From Sin City to the Happiest Place on Earth

So, life is unpredictable, right? For instance, this momma and world famous blogger (okay, okay, maybe not WORLD famous, but I'm working on it!) had a girl's trip all planned for Las Vegas in July. It seemed like the perfect idea, everyone knows Las Vegas is hot, hot, hot, so the deals should be pretty good for anyone crazy enough to visit in the middle of the summer, right? Well, not so much. So after some last minute deliberations, my bff and I decided a change of venue was called for. Now, for what it would have cost for plane tickets alone, we're going to.....Disney World! Be still my heart!

I love Disney. I never went as a child, my family favored vacations that involved fresh air and the great outdoors, but once I was in high school I traveled to Disney Land every year with the band. Yes, I was a total band nerd, so here's your chance to snigger and stare in disbelief (I've come a long way baby!)

I went a few times as an adult with Mike, and once with my brother, but it wasn't until I moved to Indiana and had kids of my own that I contemplated visiting the big Disney, Disney World. We booked a vacation for Olivia's 3rd birthday, and it is hands down the very best trip I've ever taken. Part of it was a fabulous planning site, Tour Guide Mike, part of it was the ol' Disney magic, and seeing that from Olivia's eyes for the first time, but mostly it was the fact that we slowed down, and focused on each other as a family, instead of the television, computer, or blackberry.

I've been begging for a repeat trip, and it's a little known fact that the money I make from all my resale businesses is squirrelled away as I plan to pay for our entire trip with that money. Our current trip date is March 2013, since Mike wants to wait for Clara's 3rd birthday to repeat the magic.

Luckily when I suggested Disney as a potential location to Candace, she was all for it. Her husband hates rides and crowds, so the best chance she has to go to Disney is with me. We booked our hotel and plane tickets last week, and we fly out in July. I feel a little guilty going without Olivia, but mostly excited to ride the rides that she's too small for. It's only a 2 day trip, so we won't see everything, and it's more suited for a quick grown up trip than a kid's vacation anyways.

While I'm there, I'll get a picture with Mickey for you. And if you see Olivia, please don't mention my impending vacation, she thinks I'm going to the beach!

She's going the distance!

Ever thought about the best soundtrack for running? I've been spending a lot of time on this one lately, as I've decided that having music to listen to while I run might help me go farther and faster. Or if not, to at least enjoy the time out there a little more. I want to make my perfect music mix, but so far have only one song.  It's a song from my misspent teenage years, Cake's The Distance.  If you've never heard it, you really should. Click on the link below and at least listen to the beginning, and you'll see why it's a great song for running.

http://youtu.be/__PU5CVSegg

Many of you know I completed my first 5K on Sunday. It was an awesome run, not only because I met my goal and finished the race, but because runner is never a word I would have thought could describe me. I've always been tall, so technically I should be a great runner, but I was also painfully shy and awkward. As a kid, I played a little softball, but I felt so bad when I made a mistake, that I never improved. I just got more and more nervous that I would mess up and let everyone down. After that great team sport experience, I decided to just tuck sports away and be the best student I could be.  At least that's an individual challenge, and to me a lot less stressful.

Through the years my friend Sarah tried to get me to run. In middle school she convinced me to go out for track. It was kind of the perfect sport, since they don't cut anyone, so I knew I could be on the team. I never minded running races and being last place, until my coach decided to put me on the relay team. Oh, and as the anchor. Yes, our team stunk, and I believe the race was over before I even started my lap, but I still had to run my slow, slow way around the track. No more track team for me!

Our senior year in high school, Sarah again tried to get me to run. She would wake me up at ungodly hours to go running. Of course, I was completely out of shape and running was nothing but pain.  I'd heard of the runner's high, but I thought maybe it was a campfire story they make up to convince people that running is fun, because for me, it was anything but.

Fast forward about 10 years. For the past 4 years, I'd been active in Baby Boot Camp. I had gotten in shape and knew I could meet challenges, but I still never wanted to run. In February, Baby Boot Camp started it's 3 month MoLo challenge. Each month you had a different area to focus on, strength, flexibility, and, gasp, running! I did just fine months 1 & 2, but when it came to April and the running portion I was a little nervous.  Of course, I'm also very competitive, so I decided to just start running a little around my neighborhood, so I could improve my half mile times. About halfway through the month, our instructor suggested we all run about 3 miles together. I didn't think I could run the whole way, but I thought it would be fun to hang out with my friends and try.   I did end up making the whole run, and I was hooked.

