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Can I just tell you that this was one of the most fun things I've done in a long time? Maybe that's sad and depressing, but seriously, I had a blast. Hopefully all those who came to my "race party" feel the same.
So how did it work? Pretty much exactly like I wanted it to work. I invited a ton of people, some signed up to run, some volunteered to help, some declined, and some didn't respond at all. I ended up with 26 5K runners, but with a bunch of kids and others who brought the total to nearly 50 people coming to my party!
The one big thing I wanted to do, but didn't, was actually run the race on race day. Sure, I'd run it a couple of times to check distances, but I wanted to run it early Saturday to (1) mark the mileage and (2) eat my flippin' donut! However, due to my stomach issues, I was unable to run that day. Sniff sniff.
Upon arrival at the park, bibs and pins were handed out to 5K runners (except those last-minute entrants who didn't get bibs--oops). As soon as everyone arrived, we started. Of course I forgot to start the actual race timer when I yelled GO! (oops) but hey, lesson learned, right?! While the runners were running, I was busy getting the finish line set. With the help of my volunteers, we got the streamers all set and the photographer in place. As I wasn't sure when runners would start returning (batteries in walkie talkies died--oops again), it was a fun surprise to see the first man come running towards us! Soon more and more people trickled in. And within 50 minutes, all of the runners had returned.
After the 5K race, we did the kids race where they ran across a small bridge, ate a donut or two, and then went back. I should have moved the race finish line for them, but again, lesson learned. But I'm pretty sure the toddlers didn't even notice.
While all of the runners cooled down and ate bananas, muffins, and leftover donuts, I tabulated final times in order to hand out awards. Medals were given for the first stroller, first youth, and the Lucky Donut. Medals and t-shirts were given to the first female and first male runners. All kids got ribbons.
Then we just hung out and chatted and partied! Hooray! Mark your calendars now, people: the Second Annual Donut Dash is set for Saturday, October 5th, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.
Start and finish area
Donut table
Cutest toddler trotter ever
Note: I intended to do a full write-up on the race but unfortunately some nasty bug in my stomach plus having a family and a household to run has come in between me and posting. Let's hope I can get it together by Wednesday. Thanks for you patience. Rest assured that the race went down and was awesome.
If you're going to do a race, of course you need a start/finish line. Since PVC pipe has been all over the blogtopia lately, it seemed to me a perfect solution to our problem. Plus, it doubles as a sprinkler water toy and triples as an outdoor movie screen frame. I used material from sheets that I got at the thrift store to make the actual banner, which made it totally cheap to make.
These are the medals for the 5K race portion. One each for first female, first male, first youth, first stroller, and the Lucky Donut! (Yes, that's five medals but only four are shown.)
The ribbons for the kids' donut run. All participants got a ribbon because all participants were winners--duh.
The t-shirts. We didn't give them to registrants, but rather I cut the stencils with my Silhouette and told people if they wanted one, to just let me know.
At the last hour, I decided that the top male and female finishers needed winning t-shirts. So I ran to Michael's, whipped up the design, and had those babies ready for our winners.
And the bibs. I laminated them so sweat wouldn't wear them out. And because laminating is just plain fun.
At (my very first ever) book club meeting last week, we had lots of lively discussion. (And yes, the discussions included the book, thank-you-very-much.) One topic in particular got me thinking: If you have grandparents, you've probably rolled your eyes at things that they said or did. You know, like how grandparents can't figure out computers (gross generalizations noted), or how they use funny words like "slacks" (as in "pants," not as in "increases one's laziness").
But here's the thing: I have every expectation that someday, should Rhett and Ollie have kids, I will be an eye-roll-inducing grandmother. But what, exactly, will I do to induce such eye rolling? Chuck and I came up with two possibilities:
1. Reading printed material. I love reading newspapers. I've been a subscriber since my first days in the dorms as a college freshman. And books. I cannot convert to reading on a Nook or Kindle or whatever. But Chuck and I both think all things print (newspapers, books, textbooks even) will be gone and replaced by readers installed in our eyelids so we only need to close our eyes to begin reading. (Kidding. Kind of.)
