Fat Tuesday

Last week marked Fat Tuesday and we celebrated in a G-rated fashion unlike those in New Orleans.





We joined those at church for their annual Mardi Gras celebration. Dave and Drew even dressed the part donning a mask and some beads.

We followed Fat Tuesday with "Skinny Wednesday" aka Ash Wednesday and a soup supper at church.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

In The News...

Drew is famous - well at least in a small town way.  I mentioned earlier this week that we went to a Baseball meet and greet where Drew got Aaron Miles' autograph. 

Last night I was notified he made the paper - the local weekly paper that is passed around town.

Here's a video too - it's a bit long, but if you like baseball it may be interesting to see how Miles related with his fans.  At 1:20 is a Father/Daughter from Mom and Dad's church - fellow Dodger fans.  Drew's picture showed up at the end around 3:47.

But here's Drew's claim to fame in the paper - the only picture mentioning the Meet & Greet.

Of course he had to give a cheesy smile.  It was shortly after this photo that Dave was whacking my arm so I would look at him wearing the World Series Ring.

Dining Room Campout

Drew was mighty restless last week, so in a fit of desperation Dave built him a for to help keep him occupied.  It definitely did it's job. 

Then in the middle of the night - I believe on Friday night/Saturday morning Drew woke up upset that he didn't want to sleep in his bed anymore.  I asked him where he wanted to sleep... the fort.  Dave took him out there and got him set-up. 

I proceeded to fall back to sleep and woke up in the morning to find an empty bed.  And Drew's bed was also empty - that is when I remembered the middle of the night discussion about sleeping in the fort.  This is what I went to the dining room to find....

Drew slept awesome - once he finally fell asleep. Dave said he was a little nervous at first seeing various shadows (he asked for lights to be on) and hearing the wind kick things up in the backyard.  Dave said his ribs hurt from sleeping on the ground.   I'm just disappointed I didn't know I had the entire bed to myself until the next morning - I could've really sprawled out!

But it was quite cute to see the two of them in their fort...

Baseball Dreams

This past weekend we ventured over to Antioch where I grew up to see a former LA Dodger/St. Louis Cardinals 2nd baseman.  Aaron Miles - an Antioch High Alumni class of 95 - was doing a meet and greet at the Sports Legends Museum. 

This was right up Daddy and Drew's alley - baseball anything let alone a former LA Dodger.  Since Drew met him as a Dodger on the field this past season, we went to chat it up with him again.

It was pretty awesome - I have to say.  Aaron is a down to earth guy (who also has a 4YO son) and was really taking the time to chat with the fans.  We waited probably about 20-30 minutes and were talking to a few other Antioch Grads and parents of Antioch grads.

Dave of course took the opportunity to chat it up with him about everything baseball.  While I was talking to a local newspaper reporter who wanted to snap Drew's picture - I feel Dave whacking me in the arm to pay attention to him (sometimes I wonder who is the bigger kid).  Turns out he asked Aaron to see his 2006 St. Louis Cardinals World Series ring.  Being a manly man he didn't present his hand like a woman would if you asked to see her ring... instead he asked Dave if he wanted to try it on.  Dave pass up a chance to try on a World Series Ring are you kidding me?!

I think that big cheesy grin  says how excited he was. 

After my husband stopped molesting the ring we took up enough of his time, we ventured into the Sports Museum which was adjacent to the area where he was signing autographs.  It was kind of cool to see everything - including some friends in some sports team photos - but Dave wanted to make sure to pose Drew next to all the accolades for Aaron Miles.

Drew was having fun in there looking at all the trophies!  He kept shouting - "oh look there's another one!"  I meanwhile kept repeating - "stop touching that".

Upstairs at the museum was a little salute to Antioch past - from schools/yearbooks, newspapers, toys and other collections.  It was kind of neat to see for the first time.  Who knew there was so much history?  Dave on the other hand was drooling the entire afternoon after trying on the ring...

My Little Valentine

Anyone who knows me well, knows I don't celebrate Valentine's Day.  I flat out boycott the holiday, but I don't let Drew know that since someday I'm sure he'll meet and fall in love with a woman who is my polar opposite... a far as this holiday is concerned anyway.

So I bucked it up and went to Drew's Valentine's Day party at preschool.  Getting 30 kids together to accept 30 different forms of sugary packages... let's just say I was happy to be back in the quiet of my office when all was said and done.

Drew had a great time though!

I arrived fashionably late - and got there when the kids were enjoying their snacks.  Drew didn't see me sneak in at first.


After snacks, the teachers had the kids go to the "library" and find books to read while they cleaned up from the snacks.  Drew was the only one actually reading.  I read the story to his friend Naomi - the girl over his shoulder.

Then it was time to gather their valentine mailboxes!