I signed up for the local 5K, and decided to give it a whirl.  I was pretty nervous, but I didn't want to let anyone know. I went to the race on Sunday morning and hung out with my friend Angel while we waited for the race to start and I tried not to vomit.

And we're off!

The crowd of runners was electric. Every time I thought I needed to slow down, I looked around at the other runners and kept going. The best was when I was able to pass people that got tired, it gave me a boost of confidence!

Most of the race I had a guy in a banana suit in front of me.  I had to sprint at the end so I could beat him, since who wants to be beaten by a banana?

 There I am, behind the guy in the green shirt. Get out your magnifying glasses! And if you look far behind me, you can see Mr Banana!

And done!

The family came out to support me. Olivia was sure I would win, but I don't think she was too disappointed that didn't happen!

Now that the race is complete, I feel like I CAN call myself a runner. And I want to run more races, I'm hooked!

The daily grind

Started back at my old job today.  I haven't worked at the Health & Wellness Center since before I had Clara, and I love the people and the job, so if I have to work it's a great place to do it. Today was spent catching up with Laura, my boss, and helping with paperwork. Since it's summer, we don't have many clients, which will give me a chance to get back in the swing of things before the craziness starts. So, all in all it was a good day, but it still left me feeling torn about working.

I work part time, and as a part time working mom, I feel like I don't fit in completely anywhere.  When I'm working, I hear from the other women about how great it is to keep my foot in the door, and keep my skills fresh. I hear how getting away from your children and speaking to grown ups, in grown up voices, is a blessing. I  am told that children have to conform to your schedule, since you are the working woman, and the world does not revolve around them.

At the same time, when I am with stay at home moms, I hear about how valuable these early years are in my child's life. About how no daycare teacher, no matter how great, can be as loving or attentive as a child's own mother. I hear about attachment parenting, and making my child feel loved and valued with my time and attention. I hear that money and my own professional goals should never be more important than my child.

I constantly feel like I need to apologize. To the working moms for not working "enough." To the stay at home moms for working at all. But mostly to my children. Today, my first day back, I got that call. You know, the your child is sick call. Daddy had the afternoon off, so he picked Ms O up, put her on the couch, and nursed her until I got home. I hated not being able to drop everything and go get her. When your child is sick, they want their mommy, and only their mommy. At the same time, when I stay home I feel like I constantly have to explain to my daughter that women can work, women can do anything they want, that mommy is just as smart and important as daddy, even if she doesn't bring home a paycheck.

So I've made this compromise, and I'm working for now. And I can't tell you until when, or if I'll work more days, or less days, or give it all up in a month, or never. But I am doing the best that I can, and I am learning more and more each day that none of us women have an easy road, or an easy choice, and that we all want the best for our children, even if we don't know the exact way to get it.

It's the end of the year as we know it....

The school year that is. Clara switched schools last week, changing from her sheltered nursery school classroom to a real preschool with, *gasp* outdoor time! She hates it, as she does any change, but I think if I give her a few weeks she'll adjust.

Since we were leaving her first class at Clay, I wanted to do something nice for her uber patient teachers, who had put up with my non-sleeping, super-clingy, over-crying daughter for 9 months. The irony is, she just settled down with them, and they were not happy to see her go!

Being the green thumb that I am, I decided on flowers.  I want to do perennials, so they would live a long time and remind her teachers about her for years to come. I chose three different plants so everyone could chose one they like, and put them in three different colored pots. I printed "Thanks for helping me grow" on nice sturdy paper and attached it to some colorful pots.  I was pretty pleased with how it turned out.

You can see that the plants probably already need re-potting to something bigger, but they look good for now :) I think I'll reuse this idea for the MOPPETS workers this week.

What a fabulous Friday. The sun was out, the kids were in relatively good moods, and I officially submitted my student grades to finish out the semester. This is how we kicked it, Evans style today.

First, we headed to Baby Boot Camp. Olivia sat in the stroller while Olivia colored in the bleachers. We're moving outside next week so I let O soak up her last chance at freedom, it's back in the stroller, (and back to me pushing 75 pounds of children) next week. Today was the final day of our 3 month challange. To complete the challenge we did a 1/2 mile timed run and got weighed and measured. Not to go into specifics, but I did well overall. I was extrememly happy with my 1/2 mile time, and with how my measurements ended up.  I wish the challenge would go for another 3 months, it definitely motivated me to take my fitness seriously again.

