Donuts on a string?

This week was action packed, followed by a pretty relaxing weekend. Wednesday night's trail run at the Hill of Life was so much fun, though I have to admit it left my calves a little sore. The leader of our group got one of the best photo bombs of all time (by me).

Friday was our company picnic, and this year we didn't bring families but my colleague and I did bring our cruiser bikes...

I left a little early as Clark's daycare was having a Family Field Day. I don't know if you can make out which of these tie-dyed cuties is ours, but they made quite an entrance busting through a huge sign! The only thing my kids cared about was the donut on a string game. You eat a donut hanging from a string without using your hands. Seriously.

Aurora and I had tickets for a comedy/magic show later that night at UT, and I almost thought we might have to miss it as this is pretty much how she felt for much of the week. 

By Friday night she was feeling better. We stayed out late, had a totally chill Saturday, and this morning I took the family on a 3-mile hike which lead to a beautiful and super fun park. The kids did great on what was a pretty challenging hike, and I got an extra 3 miles of trail running in (mostly uphill) as I headed back up on my own to retrieve the car and bring it down to them.

The weather has been just about perfect here in Austin, and while I'm not looking forward to the heat of the summer, I think I'll be able to keep running the trails year-round. I just have to remember to take my allergy medication so I don't end up looking like Aurora on that couch!

Hoppy Birthday

This weekend was full of birthday celebrations, friends, running around, and waking up EARLY. The birthday festivities lasted nearly the whole week and concluded with a gym party at school and a sleepover. It was the easiest party I've ever planned. The coach sent out the invitations and lead all the activities - all I had to do was get the cookie cakes, snacks, and goodie bags.

After the party, Presley and Melody came over for a sleepover. Aurora got SO MANY PRESENTS from friends and family. She is one lucky 9 year old and these girls had their choice of games and toys to open and play.

They stayed up pretty late so I was surprised to hear them up at 5:15am!!! They wanted donuts and I love this picture because Presley looks about how I felt drinking my coffee...

The rest of the weekend was spent running around all over town. Aurora and I had a great time at the Cap 10K packet pick up expo before another 5:15am wake up call Sunday morning. I headed out bright and early for a gorgeous 6.2 mile run with about 20,000 of my closest friends. The rest of the day was nonstop with play dates and errands, and by Sunday afternoon I was exhausted! Another awesome and memorable weekend with the Wadeys.

I am...

Our days have been so full lately that this week definitely called for an extra post. First, there was Kindergarten Roundup. I met with the principal over the summer to discuss whether or not we should hold Clark back, and she actually advised against it. She said if he's not thriving in Kindergarten, he can repeat it. But, if he's meeting his milestones, he will thrive at Valley View and nobody will notice he's younger. Valley View is actually ranked the #1 Elementary School in Texas, so I tend to believe her, and Kindergarten Roundup confirmed it. Having done 2-years of Pre-K at the Valley View CDC, he had no problems. He already eats lunch in that cafeteria, plays in the gym and on those playgrounds, and he is so confident and familiar with his surroundings that he walked in like he owned the place. He knew the kids, jumped to the front of every line, and gave me high-5's anytime he passed me. He is so ready to move up.

Valley View really has been great. Another cool thing they do is allow parents to donate to the Booster Club and get their birthday boy or girl's name on the marquee. I've never done it before because it seemed a little over the top, but this year I decided Aurora (and the Booster Club) deserved a little extra love. Clark won't have this opportunity, but I don't think he'll mind.

He'll still get to choose his birthday dinner! Every year Aurora has wanted Mesa Rosa, but it closed so this year she opted for Kirbey Lane, where kids happen to eat FREE on Tuesdays. Seriously, they comped both kids meals and the chocolate cake!

Wednesday Aurora had an extra long choir rehearsal in preparation for tonight's concert, and she did an amazing job of putting her birthday excitement aside to focus on the big event. The theme for the spring concert was "I AM," and many of the kids had a chance to share something about themselves. Most talked about being brave and overcoming adversity in their young lives. Aurora said "I am loving. I love my family, my friends, and I love choir and performing in the choir concert." She did great!!!

And while it has nothing to do with school, I recently started an extra-curricular activity of my own. It's an intro to trail running series for women, and we're learning where the trailheads are in Austin, how to navigate, stay safe, and avoid injury. I am loving it. I honestly can't believe I've lived in Austin for 11 and years and didn't know about all these entrances to the Greenbelt.

Over the weekend I took the kids out to the place we'd gone for our most recent run and it was a completely different experience. When I'm running, I'm focused on the ground a few feet in front of me. With the kids, we stopped and explored the rocks and water and everything looked different.

These past couple of weeks have been so full in the best possible way, and I'm pretty sure the whole family has been enjoying every minute of it. And as for Aurora turning 9, this was just the teaser. The goodie bags are packed, the cookie cake is on order, and this weekend is going to be super fun!

