Adventure Island

In order to beat the heat today, I decided to take the kids to the local water park, Adventure Island. Johnny and I took Elle last year when I was pregnant with Hudson, and it was a big hit. I thought Hudson was probably old enough to enjoy all the park has to offer now that he is nine months. Luckily I was right, and both he and Elle had a wonderful time playing and getting thoroughly wet.

Hudson loved the water even more than I expected—he absolutely loved getting wet. He couldn’t stop walking right up to the water, all the while getting pelted in the face, and reach his little hand out to touch it. It was very cute, and he was soaked from head to toe in no time flat. Elle, too, loved the water—no surprise there—she could have stayed and ran around the park all day. But sadly, there always has to be an end to the fun. Hudson needed a nap; I needed a break; and it was too hot.

Elle's First Run

Elle, like her mother, loves to run; and what better way for her to have her first competitive run, than to have her chase an ice cream truck and be rewarded with ice cream at the finish line. That is precisely what Elle got to experience tonight during her half-mile dash in the Main Street Mile event. Elle got her own shirt; her own number; and she got all of the excitement and enthusiasm that comes with a running event. And seeing as how she is only four, I got to sign up and run with her for her very first race.

Elle has watched and cheered me on for many of my runs; and she has asked almost constantly to run with me. Since running with me is an impossibility, I scoured the internet for the perfect kid-run for her. I was thoroughly excited when I stumbled upon this event. It could not have been more perfect for Elle--the length, the ice cream, the shirts, the numbers; it all fit perfectly. When I asked Elle if she would be interested in participating, she was excited. It was exactly what she has been asking me for.

So, tonight, we ran together in Elle's first competitive run, and we had so much fun. We held hands at the beginning, and soon she felt tired (a half-mile is a long ways for a four-year-old). I asked her if she would like me to give her a piggyback, and she of course assented. I ran most of the race with her on my back—not very easy; I was completely out of breath—and then she ran the last leg to the finish line. She did so well, and had so much fun. And at the end she received a blue ribbon and her hard-earned ice cream bar.

I am so glad that we could run in this race together. Spending time with Elle, doing the things we both love, is the best.

Nine-Month-Old

Hudson is now a big nine-month-old. He has two teeth—with more on the way; he stands all by himself—very cute on his chubby legs; he can take three steps in a row—he is a big walker now; he knows how to whine on cue—he has found that often times he gets what he wants with this fake cry; he knows how to open all the cupboards in the kitchen—very messy; he has the best belly laugh—there is nothing better; he has eyes only for his sister—he thinks she is the best; and he makes our lives pure bliss—he is such a happy, sweet, little boy. We love Hudson.

We also took Hudson for his nine month well-check visit, and got his stats.

His growth percentiles for nine months were:

Weight 20 lbs 10 oz (50%)
Height 29” (75%)
Head 18” (70%)

Hudson is still growing strong and very healthy. Getting his stats at each well-check is fun and entertaining—especially when we compare them with Elle. At nine months Elle weighed 16 pounds 8 ounces, and she was 26 ¾ inches long. Definitely a big difference. But big or small, we love our children.

Unveiling the Abraham Lincoln Statue

After the 5K, Elle, Bridget, Hudson, and I attended the unveiling of the new Abraham Lincoln statue in Julia Davis Park. The ceremony was a little long for the kids, but when they finally took the covering off the statue, Elle found it to be quite impressive, and so did I.

The statue is an enlarged replica of a statue sculpted by Gutzon Berglum—an Idaho native—the sculptor of Mount Rushmore. It is a 9 foot high bronze statue and it weighs 6,500 pounds. It is a very striking imitation of the 16th president of the United States.

After the ceremony, we all hopped in the car and headed home. However, just as we were crossing the Boise River, I felt the car slow down—we were out of gas. This came as no surprise, because the empty light had been on since Tuesday. I always tend to push the car to its limit when it comes to an empty gas tank. I was a little nervous this time though, because I had pushed the car a little too much (I have never actually ran out of gas before). Plus, I did not know where to pull off on the bridge, and I knew Johnny would kill me for not filling up the car or asking him to do it. But thankfully, just as my mind—and stomach—went into panic mode, the car got an extra surge of gas and made it across the bridge. I thought I would just pull into the BSU stadium parking lot, when I suddenly saw the most perfectly placed gas station. It couldn’t have been in a better spot. So, with that little surge of gas, I was able to whip up to the pump and fill my dying car. I was completely relieved—I did not want to spend my afternoon waiting by the stadium, with two kids, in the heat, while I waited for Johnny to arrive. I am very grateful that my car gave me its all; and I do not plan on pushing it so far again…hopefully.

See Jane Run 5K

Bridget and I ran a 5K on Saturday in the annual See Jane Run Women’s Half Marathon and 5k. I originally thought it would be fun to run a half marathon, but as the date loomed closer—and I hadn’t run once—I opted to run the 5K instead, and Bridget agreed. However, even when I had registered and was committed to the race, I still did not find the motivation to run. I hadn’t run since my marathon in August of 08 (I know, sad). After my marathon, I got pregnant; and since having Hudson, I haven’t found the time or motivation to run. So, five days before my race I decided to run two miles. It wasn’t too bad considering how long it had been since my last running endeavor. I then ran two more times before my big race. I felt pretty good—not great—after my semi-training.

Luckily, my semi-training did me well, because I felt good during the race. I ran hard, and pushed myself to its limit (I get quite competitive). Bridget was nice and volunteered to push Elle in the stroller (something I would never do—I am way too competitive). I set Elle up with an IPod, and she loved it. However, she and Bridget had to take one potty break, and Elle insisted on running at one point (precisely why I did not want to push her). Bridget and Elle had fun, and after I finished I met them a ways back and ran to the finish line with them.

I am very happy that Bridget and I ran this 5K. I have now found my motivation to run again. I don’t know why I waited so long. I hope to run many more races, and hopefully some with Elle (she now loves to run, too).

Nature Center, Neighbors, and a New Park

We attended the Nature Center—along with our neighbors—and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The kids got to run around and view lots of fish. However, they didn’t seem all that impressed—they were more interested in pretending to run from tigers than view the very things that we went to see. Though the few fish they took a break long enough to look at, seemed to amaze and impress them a little.

After chasing them around the nature center a while—I guess we were the tigers—we decided to take them to the park nearby. The park was a huge hit; they could have stayed there all day. It was like pulling teeth to get them to leave. But at last we got them buckled in the car, with promises of returning soon.