Nike Girl has been talking about getting her ears pierced for at least two years. Converse and I always told her when she was older and could make an informed decision maybe she could get them pierced. I am sure at age 4, she didn't understand that rationale.She kept asking and asking and asking. One day I let my guard down. I was tired of her wearing these clip on earrings that looked like she was modeling on a QVC segment. So I told her that when she turned 7 she could get her ears pierced. 7 certainly isn't a magical number but that particular day I was worn down from the persistent asking and just blurted it out. Silence, ah....the answer brought a closure to her asking. I know probably not the best parenting, but I was in survival mode. Besides I thought...she won't remember this conversation anyways.
Yeah, eat my words. Nike Girl turned 7 and today I found myself in her friend's mini van jamming out to iCarly theme song, on the way to the mall. Nike Girl and her BFF were getting their ears pierced. Excitement certainly filled the air. Our little girls were taking one step toward coming of age.
Things have changed since the days we use to pierce our ears. Today I had to sign a very detailed two page form that, to sum it up, simply said that they were not responsible for your child's ears falling off. Once I signed on the dotted line, Nike Girl climbed into the chair with a look of excitement and fright. The nice young clerk that was going to pierce her ears handed Nike Girl a cute little teddy bear to hold. Oh how sweet. As I looked closer, I realized the teddy bear had multiple piercings and hardware attached all over its body. I think it even had a tattoo. Interesting. Even teddy bears have changed.
Nike Girl then had to choose her earrings of choice to be worn for 6 weeks. Her eyes lit up. I knew at that moment she had locked her eyes on the 5 Carot cubic zirconia jewels. They were screaming put me in your ears. I was screaming please let her choose something a little more dainty, something that wouldn't stretch her ear lobes. I have seen in magazines painful looking pictures of people in villages in faraway lands wearing circular disc in their ears. Big earrings can do some damage. She looked some more. I was prepared to guide her to something a little more age appropriate. But within seconds she found the cute little pink flower earrings.Now it was time to get this done.
I held her hand while her BFF held the other. The countdown began and Ouch! Nike Girls's ears were pierced. She tried to not cry but the tears came down her face. I hugged her. She looked in the mirror and the tears stopped. "Wow, I love them! I look at least 25." Oh dear, she is growing up fast enough. I said , " No, I think you look like an amazing 7 year old with beautiful earrings." We left the mall, with a big smile and little earrings. Another first. So fun to watch her coming of age. Please remind me of that in a few years!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Gal
Running Report: Ran 9 today. Lots of runners on the trail. That is always motivating. We love the fact that summer has begun unofficially. Swimming season is upon us! Worked in the yard and garden, visited with family, finished some house projects, ate BBQ and lots of popsicles. Don't you just love all the produce this time of year. I found some new veggie recipes to try. Enjoy your day!
5.31.2010
5.28.2010
The Park School Roadrunner Club
Last weekend was groovy! The last several years I have been getting together with four of my closest friends. Three of us met in kindergarten and the fourth moved to town in first grade. She quickly fit in and became an official Park School Roadrunner. Who would have known that back in the mid 70's when we met that it would be the beginning of an amazing adventure in a one stoplight town trying to grow up and figure out how to leave the very thing we now all fondly remember.
We have experienced a lot together. Early on I had some sort of social skill challenge. We all remember me sitting on the metal merry-go-round flipping a twig (at everyone who got near me) soaked in sewer water that was being discharged from a pipe that ran through the school yard (hello people, this can't be good!). I blame my social awkwardness on not having preschool. Then there was the time we watched in horror as one of our classmates swang upside down on the jungle gym that was set into concrete and lost her grip. She lived to tell about it and never even swallowed her gum, but none of us dared repeat that trick. Then there was our 5th grade teacher who also happened to be the principal who ate an entire fudgsicle with his front teeth and never cringed. Only later did we realize they were dentures.
