Hey Batter Batter.... Swing!

In an attempt to wear Drew out and get him outside to play - we ventured to the neighborhood park on our anniversary to hit a few balls and play on the playground.  Daddy is trying to keep our 3-year old interested in hitting "bombs" by bringing the Tball set and trying to get him to catch a few balls.  At three, the attention span doesn't last too long... especially when the swings and slide call...

But Daddy did manage to get two rounds of batting practice in...

Dave tried to get Drew to switch hit - something he recently started working with him on (Drew bats lefty, throws righty) but the poor kid had enough and wanted to hit the playground instead of another round of tball.  A nearby little league game was going on, so Dave watched perched from the playground and Drew climbed, hit the swings and ran his little heart out.

Sick Day Therapy

Last Thursday Drew stayed home courtesy a 12 hour stomach bug.  It was a rough overnight and early morning, but by late morning he'd turned the corner.  So when he begged to play outside that afternoon we let him.  It made for some sweet baseball practice shots with Drew and Daddy.

I absolutely love this picture!  It could be a baseball card for a certain 3 year old - couldn't it?

Daddy teaching Drew how to put his hand in the glove properly.

Making sure it's a right fit.

As far as the stomach bug, it appeared to only be a 12 hour thing.  So back to school he went the next day.

He Has Risen!

He has risen!  Not only are we talking about Jesus on Easter morning, but our own in-house early riser... 5:45am to be exact.

Since we needed to get to church early, we decided to get the show started.  We unleashed Drew to find all the eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny.

After he found all 42 eggs - 10 dyed, the rest plastic - it was time for his Easter Basket.  Inside he had a coloring book, 2 sticker books, "dessert" a.k.a. Recees peanut butter eggs, a Frog & Toad L2 Reading book, and a Mobigo game

Once he opened each and every one of his plastic eggs to see what kind of loot was inside (some quarters, stickers, and candy) we had to hurry up and get ready for the Church Breakfast, Easter Egg Hunt and Service.

Drew was happy to find something on the buffet table he'd eat - doughnut holes.

At 9:15 they started the Easter Egg hunt for the kids - which was moved indoors because of the rain.  Drew wasn't sure what to make of all the kids who tried to trample him and get to the easy eggs first.

In the end, Pastor's son snuck Dave a few of the spare eggs to "hide" them special for Drew to find.  I think that was the success of the egg hunt for Drew...

After the church service - which was standing room only - we stepped outside to take some photos at the flower cross.  Members are asked to bring flowers from home to decorate this cross which starts outside, moves inside to the altar and then back outside after the service.

After church we were off to Grammy and GrampC's to have dinner and enjoy everyone's company.  I apparently never snapped any pictures.  Oops.  Bad Mommy.

Dye Job

We spent the morning of our anniversary getting a dye-job... of the Easter Eggs.  Or as Drew calls it... Egging.

Daddy and Drew were being silly and started making egg-heads.

Drew got so excited about the egg-head move that he rammed one egg into the tabletop...

There's the casualty...

We only dyed 10 eggs...

.. but have no fear he had plenty to find the next morning.  A total of 42 when you count the plastic ones we've collected over the years.

The boy behind the dye job was quite pleased with the final results.

Good Friday

On Good Friday Drew's preschool had a brunch for the parents and the kids followed by an Easter Egg hunt.  Then school closed early for the holiday weekend.  I'm not sure what Drew was more excited about - the Easter egg hunt or the fact that he got to go to Mommy's work afterward.

So far it looks like he's pretty excited about the Preschool Easter Party...

Troy and Drew getting ready for brunch.

Silly Drew eating the only thing in the buffet that appealed to him - powdered donuts.  Forget about fruit and boiled eggs!

After food it was time to get their decorated bags to head over to the Easter Egg Hunt.  Drew gave me a nice cheese face.

 The Bunny & Frog Class (3 & 4 Year Olds) getting last minute instructions from Frog teacher Ms. Kirsten. 

And they're off!  Drew went to town finding the eggs.  It cracked me up - he'd shake the eggs and if he didn't think he'd like what was inside he'd drop it and leave it for someone else.

In the end he was thrilled with the final results!

After school we headed out for the early release and got a much needed haircut and lunch before going to mommy's work for a few more hours of productivity.

Drew's Easter Message

We wish you and your families a blessed Easter!  To honor the risen Lord, Drew has a special message - his Sunday School memory verse.



That's from Matthew 28:6

(The older kids were learning the Nicene Creed - a bit tough for the PreK - K aged kids)

"Iron" - Man and Wife

I read somewhere that starting the 6th year of marriage you're entering "truly devoted" years (6-25th anniversary).  Prior to that you're newlyweds - really?  Well today Dave and I celebrate six years of marriage - our Iron Anniversary.

Some say that iron shows the durability of your marriage.  I'd say that we're pretty durable with everything that goes with a family, work, friends, our extended family and all the good and bad that life throws at you daily.  

