Born in the USA 4-Miler

Jon, Andrew, Ethan and I rang in the 4th this morning with a 4-mile race downtown around beautiful Forest Lakes.

It was a little more challenging than necessary.

Challenge #1:
 We had a sitter lined up. She was due at the house by 6:45 so we could be out the door at 7.
 She never showed.
 At 7:05, we made the decision to load the double jogging stroller and head to the race, anyway. Since I wasn't going for a wonderful pace anyway, I volunteered to push the 100 lbs of boys so Jon could hopefully attain his PR (personal record) in this one.

Challenge #2:
 The course was advertised as "fast and flat." This was even printed on the t-shirts.
 Fast and flat, it was not. It was lovely and lakey and shady, but NOT flat. Pushing the boys was a toughie.

Challenge #3:
 Before the starting gun, I noticed the back left stroller tire was flat. We trudged along, anyway. 100 lbs of boys then just turned into about 115 lbs.

Challenge #4:
 H.U.M.I.D.I.T.Y.

Challenge #5:
 Ethan took the front seat and Andrew was in the rear.  He's only about 5 lbs heavier than Ethan, so even though we have definitely been pushing the stroller's weight limits lately, it was going to have to be okay.
The front seat placement keeps Ethan from kicking his brother in the back, which he sometimes likes to do on runs.  However, during this race, he enjoyed continuously unbuckling himself and attempting to leap out of the seat, which almost gets him run over AND makes poor Andrew tip over onto the ground. 
So, there were about 7 mid-race stops made to lecture and re-buckle the crazy 2-year-old.  Momma was not happy about this.

Challenge #6:
During my "run" (I averaged a 13:22 pace), Andrew kept asking me when the race was going to start.  This was not very confidence-boosting.

Despite its many challenges, the race ended up being very fun, especially for Andrew, who had never been part of a running race.  This was his first, my 8th this year, Ethan's 7th, and Jon's 5th. Jon was AWESOME today and finished his 4 miles with a PR of 38:33.

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Andrew the Spiderfish

The boys are lovin' the summer holidays spent in our development's pool!

Dora Dog's Hip Woes

Our 6.5-year-old boxer, Dora, had ACL surgery two years ago on her back right leg. The vets all say that if the dog is predisposed to this condition, the other leg will go within a year.  We thought we dodged a bullet when the two-year-mark hit and her leg seemed fine.

Then, a few days ago, she started favoring the back left leg.  No weight on it at all. Here we go.

Today's vet visit, however,  involved x-rays and news that we were not expecting.

As it turns out, her knee is okay (not great).  The major worry is her left hip, which apparently is extremely arthritic and has very little remaining cartilage.  That explains the pain and favoring of the entire left hind leg.

the extreme white section shows the metal used in her ACL surgery

here, they got a shot of the knee to try to determine if it was the ACL.  It was not.

finally, she is on her back in this pic.  when you compare her right and left hips, you can clearly see how the left one is completely out of alignment.

So, our next step is to set up a consultation and probable surgery with the same orthopaedic vet that did her knee. This will hurt our pocketbooks but heal Dora and extend her life into many more happy Boxer years.

Ethan's First Karate Experience

On June 7, Mr. Mike caught a glimpse of Jon and me wrangling a crazy Ethan. So, he invited him to participate in the lesson! Ethan loved every second of it (so, we are signing him up officially next month). Here are some photos from that day: his first ever karate experience.

waiting his turn in line

army crawl

purple man



Mike's face says it all

teaming up with his bro to take on that purple man

listening to instructions



trampoline

confidence!

Yes, Dad.  I will listen to Mr. Mike.

He "earned" his very first belt by participating so well!

And, Mr. Mike reminds him to continue being good so he can earn more red stripe stickers on that new belt.

I Play Bubbles

Ethan the Monkey

This summer, we enrolled Ethan in some classes and camps at My Gym, a children's fitness center right around the corner.  I can't believe we haven't done this before - he LOVES it more than I have seen him love anything.  These shots are from this morning's class.

he hangs on the instructor's every word, which gives us preschool hope (just two months away!)

ah, his beloved "Mr. Jared."

Bitten by the Wedding Nostalgia Bug

Jon and I watch parts of our wedding video each year on or around our anniversary.  Wow. For nine years, now.

Don't roll your eyes; it is fun and brings back many awesome memories of people near and dear who have either departed this planet or who we don't get to see anymore for one reason or another.

One of our favorite clips is the toast my best friends Heidi and Jennifer did for us.  When you have music teachers as best buddies, the possibilities are endless.

Watch if you dare, and please excuse the weird editing at the beginning.