Running??

Alright, first, happy weekend! I hope everyone is out enjoying this gorgeous weather we are having (at least here in Indy) high 70's, light breeze, and a lot of sunshine. Perfect! I've been thinking about posting about my running adventure for quite some time, and thought now was a good time to do it. On January 1st, I made a commitment to myself to run at least 4 days a week every week. No set timeline, no set mile goal, no set time on miles. Let's just start out by saying this, I.am.not.a.born.runner. I do not like to run. I have never liked to run. It just isn't in my make-up. Running is not something I would do to "blow off some steam" to "de-stress" or "for fun". Nope, not my cup of tea. But, I knew I needed to start doing something more active in the winter, and I challenged myself to take up this thing people like called "running". Ok, well it sounds easier to say you want to do it than to actually do it. At the beginning, I was barely running for 5 minutes straight. I was huffing, puffing, and not enjoying it. Once I finally was able to run a whole mile without stopping (around a 10 min 30 sec minute mile), I decided this whole running thing might not be so bad. Each week, I continued to run for a little bit longer, and upping my speed on the treadmill bit by bit. I dreaded going to the gym, but once my run was finished, I felt so much better and was glad I did it. Now, 9 months later, I am still running at least 4 times a week, and finally reached my goal last month of running 3 straight miles with no stops (just last week I did 3.1 mi!). Granted, I did it in 30 minutes meaning 10 minute miles (not so great) but I did it. Not only has my endurance gotten better, but I actually am now enjoying going for a run. That whole "blow off steam" thing really works :) If you had asked me a year ago if I would consider running a 5K, I would have called you crazy, but now, it's on my list of things to do. I would like to get my speed a bit faster before I do one, so maybe next Spring I'll try. It also helped me shed 12 lbs since January 1st. That stinking baby weight from Preston that was lingering on a year later- now is coming off, finally- combined of course with better eating habits.  So, there ya have it- I still wouldn't call myself a "runner" but a "runner in progress" more like it.
On to other news, I have also been thinking a lot lately just how much Preston is growing and changing each day developmentally. It is just so crazy when you stop and think that now this little 2 year old body can react, negotiate, and try to have opinions on everything that goes on during his day! Logically thinking is now starting to take place, and little things he says everyday prove that to me. Here are a few instances:
-Concept of weather: if we go outside and the breeze is a bit chilly he will say "brr...cold"
-Concept of "me"- he understands what is "mine" and what is "others" (for instance, he will get me my shoes and say "mommy's" or will get Reese her blanket and say "sissy's"
-Concept of prepositions- he has mastered the word and recognition of "under" if something falls under the table, he will sure let you know it is "under"
-Concept of schedule- I feel as though he is now grasping the schedule of the day, for instance upon waking up he says "eat" (breakfast) and then when he is done he says "play" knowing we play for a bit while I clean up
-Concept of safety- Ok, I know some of you that know Preston well may be laughing at this one. I was when I typed it :) I mean that he is aware of things that may be dangerous (this does not mean he will not attempt the dangerous act!) For instance, he will stay "stove....hot" or "coffee....hot"

That was just a few things I have been noticing lately, amazed by how his little mind is growing and concepts are new each and everyday.

Reese has been a busy little bee at Pre-K. Her teachers really have them focusing on cutting with scissors right now (trying to stay on the lines) and writing there names. Reese can write her name, but they are working on perfecting it (making the letters correctly and making them in the correct order.) She is doing well and loves her new class and new teacher. She goes Mon, Tue, and Thursday for a few hours each day and looks forward to it when she goes. We have her class field trip to an apple orchard and pumpkin patch on Monday so I am looking forward to meeting all her little friends!

Here are a few pics I have taken recently:

We took Izzy with us this morning to the drive thru at Starbucks, and she got her own "pup cup" of whip cream :)

A quick pic I snapped before school

They are building a roundabout behind our house, so Preston stands (or would stand) for hours on end watching all the diggers everyday.

One to One

First things first. We had Preston's orthopedic appointment a week ago to discuss his occasional limp on his right leg. After the doctor examined him, read his blood work, and reviewed his x-rays, he feels there is nothing we should be worried about. Back in April when Preston walked off the couch and this whole ordeal began, the doctor said that kids can limp anywhere between 4-6 months after and injury can occur (even though no bones were broken). He also said given that Preston is at the prime age for growing pains, that coupled with recovery from his April fall, may contribute to a bigger limp. Actually, it is much better now than two weeks ago. He is progressively limping less and less, so the doctor feels nothing is wrong and we should not be worried at all. Great news!

This past weekend Kyle and I were one to one. One parent to one child. Kyle took Reese back to Illinois where she stayed with my parents and his Mom while Kyle, his dad, and his brother went to a race out in Iowa. Reese had a great weekend. She spent some time with my parents and also with Kyle's mom and Reese's cousins - Maddy and Mekenna. They had a great day together. Bowling, manicures, ice cream, and an apple orchard. She was full of stories when they got home last night!

