Ants in the Pants

As part of Junior's schoolwork, we put together an ant hill.

The vial that the ants were in broke in the mail, so when we got the envelop, we could hear them crawling around.  Kind of creepy =)

I put them in the fridge for about 15 minutes before I tried to transfer them into the ant hill.  Only about half of them made it in.  The rest got stomped in the envelop and thrown in the outside garbage can.

About 12 hours after we put them in.

24 hours later. 

They're still busy clearing and closing off tunnels.  Most of the sand is on the other side of the hill now. 

Three things that Junior learned about ants.

1) Ants don't quit, they persevere (seriously, he said this).

2) Sometimes the ants block a tunnel and trap other ants in there.

3) Ants need water and food just like we do.

More running...

My goals for last week were:

Monday: 15 min WU, 800, 1600, 800, 1600 (400RI) (3:10-3:18, 6:49- 7:02) 10 min WU

Tuesday: easy 4, NROL4W

Wednesday: 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ 7:19-7:38, 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ 7:19- 7:38, 1 mile easy

Thursday: NROL4W

Friday: easy 5 miles

Saturday: easy 10 miles

Sunday: rest

This is how the week went:

Monday: 15 min WU, 800 (3:17), 1600 (6:48), 800 (3:15) 1600 (6:49) 10 min WD, 6.19 miles

Tuesday: 4.1 miles AP: 8:05, NROL4W 3A- cut short, started feeling dizzy (need to eat between run and weights =))

Wednesday: 1 mile easy, 2miles AP: 7:16, 1 mile easy, 2 miles AP: 7:13, 0.5 miles easy, 6.5 miles

Thursday: NROL4W 3B- skipped the intervals (off day for running), finished stage 3 on to stage 4

Friday: 5.06 miles AP 8:05- 3 miles in my kigos, 2 miles barefoot

Saturday: 10.04 miles AP: 8:27- it was a sauna out there!

Sunday: rest

Total miles: 31.89

YTD: 616.79

My test run in the kigo's went really well.  They fit fairly snug, so my feet don't feel "sloppy".  But yet are light enough and thin enough to give a barefoot feel.  They have a bit more traction on the bottom, so I'm betting they would work great on the trails.  That will be my next test. 

While I still love my VFF's, I do like that these look like "normal" shoes. 

The plan for next week:

Monday: 5 mile tempo run (7:19- 7:38)

Tuesday: easy 4 miles NROL4W 4A

Wednesday: 15 min WU, 3x(400, 800, 400) (1:30 RI) (2:30RI between sets) (1:33-1:37, 3:10- 3:18) 10 min WD

Thursday: easy 5 miles, NROL4W 4B

Friday: rest

Saturday: easy 12-15 miles

Sunday: rest

I have a 15k race coming up in a couple weeks.  I think once I finish that, I might drop my speed workout until after the marathon.  I'll focus on getting some longer tempo and marathon pace runs in. 

Shhh... Be vewy, vewy quiet...

Yup, things are certainly quiet around here this afternoon.

Origami Bag Giveaway: Closed

It's time for another giveaway =)

This month, I have a cute little bag up for grabs.  It's a drawstring purse with a different look.

One large center opening and two smaller pockets on the outside.  Or you could flip it inside out and have the pockets on the inside =)

The bag measures approximately 10"x6"x1"

Whoever wins this little bag will find it stuffed with some of my favorite things.

To win, all you need to do is leave me a comment.  That's it.  Nothing else.  No jumping through hoops.  Just a comment telling me how awesome I am  what you think will be stuffed inside the bag.

I'll pick on winner on July 7th. 

Campfires and Picnic Baskets

My kids love to have campfires (or maybe they just love the s'mores?).  But with temps in the 90's at 9PM, no one is very motivated to start a fire.  So, I thought I'd help the kids out and make them a campfire.

Now the kids can have a campfire whenever they want. 

Then, Girly- girl figured if you're going to have a campfire, then you need a picnic basket to take with you. 

Now all I have to do is make them food to pack in the picnic basket.  They want s'mores, hot dogs (so they have something to roast over the fire), sandwiches and chips.  Should be fun coming up with patterns for those =)

Things Times Three

1) It hit triple digits yesterday.  So I took the kids to get some ice cream.

