Windows, Balloons & Race

Where did the week go? Here's a few things we were doing last week...

We had 3 windows that we had yet to replace in the 7 years we've been in this house (How has it been 7 years? I was only planning to be here 3. 4 at the most. Life is funny that way.) So last week we took the plunge and switched out the large window in the kitchen and the 2 windows in the breakfast room. 

Here is what the kitchen window looked like before...it was old. Like very old. And it was time for it to go. 

The new window looks so, so, I don't know, NEW. When you live in an almost 100 year old house, some times you forget things can look, I don't know, NEW. Lots of charm? Yes. New? No.

We love it. My only complaint is that I lost most of my window sill. But I'll get over it. And we have some maybe plans for our kitchen in the coming months, so if those pan out, I'll really get over it then!

The lighting is tricky in the breakfast room and I couldn't get a good close-up, but the windows and shades are new here too. The windows we had in there were also very old. They had lots of charm, but it was time for them to go. The new windows have made a huge difference already in the temperature of this room.

Scott took Friday off so that he could take the kids to the Balloon Glow in Forest Park that night. It's a tradition for them and I was thankful for the alone time to watch the Cardinals. He sent me this picture while they were gone. Just what I needed. More weapons.

On Saturday morning, Scott & Lila ran a race that benefits a wonderful organization in our school district - Mosaic Services. It was Lila's first race and she was SO excited!

She did great and Scott won the whole thing. It was a fabulous way to start off the weekend.

They had a balloon clown that insisted on getting in a picture with Nate. You can tell he was all over that. Not so much.

Have a great first week of Fall!

Weekend Notes

Fall weather showed up on Wednesday last week. The day after Lila and I were drenched in sweat at the Zoo. That's St. Louis weather for ya. 

Lila has been asking to wear long sleeved shirts for months. So she was very excited when I told her she could pick one out on Thursday. She picked the outfit I got her in Durham when I was visiting JE back in May. 

When we got her boots out, I realized she needed some new ones. Her feet are like all of the sudden 2 sizes bigger than they were last year. So while Scott took Nate to swim team Friday night, we hit up the mall. We were looking for (scratch that, I was looking for...) sparkly or fuzzy boots like she's had in the past. But she insisted on "skinny ones like Mom's." So that's what we got. Skinny ones like mom's. I am totally in for it with her! 

Our dear friends Kurt & Robyn came into town on Saturday and we were lucky enough to take in a baseball game with them. It was wonderful to spend time with them and the Cardinals won! It was a little chilly, but I was ready and it wasn't too bad.

Scott did a duathlon (run & bike) on Sunday out near the orchard where we go to pick apples in Illinois. So I decided to take the kids apple picking and then we would meet up with Scott for lunch.

We got there at just the right time, the line was all the way around the parking lot when we got finished.

Note: the boots.

I think the artic blast that we had in January hurt Eckert's apple crop this year. It was crowded because I think there weren't too many rows they could send pickers down.

But the kids managed to get some good ones. I'm always careful not to get too many - you can only eat so many apples. Lila sampled a good 50 while we were out there.

Nate has a loose tooth, but he was trying his best to sample one.

Show me your apple. But leave out your face.  Followed those instructions to a T.

Painful, but trying so hard:)

After we got finished, we hit up the amazing country store they have there. Everything fresh that you could ever want, so we had sandwiches made and ate at one of the picnic tables outside. Gorgeous day!  The kids loved these metal Sprite bottles, wonder where I can get some more?

I didn't really feel like making the obligatory apple pie when we got home, but while Nate was at swim team, Lila and I persevered. Glad we did, it was delicious! Another successful apple picking in the books...

Making It Count

Since starting my new schedule of working 3 days a week, I've tried hard to make the extra time count. It will be something different every week, but this week it meant taking Lila to the Zoo. Did you know that I have never taken Lila to the Zoo by herself?? This seems like a tragic wrong when thinking about how many times I took Nate to the Zoo by himself. But of course, things were different then with only one child. 

So I decided to right that wrong and we had the best time. Touching the fake cobra. Barely. 