2. Using bananas as pretend phones. Since phones no longer reach from the ear to the mouth, the concept of using one as a joke phone will be completely lost on them. I am especially looking forward to this as I cannot hold a banana without pretending it's a phone. Cannot. I'm sure teenaged grandchildren will LOVE this, especially if friends are with them.
I'm particularly interested in what beliefs I have that will be seen as very outdated by grandchildren. What else?
Donut Dash tomorrow! So excited!
Rhett's at it again.
Rhett: Mom, why do parents always take the fun out of everything?
Rhett was at his friend's house where he is being served lunch. Rhett asked for peanut butter and honey sandwiches (with no crust) and apple slices (with no peel). The chef very kindly obliged because he was a guest; those requests are not normally granted in her house, nor in ours. Later during lunch, Rhett remarked, "I'm sure glad I'm eating lunch here. [MY MOM] would never cut the edges off my sandwich or my apples." That kid.
******* On a related note *******
Okay, every so often I post these funny-to-me statements from Rhett. Of course, Chuck and I think they're hysterical, and we expect family (and maybe friends?) to find them mildly entertaining, which is one of the reasons I share them. But here's the rub: I know that not everyone finds them funny. Nor does everyone think he's charming in person. And really, I don't expect either of those.
But in person, Rhett can be somewhat of an attention hog and sometimes I indulge him because I think he's being hysterical. But what if he's not? What if all of his funny-to-me interruptions are really annoying to those with whom I'm speaking? How does a mom (a well-meaning but maybe clueless mom) know if her kid is cute or if he's just obnoxious? How much of a conversation should I allow my four-year-old to hijack? (Please don't say none. The kid is four. I really believe that expecting him to leave me completely alone is above his ability. Yes it's something I'm aiming for and working on, but now it's just not our reality.) I am genuinely concerned about this.
You'd be reading about:
The return of real NFL refs to the game and how exciting this is.
The woman who tweeted about a Baltimore Ravens (football) player's brother's death and what that means for her employment (FIRED!).
How awesome his wife his and how much more he could be doing to serve her. Totally this one, right?
Or maybe just about how transparent I am when I ask, "So, uh, if you were going to post something on the blog, uh, what exactly would you write? You know, just for hypotheticalistic reasons?"
So what if I've used this title before. It's true.
Ollie is working hard to make sure Bruno gets more-than-he-should-have human food by throwing the entire contents of every meal from the high chair to the floor. He's sleeping longer in the morning and if we have 5:00 a.m. wake-ups, they're more likely due to Rhett than Ollie. But Ollie and I are enjoying our sans-Rhett mornings by doing things like copying the ward/Relief Society bulletins for my calling, shopping, running errands. Hmmm...maybe I should have said I am enjoying my sans-Rhett mornings.
Rhett has totally adjusted to preschool, I think. He doesn't complain about going and really seems to enjoy it. I'm learning that he's a very devoted and loyal friend. He gets one friend and keeps to her (yes "her"). At church it's Madeleine. At school it's Sarah. Not one for broadening his horizons, this one. Although, sorry Sarah, he's already decided to marry Madeleine and have either two or seven kids. Also, he made his first successful phone call to Madeleine this week. It was awesome. We've done some successful "Make-it Mondays" and even one "Science Friday." We're having good times.
Did I mention that Chuck is now riding his bike to work thrice weekly? Largely spurred by me, but still, he's doing it. And I think he might even kinda just barely teensy bit like it.
And me. I'm just working hard to cross things off my myriad lists. Yesterday I got the passport-renewal check mark and this weekend I hope to be able to check off the shed-organizing because it's been driving me crazy long enough. I'm totally failing when it comes to my chores check list so a new plan of action is being devised.
P.S. Ugh. Suspicions are being confirmed as I type this. My life is lame! See what was happening the last time I posted about having nothing? Almost identical posts (preschool, high chair, tired). So lame. So apologetic. So not going to do anything about it. Except Saturday is Pumpkin Day! Which pumpkin beauty should I make?
P.P.S. One last thing. Promise. I've become quite addicted to my library's "Freegal." It gives me three free MP3 downloads a week. And let me tell you, the selection is near incredible. Serious. My most recent acquisition was "Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors. That's right: lookin' at you Angie V.
