Oh Brother!: July 2014

Elephant In The Room

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

I went to a presentation about public speaking. I don't have plans to make a public speech, but I do know that networking is really the only way you are going to get a job. The presentation was amazing! One of the biggest take aways was slooooooow down. You might think you sound silly, but you really sound sophisticated and put together. So when I go in for my first interview on Thursday {fingers crossed}, I am going to remember this tip.

One of the activities Ms. Wilson asked us to do was to write down our favorite color and our favorite animal along with three adjectives describing both the color and the animal. Orange is my favorite color. I wrote that it is vibrant, happy, and bright. For the animal {you know me, the animal lover}, I wrote elephant. Big, heavy, calm. Ms. Wilson informed the room that the adjectives are how you view yourself. Big and heavy, nice.

The only way to change this view, is to do something about it. So, I am running in the Chicago Marathon on October 12, 2014. There, I said it. Accountability here we go. My training is going great. I have learned that if it is above 86 degrees, there is no reason for me to be outside running. I have explored a ton of trails and parks. I have realized that when I listen to a podcast instead of music my pace slows down dramatically. I have genuinely enjoyed my runs. If anyone is using the Nike Running app, lets be friends!

One morning I was doing a longer run, Patrick and the boys walked up to the Village Center for doughnuts. I was finishing up my run and ran into them on the trail. Wip was riding his bike and noticed it was me running towards him. He jumped off his bike and ran away from me towards Patrick exclaiming "DADDY, DADDY, I FOUND MOMMY!!!!". I noticed all of the other folks near us on the trail chuckling, it was pretty cute.

My running view...not a bad way to start the day.

Daytrippin'

Monday, July 21, 2014

Just give me a beautiful day in a new town and Wip. That is really all I need to have an awesome day. Wip and I have been doing some day trips lately, and well, you guessed it...we have had a blast.

We hit up the local library. He played with this puzzle for about 30 minutes.

We hit up some outlet malls...he was a TROOPER!

Big Ol' Pretzel

Big Ol' Appetite

We hit up a citrus farm

Lots of sunshine...but no citrus

He thought this was real

Flamingos!

Shaaaaaark!

Having fun with the oldest

Who needs oranges when you have crocodile statues!?

We topped off the the Citrus Farm with what else? Orange Juice Slushy!

Only in Orlando can you go to take back some shoes at the mall and end up on a Ferris Wheel!

We had SO much fun! I think the conductor forgot about us...we went around like 10 times!

View from the top!

Wip was so happy.

Looking down...so true.

Have you been to Del Taco? It was so good! The {assuming} owner reminded me of Gustavo from Breaking Bad {in the charming the way...not the meth dealing bad person way}. While waiting for our food a very large couple passed us {like the dude was so big he had a tattoo on his finger for a wedding ring, because I do not think a ring would fit}. Wip {thankfully} whispered "why are they so fat?". Whoa, this was a first, but we had a talk about eating well and having a good balance...I hope it worked.

2014 Sea Island Summer

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

About 10 years ago (really?!) I entered Sea Island, GA for the first time. The "check in" gate is much more fancy than the previous shack across from the shooting range, the fitness center holds many more people than the (maybe) 5 treadmills it used to hold, and the hotel....well, it is pretty. We headed over to Sea Island (this time it took us 3 hours versus 12 hours) for the annual 4th of July festivities, fun, and family. Lots of fun times were had and memories were made. I simply cherish this time. My happy place.

Some of my favorite memories include Wip taking part in the swimming races (he was all about it). He completed his category (5-6 boys) and then proceeded to continue with every category that they announced (5-6 girls, 7-8 boys, 7-8 girls, etc.). I finally got him out of the pool and he looked up and said "Mommy, why do I always come in last place?". Here is a blurry feature of his debut swimming relay. Duncan took part in the swimming relay here. I was a tiger mom and ticked off that the chick next to me pushed her son to the finish. Cheater.

We also dipped our toe in the potty training over the week. When I say dipped our toe, we basically took no chances and put him in pull ups, but continued to bug and annoy him to use the potty. Often I would sing the Daniel Tiger song "if you have to go potty STOP and go right away. Flush and wash and be on your way". One point in the week he looked at me and said "mommy, please stop singing that, you are embarrassing me." Really kid? You are THREE!

Maybe the craziest thing that happened was when we were leaving the beach club to have some "quiet time". Wip was pulling on my arm to take him into the the gift shop to show me what he wanted for his birthday. I was not biting and kept walking to the door. Just then out of the corner of my eye I spotted a celebrity. I noticed this celebrity couple walking into the gift shop and of course my shallow self told Wip that he could show me the toys he was talking about. I sat there half listening to him and half starring at the stars. It was a low down dirty way for me to connect to Hollywood. Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade were just trying to have a nice little holiday and I was using my son and his obsession with his "wish list" to get closer to them. Shame.

Here is a peak at the week:

We put the boys to sleep by listening to a little Miles Davis

Beach Club Lounger

Brothers and Bikes

Lots of chicken, french fries, and fruit was consumed

A little D/GranddaDy time

William is HERE!

Rare, blurry, sweet moment

Me and William getting our breakfast on...

I did a lot of this...it was nice

Superhero chart (pay attention!)

Thumbs Up

Kate (best addition to the annual 4th of July Sea Island trip) dug a hole for the boys (and even got a blister!)

Wip enjoyed the hole very much

Ocean time with Daddy

Homemade Chocolate Rice Krispie Treat? YES, PLEASE!

We played tennis...I was terrible, Patrick was really good.

Sand Castle Contest!

Wip was so excited to be in the "Top 10", but only 8 people entered. Love this kid. Click here to see his chant to the sky in an effort to bring home a trophy.