New Shoes

On Monday, I went into my local running store to buy some new shoes.  The ones I've been running in are a year old at this point, and have slowly started to feel their age.  On Saturday, while I was trying to run my 9 miles, I started feeling what I thought were blisters on the sides of my big toes forming, and by the end of the 8 1/2 miles I actually ended up completing, I couldn't run another step because they were bothering me so much.  And it didn't help matters that my legs were completely and totally dead thanks to a hardcore workout I put myself through the day before.  Probably not the smartest move to execute when coming back from a week of vacation.  But apparently I like to go big or go home.  Hahaha. 

When I went in to be fitted on Monday, I discovered that I'd actually gone down a size since last year's purchase, and after trying on a few different brands, I decided to go with something different and get the Nike Structure 17.  They felt good on my feet and I kind of liked the color combo as well, so I decided to just go for it knowing that the store has an awesome return/exchange policy.  I figured that giving them a whirl during my mid-week runs would be the perfect way to test them out before my next long run on Saturday. 

 Nike Structure 17

Unfortunately, after running 4 miles in them yesterday, I decided that something needed to be changed.  For some reason, the right shoe felt like there was a big bump underneath the insole that bothered my foot the entire time I was running.  The left one was fine, but I thought I'd still be better off bringing them back in to trade out before doing another 3 miles this morning.  While at the store, I did try another pair of Nike Structures -- which were totally fine and didn't have that same uneven sole as the first pair -- but after trying on the latest edition of the Asics Gel Kayano {which is what I've been running in this last year, and what I wore when I did my last half marathon}, I decided it might be best to stick with the familiarity of the feel of this shoe since my race is only 4 weeks away.  I still liked the Nikes, but they were definitely less "cushion-y" than the Kayanos, and thus felt a bit "flatter" while running in them.  I thought it would be best to go with a tried and true at this point in time and save the experimentation with other brands for later.  So that's what I did!  And then I went and ran my 3 miles at my favorite trail and the shoes did awesome.  :)

 Asics Gel Kayano 20

So, that is that.  Hopefully my feet will STILL be feeling awesome after doing my 10 miles this Saturday!  I'll leave you tonight with a blurred and out-of-focus shot of my trail from this morning.  I have to say -- running in a beautiful spot sure beats running anywhere else.    :)

{Happy Trails to You!}

For Your Amusement

Today included one last grand adventure before the swapping back of cousins was complete.  To make for a truly memorable week, we met up in the parking lot of a favorite amusement park this morning where Hannah, Grace, and Sophie joined up with Ethan and the rest of Kristin's family to play the day away while I was left with another 2-child day on my hands!

As with the Take Your Kid to Work Day tragedy, Jane and Alex did NOT get to accompany the big kids to their exciting destination, and once again I found myself trying to make up for the fun they were missing out on in an effort to mend their broken hearts.  My solution?  A trip to the outlets so I could return some stuff I bought before our Cancun trip.  Hahaha.  So fun for the little ones, right?  In actuality, I knew that they would be excited about the prospect of playing on the playground there and I figured throwing in a lunch at the food court would elevate the status of the trip to almost amusement park levels.  Hahahaha.  When I let Jane and Alex pick out a new outfit to wear for the first day of school, I think they were pretty much in heaven.  :)

 Highlights of her day included eating at Subway for the very first time ever, and posing for lots of funny pictures -- like this one with a toddler boys hat she picked up off the table.  {Do you like how she was leisurely finishing up her sandwich while we finished up our shopping?  Haha.}

 This girl melts my heart.

And this kid makes me laugh.  Hahahaha.  Meet the new Here to Party shirt. 

