up and running

So recently I have had the hardest time to get myself up and running-- literally running. It seems that if I don't have a race ahead of me, I can't seem to find to put it as a priority! So many other things can get in the way and seem so much more important! Right?! Somehow it always slips to the bottom of my to do list. So this month I have decided to run 26 miles. Not a full marathon in one day but 26 miles in total over the whole month in hopes that it will get me back into a running habit (that's a gym sesh 3 times per week, each gym sesh including running 2 miles plus weights/squats/abs/rowing/etc.). And I'm writing it here so that I am accountable. Oh, and these are just random pics of how I as a mother manages in the dressing room. note: stroller taking 1/2 of dressing room space and child behind me on the right watching Peter Pan on his ipod. That's how we do.

day of love and orange juice

This year Krew passed out his first valentines! We went to a little gathering with our playgroup at my friend's house and the kids loved it. Not sure if krew really understood what valentines day was about but hey, we had fun and I had fun making his valentines.

 

 And Cameron and I went out that night. Cameron had something planned and I complained that it was cold outside so we stayed inside and dined at a sushi place, Ogata's. And later I wished I didn't mess up his original plans .... but we still had fun. :) I love my valentine so much. And next year I promise not to ruin your plans.

topped off with sunshine

Last week was a rough week for us. For Krew, he fell in a toilet in a public restroom and fell down a hill at the zoo and had a really bad crash (like blood running down his head and face-it was really awful). He has a few bandaids and a big goose egg on his head but he is doing fine. Although I didn't fall in any toilets, I did manage to have my wallet stolen and boy has that been the pits! The wallet that Cameron got me for Christmas is sadly gone but it has taken so much time to replace everything that was in there. Sooo much time. And I keep realizing that more and more is missing.

But then I was visited with beautiful sunny skies and warm air by the end of the week and that was beautiful. A little happy ending to our crazy week. Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of other good events that happened this last week as well but that sunshine plus my fam just made everything right.

Our picnic in the garden

Last Monday while we were driving to the zoo, Cameron said, "We never take picnics on Sundays anymore." I responded, "Well, it's been a little chilly and we usually go out for a picnic in the warmer months of the year (for San Diego) so that's why." But my response didn't stop Cameron from packing up our dinner (left-over homemade pizza from the night before) and sending us out the door on Sunday afternoon. He had a place in mind and he was determined to have a picnic. We had a lovely little dinner out on the grass without anyone around. We sat amongst the rose gardens that were recently pruned that looked sad and dead. But I found a little rose that decided to bud on it's own. And just like us, despite the chilly weather, it had come out to play. So thank you, Cameron, for setting us up on our little outing. Krew was fantastic with his baseball skills, hitting the baseball (and the tee!) and Cameron was the best coach to him. And once our toes and fingers were getting too cold to move, we decided it was best to pack up.

blossoms, museums, and trains at balboa park

Krew and I met cousins Trey and Ella to go see a few museums last week. What beautiful blossoms were all around Balboa Park! It truly looked like spring! We went to the Natural History museum where the kids looked at fossils and then went to the science museum where they played at the Kid City. Later, Krew and I wandered to the railroad museum where Krew was entranced by tiny trains and mini cities. Since I'm a lover of things miniature, it was adorable! I couldn't stop looking at these tiny towns! It was a really fun day.

Before I had kids, I would see mamas hanging out and playing with their kids during the day and long to have a little child and buddy to explore and experience new things with. And here I am, with my little buddy and it's seriously the best.

the weekend started on thursday...

 

 

We had such a fun play date with our friends! Lua and Krew play wonderfully together. We blew bubbles, played ball, and enjoyed the 72 degree weather on the grass. The moms chatted and caught up on life.

  

Krew started the weekend with one of his biggest messes yet. Our floors were covered in rice and beans. My fail at an attempt to be a fun mama while I was taking a shower. Krew thought I was a reaaally fun mama. ;) And then later he painted on our wall with red water color paints and emptied our piano bench that had tons of music in it. Krew is a pretty chill kid but by the end of the day, I was tired.

 

It was Cameron's birthday! Krew and were so excited to celebrate with him! We decorated our house and had a very fun celebratory lunch with him on his birthday. We over ordered and were left with a feast for 5, sang happy birthday, and blew out candles. Krew and I finished off the celebration at the playground while dad finished up work.

 

We went snowboarding! Cameron's request for his birthday was that I made arrangements for us to go snowboarding. It was fun to take a day-long date and play around all day! Thanks Cameron for choosing to do that for your birthday!

 

And we end the weekend with this little man who I can't resist!

Our weekend was definitely packed but so much fun. And now I get to unpack from snowboarding and clean up this crazy house from neglect. :) It was kind of an all-fun-no-work weekend.

story of a sweet boy

Walking out to our car the other night Krew and I see a bunny!

(We get in the car and drive away.)

Krew: "Mom! We see bunny hopping?!"

Me: "Ya, we did!"

Krew: "Bunny hop by cah (car)." (bunny was hiding behind parked car down the street)

Me: "Yep. The bunny hopped away to his family."

