Mini Tri

The YMCA organized a mini triathlon for this weekend.  I found out about it three days before.  Which was good timing because then I didn't have to obsess about it and there wasn't much last minute training that I could do.

I have been having a hard time staying motivated and on track so I thought this picture that was on my friend's FB page may inspire some of you too.  I thought it was too funny, swimsuit season is fast approaching.  :)

(These are heart shaped cookies)

I have digressed.  The mini-tri consisted of a 20 minute swim (in the pool), a 30 minute bike (on a spin bike in the studio) and a 2 mile run on the Centennial trail.  I have to say, I had a great time and it was a good indicator of where I need to focus my energy.  It was DEFINITELY in the swim portion.  20 minutes doesn't sound like much, but when you're sharing a lane with 6 peeps and you feel like you can't slow down and/or stop, the pressure is on!  Toward the end I started getting the panicky, I'm going to drown feeling, but I talked myself through it.  (Besides the fact that I was in a pool with 20 other people and lifeguards), I think someone would have saved me.....
The bike was a breeze, but taking 6+ months off from running isn't the best strategy.  Although I think with running (short distances) it's all in  your head.  Sarah and I were able to push through it and run the whole 2 miles.  We were all quite proud of our spur of the moment mini-tri success!

Sadly, this is the only picture I have of my tri partners, Sarah and Stephanie.  I don't even have one of the three of us together, I forgot to take my camera this morning.  We didn't look as glamorous as this anyway.  :)

Super Mom part ll

I am so proud of myself I am about to burst....

We had a play date at Super mom's house on Monday.  Can you just imagine what her house looks like?  Yeah, it's pretty much perfect, nothing out of place, tidy and super clean.   Frankly, I know my house will NEVER be like that, even when the kids are big and grown and gone, my house will never look like that.  That's ok, I stole some ideas and I am moving in the right direction. 

I was truly inspired by her organization. The next day I went out and bought more of these cubes and shelves to go with them.  (Before the cubes were on the floor overflowing with toys).  I was way too embarrassed to take a before picture, just imagine sh** EVERYWHERE!  There was no visible piece of carpet.  Coats, socks, babies, dress up clothes, my little ponies, legos (which REALLY hurt when stepped on), books, flashlights, school work, crafts.....etc. were overtaking my life!  I took EVERYTHING out of the closets and put it in the middle of the room and got to work sorting.  YES, this took many, many hours.  The Legos alone took 2+ hours. 

Sidenote:  This was done on my first, free, two hour break where I wasn't volunteering in a classroom, going to an appt. or working.  Yeah, can you imagine?  I  passed up coffee and donuts with friends to do this.  My two most favorite things in the world, I was on a mission!

Ok, so after sorting for hours and hours, I was so tempted to have some of my clients work on their categorizing skills, but I thought their parent's may frown upon me exposing them to such filth and chaos.  I alone, all by myself had to come up with a way to group all of this SH**!  Here it is in all its glory:

Since these pics. were taken I have made two more labels, the girls' life is as follows:
Babies, baby stuff, pretend play, dress up, and  purses.  (Puzzles and everything else is on the closet shelves).

 Brayden's life consists of:
Vehicles, spy stuff (walkie talkies, flashlights, cape, sunglasses, headlight), castle things, animals.


Super mom sent me the BEST labels for Legos (let me know if you want me to forward you a copy, I am in love with them!),  wait for it, wait for it.......

 Here it is!  Sorry this pic. isn't so good, but each COLOR has its own bin!  Yes, Kent is in absolute heaven!!!  Look at how cute the little Lego  people are on the labels!  I think I took a pic. of each one because I can't get over it.

All of these pictures were taken the same day the mission was completed.  I will let you know in a few weeks how the organizing has kept up.  So far, the kids have been playing in their room for TWO hours.  I think it'sbecause now they can actually SIT on the floor and find things.  YAY!  Thank you Super mom for your inspiration! 