Shakes were the least messy of the many choices.  Thankfully it was buy one get one yesterday =)

2)  Oddly enough the kids wanted a campfire.  The ice cream most have really cooled them down.

3) I got a new pair of minimalist running shoes yesterday.  They have a bit more traction (as compared to my VFF's) so I'm hoping they'll work better for trails.

They're a Kigo Star.  And yes, I did get the green.  My first test run will be tomorrow.

Fun in the Water

Last week we spent a lot of time in the water.  First at the Uptown Area Water Fountains.  And then in the neighborhood pool.

She's going to be the runner in the family.

Junior- junior wasn't too sure about the fountains.

He has no problem with getting in the pool.

Junior starting swimming underwater.  One- handed because he had to hold his nose with the other hand.  Now he's even more excited to go to the pool...  If that's possible =)

Even with all the time we spent out and about doing "stuff," the kids still had me climbing the walls.

Oh wait, the kids were climbing the walls.

One afternoon after a trip to the pool, the house got very quiet.  I asked Junior were Girly- girl was.  He had no idea.  After looking all over for her and even going outside to see if she had gone out, Junior said she was in her "fort."

Yup, sound asleep so she didn't hear me calling for her.

My latest creation.  Will be making another one in this style.  Just a couple modifications...  Like not as much of a plunging neckline lol!

Fields of Blue

I came across this pattern in my stash.  And I had a piece of blue flowered fabric that I had no idea what to do with.  It seemed to be a match made in heaven lol!

The pattern is Simplicity 5320 circa 1972.  And the fabric...  Let's just say I got it in the same bag that the pattern came in =)

Not really wanting another dress, I shortened it a bit more to a tunic style.  Added a black belt at the waist and Voila!  You have Fields of Blue.

The fabric is sheer, but not sheer enough to see anything underneath.

I think I will definitely be making another shirt using this pattern. 

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

This dress is amazing!

Another Week of Running

My goals for last week were:

Monday: 5 mile tempo run, weights

Tuesday: easy 4 miles
Wednesday: 15 minute WU, 12x400 (1:33-1:37) (400 RI), 10 minute WD, weights
Thursday: rest
Friday: 13 miles, weights
Saturday: easy 6
Sunday: rest

What I actually accomplished:
Monday: 5.01 miles AP 7:37, NROL4W 3B minus the intervals at the end
Tuesday: 4.08 miles AP 7:56
Wednesday: 7.02 miles: 10x400 (1:36, 1:36, 1:36, 1:32, 1:31, 1:35, 1;36, 1:26, 1:36, 1:28)
Thursday: rest
Friday: 13.12 miles AP: 8:12 (this was only 2:30 slower than my PR half in February...  I'm thinking I'm getting faster ;))
Saturday: rest- really tired, decided to push my run to Sunday
Sunday: 3.12 miles AP: 8.01- still pretty tired, so ran shorter

I only lifted once this week.  I need to get better about getting the weights in.  I know it makes me a stronger runner.

Total weekly miles: 32.35
YTD: 584.9 (I should have looked at my total before I went out this morning just to get that extra 0.1 miles!)

Next week's plan looks like this:

Monday: 15 min WU, 800, 1600, 800, 1600 (400RI) (3:10-3:18, 6:49- 7:02) 10 min WU
Tuesday: easy 4, NROL4W
Wednesday: 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ 7:19-7:38, 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ 7:19- 7:38, 1 mile easy
Thursday: NROL4W
Friday: easy 5 miles
Saturday: easy 10 miles
Sunday: rest

I was talking with my dad this afternoon, trying to figure out a fall marathon for us to run...  He talked me into running a marathon up by him the last weekend in August.  Yup, 10 weeks away...  Better get serious about getting the long runs in lol!

Three Things for June 17

My oh my, where has the day gone? 

1)  A few minutes of quiet time in the Word makes the day go a whole lot smoother. 

2) Cleaning the house with three tornadoes following you isn't always the easiest thing to do.  Got a little better once Junior- junior went down for a nap.

3)  No matter how frustrating and challenging homeschooling can be, the look on their faces when they finally grasp something makes it all worthwhile.

And a bonus one-

4) All three kids ate all their veggies WITHOUT complaining!!!

