tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37850876192892030932024-03-13T16:09:07.339-04:00Kingston's MomKingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-63431810952355651642011-07-26T08:00:00.000-04:002011-07-26T08:00:56.023-04:00My Little Fish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dundm7_eXx0/Ti6r-34M7uI/AAAAAAAACsI/Im5XdDlyGQg/s1600/July+11+396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dundm7_eXx0/Ti6r-34M7uI/AAAAAAAACsI/Im5XdDlyGQg/s320/July+11+396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As soon as I can figure out how to get the videos saved to my computer, I will post them. Kingston is swimming like a fish these days. He can hold his breath for a crazy amount of time, likes to be pushed under to the bottom of the pool to pick toys up, does full-on cannon balls off the side, and can jump in and swim to the steps unassisted. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkbHsQB_VNk/Ti6sC8YNrPI/AAAAAAAACsM/IMyRqJq-sPU/s1600/July+11+397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkbHsQB_VNk/Ti6sC8YNrPI/AAAAAAAACsM/IMyRqJq-sPU/s320/July+11+397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The only problem? He cannot, cannot, CANNOT get his little head above the water to take a breath. He can swim, yes. But he can't breathe while swimming, which is sort of a critical part of it. :) I'm not sure if he is just not strong enough to paddle his arms while getting his head up, whether he is just being lazy about it since I am always there to grab him if he needs to come up, or if the just needs someone (other than Mom) to teach him how to do it. Regardless, he is a great swimmer, especially for being only 3 1/2!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Te6k5AZnGGY/Ti6sF3QVnYI/AAAAAAAACsQ/vrcHJTTUjoQ/s1600/July+11+401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Te6k5AZnGGY/Ti6sF3QVnYI/AAAAAAAACsQ/vrcHJTTUjoQ/s320/July+11+401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'll post the video eventually!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-8882475603233883482011-07-20T16:46:00.000-04:002011-07-20T16:46:02.198-04:00Camping and a Carnival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's skip the excuses on the long overdue blog post and get right to it, shall we? Yeah, I thought so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usSrCnJAmOM/Tic7FWQzGPI/AAAAAAAACrk/5C7zDUmpMUI/s1600/June+11+382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usSrCnJAmOM/Tic7FWQzGPI/AAAAAAAACrk/5C7zDUmpMUI/s320/June+11+382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went camping in Ocracoke. We had a great time. It was in June but I'm just now posting. I'm slack. Sorry. Oh, but I said I wasn't going to go into that. Sweet! Smooth sailing from here on out.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-zn2B8nkig/Tic7JbvhIvI/AAAAAAAACro/usBeBa1y05E/s1600/June+11+385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-zn2B8nkig/Tic7JbvhIvI/AAAAAAAACro/usBeBa1y05E/s320/June+11+385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We played on the beach all day. It was great. Kingston didn't go to sleep either night until about 11:30. We just let him play the iTouch until he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. Sometimes you just do what you gotta do. We did.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyMgdwUK86M/Tic7OaiQqSI/AAAAAAAACrs/s5VnO4n2AW0/s1600/June+11+401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyMgdwUK86M/Tic7OaiQqSI/AAAAAAAACrs/s5VnO4n2AW0/s320/June+11+401.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kingston was not so impressed with the Ocracoke lighthouse, having seen the Cape Hatteras up close and having <em>climbed</em> the Corolla. Ah, well. It killed some time and he fell asleep on the truck ride back to the campsite so it was worth it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rju6_Xhv5RE/Tic7T5sJNdI/AAAAAAAACrw/j668U6_Lpoo/s1600/June+11+405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rju6_Xhv5RE/Tic7T5sJNdI/AAAAAAAACrw/j668U6_Lpoo/s320/June+11+405.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Surprisingly, we kept the mosquitoes at bay. Worse, perhaps, were the sandspurs (which Kingston called sandbars). He is still worried about sandbars any time he steps somewhere that is natural ground and not a man-made ground of sorts.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvAgBrjEUE0/Tic7bnTutYI/AAAAAAAACr0/GWSCHwr6ZYY/s1600/June+11+415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvAgBrjEUE0/Tic7bnTutYI/AAAAAAAACr0/GWSCHwr6ZYY/s320/June+11+415.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My 2 favorite boys on the ferry. Well, my 2 favorite boys in the world, who happened to be on the ferry when the picture was taken. You know what I mean.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7C5XqwEppRM/Tic7e2mDBVI/AAAAAAAACr4/21ewJ8ZJU_o/s1600/June+11+417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7C5XqwEppRM/Tic7e2mDBVI/AAAAAAAACr4/21ewJ8ZJU_o/s320/June+11+417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvIx5DgW7UI/Tic7fwuoOfI/AAAAAAAACr8/IpKHZFoLAE8/s1600/ferriswheel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvIx5DgW7UI/Tic7fwuoOfI/AAAAAAAACr8/IpKHZFoLAE8/s320/ferriswheel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few days after coming home from our camping trip (or maybe it was a few weeks-it was so long ago I can't even remember) a friend of mine took this picture of Kingston and Nigel at the top of the Ferris wheel at a local carnival. Kingston was so brave. He wasn't scared at all, just got chilly at the top. Nigel certainly didn't mind the extra snuggles.</div><br />
We've been busy this summer. So busy I haven't had time to blog. Or at least that's my current excuse. Oh, wait. No excuses. Enjoy this post! Who knows when there will be another one. ;)<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-67212595079688776602011-05-21T07:34:00.000-04:002011-05-21T07:34:38.447-04:00The ModelAfter Kingston recently peed on our bath mat (ugh!) and it was left outside to "air out" for a few days (ugh!) I decided that it was time to just scrap that one and get a new one. I really hate that bath mats cost so much. I mean, it is just a small piece of fluffy carpet. Does it really need to cost $15?! It is one of those things that I hate to spend my hard-earned money on. Like razor blades. $30? Really?<br />
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Anyway, I bucked up and bought one. It was the cheapest one I could find, for the above-mentioned reason. It was one of those really soft, really synthetic, really cheap ones. It was also a lot bigger than the last one we had. It was perfect.<br />
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Kingston thought so, too. "It's so soooooft!" He laid down on it while his bath was filling up. Silly kid. I'm glad I bought it for a number of reasons. The best of which is to get this blackmail picture of him to use in about 15 years.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76J0an8q2yM/TdejNTAq-dI/AAAAAAAACqk/F5Nscne4rbg/s1600/May+11+442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76J0an8q2yM/TdejNTAq-dI/AAAAAAAACqk/F5Nscne4rbg/s320/May+11+442.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-23947299579148427662011-04-23T09:15:00.000-04:002011-04-23T09:15:25.457-04:00Comic ReliefWe have been going swimming at the Y this winter and spring. Kingston loves it and I love having something active to do with him indoors. Also, Nigel usually goes along with us, so it has been a great family outing. <br />
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The only problem with the pool is that, while the air is usually warm, the combo of the water and air sometimes make Kingston a little chilly. May have something to do with the fact that he has not a single ounce of fat on his body. I mean, I never find myself shivering. But let's not analyze that.<br />
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The solution:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoRdyOObkYc/TbLPiR5RZ_I/AAAAAAAACqY/0U1cg6OUCFw/s1600/March+11+370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoRdyOObkYc/TbLPiR5RZ_I/AAAAAAAACqY/0U1cg6OUCFw/s320/March+11+370.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lO4GpY9Uwp4/TbLPlY4eYUI/AAAAAAAACqc/nHVKrlYndDM/s1600/March+11+373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lO4GpY9Uwp4/TbLPlY4eYUI/AAAAAAAACqc/nHVKrlYndDM/s320/March+11+373.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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He looks like the cutest little frog! Two good things about his new wetsuit: 1. He stays warm and isn't too cold and ready to get out after 10 minutes. 2. I get a good giggle at him in his wetsuit. It totally makes me smile!<br />
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And today. Well, today Kingston is the Ring Bearer in our friends Billy and Jessie's wedding. Wish us luck. I know one thing for sure. Even if he doesn't perform at the wedding, he will look darn cute doing whatever he is doing. Pictures. I promise.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-76192542746352735422011-03-23T08:24:00.000-04:002011-03-23T08:24:19.328-04:00Fun With FriendsGuess where we went recently with some friends? Right. Nags Head Woods. I swear we do other fun stuff, but apparently I only take my camera with me when we got to Nags Head Woods. Oh, well. At least I take it somewhere.<br />
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This time we walked 2 trails with 4 kids. They did pretty good for most of the way but nearly gave out completely when we weren't quite back at the car yet! These kids were crazy. Totally silly. Lots of fun! I'll let the pictures do the talking. Just check out how many times I tried to get a picture of all of them looking at me at the same time. Never happened.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZSYvVa1_75A/TYnj9xR_s2I/AAAAAAAACpw/5p8EJ-BmBt8/s1600/March+11+356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZSYvVa1_75A/TYnj9xR_s2I/AAAAAAAACpw/5p8EJ-BmBt8/s320/March+11+356.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone is saying, "Cheeeeese!" but looking in in all sorts of directions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pBQb4XmYMao/TYnkSIHfoUI/AAAAAAAACp8/mpx_ZIpVRGc/s1600/March+11+360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pBQb4XmYMao/TYnkSIHfoUI/AAAAAAAACp8/mpx_ZIpVRGc/s320/March+11+360.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close! But still looking all over the place!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TLjyRcOff9k/TYnkXbRhbfI/AAAAAAAACqA/9-_gBsC9sxk/s1600/March+11+361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TLjyRcOff9k/TYnkXbRhbfI/AAAAAAAACqA/9-_gBsC9sxk/s320/March+11+361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe the best attempt, but I'm not sure what Kingston is looking at.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-W7ypONh6aIQ/TYnkcWve05I/AAAAAAAACqE/W2bwJQ2zuo0/s1600/March+11+363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-W7ypONh6aIQ/TYnkcWve05I/AAAAAAAACqE/W2bwJQ2zuo0/s320/March+11+363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then in another location, Kingston is completely turned around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w3ykQ_lOJxc/TYnkhhmBkaI/AAAAAAAACqI/b-AE_ZVFD78/s1600/March+11+364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w3ykQ_lOJxc/TYnkhhmBkaI/AAAAAAAACqI/b-AE_ZVFD78/s320/March+11+364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now Riley is turned around and Austin is about to bolt!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0Tt3C_-Gu-o/TYnkmVq2QNI/AAAAAAAACqM/4j6UgbLIVHA/s1600/March+11+366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0Tt3C_-Gu-o/TYnkmVq2QNI/AAAAAAAACqM/4j6UgbLIVHA/s320/March+11+366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, whatever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HgtmK-O6MN0/TYnkrl8RkpI/AAAAAAAACqQ/uTuRERf7gqs/s1600/March+11+367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HgtmK-O6MN0/TYnkrl8RkpI/AAAAAAAACqQ/uTuRERf7gqs/s320/March+11+367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just forget it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MmAVGhQF55A/TYnkHKGON-I/AAAAAAAACp0/lHsuZF6waiM/s1600/March+11+357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MmAVGhQF55A/TYnkHKGON-I/AAAAAAAACp0/lHsuZF6waiM/s320/March+11+357.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Austin. This was good except you are tired of sitting still!</td></tr>