After class O had a birthday party to attend. I dropped her off looking all fancy and happy at Martin's School of Cooking. Clara and I preceeded home for lunch and a nap (for both of us!)

O arrived home from her party, where she had a great time. O likes to cook and eat, so this party was right up her alley. She shared a dark chocolate kit kat with Clara and with me. Yep, pretty much the sweetest 4 year old there is.

Next, O, C and I went on a little girl's shopping trip. We had to exchange a bathing suit that didn't fit Ms O, and she tried on about 10 before she found the right one. Since we were at Kohl's, we headed to Shoe Carnival to try and find some shoes for Clara. Now, she has shoes, lots of shoes, but only about 3 pair she can wear. Her little feet are so fat and wide, that none of her shoes fit. She can wear her Robeez, and that's abuot it. She's starting at O's preschool next week, and she needs some real shoes for the playground. We were successful in finding a pair, although she loves to take them off, so we'll see how that goes.

Dinner and few rounds of Old Maid to end the day, and I am one happy momma.

Go go crazy!

I just hosted my newest house party like event, from child's play parties a Gogo's Crazybones party! Before I was selected for this party, I had never even heard of a Gogo. I received my package full of Gogos in the mail and opened one up.  The little weird looking Gogo stared back up at me, and I thought that no child in their right mind would find these things fun.


Well, then I read through the literature. A Gogo's crazybones is a little collectible figurine. They each have names and special abilities. You try to fill your collection, while trading Gogos and stickers with your friends. There are some simple but fun games to play, from a Gogo battle to one that reminds me of the game from my childhood Pig Mania. Gogos are small, so are intended for ages 4 and up, so I had to plan my party away from Clara. Of course, if you're a mom of a little one and a big kid, you know big kids like to have their own toys anyways, that their baby siblings aren't allowed to touch, so this is a bonus in our house.


After educating myself on Gogos, it was time to party! A group of happy kids descended on the Gogos. I was worried about disappointment, but I didn't need to be. The kids loved them! From my own 5 year old to 11 and 12 year old kids, everyone got into the spirit, opening their packages to see which Gogos they had received and trading them with their friends.

As a mom, I even had fun, since I took charge of O's stickers and put them in the book. Don't tell, but I actually kind of want my own Gogo's collection. And are they still weird looking? A resounding yes. But weird in a good way, since they're all unique. So now I guess we are Gogo's collectors :)

Tis the Season

..for garage sales!  It's my favorite time of the year. The only time I am able to willingly jump out of bed before 7 am with a smile on my face :)
Today kicked off the 2011 season, with the Bridlewood sales.  I love these sales, since so many families live in Bridlewood and there is tons of great kids stuff to chose from.  We got there right when they opened, and I was able to score a few great toy and clothing items.

We started out slow, stopping at a house to check out a cozy coupe for my friend Jody. I think the lady who priced that sale must have been drinking something very good though, since the cozy coupe was priced at $30! I bought mine at the Target Toy Clearance, so I'm not an impartial judge, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen one higher than $10 at a garage sale. The rest of her items were similarly outrageously priced.  Quickly jumped back into the car to check out some more rational sellers.

 At the next sale, there were lots of Build a Bear animals.  I don't normally spend money on stuffed animals, but they had a unicorn, and since O wants a unicorn bday party, I picked it up for $2.


We continued on like mad women, and I found a Bitty Baby teeter totter (another great birthday gift!), a Littlest Petshop playcenter with 11 pets and a mini pet shop set, and a littlest pet shop puzzle and pet.

When we pulled up to the next sale, there was a giant stuffed tiger outside. Of course O wants it. I told her I'd ask (I usually just tell her it's sold when I get back) and the man said it was $1.  For $1 it was worth her happiness and cooperation for the rest of shopping, so in it went.


I also picked up some Uggs and Merrill shoes at this sale, and a pair of Stride Rite sandals. I picked up some more clothes as we continued, a nice velvet Gymboree dress and a cheapie dress for O, as well as a new Gap scarf and some gloves that will fit O next year.

Also picked up a few cheap gates to block off some doorways


Ended the day at a friend's house, where we got a book and an Ariel doll with an extra change of clothes. O was scandalized that there were no underwear, but I explained that that's how garage sales roll.


All in all a very fun day!