Return to blogging---January

My blogging has fallen way behind.  In fact, I rarely even think about it and now when I do it causes me anxiety.  So many months have passed and I haven't done a single update.  The thought has crossed my mind to just forget about it and move on but I know that down the road I'll look back at all my past blog books and I'll regret not sticking with it.  The kids love to look through past years and see all the things they did and places they visited.  So I'm going to try to catch up as best as I can and do monthly summaries until I'm up to date.

First up is January. On the first the kiddos and I went to an early matinee of The Good Dinosaur.  I love when we're the only people in the theatre! We can talk and not worry about bothering anyone else.  After the movie we headed home for our annual stone crab claw dinner.  Walker was so excited to get involved in the cracking this year.  And as usual, Oscar ate himself into a crab coma and has once again vowed to not eat crabs until January 1, 2017.  

 Both kids started speech therapy with Ms. Anne.  I now go to her office on Tuesdays at 1:00 with Walker and back again at 4:00 for Savannah.  Needless to say it's a long day for my little man.  I didn't realize how delayed his speech really is but I'm hoping he will progress quickly.  Savannah really only needs a couple of sessions.  There are a couple of sounds that she still struggles with (th- and r's) and once she trains her tongue/lips she will be right where she should be developmentally.

napping during Savannah's session

 This month also was the beginning of our Girl Scout cookie sales.  I had no idea how time consuming this job would become.  My days literally revolved around distributing cookies, collecting money, and inputting sales for about 2 and a half months.

my dining room in January - March

this was my view every night

selling door to door 

Savannah received ice skates for Christmas and she couldn't wait to try them out at the indoor rink in Hillsborough.  She caught on really quickly and managed to go around multiple times on her own.  Walker and I on the other hand desperately needed assistance.

 One evening Savannah decided she wanted to help do the dishes.  Yep, she voluntarily did a chore without being told.  I was so excited that I had to document this.  Unfortunately, it was a one time thing and she has yet to do it again.  But she does often volunteer to take the trash out.  So that's something I suppose.  

 After weeks and weeks of training it was finally time for my marathon.  The kids and I flew to Houston on Thursday the 14th and spent a couple of nights with my parents.  Oscar flew in on Saturday and he and I checked into the hotel near the start/finish and went to the expo.  This was only my second night away from my children which would normally make me a nervous wreck but I desperately needed this night away from all possible sleep wreckers.  After dinner with Harlan and Kendall we went back to the room and I drugged myself with Melatonin and passed out.

he's finally an easy-going airline traveler

just chillin at the airport

on the roof with Grandad taking down Christmas lights

there's my name!

 The morning of the race I woke up ready to go.  Normally I feel very apprehensive and anxious before races but this time I was calm and confident.  My goal was to get a 3:45 and qualify for Boston.  I started out a little faster than I had planned but I felt good.  I first saw Oscar around mile 9 and I was several minutes faster than I should have been.  When I saw him again at mile 19 the fatigue was starting to creep in but I still felt strong.  Shortly thereafter my right knee started to hurt.  It reminded me of what happened in DC several years prior.  It wasn't a shooting pain but it did start to get worse over the next couple of miles.  My pace started to suffer but I refused to stop.  I knew if I started to walk then I may not be able to run again.  I just wanted to finish.  I didn't look at my watch again until right before the finish line.  And then I saw it!  I was going to BQ!!!  Even with the knee pain I finished in 3:30:09---over 9 minutes faster than I needed!!  With a lead that big I should be guaranteed a spot in Boston for 2017.

Back at home our days continued as usual with school, Girl Scouts, speech, playtime, etc.  

Walker's first dress up jammies (finally not wearing a princess dress)

Savannah using her new pottery wheel 

We didn't get much snow this past winter but there was enough for a school delay and one cancel.

the first dusting

hot chocolate is always a good idea

second snow was a little heavier

modeling a real Buzz costume

We finished off the month having to say goodbye to cousin Nik.  His term in the Air Force is finished and he's heading back to Cali to be in the Reserves and finish school.  He stopped by for a couple of days before driving across the country on his motorcycle.  We sure will miss seeing him when we visit NYC.  And don't even remind me about Michael transferring in a few months!