In junior high we learned about make-up, spent nights calling in love request to a local DJ radio show, (which the station was actually a camper by a big antennae in the middle of a wheat field) and how to use a curling iron. Farrah Fawcett feathered hair rocked especially with an Izod shirt. We loved certain teachers and dreaded others especially one of our 6th grade teachers who wore a scowl on her face all day long. She happened to walk by my desk with white pants on when I had taken the lid off my purple marker and I got some sort of hand twitch and left a mark all the way around her bum. Or the English teacher who was on crutches with a broken foot but miraculously got up from her desk and walked across the room to sharpen her pencil without crutches and not even a limp.
Then there was high school and parachute pants and untied sneakers which landed me with a broken leg as I tripped on my shoelaces and fell down a flight of stairs chasing a boy my freshman year. A teacher asked a group of football upperclassmen to carry me to the office, I didn't want them to know how heavy I was so I walked on a broken leg. The truth or dares...daring one friend to jump up in the middle of class and yell Toyota when the teacher left the room. I did it , then she did it and got caught. Three of us played basketball the fourth played trumpet. We survived prom and homecoming dances with really, really big hair, and really ugly dresses. Then we graduated.
Our paths each took different directions. We all went off to college and met new groups of friends but always stayed in touch. We managed to go on spring break one year with another good friend from the same town and continue to laugh each year at the memories that week brought...another blog of its own. Then we each graduated college , landed real jobs, moved across the country several times, went to each others weddings, had kids and dogs, and finally decided to have a girls weekend.
So last weekend marked our 6th year of the get together. We shopped, and ate, and laughed, and ate some more, and laughed so hard we cried. A group of friends that no matter what you are going through you can be yourself. Another blessing. I use to not understand why I lived on a farm in the middle of nowhere. I am so glad now I grew up in that small town. Even though to this day I don't understand the two traffic lights now installed. So here's to the gang! The Park School Roadrunner Club. Cheers!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Ran 4 miles each day and did speed work on Wed. I use the word speed workout loosely. I am 40 and running 800's. I felt like I was flying but the Garmin said not so fast. I will get there or pull something major tryin'. Hope to run long this weekend. Enjoy your weekend!
We have experienced a lot together. Early on I had some sort of social skill challenge. We all remember me sitting on the metal merry-go-round flipping a twig (at everyone who got near me) soaked in sewer water that was being discharged from a pipe that ran through the school yard (hello people, this can't be good!). I blame my social awkwardness on not having preschool. Then there was the time we watched in horror as one of our classmates swang upside down on the jungle gym that was set into concrete and lost her grip. She lived to tell about it and never even swallowed her gum, but none of us dared repeat that trick. Then there was our 5th grade teacher who also happened to be the principal who ate an entire fudgsicle with his front teeth and never cringed. Only later did we realize they were dentures.
In junior high we learned about make-up, spent nights calling in love request to a local DJ radio show, (which the station was actually a camper by a big antennae in the middle of a wheat field) and how to use a curling iron. Farrah Fawcett feathered hair rocked especially with an Izod shirt. We loved certain teachers and dreaded others especially one of our 6th grade teachers who wore a scowl on her face all day long. She happened to walk by my desk with white pants on when I had taken the lid off my purple marker and I got some sort of hand twitch and left a mark all the way around her bum. Or the English teacher who was on crutches with a broken foot but miraculously got up from her desk and walked across the room to sharpen her pencil without crutches and not even a limp.
Then there was high school and parachute pants and untied sneakers which landed me with a broken leg as I tripped on my shoelaces and fell down a flight of stairs chasing a boy my freshman year. A teacher asked a group of football upperclassmen to carry me to the office, I didn't want them to know how heavy I was so I walked on a broken leg. The truth or dares...daring one friend to jump up in the middle of class and yell Toyota when the teacher left the room. I did it , then she did it and got caught. Three of us played basketball the fourth played trumpet. We survived prom and homecoming dances with really, really big hair, and really ugly dresses. Then we graduated.