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Good times with good friends. These are my running partners' kids. Austin belongs to Mallory, and Riley and Sophie belong to Michelle. The plan is to play in our backyard this Saturday so that the kids can run around and the moms can pick which race we are going to train for next!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-8557895641579978702011-03-20T21:44:00.000-04:002011-03-20T21:44:18.172-04:00Mission Accomplished!Today, I ran a marathon. The <a href="http://www.shamrockmarathon.com/">Yuengling Shamrock Marathon</a> in Virginia Beach, VA, to be specific. It was great. Totally great. And I will be sore for days!<br />
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We drove up to VA yesterday for a leisurely day of shopping and hanging out. We first went to the Race Expo to pick up our packets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L1XVK9hWPSQ/TYamtkaAoaI/AAAAAAAACpU/i1hZdVRr4Mc/s1600/March+11+376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L1XVK9hWPSQ/TYamtkaAoaI/AAAAAAAACpU/i1hZdVRr4Mc/s320/March+11+376.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My race bib. I love that random people know your name and can "personally" cheer for you.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RfWuMYnzskQ/TYam0fyQGzI/AAAAAAAACpY/10RvxhSqtzY/s1600/March+11+377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RfWuMYnzskQ/TYam0fyQGzI/AAAAAAAACpY/10RvxhSqtzY/s320/March+11+377.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallory, me and Michelle. The best running partners EVER!</td></tr>
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After the Expo we went to lunch at Baker's Crust. Yum! But it took forever. We only had time for Trader Joe's and Target before heading to our hotel. We got our act together and put on a few more layers (it got COLD!) before heading out to a great dinner at <a href="http://www.isleofcaprivb.com/">Isle of Capri</a>. Yum again!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p0pG0ZijjQM/TYam66ig2wI/AAAAAAAACpc/5plVnjbcYNM/s1600/March+11+378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p0pG0ZijjQM/TYam66ig2wI/AAAAAAAACpc/5plVnjbcYNM/s320/March+11+378.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls, ready for dinner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c5NejntWStA/TYam_gMADUI/AAAAAAAACpg/jui1MWWitVQ/s1600/March+11+379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c5NejntWStA/TYam_gMADUI/AAAAAAAACpg/jui1MWWitVQ/s320/March+11+379.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the front door of our hotel. We got a little silly and a lot like 3 middle school girls at a slumber party! The only difference-we didn't stay up all night giggling. We were asleep by 9:30!</td></tr>
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This morning we woke up before our alarm went off and got dressed for the race. We were lookin' good! We got a lot of comments about our shamrock tights along the course!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QrrxYU7s_Bo/TYanFG2ENuI/AAAAAAAACpk/kM90D2pAEDA/s1600/March+11+380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QrrxYU7s_Bo/TYanFG2ENuI/AAAAAAAACpk/kM90D2pAEDA/s320/March+11+380.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shamrock capris. Yikes! Cute little shamrocks around the knees. . . Giant oversized shamrocks around the thighs and butt! ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The wind was howling, the temperature was really cold, and we started 15 minutes late. Other than that, the start was great! Mallory was not able to run, due to some health problems, so she was able to take a few pictures of us along the way. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bmDKi-Efsd8/TYanL9TQ_KI/AAAAAAAACpo/xcRFklpnr5M/s1600/March+11+381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bmDKi-Efsd8/TYanL9TQ_KI/AAAAAAAACpo/xcRFklpnr5M/s320/March+11+381.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe there was someone else wearing the shamrocks? The girl in the shorts was not with us!</td></tr>
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The first 20 miles were fine. It was after that that things got pretty tough. We started to walk through the water stations and walked maybe a tenth of a mile another time, just to get through it. We knew that Mallory was going to meet us at mile 23 and run us in the final 3 and I have never been so happy to see someone in all my life! She was there at just the right time. Michelle moved on ahead a bit and Mallory stayed right with me. She even took my picture!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p_iGluX-uuc/TYanRi9sF_I/AAAAAAAACps/kT7gmzACGZI/s1600/March+11+383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p_iGluX-uuc/TYanRi9sF_I/AAAAAAAACps/kT7gmzACGZI/s320/March+11+383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't really look like I've run 25 of 26.2 miles! But I promise I was feeling it!<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The last 2 miles were like torture, if I'm being honest! Thank goodness I had Mallory with me or I might have started walking. She encouraged me to finish strong, and finish strong I did. My final time was 4:59:23. My goal was to run it in less than 5 hours and I accomplished my goal! Hooray! I'm very pleased with myself.<br />
<br />
I ran a marathon today. I can't believe I just wrote that. And I plan to write it again some time in the future. Just not the near future! Or even the sort of near future! It will be a while but I think I will do it again. I feel amazing. Even if I can't walk tomorrow!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" style="border: currentColor;" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-49128177834642560502011-03-11T09:44:00.000-05:002011-03-11T09:44:07.064-05:00Personality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Kingston totally cracks me up. On a regular basis. I'm sure everyone thinks their kid is the cutest and the funniest, but I think Kingston really has a great personality and a hilarious sense of humor. He clearly gets his good looks and his wittiness from his mama. Clearly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">In January, the whole family went to the <a href="http://www.greatwolf.com/williamsburg/waterpark">Great Wolf Lodge</a>. We went with another family and we had a really great time. Kingston loved the kiddie pool but was not super pumped about the big slides that he ended up having to go down all by himself. He never got upset or cried, he just didn't want to do them again! When we talk about it, he says, "Weeeeell, I just like the little slides!"</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lA83RyscSMw/TXov8BCSiJI/AAAAAAAACns/IPqvnXtG7Bc/s1600/Feb+11+348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lA83RyscSMw/TXov8BCSiJI/AAAAAAAACns/IPqvnXtG7Bc/s320/Feb+11+348.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curren and Kingston getting ready to hit the park! Kingston says, "I'm wearing my gobbles!"</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">We have been having self-proclaimed "Fun Fridays" with one of my oldest friends, Bird, and her two little girls. Every week we try to do something new and fun and so far Friday has lived up to its name! A few weeks ago we went to a Mommy and Me indoor camping party. The kids were asked to wear their PJ's and be ready for s'mores, stories and crafts. We were ready! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gAq48emyEoM/TXowA5s4O-I/AAAAAAAACnw/yfdkfTXeNuI/s1600/Feb+11+357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gAq48emyEoM/TXowA5s4O-I/AAAAAAAACnw/yfdkfTXeNuI/s320/Feb+11+357.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flannel PJ's, flip flops, and his "Packpack." He wore this all day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>No Fun Friday this week since Bird has the flu. Ugh! Sorry, Birdie! Hope you feel better soon! I'm left to figure out what to do with my funny kid all by myself! I'm sure he will keep me entertained. He's already been running around naked, giggling and dancing and spanking his own "butt-butt butterbean." He is clothed now, so we will see what comes next! <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-9720472066427711462011-03-09T09:02:00.004-05:002011-03-09T09:21:21.337-05:00A Hiking We Will GoWe went for another little hike through Nags Head Woods recently. This time Dada was invited and came along! Everyone had a great time. We are looking forward to more hikes when the weather finally decides to warm up for good. It is perfect for a whole family outting, as well as a great way to burn off some energy. And since we are "changing our naps" these days (which Kingston says every day and I have taken to mean he wants to <em>skip</em> his nap), I like to make sure he is good and tired and ready to go to bed earlier than usual.<br /><br />Chase me!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUwnURElspo/TXeJf5moetI/AAAAAAAACm0/4lzT7gQ-Uwk/s1600/Feb%2B11%2B362.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582081444280826578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUwnURElspo/TXeJf5moetI/AAAAAAAACm0/4lzT7gQ-Uwk/s320/Feb%2B11%2B362.JPG" /></a><br /><div>The one-legged pose.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-JV9AQigY4/TXeJflLZ4MI/AAAAAAAACms/vynfdlBy4jk/s1600/Feb%2B11%2B368.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582081438797914306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-JV9AQigY4/TXeJflLZ4MI/AAAAAAAACms/vynfdlBy4jk/s320/Feb%2B11%2B368.JPG" /></a><br />A great family shot, even if it does look like an advertisement for SmartWater! Too bad I'm too lazy to edit my photos. . .</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gc6X4jlOctU/TXeJfMWCPJI/AAAAAAAACmk/pg2OqtCulcg/s1600/Feb%2B11%2B370.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582081432131615890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gc6X4jlOctU/TXeJfMWCPJI/AAAAAAAACmk/pg2OqtCulcg/s320/Feb%2B11%2B370.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Family shot, take 2. The lighting was better in the first, but the composition is better in this one, if you want to get technical about it. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMVRsGVXXYo/TXeJeubHWRI/AAAAAAAACmc/pF7txJ4t2xU/s1600/Feb%2B11%2B371.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582081424099858706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMVRsGVXXYo/TXeJeubHWRI/AAAAAAAACmc/pF7txJ4t2xU/s320/Feb%2B11%2B371.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Handsome hiker.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u4niDepSlaA/TXeJefVxv-I/AAAAAAAACmU/LM1Eh__g4a0/s1600/Feb%2B11%2B377.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582081420050939874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u4niDepSlaA/TXeJefVxv-I/AAAAAAAACmU/LM1Eh__g4a0/s320/Feb%2B11%2B377.JPG" /></a><br />We hiked about a mile and that was a plenty this time. There are a few more trails that are longer that we will try later. We had to ease Dada into it!</div><div> </div><div>And on a totally different note, we have less than 2 weeks until our Marathon. Zoinks! (I've been watching waaaay to much Scooby Doo recently.) I <em>think</em> we are ready but I'm not totally sure!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a></div></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-65317530312253962182011-01-27T21:49:00.004-05:002011-01-27T22:39:20.873-05:00Odds and Ends<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TUIxQCkwa3I/AAAAAAAAClQ/AMi9IfnVILU/s1600/Jan%2B%252711%2B353.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567066241022061426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TUIxQCkwa3I/AAAAAAAAClQ/AMi9IfnVILU/s320/Jan%2B%252711%2B353.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TUIxPzLm1rI/AAAAAAAAClI/YSaQI5qBl04/s1600/Jan%2B%252711%2B349.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567066236890044082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TUIxPzLm1rI/AAAAAAAAClI/YSaQI5qBl04/s320/Jan%2B%252711%2B349.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TUIxPvqBn_I/AAAAAAAAClA/dC1v9P2cZbo/s1600/Jan%2B%252711%2B348.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567066235943886834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TUIxPvqBn_I/AAAAAAAAClA/dC1v9P2cZbo/s320/Jan%2B%252711%2B348.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TUIxPZlxi5I/AAAAAAAACk4/UE_KtPCmCjU/s1600/Jan%2B%252711%2B345.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567066230020475794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TUIxPZlxi5I/AAAAAAAACk4/UE_KtPCmCjU/s320/Jan%2B%252711%2B345.JPG" /></a><br /><ul><li>Kingston and I recently went on a "hike" through Nags Head Woods with some friends. It was tons of fun and I look forward to doing it again soon when it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">permanently</span> warms up.</li><li>Nigel is in Jamaica for the week on a much-needed surf trip with some of his best guy friends. We miss him a lot and look forward to seeing him on Tuesday.