Her favorite part of the hippo exhibit is this canoe, so she happily played in it while the other kids around us looked at the hippos.

She thinks they are kind of scary and I guess they kind of are up close.

I took a stroller, because, well, let's just say we abandoned the stroller too early with Lila and my back is paying the price. She enjoyed riding and then being able to hop out and explore.

We rode the carousel at the end and she did not want me to hold on to her at all. She kept pushing my hand away and really wanted me to get on my own animal so that I would just leave her alone already.  

I'm so grateful for my more part-time schedule that I can enjoy moments like this, before she goes off to school. Boo!

Mexican, Frozen, & Swim Team

All last week I was craving Mexican food, so I decided that the kids and I would go out to eat on Friday night after finishing up our school / work week. Instead of our regular Mi Ranchito, we decided to go to the Mexican restaurant in Maplewood, Las Palmas. The kids asked to go there and since it's right down the street, it was a no brainer. I wish I could say it was all that I dreamed of. But it wasn't. 

Let's just say we won't be going back. Mi Ranchito is much better!

We still managed to have a good time and unwind a little from our week.

On Saturday morning, Lila woke up with much anticipation. She was scheduled to attend the birthday party of one of her friends from SLCH, and she was so very excited to see her "old" friends.

Well. What she didn't know is that Elsa and Anna were going to pay a visit to the party! She was beyond words. And beyond mad at me that I forgot her Elsa dress:( She has to borrow a dress from the birthday girl.

She talked with them, played games with them, and of course sang all her favorite songs with them. It was the best day. She asked lots of questions all the way home about what car they came in, where they live, were we going the same way they had gone, etc., etc., etc...(insert 32 more etc's) I guess there's not a question anymore if I will be standing in the 4 hour line to see them at Disney World later this year.

After we rested a little bit, we walked down to the park because it was beautiful 78 degree weather. The kids played and climbed trees like monkeys. When we got home, Lila promptly took a bath and put on her pajamas. She was worn out from her fun day with Elsa and Anna!

Nate started his winter swim team practice yesterday. It is at Webster University and I think we're all really going to like it. Watching him swim makes my heart happy.

Happy Monday!

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

I decided to purge the closet that is in my office this week. I keep nearly everything that is associated with my work and since I work out of my home, that means I get to store it at home too. It's not always a good plan. So I purged and purged to make some more space. 

While I was purging, I found a manila folder that said "Abatha" on the front in my Mom's handwriting. I guess she'd given it to me a while back, because I didn't have any recollection of what was inside. I opened it to find report cards, all of my awards from high school, and newspaper clippings. Along with my mementos, there were also some of Emily's and Hamil's. I guess they didn't make it in their folders. Sorry guys. But since I keep everything, so you shouldn't be worried. 

One of Emily's mementos was a written copy of the speech she made at her high school graduation. The print is faded and the paper is tattered, so I know it was the one she held when she was giving the speech. I only vaguely remembered it, even though I was there, so I was excited to read and remember her thoughts.  I am so touched by her words and so impressed to realize how real they are even today. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing...

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go

Emily Corse, Salutatorian 

May 25th, 1993

In my senior English class, we read an essay about a month ago that really fits this occasion. It was called, "Where the World Began." In it, the author, Margaret Laurence, described that small Canadian prairie town in which she grew up. Her point was that no matter how far away from there she traveled or how much recognition she got for her work, that little prairie town would always influence her because it was her first view of the world. The essay seemed appropriate for us to read before graduation because here, in this town with one stoplight, is where our world began. Like Margaret Laurence, our lives will forever be affected by where we started out. We will always have a connection with each other because we have grown up together and shared many experiences that will shape our lives. 

This moment can be compared to the beginning of a long distance race. The training has been difficult, and I know there were times when we all thought we would never get to the point where we are now. We have worked so hard, and finally we are stepping up to the starting line, nervously anticipating the fire of the gun. This isn't really a race to see who finishes first, though, or one in which there are losers. The important thing is to keep going, even when it hurts. 

I want to encourage everyone to stay in the race, and wish you good luck!