Our paths each took different directions. We all went off to college and met new groups of friends but always stayed in touch. We managed to go on spring break one year with another good friend from the same town and continue to laugh each year at the memories that week brought...another blog of its own. Then we each graduated college , landed real jobs, moved across the country several times, went to each others weddings, had kids and dogs, and finally decided to have a girls weekend.
So last weekend marked our 6th year of the get together. We shopped, and ate, and laughed, and ate some more, and laughed so hard we cried. A group of friends that no matter what you are going through you can be yourself. Another blessing. I use to not understand why I lived on a farm in the middle of nowhere. I am so glad now I grew up in that small town. Even though to this day I don't understand the two traffic lights now installed. So here's to the gang! The Park School Roadrunner Club. Cheers!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Ran 4 miles each day and did speed work on Wed. I use the word speed workout loosely. I am 40 and running 800's. I felt like I was flying but the Garmin said not so fast. I will get there or pull something major tryin'. Hope to run long this weekend. Enjoy your weekend!
5.23.2010
Da' Belly
Weebok never sucks her thumb unless she has food on her fingers. She looks at a pacifier like "What am I suppose to do with this thing?" and throws it on the ground. I have tried to offer her the same blankie she laid on as a newborn to snuggle up with at naptime. No luck. I have tried encouraging her to hold Polly the Pony when she goes to sleep but she throws that over the edge of the crib, too. What can we possibly offer her to snuggle with and love at night- night time?
The search is over! Weebok has the answer. It is called "Da'Belly". She love, love, loves her belly button! When she is deep in concentration or tired she finds her belly button every single time. At first we thought how cute, then we thought this is really becoming a habit, to the present where we realize there is no stopping her now.
When you think about it, it really has quite a few benefits. For instance, it can get quite dirty but quickly wiped clean, it cost nothing, it is always with her, she can't drop it on the floor or in the car while I am driving, it can't ever get lost. Da 'Belly is awesome! We should patent it!
Converse and I have really only thought about one potential problem. Imagine if you will, when she is 40, in her executive office with the door closed looking out of her high rise building over New York City, business suit and a hair bun, one hand on the phone screaming , " Tell them we needed it yesterday!" (hopefully she will say please.) while she is subconsciously finding her belly button. It could present some problems. Hopefully she will grow out of it. But for now, we just giggle as our sweet calm little toddler and her belly button. Enjoy it, Weebok, Da'Belly ain't so pretty to look at when you are 40.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Gal
Running Report: Ran a little longer on Saturday. 7 miles. Finally found my Garmin charger so the Forerunner was good to go this time. The family rode bikes to keep me company. I just love that time together. We saw a beautiful Indigo Bunting bird that just sat on a branch by us singing when we took a water break. I think I had only seen one in a book. Ate cheesecake later in the day. Maybe that is why Da'Belly looks so poor at 40. But it sure was good!
The search is over! Weebok has the answer. It is called "Da'Belly". She love, love, loves her belly button! When she is deep in concentration or tired she finds her belly button every single time. At first we thought how cute, then we thought this is really becoming a habit, to the present where we realize there is no stopping her now.
When you think about it, it really has quite a few benefits. For instance, it can get quite dirty but quickly wiped clean, it cost nothing, it is always with her, she can't drop it on the floor or in the car while I am driving, it can't ever get lost. Da 'Belly is awesome! We should patent it!
Converse and I have really only thought about one potential problem. Imagine if you will, when she is 40, in her executive office with the door closed looking out of her high rise building over New York City, business suit and a hair bun, one hand on the phone screaming , " Tell them we needed it yesterday!" (hopefully she will say please.) while she is subconsciously finding her belly button. It could present some problems. Hopefully she will grow out of it. But for now, we just giggle as our sweet calm little toddler and her belly button. Enjoy it, Weebok, Da'Belly ain't so pretty to look at when you are 40.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Gal
Running Report: Ran a little longer on Saturday. 7 miles. Finally found my Garmin charger so the Forerunner was good to go this time. The family rode bikes to keep me company. I just love that time together. We saw a beautiful Indigo Bunting bird that just sat on a branch by us singing when we took a water break. I think I had only seen one in a book. Ate cheesecake later in the day. Maybe that is why Da'Belly looks so poor at 40. But it sure was good!
