A Day at the Park

Nothing beats a day at the park on Monday morning. The sun felt amazing and I was able to catch up with my neighbor/friend, J and her two kids, E and E. Turns out that Tommy loves to swing as much as P did at that age and I must have pushed both P and Tommy for half an hour. We had such a good time, in fact, that I am playing hooky from my mom's group and we are going to park again to soak up some more sun today. Patrick and E
E & E

A D.C. Event

Tom and I returned this afternoon from our whirlwind D.C. trip-we left Saturday morning and returned Sunday by 10:30. This was our second year as guests at the Marine Corps University Foundation event in Crystal City. Just to make you sick, ladies, the tux Tom is wearing fit him in college. The only thing that still fits me from college is my old Jansport backpack.

We arrived at our hotel room, set down our bags, and I suddenly realized I had forgotten how easy it is to travel without any kids (they were home with my mom). Soooo easy. On went my non-mommy shoes:

...and off we went. Aren't they perfect? My feet have changed so much with my babies that these were a much-contemplated purchase for me (I love you, Kate Spade). I justified my splurge by doing my own pedicure. Not too shabby, toes.

Unfortunately, not a lot of photos from the trip, but it was good to spend some one-on-one time with my husband. Missed my little stinkers though.

For Pete's Sake

Really? 11 miles in 4 days and I haven't lost a SINGLE pound. I haven't been eating anything out of the ordinary (the birthday cake was luckily gone before I started). I am squeezing one more run for the week in tomorrow morning in prep for a big night out. Fancy clothes, fantastic shoes (the kind of shoes that make you feel incredibly happy) and no kiddos!

It's All So Easy On Day 1

6AM: Out of bed this morning and downstairs to our basement-in-progress for my first run. For the sake of my exercise program, we opted to set up the treadmill now rather than wait for the rest of our basement work, so Tom assembled it yesterday.

Enthusiasm and optimism were plentiful, so today was pretty easy (and I took it easy). 2.5 miles in 38 minutes, including my 5 minute warm-up. I then showered and dressed, all before the kiddos were even up. Ask me again on Friday how the 6am thing is going.

(Love this shot - the treadmill completely covers my problem area. I should do all of our family pictures here.)

Good Times

This weekend, I turned 35. Hmmm. Apparently when you turn 35, you should have more drinks in one night (with good friends of course) than you do over the course of a whole month. What a great time though! My longtime cohort, Gretchen, and her husband, Marty, joined us for dinner and had me laughing the whole evening. They are a riot.

Tom and the kids got me some great workout gear for my impending runs (treadmill may go up today!) and we ordered a wall organization system I have been eyeing up at Pottery Barn. I did my hardest to find a cheaper knock-off I liked as much, to no avail, so we sucked up the cost (it was on sale, at least) and it is on the way! I can't wait to get our kitchen clutter off the counter and onto the wall.

The basement is now my official arch enemy of unfinishedness.

Zoo Class

Thursday P and I attended our first zoo class, "Goodnight, Gorilla" where we learned all about animal bedtimes. It was an hour long class, well worth the 10 minute trudge through the zoo in the pouring rain to the education building. It was based off the book by the same name, and as you can see from the photos, P was able to pet the armadillo (who just wanted to sleep).

The Opossum also was not happy to be woken, and spent the whole time trying to get back in her crate.
Loved this class-and as members, the class was only $12 for both P and me. What a deal!

Bedtime Story

Tonight, as I tucked in Patrick, he started messing with the velcro on his panda pillow pet.

Me: Quit messing with Panda and go to sleep.
P: I am trying to bundle him (put him into stuffed animal form instead of pillow form)
Me: Well, it's bedtime and he is your pillow, so leave him alone.
P: He's not my pillow, he's my friend.