This is where things were especially chaotic!  Helping 30 kids pass their treats out one at a time and make sure no one was skipped... craziness.  I didn't get any pictures of that since I was helping 1-2 kids at a time.

After receiving Valentines - the Director came in and they all did a little dancing and song.

I have to say it was really cute, and Drew did great when it came time for me to leave.  Usually he's ticked because other kids leave (the Part Timers) while he has to stay.  Despite my loathing for this holiday, I had a decent time and it was kind of cute.

Bribes Pay Off

We keep our promises.  I mentioned recently Drew has had issues sleeping and in his own room at that.  Well Dave finally helped get Dave moved back out of our room and into his own room.  Part of that was thanks in part to some bribes rewards.

I told him after a few tough nights how proud we were of him and if he could keep it up we'd take him to Chuck E Cheese.  Well we kept our word and paid up last week.

Drew didn't care about the games that won him tickets.  Instead he wanted to play air hockey.  All. Night. Long.  It's a kid sized table to Dave and I kept taking turns because our backs were hurting from crouching over so long.

He's already plotting what he gets for sleeping in his bed longer.  We haven't broken it to him that it is like when he was potty training... the treats only work for a short time.

One of the Big Kids

On Sunday at church we were invited to tag along with the youth group who was going bowling.  Since our afternoon freed up we decided it would be the perfect opportunity for Drew to experience his first bowling alley.

Drew bowled on the lane with Pastor, Daddy, and Pastor's soon-to-be Daughter-in-law (all the youth group were spread out on other lanes).  When Drew's turn came up, he the bumpers came up hoping to improve his game. 

Drew quickly learned real bowling is different than hallway or Wii bowling. 

Let's just say he wasn't breaking any records like he does on his Wii bowling game.  After 2 games he was pretty much done - they bowled 3 games.  The weight of the ball and the wait between one turn to the next finally did him in.  I think his average game was maybe 40, so not stellar, but not bad for a first performance.

It was really cute to see him trying to do it all himself, and then try so hard not to cry when his first roll didn't give him the strike he thought he deserved (in fact it was only 2 pins I believe).  I think Dave and I determined we should do this from time to time as a family - maxing out at 2 games.

Playing the Field

On Saturday we had plans to hit the park, but the early morning sprinkles nixed that idea.  Instead we decided to get a few chores done around the house then opted to do some wine tasting.

We started at BevMo where they had their 5-cent sale.  We found out then they offered wine tasting!  Who knew?  Afterward we headed out to Livermore to pick up one of our shipments and well to do some additional tasting. 

That's where Drew  was playing the field.  He made friends with a 2 1/2 year old little girl and the two of them ran through the vineyards and up to a gazebo then back to the vineyards.  I left her out of the pictures, but here are a few of Drew frolicking in the vines.

Yeah I have no clue what that face is about... a little freaky if you ask me!

We then went home to enjoy more wine and a sensational dinner and dessert.

I Guess We'll Keep Him Around

So I guess we'll keep Dave around a bit longer.  If you know him, you'll know he's not the best at putting things together or or fixing things.  Not for lack of trying, but he has the patience of a gnat and frequently uses potty language that would shock a trucker/sailor.  Don't worry honey I still love you....

But yesterday he surprised me.   Let me start by giving you a little background.

So last Friday night when Dave had a serious sweet tooth, he started baking some cakes.  Which mind you, is a first - the cake baking part, not the sweet tooth.  Well we were sitting there - me at the kitchen table working on Kindergarten registration stuff, him mixing the cake batter - when we heard what sounded to me like a cell phone on vibrate buzzing up against something.

Problem was, it wasn't a cell phone.  It was our oven which was preheating for the cakes popping and starting a mini fire on the coil - we have an electric oven/range.  I turned off the oven (dinner was cooking on the stove top) so I could put out the mini flame.  Problem was the damn oven wouldn't turn back on.

That didn't stop Dave from making his cake - he slapped that puppy on the BBQ!

I have to admit, it was damn good!  I had 2 pieces that night!

That still left us with an oven that won't turn on.  It is covered under our home warranty, but we have a $60 deductible.  Since we weren't going to be home all weekend, I didn't jump on dealing with the home warranty folks.  And truth be told we were wondering if we could fix it ourselves for less - we've made that brutal mistake a few times with things we've called into the home warranty.

So that catches you up, let's fast forward to the surprise.  Yesterday afternoon, I get a message from Dave saying he thinks he found the part we need, what do I think?  After a brief conversation - mind you we were IMing back and forth so it was short and sweet - I get a text a few hours later with the following!

My not-so-handy husband is actually becoming quite handy!  He fixed our oven so our child can survive once again on chicken and french fries!

