Pre-show selfie- Kevin is feeling a little squirmy too apparently.
Puss in Boots!
Puppet show laser-focus!
Puss in Boots fighting a lion!
Meet the actors- petting Puss in Boots
Monday, June 13, 2016
Puss in Boots Puppet Show 2016
After my 5K race, we took the kids to a puppet show in Port Jefferson. We got there early and got good seats but that led to extra squirminess for the extra time waiting. They were pretty mesmerized during the show though. Fun family time!
Sunday, June 12, 2016
My First 5K 2016
Last Sunday I ran my first 5K!
How do I explain my (non)history of running? In high school when the gym teacher forced us to run the mile to measure our physical fitness I always tried my hardest, even though I hated every second. I watched the cool girls just walk nonchalantly around the track, but I just couldn't bring myself to not care. I cared about everything. That said, my personal best mile was about 8 minutes... which, in case you're not a runner, is very slow for a mile. That's a young, thin Ericka trying her very hardest for maybe a year... 18 years ago.
Since then I've rarely run except for some brief flirtations with treadmills, but even that ended over a decade ago.
So one morning, after many years of pondering why my friends run half-marathons and marathons, I decided to do it. I registered for the shortest race in close proximity. Janice gifted me sneakers for my birthday- thanks Janice! And shortly after that I signed up. I had enough time to do an 8-week training schedule, which I turned into 10 weeks with a 1-week Japan break. This plan was possibly flawed because it wasn't enough time, it was interrupted by Japan, but mostly because I couldn't even do what the training program required. When I asked my doctor why I couldn't run for 30 minutes, he said maybe I needed more training time. But after he inquired about my high school running, he shook his head slowly and said maybe I'm just not built to run.
Whatever. My goals were simple: 1- Beat my practice times which were about 43 minutes for a self-timed 5K (3.1 miles), and 2- Not come in last. Nonetheless, that morning I was freaking out. I felt a little ill. It didn't help that I went alone. I even encouraged my family to stay home because I was concerned about Kevin entertaining the kids for a big stretch. When the race director gave a moving speech about the hometown hero who had passed away at a young age and in whose honor we were running, I cried. I suspected the race director was actually the mom. I was not off to a great start.
I achieved my goals: 1- I beat my practice times (coming in at 41:10) and 2- I didn't come in last! I was still kind of mad about how slow and almost-last I was. Evidenced by this below:
Working hard
Perhaps I could have shaved off some seconds or even minutes by not taking pictures while I ran, but I could no more hold my pictures than hold my breath. Actually, Chrissy said the one thing that made me feel a little better: "But you were so much faster than all those people sitting on their couches." Truth.
How do I explain my (non)history of running? In high school when the gym teacher forced us to run the mile to measure our physical fitness I always tried my hardest, even though I hated every second. I watched the cool girls just walk nonchalantly around the track, but I just couldn't bring myself to not care. I cared about everything. That said, my personal best mile was about 8 minutes... which, in case you're not a runner, is very slow for a mile. That's a young, thin Ericka trying her very hardest for maybe a year... 18 years ago.
Since then I've rarely run except for some brief flirtations with treadmills, but even that ended over a decade ago.
Looking dubious pre-run
So one morning, after many years of pondering why my friends run half-marathons and marathons, I decided to do it. I registered for the shortest race in close proximity. Janice gifted me sneakers for my birthday- thanks Janice! And shortly after that I signed up. I had enough time to do an 8-week training schedule, which I turned into 10 weeks with a 1-week Japan break. This plan was possibly flawed because it wasn't enough time, it was interrupted by Japan, but mostly because I couldn't even do what the training program required. When I asked my doctor why I couldn't run for 30 minutes, he said maybe I needed more training time. But after he inquired about my high school running, he shook his head slowly and said maybe I'm just not built to run.
The starting line. SPOILER ALERT: Shirtless tall teen guy on right was the winner.
Whatever. My goals were simple: 1- Beat my practice times which were about 43 minutes for a self-timed 5K (3.1 miles), and 2- Not come in last. Nonetheless, that morning I was freaking out. I felt a little ill. It didn't help that I went alone. I even encouraged my family to stay home because I was concerned about Kevin entertaining the kids for a big stretch. When the race director gave a moving speech about the hometown hero who had passed away at a young age and in whose honor we were running, I cried. I suspected the race director was actually the mom. I was not off to a great start.
My position on the starting line was behind these guys.
I achieved my goals: 1- I beat my practice times (coming in at 41:10) and 2- I didn't come in last! I was still kind of mad about how slow and almost-last I was. Evidenced by this below:
Woman pushing stroller beat me. Seriously! And almost all the other runners too.
At least I got to run by the beautiful harbor.
Working hard
Pre and after party in the gym
After the race I walked home... about 3 miles... in just a little more time than I ran 3 miles. Sigh.
Stats:
Time: 41:10.2, Pace: 13:16/mile, Place: 220/234
37 F, Division 35-39 F, Division Place: 9/10, Gender Place: 106/117
Stats:
Time: 41:10.2, Pace: 13:16/mile, Place: 220/234
37 F, Division 35-39 F, Division Place: 9/10, Gender Place: 106/117
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Strawberry Picking at Lewin Farm 2016
Ever since we moved, we live closer to a bunch of farms, so I've been following the progress of all the "u-pick" fruit. At last, strawberry season had arrived! Last Saturday, we went strawberry picking at Lewin Farms. Sometimes these adventures I plan don't go so well (see eg, apple picking) but I was pleasantly surprised! The kids loved strawberry picking and behaved well!
