One week down!

We made it through the first week of Kindergarten! He was excited to go each day and had a big smile on his face when he would get home. However, on day three he asked if he had to go to school the next day. Kevin said, "You get to go every day! Just like how daddy goes to work every day." Cory got teary and said, "I don't want to go to school every day!" I just shook my head and said, "This is going to be a long 13 years."

I thought this PTA sign/display was awesome. It really did lighten my mood and cheer me up.

Slim says Woo Hoo!

I said Boo Hoo!

Today was a great Saturday. In fact I think it was almost perfect. I was able to pace the Murdock Half Marathon, watching my friend Heidi get a PR and my friend Missy finish her first Half Marathon. Dang I love this running stuff!

 The rest of the day was spent with these handsome fellows. We helped daddy get new tires on his truck, had a yummy dinner at Red Robin, dessert at the BYU creamery and even had time for a walk to the park to play zombies. I wish I could bottle up days like today and enjoy them over and over again.

Today is a BIG day

 Before we get to why today is a really big day, I have to share some fun moments from the weekend. Sunday before church, we went on a walk and relaxed at the park. Kevin and I both got cozy on our own benches and soaked up the morning sun. 

 Mason is in love with his new "noc-lars" and even smuggled them into church.

 Monday morning's run was super windy! When I stopped for a drink, this is what I encountered: the wind was blowing the water the opposite direction.

The windy run rewarded me with another pretty sunrise.

 Today I must have been half asleep when I got to the gym, because when I went to leave I realized I had parked in a handicap spot. Oops.

Now time for the BIG day news!!

My Cory Boy officially starts Kindergarten. This milestone has been shockingly hard for me. It's brought all the regrets, insecurities and failures of my first 5 years of motherhood to the front of my brain. I know that I need to change my thinking, but I just love him so much and wish I was better at this whole "mom" thing. He has truly been my "guinea pig". 

Holly and I took our cuties out to lunch for one last hoorah!  These two boys have been friends as long as they can remember.

 

Cory and Jackson's first time meeting each other

 

 These two have really grown up together

 Sweet Cory at his 1st birthday party. He kept kissing and hugging his Pooh Bear cake. (It was also his first time ever having sugar. Ha! Things sure have changed around here.)

 

After our lunch date, we had some more fun with Aunt Holly and Jack Jack.

 Say a little prayer for me that I can make it out of the school before I have my big cry fest!

How do you push those "mommy failures" out of your mind?

Are you close with your cousins?

Any advice for a mom starting the "public school journey"?

The Narrows

My friends Jessica and Andrea invited me to hike the Narrows in Zion National Park with them. I'd hiked the bottom section back in 2005, but had never done all 16 miles. They've invited me on a couple adventures before, but I was always pregnant or nursing and had to miss out. Thankfully Kevin was supportive of me going. This past year he has really let the focus be on me as I made training and running my first marathon a top priority. He has given me precious Saturday after Saturday to either do my long runs or race. He stayed home with the boys so that I could go and have an amazing weekend with my friends. 

The water level was really low so we were able to make really great time. The pictures don't begin to do the day justice. This canyon is gorgeous!

The whole group at the start

We may not be as young as we used to be, but we still know how to have fun.

 All the girls

 That is me when I fell on my bum in the river. It was bound to happen I guess.

Nothing like hiking 16 miles in a river bottom to make your dinner the best tasting food you've ever had. I wish these ladies lived closer.

Circle of Life Education

The weekend started out with a little twist, when Cory decided to give me a "curl". He likes to brush my hair sometimes, but he's never attempted a curl. It took me 20 minutes to get the comb out of my hair. 

 Friday night we went to a local museum on BYU campus. It has been closed for like a year and we were really excited that is open again. All four of us loved it!

 The boys especially loved the displays where the predators were attacking other animals. Of course they did. ;)

  So sad.

 Saturday started rainy and stormy, so I did my long run at the gym. I really do love the cinema room. Indiana Jones kept me company, and I was able to get a little over 11 miles done. The sad thing was when I walked outside it was beautiful and cool! I regretted not running outside, but oh well.

 I tried to "nap" on the couch, but this blue eyed boy has an aversion to people sleeping. He was both diligent and persistent in making sure there was no napping on the job. 

 Cory accompanied me to our neighbor's wedding tonight, and I'm pretty sure I had the cutest date there.

Do you run in the rain/snow, or do you get it done on the treadmill?

Are you a "napper"?
 I have always loved naps, but as I'm getting older, I have a harder time sleeping at night if I've napped. 
 

Harrison Ford, yay or nay?
YAY. :)

Pan"cakes" for this big cry baby

Just got home from a great run around my town. I'm lucky to live in a a really "hilly" area. I think having all of these hills has made me a better runner. It was such a pretty morning. I never regret waking up early to get my runs done and enjoying the world's transformation from dark to light.

Sometimes running suppresses my appetite for a few hours after I run, but on days like today, I walk in the door starving.
Breakfast around here has looked like this lately. Whole wheat pancakes "frosted" with plain Greek yogurt and Kodiak berry syrup on top. It's like eating cake for breakfast, and I love it!

Recipe for Whole Wheat pancakes:
2 cups of white whole wheat flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1+ tsp of cinnamon
2 tsp sugar or other sweetener
2 eggs (lightly beat before adding)
2 cups of milk
2 tsp vanilla
(I like to add flax seed and chia seeds, but will add more milk when I do.)

This recipe makes like 15 pancakes and I'll put the leftovers in the fridge for convenient breakfasts.

Our big life change going on right now is that my Cory Boy is starting kindergarten. I didn't realize how emotional this milestone could be. I've cried every time I've had to step foot in the school. Let's hope I get all my tears out by his first official day next week. I really don't want to be "that" mom. :)

 Cory brought me this rock yesterday and told me it was South Carolina. He's such a smart guy.

 He also, apparently, really doesn't like to wear a shirt. Kindergarten will be such a wake up call. :)