</li><li>While Nigel has been gone, Kingston has been sick. He didn't go to Mrs. Cindy's house either day he was supposed to this week since he had a fever and was out of sorts. I think he had the croup, which is no fun for anyone. </li><li>I have had to get creative with my training this week (yeah, I'm training for a full marathon). Luckily, I'm only supposed to run 3 miles each weekday run this week and 15 miles on Sunday. I've got the Sunday run covered already but I had to do some thinking to get the other runs in. I refused to take a pitiful, sick kid to the Child Watch at the Y for a workout so I looked to family to save the day! Aunt Freda watched him for 30 minutes on Wednesday after we had haircuts in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manteo</span> so that I could run. Then tonight my dad came over to stay with Kingston while I did a quick run. Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to take Kingston to the Y in the morning to get out of the house and complete my weekday runs. </li><li>Mom, you are not allowed to leave town at the same time as Nigel ever again. Thanks for understanding.</li><li>We switched to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">DIRECTV</span> and now have a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">DVR</span>. Oh, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">DVR</span>, where have you been all my life? When Nigel returns he won't be able to complain about how much I'm on my computer. Now he will wonder if I will ever stop watching TV! I have recorded, watched, paused and re-watched too much TV in the last 2 days. Oops.</li><li>I watch Jersey Shore. I'm sorry, but I do. And now I can <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">DVR</span> it. </li><li>Able (the dog) ran away while the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">DIRECTV</span> guy was installing. He came back, like he always does, but his time covered in poop. Great! So now I have a really annoying dog who misses Nigel, who sleeps in my bed and will not allow me to give him a bath or even wipe him down sufficiently, who smells bad. Really bad. </li><li>I am proud of myself. I have inspired a few people, I think! Since running the 1/2 marathon in November, I have inspired my mom and aunt to walk a <a href="http://www.obxmarathon.com/Top_Nav/Flying_Pirate_Half_Marathon.htm">1/2 marathon here </a>in April. I have inspired my girls Lars and Ball to run a <a href="http://www.rungeorgiamarathon.com/">1/2 marathon in Atlanta </a>in March. I have inspired my dad to get back into running after years off and now he is running frequent races and is in great shape. And I have inspired myself to run a <a href="http://www.shamrockmarathon.com/">full marathon in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Virginia</span> Beach </a>in March.</li><li>That is that for now.</li></ul><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-6799320749972442832010-12-29T21:22:00.002-05:002010-12-29T21:33:02.680-05:00In the Meadow. . .. . . we probably could have built a snowman, but that would have required me to actually put my hands in the cold, wet, white stuff. I don't really <em>do</em> snow. I'd be fine with it if it wasn't so cold and wet. I'm just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">sayin</span>'. It may have a lot to do with the fact that I never have the appropriate clothing to wear in the snow. Neither does Kingston, but that didn't seem to get him down. Cotton gloves, denim pants, shoes, not boots. Oh, well. We tried.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvthjMsasI/AAAAAAAACjw/k1CLYxjorj8/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B337.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556295725931588290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvthjMsasI/AAAAAAAACjw/k1CLYxjorj8/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B337.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvthWYxqDI/AAAAAAAACjo/Bs5stqRo2T4/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B352.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556295722492602418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvthWYxqDI/AAAAAAAACjo/Bs5stqRo2T4/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B352.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvtgxpDG9I/AAAAAAAACjg/PyYqis59WBg/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B357.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556295712628743122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvtgxpDG9I/AAAAAAAACjg/PyYqis59WBg/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B357.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvtggnnv-I/AAAAAAAACjY/JKUx0DyKpyw/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B365.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556295708059353058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvtggnnv-I/AAAAAAAACjY/JKUx0DyKpyw/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B365.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvtgcAWBiI/AAAAAAAACjQ/JxBhrMn-1lo/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B382.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556295706820871714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRvtgcAWBiI/AAAAAAAACjQ/JxBhrMn-1lo/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B382.JPG" /></a><br />Kingston enjoyed the snow. In fact, he loves it so much that he still has to stick his hand in the few remaining piles on the porch on the way to the car, every single time. And then tells me that his hand is cold. Exactly, Bud. That is why I don't touch the stuff.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-41440685517925211442010-12-21T13:10:00.007-05:002010-12-21T13:46:34.915-05:00Birthday Boy!This is Kingston. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDv_kgUruI/AAAAAAAACiw/RJu6VXnx10s/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B262.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553202215957868258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDv_kgUruI/AAAAAAAACiw/RJu6VXnx10s/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B262.JPG" /></a> He is 3 years old now. He requested a birthday party with silly hats, balloons and cupcakes. Done. Except I guess the hats I bought (and paid nearly $5 for-ugh!) must not have been silly enough because he opened them but didn't want to wear them or pass them out. But we did have balloons and cupcakes and friends over to play.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDvxQ1iY9I/AAAAAAAACio/IS-WxXLGIoM/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B240.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553201970159969234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDvxQ1iY9I/AAAAAAAACio/IS-WxXLGIoM/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B240.JPG" /></a> Cupcakes. Thomas colors, since I was too lazy to figure out how to make a Thomas cake.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDvjRRObnI/AAAAAAAACig/D1YGpzaMG8Y/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B246.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553201729757933170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDvjRRObnI/AAAAAAAACig/D1YGpzaMG8Y/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B246.JPG" /></a> And friends. Liam is his best buddy from Mrs. Cindy's house. He kept saying to Nigel, "Dada. This is Liam. This is Liam, Dada."</div><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDvixPl8WI/AAAAAAAACiY/rlljNBCJNG0/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B256.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553201721161150818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDvixPl8WI/AAAAAAAACiY/rlljNBCJNG0/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B256.JPG" /></a> We played outside for a few minutes before presents and cupcakes. I was totally impressed with Joseph's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">whiffleball</span> skills! He made contact with the ball nearly every pitch. He has way better hand-eye coordination than I. And he only bonked the dog in the head with the ball or the bat twice! Success!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDviYTuKlI/AAAAAAAACiQ/DGJQj5sgqiM/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B259.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553201714467580498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDviYTuKlI/AAAAAAAACiQ/DGJQj5sgqiM/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B259.JPG" /></a> My favorite picture! (Except for the fact that the only part of Jo-Jo in the picture is his hand.) The reason this is my favorite picture is because of the look on Dallas' face and the fact that she has her hand over <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kiran's</span> mouth. He was trying to blow out the candle and got a little upset at the fact that it wasn't "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kee</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">kee's</span> turn" to blow it out! Dallas was not having it, as you can tell. Classic!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDviHWntyI/AAAAAAAACiI/7fBxl-utgKQ/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B260.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553201709916337954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDviHWntyI/AAAAAAAACiI/7fBxl-utgKQ/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B260.JPG" /></a> And what is a birthday party that doesn't involve icing on your nose?<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDvh9mhc0I/AAAAAAAACiA/1eYf3FfU-5w/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B263.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553201707298681666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDvh9mhc0I/AAAAAAAACiA/1eYf3FfU-5w/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B263.JPG" /></a> And Kingston got to open presents. Clearly his favorite part.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDurEf9t4I/AAAAAAAACh4/rJfp3KGf9v4/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B265.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553200764257417090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDurEf9t4I/AAAAAAAACh4/rJfp3KGf9v4/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B265.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDuqgURWII/AAAAAAAAChw/HB6vz2ufQnE/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B269.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553200754544695426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDuqgURWII/AAAAAAAAChw/HB6vz2ufQnE/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B269.JPG" /></a> He had lot of help. <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDuqPyhlJI/AAAAAAAACho/wAm0vNKScbg/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B275.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553200750108185746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDuqPyhlJI/AAAAAAAACho/wAm0vNKScbg/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B275.JPG" /></a> I wanted to take a picture of all of the boys (and Liam's sweet sister, Sophie). I knew better. I really did. But I wanted to try anyway. It was a lot like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">herding</span> cats, as they say. This is the only picture that has at least a part of everyone in it. See that green elbow? That was Liam. He wasn't having it.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDupQXPV2I/AAAAAAAAChg/mmNfsZs5xaA/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B277.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553200733082310498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDupQXPV2I/AAAAAAAAChg/mmNfsZs5xaA/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B277.JPG" /></a> This was as close as we got. Oh, well. We had a fun time at Kingston's 3rd birthday party. He has a really sweet group of little buddies that are welcome to come over to play any time.<br /><br /><br />And then Monday was Kingston's actual birthday. I can't believe my big boy is 3! I surprised him with a birthday donut in bed! <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDuo_IPk1I/AAAAAAAAChY/-IbO6ZAdJ5w/s1600/Dec.%2B10%2B285.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553200728456008530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TRDuo_IPk1I/AAAAAAAAChY/-IbO6ZAdJ5w/s320/Dec.%2B10%2B285.JPG" /></a> </div><div>We had a family birthday party in the evening that included, but was not limited to, hanging out without pants on, homemade pizzas, performing songs while strumming a guitar, opening lots of presents, and pooping on the floor.</div><div> </div><div>But more on that another time once Nana emails me the pictures.<br /><br />Happy birthday, Kingston Dylan Haynes! You are my favorite little boy in the whole, wide world. You amaze me every day with your wit, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">intelligence</span>, peace and charm. I am so proud of you and I look forward to celebrating lots and lots more birthdays with you.