Tomorrow will be my first day back with all 5 of my own kids, and I have to say I'm really excited!  I can't wait to see how it all goes.  Hahahaha.  :)

Cousin Swap

On Saturday -- while I was torturing myself with a solo 9 mile run -- Scott took the kids and drove to our halfway meet up point to trade children with his sister Kristin.  Ethan and Hannah were born just two days apart, and for most of their lives have been completely and totally outnumbered in their families.  Hannah has 5 brothers, and Ethan -- up until a couple of years ago -- had only sisters.  And while ALL the kids and their cousins get along REALLY well, Ethan most definitely revels in the brotherhood of being with all the boys and Hannah, in turn, enjoys the girl power of hanging with Grace and co.  

This summer we decided that a cousin swap was in order before everyone had to go back to school.  Tomorrow we'll meet up again to exchange children, but I definitely smell a new tradition brewing.  Hahaha.  The last few days have been non-stop fun for the girls {well -- minus Jane who has been excluded at almost every turn}, as I've let them do pretty much whatever they want.  As a result, there have been lots of late nights, lots of movies, lots of Wii, lots of candy, and -- my favorite part -- lots of creative and imaginative play.  {The basement has been transformed into their "house" and "garage."}  We'll all be sad to see Hannah go tomorrow, but it will be nice to get Ethan back home and have all my chickadees back under my wings.  I've been surprised at how much his absence has been felt even though there are still 5 kids under the roof!  Hahaha.  I'm sure he's had a blast with the boys, though, and I'm happy for his sake that we live close enough to the cousins to do a swap.  :)

In closing, I leave you with some pictures of the girls.  And no -- Grace still can't take a normal picture to save her life.  These are the poses I got when I asked her to stand next to Hannah to see who was taller.

 {She REALLY wanted to get a good fake nose pick in the pic.  Hahahaha.}

Oh Grace.  Such a clown.

Until next time!

Work It

Take Your Kid to Work Day 2014  --was a big hit.  At least for the kids who were involved.  For the children under 7 in the household, however, it was a much different story. :(

Early Friday morning, Scott and the older kids headed downtown for work.  With their matching T-shirts and name badges in tow, the kids spent the day learning all about Scott's company, playing games, meeting Olympians, and entertaining the chaperones.  {That last one is in Grace's words -- not mine.  Hahaha.}  When I debriefed them at the end of the day, Ethan's input was that Scott needs to become an executive so he can drive around in an armored car, Grace informed me that everyone thought they were hilarious because they were quoting funny lines from tv shows the whole time, and Sophie was just excited to still be surfing a sugar wave from the bag of dairy free and nut free candy they had especially for children like her.  Hahahaha.  

Added bonuses for the kids were going out to lunch with dad and meeting up with other friends who were with THEIR dads for work.  The best bonus of all, however, was for me -- a sneak peak at what my life will be like again in just a few short weeks.  Hahahaha.  In all honesty, though, this is the first time ever that as summer is ending, I'm wishing it would last a little bit longer!  Obviously there will be some much-appreciated peace and quiet around here once the older ones are back in school, but overall, it still feels like the summer has barely started and I'm not ready for it to end. 

Oh those girls.

Meanwhile, back in little person land, Alex and Jane were slightly mollified from their heartbreak with a trip to the candy store after we finished up at the gym.  Once there, Jane went with a ring pop and giant pixie stick, and Alex went with his standby favorite of gummy sharks.

Enjoying his gummy sharks in the gazebo at the park.

And there you have it, folks!  A work day to remember.  :)

La Isla Bonita

We're at the end, you guys! Exactly one week ago today, Scott and I were enjoying our last full day in Cancun.  We decided to finish the vacation off with a day trip to Isla Mujeres and took the first ferry over last Friday morning, rented a golf cart for the day, then drove around the island enjoying the beautiful views and swimming at one more beach. And attempting to get my long run in for the week.  Which, in theory, should have been a PERFECT plan.  In actuality, it was HOT. 

Ferry ride over.

{I was tickled to see that the golf cart we got had Scott's lucky number on it.}

Map of the Island.