And I wouldn't want to spend those daily moments with anyone else, but my one and only - my best friend and husband.

Wedding March

Saturday after the Pat Tillman Race, Dave and I hurried home to get cleaned up for a wedding we were attending for some of Dave's softball friends. It was a beautiful - and short - ceremony at a nearby winery and event center. 

One of the cool things - a photobooth for the bride and groom to capture memories of their guests.  Dave and I had a good time in there...

Dinner was served family style and so it was salmon, tritip, green beans, rice and mashed potatoes.  YUM!  Bar was open and you know we took advantage of it.  Dave did his obligatory worm moves on the dance floor and we overall enjoyed ourselves emensely.  You have to love a wedding where you can dance until you literally cannot dance anymore.  Yeah that was us.  My hammies were proof for about two days afterward... well you know with the race before the dancing and all....

Here are a few candids from the wedding....

Dave with some of the guys from the bachelor party...

Dave and Josh - Groomsman and one of his Softball "coaches"

 Dave, Steve (groom), Heather (bride), and me

Cabin Fever

I'm a little slow on getting this post to you - these pictures are from nearly 2 weeks ago.  Drew had a serious case of cabin fever and it was fairly nice out that day.  We started out the morning watching my co-worker's daughter play lacrosse for her high school - at one near our house.

Well if you were there, you know Drew spent the game doing his Rocky training - going up and down the bleacher steps.  Did I mention they were alluminum... so they were mighty noisy every time he did a "Rocky Jump"?

Then I had to run a million-and-one errands, while Drew and Daddy stayed home.  And since baseball was on, that meant Drew was contained to the house.  Which he's finding mighty boring as the weather gets nicer and nicer out.  By the time I returned he was begging to play outside and go to the park.  So the three of us made the trek.

Well the nice weather turned windy rather quickly and Daddy who was in shorts and a Tshirt was a little frigid.  After about 30 minutes we had to call it quits and head back home.  Of course we used the fact we needed to make dinner as the excuse...

Shadowing a Legend

Saturday was a busy busy day at our house.  Being kidless for the weekend so we could attend a wedding, we also decided to sign up for the Pat's Run - San Francisco Shadow Run.  This is the annual run is in Tempe, Arizona - which I ran in Tempe last year.  I've done this race that I've done for the past 3 years (the race is actually in its 7th year).  Dave decided to run the 4.2 miles (Pat Tillman an ASU alum was #42 in college).

It was a great day in San Francisco

Here's Dave and I in near where the race started - in the background you see a foggy Golden Gate Bridge.

To the right of where we are standing is "The Rock" - Alcatraz.  Not as foggy in that direction.

So our run brought us nearly to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Can you imagine running with this as your view?

Here's a shot of us after the race.

 My final time - 45:15.  I had my Running app track me for 4.25 miles (so .05 longer than I was supposed to run - my app only measures in 1/4 miles).  Dave didn't turn around at the correct spot, so he actually ran 4.5 miles with a time of 48 minutes.  He believes his app told him he hit 4.25 miles in about 46:30ish - so he was a minute-and-a-half-behind me.  Oh did I mention he didn't train at all for this (I'm sure he'd add that tidbit if I wasn't forthright).

To give you some perspective.  When I first did this race at Pat Tillman's High School in San Jose back in 2009 my official time was 45:01.  For a race recap and pictures you can check here.

And last year when I joined 30,000 other runners across the 42 yard line at Arizona State, my time wasn't so great - 48:31.  I wasn't used to running in the heat!  For pictures along the race route and a recap of that one you can visit this page.

I guess that means it's time to start training for my half-marathon....

Update: On 4/21 I snipered received a snapshot of all of the SF Shadow Run participants...

 

Dave and I are just behind the yellow sign off toward the left - sort of behind the guy wit the maroon and gold jersey.  

When GrampC is in Charge

Drew had a weekend with Grammy and GrampC because we were running in a race and had to attend a wedding. GrampC was brave enough to take Drew to a 3YO birthday party.

Well I was getting updates on the chaos...




That would be my son climbing through the window.

And here he is marching to his own beat.




I guess both of them had fun at the party though. So that's good.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What did I just do?

I know I'm a little tardy with the blog post this morning.  I don't have the one about Drew I was planning - so I'll keep that in my back pocket for next week.

The reason I'm late - I signed up to run a half Marathon... as in 13.1 miles.  What did I just do?!

I did this race last year - but the 10K (they offer a 5K, 10K and half marathon).  The 10K was a first for me.  But this year I will do the half marathon, well because I'm crazy and it was a goal of mine.  The bright side?  I have until October to train. 

Oh and I have my first "race" of the season tomorrow - Pat's Run, the Shadow run through San Francisco.  4.2 miles of fun.  I couldn't make it to Phoenix this year to join the other 30,000 participants, but the San Francisco group I hear is nearly 100 participants. 

