Day Trippin' - Chattanooga

Lissie and Daddy on the Pedestrian Bridge

Justin and I have decided that we need to make the most of his crazy work schedule and his random weekdays off and do more fun day trips and out-of-the-norm activities.  Especially since we have learned that time moves quicker than we think, and soon - too soon - our kiddos (and most likely I) will be heading to school full-time, and those weekday-adventures-when-places-are-not-so-crowded will have to come to an end.

And so, last week, we made the two-hour trip to Chattanooga for the day.  We had done it once last summer and had so much fun, we decided to do it again.  The debate was between the Creative Discovery Museum (which we knew the kids would love since that's where we went last year) and the Tennessee Aquarium (a place where I knew that Lissie would enjoy, but I wasn't so sure about Xavier).  Thankfully, I posed this quandary to a friend who had just been, and she solved my dilemma by giving us a free pass that she had to Creative Discovery.

We left Nashville shortly after the kids woke up and arrived (due to the time change) around 11am.  We had a blast playing outside on the roof (which we couldn't do last time because of a storm threat), playing inside at the water tables, enjoying the little yellow house, doing art projects, and just perusing everything the museum had to offer.

He couldn't believe the piano keys could move on its own.

My 'lil kayaker

For a late lunch, we decided to meander over the pedestrian bridge and head to Coolidge Park to check out some of the restaurants out there and then ride the antique carousel before heading back to Nashville around 4p to be home in time to make homemade pizzas before bath and bed.

We'll have to come back in the summer to enjoy this cool splash pad!

Riding the carousel

Of course, she chose the camel.  One of her favorite animals.

Whew.  A super fun adventure.  Can't wait to plan our next one - hopefully soon!

Spring Break 2014

Ahhh, Spring Break.  That little taste of summer vacation that makes the rest of the school year go oh.so.slowly in anticipation of the freedom of responsibility to come.

Even as a teacher and a mom of two littles, the beauty of Spring Break is still there.  A much needed respite to get recharged for the remaining two months of the school year.  We may not have gone to the beach - or really ventured too far from home - but our "to-do" list is now a little bit smaller and lots of fun was had by all.

It started off with a bang with the Preds Run and game and celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick.  We also enjoyed our favorite indoor playground, made it to storytime at the library, and finally ventured to The Discovery Center - a place we enjoyed enough to grab a membership to come back more often!  Of course, we also enjoyed the beautiful weather with lots of trips to the parks, a zoo day, and just going on long walks outside in the neighborhood.

Discovery Center Fun ala Lissie

Discovery Center Fun ala Xavier

Painting with water and old toothbrushes

Xavier pushing Lissie around

Enjoying the giraffes at the zoo

As for me, after spending some time working on basic lesson plans to get me through the end of April and also planning a few upcoming summer vacations, I finally had time to get a little sewing in - making a skirt and dress for Lissie, a pair of shorts for Xavier, and a few cloth napkins.  Plus,  I bought all of the materials for my next few projects: reusable snack/sandwich bags and more cloth napkins!

My favorite spring break project

A feeble first attempt at summer shorts for the boy

Phew.  It was a busy Spring Break, but it sure was a blast!  Now to refocus my energies on school for a couple of months before we get rewarded with our Memorial Day week-long trip to Puerto Rico!

St. Patty's Day 2014

  

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Aside from wearing our green and drinking green milk, the bulk of our celebrating was yesterday since Daddy was home to partake in the festivities.

We did festive art projects: Lissie painted a rainbow, both kids did a sensory split pea bin that ended in a fun shamrock, and they also made a fun suncatcher for the window.

Someone thought it would be fun to eat the paint.

And, of course, for dinner, we had Irish grub: Irish bangers and colcannon "mash" along with some brussels sprouts (instead of cabbage) and Irish soda bread to round out the meal.   Yum!

5K Fun/Run Run Run 2014 Version

After last year's half marathon trifecta, I knew I needed a new 2014 running goal.  Especially since I made a promise to Justin to take a break from long races for the meantime.

 It all started at the end of 2013, when a fellow running friend had mentioned something about doing a 100 Mile Challenge between Thanksgiving and the New Year.  The miles could be logged any way - whether ran or walked or swam, biked, danced, etc.  I was intrigued, although I knew I could never do 100 miles in that time frame, what with two kids, the holidays, and my job.  But, I thought, 50 miles was a perfect challenge to strive for.  I got a group of fellow mom friends together, and we encouraged each other along.  Challenge accepted, and results were achieved!  It was a perfect way to keep motivated to work out, and I didn't have the stresses of having to do long runs as long as I did a few small runs regularly. 

And so began my New Year's Resolution: To log at least 30 miles a month.  Sometimes (as in January and February),  I get ambitious and up the ante with a 40 mile goal.  The results so far?   I have logged 102.6 miles already this year!

I even got Justin to start running.  He just ran his first 5K in a couple of years, and I think he may have caught the bug.  I might have convinced him to run a 10K later this year, and who knows - maybe a half marathon is in his future?  You never know, haha.