Preston and I also had quite the adventurous weekend while they were gone. Honestly, he was so much fun! It's so different when you have only one and he has no one to fight with :) We hit up an apple orchard Friday, and then went to Conner Prairie where they had a Machine Festival Saturday. He was in heaven with all the tractors, planes, fire trucks, and military vehicles all in which eh could climb in and out of! We had a blast! Here are some pictures from our weekend.

 Playing in the tractor at the orchard

Another tractor to play on

Got my apples, let's go!

Conner Prairie Machine Festival

               Yet another tractor to ride on :)

Tipton County Pork Festival

So much for a relaxing movie night at home last night :) By about 4:00, after a rainy morning but a sunnier afternoon, we decided we needed to get out and enjoy the mid 70 degree weather. So, what's better than a pork festival? Kyle had seen the ad for the festival in our town newspaper that he was skimming through during the kids' nap yesterday, so, when they woke up, we headed to Tipton, IN (about 35 min north of Fishers.) It was a beautiful evening to be outside. The kids each did two rides and then we had delicious pork chops for dinner (again, it was put on by the pork produces of Tipton County- so they were great!) We walked around and listened/danced to the music and enjoyed the most delicious strawberry shortcake from the Lions Club. It was a great night! I'm glad we headed up there. The cherry on the top was Reese got to ride a pony before we left!

Pics from the festival:

Riding the safari train

In line for the merry go round

Back to the grind...

It seems that summer is now officially over. Kids back to school. Rainy, chillier days ahead. And its gets dark way to soon now. Boo! We took full advantage of the 91 degree weather yesterday and had friends over to swim and for pizza and beer yesterday afternoon. The kids wore themselves out and it was a great ending to a pool filled summer. 

Well, both kids survived their school day this past Thursday from 9-1. Preston did awesome at his drop off- running in to find a bus to play with, and waving bye to Reese and I. No tears and no looking back. Apparently when I picked him it, his teacher said Preston was much more "mature" than most kids in the class (I mean, really?! My kid?) and she thought he would learn much more and be more challenged in the class across the hall (with kids 2/12 -3) He was currently in the young 2's class. After talking with Kyle, we both agreed that to help him speak more (he has a lot of words, but they are not two phrases yet) and to help with potty training, him being around a little bit older kids would benefit him. He is also quite tall for his age, and was towering over some of the smaller kids in the other class. So, our one day in that class was all he got to enjoy. Next Thursday he will move to the other room so I hope his drop off goes as well as this one did!

Reese also did great. She got in the car when I picked her up and she yelled "I had so much fun, Mom!" Always a great thing to hear! She told me all about her day, and even has 5 friends in her class that she also had last year. 

As for me, well I did what any mother kid free would do, SHOP! :) With my upcoming Vegas trip for a best friend's bachelorette party the end of September, I had to go get some Vegas worthy clothes :) I had great success and it was so much more pleasant going by myself. The 4 hours went way to quickly, but it was a very nice break for sure. 

This weekend is pretty low key. I went to a kids boutique consignment sale with a friend this afternoon to get some fall clothes for the kids, and with the rainy weather, we wont get outside. May be a movie night is in store! 

Here are some pics of the kids:

 Thoroughly enjoying the last hot day

 Very excited for her first day!

 Preston at drop off, ran straight to the bus!

 Reese making a handprint curtain with her new teacher, Mrs. Donnenhoffer

 In front of her school on her first day, Tuesday Sep.2

Preston's first day with Reese, Thursday Sep.4

Weekend update

Disclaimer: I started typing this last Saturday, finished in tonight!

First and foremost, hope everyone had a great three day weekend. We sure did. Kyle flew in from Germany Friday afternoon and we fully enjoyed our family weekend. Saturday we went out to eat with our neighbors and their 4 kids, and Sunday we headed to Shelbyville, about 45 minutes south of Fishers, to go to the casino with friends while the kids had a sitter. Our friends have 2 little girls as well, so the four kids had a fun sleepover while we lost money at the casino. Nope, we weren't big winners, but it was fun anyways! We spent the night there, so Monday we came back home, and spent the afternoon relaxing and playing outside.
Update on Preston's leg- he still limps on and off. Blood work came back normal, x-rays came back clear and normal, so we see the orthopedic doctor next Monday morning to try and get some sort of an answer.
Reese also started her first day of Pre-K today! She only went for an hour, and I went with her, and we had fun! It was neat to see her play with her friends, and meet her new teacher. She is looking forward to going on Thursday all by herself. Preston will be going on Thursday as well, so I will be kid free from 9-1. Not sure what I am going to do yet, but it will surely be a nice break!