Shredded Kids

They make it look so easy:

Tunnel to Towers Race and NYC Shenanigans

Right after the Run for Mercy, I packed my bags and boarded a train with seven good friends for a relaxing few days of child-free fun in lovely New York City.  The train was the perfect way to get there.  It is about a 7 hour ride, which gave us plenty of time to talk.  At first we were doing that kind of frantic talking that Moms do because they know they will be interrupted at any moment by a child needing something.  Then we remembered, No Kids!

Four of us awoke bright and early Sunday morning and boarded the ferry to the starting line.

When I uploaded the pictures to my computer it loaded the ones from the camera Scott had at home with the camera I had in NYC in the order they were taken.  So, while I was making my way to the starting line, Scott was engineering the bike ride to church.  When I got home, he told be they rode bikes to church and it took me a minute to realize, "...but, how?"  Leave it to Scott.

Back to NYC, this race is run by firefighters in full gear.  It's really cool.

And Army regiments run in it in formation.

I loved this firefighter dad carrying his little man.

The race goes through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (which feels so long and can feel a bit claustrophobic if you remember the tunnel is under water...).  As you come out of the tunnel there are West Point cadets, each holding a banner for a firefighter or police officer killed on 9/11.

There were also several school groups singing patriotic songs.  The whole thing was an awesome experience.

Finished!

After the race was over it was time for the fun to begin.  We started with Billy Elliot on Broadway followed by a late-night dinner.

Breakfast the next morning was glorious if not a tad expensive.  $9 for my OJ.  It was fresh squeezed, but still.

Is it a girls' trip without pedicures?

No, it's not.

Back at the farm, the kids were being entertained by a tree being taken down in the backyard.  I think Scott even made them some popcorn.

The next day some of the girls took the early flight but some of us stayed until later.  We went to St. Patrick's Cathedral
.

Apparently, while I was being born, John Paul II was in NYC at St. Patrick's.

30 Rock, baby!

And then it was time to head home and kiss my husband's feet for letting me get away for a few days.  Same place next year ladies?

Run for Mercy 2011

In May of this year Scott and I decided that we would run the 5K sponsored by our church.  We trained for 4 months and were really excited on the day of the race.  It was the first 5K for both of us.
  

The race also includes a "fun run" for the kids.  Adam had been training using "Kinect Sports" and was very excited. 

The racers ready.

Paige hung out with the kids and Grandma while Scott and I ran.

Me with a group of friends who also ran the race.

There's Scott!

Scott crossing the finish line at 24:30.  Not too shabby for his first 5K.

I have a picture of me crossing the finish line, but I choose not to post it.  Mostly because you can see my time and I like to perpetuate the illusion that I am some sort of athlete.

After the 5K the kids started their fun run.  Adam is in the blue shirt literally elbowing his way to the front.

I think the course was 1/4 mile.  Adam and Jane both ran the entire way.  Adam even fell and scraped his knee pretty badly, but he hopped up and kept going.

It was literally a dream come true for Adam to cross an actual finish line.  They had medals at the end for the kids.

I just want to squeeze her sometimes.

Coming up, the race I ran the following day in NYC...

What We Did in September

Ever since Jane got this dress she said she wanted to ride "the painted horses" at the museum while wearing it.

Dream come true.

Adam started his final year of preschool.  He's just so big.

Jane started her first dance class.  Jane and tutus are like pancakes and syrup, they just belong together.  And are usually a tad sticky.

Paige is finally old enough to enjoy the finer points of the museum.

Up next: The Run for Mercy and a Girls-Only-No-Kids-Allowed trip to NYC.  Stay tuned.

Camping Trip 2 of 2: Stony Brook

We picked a good campsite this time.  We were right next to the bathroom, a stream and a bridge.  The kids were in heaven.

Oh, and there was a grate.  Who needs Disney World?

We got smart this time and brought the stroller to contain the mover.

Setting up camp.

The kids were fascinated by the fire.  Aren't all kids?

Blueberry pancakes people!  Over a fire.  You are supposed to be so in awe of my skills that you don't notice my white socks being worn with my Tevas.

We spent the rest of the day hiking.  It was very beautiful.  Jane was very happy to have her very own backpack to cruise in. 

So was Paige.  Believe me, she's happy.

A chair-shaped rock!

After our hikes the kids enjoyed a little water-sliding. 

Paige and I sat on the side, looking cool.