Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
For Me
I did something I thought I would never do... I joined a gym. I have always been very anti-gym, as I love running outside and believed that running was all I needed to stay in shape. I had no interest in running on a treadmill in a room with 20 other treadmills and 20 other sweaty bodies surrounding me. The idea of someone watching me kills me, and I am gym-illiterate... I have no idea how to really work a treadmill, how to deal with the locker room, or how to fit into a class. The gym just didn't fit my "style".
It seems, though, as my kids got older and I started working, my time to run got less and less, until I was really only finding it once or twice a week... not enough. I tried running first thing in the morning, but I am not a good sleeper. Early-morning running was exhausting me and making me grumpy (the opposite of what it should do). Something that I loved became something that I dreaded. I tried running in the evenings, but I really appreciate my family time once Jason gets home. The jogging stroller was sold when they got too heavy for me to push any long distances while running. I felt stuck.
So, I joined a gym with childcare. Do I love it? I can't say yes yet. But, I am able to run in a cold dark room that has a movie with subtitles... I can run, listen to my iPod, and watch a movie all at the same time without worrying about someone watching me. The boys LOVE the childcare center and ask to go to "their gym". And, I am feeling better about being able to exercise daily again.
I'm still not sure about the classes. I went to one today, and I felt so dumb. I had no idea what I was doing, what I needed to get started, or which way to move. It was a sculpting/toning class, so there were a ton of materials needed... weights (both heavy and light), an exercise ball, a step, a mat, extra step supports... geez, I felt clueless. Most of the people in the class were PYT's and looked like models from Self Magazine... then there was me: uncoordinated, ungraceful, clueless, and sweating like only ABA can sweat. I survived and feel like I got a good workout, but I'm not sure my ego can take another one!
I guess time will tell if I overcome my gym fear, but today I am encouraged. It feels good to focus on a little bit of time for me again and to have taken a step for me. While I will still jump at a chance to pound the pavement, the gym will work for the other days that the pavement doesn't.
It seems, though, as my kids got older and I started working, my time to run got less and less, until I was really only finding it once or twice a week... not enough. I tried running first thing in the morning, but I am not a good sleeper. Early-morning running was exhausting me and making me grumpy (the opposite of what it should do). Something that I loved became something that I dreaded. I tried running in the evenings, but I really appreciate my family time once Jason gets home. The jogging stroller was sold when they got too heavy for me to push any long distances while running. I felt stuck.
So, I joined a gym with childcare. Do I love it? I can't say yes yet. But, I am able to run in a cold dark room that has a movie with subtitles... I can run, listen to my iPod, and watch a movie all at the same time without worrying about someone watching me. The boys LOVE the childcare center and ask to go to "their gym". And, I am feeling better about being able to exercise daily again.
I'm still not sure about the classes. I went to one today, and I felt so dumb. I had no idea what I was doing, what I needed to get started, or which way to move. It was a sculpting/toning class, so there were a ton of materials needed... weights (both heavy and light), an exercise ball, a step, a mat, extra step supports... geez, I felt clueless. Most of the people in the class were PYT's and looked like models from Self Magazine... then there was me: uncoordinated, ungraceful, clueless, and sweating like only ABA can sweat. I survived and feel like I got a good workout, but I'm not sure my ego can take another one!
I guess time will tell if I overcome my gym fear, but today I am encouraged. It feels good to focus on a little bit of time for me again and to have taken a step for me. While I will still jump at a chance to pound the pavement, the gym will work for the other days that the pavement doesn't.
Ohio Trip 2009
The boys and I made our third annual trip to Ohio two weeks ago. Each year it seems our time up there gets longer and longer, and this year was the same... Papa put up with us for 10 days! They were a packed three days, full of adventure, exploring and fun!
One of our must-see's each year is the Toledo Zoo. It is definitely the best zoo I have ever been to, and I think we could make our zoo trip a two-day affair... we spent a full day there, and we had to leave lots to be seen at next year's trip. If you look here, the same picture above was taken two years ago... it is incredible how much has changed! 
Papa with his boys... we got to steal Dean for the day to come with us. Jackson and Harris LOVE their time with Dean, so it was a special treat to have him with us.
We were lucky to get to see Dean play two baseball games while we were there... what a great little catcher! 
We also got to make our trip to Cedar Point. Cedar Point is on Lake Erie, only about a 2 1/2 hour boat ride from Papa's house, so we have been making the trip by boat, staying in the marina right outside of the park, and enjoying things at a slower pace. We were able to do two days in the park this year, which made the whole trip even better.
