December Days

hello, It has been a while since I have posted over here. I just lost my writing mojo for about a bit. I am not really sure what happened but I shifted. What have I been up to you ask ? I have been busy . Life is full with two really hungry teenagers and school work. Then trying to take good care of my kids and husband. I started crafting again and that includes painting and keeping up with my Project Life I swear the last 20 years of my life are in photo albums but I love it .
 Jack and I are still taking our mini-fun days here in San Diego. This week we went to Oceanside.
Oceanside has a-lot to offer if you love trains like we do. Did you know if you park near the train station and go for a run in either direction you can see 4 different types of trains. If you are like Jack you can tell what kind of train it is just by the sound.

I am not sure how we do it but this little man and his running stroller went for a 5 hour outing with me . We walked to 3 play grounds and to the beach. Then we had lunch on the water and continued playing until he passed out.

Its been easy and I love that.
OK so whats going on with my great passion and love for running. It is still here in my heart and in my legs. Do you want to know what my plans are for next year ?? I signed up for SD100 ! I am really happy about that.  It is going to be a training for Moab 200 in October. (insane) I am really excited for the journey.. I hope to share it here and hope you will join me .

This is now

This is my right now. Date night with my dad . We went to see a play last night . Loves labors lost and it was not my favorite. It was really hard to understand and really long. I feel asleep during the play. That has never happened before. My dad laughed at me and I felt like I was back in school. You know that history class that you could barely stay awake for and you kept nodding of at. That was me. It was good but it was not for me.
 When I am with my dad I feel this sense of time all around me. I know the moments I spend with him are so special and precious. I listen to what he tells me and try to bring my self back to being present all the time. He has always been so good me and now that he is getting older I don't want to miss out when it comes to just hanging out with him. We really have a good time together.
Today Jack and I headed to Lego Land. It was awesome. No lines!
We played and went in the fountain and had snacks. Then we went on 8 rides. How cool is that !! There was no spinning rides either . I was feeling tired and a little down this morning so I made the day about Jack and made a good dinner for the family and now I just feel tired and happy. Happy Days.

Tuesday Happenings

Hi and hello - Around here we have been playing and exploring fun easy places to spend good quality time with your kid. Finding places to hike  is easy but finding places that are fun and not to hard for an almost 3 year old is a bit more challenging. Last week we found a really great trail that we have since revisited. This picture was taken by my little man. He knows how to use my camera now. 

He loves to pretend we are running a race. Ready set go Momma!

We hiked for a couple hours . The best part is trying to find something that starts with each letter of the alphabet. This was the letter P for pokey. I had to give it to him.

He actually read the sign . Its crazy how fast children learn when you just take the time to teach them and play learning games with them. I feel I am a way more into teaching Jack than I was with my other kids. I think it must be that I am so much older this time I see life different. Quality time take priority right now. 

Decide  what you want to be, do, and have, think the thoughts of it, emit the frequency, and your vision will become your life.

Mommy Adventures

My mini morning adventure :
Today was one of those days that I needed to get out of the house. I have a-lot of those days. I needed to be outside so as soon as I dropped of my older kids at school I headed home and got my stroller ready and set out for a long walk with my little man. He is no longer interested in the stroller but I thought eventually he will be. It was weird even though it should not be to leave my car behind and walk into town. We left early and we walked together for about an hour. We hit the park and then just walked. We walked by old buildings and under the freeway. We walked by people on bicycles , skateboards and every time we passed by a runner Jack would yell ," go runner ". We walked and he walked and then I ran for about 3 hours and then it was lunch time. We made our way to the Broken Yolk. I was starving and so was Jack so we ate like champions after all we walking people that a-lot of work for 2 1/2 year old and his 43 year young mom :).  We really did have a great time at lunch Jack was tired so he was so good. He ordered and said Thank you to the waitress. I felt very proud. After lunch there was the walk home but to my surprise I only had about 45 minutes to get home before my mommy taxi services needed to start. Jack insisted on walking so I let him and very shortly after he wanted in the stroller. "stroller mama" I walked as fast as I could. Suddenly I had to go pee and there was no bathroom in sight at the same time Jack wanted out. I told him I had to go pee and he said "run mama".

This is him running home so I can go pee. I barely made it and poor kid was so tired he fell asleep 10 minutes later. I like to think of mornings like these as my mini adventure morning. I looked at my watch and we walked 8.3 miles. It was fun and we got to spend the day outside. Most of the morning outside.
Happy Trails.

Little Bits of our life

Today we both enjoyed a much needed day at the beach. This included collecting shells, counting rocks. We walked for a very long time and had lunch. We where not in a hurry and just took our time. The Ocean has a very special way of helping me relax . There where 3 sharks spotted out in Ocean side according to the Life guards and they where 10 feet long. We stayed dry and I was loving how Jack just stopped sat down and watched the waves.
Perfection is not attainable ,but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. - VINCE LOMBARDI

Happy Weekend

This past week Jack and I and my dad went on what turned out to be a very long hike. It had been raining the day before so I thought the weather would be nice. We went out to Lake Poway and the plan was to walk the 2.7 mile loop. I brought 1 bottle of water and my plan was to walk and carry Jack. 