On your mark, get set, GO! 

The bolded text is so true. Thank you Emily for reminding me today! 

Cardinals vs. Pirates

On Sunday afternoon, I decided that it might be fun to go to the ballgame on Labor Day. I found some great, cheap tickets on StubHub and asked Scott if he thought it would be a good idea, given that Nate had the triathlon in the morning and all. He thought we could handle it, so we bought the tickets and were off! 

We stopped at a little lunch place before going in the stadium. Keep this picture in mind for a comparison to what I looked like at the end of the day! Still fresh!

When we sat down in our seats, Yadi was right there in front of us. It couldn't have been more perfect. Lila loved watched Yadi warm up. She's getting very good at naming the players and remembering who is hurt, etc...I guess I talk about it a little, or a lot much around here.

We hit a new family milestone and stayed until the very end! Cardinals WIN! They had the Kids Run the Bases event after the game, and Lila was determined we were going to stay. After seeing the line, I was ready to throw in the towel, but I'm so glad we didn't.

Keeping it real - in the belly of Busch Stadium. We had sweated out everything we had in the afternoon sun.

The line only took about 30 minutes, and they were off!

So glad we stayed! It was so much fun to see them run around the bases.

Keeping it very real. Lila doesn't want to take a picture and I'm a hot sweaty mess. Nate looks handsome as usual.

Nate was good natured enough to stand next to Scott for a picture. Lila was drawing in the dirt in case you were wondering.

And then we headed home - and Lila's face shows how we all felt!

We cleaned up and ate dinner when we got home and went straight to bed. Only to be up at 11:00 PM to take cover in the basement for a tornado warning. Love those late night warnings!

Nate's Triathlon

When Nate told us that he wanted to sign up for the triathlon after swim team wrapped up this summer, I was shocked. He has never liked being the center of attention, especially in a sporting event. So although shocked, I was thrilled. He and Scott practiced bike riding and running during the remainder of the summer and they both thought he was ready. 

He never appeared to be nervous and as the triathlon grew closer, I was amazed at how nonchalant he was about the whole gig. We left the house on Monday morning and he still appeared very unconcerned. Here he is waiting for his heat... 

He wouldn't smile for me and then proceeded to tell me his goggles never worked and they weren't going to work for the race. I turned to my mom, who came up to watch him compete and asked if that was normal for him to have a ridiculous wild hair right before the race. She said it absolutely was.  Note: He also hated the markings on his body. Scott told him they would have a special marker, but instead they had a big ole Sharpie. And he was not happy about it!

I was so proud of him, even before he raced!

Waiting to swim...the race starter gave them about 47 more instructions than necessary and I could tell he was confused. But he did fine and hopped in the water when it was time.

I had expected him to do freestyle, but Scott had told him he could do whatever stroke he wanted. His best is breast stroke so that's what he did. I still kinda thought he should do freestyle but I refrained from shouting that when he was doing his turns. I didn't want to be THAT parent. The other kid in the lane with him started out doing freestyle but then switched to breast when he saw Nate doing it:)

After the swim, he was off on his bike.

There was a big hill and turn right out of the transition and it seemed like it took him forever to get up it. But he did and pedaled on.

He kept looking behind him on the bike and I thought he was going to fall. But of course he didn't.

Photo credit: Caroline Strong Photography

Then he was off on the run...still looking like he hadn't really done anything to physically exert himself. Youth.

And here he comes up to the finish line!

Y'all know I was screaming at the top of my lungs FINISH STRONG!!!! Because I just can't help myself. I love that Scott and Lila are on the other side of this picture. 

He's like, Stop Yelling At Me, MOM!

He's finished! 100 meter swim, 3 mile bike, 1/2 mile run. 

Classic Nate. So proud of my little triathlete!

My friend Caroline took these pictures and I love them so much. So thankful she was there to capture this moment!

Photo credit: Caroline Strong Photography

Photo credit: Caroline Strong Photography

Photo credit: Caroline Strong Photography

This picture makes my heart melt. Nate, we are so proud of you!  

Photo credit: Caroline Strong Photography