CF Ride

Wow, this week has vanished too! It was everyone's first full week of school. Ted is loving it - so enthusiastic and WAY excited for Outdoor Ed week (the 2/3 class will go to Keystone Science School for 2 nights/3 days, coming up in 2 weeks!). Sam LOVES Kindergarten and thinks it's too short and that Fridays are boring. I think he'd love enrichment, but we're keeping it at half day for this semester. He is REALLY into drawing lately and has become very prolific. Our fridge is well decorated! Mae requested to go to school every day but not do enrichment, so we switched that up for her. I think she really enjoys the Tue/Thu class because she's with her little girlfriends. On MWF she's in a class with kiddos she knows, but that aren't her "group." (This may be on purpose, but it's still a bummer.) This way, she'll be with her peeps twice a week and making new friends the other 3 days. Plus, they DO keep the doors between the classrooms open most of the time and they do play outside half the day.
I am looking forward to a good week ahead. Last week was my recoup week from the tri and it was a pleasure to chill out. I had a lovely long run on Tuesday (prepping for the 1/2 marathon on 9/20) and a great ride up Left Hand Canyon on Thursday with Wendy (not all the way to Jamestown - we turned around at Buckingham Park, but I'm going to try to go a bit further this week.) That was good prep for Saturday, which was the 29 mile CF Ride. Similar to the Walk, this is a big fundraiser for CF and it's the first year I've been able to participate. Biking was so foreign to me that I couldn't imagine doing such a thing in years past. This was a beautiful ride, full of amazing scenery, great aid stations and a gorgeous day to boot. A GREAT experience. Then this morning during Sunday School (Sam's 1st day of Sunday School!) I did an 80 minute run. I was tired but it felt fine and comfortable. Next week is 100 minutes. I'm really enjoying running longer - I've missed it!
Tuesday begins the TriBabes membership (elite athlete status - ha ha!) at Flatirons Athletic Club, so I'm going to investigate their spin classes, pre-masters swim classes and perhaps even some yoga. I'm excited.
The house is clean, groceries are in the fridge, dinners are planned for the week and lunches are made for tomorrow. I plan to do laundry tomorrow (they should be finished with the basement SOON, they say. I miss my washer/dryer). Can't ask for a better start to a fresh week.

Sam's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Today Sam finally got to go to Kindergarten! He was so exited (and toothless!) He walked right in and got settled. They were having morning movement outside and I hung around to do a lice check (no lice!). When I left he was "being a loner" but seemed happy enough. After school Wendy walked the 6 kiddos out who only stay for the 1/2 day. Sam, of course, exited the building empty-handed, so we had to go back in and get his backpack etc. Silly guy! We had lunch with Daddy and went to the toy store where his tooth fairy money bought him a small pirate bag of "jewels." Kewl.
Mae also had a good day, but since she stayed for enrichment I didn't get the full scoop. I'll try to get some pics of her on Wednesday. Tomorrow is our "Girl Day."
WOW! What big kids I have!!!

phew!

Because it will probably be another year before my next tri, I thought I'd do the play-by-play version. Short story: hard but fun!
We all got up at 5am. I had packed the car up before so we were on our way by 5:45 (yes, the whole family came - isn't that sweet? Not required from now on, but sweet for the 1st time.) Got to the rez around 6:30 and set up our transition area. I was right next to Namino and Sylvie, which made for nice pre-race chatting. We headed to the water around 7:30 and did some swimming in the warm up area. It was great in the water but breezy and cool on shore. The water was a little choppy, but no one swam over me and I didn't get kicked in the face, so I think it was a wonderful swim! I did it in 18:35, which is about 2 minutes faster than I've done it before. Woot! I was a bit disoriented getting out of the water and had to be directed to the correct side of the transition area, but I did run out of the water and to my bike, rather than walk - which felt cool. My transition was really slow, but I got to the bike section eventually and it was a good ride. My pelvic area fell asleep completely without bike shorts on, but no pain, so that was good! My right hand also fell asleep, which made shifting impossible on the last lap but otherwise, I'd say I picked off at least 30 people, which feels so good, especially when they're in their 20's!
The run felt the best but was surprisingly slow (29:55). It took about a mile to get into a non-gasping state, but then it felt soooo good and relaxing. It was also a special treat to see Missy handing out the water and Wendy at the turn-around point. After running it in and seeing my peeps, I went back out on the course to run Sylvie in. That was really fun - she did great too! Then we enjoyed the post-race expo and the kids got some yummy Wahoo's, yogurt and ice cream.
We had to really rush once we got going since I had choir rehearsal in Denver at 1! I showered quickly and got there just in time. I came home and tried to collapse, but Sam lost his first tooth! So we had to ooh and ahh over that. Tomorrow is Sam and Mae's 1st day of school and they want zucchini bread for breakfast, so one last chore before I can rest.
Summary: I think the sprint is a good distance for me. While I could have run longer, I can't imagine doing much more than 1:30 as a total. I was so tired! But it was very fun and I do love the training, so I'll stick with it. I don't think I'm one of those who is going to rush right in and sign up for the rest of the season though. I'm done! I'll take a rest tomorrow and then Saturday is the CF Ride. The 1/2 Marathon is coming up on Sept. 20 and then we'll head into Winter Maintenance. I plan to take the winter to heal my rotater cuff and improve my speed in the swim!
All in all, a GREAT experience.