Strawberry joy!
Working hard for the fruit he loves.
Trying not to step on the strawberries
Showing me her haul. She was very picky about taking only "not yucky" ones!
This is just so freaking idyllic. Seriously.
Bonus fruit from the farm's market!
The best part- eating a ton of strawberries with no restraint!
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Lukas, Sarah, and Lio Visit! 2016
Lukas, Sarah, and Lio visited us over Memorial Day weekend! We had so much fun! They got in Friday night and after the kids were in bed we spent quality adult time. Then Saturday we went to the beach!
One of the best parts was how much time the kids got to spend tormenting each other. BFFs!
Saturday night, Sarah and I had an early Girls' Night Out and went to see Love & Friendship, the movie based on the Jane Austen story Lady Susan. We got an obscene-sized popcorn and soda because we are terrible liberals. Haha. Then we got home in time to put the kids to sleep while Kevin and Lukas went for drinks down the street. Woo! It's like having timeshare kids!
Sunday afternoon we went to Port Jefferson together. We started with lunch at The Pie and then we wandered around to see the waterfront and the town. We celebrated our successful outing with ice cream at the Port Jeff Cafe.
Monday morning, Memorial Day we had a little more bonding time before Sarah, Lukas, and Lio headed back to Queens. We miss you guys!
Lio enjoying the sand with Lukas and Sarah
Clous doing as we do.
Morning bonding: Miranda, James, and Lio enjoy breakfast and the paper
Playing with sand and water on the deck = Mud-covered children
Snacktime on the deck
Bedtime bonding: Miranda has met her match!
Time to jump on the bed!
Saturday night, Sarah and I had an early Girls' Night Out and went to see Love & Friendship, the movie based on the Jane Austen story Lady Susan. We got an obscene-sized popcorn and soda because we are terrible liberals. Haha. Then we got home in time to put the kids to sleep while Kevin and Lukas went for drinks down the street. Woo! It's like having timeshare kids!
Movie fun!
Sunday morning Lio tested out what it's like to be a kid in our home, which is a little different than being a kid at hers. There were tutus, tiaras, too much television, and many noise and light-emitting toys. Lukas quickly put the kibosh on the latter.
Tiara, tutu, and remote. She gets it.
In Port Jefferson
At The Pie resturant
At The Pie restaurant
Happy ice cream face
Sunday night we planned to celebrate Memorial Day with a cookout. In addition to our red-headed visitors, we invited our friends Erika and Rob. We had burgers, hot dogs, snacks, a million beers, a little wine and lots of deep questions like, "what age are you inside your heart?" The kids took the opportunity of our divided attention to make a huge mess on the deck and in the yard.
Rob and Erika
Kids on the deck
Kids's mess on the deck- Miranda dunking chalk in water table.
Bathtime! (Censored.)
Monday morning, Memorial Day we had a little more bonding time before Sarah, Lukas, and Lio headed back to Queens. We miss you guys!
Chillin.
Lio helping James solve for X.
Tossing the baseball! Suburban life!
Playing with alphabet animals
Happy Memorial Day!
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Comesewogue Library 2016
We have more than one local library so we tried visiting the other one last week and checking out the children's section. It was really nice!
Super huge legos
James with a toy abacus thing; Miranda stressed as a cashier at the play store.
Miranda at the train table
Super huge legos
Baby Leo 2016!
Jamie and Emily had an adorable baby boy Leo! He wasn't due until July, but Leo has announced to the world that he does as he pleases and he didn't want to miss summer. He's little but he's mighty and healthy. For now he spends a lot of time in the NICU with his fun-loving parents, but I'm sure he'll be home soon. Leo's parents are passionate about their loves: bicycling, medicine, dancing like no one is watching, and their cat, but Leo is sure to be their biggest and most fabulous obsession.
Congratulations to all three of you!
Congratulations to all three of you!
Leo and mom Emily
Jamie, Emily, and Leo- first family selfie!
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
James's Game Farm Field Trip 2016
James's PreK class went to the Long Island Game Farm on May 26th, and it looks like they had a blast!
The back of Emma, James, Lexi, and Ellie
Ellie, Lexi, and Emma with a llama
Teacup ride!
Jump Bunch Soccer- June 2016
Jump Bunch is a local company that organized exercise and sports for kids. The library must have contracted with them to do this special event at the library, and so we get the benefit for free. James also had a Jump Bunch free trial day at school.
I figured Miranda would like this activity because she's always jealous of James when he plays soccer, and this activity was specifically for little toddlers. I was wrong. She was mostly shy and refused to play. These pictures show something which is not reality- I captured the few seconds when she was engaged. So, without further ado, lies and more lies:
I figured Miranda would like this activity because she's always jealous of James when he plays soccer, and this activity was specifically for little toddlers. I was wrong. She was mostly shy and refused to play. These pictures show something which is not reality- I captured the few seconds when she was engaged. So, without further ado, lies and more lies:
Miranda learning ball control
Kicking cones!
Catching balloons
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
