Now what?

So now I am trying to decide what to do. I ran the Ukrop's 10 k this weekend and did a great job. I finished in the time I wanted and my friend and I had a wonderful time running it together. But now what? I have been focusing and training for this run and now it is over and I am a little disappointed. It is kind of like that feeling the day after Christmas, when all the presents and meals and family times are over, decorations need to be put away, and things are just all of a sudden plain again. That is how I felt right after we ran the Rock and Roll Half Marathon last summer but I had school and surgery and craziness to curb the ho-hum feelings. We have decided to run the Rock and Roll again this year so pretty soon I will have to start training for that but until then, I guess it is just go to the gym and try to maintain the fitness level so this summer's training will be easier than last year. I went to day and did something different to spice it up, we will see how it goes. Ho hum.......

MeMe

First of all, what does this term meme mean exactly, I mean it tends to be lists of different things but what does it MEAN???
Anyway, I was reading one of my favorite blogs and it tagged us in an interesting meme, it is called Guilty as Charged. She asked for a list of this you could be admit to doing that you might not be proud of but still do. Here is mine:
Guilty As Charged:
1. I am often found on the computer during quiet time instead of doing household chores and then complain about not having enough time to get things done
2. I very quickly use the TV to babysit my children when I am trying to get things done
3. My 4th child is spoiled, but hey I do what I gotta do to get through each day
4. I often lock the bathroom door and spend more time than I need to to have quiet
5. I hold onto the wall when weighing myself just to get a little extra help
6. I tell my children i will be there in a minute and hope to take so long that they will forget what they needed and have moved on
7. I purchase nonfood items while at the grocery store so they can be counted in the food budget
8. I bribe my kids to finish tasks, behave, keep quiet, etc.
9. I drive to the bus stop because i am too lazy to get my kids ready with shoes and coats.
10. I cannot for the life of me call my children by the correct name
Let me know, what are you guilty of????

Slacker

Okay, so I just realized this afternoon that I never posted about the big slumber party. Sorry about that, I am sure you have all been waiting with baited breath to hear how it went........well, it went really well. All the girls had a wonderful time and there was some sleeping going on, not as much as normal but more than I expected to occur. At one point, one little girl looked at me and said this was the best birthday party she had ever been to. She must have really low expectations. Anyway, all the girls were well behaved and there was no drama....imagine, six girls and no drama.....I know I should mark that day on the calendar because it will probably never occur again. Logan loved having her friends over and they were wonderful to Cooper and included her in everything as well. We had the Family party on saturday night and then the week long birthday bash came to a close......until next year for her......and six weeks for her brother.

Tonight's the night

Tonight is the night of the big slumber party. Logan has invited 5 girls plus her and her sister to a total of 7 little girls spending the night here tonight. I am really looking forward to watching her interact with her friends. Unfortunately, I have to run quite a ways tomorrow and I am not sure I am going to have much sleep tonight but hey, it is worth it for my girl. They will be arriving shortly and I have scheduled events for most of the evening. I have talked to many and they say it can be a piece of cake. Wish that upon me tonight.....a piece of cake, and not the piece Parker got too, smeared around a bit, licked the icing off, and then threw on the floor.

One Day Late

Well my birthday post for Logan is one day late but I guess late is better than not at all.
My big girl turned 7 yesterday and has turned very quickly into quite a grown young lady. I remember when she was so tiny, sweet, and cuddly and I could scoop her up and protect her from the world. Now that is not possible. Everyday she gets more and more independent and wonderful. She is such a sweet, compassionate, caring, spunky little girl and I can not wait to she how she continues to grow. Just remember, my sweet little girl, you are still Mommy and Daddy's baby girl and will be forever. I love you and Happy Birthday to you! ( a little bit late :):):) )

Frazzled

Have you ever just woken up frazzled? I mean you sleep well, feel well rested to start the work week, but for some reason things just don't start right. That was me this morning. I cannot put my finger on it but things were not smooth sailing in the Gill household this Monday morning. Plans were changed at the last minute, tears were shed over shoes and drinks, books and papers were forgotten.........BUT, I rallied, as all good stay at home moms can do. I ran my few errands, came home and regrouped. Thank goodness! My day was not a total loss, I got some very good things accomplished, even with the start we had. I think what made it better was the triple venti soy nofoam hazlenut latte. For some reason, it tasted better today then it has in a really long time. Maybe it was the fact that it was made for me as a treat to sooth my nerves. Whatever it was, it hit the spot and now, smooth sailing! What time does Starbucks open tomorrow???????