One of our must-see's each year is the Toledo Zoo. It is definitely the best zoo I have ever been to, and I think we could make our zoo trip a two-day affair... we spent a full day there, and we had to leave lots to be seen at next year's trip. If you look here, the same picture above was taken two years ago... it is incredible how much has changed! 
Papa with his boys... we got to steal Dean for the day to come with us. Jackson and Harris LOVE their time with Dean, so it was a special treat to have him with us.
We had the best time trying on different faces as this fun display at the new children's interactive zone!
If there is a costume around, leave it to Harris to sniff it out. This beehive exhibit was at the new children's section, and Harris found his nook, literally. The boy didn't want to leave. There was a section of a real beehive on display here, too, so we could see and listen to all of the bees.
We were lucky to get to see Dean play two baseball games while we were there... what a great little catcher! We also got to make our trip to Cedar Point. Cedar Point is on Lake Erie, only about a 2 1/2 hour boat ride from Papa's house, so we have been making the trip by boat, staying in the marina right outside of the park, and enjoying things at a slower pace. We were able to do two days in the park this year, which made the whole trip even better.
Thunder Canyon, above, was one of Dean's favorites... Jackson, not so much. Right after this picture was taken of the three of us, we got soaked... absolutely soaked. 
Harris loved all things bumper... the bumper boats and the bumper cars. 
Jackson's favorite was the Junior Gemini. I can't tell you how many times he rode it, and the time above was his favorite... he rode it all by himself!
Uncle Mike and Aunt Nicole joined us for the trip, and I am so glad that they did. It was a great chance for them to get to know Jackson and Harris, as living so far away, they rarely get the chance to spend time with them. 
It was an amazing trip (we so missed Jason who had to work!), and I am so thankful for the time I had with family.
Harris fell asleep not 10 minutes after we pulled out of the marina, and I think this picture represents how all of us felt! Two long days of riding, walking, and entertaining three little boys wore us all out. This post does nothing to convey all that we did or the fun that we had or how tired we were at the end of the day!
Harris loved all things bumper... the bumper boats and the bumper cars. 
Jackson's favorite was the Junior Gemini. I can't tell you how many times he rode it, and the time above was his favorite... he rode it all by himself! 
Uncle Mike and Aunt Nicole joined us for the trip, and I am so glad that they did. It was a great chance for them to get to know Jackson and Harris, as living so far away, they rarely get the chance to spend time with them. Each night we ended with a family spin on a carousel (there are 3 at Cedar Point!): Harris, Dean, Jackson, Papa, Uncle Mike, Aunt Nicole, and me. That was followed by a game or two and a sweet treat for the walk back to the boat.
It was an amazing trip (we so missed Jason who had to work!), and I am so thankful for the time I had with family.
Harris fell asleep not 10 minutes after we pulled out of the marina, and I think this picture represents how all of us felt! Two long days of riding, walking, and entertaining three little boys wore us all out. This post does nothing to convey all that we did or the fun that we had or how tired we were at the end of the day!Thank you, Dad, for such an amazing 10 days. Your hospitality was so appreciated, and the time with you was precious to both me and the boys. I look forward to this trip each year, and I look forward to many more summer adventures with you. Love you.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Greenfield Village
While we are in Ohio, I am trying to stay as busy as possible, busy seeing and doing new things. We have had a little bit of down time, but not much... we have been on the go pretty much non-stop since we got here.
On Wednesday, Papa and I took them to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. It is about an hour drive from where we are, but it was worth every second to visit this little "town" lost in the Henry Ford/ Thomas Edison era. We only visited the village, but there is also an IMAX theater, the Henry Ford Museum, and the opportunity to visit a Ford Motor Plant. I think this side trip might become mandatory in our yearly visits to Papa... it was such a cool trip!
We learned all about the history of this time period, saw cars, buses and carriages, learned about working farms and historical homes.
Henry Ford had a vision for this little town years ago and began moving historic homes of important historical figures up to Greenfield Village to preserve them. Jackson, Harris, and Papa are standing inside of Thomas Edison's Menlow Park lab that was moved here years ago.
We visited Robert Frost's home, along with the McGuffy homestead and George Washington Carver's slave home.
We made candles, dipping our wicks into hot beeswax,
the crossing a field to dip them into cold water to harden the wax.
We took a train ride around the village on a real steam train made in the 30's at the Ford plant down the road,
learned all about steam engines, saw a roundhouse and a real turn table,
learned how glass was made,
took a ride on a real Model T,
and rode on a carousel built in 1913.
On Wednesday, Papa and I took them to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. It is about an hour drive from where we are, but it was worth every second to visit this little "town" lost in the Henry Ford/ Thomas Edison era. We only visited the village, but there is also an IMAX theater, the Henry Ford Museum, and the opportunity to visit a Ford Motor Plant. I think this side trip might become mandatory in our yearly visits to Papa... it was such a cool trip!