In full disclosure (and so my husband doesn't lock me out of the house when he reads this)... I'm picking on him a little bit, and exaggerating slightly using some creative liberties.  While he doesn't build things like un-assembled furniture (I do that), he can hang things on the wall - like my new wall-hangy things or my laundry organization baskets (because I know this will be the first things he brings to my attention) - he just doesn't do this without a lot of begging and pleading.  He did this all on unprovoked.  That's what makes him a keeper - he's full of surprises!

Bye Bye Sugar Bugs

We are cavity free this morning - well Drew is, I go in next week for my own.  But Drew went back to the dentist this morning to get his cavity removed/filled.

On the way to the Dentist, he announced he wanted to be a dentist when he grows up.  I thought it was awesome he said that - clearly his first visit went well.  I was anxious to see if he felt the same after today's.

He got to the office and was a little shy, but warmed up to the hygienist, the same one we had last time who took so much time with him to show him the tools and explain the process in language he understands.  I swear they're awesome there!  So then it came time for me to wait in the waiting room and I could hear Drew telling stories about Rocky while he was being given the laughing gas. 

He did awesome!  No crying - and thankfully still no puking, since I was still nervous with them being in his mouth a bit more.

He came out 3 stickers and a parachuting army man heavy and a cavity lighter.  His only concern when it was time to leave... that we make sure to take the wad out of his mouth before he got inside school because he didn't want the other kids to laugh at him.  The wad is only to prevent him from accidentally biting or playing with the numb lips/cheek.

I warned school about him - they noticed he was quieter than usual when we walked in.  So tonight's reward for being so good at the dentist and sleeping in his own bed is a date with Chuck E. Cheese.  Yes I'm popping the advil already!

We Turned a Corner

Wouldn't  you know it, I leave town for a weekend (well nearly 2 weeks ago now) and Dave manages to get Drew back in his room at night!  That's right, Drew has more-or-less overcome his fears and is now sleeping in his room at night.  WooHoo!

This is the picture Dave texted me my first night in LA.

That's right, he's remained there the better part of the past nearly 2 weeks.  There have been a few nightmares and nights where he wanders into our room and after the 5th or 6th attempt we finally cave and let him finish sleeping in our bed - just because we're so exhausted ourselves from the previous 4-5 times he came in.

So later this week we are going to reward him with a trip to Chuck E Cheese.  We're so proud of him and even better yet he's so proud of himself!

Now for a little side story - nothing to do with sleeping, but I have to write this down or else I'll forget.  On our way to school today Drew and I were talking about  how many years of school he has ahead of him - discussing grades K-12 and then college.    We had the following discussion:

Drew: When I am done with high school I will go to college, and I'll become a Daddy when I'm there.
Me: No you can become a Daddy after you finish college and you start working.
Drew: OK my brother Marco will be a Daddy then too after college.  And my sister Violet will be a Mommy after College too.

No this is not an announcement about any upcoming additions to our house.  Drew has an imaginary brother and sister or rather wishful thinking on his part that he will eventually have a brother and a sister, which he has already named Marco and Violet.  And apparently they're going with him to college to become Mommies and Daddies together. 

The Other LA Fun

While the past few posts make it seem like all I did while in Southern California last weekend revolved around running - that's not entirely true. 

We also took our chances among the body parts and played tourist...

Thankfully we survived this trip - the scariest part was our tour guide (we did a tour) was making a call to who was likely his lawyer talking about bail or perhaps turning himself in.  I'm wondering if he was wanted for reckless driving... wowza!

After the tour, we headed back to my friend Angie's house for some adult fun...

Funny the ladies were partying happy, but Angie's husband was the one who woke up with the hangover.  Hehe Clearly we ladies can handle their liquor better than some men (we won't discuss the hangover I  had the last time Krista and I got together).

Friday morning we had to head over to the first of several trips to Disneyland to pick up our race packets.

We then did a little shopping in Downtown Disney.

Saturday was a down day for us, so we drove through LA, Beverly Hills, hit up Rodeo Drive and had lunch at Canter's. 

Saturday night we had to be low key since we were getting up so early Sunday morning so Angie and I could run.  After the race we all had well deserved naps and then a celebratory drink (or two) at Vinatero.  Angie has some good connections...

 How do you like our bling?

After getting a slight buzz it was back to what was our 4th and final trip to Disneyland to actually enjoy the park!  

L-R: Me, Angie, Krista

With our Neverland 5K registration we received one twilight ticket to a park of our choice.  The twilight ticket is good after 4pm (or 6 hours before close) and had to be used by Monday.  Going Sunday gave Angie and I a good reason to stretch out our legs.  This was Krista's first time to Southern California, and while she had the behind the scene's tour on Friday night, it was her first chance to see the park up close and personal.

Powered By Pixie Dust!

Yesterday I mentioned the Neverland 5K I did with some friends from around the country.  But that's not all I did last weekend.  The finale was the Half Marathon I ran on Sunday morning - as in I was awake around 3:15 am to make sure we were at our starting corral by 4:30am and a start of 5:45am.

