Mama, is there still a war?
Yes, America is still fighting a war.
Why still?
Because war is complicated and nobody can agree on the best way to end it. It’s hard to end a war.
Well it’s easier if you have lightsabers.
You’re probably right, son.
Family, what are you thankful for today?
Highlights from this week:
Dad arrived safely
Almost my birthday (if 4 weeks = almost)
Piano lessons
Books
Silly dress-up game
A friend gave me a fresh perspective
Strawberries
Summer swimming
Almost my birthday
Finding our summer rhythm
New baby coming into our world (not our direct family, but our tribe. Yay!)
“Kids, sit DOWN. Seriously, no more horsing around. See how Smiley is imitating you? He’s watching you and thinking it’s OK to jump up and down in his chair at dinnertime. You’ve got to show him what’s polite.”
<PAUSE>
“Excuuuuuuse me. You see, baby, when you toot at the table you need to say Excuse Me.”
Rascal, that’s a great robot!
It’s an XF17.
What does he do?
He’s a spy servant robot. He does servant things, like bring me food and drinks.
Sounds kind of like a Mom Robot to me.
Yeah. Maybe.
I especially like how he can roll around the floor on those Hot Wheels cars.
Well he’s a servant, so he needs to be able to move.
What else can your XF17 do?
You know, Mom, he’s not FOR REAL real.
Dear running shoes,
Thanks for dragging my miserable butt through six miles this morning. If I had known what I was in for, I might have stayed in bed. Summer is here (as if you hadn’t noticed by my sweat-drenched socks) and although you weren’t around last year, you may have heard how much I loathe running in the summer humidity. There is no place for my sweat to go! Thanks to a pal’s suggestion, I am now tracking the daily relative humidity and obsessing over finding my threshold. Best I can tell, I feel like crap running in anything between 94%-100% humidity. And wouldn’t you know, it peaks between 5am-7am, exactly when I’m on the trail. I’m pretty much screwed for the next few months. So, my trusty DS Trainers, forgive me when I say that I’m hitting the pool and the gym…and I’ll see you in October or when the next cold front blows through. Whichever comes first.
Best regards,
Liz
Dear running chicas,
No, I’m not pregnant. I know I’ve used the misery of summer as an excuse to cut back on running while secretly prego, but that was a lifetime ago! That was back when two kids were a piece of cake and a third baby was going to just “ease into our family” without a hitch. I’m so much wiser now! On many fronts. And definitely not prego. Really.
See ya,
Liz
Dear body,
Ok, let’s get a few things straight. This new “summer survival” plan does not grant you permission to chunk up and bust through your Tempo shorts. We know that Austin’s hibernation season runs June-Sept. Do I need to point out how inconveniently this is timed with swimsuit season? Do me a favor and try to avoid adopting a winter layer of fat in the middle of the summer. You can start by curbing my nightly cravings for chocolate and tortilla chips.
Hugs,
Liz
Dear mental health,
Time to dig deep. Not much else to say. Talking only does so much, you know. Need I remind you that nothing (nothing!) gives us the endorphin fix like running, so it’s up to you to either motivate my pathetic butt…or help me find another acceptable outlet for all the spinning thoughts. Because lord knows the house is not big enough for a raging stress-ball mama. And if you won’t listen to me, I’m so not afraid to call Dr. Phil!
Much love,
Liz
Dear Austin,
About this time every year I question why I love thee so. Today, as the forecast calls for humid with a chance of sweltering, you still give me a few reasons to stay here during the summer. Like this one, or this one, or this one. Ooh, or this one. And when I really can’t take it anymore, this and this at the same time.
Fondly,
Liz
Family, what are you thankful for today?
Highlights from this week:
Chanda Mama
Math
So many fun things to do in Austin
Black beans
That suddenly I have 2 kids who like black beans
Last day of school!!
Pizza
Great bike-riding weather
Friends over for movie night
Zerberts
All three crazies running around the house in circles
Jim-Jim’s water ice
There’s a fine line between mothering and smothering . . .
Sometimes Doodlebug walks it so beautifully that I’m learning from her.
What are you doing, buddy?
Thinking about blasting off to Mars.
Let me know if you need a to-go snack.
Smiley does not always live up to his nickname. Lucky for me, his dark side usually appears in public places under tight time constraints.
Family, what are you thankful for today?
Highlights from this week:
Mac and cheese
Dino chicken
The plumber didn’t charge us
Smiley learned to blow a whistle
New karate belt (yell0w!)
Lunch with a friend
End-of-year family picnic
Harmonica
Homemade “video game”
Ketchup
Music videos
Running friends
Monthly breakfast parties
Connect
