Running Chatter

It’s spring break in our neck of the woods.  Unfortunately, there are no sandy beaches, crashing ocean waves, and bathing suit clad little ones in our area.  Instead, we are making the best of 50 degree temperatures, lots of sunshine, and no homework or set schedule to maintain.  I totally dig these days.  Maybe it’s the irresponsible child in me.  Spring break is a taste of summer break and I am counting the days until we play outside until dusk.  The days when bedtime doesn’t really matter.  Days when we come in late and we put exhausted kids in their beds dirty because washing sheets tomorrow seems better than bathing bodies tonight. 

Did I just say that out loud?

Anyway, we are enjoying spring break and I am feeling light and happy after having a really good day with my two Blondies and my one almost-blonde-but-kind-of-brunette-and-still-kind-of-bald baby.  I thought it was time for some Running Chatter. . .

1.  Mickey Mouse

Every morning I ask the kids what they want for breakfast.  Usually, it’s pretty simple.  French toast, pancakes, cereal, eggs.  Last week, though, Charlie surprised me. . . Can we have Mickey Mouse pancakes? he asked me.  Hmmmm.  Let me be honest, okay?  Typically, I would just say no and move on.  Apparently, this day I was in a good mood.  (i.e. my run was probably uninterrupted) 

Guess what?  I never went to culinary arts school.  You’re shocked aren’t you?  Charlie was happy enough, though. . . even if Mickey looks mildly deranged. 

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2.  March Maddness

Truthfully?  I could care less.  I’m about as uncool as they come when it comes to sports.  If they use a ball. . . I don’t care about it.  Chad was pretty pumped about the OSU game this weekend.  Why do they start these games at such ungodly hours like 9 p.m?  (I told you, I’m uncool).  Charlie was insistent that he wanted to watch the game, too.  Being the responsible parents we are, we told him it was way past his bedtime so he couldn’t watch it. 

He responded, will you come and see if I’m awake when the game starts and let me watch if I am?
Knowing that there is no way he would lay in bed for an hour without falling asleep we told him, Sure.
What time does it start? he asked.
9:05, Chad told him.
That’s a nine and then a zero then a five, right? Charlie asked.
Yep.
Turns out we underestimated our son.  Promptly at 9:05 his door opens and out he walks fully prepared for the game.

I have this visual in my head of Charlie staring at his clock, fighting his heavy eyelids, just to have this special time with Daddy. 

It was so worth it. 
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3.  Chanelle

Over the last few weeks I’ve had some stolen one on one time with my not-so-little girl.  These are precious moments that I soak in, especially since Meadow’s arrival.  A few days ago while Meadow napped she and I sat on her bed and colored.  So very simple and yet so very special.

I could probably write a blog post about the silly things she says every single day.  It has been so fun to watch her blossom as she tries out language, practices new skills, and comes more fully into herself.

I love her heart.  I love the way her mind works.  I love her lightheartedness and the way that she can entertain herself.  It’s true what I’ve heard. . . the older they get, the better it gets.

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4.  Piano

Speaking of Chanelle.  She’s taking piano lessons.  She has been at it for a bit over a month and she’s doing quite well.

We aren’t putting much pressure on her.  Chad sits and practices with her a couple times a week, but these aren’t my favorite moments.  My favorite piano moments are when, unprompted, she meanders over to the piano when no one is watching and begins to practice.  I never would have guessed that I would love the pounding of the keys like I do. . .

. . .but, oh my, my heart swells as I listen to her little hands dance over those keys.

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5.  Wisdom

As of Friday, I will be all out. . . of wisdom teeth that is.

All four are coming out.  It is an understatement to say that I’m not looking forward to it.  All I can hear is the dentist saying, wow!  Those are really impacted. . . we’re going to have to dig those out.

Umm, thanks for that. 

If Running Chatter ends after Friday. . . you know why.

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6.  Real Food

Well, kind of.  Girlfriend is eating. . .

. . . and she likes it. 

And as you can see, her Rice Cereal is also a part of her healthy skin regimen. 

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7.  How Do I Explain This?

Chad insists that he has the magic calming touch when it comes to holding babies.

Baby Whisperer. . . he is not.

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8.  Arboretum

I don’t hide my love for this place.  This special place in our community that draws you in with it’s simple beauty.  For the first time, Meadow walked it’s grounds. . .

We think she liked it.  Actually, we know she did.

We all did.

I don’t know what it is, but this place makes every stress and strain disappear.  Without fail, I always leave remembering how little we need to be happy.

I leave knowing we already have all we need.

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9.  Project 365

Six months down. . . six to go.  Halfway there!

I can hardly believe it. 

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10.  Because it seems a shame to end at 9. . .

A quick story. . .

Saturday morning I walked into the house from my morning run.  When Chanelle saw me she promptly asked, Mommy, how many ounces did you run?

How great is that?  If this were my friend, Trophy Life‘s blog, this point would have been titled, “almost, but not quite.”

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I’m off for more Spring Breaking! 

Chatter Out.