Knowing I needed to run 8 miles, I thought the island would be the perfect place to get it done -- the views would be gorgeous, Scott could keep me company while following beside me in the golf cart, and (most importantly) I'd be able to say that I had run 8 miles around Isla Mujeres.  Unfortunately, the first ferry over didn't leave until 9 and by the time we had gotten our cart and were ready to go it was 9:30 or quarter to 10.  This shouldn't have been THAT big of a problem, but it was REALLY hot.  It seemed as though the sun was already directly overhead and beaming right on me the whole entire time.  It was probably 90 something degrees already, and with 90% humidity I realized I probably wouldn't last for very long.  Especially since it wasn't really working out for Scott to follow along beside me and keep me company.  I powered it out as best I could, taking lots and lots of walking breaks, but in the end decided 4 miles would have to do.  Any longer and I was worried I was going to pass out.  And that's not a very fun way to spend the last day of vacation!  Hahaha.

Scott snapped a picture to document the insanity.

Almost to the other end of the island.  I had to stop and take a picture of the view here -- it was so beautiful!

Look at the color of that water!  SO gorgeous.  There was a zip line here, too, that we almost decided to do, but in the end thought it was too expensive for what it was.

I finished my 4 miles in a truly abysmal time which I was able to forget all about once I saw the breathtaking view at the finish.  Scott joined me for a snapshot or two and a walk around Punta Sur before we loaded up in the golf cart and went in search of some food.  

Punta Sur

After circling the island, we found a spot for a bite to eat and enjoyed the best food of our trip!  Even if it did involve the most incompetent service ever.  Seriously, each time a part of our order was brought out, the waiter brought it to the table right next to us.  Hahaha.  We finally got our smoothies and our belgian waffles on and enjoyed every bit of it before heading out for another loop around the island and a search for the perfect beach.

Strawberry Smoothie.

Mango Smoothie.

Chocolate chip, strawberry, and banana belgian waffles.  Seriously, the most delicious food I ate all week.

A bit rocky in patches.

But we found a stretch of sand!

By mid-afternoon, we had gotten our fill of the sun and surf and decided to head on back to the mainland.  By this point, the island was teeming with people and the streets and shops were crowded and overwhelming and we were just ready to go back.  We stopped at an OXXO {a chain of convenience stores that we saw all over the place} to pick up some water and gatorade, and Scott picked out a couple of bags of chips.  Hahaha.  Apparently, they like their chips with hot sauce over there and in Scott's bag of Ruffles he had not one, not even two, but FIVE packets of hot sauce at his disposal.  I'm pretty sure it was a fluke, but it was funny nonetheless.

We had to wait a bit for the next ferry back, and while biding our time at the dock, we knocked out another crossword puzzle or two.  I think I can say with confidence that we have officially become smarter over the course of the last week.  Hahahaha. 

The views on the ferry ride back were just as beautiful as they were from the island.  I probably took WAY too many pictures, but I just had to capture the color of the water -- it was so incredible. And don't forget, I was still trying to make up for no pictures from our original honeymoon.  :)

Look at the blue!

And the turquoise!

I mean come on!

I think I would love a painting of this scene.  :)

It was sad to see our trip come to a close, but at the same time we were ready to come back.  I don't know when we'll be able to get away again, but hopefully the rest and relaxation this trip brought will last us for a good long while.  Or at least until the kids start school again.  Hahahaha.    

Have a happy weekend.  :)  We're prepping for a cousin swap -- Ethan and Hannah will be traded at our CVS meet-up spot tomorrow!  Hasta la vista, baby!

A Thousand Words

Interspersed throughout our jet-setting adventure were a few lazy days that were perfectly spent doing practically nothing.  Well, as nothing as playing at the beach and pool can be.  In my attempt to replicate that vibe, I'm gonna go a little lazy here today as well.  Haha.  Enjoy some some of my favorite pics from our week in Cancun! {A picture is worth a thousand words after all.}

{Let's play spot the Iguana!}