The Shamrock Run

This past weekend, I did what is known as the Shamrock Fun Run here in Portland.  They have a 5K, an 8K and a 15K.  I decided to challenge myself and sign up for the 15K.  I figured it would be a good run to see if I'm ready for the half marathon coming up in May.  My only worry were the hills in the 15K.  And they didn't disappoint.  The distance wasn't so hard, but the hills really worked me.  It was still so much fun though.  I've realized that I really enjoy running and doing races from time to time.  There is such an energy with all of the runners.  People are usually in good spirits and excited to be out doing something fun.  Running for me has become a way of doing something fun for myself.  I enjoy getting the exercise and trying to be healthy.  We didn't have a chance to take pictures.  At the end of the race we were all cold and wet, as it had been raining pretty hard the last 3 miles.    But I still had a lot of fun, and I hope to do it again next year!

"You've Got Mail!"

When you hear the phrase, "You've Got Mail!", your mind is possibly jolted to thoughts of the movie in which this is the title.  Or at the very least, you think of someone getting an email*.  Probably the last thing you'll think about is the mail you'll be receiving from the postal service today.  We are living in such a technological age, that we forget what it's like to get mail other than bills, junk-mail, or the occasional magazine we've subscribed to. 

But that's where my thoughts take me today.  Do you remember having a pen-pal you may have written to when you were younger?  Or maybe a friend from camp that you wrote to?  Possibly you had your first boyfriend/girlfriend that you wrote and sent a few letters back and forth before "breaking up".  It's so rare today to receive a hand-written letter in the mail from a friend.  But yesterday when I got a letter in the mail that wasn't a bill, junk-mail or a magazine, I smiled, sat down and enjoyed reading it. 

I feel it's a lost art, the art of writing and sending a hand-written letter through today's mail system. I know what you're thinking.  You type faster than you write, so it's quicker to send an email.  Or postage is getting so expensive.  Even if you bought a life-time supply of the Forever Stamp, still email is basically free.  And I have to admit, I love getting emails from my friends too, don't misunderstand what I'm saying.  I just want to remind you about the days before email and possibly challenge you to sit down and write a letter.

*By email I'm referring to any messaging device using today's technology.

Simon's 1st Haircut

The day finally came where I thought Simon should have his first hair cut.  Daniel and Sam were much younger when they had their first haircuts, but I was having such a hard time giving Simon his first haircut.  Knowing he's my baby and cutting those baby hairs was such a hard thing for me to let go of.  But it was starting to get into his eyes, and it was starting to tangle in the back.  I felt like it was time, although a part of me was so sad to see it go.  We too him in last Monday.  Jeff and Sam went with us.  We did take pictures and we saved some of his baby locks for his baby book.

He was scared at first and really clung to me.

Trying to be brave.

All done!

My baby with a big boy haircut, back at home.

Finding Snow

Last weekend we drove up to Mt. Hood and found some snow the boys could play in. Here are some pics from that adventure.

Valentine's Day 2012

What a nice day we had yesterday.  The boys and I really looked forward to Valentine's Day this year.  The boys made cards for family, and then Daniel made cards for his classmates at school.  Daniel also decorated a box to put all of his cards and things in.  I made the boys a special breakfast of heart shaped pancakes, which they thought was fun.  Then, for dinner, I fed the boys early so we could put them to bed a little early.  Jeff came home and made a wonderful dinner of pasta, etc.  We even had chocolate souffle for dessert.  Jeff got me chocolates and flowers.  I've always loved Valentine's Day as a day to recognize how much we love each other.  I know we don't need a day to celebrate our love for one another, but it's nice to take a day and do something a little extra special.  However I want everyone to know how much you mean to me and how much I love you...not just on Valentine's Day but on every day of the year.  Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Working on Their Valentine's Cards

Heart-Shaped Pancakes

Daniel and his Pancake

Simon Working on his Breakfast

Sam and his Pancake

My Flowers from Jeff, high on a shelf so Figgy won't eat them!

School?

Danie's First day of Kindergarten

Sam, Getting Ready to do some Preschool at Home

As soon as January hit, the big question everyone asks at Daniel's school is, "Where are you going to send Daniel to school next year?"  Since his school doesn't go any farther than Kindergarten, everyone is having to move on to another school.  We have a couple ideas in mind, but overall, I haven't been stressing about it.  However, whenever someone asks me where he's going next year, I have a small panic attack (for about 10 seconds) and think to myself, "should I have this figured out already?"  And what if I don't pick the right school?  Am I scarring him for life?  I didn't know picking a school could be so stressful.  Literally, for the past 3 days in a row, a different parent each day has asked where we are sending Daniel next year.  In some ways I feel like it's none of their business, but I don't want to be rude, so I say we are still looking.  But then I feel like they think I'm not a good parent because I don't have this figured out yet!  And then today someone asked if I was putting Sam in preschool next year, which we aren't.  But am a bad parent because we aren't putting him in preschool?  I feel like my kids are young, and I don't want to put too much pressure on them at this early age.  They are smart, capable individuals, and overall I think they will thrive in any environment.  And we, their parents, will be here when they need help.

A Resolution Update

So here we are at the end of January, finishing the first month of 2012.  To recap, at the beginning of the month, I made a few resolutions.  They were:

1.  Run in at least 5 races this year
2.  Make a new recipe each week
3.  Update this blog more than once a month

So far, I've still only signed up for 2 races, but I think I have mapped out my other 3 choices, so I think that resolution is doable.  As for the new recipe, this one has been a little more difficult.  One week, I had to make 2 new recipes because I missed one the week prior.  But I want to keep on schedule, if I can.  And for this blog, I've been averaging at least a blog a week this month.  So that's not too bad.  I tend to always want to write the "perfect" blog, although I don't even know what that is, so then I put off writing it because I don't know what to write.  I need to just write and not worry about it.  Perhaps that will get easier in time.

On another note, we had a fun play date with our friends Owen and Nora this past weekend.  I meant to take more pictures of the fun, but I guess I was too busy talking to Loren (their dad) to take pics.  I did manage one of Daniel and Owen sitting down to have lunch.  Anyway, it was fun, and I hope we can play with them again sometime.