Easter Bunnies

As brand new members of our Lake Park Community Association, this was our first Easter celebration in the 'hood, and boy have we been missing out. Not only were there egg hunts for each age group (adults included), there was an Easter Bunny AND egg races! I wasn't sure my kids were going to get this whole egg race thing, but as I explained it to Clark he responded with his signature phrase, "I know that, Mommy." Clark ended up winning first place in his age group and Aurora was so far ahead of the pack I was sure she had it, until she put on the brakes just a little too early and her egg went flying.

This morning the Easter Bunny stopped by our house and left the kids some pretty amazing toys and treats. Aurora got a Barbie and Clark got a Transformer! Aurora swears she saw the Easter Bunny hop past our window this morning...

This afternoon we went to a friend's house for their annual petting zoo and egg hunt. There were fewer kids than usual and the house is on the market so this may be their last year hosting this awesome event, but the kids had a blast. Who wouldn't love holding REAL bunnies?

This has been a big week, and next week will be even bigger! With Kindergarten Roundup, the Spring Choir Concert, and Aurora's birthday - I may need to post twice. I will say that while Aurora is VERY excited to be turning 9 in just a couple of days, it became clear this weekend that she's getting close to aging up or out of some pretty fun activities. She truly loves being a kid and I don't think it's occurred to her that she's getting too big for anything, just that there's injustice in this world anytime Clark gets more or better. I love the way the kids have been playing together lately and am in no hurry for either of them to grow up. Happy Easter!

Cabin Life

As a full-time working mom, it's easy to get so caught up in school and work and schedules that days and years just start drifting by and you wonder where it went. Spending two weekends away from it all has made me feel like we can still get away and live a life of adventure! This weekend Aurora and I spent two nights cabin camping at Bastrop State Park with her Girl Scout troop and I have to say, I could get used to cabin living...

Presley was our roommate for the weekend. Her mom couldn't join us, but the girls were great and I got my own bed! We were situated in a cluster of cabins all occupied by our troop and we came together for campfire meals and activities throughout the weekend. I went out on my own Saturday morning for a sunrise run. Just over 3 miles from our campsite I found a gorgeous lookout. Bastrop State Park has suffered terrible fires and floods over the past several years and it makes for an amazing view of burnt trees and lush new growth.

After my run, I became the go-to person for information and directions around the park. We had breakfast then brought the girls to the lookout where I lead them on a hike.

This morning I lead a short yoga session. The girls had so much fun and earned 3 badges: a letter-boxing badge, a dance party badge, and a yoga badge; I earned the title "Fitness Master." 

This was the first camping trip we've been on with NO DADS, so I have to give props to all the moms who came along and lead the girls in crafts, games, and meal prep. These moms handled the fire pit like pros and I was just happy to have found a way to contribute.

Believe it or not, I don't have an epic wilderness adventure planned for next weekend, but I did start up with a new running group last week that's a women-only intro to trail running, so the adventures are starting to bleed into the workweek! With Easter and Aurora's birthday on the horizon, we have plenty of fun to come... 

Ragnar Relay

What a weekend! I realize it's only Sunday morning but this weekend started early. How do I describe a Ragnar Relay... it's an event where teams of 12 people in 2 vans run and support eachother for 200-ish miles over 30 hours. My team was made up of LIVESTRONG supporters primarily from Dallas and Chicago, most of whom had run this together in the past with a few newbies (like me) mixed in. The team rented a house in the Hill Country and while I didn't sleep there, the family came out before and after the event to help with prep and cleanup. Aurora even helped decorate the vans!

Over 100 teams ran across Central Texas this weekend, which means more than 200 decorated vans were criss-crossing along the course at any given time. Ours was the "neat van," and according to a teammate from van 2 ours was not only neater and cleaner, but also didn't stink like theirs! We cleaned off with wipes and changed clothes after each run.

It's funny, we were all on one team but really our two vans could not have been more different - and boy did I luck out to get the van I was in! Our van consumed zero alcohol, even when we stopped for dinner. It was just a group of awesome runners and I made some great new friends. We're all married and most of us have kids. Kathy and I talked and giggled late into the night. Everybody gets a little loopy and everything seems funny at 3am when you've already run twice and have one more leg to go... but that last run definitely pushed me harder than any half marathon. I had nothing left in the tank and was so tired, but the team was counting on me and I powered through my final 6-mile leg for a total of just over 15 miles run.

The medals are amazing. We each took home a piece of a larger message, and in case you can't read it: Together we ran 200-ish miles. Together we can accomplish anything. We are Ragnarians. Oh, and we took first place in the Mixed-Submasters Division!

While I was away on my sleepless journey, everyone else in the family was having their own fun! Aurora had a sleepover at Presley's house an the girls slept in a tent in the living room to practice for next weekend's Girl Scout camping trip. Chuck and Clark had a boy's sleepover on the futon in Chuck's studio. Last night we got home, had dinner, I took a shower and went straight to bed for 11 hours of the deepest sleep I can remember. My legs are sore but I am so thankful for the adventure.