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-90723670358110428502010-11-30T14:50:00.002-05:002010-11-30T15:47:56.669-05:00Hooded Bath Towels!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPVWqz4fNdI/AAAAAAAAChQ/Nrjm3nC4Cso/s1600/Towels%2B10%2B214.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545433809658262994" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPVWqz4fNdI/AAAAAAAAChQ/Nrjm3nC4Cso/s320/Towels%2B10%2B214.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPVWqrT20AI/AAAAAAAAChI/0vnF79qp_oI/s1600/Towels%2B10%2B215.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545433807357136898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPVWqrT20AI/AAAAAAAAChI/0vnF79qp_oI/s320/Towels%2B10%2B215.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPVWqL49y6I/AAAAAAAAChA/aVbpi_9zncE/s1600/Towels%2B10%2B222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545433798922849186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPVWqL49y6I/AAAAAAAAChA/aVbpi_9zncE/s320/Towels%2B10%2B222.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPVWp4K7i-I/AAAAAAAACg4/knj6-tge6dE/s1600/Towels%2B10%2B223.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545433793629490146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPVWp4K7i-I/AAAAAAAACg4/knj6-tge6dE/s320/Towels%2B10%2B223.JPG" /></a>My mom and I have a new little side-hustle going on! We are making hooded bath towels for kids, and we are calling our business Seams Likely. My Nana was a wonderful seamstress and called her business Seams Likely lots of years ago. She has inspired us in a lot of ways.</div><div> </div><div>The towels are super cute and a lot of fun to design and make. I have opened and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/">etsy</a></span> shop and will be listing items as we make them. Right now we have been taking special orders and making them to order and only have a few on hand to sell, but as soon as we get a little ahead of the game, we will post them.</div><div> </div><div>We can pretty much get any color towel and have found some really cute ribbons for the details. I'll post more and much better pictures as we have time to take them. Email me by clicking the icon to the left of the post if you want to order one! Or just ask a question. Or make a suggestion. Or just say hi.</div><div> </div><div>Come on, people. I'm trying to set my mom up to retire over here! Bring on the orders! I know you have someone special that needs a handmade Christmas present this year.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-48143762850920919802010-11-26T20:59:00.008-05:002010-11-27T20:43:09.758-05:00Core 4 in NYC!A girls' weekend in The City was just what my friends and I needed last weekend. We had the best time. I arrived first. As usual. I'm always chomping at the bit to get places and sometimes get a little to excited when booking tickets/getting on the road and arrive way before I really need to. Case in point-I arrived in NYC at 8:20. An hour later, Lars and Ball arrived. An hour after that, Mere arrived.<br /><br /><br /><br />We were so excited that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span> had sent a car to pick us up. Yes, we were very much the country girls gone to the city! Every little thing excited us, as you will see!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544392948600795202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPGkAuSH8EI/AAAAAAAACgo/HAxEFa94Qww/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B209.JPG" /> <div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">So here is Lars with the car that was waiting for us.<br /></span><br /></span></div><br /><br />We chatted the entire way to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">apartment</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">texting</span> her along the way, wondering if we should pay the driver or tip him in any way. She giggled at us. Said no.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBvPxtgtLI/AAAAAAAACgY/bwBooZptDYg/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B211.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544053458126025906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBvPxtgtLI/AAAAAAAACgY/bwBooZptDYg/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B211.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span> greeted us at the front door to her building</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">We put our things down, made sure we all had on our boots that we were convinced you had to wear in NYC, and headed out to our first food stop of the day. We had lunch at <a href="http://www.recipenyc.com/">Recipe</a>, a delicious place with local, fresh ingredients and wonderful. . . water. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBu6fRCUVI/AAAAAAAACgQ/MGByHKIvMPg/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B214.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544053092397502802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBu6fRCUVI/AAAAAAAACgQ/MGByHKIvMPg/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B214.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We toasted our small glasses of tap water to being in NYC with the Core 4 + <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBu6GlMudI/AAAAAAAACgI/lIVYdQzZDqA/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B216.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544053085771184594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBu6GlMudI/AAAAAAAACgI/lIVYdQzZDqA/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B216.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="left">After lunch we headed back to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">apartment</span> (via <a href="http://www.levainbakery.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Levain</span> Bakery</a> and Central Park, both of which are dangerously close to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' place) to get cleaned up and get ready for drinks and dinner.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBu536K55I/AAAAAAAACgA/hWHDraTgBKA/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B218.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544053081832613778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBu536K55I/AAAAAAAACgA/hWHDraTgBKA/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B218.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The GIANT oatmeal raisin cookie. We also shared a chocolate, chocolate chip and chocolate <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">peanut butter</span> chip. Yum!<br /><br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544053075151362322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBu5fBPGRI/AAAAAAAACfw/5dwvD2oE2gw/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B222.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="left"><br />When we got back to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' we looked in the street one more time for Lars' lost cell phone. No such luck.<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBu5pCMJUI/AAAAAAAACf4/RRo4Kg8_a0A/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B219.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544053077839717698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBu5pCMJUI/AAAAAAAACf4/RRo4Kg8_a0A/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B219.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left">We got all dolled up (in our boots, of course) and headed out.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuLQguX8I/AAAAAAAACfo/5zOaVtJVlgY/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B223.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544052280982921154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuLQguX8I/AAAAAAAACfo/5zOaVtJVlgY/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B223.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />We took the subway.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuLDvoA0I/AAAAAAAACfg/THCf_7SWgwg/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B224.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544052277555757890" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuLDvoA0I/AAAAAAAACfg/THCf_7SWgwg/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B224.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We had reservations for drinks at <a href="http://www.mlkhny.com/new-york.php">Milk & Honey</a>. Awesome. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span> rang the bell (to the wrong door, we realized later when someone stepped in front of us and rang the correct bell) and then knocked on the dull gray door that simply said "M&H" in stick-on letters. We had read that you aren't allowed to take pictures in there, so I was very careful to sneak a few of the nondescript door.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuK8y9VlI/AAAAAAAACfY/UQw5foJOdm0/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B226.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544052275690690130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuK8y9VlI/AAAAAAAACfY/UQw5foJOdm0/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B226.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuKXfLzII/AAAAAAAACfQ/RQgULHaoB9Q/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B227.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544052265675639938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuKXfLzII/AAAAAAAACfQ/RQgULHaoB9Q/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B227.JPG" /></a><br />Drinks were made based on what kind of "spirits" we felt like drinking that night. They used only fresh ingredients, had pellet ice, and were each served in a different shaped glass. They were pricey and we only stayed for one drink, but it was worth it. So fun! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After drinks we ate dinner at <a href="http://www.acasafox.com/">A <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Casa</span> Fox </a>then called it a night.<a href="http://www.acasafox.com/"><br /><br /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuKO4kUrI/AAAAAAAACfI/vtSV81XiimQ/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B228.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544052263366185650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBuKO4kUrI/AAAAAAAACfI/vtSV81XiimQ/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B228.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> It was like 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade slumber party in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' living room!<br /><br /></span><br /></div><br /><div align="left">Saturday morning, after a run around the Reservoir in Central Park with Ball, we headed by subway to Brooklyn. I will forever have an image in my mind of Lars getting the train doors shut on her, while Ball and Mere clutched at each other and screamed when they thought they wouldn't be able to get off before the train started moving again! You had to be there. Man, that was funny!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">We had brunch reservations at <a href="http://www.buttermilkchannelnyc.com/">Buttermilk Channel </a>in Brooklyn. Awesome.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBn2_4_ntI/AAAAAAAACfA/stOtrhXPfio/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B230.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544045335854161618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBn2_4_ntI/AAAAAAAACfA/stOtrhXPfio/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B230.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My friend Lee, who lives in Brooklyn, met us for brunch and a walk. So fun to see a friend from home when you are on a trip somewhere!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBn2YGXLNI/AAAAAAAACe4/Wp2j-eBUxiE/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B235.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544045325172813010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBn2YGXLNI/AAAAAAAACe4/Wp2j-eBUxiE/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B235.JPG" /></a><br />We wandered through Brooklyn, looking for the Brooklyn Flea. Along the way we found things like really cool boots that none of us could bear to drop the money on, really cool jewelry, lots of random stores, and life-changing underwear. I swear! That's what Mere was told before purchasing the $18.00 panties! We're still waiting to hear the results.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBn1aNuuDI/AAAAAAAACew/luW0VemQm7M/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B236.