Sometimes it pays to be Chuck's wife. And by "pays" I mean it delivers nice benefits. And by "benefits" I mean he scored super cool pull-down world map from a friend. And by "super cool" I also mean free.
Also, I took a practice SAT last night (just the maths part). So disappointed in me. Ugh. But taking the test was fun. It was almost as fun as looking at different cubicle layouts at work yesterday.
Chuck and I were driving the boys to our Babysitters' Club house and Rhett was questioning us about where we were going on our date. We told him that we might go clothes shopping for Chuck. Rhett replies, "No, C'MON. Do something fun. I want it to not be boring."
Me: Rhett, you need to learn to eat things other than sandwiches for lunch.
Rhett: I do, like, cereal and noodles...and...cilantro.
Chuck and I were talking about "A Christmas Story" the movie. We surmised that Rhett had seen it and were asking him if it was true.
Chuck: It's a movie about a boy who wants a BB gun. You know, a gun that shoots BBs.
After a minute or so of silence...
Rhett: Who would want to shoot babies?
After getting him dressed for church, he looks in the mirror and says, "I look like a young man."
And immediately after this shot, he drops Ollie on his head.
And then after church, he falls asleep in quiet time while "reading." Oh I love this boy. (See his sleepy face in the mirror?)
We've been back in Maryland for about the same amount of time we were in Utah. Since being back, I've given a lot of thought to Maryland v. Utah. But here's the argument that Utah wins it on: In Utah, it's simply easier and more enjoyable to be outside.
Since I started my Maryland life nearly 12 years ago, I've turned into someone who doesn't like being outside, except for a couple of months in the spring and fall. But in the summer? Mornings are hard because the grass is dewy and afternoons are hard because it's hot and muggy. I just cringe inside every time the boys ask to go outside. It makes me question myself. Have I really turned into a person who doesn't like being outside? Before moving here, I loved being outside. What happened?
But it turns out that I still love being outside...just in Utah. Because even in summer, Utah is okay. The days don't heat up until the afternoons, but even then, if you're in the shade or there's a breeze, it's still pleasant! And the nights! Oh, those lovely mountain nights. How I loves me some mountain nights. So being in Utah restored my faith in me being an outside-girl. Phew; I was getting nervous.
Let's hope the fall comes soon!
P.S. Wouldn't you know that Maryland has been simply lovely this week? Absolutely gorgeous. Cool in the mornings for runs, pleasant in the afternoons for trips to the playground.
P.P.S. But oh how we miss my mom's car. But oh how I love having Bruno around to clean up after Ollie.
P.P.P.S. I have great admiration for my Maryland friends who battle the summers and still get out. I'm just, sadly, not one of those people who can do that.
Clearly I was confused when I thought our boys would be the same. I thought that since Chuck and I are similar to each other, that there just wasn't much to make them different. But the more I observe the boys, the more I realize that they're going to be wildly different.
Sure, both boys have enjoyed a constant bedtime since about five months of age. However, Rhett was deposited in a crib with soothing white noise, complete darkness, and no roommates. Ollie, however, is deposited in a crib with white noise (ocean instead of rainstorms), but with a brother right next to him who is reading books with a small light on. Occasionally that older brother starts to yell for parents. Occasionally that older brother is throwing a tantrum.
Also, Rhett doesn't have an older brother (duh). Rhett grew up in a house where two parents spoke lovingly to him and around him all of the time. Ollie, however, is occasionally subjected to yelling from parents to his older brother. Thankfully we've been able to avoid yelling directly at a one-year-old.
With Rhett we attempted to give him a varied diet and made sure all of his foods were finely diced. Ollie, however, is lucky to get his whole banana peeled for him.
And maybe the most obvious, because Ollie does have an older brother, he gets that rich experience. Someone to look up to (hopefullly), someone to learn from (only the good stuff hopefully), and someone to play with (or under). What a difference from Rhett's life.
I'm just learning that the environment for Ollie is so very different (you can't even say better or worse here) than what Rhett had. This just makes me so much more excited to see the little person Ollie becomes!
