Random February Fun

We are not a family of natural atheletes. I've only begun running these last few years because it's a great release from the stresses of motherhood. Kent, though built more for it, leaned towards academics and music and as a result, our children are similar. Neither of the older two care to move much unless it's chasing friends. Ironically, Bubby who has the lowest tone of all is the one who loves the basketball and jumping on the trampoline. He'll be the sports lover in our family.

The elementary school's second biggest fundraiser this year was a fun run but unlike the past, the school organized it all on their own and 100% of the proceeds went back to Mountain Shadows. I was excited about it because the one they held two years ago had Isaac motivated to run a good amount. I had all these lovely plans of having them jog a little each night leading up to the run, but life got busy and I was lucky to have everyone at their activities and fed. On the day of the event I showed up to cheer them on and was amazed at their determination.

Isaac had 30s to finish the last lap and he sprinted with me alongside to complete it all! Apparently he was one of only 3 kids in second grade to finish all 25 laps!

Keila and I ran together the whole time and consequently I was able to help pace her a little such that she didn't stop moving once during the whole 25 mins. She jogged about 80% of it and walked briskly for the rest. With a minute left she pushed herself to finish a lap and completed a total of 17! She was definatly one of the highest of all the girls in kindergarten and her persistence paid off.

I'm super proud of these two, it's not something they enjoy terribly and they had a set a goal and honestly did their very best. What's more, they're proud of themselves. The laps they completed were marked off the back of their shirts, a trophy of the work they completed and as soon as Keila realized this she wouldn't take off her shirt. I'm glad the school hosted this activity this year and hopefully it might inspire these kids to be more active and healthy.

Other random pictures of the year, Keila and I attend the school's girl's night and had fun making crafts and eating treats.

The kids earned some free tokens for Peter Piper Pizza so we went to play some games together.

Mounds of lemons and grapefruits to keep little hands busy. The youngest two were proud to load the picked fruit into boxes and the older two had fun carrying them door to door for our neighbors or friends.

Library fun and picnic lunch at the park.

Glendale's Chocolate Festival was a first for us. It was fun to see all the vendors and Isaac and Keila donated some money to veteran cause and got giant chocolate covered marshmellows and we all splurged and shared a chocolate covered cheesecake. Bubby really dug his face into that one!

Silliness while shopping with a Pumpkin!

While I'm too busy nowadays to document all we do, I'm glad we have our memories and fun moments in the busyness of life.

Isaac's Firsts

So Issacs school had a fundraiser called the Fun Run. Kent is ever wary of fund raisers (ironic since I now do my own for Sharing Down Syndrome of Az)and wasn't sure about sponsoring Isaac for it. But I managed to convince him since it wasn't the typical fundraiser, it involved good education about caring for oneself, and fun found in exercise. The last day they were given the opportunity to run up to 36 laps (distance equalling 2 miles) and for each lap he ran we sponsored a dollar. He was super excited and Kent managed to go in late enough to work to catch the first part of his run.

Isaac did great, he ran all 36 laps and loved it. I'm hoping this might be the start to a new hobby and an outlet for his exuberant energy!



He and kent went to the sporting store for some guy time and looked into a bow. Ever since watching the cartoon version of Avengers, Isaac has idolized the hero Hawk Eye ( amusingly referred to as Hot Guy before Isaac heard it properly!). I must admit there is something much more elegant about him than Hulk or Thor and so we got him a bow and two arrows for an amazingly cheap price. He's made his own target and we are very thorough about the rules when using it. He's really enjoyed it and I have a feeling it'll be a source of entertainment fora few years to come!



He does look like a pretty 'Hot Guy' doesn't he!

It's Not What it Looks Like

I took the opportunity while in Mexico to go for a run on the beach. It always seemed like the picture of vitality and good living. You know the scene, the rhythm of the waves, an long beach with only the early morning sun as company. Enamored thus with this image we arranged for me to go out alone.

At first it really was exhilarating. I loved the sea breeze and the call of seagulls circling for their breakfast. I was diverted with a few nicer dead shells and being the biologist I am, absolutely tickled to find live ones.


I found about 5 of these, all slightly hidden by seaweed and attempting to burrow deep with the tide headed out. I couldn't help but poke at the squishy mollusk and watching it slither into it's shell. I toyed with the idea of turning it upside down so the birds could get at it and then I could keep the shell, but that just didn't seem right, especially since i was suppose to be on a rejuvenating run.

I estimate that I did about a 3 mile run, while I typically go 4,and returned to my room happier and healthier woman. Just hours later I could feel vitality was diminishing in direct proportion to the a swelling and growing ache in my calves. Apparently when you're not accustom to running in sand, you stretch your Achilles tendon more than usual and hence the swelling. I guess I won't be running for a few weeks and that means all that extra food I ate while in Mexico will be sitting on my waistline a little longer. La sigh.



Sunset over the beach!





Isaac examining a tiny baby sanddollar.



Keila obviously didn't get the memo that we were on vacation and continued to wake up at 6 am, which meant she spent alot of time in the carrier on early morning walks so that Papa and Isaac could sleep longer. She soon learned to doze to the rhythm of my walking.

Fads

I am known for my practicality and lack of spontaneity but on the rare occasion (like literally once in a blue moon) I get taken by in by something I'll hold to it like a starved dog to a bone! Shake me all you want, but I ain't lettin' go! Such was the case with the Five Fingered Shoes.

Yeah, yeah, I know toes don't have fingers, but hear me out. Years ago I read an article about a track coach you watched a young woman running barefoot out on the street. He was amazed by her speed and agility and offered as spot on the school team. Unfortunately all practices required shoes and the moment she donned the shoes she lost any of the edge that he saw in her before. The key laid in running barefoot where she felt her toes were able to spread and 'grip' the ground.

Which is the philosophy of these shoes ... well, not quite. But the theory is that our mother nature has given our feet with the ultimate design but our shoes hinder it's performance by adding 'support' in areas that don't really need it when our muscles are simply weak. It's like putting a cast on an area that simply needs mobility to exercise and get stronger. These shoes are designed to do that. They offer little at all in the way of padding, the toes are free to move around much like a baby's is. They fit like skin on your feet with a slightly thicker sole. Really when you think about it humans have been running for thousands of years before shoes.

When a friend showed up at my home with these amazing shoes - I was that hooked dog! I had to check them out and more than anything I had to try them out. It's been amazing the difference I feel in running. I took time to work my muscles up so that I could run in them but now I feel like a fleet footed Pocahontas in Suburbia. They were only $85 and are machine washable! (way to appeal to my practical Asian side!) For more information check out:http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/technology/index.cfm


These are my newest love!