Thanksgiving

Once again this year we had a nice mellow Thanksgiving, just the 4 of us. We didn't even do a turkey, instead we had steak! Everybody's favourite! The kids loved just hanging around not doing a lot. Our weeks are so busy and so full of rushing around that we don't get to relax with the kids as much as we would like. We played board games with Ana, James and the kids baked and decorated cookies, and we played outside in the garden in what was perhaps the last warm weather spell of the year.

 The day after Thanksgiving, James was working, so like we did last year, we headed downtown for the parade of the big balloons and to meet Dad for lunch. After lunch I took the kids to the museum (I must be mad) and then we stuck around to see the lighting of the quad and the arrival of Santa. Things got a little more interesting when there was a massive explosion just a few blocks away. Never a dull moment in Springfield!! 

At the parade

Lunch

 Museum

 

Despite my protests that we forgo it this year, James and the kids pulled out the Christmas tree. As I predicted Isaac was a total liability, throwing baubles, pulling things off the tree, but it was still fun!

He's ba-ack! Elfred Pepper showed up this week and Ana was thrilled! She squeeled when she spotted him and has been talking to him and looking for his new spot every morning. Isaac joined in the clapping and squeeling, even though he had no idea why. he was just happy to be a part of the noise.

Watching TV together. They always sit in the same spot as close as possible to each other!

We got a lovely report on Isaac from his daycare this week. His teacher told us he is unbelievably sweet. He is kind and loving to the other kids, often passing out hugs and patting their shoulders. What a sweet boy. He and Ana love to hug each other too. We got lucky with two such affectionate kids. Unfortunately Ana and Isaac's hugging evolves into wrestling 99% of the time, but the intent is there!

Ana is pretty cute

November updates

Isaac's latest passion? Hats!  How cute is he? And how cute is bug girl Ana on her way to dance class? Sniff!

His other passion, not a new one this time, OREOS!

Lastly, Isaac just loves, loves, LOVES his sister. Anywhere Ana is, Isaac is sure to follow. He mimics everything she does. And when they sit down to watch TV, rather than sit apart, they squish into one chair. Awwwww

Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year.  Last year due to the snowstorm and power outage we didn't get to do a Halloween, so Ana was super excited for this year. The weather threatened to spoil the fun again with another huge storm, but Springfield was spared this time. My Mum and Dad's flight was delayed, but it was nice to have them here for Halloween, so we didn't mind that!

Off to trick or treat!

 Our spooky feast!

Halloween was quite the extended celebration for Ana this year. She got to go through at least three different outfits. We had yellow ranger, Mulan, and a witch!

With her first grade friends: Cami, Diane, and ??

Understanding Isaac

Down = Up
Oop = Open
Looook = Luke
Ukkeee = Cookie
Wowow = Briscoe
Mote = Remote

Mama Runs.... really far

This month I completed my first marathon. I never thought I would do a marathon, but this summer I went for it. I had some great training runs where I felt on top of the world, but far more awful ones where I doubted I would ever finish a 26.2. Running in the heat and humidity of August didn't help! Even up until a week before the event I had serious doubts I could pull it off. Luckily for me I went away to a sport psychology conference the week before the race where I got some great motivation and mental tips!  The morning of the race was freezing. Julie and I were shivering waiting in the loooooong queue for the port-a-potties. We were running a little late (for once, not my fault!) so as soon as we parked and peed we had to high tail it to the start line. We got there mere seconds before the gun went off! I would have liked to stretch a little more and soak up the atmosphere, but at least I didn't have time to be nervous or freeze! Despite the cold temps (30 f at the start of the race) I was nice and warm within the first mile, where I threw off my hat and gloves. And by mile 4 I was actually too hot and wishing I had gone for short sleeves! The first few miles of the race were fairly boring. I was running alone and I was running nice and slow, so my biggest obstacle was boredom. I was even updating my progress on facebook as I trotted along.

Mile 8 - feeling good!

I was feeling pretty good for the first half, but I had a slight disaster around mile 14 when my Garmin died. Without the Garmin I didn't really know how fast I was going. I had heard a lot of warnings to take it nice and slow for at least the first 18 miles, so I was worried about pace. Then my phone started to die! I thought I would need music much more at the end of the run so I shut it off. So mile 14-20 was done technology free. Yikes! I latched on to a in a triathlon shirt at around 15 miles for someone to talk to. That really helped! I ran with him until about 18 miles when I started to pull away. 16-18 miles was when things started getting tough, 20 miles was tougher still, and around 22 was when I really started to feel it. I put all my focus on to the white line running down the side of the road. I just stared at the line and kept putting one foot in front of the other following the line. At 23 miles I saw the city. We left the city around mile 6, so this was a most welcome site. I knew at that point I had it. I was grinning like a Cheshire cat, which must have looked pretty crazy I guess! Despite how good I felt at this point, I was DYING at mile 24. The two miles from 24-26 were endless, and this was the first time I had to walk on the inclines.  Eventually I made it to mile 26 which was amazing. Rounding the bend to come into the final straight to the finish I saw James (holding a sleeping Isaac) and Ana (looking fed up).

Mile 26.1 - spotting Ana and James!

I stopped and pulled Ana over the barricade so she could cross the finish line with me. AMAZING!

I got my foil blanket (hello, hardcore!) and my enormous finisher medal. Pretty much as soon as I finished running I was toast. I could barely shuffle back to the car. It was cold and the kids were bored and James was tired of chasing them, and I was paralyzed, so not really the huge runners high you might imagine.... that came much later! At that point I just wanted to warm up and go to bed!  In the days following the marathon I pretty much felt invincible. I looked up more marathons to add to my wish list, and even toyed with the idea of an ultra! I have recovered from that temporary insanity now, but I'm still pretty sure this won't be my last 26.2 :)