We learned all about the history of this time period, saw cars, buses and carriages, learned about working farms and historical homes.
Henry Ford had a vision for this little town years ago and began moving historic homes of important historical figures up to Greenfield Village to preserve them. Jackson, Harris, and Papa are standing inside of Thomas Edison's Menlow Park lab that was moved here years ago.
We visited Robert Frost's home, along with the McGuffy homestead and George Washington Carver's slave home.
We made candles, dipping our wicks into hot beeswax,
the crossing a field to dip them into cold water to harden the wax.
We took a train ride around the village on a real steam train made in the 30's at the Ford plant down the road,
learned all about steam engines, saw a roundhouse and a real turn table,
learned how glass was made,
took a ride on a real Model T,
and rode on a carousel built in 1913.The boys were exhausted by the end of the day for all of the walking and the heat. They were able to visit a time they didn't even know existed, and they had a million questions. It really was a fantastic attraction that I would visit again in a heartbeat... I think every year there will be more to learn and capture their attention, and I am looking forward to seeing more next year.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Perfect Midwestern Evening
1. Steak on the grill.
2. Corn on the cob.
3. Tomato pie (a little of the south thrown in!).
4. Soft serve ice cream from Penguin Palace.
5. Little League baseball games.
6. Lightening bugs galore.
7. Two exhausted little boys.
The first full day of our Ohio visit has ended well.
2. Corn on the cob.
3. Tomato pie (a little of the south thrown in!).
4. Soft serve ice cream from Penguin Palace.
5. Little League baseball games.
6. Lightening bugs galore.
7. Two exhausted little boys.
The first full day of our Ohio visit has ended well.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Massage
Jason was just rubbing my shoulders, and Harris was watching. Jason was trying to explain to Harris what he was doing, and the following conversation ensued:
Daddy: Harris, do you want to rub Mama's shoulders like this?
Mama: Here, Harris, you can rub my arm.
Harris: I'll rub your tummy, just like this. Mama, I love your pink shirt. It is just like an animal.
Mama: Harris, what kind of animal is pink like my shirt?
Harris (in the sweetest voice possible): I love your pink shirt. It is just like rubbing a pig.
Daddy: Harris, do you want to rub Mama's shoulders like this?
Mama: Here, Harris, you can rub my arm.
Harris: I'll rub your tummy, just like this. Mama, I love your pink shirt. It is just like an animal.
Mama: Harris, what kind of animal is pink like my shirt?
Harris (in the sweetest voice possible): I love your pink shirt. It is just like rubbing a pig.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Memorial Day Weekend
On Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, the family headed up to the mountains, to Camp Greenville, for a Family Camp Weekend. I was a little bit hesitant, as Jackson and I are going back up in a little over a week for Mom & Me again... I didn't want to spoil the next trip, but I really wanted to spend some good family QT at Camp and to show Jason and Harris what it was all about. So we went...
Our first stop was Fudrucker's in Greenville for dinner... a hit with the boys.
Next stop was Marchant II cabin at Camp. Just as much as an adventure as anything we did the whole weekend! The boys had a blast exploring the cabin, climbing the bunks, climbing up to the loft, playing games... we might could have spent the weekend in the cabin!
We spent the weekend hiking to Showerbath Falls and exploring the creek and woods,
rock climbing and
bouldering at the Adventure Center, 
tie-dying,
riding horses,
(this was Harris' FAVORITE part of the weekend... he fell in love with his horse, Sugar, and all of the excitement!) 
playing crazy soccer games,
arts & crafts (one of Jackson's favorites!)
riding the zip-line (one of Jason's favorites),
and swimming (brrr... cold mountain lake!).
It was an Alumni Weekend, so there was a beautiful chapel service at Pretty Place with many camp legends and several people I had worked with so many years ago. It was an uplifting service in an amazing spot.
The weekend was a little rainy and a little cloudy, so we really felt like we were staying in the clouds, a little bit of heaven. Although the incredible view from Pretty Place was not as clear as other times, it still was an amazing sight to see.
When our time at camp had ended and we were headed down the mountain, Jason and I decided to take the boys on a little side trip for their first visit to Clemson. 
A little lunch and of course a little ice cream, and we were headed back to Charleston.
It was a great weekend... we were on the go nonstop, trying all kinds of new things, and we all enjoyed the special family time. Jackson and I are so excited to head back in a few days, and Harris can't wait for his turn next year. Hopefully we'll be able to go back for another Family Camp between now and then...
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