Hurricane Harbor

This week, Spencer took a day off so we could take the kids to the water park. Such a fun day! I wish I had more pictures, but we locked our camera in the locker all day. Oops! So here's the one we got of us as we left.

Madeleine's favorite part was the wave pool. She also liked swimming in the lazy river and there is a kid area with a bunch of little slides that she had lots of fun playing in. Ian seemed to have a good time wherever we took him. Spencer and I liked the Tornado and the Bamboo Racer.

a minor tragedy....

Today, this poor little Polly Pocket guy was decapitated. I don't know how it happened, but the tape Madeleiene wanted to fix him with was not up to the job. So, I had to call on my creative mom powers to figure out what to do to save him. I probably should have just thrown him away, but I am not that cruel I guess. I threaded a straightened out staple into his head and then stuck that back onto his body. Pretty genius, right? Let's see how long it lasts.

Here is an action shot of Ian walking. I may have spoken too soon in my last post. He seems to realize that he is much faster at crawling and not in danger of falling over, so he hasn't quite mastered walking yet. Oh well.

This is the only way to shop with two little ones. I almost don't mind going to Costco thanks to the massive two-seater carts. Too bad other stores don't have these. It would certainly help me out!

Ian's 10 month birthday

I know it isn't really necessary to mention a 10 month birthday, but I just have to so I can tell you all that Ian is officially walking now! Yeah!! He has been taking a couple steps here and there, but tonight he decided to really walk. He was in the kitchen with me while I was cleaning up dinner and I think he was a little upset that I closed the dishwasher, but instead of getting down and crawling to me crying, he took 6 steps! We quickly whipped out the video camera to get it all on tape and he walked about 6 more steps. That seems to be his limit so far. He took a few little walks like that tonight, but we know he'll be walking more and more each day! Madeleine also walked at 10 months and we weren't sure that Ian would be on the same track. He has quite a bit more weight to balance than she did at the same age. He really surprised us and we are so pleased!

a recent obsession

For book club, we were convinced we absolutely had to read Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. I am not at all disappointed, but it has completely become an obsession! This was one of those books that I did not want to end. And of course, by so being, was one I finished far too quickly. Good news, there is a sequel. New Moon. Just as engaging and I finished that one just in time for the third book in the series to come out. Well, I just finished Eclipse today. Thank you, Ian, for taking such a long nap. And thank you, Madeleine, for watching so many of your favorite shows.

I am a little embarrased to admit how much I loved these books. I just cannot get these characters out of my head! I checked out Twilight from the library and I am really wishing I had bought it so I could start the whole thing over! I really don't want to wait until next year when the fourth installment comes out to experience more of Bella and Edward.

If you are interested in a teenage love story, check out this series. I know it must make some interesting statements about me when I admit how much I loved it and then say it's a teenage love story. Again, emabarassing! I can't deny it. And let's be honest, it's the author's fault. If she weren't so capable, I wouldn't have been affected like I was. Now that I have finished I can get to reading books on foreclosure that Spencer suggested I read. I imagine that will bring me back to reality.

My BEST birthday ever!

Last Tuesday was my birthday and it was so great! I have really been wanting some new clothes but going shopping with Madeleine and Ian is hardly possible. I can take them to Target and Costco and the grocery store. That's about it. So, for my birthday, Spencer took half the day off so he could keep the kids while I went shopping by myself. It was heavenly! I couldn't have asked for a better day! Plus, I found some great deals and met up with a couple friends for lunch. So fun!

Then for dinner, Spencer took me to Firefly in Studio City (definitely worth checking out) and to see 1408. Drew (Spencer's brother) came over to watch the kids. A great day all around.


While we were out, Madeleine tried her hand at photography. Not too bad, eh?

More on the Tri.

Madeleine looks plenty happy here, but this wasn't the look on her face the whole day. In fact, she was devastated each time they saw me go by. After I finished and they came up to me she was completely bawling! She told me later that she didn't cheer for me because she didn't want me to run away from her. Thanks a lot! Notice the Oreos in her hand and in her teeth. That might have also added to her high spirits in this picture.

Ian weighs a good 24 pounds now, so Spencer was shifting positions all morning. Where was the stroller?, you might ask. Well, he was not lucky enough to park on the military base where the event was, so he had to take a shuttle to where everything was happening. I guess it was pretty small so there wasn't room for our beastly double stroller. Oh yeah, and he had to wait a good 40 minutes to get on it. Kind of spoiled his good mood. That and having to carry Ian and having Madeleine's mood swings to deal with.

Hallelujah! Finally a chance to let Ian down! When we were all leaving Spencer was complaining about how much his back hurt from carrying Ian all morning. He knew he wasn't going to get any sympathy from those of us who just finished the race, but I guess he needed to get it off his chest.

That's right. I did a triathlon!

After hearing that I had run a 10k in March(the term "run" used very loosely), my friend Julie convinced me I would have no problem with a sprint triathlon. It was to be a 400 meter swim, 9 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run. Now, I have heard that it was actually a 12 mile ride (which I hope is true, then my time would be more impressive), but I haven't substantiated that.

Anyway, the swim nearly killed me. I am so thankful for all the progress I made in the pool, but it was hardly preparation for swimming in the ocean. One huge gulp of salty ocean water (almost as soon as I got in) made we want to choke and die. Thank heavens I didn't.

Then the bike ride. A two loop flat course. I would have preferred a hill or two for the variety and for the chance to rest my legs on the down hill. Big, big thanks to my friend, Jennica, for letting me borrow her superfast bike. Such a huge help! Oh yeah, how about that headwind?! It felt like even when I turned I was riding straight into the wind!

Now to my strongest point-the run. I was definitely beat so I couldn't run the whole time. I allowed myself to walk a minute here and a minute there so I could run stronger when I ran. I averaged about a 9 minute mile. Not bad for me. Especially after swimming and biking.
Spencer captured my big finish. The smile on my face is because I was thinking 'I am so glad this is over!'
My friends who are as crazy as me. L-R: Brooke McCoy, Claire Thompson, Julie Roberts, me, Christie Everitt. Completing the race feels great, but I have to say I really loved training for it! I am seriously thinking about the next event I want to compete in so I have something to work towards.