Super mom is fast becoming a good friend, and her name is Tessa.  She is coming to my house on Monday, yeah that's why I was determined to get this taken care of.  She has promised to help me with our "art station,"  which has overtaken our kitchen and dining room.  I am then going to have her come up with a plan for all of my work materials downstairs.  My house will be unrecognizable (for a few days).    I'll keep you posted.   :)

A day in the life of us

I realize I haven't posted in a while, and I was trying to figure out what we've been doing.  Just normal day to day stuff, with the exception of a ladies luncheon I had.  I have to call it this because as all of my close friends know, I am not very fond of hosting events.  Somehow I got roped into hosting a lunch....actually I have to laugh at myself because I am so naive.....

It all started out in September when I signed up to plan Brayden's Valentine Party at school.  I know, I know, only the crafty, overachiever moms do this.  So not me!  At the time I was thinking, by the time Feb. rolls around I will have my life under control.  Example one of being naive.  It is now January 17 a little less than a month before Valentine's day. 

LAST week I got an e-mail from a SUPER mom (I really do like her, I just wish I had half the energy that she does, or maybe just a 1/4 of the positive attitude) wanting to start planning the party!  I panicked for a second, then realized, it's a month away!  I am NOT and never have been a procrastinator,  but seriously, 4 weeks in advance and we're planning a kindergarten Valentine party?  Oh well, might as well get it done. 

Super mom offered to have me and another mom over to plan.  However, I had to work on that day, so I offered to have her over on a Friday.  She assumed I was talking about the Friday two days from now.....ok, I can make that work.  They will come over after the boys get off the bus, which is 12 noon.  Yes folks, right at lunch!  Plus I had to figure out what to serve these peeps and have NO peanuts or tree nuts anywhere near the children, due to SEVERE allergies!  Hhmm, I was determined to not get stressed about this luncheon with supermoms AND six boys (I was watching an extra one and they each had an extra one, plus my two girls).  I normally do my grocery shopping on Friday afternoons, but that was not going to happen.  I was annoyed and refused to go to the store, therefore everyone got quesadillas and  Progresso soup.  Nothing fancy, but tummys were fed. 

Ahh....the plan was for the kids to go outside and sled after lunch.  But of course this was the one day during the Winter that it was above freezing, therefore all of the snow melted.  Whatever, 6, six year old boys RUNNING and screaming through the house ain't no thang....plus two clingy little girls.  While the boys were destroying the house we got to our planning.....Supermom whipped out her tub full of crafts and her spreadsheets, it was awesome!  All I  had to do was sit and listen (I did have one suggestion) and two hours later the party was planned!

However, in the midst of the planning the kids were playing downstairs and apparently Ellie jumped on Brayden's head.  It happens.  Brayden came upstairs screaming (I thought he might be dying) and crying.  I hugged him and tried to get him to simmer down.  While he was trying to simmer, he screamed, more than once, "SHE NEEDS A SPANKING!  SPANK HER BUM MOM!"  Over and over and over.  The moms were sitting 5 feet from me in the living room trying to pretend like they couldn't hear anything....and I pretended like I had no idea what he meant,  who spanks?  Ellie was in her room in time out, that should be sufficient, no?  This is just a minor glimpse into what went on during my ladies luncheon.... :)  I'm pretty sure good times were had by all! 

If you're lucky maybe I'll fill you in on some other entertaining happenings....

My heart is full

I am feeling very thankful for everything that I have in my life right now.  Near the top of the list are my wonderful, supportive, ambitious friends!  Specifically my 'Couve Girls!  Last Summer at our mini reunion, (see below), everyone semi committed to racing a triathlon with me THIS Summer.  I know that everyone of them is fully capable of doing it, it's just getting them all over to the East side of the state, which has NEVER happened in the last 10 years that I have lived here.  I am overjoyed, and thrilled that this is actually  happening at the end of July!  Five of us are competing in the Race the River Triathlon, and some of us are going to be here for support and a long girl's weekend!  Between pregnancies, newborns, families and lots of children we are making it work!  Have I told you how much I love these girls?

   Meghan, Sarah, Lindsey, Jocey, Me, Pi, Kym, Amber & Kathy


  I have known Jocey for over 25 years, Kym and Pi for over 23 years and all these other fabulous ladies since junior high.  Can you believe our friendships have endured the last 20+ years?  I don't think that's normal, I feel very lucky to have such an unbelievable group of girls in  my life!  Countdown to July 24th, look out Coeur d' Alene, the 'Couve girls will be taking you down!