A few days ago, our dinner plans fell through. It was late on a Saturday afternoon and grocery shopping for the upcoming week still needed to get done. I suggested finding dinner at the grocery store so off we went. Easier said than done apparently because we found nothing. We ended up at the frozen foods aisle and just stared at our options. Taquitos. Hot pockets. Lean Cuisines. Then Chuck said it, the thing that has made me happy ever since: "You know, before we were married I ate this all the time and it tasted good to me. But now, it all just looks disgusting." Do you even know how happy this made me? How happy it still makes me? So very happy.
Sure, sometimes we fall into the he's-more-a-roommate thing, and sometimes he does things that really bother me. We're normal. I'm not very good at the "Ode to Chuck" posts so you're not likely to find them. But don't you worry: I still really like him.
P.S. He's started biking to work three days a week. I think it's awesome.
Before last week's orientation day, I was nervous about Rhett and preschool. Sure, I knew he'd be fine after he was there for a bit. But I was pretty sure he wouldn't be fine when I left him. After last week's orientation day, however, that all changed. He was super excited and not a bit nervous.
The morning started early for me as I wanted to finish the special "First Day of School" breakfast that Rhett requested. (Breakfast actually started with one pack of "smarties" but we won't talk about that.)
Before breakfast, however, he said goodbye to Dad!
Sadly, the little dude didn't care very much for the breakfast breadsticks and opted for a bowl of cereal instead. It's okay because I didn't care too much for them either. (That doesn't mean I didn't eat any, of course.)
After breakfast, it was time for pictures! First, this shirt which he'll wear every year....
...each year adding a hand print on the back.
Then pictures without the shirt...
...with the new backpack...
...and with the unhappy brother.
Finally we made it to school. We checked him in, hung up the backpack, and found his seat. Then time for me to go!
And how did I do? Just fine! I admit I got a little teary-eyed driving away. This was not because "my-baby-is-growing-up-so-fast," but more "he's-without-me-and-I-can't-protect-him-from-things!" But after enjoying the grocery store with only one kid, I quickly forget about it.
His first words when I picked him up? "I loved it!" Let's just hope he understands that he has to go back today and then next Monday and then Wednesday and then...
Oh yeah. You thought I was kidding, right? WRONG. I don't know why I am so drawn to this race-turned-party, but I am. So we're doing it.
Here is what we've accomplished so far:
determined the date, time, and place
emailed potential runners (even got a few people registered and volunteering!)
ran the course route
made the start/finish chute (out of PVC so it doubles as water play for the boys)
made the start/finish banner
designed t-shirt stencils
designed bibs
What's left? Tons! But it's so much fun that I don't mind. I'm learning that not only do I love organizing spaces (I tackled the junk drawer last weekend), but I love organizing events. So many lists and things to cross off. So much fun planning. Just too much fun. It is doubtful that it will it be more fun than the actual event, however, so if you're in the area: please come!
Who doesn't love donuts?! (I know, I know...there are a handful of you. But you know you're in the minority, right?)
P.S. Today's is Rhett's first day of preschool! Details Friday...
The word "reservoir" is pronounced:
a. res-e-voir (all frenchy like)
b. res-e-vore (not at all frenchy like)
You see someone while out and about and you happen to notice that they're wearing garments. Do you say anything, or is that just awkward? Note: You are not in Utah or Idaho.
Sometimes I sleep with one leg hanging off the bed. Is that weird?
Unknown side effect of the dehumidifier #1: Our towels are super dry! Normally, they never get truly dry between showers. But recently I noticed that they are almost a bit rough because they're just that dry. It's awesome.
Unknown side effect #2: Our bedroom (just outside of which the dehumidifier sits) is getting super hot at night. Like 80 degrees hot. Cue chorus of Marylanders: But it's a DRY heat!
Unknown side effect #3: Although it's running all the time (we figure it gets anywhere from 2-4 gallons of water out of our air per day), we're probably coming out even on electricity because we were able to turn up the thermostat. And by that I mean that instead of cooling our house to 75, we can turn up the temp to 77 because it's a DRY cool!
Considering how much time I've spent thinking about just how good it was, I think I must declare leftover-pie-crust-baked-with-cinnamon-and-sugar-sprinkled-on-it my current most favoritest food. Somebody remember this in 11 months and give me just unbaked pie crust for my birthday, okay?
My kids, just like yours I'm sure, put themselves into weird places.
