Colin’s 4th Birthday Party (Plus Video!)

Colin turned 4 on September 7, and his birthday party was actually the same morning as the Saints race. Dana decided to hold it at Johnny Bright playground, which was a really fun location. Jeff and I headed straight there after the race to join in the festivities.

The vibe was laidback and relaxed, and the kids had such a great time running around and climbing all over the play structure. Dana also decided two days before the party to make pool noodle lightsabers, so the kids enjoyed whacking each other with those as well. And Rory and Mary Jane just loved seeing each other outside of school. So sweet.

 

It ended up raining for a little bit, but that didn’t stop the kids. They continued to play, not caring one bit for the raindrops falling on them. Both of my boys got so wet and dirty and had a blast.

Then at the very end, after most people had left and Diana, Kenny, and I were helping Dana and Dave clean up, the five musketeers started singing the theme song from Nightmare Before Christmas. Too funny.

Happy happy birthday, Colin man…..

…..you’re one cool dude.

New Orleans Saints Season Kickoff 5K

With the exception of the heat, my training is going really well. I still can’t believe I’m actually going to run a half marathon in less than 4 months. Cah-razy.

I also can’t believe that going out and getting 3 miles in on any given day is no big thing for me anymore. So when I found out about another fun 5K race happening this month, I didn’t hesitate in signing up.

On the morning of Saturday, September 10, Jeff and I participated in the New Orleans Saints Season Kickoff Race. It started in Champions Square, went down Poydras to Decatur and back, and ended on the 50-yard line in the Superdome. So awesome.

We arrived early on account of my needing to get 4 miles in that day and saw a really pretty sunrise on the way. We parked at Jeff’s office and ran over to the square so I could get my extra mile in. As we were walking up, we spotted Sir Saint and Gumbo on their way to the stage. Fun!

 

The race officially started at 7:30am, but everyone was assigned to a wave based on their estimated finish time. Jeff was wave 3; I was wave 14. No surprise there. We wished each other luck and went to our respective corrals. Shhhh…..I cheated a little bit and started with wave 10; I just couldn’t wait anymore!

Jeff finished with a time of 22:50, rolling into the Dome just before 8am. He chilled on the field while he waited for me.

I actually did better than I thought I would, coming in with a time of 41:16, five minutes faster than I estimated. Check out my ridiculous finish line picture. Obnoxious.

I met up with Jeff, grabbed a water and a Gatorade, and sprawled out on the field to stretch and relish in where we were. And of course take photos. It was really freaking cool.

We eventually left the Dome and headed back over to Champions Square to get some free beer, crackers, and jambalaya. At 9 in the morning. Gotta love it.

This was a really fun race and I’m so glad Jeff and I did it. After all, it brought me one step close to 13.1!

Still can’t believe I’m doing it.

Video Monday: Alligator Pie and the Red Song {Rory}

Rory comes home from school singing all sorts of songs they learn in class. Some I know (“Mary Had a Little Lamb”) and some I don’t.

Here is Rory demonstrating two of his new favorite songs from the first couple weeks of school.

Happy Monday!

Three and a Half Years {Rory}

Rory is three and a half years old today! He weighs 32.6 pounds and stands about 39 inches tall. He’s in size 3T clothes and a size 9 shoe.

He has not been eating or drinking as much lately; I suppose he’s not growing at the moment. But he loves Chisesi ham, tortilla, goldfish, and Yorks. He still doesn’t like pasta or cheese and now likes carrots more than broccoli. Oh, and he loves root beer.

He is fully potty trained now, although he does still request that someone come with him most of the time when he has to go at home. But he has had no accidents or issues at school or at night. He holds it in really well when he has to. Hallelujah!

He speaks very well, but he pronounces his “f’s” like “s’s” (sire truck). He can sing his “ABCs” and almost count to 20. He is learning lots with Mrs. Claire and Ms. Lisa in school. (More on school soon. Hopefully.)

He is still very much obsessed with trucks. And he still loves books. His favorite color is still orange. He loves making messes and is decent at cleaning up when pushed to do so.

He is my sweet boy who still loves to “rock-rock” with me before bed. He is stubborn. He is loving. He adores his brother. He has a smile that lights up his whole, dimpled face. We love him so.

Three and a half!

Ten Things

1. Sleepy Sprout!

2. Silly boys after school and the little one very happy with his new little Destiny.

 

3. Riley got to try out nunchuks at tae kwan do class a couple of weeks ago. I think he thought they were cool, but he had a bit of trouble doing what Master Candace wanted him to with them.

  

Then the next week his friend Matthew had to make up a missed session so he came to Riley’s class. Riley was excited to have him there, and Rory and Sophia had fun playing together while their older brothers practiced their moves. Riley also got a birthday headband from Master Candace.

4. Zac’s Angry Birds birthday party was on Saturday, August 20. The boys had a great time!

5. Dana, Diana, Lynn, and I went to see Bad Moms at Canal Place at the end of August and had a great night out. It was fun recognizing all of the locations around New Orleans where the movie was filmed!

6. Riley with his new birthday Lego sets and his coveted Ninjago snake guys.

  

7. Dana, Erin, Jenn, Lizzie, and I all attended the New Orleans Moms Blog Annual Night Out at NOMA on August 27. The theme was “27 Dresses” so we all wore old bridesmaid dresses. It was a fun night!

Jenn even made us recreate a picture from the movie Bridesmaids before we left to go home. Classic.

8. September 3 was the opening game of the 2016 LSU football season. It was a pretty historic game: the Tigers played Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. Kenny left on Wednesday morning to fly up north. He visited a few customers in Minnesota, met up with our friend Adam in Chicago, and then headed to Green Bay. They had a great weekend (despite LSU losing), and the boys and I survived back home. We even went swimming at Nola and Nopsi’s the morning of the game.

 

9. When I asked Rory one recent morning how he would smile for his school pictures (which are this week), this is what he did.

10. I am in the middle of my fifth week of half marathon training, and I have one thing to say: it is hot out there. I’m doing well with the training schedule, but I think it would be loads easier if it cooled off a bit. Pushing through the humidity has been no fun. I relish the cloudy days!

Fingers crossed for nice weather in Orlando come race day!