We ended up walking for about 5 miles but it felt like way more. Some how we took a wrong turn and it was so hot. I felt so bad for Jack but the positive side was I carried him most of the way.  We played his favorite song over and over on my phone and some how even though we where melting we made it. The highlights of our hike were Jack yelling at his grampa to run and my dad running and hiding. Then jack coming around the corner only to clap when he found my dad. It was so cute. 

I was proud of my little man for powering through this hike. I was so proud of myself for carrying him most of the way .. Next time I will check the weather but we did have a great time.. Now its time to go to bed as you know tomorrow is Saturday . My favorite day of the week because its my long run day in the mountains with my friends.. Happy Trails 

Days of December

Getting ready for Christmas ?? I am trying to get a little Christmas in everyday. Today we headed over to Balboa Park. We saw the big tree by the Balboa Theater. We tried to watch the puppet show. We stayed as long as Jack wanted to and that was about 25 minutes. That's OK when your 2,  25 minutes is a long time to sit still. We had lunch at the Japanese Gardens and we walked around for a couple hours. It felt as Christmas as you can feel when its 80 degrees outside. Happy Holidays.

A mini day trip ADVENTURE

Hi Peeps.. How is your week going ? I have had an easy week over here.  Driving my kids to school and doing laundry but I have been able to get my runs in even if they are short and a couple workouts in. Yesterday I took as mini road trip with my dad and Jack to Palomar Mountain. It is about and hour and half from my house so not to far but it is a slow 1:30 because it is a very windy road.( I don't like those roads ) Jack was practicing his patience and he did well. When we finally arrived it cost 7$ to go into the Park for the day and guess what we where the only people there. There was no one else in sight and ours was the only car. It was beautiful . The leaves are all changing color and it felt like a really good fall weather. When you live in San Diego you have to enjoy it when you can capture this feeling. Jack was so excited to get out of the car and run around. Let's go run mama.. 

The elevation was 5500 feet and it was 65 degrees. We saw deer and ducks. We threw stick in the pond and collected acorns. We crossed a bridge and smelled a pine tree and the best part was when my dad Jack and I where all sitting on a huge log and Jack held us both really tight and looked up at my dad and said oh grampa .. It was special for sure. This kid brings out the best in me. 

When your little a pond is awesome. He yelled at the ducks and he would look at the water and say two trees mama. I think he saw the reflection and was showing me the two trees. We hiked for about 3 hours. I definitely got my work out in because half of that hike I carried Jack. He can get heavy. 

My favorite picture from yesterday. My little boy exploring. I really can't complain about anything. I feel so full of hope and joy and when I see this it helps me look at our future in a soft light. I love how much Joy a couple hours outside brings us. I love that I get to show my kids the parts of life I feel are so important and in doing so they to will see the soft light that can surround our life. Yesterday was a really good day. One I won't forget anytime soon. 

Numkin mama

We set out for the day. Just little man and me. Two back packs and one destination.

Yes, you guessed it the Pumpkin Patch. I decided that we should go in the early in the day. When it's just us because that way we could take our sweet time. We could explore all the pumpkin field and and not have to wait in any lines. We did just that. We took our rime walking through 3 fields and I just let him explore. It feels so good to not be in a hurry and to just let go of any expectations . My older kids were in school so it was just us.

Having the privilege of being his mama is great. I love the way everything is new and how he knew what these big orate things are called. Numkin Mama Numkin. He kept trying to pick them up but they were to big for him. 

I walked him over to the tractor rides but he decided they were to loud, so intend he played with this magical stick that also became a vacuum at any given time. There was so many bug and he didn't mind. On the contrary he said Hi bug. How are you ? His cuteness fills every inch of me with love.

This is the best thing about being able to stay home with him. Moments of pure bliss. I know this is what matters now for me. Every passion that lives inside of me helps me grow and love into bigger a bigger me. A fuller more rounded me. I have so much to learn about everything but going to the Numkin patch with this little guy and just being all I needed.

Every person we meet and let into our lives I believe is here to teach us something if we let them. This little guy makes me want to love better and hug more. Numkin mama . Best words ever. 

A day at the Wild Animal Park

Last week my dad and I went to The Wild Animal Park. It was hot. Can you tell how hot it was ? 

I really like doing outings like this but the heat kind of kicks my butt. So when you do things like this for your kids its so important to do some of the extras..Like feeding the birds. My dad payed for a little cup that held bird food or some kind of sugar water. The bird went crazy and so did Jack. I thought he would like it but it makes sense he did not. Poor little guy thought the birds were after him.  I got out of there and walked with my little guy to the big ballon.

The biggest reason I love going places with Jack is seeing things through his eyes. As I grow up I often take things so serious and he reminds me how cool this yellow big ballon really is. Look mama yellow.. He stood there even though it was like 95 degrees . I think his fascination was bigger than the temperature. I love that. He has so much to teach me.