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544045308560717874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBn1aNuuDI/AAAAAAAACew/luW0VemQm7M/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B236.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We found the Brooklyn Flea. I wish we hadn't just eaten brunch. There were lots of stands selling delicious smelling eats. I splurged and got a mini red velvet cupcake for $1.00! Julie sampled the locally grown garlic.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBn1AzyXKI/AAAAAAAACeo/dfvXIkYs4xU/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B240.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544045301741018274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBn1AzyXKI/AAAAAAAACeo/dfvXIkYs4xU/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B240.JPG" /></a><br /><br />On the subway ride back to Manhattan we decided to get off the train in Times Square. We all had to pee so we went into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' office, which is right in the middle of things. We were impressed again by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' city life. We were even excited about the elevators.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnx6jsQ5I/AAAAAAAACeg/yOmdvOilnf8/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B241.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544045248523289490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnx6jsQ5I/AAAAAAAACeg/yOmdvOilnf8/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B241.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And we made <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span> pose for a picture in the lobby of her office. In this picture, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span> is explaining to her husband how corny we are. Please note the circular thing to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' left. It is supposed to be a really expensive fan. We couldn't figure out how to turn it on. See? We could never survive in the city!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnSAJnv7I/AAAAAAAACeY/Cr4TEGIF4rs/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B243.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544044700268740530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnSAJnv7I/AAAAAAAACeY/Cr4TEGIF4rs/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B243.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnRzvsSvI/AAAAAAAACeQ/pgvZoDCfJXs/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B247.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544044696938760946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnRzvsSvI/AAAAAAAACeQ/pgvZoDCfJXs/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B247.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">"Franchise" sitting at her desk. We were impressed. Her office had a window with a view. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span> is big-time!<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left">We shopped at Anthropology in Times Square and Lars and Mere bought new headbands that we all agreed were super cute!<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnRKIe01I/AAAAAAAACeI/BEHkk7KWdZM/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B251.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544044685768446802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnRKIe01I/AAAAAAAACeI/BEHkk7KWdZM/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B251.JPG" /></a><br />We stopped for a glass of wine and snacks at a random little place that we walked by. We had great conversations. We laughed, we cried, we connected on such a great level. It was my favorite part of the trip, I think. But the real highlight of our <s>trip</s> night was a visit to the <a href="http://www.shakeshack.com/">Shake Shack</a>. We giggled out way through the line-literally. I have never giggled quite so much while ordering a cheeseburger, fries and a shake. Then we walked back to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' place, eating fries along the way. We had to look pretty funny, each with a bag of food and a milkshake, while shovelling fries in our faces! Pretty typical Core 4 behavior.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnQ3-sB3I/AAAAAAAACeA/IOsstOJ8wVU/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B253.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544044680895530866" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnQ3-sB3I/AAAAAAAACeA/IOsstOJ8wVU/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B253.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnQuP6WyI/AAAAAAAACd4/jRzZjPczrag/s1600/Nov.%2B10%2B255.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544044678283418402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TPBnQuP6WyI/AAAAAAAACd4/jRzZjPczrag/s320/Nov.%2B10%2B255.JPG" /></a><br />Sunday morning we all had to go home. Well except for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>, since she lives there, of course. We had the best visit. We really could have been in Omaha, NE or Topeka, KS and had just as good of a time. I love my friends. I am so lucky and blessed to have them in my life. Ball said it best when she said that she was so happy to know that we could all live different places and have different lives but still come together and have a great weekend talking about things other than just our college memories. I totally agree.</div><div> </div><div>The weekend in the city was just what I needed. <br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-1514152820906980722010-11-13T07:54:00.003-05:002010-11-14T15:44:48.945-05:00Run! **UPDATED** Ran!<span style="color:#cc0000;">This morning, I ran. Right now, I am laying in the bed and I'm not sure that I will ever get up and use my legs again!!! Here is the update:</span><br /><br />Tomorrow morning, I run. I will run my first 1/2 marathon. I am pumped! I am excited! I am totally ready!<br /><br />So here is what I plan/hope to do:<br />*Wake up about 5:15<span style="color:#cc0000;"> Nope. Got up at 5:00.</span><br />*Eat a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Clif</span></span> Bar and drink some water <span style="color:#cc0000;">Yep. But only because Michelle shared hers with me. I forgot my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Clif</span> Bar. </span><br />*Make it to the shuttle bus in time for its 5:45 departure <span style="color:#cc0000;">Did it. There were tons of buses and it worked out great.</span><br />*Arrive at the race start on time, with plenty of time to spare <span style="color:#cc0000;">Done.</span><br />*Pee one last time <span style="color:#cc0000;">Did it. Quickly. Very little wait at the port o'.</span><br />*Run the entire 13.1 miles without stopping (shouldn't be a problem since I have already run 14 with no worries) <span style="color:#cc0000;">Easy. At least until the last 3 miles. They were pretty tough.</span><br />*Finish the race happy as a lark, injury free and ready to celebrate <span style="color:#cc0000;">For sure! Unless you count the giant blood blister on my left arch as an injury. I don't. It's more of a Red Badge of Courage, if you will.</span><br /><br />My realistic goal time is 2:25. My "I'm really pumped" time is 2:10. My trainer's goal time for me that seems really out of my reach is 2:00. So basically anything under 2:25 will be satisfying. And since this is my first 1/2, I don't really know what to expect. <span style="color:#cc0000;">So what did you expect? If you expected <span style="font-size:180%;">2:06:49</span> then you were right!!! I was so excited about my finish time. Very excited. And my girls finished right there with me. And my dad finished right there, too! It was awesome!</span><br /><br />I'll keep you posted.<br /><br />For tomorrow, I run! <span style="color:#cc0000;">Today I ran. And ran well. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thankyouverymuch</span>!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-863433333897542282010-11-01T16:16:00.004-04:002010-11-01T16:33:48.482-04:00Trick or Treat!I'll admit it. I'm not really into Halloween. I'm just not. But this year, Kingston was sort of "getting" the whole idea of dressing up and Trick or Treating. All of his buddies at school had decided what they wanted to be and Mrs. Cindy quizzed them on it daily. When asked, Kingston always answered, "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Choo</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">choo</span> train!" Of course he did. That is pretty much his standard answer for just about anything!<br /><br />So one Friday after school I promised I would help him make his costume. We settled on the tank engine, James (more because I knew I had red wrapping paper at home than for any other reason). I got out the box. The black magic marker. The rubber cement that I was sure would be dried up after all these years but wasn't. The paper plate. I mean, what's a homemade Halloween costume if there isn't a paper plate involved?!<br /><br />With Kingston's "help" we concocted the most silly looking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">choo</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">choo</span> train. He loved it. He was quite concerned, however, that James didn't have wheels at first. "Mommy. James <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">neeeeeds</span> wheels!" Another colored-in paper plate later, James had wheels. I'm just glad he got over the idea that James needed a coal car, too!<br /><br />So after a late nap (an no lunch except for a chocolate chip cookie and some chocolate milk. . . Thanks, Pappy for a fun day!) Kingston woke up ready to Trick or Treat. We went to a little neighborhood where I know a few folks and parked at a friend's house. <br /><br />And without further ado. . . James!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8gpu8OGqI/AAAAAAAACdA/IBOYKbBTyV8/s1600/Oct+10+238.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534678368408967842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8gpu8OGqI/AAAAAAAACdA/IBOYKbBTyV8/s320/Oct+10+238.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8gpGKl7_I/AAAAAAAACc4/B7fWpSOa7oo/s1600/Oct+10+239.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534678357463396338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8gpGKl7_I/AAAAAAAACc4/B7fWpSOa7oo/s320/Oct+10+239.JPG" /></a> </div><div>We went to my friend Mary's house first. It was a miracle we made it up the stairs. We hadn't really thought about the difficulty of climbing stairs, reaching for things, etc. when designing the costume! Mary and her husband, Tony, watched through the windows and laughed at us as we navigated the stairs! They waited behind the door for Kingston to do his thing. And he did! </div><div> </div><div>Knock, knock!<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8go15JGeI/AAAAAAAACcw/t2RdL2OvwjA/s1600/Oct+10+240.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534678353095236066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8go15JGeI/AAAAAAAACcw/t2RdL2OvwjA/s320/Oct+10+240.JPG" /></a><br />"Trick or Treat!" He actually said it! It was perfect! Mary and Tony were so sweet to him. It was a great first time!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8goZKi3bI/AAAAAAAACco/Bdxw-dH9yo0/s1600/Oct+10+241.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534678345383599538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8goZKi3bI/AAAAAAAACco/Bdxw-dH9yo0/s320/Oct+10+241.JPG" /></a><br /><br />From there we hit about 4 more houses and then called it a night.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8goFfUIKI/AAAAAAAACcg/OB1R11l6BMo/s1600/Oct+10+242.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534678340102004898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TM8goFfUIKI/AAAAAAAACcg/OB1R11l6BMo/s320/Oct+10+242.JPG" /></a><br />The good thing about the costume was that he couldn't reach to get things out of his bucket! And he couldn't eat a sucker because he couldn't reach his mouth! So we fed him a few pieces of candy and that was that!<br /><br />I'll be honest. Halloween is a lot more fun with a kid involved! I will look forward to next year a little more now! Now it's just a matter of hiding the few bits of candy that he did get. He seems to think it is fair game any time. I don't know where he would get that idea. Oops, I should probably wipe the ButterFinger off of my keyboard. Drool.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-8708404620382365202010-10-14T06:42:00.002-04:002010-10-14T06:51:15.420-04:00Creative GeniusWhat do you do after your son creates a beautiful painting with a combination of lots of every color of paint in globs that won't dry for days and with the bowls once used for said paint strategically stuck to said picture in a fashion that resembles boobs?