5.18.2010
A Physical Therapist's Daughter
For two days now, Weebok and I have met Nike Girl for lunch at school. She gets to invite two friends to eat at the parent table. Yesterday she had two little guys join us, neither are in her class. One had a broken left arm with a yellow cast and one had a sling and white cast on his right arm. She asked them a million questions. Today she invited two new friends to lunch, neither in her current class. One had a walking cast with a sprained ankle and the other had a broken arm. Again, she was full of questions. It makes me wonder who will join us for lunch tomorrow. She helped each one with a broken arm open their milk and put the straws in. She even threw their trash away. I just hope she doesn't think it is totally cool and climbs a little higher up in the tree or zips a little too fast down her zipline. If she does, rest assured, Nike Girl already has crutches and an arm sling she saved up for and bought with her own allowance. What will this child grow up to be? For now I guess she is just a physical therapist's daughter.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Gal
Running Report: Started speedwork today, Yasso's 800's. Hoping to improve my speed over the miles. My first ever running buddy just qualified for Boston! YAHOO! Weebok and I went for a jog this morning. Halfway through I realized the stroller had a flat tire. No wonder it was hurting so bad to push the blasted thing up hill. I thought it was from all the dessert I ate on the trip. We will just blame it on the tire.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Gal
Running Report: Started speedwork today, Yasso's 800's. Hoping to improve my speed over the miles. My first ever running buddy just qualified for Boston! YAHOO! Weebok and I went for a jog this morning. Halfway through I realized the stroller had a flat tire. No wonder it was hurting so bad to push the blasted thing up hill. I thought it was from all the dessert I ate on the trip. We will just blame it on the tire.
5.17.2010
Sun, Sand, and Surf
Sisters
Sharing sunrises and sandcastles
Nike Girl turned 7! Before we left the beach she asked if we could please go to one more souvenir shop. I told her that she would have to use her own money. She looked at me and sighed, finally stating , "Well I was saving it for your senior living home but I am thinking I want one more t-shirt." Golly gee thanks! She left the shop with two hermit crabs, one for her and her sister, and a train whistle. Because as we all know when we think beach we think train whistle!
Like Mother like daughters!
Weebok will still share, Nike Girl not so much.
Love Weebok's face in the background. They make me smile.
Love Weebok's face in the background. They make me smile.
Birthday breakfast at the beach.
The Family
The girls could hardly stand still for a photo.
They wanted to get back to the sand and water!
Actually I think they were looking for oil.
Converse has trained his little environmentalists well.
Actually I think they were looking for oil.
Converse has trained his little environmentalists well.
Great Memories!
We were so glad Nana and Papa joined us!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: Ran on the beach each day. Awesome! Love, love , love sea level. Most of the time was spent playing, swimming, sunbathing, applying SPF 50, body surfing, biking and playing high priced putt putt. Oh, and of course eating!
5.07.2010
I Ponder.....
This morning I asked myself...how does one get the trash truck to pick up a trash can you no longer want? Week two and no luck with the trash truck taking our trashed trash can. I guess we will have to make a sign because stuffing it inside another trash can did not work.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: To qualify for Boston I will have to run 8:45 minute miles. That is a little faster than I thought to say the very least. This makes me ponder as I digest the mini chocolate donut, ok donutS.... I just consumed rather than an apple on the counter. What is my problem.
Nike Girl ran her first 1/2 mile charity race and got second! So cute! And she donated some money which makes a mama proud.
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl
Running Report: To qualify for Boston I will have to run 8:45 minute miles. That is a little faster than I thought to say the very least. This makes me ponder as I digest the mini chocolate donut, ok donutS.... I just consumed rather than an apple on the counter. What is my problem.
Nike Girl ran her first 1/2 mile charity race and got second! So cute! And she donated some money which makes a mama proud.
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