Running

I'm still going running 3 times per week(except for a couple of weeks there where I just didn't get that third run in), and am slowly increasing the amount of time/distance I'm running for. So far, I'm up to about 5.75km in 35 minutes, or 2.738 metres per second, which I think is a pretty good pace for only about 4 to 5 months of running regularly. I'm hoping to keep it up into the fall, at which point I will have to find an indoor location because I really don't want to run in the rain or snow. Call me a wimp, but there it is: I like running in nice weather only.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

It really is strange around here how the days just flow into each other. I spend most of my time indoors because it's either way too hot and sunny in the backyard(which makes it great for drying clothes, but not so great for hanging out in with the kids), or because(these days) there's a whole bunch of rain headed our way imminently. So, makes it kinda boring, and saps the energy from me, but seems to amp it up in the kids to the point where they are insane to deal with. I wish I could just toss them out in the backyard and not worry about it, but that isn't really possible in the middle of a thunderstorm or before 4pm, as they'll either end up looking like drowned rats or boiled lobsters(if I forget to put sunscreen on and make them wear their sun hats), or end up sick to their stomachs from heat exhaustion.

I have to say, I'm greatly looking forward to the start of school in a few short weeks, both will be in all day every day(once we get past the orientation and staggered start days for Aidan), and it'll be quiet around here and I'll be able to get way more done during Brynna's naps because I won't need to try to entertain/police the other two.

So, it's been a busy month around our house. Matt and Jess had a beautiful wedding, the cupcake decorating went smoothly, and the kids behaved pretty well(even Brynna who only squealed a couple of times, but quieted right down when I walked her around).

I'm waiting for my EDL to come so that we can go ahead with our plans for a trip to North Carolina at the end of the month, and I'm really enjoying using my new netbook which we purchased yesterday. I had been asking for an e-reader, but after Kevin did a bit of reading, he decided that a new computer would be better all-around, even though it was the more expensive option(which is unusual around here). It'll also make our trip less bulky, since we'll only bring the netbook along instead of an e-reader and Kevin's full-sized laptop from work(which is bigger than his previous one.

I just downloaded my first e-book from the library, and once I figured out how to expand the whole page to make it easier to read, I really like it for that too.

Brynna is 1!

This first year of her life has just flown by. She's been just a joy to have. She's nearly always happy, she's very affectionate, and she just loves to explore and learn. At a year she's completely got the hang of cruising, the use of walk-behind/sit on toys for getting across the living room, and she's discovered the joys of chocolate cake and cherries. Of all her birthday gifts, I think the lime green Holey Soles from Grandma and Grandpa Murnaghan were the biggest hit because she just kept playing with them and trying to put them on her feet.  Happy birthday cutie pie!!

July

Another year has come and gone since Taylor left us. Up until the middle of last week,  I had no idea why I was so cranky/had such little patience with the kids, and then I looked at the calender. I didn't think it would affect me so much after this much time, but it has. Kevin also needed to go away this weekend to attend the burial of his grandmother's ashes in Stanstead, Quebec. He took Aidan with him, so it was just us girls here. I occupied us with getting some supplies to make more soap, finding some sandals for Caleigh to replace the ones I bought last year that she's outgrown and that have broken. We also did some grocery shopping, some fun shopping, and trying to show Caleigh how to knit. I also picked more cherries last night. I was surprised by the amount that was left untouched by the birds. Today I cleaned and pitted 8 cups of them, prepped and gave 4 cups to Ric and Sheila, and used the other 4 in a pie for dessert tonight. While taking the pie out of the oven, I burnt my left index finger pretty badly. It stings, and it also hurts when I get hot water on it.

Time flies

when you're having fun, or so they say. I think it flies by when you have 3 kids keeping you busy. Now that Caleigh is on summer vacation, it's either going to fly by faster, or crawl by, making me wish that school didn't break for summer. Speaking of school, Caleigh finished kindergarten and will be in grade 1 in the fall, and Aidan will start JK. Both will be there full days, so it will only be Brynna and I at home on the weekdays. I'm sure there will be lots to do and I will be able to get lots done with just 1 kiddo to keep entertained.

It's been interesting so far, on Friday the kids and I picked gobs of cherries from our tree, but you wouldn't really know it from looking at the tree because there's still so many there. Kevin and I froze 5, 4 cup bags on Friday night, then Saturday I pitted 2lbs of cherries and Kevin made brandied cherries with. On Sunday we did 2lbs more brandied cherries and I finished them off today(Monday) by making a cherry crisp.

Something has been eating/tearing up my veggie plants, and my herbs. Sunday I found both my cucumber plants, a couple of snow pea plants and bean plants pulled up and the tips of my parsley eaten. My spaghetti squash plant also had one of it's flowers broken off. Last night I spread some chili powder around the plants, and today I went out and got a couple of pepper plants(since I read that peppers will keep rabbits out) and some replacement cucumbers since if I reseeded now, we probably wouldn't get any veggies before it got too cold/wet for stuff to mature.

Brynna is growing by leaps and bounds. She's cruising around the couch and coffee table, and is getting 4 teeth on the top at the same time.It's hard to believe that she's almost a year old now. Caleigh has learned very quickly how to ride a big 2-wheeler, and Aidan is getting started using the balance bike to get himself caught up with Caleigh(she's really fast, and he hates getting left behind).

Finally Have Time

It's been a while since I updated the blog, and a lot has happened. Brynna's had a tummy bug, problems with hydration during high heat/humidity, continuing to get her teeth, a small little hernia, learning to feed herself Toasty Os, learning to stand in her crib, and her first dip in a kiddie pool. Caleigh has continued to improve at school(last week I had quick chats with her teachers and was so proud to hear how she is adapting to changes in routine without panicking or getting upset, how she is improving in her interactions with people), and at home(she's becoming so helpful with anything you can imagine). Aidan is having a good time helping and is getting excited for school in the fall(and for his birthday party where I've promised to make him a dinosaur train cake).

I've been making a lot of progress myself, both in my running and in my moods. I don't know whether it's the medication, running, being able to get outside more, or more likely, a combination of all of the above. I'm on week 4 of C25K, and it's going really well. I wasn't sure how I would do running longer intervals(3 and 5 minutes at a time), but I did well with it. I had to push it a bit for the 5 minute runs, but I felt really good at the end. However, I've discovered I'm not quite dedicated enough to running to go out in the rain(especially when the weather is supposed to improve throughout the day).

We also got our veggie garden in this past weekend, and I'm really excited about spending more time working on keeping it growing and weed-free this summer, along with the perennial gardens out front.