Christmastime in NYC

Christmastime in New York City......when the "greatest city in the world" really becomes the greatest city.  There really is no other place like it.  I've often found it strange that a city whose population is by far mostly Jewish goes all out for Christmas.  I really think that there's just something about this time of year that brings people of all religions and races together.  It's almost magical.  

This year we went back to NY the first week of December.  We did all our typical city things and now Savannah is old enough that she remembers our past trips so she even has an opinion about what she wants to see and do.  I decided to brave FAO Schwartz on a Thursday night and discovered that even during this time of year it was quite manageable to get through.  Walker was mesmerized with the train display.  He sat there and watched the trains go round and round for at least 15 minutes.  Savannah loved walking through the princess and Barbie sections.  As if their Christmas lists weren't already long enough, they sure are now.  

just a boy and his snowman watching the trucks go by

train heaven

Friday morning started off with the kiddos and I going for a run in Central Park.  Poor little man was absolutely miserable.  He kept saying he was cold but he wouldn't keep his hat and gloves on so needless to say, it was a pretty miserable run.  We stopped by two parks during the five mile loop just to make it a little more enjoyable for them.  Afterwards we got dressed and braved the Fifth Ave madness and walked to our lunch at the American Girl Cafe.  Even in the mayhem the Christmas spirit was around.  We stopped to listen to a youth choir singing outside of St. Patricks Cathedral and we pushed our way through to see the ice skaters below the Rockefeller tree.

Rockefeller tree

The American Girl store was surprisingly less crowded than I expected.  We looked around, added more to our Christmas list, and made our way to the cafe.  The whole cafe experience was the same as every other time except I decided to do the birthday package for Savannah since we've never been able to go on her special day.  Of course she loved the extra attention and another chance to blow out birthday candles.  Walker was less thrilled but at least there was cake.

continuing the five year old celebrations

Walker's favorite part

Friday evening Savannah finally had her chance to go ice skating.  She has been dyeing to go for over a year now and to say that she was excited is an understatement.  She was over-the-moon ecstatic!!!  We went to Wollman Rink in Central Park in hopes that it would be the least crowded.  With it being her first time and with me being an awful skater we needed a place with lots of room to fall down.  This place was perfect for that.  She had a ball!!!  She fell down more time that I could count but after each time she picked herself up and wanted to keep going.  I preferred to stay on the outside close to a wall but not her.  She wanted to be right in the middle with all the more advanced skaters who were doing spins and skating backwards.  Our little girl is fearless!! And also a little too confident in her abilities or lack thereof.  Thankfully for me it started to rain or else she would have wanted to stay out there all night.

Saturday morning began with a six mile run in Central Park for me (thankfully with no jogging stroller) and then we all headed out to the Macy's at Herald Square to see Santa.  Really this is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  I have yet to find a better Santa experience than the one here.

our hotel view of the foggy, rainy New York skyline

about the take the Polar Express to the North Pole

she had no problem jumping up on Santa's lap and telling him her wishes

just in case he forgets, she mailed him a letter too

Love the Virginia storefront displays

walking through Times Square

a giant Sven at the Disney store

taking in the sigts

cab ride out to Brooklyn for lunch

our old hangout sans kiddos, Bar Tabac

Sunday was our day to have brunch with the old gang.  We went back to Felix's where our rowdy group takes over the restaurant.  It's always so nice to catch up with everyone even if it's only for a couple of hours.  After brunch it's back to the hotel to pack and head to the airport.

city living Christmas tree shopping

the gang

these two......

best buds despite the miles between

Such a great weekend enjoying the sights and sounds of the city, getting into the holiday spirit, and seeing old friends.  What a great way to kick off this holiday season!!