Weekly Training Update and Goals

Last week was a decent week of running...  Well, that is until Saturday rolled around.  Saturday was supposed to be my long run.  But, Sarge had to leave early, so that meant I was on the treadmill.  I loathe that thing.  So, my long run didn't happen =(

Total weekly miles: 22.62
Total yearly miles:  552.55

I have a goal of running 1500 miles this year.  Right now it doesn't look like I'll get there, but I have a plan lol!  And my plan calls for 947 more miles yet this year (yes, I have the rest of the year planned out...)

My plan for this week looks like this:

Monday: 5 mile tempo run (ran 5.01 AP: 7:37), weights (NROL4W 3B)
Tuesday: easy 4 miles
Wednesday: 15 minute WU, 12x400 (1:33-1:37) (400 RI), 10 minute WD, weights
Thursday: rest
Friday: 13 miles, weights
Saturday: easy 6
Sunday: rest

The next race I'm registered for is the Too Hot To Handle 15k on July 18.  There's a race (5k or 10k) on July 3rd, but I'm not sure if I'll do that.  It's free to DRC members, so I can show up the day of and "register" if I want.

Peek- A- Boo

I needed a new summer purse.  Something bright and cheery.  This fits the bill perfectly.

Bright pink floral pattern with just a hint of red, green and pink geometric peeking through.  The purse is lined with the same geometric fabric.  I added an inside pocket to hold my cell phone.  It closes with a lime green magnetic clasp.

The straps are short enough that the purse sits right under the arm.  It measures approximately 13"x10"x4".

Finally...

a few minutes to sit down =)

It seems like we've been on the go for the last week or so now.  I can't really tell you what we've been doing, because I don't feel like anything has been accomplished =)

Not that anyone cares about that.  You just want to see cute pictures of the kids.

You really need to train them young.

Uptown Village has a play area for kids...  So when you're dragging them around shopping with you, you can take and break and they'll be entertained =)

They also have a giannt chess and checker board.  I've got some real geniuses on my hands.

Actually, this is what they thought you did with checkers.

He's just too cute...

I did manage to get in the sewing room.  I needed a new summer purse =)  Girly- girl is always willing to model for me.  And Junior- junior likes to help out too.  Don't worry Sarge, he was just the prop man.

Three Things...

Yes, this was supposed to have been posted  yesterday, but...  Let's just say this:

1) I'm thankful that Thursday is over.  It started out well enough, but by 15:00, I was ready to call it a day.  The kids were hot and tired but didn't want to take naps and then decided that they weren't going to eat supper.  The bright spot in the day after that was when the kids all agreed they would take a bath (kid soup) and then go to bed.

2) Today is a much better day.  Still some grumblings, but they're at least playing well together =)  We even put some puzzles together.

3)  Peanut butter chip brownies and an iced coffee makes a lot of problems disappear =)

HUNBABA Mei Tai Baby Carrier Guest Giveawayy

HUNBABA Mei Tai Baby Carrier Guest Giveawayy

These Mei Tai's are just beautiful!

Dishin' It About Dads

Amanda over at Serenity Now is hosting a blog party in honor of dads.  So, in honor of Father's Day, here's the dirt on my dad and Sarge =)

First, my dad =)

The best thing about my dad is everything he does for the grandkids.  Like the two tower playground he built for them.

Or the train set he made for the boys.

He's always willing to get down on the floor and play with them.  He's also not afraid to get a little muddy.

And I guess neither am I =)  My dad and I have always run together.  This last March he came down to run a trail half marathon with me.  Despite the torrential downpour and freezing temps, we had a great time =)  I treasure the time we get to spend on the roads and trails together.

Sarge is a great dad.  He's always willing to spend time with the kids.  He never makes them feel like they're unimportant.  And best of all, he's teaching them what it means to love the Lord and your family.

This smile really says it all.

Junior- junior definitely inherited his sense of humor from his dad...

Sarge is a wonderful father and husband who's willing to sacrifice a lot of things for his family.  I love him more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow =)

Yup, he's definitely my superhero =)

One of the best Father's Day gifts we made was the year Sarge was deployed.  I took a pair of his boots, traced them onto a piece of paper and then traced the kids' feet inside of the boots.  They have some big shoes to fill =)