Freaking Awesome

I don't have much in the way of a cohesive mid-week story to tell, but I've been collecting some awfully cute photos that I think deserve to be shared!

Valentine's Bags. Aurora loves to play, hug, kiss and snuggle.

Post-bath. Clark loves to play, hug, kiss and snuggle, too.

Learn to relax, kiddo.

This was left on my desk at work last week.

Chick-fil-A play date with Presley!

Aurora's red carpet look. She guessed 8 of the Oscar winners
correctly! Which is more than we've actually seen, for sure.

Record Run

After a week of sitting, relaxing, walking, yoga, eating (a lot), and an easy elliptical workout, my legs were ready to get moving again. This morning I participated in a 5K fun run at Camp Mabry, and while the weather was a bit cold and wet, the family came out to help break a world record for most pennies collected for charity and watch their mama's triumphant return to running! Last weekend's race held a field of nearly 15,000 athletes and today... well, let's just say that if it was chip timed, I surely would've gotten first in my division. This was just over 300 people, mostly college students, and I was probably the 6th or 7th woman to cross the finish line with what I'm calling a personal record. I have no idea how fast I used to run in my 20's, but this was really fast for me!

Running around Camp Mabry was really neat as we passed vintage aircraft and military tanks along the winding, hilly route. The pennies collected were placed into the shape of Texas and all proceeds went to the LIVESTRONG Foundation.

Awesome! I shall now resume my regularly scheduled sitting, relaxing, and eating.

I just ran a Half Marathon

Valentine's Day was barely a blip on our radar as this weekend was the Austin Half Marathon. I haven't made a bucket list but if I had, a running event would not have been on it. When I registered back in September it was simply because I qualified for a free entry! But I decided if I was going to do it, I was going to do it right. I read a ton of running books and they all said the same thing - the glory isn't in crossing the finish line, it's in all the work leading up to the minute you cross the start line. I made a training plan and stuck with it, and when my alarm rang at 5am this morning I was ready. The activities actually kicked off yesterday with a Team LIVESTRONG brunch and packet pickup.

In case you can't decipher Aurora's awesome motivational sign, it says "I am not going to lose! I will be in the middle!" A few weeks back she asked me if I was going to win the race. I said no. Then she asked if I was going to be the last one to finish, and I said no - I'd be right in the middle. Clearly she took that to heart! The speaker in the third photo is Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer at Runner's World Magazine. And here we are at the Marathon Expo. Aurora loved being part of it all.

This morning I carpooled with my friend Kelsey and we had fun waiting for the start. There were 15,000 people registered and the port-o-potty lines were LONG, but everything moved quickly and soon we were on our way!

My family was waiting at the end and I sort of think they were more bewildered by the crowds than proud of me, but I was just glad they came. Kelsey's mom got a pic of me just before crossing the finish line. I know the professional photos may be better but WOW, what a great moment!

My goal time was 2:15, and I came in about a minute and a half under. I'm pretty pleased with the result! Earlier this week I compared the whole thing to pregnancy... when you first sign up, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into and feel a bit nervous for the road ahead. As you start training you begin to feel more and more prepared, until the day comes when you just want to do it already! The whole thing was exhausting and awesome - though, at the end of the Half Marathon all I got was a finisher medal. Ah well, at least I'll sleep well tonight!

PS: If I make a bucket list in the future, it just may include more running events.

Picture Perfect

This week Valley View had an open house event where all the kids had framed self-portraits they'd created for sale. I didn't buy it (let's face it, we have a TON of artwork all around our house), but I did take a picture! What a beautiful ballerina Aurora:

Aurora's always at her art table drawing something, and Clark is usually trying to copy whatever she's doing. This morning she drew a beautiful rainbow and in his usual Clarkie way he said "Now MY turn!" and proceeded to draw his own.

I told them I thought it was PERFECT, but Aurora disagreed...

My Little Kiddos

This weekend we went to our first (but probably not last) My Little Pony party! It was awesome. I got to help paint cutie marks on the girl's faces, we played MLP bingo, music, activities, had awesome rainbow snacks, the most amazing pony castle cake EVER, and yes... there was even a pony piñata. Nothing like a bunch of little girls smashing the heck out of a beloved cartoon character.

And here's a cute picture of My Little Kiddos. Aurora insisted we go to Chick-Fil-A this week because she'd heard it might be karaoke night. Alas it was not, but I'm sure you can imagine the sweet sounds in our car after the kiddos had this much sugar!

Movie Night

Aurora and her daddy decided she's old enough to stay up late and watch big girl movies on Friday nights. She's amazingly excited about the whole thing. Last month we watched Edward Scissorhands and tonight it's Maleficent.

Chuck wanted tonight's movie to be Gremins but I vetoed that suggestion. I do love the idea of showing her movies from when we were younger... Labyrinth, the Never Ending Story, the Princess Bride, the options are endless! But Gremlins?!?! What would you watch with a sweet 6 (almost 7) year old girl? Suggestions are welcome!

Every Day

I thought last week was busy... this week was BUSY! I watched the Bachelor with my friends Monday, took the kids to the dentist Tuesday, had a friend over for dinner Wednesday, ran 4-miles Thursday, girls night out with friends on Friday, Aurora had a sleepover Saturday, and today I ran over 10-MILES before a Super Bowl party with our neighbors. We also had a Girl Scouts meeting at the Fire Station, which was especially fun for the little brothers.

We aren't big football fans at the Wadey house but Aurora is a BIG Katy Perry fan, so the halftime show was a hit. Of course, we were rooting for Seattle and eating plenty of carbs and melted cheese as the drama unfolded. Over the next two weeks I don't expect to have plans EVERY day... I'll be running a bit less and hopefully eating a bit less too!