We went on the train and he took my baseball hat off and put in on himself. He is a smart kid. He climbed on his grampus lap and yelled ooohhhhh mama !! This because we where moving. I try and close my eyes for a minute when he does little things like this and I try to take it in. I try to understand and feel what my little guy is feeling.

We only stayed for a couple hours. We left at 1 pm because it felt to hot for all of us. In the couple hours we explored I was once again fascinated with the fact that being a child is really great but so is being a mom. 

Two

I am continuing with August Break and the word is two. Look who is two today at my house. This cute little man . I can't believe he has only been here two years. I feel like he has been in my heart forever. Two the perfect age. Happy Birthday Little man. 

Paintings and a couple of good runs

What did you do this weekend ? I got crafty and Athletic. That sounds a little funny but I did. First I really wanted to finish my painting for Jacks nursery . A small part of me is doing the happy dance because I really love it. I love the colors and I feel like Jack has brought so much Joy and love into our lives that lots of color is so my little man to me. This canvas started out at a Hot air Balloon and I think its so perfect when you start and have all these layers of stuff going on and then boom all of a sudden you see a picture and it takes your painting to a completely different place. 

This is the picture that inspired my painting. He was so little its hard to believe he will be 2 soon.  I have loved every minute of being a mom.  I also love the fact that I had a 28 mile weekend. I got both my runs in and even though I didn't go to the mountains to run I ran. So this week I start training again. No more excuses or missed runs I have a schedule and I am sticking to it. I even have new Hokas…Miss G is happy now all I need is a new pack and I will be good to go. Happy Monday peeps.

Mini adventure part 2

by this time on our little adventure exploring was at its best. I really think he loved the face that it was windy and warm . Cloudy than sunny because he would run into the wind and I would fallow him.

Then there was all the fountain love. Who does not love fountains. I do and Jack does too. I cleaned his hands w sanitizer every time he stuck his hands in the not clean water. I think this was the highlight of our little trip.. water momma water !! and more water.

The good thing about no stroller is he loved sitting down after a while and just looking up at the trees.. thats when I get to hold him. 

I am planning on doing this more with Jack. He never got really tired and I carried him when ever he wanted me too. The kids is so fun.

We had a teriyaki chicken bowl for lunch and he loved it. I need to try more new foods with him he surprises me with all the foods he likes.

Life is just having lunch with my mom at the park.

The day went really well and I am so glad I just went exploring with him. Sometimes I think I need way more than I do. It was simple my baby and me a full tank of gas 20$ and a full day of fun. Am I crazy grateful for the great day we had ? I am and I also know that specially on days when life seems a little gloomy its so important to make it good. Go outside and just make a mini adventure.

Touring San Diego Part 1

I decided Monday morning that Jack and I needed a mini adventure so after dropping of his brother and sister at school we set out to our destination. Balboa Park. I packed my back pack with a couple diapers and a snack his bottle and a toy. I like to keep it simple. I also decided I was going to leave the stroller at home. I figure when he got tired I could pick him up. We arrived at 10 am. The first place we went was the Art Village. 

The weather was weird. One minute it was windy and cold then it was hot. Jack did great walking around with me. One of the great things about taking in the town with a 1 1/2 year old is you really do stop to look at everything. I looked at every trash can and every plane that passed by. The art center in Balboa Park was neat. They have a-lot of galleries but going inside was just not an option.

As soon as we saw the rainbow covered floor Jack yelled. OH WOW ! I felt like we were walking on the yellow brick road. 

I have lived in San Diego most of my life and I had not seen these statues . I felt a little bit like I was back in Florence.

Next we visited the Coy Pond. I was happy that he did not try to jump in. He just looked at the fish and listened to all the people around up playing music. 

Here we are. I decided we would have Japanese food for lunch. So we sat by the organ pavilion and waited for our food.
To be continued….

Simple Life

Hi.. I have been doing a-lot of this so far. Taking care of a toddler is a full time job my older kids are reletively easy . We are in the fantastic phase of climbing. Climbing chairs , sofas any hill that may cross our path. His little tykes house outside the list goes on.  My job right now is to keep this little guy safe. So when he naps I either nap because I am just tired or I clean. Does this sound familiar to anyone ? I have been finding it hard to get my runs in so I joined a gym and I will be doing my weekday days runs there. That way I can go once everyone has had dinner and I won't feel any guilt. I cannot remember the last time I ran on a treadmill. I am sure it will be fine. Boring but fine. I only have a little over 2 months to train for my big race so I do not want to take any chances and slack off.
I am loving taking care of this little guy. I am navigating through screaming and tantrums and really trying to just guide this little person and teaching him right from wrong but now that I am older  I understand how to do that better. He is a blast and I am over the moon in love with him. He dances and kisses me all the time. He holds my hand when he watches TV. I could not ask for anything more. Life is simple and I like it that way.