Krew: "Why mom? Why to bunny family?"

Me: "So he could sleep with his family. They probably sleep in a bush together."

Krew: "Why?"

Me: "Because it's cold at night and it's warm if the bunnies sleep with their families."

Krew: "Bunnies have blankies?"

Me: "No, bunnies don't have blankies."

Krew: "Blankies at my house?"

Me: "You want to give the bunnies blankies from your house?"

Krew: "Ya. Bunnies blankies from my house."

I have a seriously sweet boy who is so sensitive and kind. These little conversations are my favorite. He even cares about the bunnies having blankies. Melt my heart.

library and clementines

We've been really good at going to the library regularly which has been fun for us both. Krew loves reading books and so I hope to nourish that love. It still upsets me to see computers in the library with kids "learning" games there because that is all Krew wants to do of course! And we also checked-out dvd's which is fine with me as long as a few books come home with it.
We've also been eating lots of clementines! Amazing little things they are and Krew can peel one all by himself. (note: we have switched from Cuties to the clementines at Trader Joes and so far, I think they are a bit tastier.)
I have so much fun being with little Krew and he surprises me with so much. While being with him I learn things about myself and I think back to how things were when I was little and how I felt about life. Today I decided I want to get Krew his own library card because wouldn't that make you feel so big?! Next time, next time... And how cute is my little guy in this instagram? Golly gee, you melt my heart.

As for this weekend to come, it's a weekend of celebration! A wedding and birthdays galore! Lots of celebrating! (and cake!)  :)

reorganizing the blog and some inspirational words from Pinterest.

 

via pinterest

L O V E  this. And I updated the blog front this weekend if you haven't noticed. We were well due for a new one. So far this year has been great to me. I know, it's only 15 days in. Are things going exactly my way? No, not in every way. But it's my outlook-- I'm trying to do that best with what I have been given. And with that attitude, positivity, and the ability to dream a little bigger, this year will be splendid. :) You're 15 days in... how's it going for you?

instant

Gosh, it was windy. We could feel the sun peep in and out but that cold wind had a chill to it that went right through our sweaters. But it didn't really matter. It was fun just hanging around with my little guy at the beach. We watched the seals be their lazy selves as the waves crashed all around us.

If you haven't noticed on my instagram, I've taken a liking in my new instant camera that Cameron got me for Christmas. I love this photo. It's us in the moment, no second takes, everything as it is. Krew not being able to take his eyes off the seals while I'm keeping him close to stay warm and hear his talk in 4-word sentences. What a sweet little boy he is.

Despite the wind it was really a beautiful day. It was so pleasant and peaceful being out there amongst the blue, just us two. We left the beach and joined Cameron for lunch. I love these easy days.

best for last... or first?

What is it about saving the best for last? I have been so terrible with it. I mean, I'm good at it-- so good at it that it's terrible. I somehow manage to save things for a later time because it's the best and I want to save it for the "special" time but it's really turning into a disadvantage. Let me give you some examples: buying lots of fresh veggies but because they look so wonderful and fresh and I want to save them for a "better" dinner and not one that I am throwing together in 30 minutes. In the end, I am left with a fridge with some rotting vegetables gone bad (the ones I can't freeze). Another example: outfits. I buy a clump of outfits or clothes. I usually will save the "best" or most on-trend for an exciting night out. Annnnnd I keep saaaaaving. And saaaaving. And saaaaaaving. And guess what. That special night comes and now my outfit is night quite as freshly trendy as it used to be. Or it's too cold/hot to wear it that night. Or I save it for a "even more special night" and time passes. Another example: I buy a number "2" sparkler birthday candle in May for Krew's 2nd birthday while I'm on vacation in Florida. I had never seen these things before and wow! How original! How exciting! I'll save it for his birthday party... no... it won't be dark enough to appreciate it... we'll use it on a special night near his birthday... or wait... and wait... and now he's two and a half and time has passed and there sits the candle in my drawer. You get the point. I'm saving these time-sensitive things for a better, more special occasion.
So here's to the New Year, as one of my many resolutions: enjoy it today. Use that great idea now. Wear that awesome outfit today. Maybe not today at the park with my toddler but tonight or this weekend. Live in the present and enjoy the things I have. Enjoy today.

our little trip to mexico

 

 

I really didn't think we would be able to make it to the annual trip down to the Rondo's mexico house this year. Luckily driving arrangements worked out and we all got to go! It was fun having so much time with family and friends. It was a little different this year than last time we went down, a few more people in the house but so much laughter! We managed to spend many relaxing hours gazing at the ocean blue, going surfing in some freezing water (obviously Cameron didn't mind too much ;) ), and truly relaxing. The three little cousins had fun discovering little creatures along the seashores and swinging on swings (there's one inside the house too!). And the three wifeys (Kristi, Lisa, and I) had fun running and painting anything they could find. The waves were great, the tacos were deliciosos, and the sunsets were more gorgeous than ever. Oooooh mexico.