Little bit sad

I just got a little bit sad this afternoon thinking about next year, Cooper going off to kindergarten and then the thought of being alone in 3 years. Now I know some off you say stop right there because three years is a LONG way off but here me out. What makes me a little bit sadder is pretty soon I will never have a two year old again. Some may think this is a blessing but I for one feel sad. I LOVE the twos as a stage and age. My boy is fun, energetic, naughty, impulsive, creative, snuggly......... all wonderful things. You never know what is going on when you see that impish grin but hang on because it is always something! It is such a fabulous ride to be on, having with a two year old.....

special nights

We started something last year and we have to decided to start it back up again. It has taken me awhile to get it going again but we have started this week. We call them special nights in our house and here is how it goes:
Each kid gets one night a week (hopefully the same each week so as easy for mommy to remember) where they are allowed to stay up an extra 15 minutes after lights out and play with mom and dad. We will do whatever they want except watch TV. NO SCREEN TIME! We can play games, color, even sit and chat but it is one on one on one time with that child on their night. THEN, here is the best part, on Sunday nights it is Mom and Dad's night so they have to hit the sack on time or a touch early so we can have time with each other.
It works WONDERFULLY!!!! It seems to solve so many of the typical bedtime routine troubles that once we started doing it again, I could not remember why we stopped. The children really crave that face time with us and with a larger family finding that time is very tricky so here is a simple way to fix that.
Now I know what most of you guys are thinking, sounds great but there is no way we could fit it into our own schedules. We are just too busy. I would have to bet it could work for you too. Even being so super busy, it seems to give you an excuse to slow down for 15 minutes each day and enjoy your children, which is why we had them to begin with. We ALL have busy lives and schedules but taking that time out certainly teaches our children that they too are as important or even more so than let's say karate, work, ballet, cheerleading, or the hundreds of other things we do each day. Give it a try for three weeks and then talk to me again. Chances are, you will LOVE the idea!

mommy playdate

I remember when Barrett was very little I joined a playdate. It was a group of 6 women all with children ranging in age from 6 months to 1 1/2. It was such a wonderful time to get together each week and talk and bond with other moms and women who were going through the same things I was. As my family grew and the children grew, this play group thing went by the wayside. I was sad. I missed my mommy friends. Well luckily I have found some new mommy friends who I have been able to hang out with again. We all have children ranging in ages but we have still gotten together and been able to chat and share our days. It has been wonderful.......

FREE AT LAST

So the kids went back to school today after the wonderful three day snow break. Unfortunately, the older two had a two hour delay which meant I took the younger two at 9am and could not take the other two until 11am and then had to pick the younger two back up at 12pm. So, I had about 45 minutes to myself. But hey, I am not complaining, I IDID get to make it to the grocery store alone. Well not really alone since all of chesterfield was there as well. Tomorrow the younger ones are home again but next week should be a fresh start to a good week. SCHOOL EVERYDAY!!!!!!! AND, it is supposed to be very pretty weather. Wouldn't you know it, we finally get some good snow then it turns 70 degrees three days later. What to do what to do!

Logan G., First Grader

Those of you with elementary age children are probably very versed in Junie B. Jones books. My kids love them. One of Logan's favorite is Toothless Wonder, well now we call Logan:
Logan G. First Grader, Toothless Wonder.
I do not believe there is anything cuter than a young child with no front teeth.
What do you think?

Certainly not a toothless Uncle Lou!

The Big SNOW!

So we had a really big snow last night and today. We got almost 9 inches here. It was the first time in a super duper long time we have had a good snow here in Richmond and my kids loved it. We got a snow day from school today and tomorrow. YEAH!!!! I love snow days more than any other holiday because I feel it is truly a gift from God and you are supposed to go have fun with it. Take a break and PLAY......and that is what we did. We ate homemade waffles, played in the snow, walked the neighborhood, made an attempt at a snowman, built a snow wall and drank hot chocolate. We were also able to catch up with our neighbors for a last minute happy hour because of no school tomorrow. Many would say a day off of school is not a day off for mom but I really had a great time with the family. Chad even closed work. So, thanks for the gift.......