now that the Distance Challenge is over my running days are behind us for awhile - but alas, there are more races on the calendar and more medals to be earned! I do plan on scaling back next year and limiting myself to one or two big events. And contrary to what everyone is thinking - I am not interested in increasing my distance or doing a full marathon. You may think I've been going a little crazy with these half marathons, but I'm only half crazy...

Warm Winter

Just another lovely warm weekend in Austin... while it's been snowing in other parts of the country! Next weekend is the Austin Half Marathon and temperatures are predicted to be in the 60's and 70's, which was pretty much how this weekend went. I took Aurora to a Marathon Kids meet up, where we ran nearly 2 miles together. What this girl lacks in endurance, she makes up for in enthusiasm!

Then she spent the night at a friend's house and we had a #onekiddatenight. Whenever we only have Clark, we take him to a fancy restaurant and pretend it's a date night. He's pretty quiet and doesn't complain or eat much, so it works out fine. We took him to a sushi restaurant right after a quick stop to the library (and P. Terry's). He wore a party hat "just in case."

Today Aurora had a Girl Scout meeting, where the girls learned how to tie ropes!

I'm pleased to say that we sold all 100 boxes of cookies (with fewer than 10 boxes staying in our pantry). In the coming weeks we'll be volunteering to clean up a park and planning our Girl Scout camping weekend, which will be just a week after the Ragnar Relay (I'm not sure what's wrong with me). I hope your weekend was just as active, relaxing, and warm.

Long weekend?

This weekend was so action-packed that Aurora actually woke up this morning positive it was Monday and angry that I let her oversleep! I can see why she'd be confused. It started Thursday when we stayed late at school for Valley View's first International Open House. The food that families brought was over the top, representing the best of every nationality you can imagine.

After school on Friday I brought Aurora directly to her friend Melody's house for a slumber party. These girls are turning 9 and sleepovers are the way to go!

Yesterday we had a double playdate with some new friends who just happen to have a 4 year old boy and an 8 year old girl. We had such a good time playing that they invited us to stay for dinner and a movie! Super fun, but yet another late night.

Today was party after party. We celebrated our friend's son Sebastian turning one before heading to a Super Bowl pre-game party. The face painting and food were amazing!

Afterwards, Aurora wanted a special girl's only activity so the boys stayed home playing video games while we went to a little art studio and worked with tiles.

We did our food shopping during the Super Bowl, as per tradition, and when bedtime came around these kids were READY. This was not a long weekend, but it sure felt like one!