<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527850802790439346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TLbfBG-umbI/AAAAAAAACcM/3inmN3q4xkE/s320/Oct+10+233.JPG" /><br /><br />You go to rinse his arms off in the sink and end up just putting his whole body in there!<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527850798866614914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TLbfA4XNyoI/AAAAAAAACcE/WawdsqVEJVg/s320/Oct+10+236.JPG" /><br />And how do you explain for days following that you can't sit in the sink every day but only on special <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occasions</span>? We haven't figured that part out yet.</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></p>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-60612534907792256002010-10-04T06:50:00.004-04:002010-10-04T07:22:47.334-04:00October!I can't believe it is October already. Crazy. We've been pretty busy for the past few weeks. I have more pictures but they are on my camera. And my camera is in my car. And I'm not going down to get it. Because I ran 4 miles this morning and I don't have to do anything I don't want to today. Except go to work. . .<br /><br />One morning a few weeks ago Michelle and I were headed home and on mile 9 of our 10 mile run when I saw Kingston's best buddy, Liam, waiting with his mom and dad for his sister to get on the bus. I may or may not have yelled, "Boy, put some pants on!" to Liam, who was just in a T and diaper. I cannot be held accountable for things I do at mile 9.<br /><br />I went home and told Kingston that I had seen Liam while I was running. Ever since, if Kingston sees me in my running clothes (I guess the spandex is the big clue) he says, "Mommy go running? You see Liam?" The boy never forgets anything. Cute.<br /><br />So here we are at Nana and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">WoWo's</span> house after <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">WoWo</span> and I ran 11 miles on Saturday. No, we didn't see Liam. Kingston was showing me what he wanted out of the Thomas The Tank Engine catalogue. (That would be pretty much everything, if you must know.)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0gO_OeHI/AAAAAAAACb0/hxAMuq6b-T8/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524144883818723442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0gO_OeHI/AAAAAAAACb0/hxAMuq6b-T8/s320/IMG_3339.JPG" /></a><br />After I got a shower and Nana made me some cheese toast we headed to Aunt Freda's school for the Pumpkin Fair and to meet up with my cousin, Jason, and his little girl, Kori. <br /><br />Kingston picked the smallest, most expensive pumpkin on the lot! In this case, size did not matter, but the type did (A Cinderella pumpkin?), and we walked away with a really cool, but way too expensive $9.00 pumpkin that will sit on our porch and rot. But anyway. . .<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0fw0rfPI/AAAAAAAACbs/yDuBZdYcOnU/s1600/IMG_3341.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524144875721424114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0fw0rfPI/AAAAAAAACbs/yDuBZdYcOnU/s320/IMG_3341.JPG" /></a><br />I got to get my hands on "Baby Kori" for a bit. She was so sweet!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0VXOUQSI/AAAAAAAACbk/GtJxW7zfGKI/s1600/IMG_3342.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524144697050939682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0VXOUQSI/AAAAAAAACbk/GtJxW7zfGKI/s320/IMG_3342.JPG" /></a><br />Kingston just wanted to pick <em>up</em> the pumpkins. He really could have cared less about bringing one home, he just wanted to pick them up. So why did we end up with a $9.00 pumpkin? Good question. And why didn't I get a picture of said pumpkin? Also a valid question. I just didn't, OK? OK.</div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0VOyGIUI/AAAAAAAACbc/5Y88uXeDqwo/s1600/IMG_3344.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524144694785089858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0VOyGIUI/AAAAAAAACbc/5Y88uXeDqwo/s320/IMG_3344.JPG" /></a><br />When we went inside to see the bake sale and silent auction Nana suggested Kingston hold on to Kori's stroller and help take care of her. Kingston thought it was a great idea and Kori thought Kingston was hilarious! Perfect.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0VNJWpTI/AAAAAAAACbU/lP3aKU51vzc/s1600/IMG_3347.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524144694345770290" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0VNJWpTI/AAAAAAAACbU/lP3aKU51vzc/s320/IMG_3347.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Kori and Jason. Too cute!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0U15GO5I/AAAAAAAACbM/qquCWctWVJo/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524144688103570322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0U15GO5I/AAAAAAAACbM/qquCWctWVJo/s320/IMG_3372.JPG" /></a><br />Kingston was so sweet with Kori. He didn't want her to go home and he even brought her some toys to play with. She thought he was really funny, especially when he jumped on his trampoline right in her face. Sometimes Kingston doesn't like babies to touch his stuff or be in his room or be held by his mommy, but he didn't seem to mind Kori being around at all! It was so sweet!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0U0w7SvI/AAAAAAAACbE/VI0y14_y1Oc/s1600/IMG_3385.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524144687800863474" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TKm0U0w7SvI/AAAAAAAACbE/VI0y14_y1Oc/s320/IMG_3385.JPG" /></a><br />Welcome, October! We are loving the activities so far. A great visit from great people, a fun visit to the pumpkin patch and quality time with Nana and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">WoWo</span>. And more to come!</div><div> </div><div>Bring it on!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-9365487997892377692010-09-07T13:34:00.006-04:002010-09-09T21:23:24.929-04:00Charleston '10On Sunday Kingston and I returned from a trip to Isle of Palms, SC with my college friends and their families. We had the best time!<br /><br />On Wednesday after work, Kingston and I headed to Raleigh to spend the night with Mere and her family before heading down to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">IOP</span> on Thursday. The kids had the best time playing together. Sam and Kingston wore the matching PJ's that I bought them a while ago. They were really close to being too small for both of them, but they squeezed into them one more time for photo's sake!<br /><br />The three <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">blondies</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8tnvEf0I/AAAAAAAACao/xiNlpLpdTQQ/s1600/Sept+10+221.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514231916964118338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8tnvEf0I/AAAAAAAACao/xiNlpLpdTQQ/s320/Sept+10+221.JPG" /></a> The trip down was so much more enjoyable with Mere, Sam and Ella along for the ride. We took our time but made great time, only stopping once for lunch at Cracker Barrel (Yum. I'm sorry as I can be but I do like that place.) and a rest area pit stop. Once we sorted out the fact that our rental agent had double booked our house and we had to go to a different one than originally booked, we anxiously awaited the arrival of all of our friends.<br /><br />Eleven adults and 8 children. Good times. Four boys and 4 girls. Good odds. Somehow, Kingston ended up playing with the stroller and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">baby doll</span> quite a bit.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8tIDUkYI/AAAAAAAACag/BOi5l2E8J8c/s1600/Sept+10+228.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514231908459123074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8tIDUkYI/AAAAAAAACag/BOi5l2E8J8c/s320/Sept+10+228.JPG" /></a><br />But then Grant showed him a much more manly thing to do with the doll stroller! They looped and looped around the living room, giggling all the way. Boys!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8s0P_2LI/AAAAAAAACaY/3UPRb9Jhb1c/s1600/Sept+10+233.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514231903143581874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8s0P_2LI/AAAAAAAACaY/3UPRb9Jhb1c/s320/Sept+10+233.JPG" /></a><br />The beach was gorgeous and we spent a bit of time down there. I guess it is sort of old news to Kingston, however, because he preferred to swim in the pool. And I do mean swim. He fully puts his head in the water, kicks and paddles, and can swim to me from the steps. I was amazed. He did so great. </div><div> </div><div>But photo ops were best at the beach because I wasn't having to fish Kingston up from the bottom of the pool. You see, he can get from one place to another, but he still can't quite get his head back above the water! Baby steps. . .<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8seDzG6I/AAAAAAAACaQ/CQK-VnMIBdM/s1600/Sept+10+250.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514231897186835362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8seDzG6I/AAAAAAAACaQ/CQK-VnMIBdM/s320/Sept+10+250.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Sam, Kingston and Grant had a great time playing in the sand.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8rxXDXvI/AAAAAAAACaI/YIdtyotum_I/s1600/Sept+10+257.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514231885187997426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ8rxXDXvI/AAAAAAAACaI/YIdtyotum_I/s320/Sept+10+257.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Amazingly, we got all of the kids sitting in one spot at the same time (minus Ella who hadn't arrived yet as she was spending QT with her daddy) and no one was crying. A miracle.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4jK5e7bI/AAAAAAAACaA/yu4WVWZ23ts/s1600/Sept+10+264.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514227339377962418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4jK5e7bI/AAAAAAAACaA/yu4WVWZ23ts/s320/Sept+10+264.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4i661m6I/AAAAAAAACZ4/E97BzmO40-o/s1600/Sept+10+271.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514227335088675746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4i661m6I/AAAAAAAACZ4/E97BzmO40-o/s320/Sept+10+271.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4ieu1mrI/AAAAAAAACZw/AGRPNkP9YB0/s1600/Sept+10+277.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514227327522151090" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4ieu1mrI/AAAAAAAACZw/AGRPNkP9YB0/s320/Sept+10+277.JPG" /></a><br />On Saturday night, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' sister-in-law and brother-in-law who live nearby came over after all of the kids went to bed to stay with them so that we could go out to dinner. What a great success!! We went to Taco Boy in Charleston proper and had a great mango margarita (or maybe that was just me) a great meal (and really bad service) and so much fun. It was wonderful to get out and be adults! We were home by 10:45 and Lynn and Michael reported that there was not a peep heard from any of the children all night. Amazing. </div><div> </div><div>And here we are in all our cuteness:</div><div><br /><br />Front left to right-Ryan (childhood friend of Lars and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>), Mere (Core 4), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mindi</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>' college roommate)</div><div>Back left to right-Lars (Core 4), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span> (Core 4 + <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lor</span><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4iDjXpeI/AAAAAAAACZo/QgYLDX-B_p4/s1600/Sept+10+284.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514227320226293218" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4iDjXpeI/AAAAAAAACZo/QgYLDX-B_p4/s320/Sept+10+284.JPG" /></a><br />On Sunday morning before we headed out (a day early-we missed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Da</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">da</span> and home) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span> had Kingston, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">McLain</span> and Grant's undivided attention as she let them play games on her computer. Oh, Auntie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span>. You are the best. And you are so brave. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kers</span> and Joe are the only couple in the house without children and they still hung out with us and are willing to do it again! <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4h67DqjI/AAAAAAAACZg/r_TOpW1nj_M/s1600/Sept+10+287.