As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose

WOW the nerves are shot! This morning Mae and I joined Sylvie and her daughters for a trial swim at Union. It was fine. I had some nervous breathing issues, which I hadn't had since my first try at the rez back in July. Weird. The kids had a blast playing in the water and sand - we could hardly drag them out of there. Tonight I pumped up my tires (go me!) and got everything all ready. I am excited, nervous and (TMI) just started my period. N-i-c-e.

2nd Grade

The pic is a bit blurry, but I LOVE the expressions of anticipation/joy/excitement on Kai and Ted's faces as they sit in the meeting area on their first day of 2/3. He came home with a fantastic letter from the 2/3 team. They are going to study Ancient Egypt in history and Earth Sciences in science. Also Spanish, math, spelling, reader's and writer's workshop as well as A&S electives. A full but fun curriculum. We had our traditional 1st Day of School ice cream (with Dakota, Kai and Aiden's families.) They really get serious about homework this year, which is cute. They get all their homework for the week on Monday and it's due on Friday. The kids are to complete the work ON THEIR OWN (thank God!) and shouldn't need help, but "being present" for them during homework time is encouraged. They have school planners and on Monday morning, they plan their week and what the homework will be. It sounds like they are really focusing on getting the kids responsible for their work, which is awesome!

We spent our last week of summer going to Water World one last time (no lines!), helping set up Ted's classroom and having Sam's K assessment, and trying to squeeze every last drop of summer out ... I think we succeeded. Everyone is happy and ready to be back at school (Mae's Meet 'N Greet is tomorrow and Sam starts K on Monday) and I am ready for my tri on Sunday! Ahhhh!!!

A fun, but quick, week!

This week flew by and I cannot believe that it was our last full week of summer. Ted starts 2nd grade next Thursday; Sam and Mae start (K & Pre-K) the following Monday. We tried to squeeze in as much summer fun as we could this past week, and the work on the basement has gotten more and more noisy, so we were out and about as much as possible. We went to Boondocks (all 3 kids LOVED Laser Tag. Truly scary!), Lakeside, saw "G-Force" and spent lots of time outside just soaking in the sun. We did a quick nature hike this afternoon, inspired by Michael's Back to School sale on supplies (new markers! fresh paper! buttons!!) It's been a lovely week, but I do think we are all ready for more structure in our lives. My triathlon is next Sunday! Ah!

Ted's Tri

Catch Up

It has been a whirlwind of a week - bullet time!

• The weekend was great! Flew out Friday, had a restful night with Rosa & Bernhard, worked out on Saturday (B took the 1.5hr spin class with me!), ate at a wonderful cafe & gelato place (twice! love gelato!) and then we all took a delicious nap.
• The reunion was SO MUCH FUN. It was fabulous to see everyone, and SO FUNNY to read all about our "predictions," what we said, what our hobbies were etc. A seriously fantastic time. Can't wait to do it again!!!!
• Monday was back to the grind. Paul had jury duty and it ended up being an important medical marijana case that made front page news in Boulder every morning. He couldn't talk about it til it was over (today) but it made for a tense week!
• Tuesday I successfully swam the Rez for the 2nd time. I am so psyched. I am having some serious rotater cuff pain, but hopefully I can get through the tri and then do some PT off season. Whew!
  
• Wednesday was Mae's 4th birthday. We went to Build-A-Bear, where she picked a pink bear (of course) and named it Sam. Hee! I can't believe she is 4 already!!! I also had my first rehearsal for High Holy Days at Temple Sinai. Good music. Annoying commute.
• Today, Thursday, the kids and I had swim lessons and took Ole to the dog park to swim. This was a nice day, mellow and not too much fighting. We also picked up Ted's race packet for his triathlon on Saturday. He is very excited for that!

Now I'm hearing all the details of the case (poor Paul - he didn't get any sleep worrying about it. And I had no idea he was on such a major case!) and catching up with everything. Tomorrow - errands, tidying and grocery shopping!! (And Horton Hears a Who at RMTK! My voice student is Horton!)

Top pic: the group, about 2/3 of the class.
Middle pic: me, Yasmin & Rosa - the 3 Muskateers!
Bottom pic: Brian and me. One of my hobbies, apparently, was "bothering Brian." He and Rosa dated in 8th grade, so I think it was my official duty as her best friend. SO FUNNY!

4 Years Old

It is official - Mae is 4! We had a great day. She opened her presents on our bed (what a thrill! being allowed on the bed!), had McD's for breakfast, went to Build-A-Bear to make her very first bear, had Noodles for an early dinner/late lunch AND had cupcakes. She was a little testy all day, but isn't that the norm for the bday child? Her party is on Sunday and we are all excited. All her little friends from preschool are coming, as well as the family friends who can make it. Happy Birthday, sweetheart! You are such a big girl!

(Another post will follow in a few days with video of her riding her big 2-wheeler. I just can't seem to remember the video camera!!)

*Update* At her 4 yr well check, Mae was 41 inches tall (75%) and 36 pounds (50%). She is strong and healthy and perfect.