Showtunes

Ok, ok.... I've been a little lax on the blogs this week.  I have a good reason.  Laziness.  Well that and my computer had a virus and it was out of commission.  Yeah I like that reason better....

Anyway for your patience here's a cute little video of Drew singing the Wonder Pets theme song (Nick Jr show).  I think it has a cute little message - the show and song I guess.



I'll try and get my act in gear for more consistent blogs this week - HA there's one more day left!

Open House Art

I kept forgetting I had this art project of Drew's on my phone from his preschool Open House a couple weeks ago. The "story" is what cracked me up.




For this who can't make it out, it says it's a picture of "Jesus playing with baby toys".

Drew for whatever reason has it in his head Jesus is a baby - I think because Christmas and the birth of Jesus is stuck in his brain.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My "Resolutions" Update

Not a lot happening at home.  Same old thing, although Drew was incredibly excited to wear his "Rocky outfit" to school today for Tuff Tumblers (his tumbling class).  So, since we're now 1/3 of the way through 2011 I figured I'd update you on some of my personal resolutions and where I'm at.


Resolution 1: 
To run 475 miles this year.  That's an average of 9+ miles/week.  As of this morning I have run 99.5 miles.  So I'm fairly certain I'll reach that goal.


Resolution 2: 
To read 40 books this year.  I'm just starting #16.  Again, with all my travels this year I'm highly certain I'll reach this one too. 

Here's a look at the "list" along with my rating system:
1.) My Antonia (+)
2.) Cutting for Stone (-)
3.) The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (-)
4.) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet (++)
5.) The Missing by Tim Gautreaux (+)
6.) Major Pettigrew's Last Stand (+) Slow start, good ending
7.) 9th Judgment (+)
8.) Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest (++)
9.) Water for Elephants (+++)
10.) Dark Places - Gilllian Flynn (+, dark.. slow start)
11.) Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter (-)
12.) The Book Thief (+)
13.) The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (-)
14.) A Reliable Wife (+)
15.) The charlamagne Pursuit (+)
16.) The Lacuna ()

I Can't Make This Stuff Up...

Seriously I cannot make this stuff up!    I can't get over the imagination of 3 1/2 year olds. The things that come out of his mouth are hysterical.  I really have no clue where it comes from.

For all of you Facebook followers, there are a few Drew-ism repeats (but one or two newbies), but because I don't document the things posted on Facebook I'll have to post them here - since this also acts as a chronicle of Drew's life.  Here are a few recent conversations with the imaginative 3 YO.

3/18 -
Me: "Drew, get his finger out of his nose"
Drew:  "I can't. A sharp snail crawled up there and I have to get it out." 
Really?

3/21 -
Drew: "You can't wash my face, because then it'll fall off my head, and that would be bad."
Me:  "We'll take our chances."

3/23 -
So I'm reading in bed, and Drew was shocked I wasn't reading out loud.  Here's how the conversation went down:

Drew:  "Mommy you're not reading."
Me: "Yes I am, I'm just reading in my head.  Like when you have thoughts on the inside."
Drew: "I don't have any."
Me: "You don't have any thoughts?"
Drew: "No, the batteries died."

I DIED laughing and called Dave over to replay what happened.  It then went into a discussion about how we replace Drew's batteries. (you need a charger - in case you're wondering LOL)

3/26 -
Drew: "My boogers look like popcorn!" (as he's rolling a fresh one around on his fingertips)
Me: "Um, how do they look like popcorn?"
Drew: "They are white and yellow - like popcorn"

Thankfully he didn't decide to eat this popcorn...

And just to give you a photo for this post... here's a wiped out Drew from almost 2 weeks ago.

Mommy's Home

After I got home from my Philadelphia travels a certain somebody wouldn't let me out of his sight or do anything that didn't involve him.  So I decided we should replace the batteries in one of his favorite games - Elefun (which until the other day he wouldn't move around to catch the "butterflies".

Well on Saturday he was a giggly mess when it came to "elephant".



Yes he said the butterflies taste like popcorn.

Rocky Run - With Music

As I mentioned before, Drew is obsessed with going outside and doing his "Rocky Run's".  I posted a video from a few weeks ago when Drew kept falling - for those that missed it, you can find it here.

Well before I went to Philadelphia last week, he did it again, but this time to the "Rocky Run song". And he was a little more coordinated...



Did you notice the 'freeze' move Drew does... you know, just like Rocky does in the movie...

I Dip, You Dip

Finally!  Drew is learning to dip foods he may not be crazy about in some condiments.. like ketchup!  Here are the pictures that Dave sent me last night (while I went to bed extra early at 8pm ET).

Woohoo!  He's been on a hot dog boycott for a while now, but it looks like they're OK again! 

Oh and I'm pretty sure Daddy dressed him in his Dodger shirt because it was baseball's opening day... and the Dodgers were playing the World Series Giants!  Oh and those "champs" went down last night - which I'm sure made my house a happy house!