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514227317909727794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TIZ4h67DqjI/AAAAAAAACZg/r_TOpW1nj_M/s320/Sept+10+287.JPG" /></a><br />There is nothing in the world quite like hanging with your real, true girlfriends. I love these girls with all my heart and love seeing the families that they have created. We all have wonderful children who got along amazingly well and were very well behaved. And the husbands are good ones, too.</div><div> </div><div>I'm already looking forward to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">IOP</span> next year. I think our realtor owes us big next year. Real big!</div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-76193640754690786862010-08-22T16:27:00.004-04:002010-08-22T21:28:56.423-04:00The Wright Kind of Sunday"Hey there, hot stuff! So let me tell you a little story about my Sunday with my family."<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGuK6_fmvI/AAAAAAAACZA/gezcY8d3Hhw/s1600/Aug+10+202.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508375321908321010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGuK6_fmvI/AAAAAAAACZA/gezcY8d3Hhw/s320/Aug+10+202.JPG" /></a> "We rode our bikes to the Wright Brothers Monument. Well, technically, I did most of the riding while Mom and Dad did the pedaling. But I digress. We got to the airport just in time to see a plane take off, then we parked our bikes and headed up the monument."<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGuKYlbA9I/AAAAAAAACY4/HFMUJgN3uwU/s1600/Aug+10+233.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508375312672162770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGuKYlbA9I/AAAAAAAACY4/HFMUJgN3uwU/s320/Aug+10+233.JPG" /></a> "Whew! What a journey! I stopped for a moment to check out a bug on the sidewalk,<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGuKGEq0gI/AAAAAAAACYw/WrMue1RsLVg/s1600/Aug+10+235.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508375307702948354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGuKGEq0gI/AAAAAAAACYw/WrMue1RsLVg/s320/Aug+10+235.JPG" /></a><br />then finally made it to the top. I found a nice seat and enjoyed the scenery for a bit."<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGuJ7irtVI/AAAAAAAACYo/B6uYPnAgIBw/s1600/Aug+10+239.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508375304876045650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGuJ7irtVI/AAAAAAAACYo/B6uYPnAgIBw/s320/Aug+10+239.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGI6IviVYI/AAAAAAAACYg/udkZe7Z8iCk/s1600/Aug+10+242.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508334351611483522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGI6IviVYI/AAAAAAAACYg/udkZe7Z8iCk/s320/Aug+10+242.JPG" /></a><br /><br />"We posed for a family portrait."<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508334343133731730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGI5pKSG5I/AAAAAAAACYY/FU8zCczKPNI/s320/Aug+10+245.JPG" /><br />"Dad and I did some exploring."<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGI5NUmXVI/AAAAAAAACYQ/jr0_TTUizys/s1600/Aug+10+246.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508334335660809554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGI5NUmXVI/AAAAAAAACYQ/jr0_TTUizys/s320/Aug+10+246.JPG" /></a><br />"Check out the really neat sky."<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGI4tgTazI/AAAAAAAACYI/bmSEN4oO-XE/s1600/Aug+10+247.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508334327119964978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGI4tgTazI/AAAAAAAACYI/bmSEN4oO-XE/s320/Aug+10+247.JPG" /></a><br /><br />"Mom talked me into going and knocking on the big door. No one answered. Then she tried to convince me that she knew there wasn't anyone there. Sometimes I wonder about her humor. . ."<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGI37UWCcI/AAAAAAAACYA/nsuPgKg0U6Q/s1600/Aug+10+248.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508334313648032194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/THGI37UWCcI/AAAAAAAACYA/nsuPgKg0U6Q/s320/Aug+10+248.JPG" /></a><br />"After the monument we went for a slice of pizza, played at the park, then pedaled (or rode, in my case) home for naps. We had a great day, just the 3 of us."<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-8193720865749567152010-08-18T15:57:00.002-04:002010-08-18T16:18:19.279-04:00A Run Down Memory LaneTuesday I spent the early morning hours running through <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manteo</span>. I had to go to the courthouse by 9:15 in order to get my expired registration ticket dismissed (what a pain!) and I also had to do 5 miles. Solo. Tuesdays are the days when I run by myself and 5 is going to be the most I have to do on a Tuesday. It was the first time doing 5 solo so I thought I would try to make it a little more interesting.<br /><br />So here's what I did. I called my Aunt Freda, who conveniently lives in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manteo</span>, and asked her if I could take a post-run shower at her house before having to be in court. (I like say, "having to be in court" as if it was for something scandalous, or as if I was a lawyer or something! No, I just serve <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">barbeque</span> for a living, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">thankyouverymuch</span>.) Of course she obliged, and the plan was made. I left home around 6 and got to her house just as the sun was coming up, orange and huge. I ran along the docks on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manteo</span> waterfront and had the most beautiful view. The sun was coming up, fish were jumping, geese and ducks were floating, and the docked boats were still in the water. Awesome. I ran through Festival Park and along the boardwalk there. I saw a rabbit and a few ballsy squirrels. <br /><br />Then I channelled my inner <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manteo</span> High School Cross Country runner and ran along some of the training routes we used to do daily. I ran behind the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manteo</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cemetary</span> (where people are just dying to get in (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">hahahahahahahahah</span>)) and up the road leading to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manteo</span> High. I smiled as I passed "Cancer Corner" where all of the teenage smokers used to hang out and smoke, one step off of school grounds, and entered the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manteo</span> High campus. I was overcome with memories of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">high school</span>! <br /><br />I ran one lap around the track, remembering exactly where my dad was standing, by the away team bleachers, when during an 800m race he told me to "turn it on and pass her!" when I was not far behind a Senior teammate who I never knew I could beat until he told me I could. And I did. I had to hold myself back as I got to the middle of the last turn in the track before heading into the final 100m where I should have been giving it all I had on the way to the finish line. I held back this Tuesday because I still had 3 miles to go! I remembered the part of the fence where my mom always stood, near the finish line, with all of the other parents, at every single track and cross country meet. Bless her giant heart!<br /><br />And then it was on to Mother Vineyard. Try as we might, in high school we could never find a cut-through to shorten that loop, which my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Garmin</span> told me was a good 2 miles. I didn't need or want to cheat this time, and loved the easy, pretty neighborhood loop, writing my blog post in my head as I travelled. After the Mother Vineyard loop I headed back to Aunt Freda's house, a mere 5.1 miles later. It was a great run! I will be running in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manteo</span> again soon, for sure.<br /><br />And I even got to watch a few minutes of the Today Show and read a little of my book while sipping a cafe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">au</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">lait</span> in a cute little coffee shop before my big court appearance. I had a great morning. All by myself. <br /><br />Sometimes that is much needed. A little time to run solo. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-49173547805735980562010-08-01T19:46:00.002-04:002010-08-01T20:03:19.025-04:00Let the Fun BeginHalf-marathon training officially starts tomorrow. It is pretty sad how excited I am about this! There have been times in the not-so-distant past that I would have thought running 1 mile would kill me, and I'm about to go on a journey that will take me 14 miles on one run in a matter of weeks. Crazy! But so exciting!<br /><br />Tomorrow I will strap on my new <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=349"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Garmin</span> Forerunner 305</a> (thanks, Mom!) and go for my first "official" training run. At 5:15 a.m.. Wow. Wonders never cease.<br /><br />And on a totally different note, I made the really bad decision to not fight Kingston about taking a nap this afternoon and instead let him lay in my bed and watch a movie in hopes that he would doze off. What actually happened was I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">laid</span> down with him and fell asleep for about 15 minutes but he never once shut his eyes. And I paid for it later, that's for sure! My boy still needs his afternoon nap. So much so that I put him in bed at the record early time of 7:15 and he was quiet (and asleep, I assume) by 7:30. Lesson learned. Crisis averted.<br /><br />So tomorrow, I hope 2 things: 1. I hope my first training run is wonderful with my new watch! 2. I hope Kingston doesn't wake up at 6:00 since he went to bed so early!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-51671078616187292992010-07-21T14:21:00.002-04:002010-07-21T14:36:15.078-04:00Kingston's BestieI got an early morning text from Ms. Cindy saying that daycare was closed today. Not a big deal for us because Kingston doesn't go on Wednesday. A big deal for Ms. Cindy because the reason she was closed today was because her daughter is sick with Mono. And I figured it was a big deal for other moms and dads that didn't want to have to miss work. So I texted Ms. Cindy back that I could watch Kingston's buddy, Liam, if his mom wanted me to. She gave me her phone number and next thing I know, I have 2 little blonde boys hanging out with me today!<br /><br />We went to a playdate this morning with about 6 other kids. It went great! Those two boys played so well together and with the other kids. After playdate we went on an adventure to McDonald's and had lunch. I wasn't sure if Liam was used to eating McDonald's, but I figured we were OK when we passed Dunkin' Donuts and he said, "Look, Kingston! Dunkin' Donuts!" And then we pulled in the parking lot and he said, "McDonald's!!!" <br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496426733633497522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEc6_jAvabI/AAAAAAAACXI/4lf15Jv_wgI/s320/IMG00014-20100721-1156.jpg" /><br /><br />Two cheeseburgers and fries later (and an attempt to get Kingston off the floor-eeew!) we ventured to Wal-mart. Kingston and Liam were good shopping buddies. Or at least Liam was. Kingston notsomuch when it came time to leave the choo-choo train aisle without a choo-choo train.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496426748009970994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEc7AYkW_TI/AAAAAAAACXQ/84G5sumG7wk/s320/IMG00016-20100721-1229.jpg" /><br />So now it is naptime and I am still waiting for the silence to come. First attempt was for them to share Kingston's bed. No go. Next, I tried Kingston in his bed and Liam on the floor. Uh-uh. Now Kingston is in his bed and Liam is in my bed and I think we finally have quiet. Or at least one of the two is down for the count. Hopefully they get a good nap in. And hopefully Liam isn't a drooler in his sleep. He is sleeping on my pillow!<br /><br />I have had the best time watching these two play together. The chemistry is just there, and they really enjoy each other. I could listen to them giggle and talk to each other all day. And, well, I pretty much have!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-18223273731394072252010-07-18T21:22:00.004-04:002010-07-18T21:54:03.902-04:00Race Time and a Mouse in the HouseOn Friday afternoon Kingston headed to Nana and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wo</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">wo's</span> house and Nigel and I headed to Virginia Beach to spend the night before my <a href="http://www.allenstonememorial.com/">big race</a> on Saturday morning. We stopped for a quick bathroom break for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nige</span> and a quick self portrait for me.