Crazy right?  I joined 11,100 other women and 900 men (in case you can't do the math, that's 12,000 runners) for the Inaugural Tinker Bell 1/2 Marathon at Disneyland.

With so many people running through Disneyland, the streets of Anaheim and California adventure, they put us into Corrals.  I was clearly in Corral D (my friend Angie who was running was in Corral E) and you're assigned a corral based on your estimated miles/minute.  No need to put slowpokes like me up front only to be run over by the Kenyans or something.

Once we had our start, I started snapping away periodically during the run... including this one from the starting gate.

 

We had a brief run through the streets near the Theme Park then started inside of Disneyland where we spotted some unusual pirates...

Like the 5K we ran through some of the back lots and they pulled out some of the floats for our photographic pleasure.

Then it was on to Main Street!  By now the sun was starting to peek through.... I believe this is around mile 2.5

I had to snap a pretty picture in front of the Castle!  I love how the sunrise is turning the sky a beautiful shade of pink!  Then it was time to run through the castle...

On the other side we had to watch out for some pirates...

Just on the other side of the castle we hit mile marker 3 - nearly 5K in, another 15K to go....

After running through Disneyland we hit the streets of Anaheim.  It was around mile 6 the sun started really getting warm (mind you I'm used to running in the dark in about 30-40-degree temps.. this was probably 60-degrees at this point) and I started doing the Run/Walk technique which took me to the finish line.

That 10 mile marker was a sight for sore eyes... it means there's only a 5K to go!  Shortly afterward we ended up in California Adventure!

And we had more friends to cheer us along the way...

 Do you know what 13 miles means?! There is only a tenth of a mile left!! 

 And I made it across the finish line!  Final time 2:51:23... about 11 minutes slower than my previous half marathon in October.   (I'm in the center of the picture above looking really relieved to be done).

There was a ton of food and beverages at the finishing line, and then before I could get out to find my friends they forced us to take one final picture...

 

So Angie and I successfully crossed the finish line for the inaugural Tinker Bell 1/2 Marathon, and our one-woman cheerleader  Krista watched from the freezing cold bleachers. 

We're all inspired to do it again next year!  All you need is faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust!

Neverland 5K

I'm back to reality now after spending the better part of my weekend at the Happiest Place on Earth - you know Disneyland.  While it sounds like a lot of fun, it was really exhausting!  I drove down on Thursday to visit Hollywood and meet up with some friends - one of which flew out from Michigan to participate in a weekend of running around, literally.

L-R: Angie, Krista & Me
(These are my friends I met online while pregnant with Drew more than 5 years ago!)


Friday night at 10:30pm we actually hit up Main St. USA inside the Disneyland park to join 4,000 other crazy people to kick off the Inaugural Tinker Bell 1/2 Marathon weekend.

 What you can't tell in the picture, is all three of us are wearing fairy wings!!
L-R: Me, Angie, Krista (her first race ever - I'm so proud of her!)

In these next two pictures you can get a feel for how many people were crowded there on Main Street...

That bottom picture the starting line is over to the far right side of the image - almost where those spot lights are close to the Castle.

We were in I believe the 3rd corral - and we finally got our Starting gun - after moving up a bit.

So we started the race inside of Disneyland, and it wrapped around throughout the areas you have regular access to as well as lot of things behind the scenes.  Included in the behind the scene tour were characters and floats!

 (no that's not us in front of the float - I just snapped pictures while the other two were on the move).

We hit mile marker 1 on the hidden trails of Disneyland.

Mile Marker 2 I think was around Critter Country inside the Disneyland park.

 Then we crossed Downtown Disney and more hidden trails to California Adventure.  It was at this point Krista was getting tired and not sure she would make it.  I found some friends to help us...

Once we rounded the corner, we were excited to see our good friends Lighting McQueen and Mater.  Our boys (all three of us have 4 YO boys) are Cars fans - well mostly Krista's son.

L-R: Angie, Me, Krista

And then we were off to finish this race once and for all - no letting anyone give up this close to the end!  We hit a beautiful area of California Adventure!

While it was gorgeous this past weekend in Southern California, I'm not sure this is the normal kind of fun in the Sun...

... I mean  how many people run through two Disney parks after 11pm?

Only a tenth of a mile left!

These next pictures were from the professionals as we crossed the finish line!

 Me cheering for Krista as she finished her first race - and a 5K at that!!

You can see me, Angie is over my shoulder there, and directly behind me is Krista.

And the prize for crossing the finish line - our Neverland 5K medal (or rubber medal I should say).  While this race wasn't timed, my RunKeeper app clocked us at 53:50.  It was uber crowded and we stopped to take pictures.  So I think this is a fantastic time!