But, yep, a group of friends, along with Justin and my dad, ran the Predators Fangtastic 5K this weekend.  The best part about this race (and what ultimately convinced Justin to run it with us) is that you get a ticket to a Preds game when you register.  So while Xavier hung out with his Lola, Lissie had a blast "running" (in a stroller) yet another race and crossing the finish line - not just once,  but twice-  amidst cheering fans giving her high fives.  She had a blast meeting Gnash, the mascot, and especially loved the post-race snacks.  Of course, she also had a good time going to the game that evening - even despite the rowdy Blues fans and the ultimate Preds loss.

Pre-Race Smiles 

Lissie's first finish with Mommy

She loved it so much, she ran it again with Lolo

Replenishing after a grueling workout

Future hockey player

All in all, I think I'm off to a great running start (pun intended) to the year.  It's kept me on the move, I've been able to catch up on shows while on the treadmill, and I'm setting a positive example for my family.  I love that Justin's starting to run, and I especially love how Lissie wants to be a runner just like her mommy.  I wouldn't be surprised if, one day, Xavier's gonna want to do the same.

Lissie's Third Birthday Recap

We opted out of having an official party this year and instead did a lot of other fun things to celebrate Lissie's special day.  In fact, it was a whole weekend devoted entirely to Lissie.

Friday: We had a birthday playdate at Chuck E. Cheese with a friend who's big day is the day after Lissie's. It was the kiddos' first time at the play place, and a blast was had by all! After heading home for a nap, Lissie went to her Lola's house for a sleepover, where they went to church to do the Stations of the Cross/First Friday Mass (it was St. Felicity's Feast Day!)/Fish Fry!

Saturday: I went to my parents' house and swapped kids, leaving Xavier with them while I took Lissie on a new birthday tradition: a mommy/daughter mani-and-lunch date. Lissie love-love-loved getting her nails done, and of course she also loved the free lollipop she got at the end. We lunched at Panera, where Lissie was extra excited not having to share her meal with her little brother. We had a lot of fun, and she definitely loved her alone time with her mommy. After picking up Xavier and heading home for a nap, we went to one of Lissie's favorite parks to play while we waited for daddy to come home for dinner and a pre-birthday bubble bath.

Sunday: Especially with Daylight Savings stealing an hour, Lissie was still in quite a daze when Justin and I woke her up with birthday balloons before hurrying to get ready for Mass. She had a special birthday breakfast of strawberry pancakes shaped like the number "3" along with her usual yogurt and banana. At her request, we sat up close during Mass so she could take in all of the action. After heading home for Xavier's morning snooze, we headed to Dragon Park for some fun and a picnic lunch. They recharged with their simultaneous afternoon naps, and after a quick walk around the block with Rupert we headed to a closer smaller park to play a bit more before dinner. Lissie wanted her Lolo and Lola to meet us at the park so she can show off her big girl tricks climbing and sliding and swinging, and after we tired ourselves out, we headed home where Daddy (who had to work this weekend) and her other Lolo met us for a yummy birthday dinner: Lola's pancit, fried chicken, and panko-crusted green beans. And, of course, cake. Again, at the birthday girl's request, we had a chocolate birthday cake in the shape of Daniel Tiger. After seeing lots of pictures of her first birthday smash cake, Lissie wanted to dig into the cake with her hands and eat it all by herself....but, thankfully, she decided to share with the rest of us. Delicious. Of course, we ended the day with present opening and went to bed much later than usual, especially since the newly-three-year-old was way too excited about everything to want to go to sleep.

Zombie Tiger after Lissie picked what she wanted to eat.

All in all, it was a fabulous third birthday spent with some of Lissie's favorite people.

I still can't believe she's THREE!

Dear Lissie - Three Years

Dear Lissie,

Three.  We survived the not-so-terrible-in-fact-I'd-say-they-were-terrific Twos.  Now, I hear we are heading straight for the "threenager" year.  Yikes.

You are sweet and silly and super shy.  You are so eager to learn, and you soak everything up like a sponge.  You are kind and helpful and wonderfully you. As much as I look forward to seeing what the future has in store, I would also be content just keeping you at this age forever.

Likes:
* School
* Bubble baths
* Daniel Tiger and Doc McStuffins
* Art projects - especially on your new easel
* Parks and playgrounds
* Singing
* Going to church
* Sleepovers - especially to Lola's
* Going out to eat
* Puzzles and board games


Dislikes:
* Most tunnel slides
* Asparagus
* Changes in routine
* When she needs help

Oh, Lissie.  Please stay as precious as you are.  Always.

I love you.

Love,

Mommy

Here's a video interview I did.  I plan on asking these questions every year, starting at age three.  My apologies that it cut off at the end and that my voice is so loud!



And, of course, a few of my favorite pictures of the year (not in any particular order).

Shortly after she turned two, she got pooped on by a bird.  To this day, she still talks about that experience.

Hugging her pal, Mickey, at Disney World.

Smelling the flowers at Cheekwood.

She loves, loves, loves all things art.  This is at Tuesdays for Tots at Cheekwood.

Play-napping with Xavier.

One of her favorite summer activities is the splashpad.

Her first day of "school" at MDO.

Color Run 2013: Her first 5K (in stroller).

Chilly, her first snowman.

Devouring bibimbop that she made with mommy's help.

First bowling experience.

Sweet, happy Lissie at a friend's bounce house birthday party.