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpjmRsiSI/AAAAAAAACW4/EkfTH7ZvOk0/s1600/July+%2710+200.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495422399357421858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpjmRsiSI/AAAAAAAACW4/EkfTH7ZvOk0/s320/July+%2710+200.JPG" /></a><br />We spent the night on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront only a few blocks from the starting line of the race. The people-watching in VB is beyond compare. It takes all kinds, and they were all at the boardwalk on Friday night! So entertaining.<br /><br />I got up early on Saturday morning, got my stuff together, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">texted</span> my friend Dallas to tell her I was heading out and took the short walk to the race check-in. Dallas and I met up, lamented the fact that we had to wear the scratchy timing chip <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">velcroed</span> to our ankles (and, yes, I have the blisters/raw spots to show why it was a valid lament), and moved into position for the race. It all came back to me! I hadn't run a race since high school but it was like riding a bike! I had to fight the urge to sprint out of the starting line and start picking people off at a rapid pace. It was a lot of fun, and brought back a lot of great memories. <br /><br />I had set a few specific goals for myself and I ended up meeting 2 of the 3. My first main goal was to finish and not walk-done with ease. Another goal was to run the 3.1 miles in under 30 minutes. I didn't quite meet that one and I'm slightly bummed about it. My official chip time was 30:46. Close but no cigar. If I would have just. . . Regardless, I am satisfied with my race.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpjUaeAtI/AAAAAAAACWw/1pGYBv97trA/s1600/July+%2710+203.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495422394562380498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpjUaeAtI/AAAAAAAACWw/1pGYBv97trA/s320/July+%2710+203.JPG" /></a><br />Here I am posing in front of the finish line. It was hot. Damn hot.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpjFEA58I/AAAAAAAACWo/cmoW3dGgAUg/s1600/July+%2710+204.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495422390441666498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpjFEA58I/AAAAAAAACWo/cmoW3dGgAUg/s320/July+%2710+204.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And meet Dallas, my partner in crime and the head <a href="http://www.obxrunningmama.blogspot.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">OBX</span> Running Mama</a>. The race was her idea and it marked her 1 year "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">runniversary</span>". I'm so glad she suggested the race because it was so fun!</div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpipQj0SI/AAAAAAAACWg/_6932EypZXo/s1600/July+%2710+205.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495422382978093346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpipQj0SI/AAAAAAAACWg/_6932EypZXo/s320/July+%2710+205.JPG" /></a><br />On the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">homefront</span>, Kingston had a bit of a sickness this weekend. Nana and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wo</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">wo</span> took such good care of my little boy. His fever was gone today, although his appetite is still not great. For example:</div><div> </div><div>Here is my little mouse sitting on his perch-<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpiWNfzJI/AAAAAAAACWY/x1gnVN37Gds/s1600/July+%2710+208.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495422377864973458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpiWNfzJI/AAAAAAAACWY/x1gnVN37Gds/s320/July+%2710+208.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And here are the crackers that used to be whole and used to have melted cheese on top. I made them for his afternoon snack after he turned down everything else I offered to him.</div><div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495422679466822082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TEOpz5w-ycI/AAAAAAAACXA/Gs7VQVzg0xM/s320/July+%2710+207.JPG" /></div><div></div><div><br />He ate all of the cheese off the top of the crackers and took one little bite off of each of them. Silly little mouse!<br /><br /><div></div><br />Tomorrow it's back to early morning running, Ms. Cindy's house and work.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-71534149225581604862010-07-09T21:10:00.004-04:002010-07-09T21:44:51.999-04:00Happy July!So far July has been busy and filled with fun. We went to some friends' house the day before the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> (which would be the 3rd for you people who are good with dates) for a pot luck and fireworks. The party was so much fun! There were tons of people there and the number of kids under about the age of 10 was staggering! Kingston enjoyed playing and wandering around and getting jumped on in the bouncy house. We had a great time. Until. . .<br /><br />We geared up for the fireworks. We had our chairs out, our juice (or beer, as the case may be) cups, and our flag.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfKdNW_YFI/AAAAAAAACWQ/s9JsXGeTR3w/s1600/July+10+177.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492080873752715346" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfKdNW_YFI/AAAAAAAACWQ/s9JsXGeTR3w/s320/July+10+177.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Kingston marched to the patriotic music and kept asking when the big-loud fireworks would start. He was pumped!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfKc4h6J1I/AAAAAAAACWI/1SQ9Bc83KqM/s1600/July+10+183.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492080868161365842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfKc4h6J1I/AAAAAAAACWI/1SQ9Bc83KqM/s320/July+10+183.JPG" /></a>The fireworks were a big hit. Actually the first 2 were pretty cool. After that, and after the noise got really rapid-fire and loud, the ash and cardboard started to rain from the sky, and people started running for cover, Kingston was not having any more of it. He fa-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">reaked</span>. Screaming, "I wanna go <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">hoooome</span>!" I picked him up. "My juice cup!" I grabbed it. "Mommy juice cup!" I grabbed it. "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chaaaairs</span>!" Nigel gathered them up. "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Backpaaaaack</span>!" Snatched it up. Headed to the car. We tried to convince him to watch them from the car but he was having none of it. He kept repeating that he wanted to go home. He has told the story over and over and over since then. <br /><br />Fireworks. Maybe next year. Notsomuch this year.<br /><br />On the actual 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of July we spent the afternoon and evening at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jerm</span> and Cole's house. They have a party every year and this year was possibly the best yet. Kingston loved swimming in the pool and even played a lot in the water without his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">swimmies</span> on. He kept asking to jump off my leg and sink and then try to come to the surface. He can almost get himself back up to the top! So cute and so brave!<br /><br />Nigel and our friend, Granger enjoyed a few <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">PBR's</span> by the pool.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfKccll8HI/AAAAAAAACWA/h1hJEZv6OFY/s1600/July+10+192.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492080860660625522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfKccll8HI/AAAAAAAACWA/h1hJEZv6OFY/s320/July+10+192.JPG" /></a><br />Uncle Bill helped Kingston and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Da</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">da</span> build a "big, big <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">choo</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">choo</span> track."<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJ0a9BBXI/AAAAAAAACV4/WbuEW7RPImg/s1600/July+10+197.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492080173027231090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJ0a9BBXI/AAAAAAAACV4/WbuEW7RPImg/s320/July+10+197.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Kingston enjoyed some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">coooold</span> watermelon.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJz7oIU9I/AAAAAAAACVw/-84MJMS9da8/s1600/July+10+203.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492080164618130386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJz7oIU9I/AAAAAAAACVw/-84MJMS9da8/s320/July+10+203.JPG" /></a> The 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> was great-especially since we didn't see a single firework. Kingston was happy about that.<br /><br /><br />On Tuesday we went with my friend Michelle and her 2 kids to a special showing of Sesame Street at Festival Park. It was totally lame! Well, Kingston was fairly entertained but I was not a fan. The costumes were pretty bad and the characters voices were not even close to the real thing. The only character who sounded fairly close was Grover. And Kingston got to hug him after the show.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJzv3ha8I/AAAAAAAACVo/UKGJ_KXyx_Q/s1600/July+10+212.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492080161461464002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJzv3ha8I/AAAAAAAACVo/UKGJ_KXyx_Q/s320/July+10+212.JPG" /></a><br />The best part of the morning was having a picnic on the lawn with a bunch of friends. <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJzTgmLlI/AAAAAAAACVg/jQSvnz1NUis/s1600/July+10+214.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492080153849114194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJzTgmLlI/AAAAAAAACVg/jQSvnz1NUis/s320/July+10+214.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />We've been spending a lot of time at the beach, and Kingston is really starting to have a great vocabulary and appreciation of language. He is starting to pick out rhyming words and really cracks up when I say things like, "You ate a <em>peach</em> at the <em>beach</em>!"<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJy9HL1cI/AAAAAAAACVY/BSe8k7sZoFM/s1600/July+10+174.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492080147836949954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bl22Yqv8YLI/TDfJy9HL1cI/AAAAAAAACVY/BSe8k7sZoFM/s320/July+10+174.JPG" /></a><br />I can't wait to see what the rest of the summer brings! So far so good.</div><div> </div><div>And on the running front, my knee is feeling great and I actually ran 4 days in a row this week. Granted, I never did more than 2.8 miles, but at least I was out there. Tomorrow I am going to do a mock 5K and see if I can get some faster splits. I may be running a 5K race next weekend. More on that if it really goes down!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/351/E804F00D089C2AE575C18073E934DF68.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785087619289203093.post-9751509338009043022010-07-01T21:16:00.002-04:002010-07-01T21:47:47.768-04:00Proof!I'm running again! Hooray! I am still taking it really slow and easing back into things, but I ran 2 days this week (only 1 mile, then 2 miles but still. . . ) and did crosstraining one day. My knee is feeling better with only mild pain while running. I've been so jealous of my running buddies and the miles they have been logging while I have been sitting on my butt. In a few weeks I should be right back in line with them. <br /><br />And starting August 1, one month from today, I will begin training for the <a href="http://www.obxmarathon.com/Top_Nav/outerbanksmarathon/fpraces_courseinfo.htm">Outer Banks 1/2 Marathon</a> in November. I will be doing this with the help of a running coach, Tonia, from <a href="http://racingwithbabes.blogspot.com/">Racing With Babes</a>. She is friends with my friend Dallas, who is blogging about the running adventures of the <a href="http://obxrunningmama.blogspot.com/">OBX Running Mamas</a>. Such solid girls and I'm so excited to go on this journey with them. Check us out when you can. Things could get a little crazy when the miles start to add up!Kingston's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09875575504010926503noreply@blogger.com2