Tag Archives: children

Random Thoughts about a Swelled Head, a Shrinking Waist and a Princess Problem

Posted on by Run DMT
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Marathon TrainingIn the past few weeks, Run DMT has been spotlighted on several websites and it’s giving me a big head.

Marathon Training Schedule compiled a list of top running blogs and Run DMT is #64.  Then, RN Central.com  shared 50 Inspiring Blogs for Your Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss and Run DMT is #5 on the list.  How exciting is that?!

I’m flattered to be considered an “inspiration” to others for post-partum weight-loss and I hope yours is going better than mine because I’m sill struggling to lose the last of my baby weight 19 months later. What’s that old pregnancy rule of thumb for weight-loss? Nine months up, nineteen months down?  That sounds about right.

Five unflattering pounds are still sticking around from my pre-pregnancy weight but I don’t put a whole heck of a lot of value on the scale since most of my old clothes are fitting me.

So the numbers on the scale are not dropping but I am definitely toning and shrinking inches, thanks to our Love My Abs Challenge.  If you haven’t been following along, you should go over there RIGHT NOW and check it out!  Each week, I’ve been sharing photos and a brief recap of my progress.

Tomorrow, we’re moving onto to Week 4 and 200 reps, but it’s not too late to join in the fun.  Even if you fell off the wagon, you can simply start over at 100 reps at Week 1. It’s not about how many reps or how long, but more about making a commitment to a better you.

Speaking of wagons, I will be catching a carriage ride over to Orlando this weekend for the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.  I don’t feel prepared at all for this race, but it has nothing to do with training.  I still haven’t figure out what to wear!

Should I be Belle or Tiana? 

Both princesses are equally smart, brave, fearless, beautiful and good role models for my girls (next to their mom, of course).  But…
If I dress as Belle, I’ll wear a yellow running skirt, matching yellow top, a tiara and carry a red rose.

If I dress as a Tiana, I’ll wear a green top, green shorts and a magnolia rhinestone hair clip in my hair.  I wanted to find a green tutu to wear over my shorts, but I haven’t had any luck yet. 

As any stylish, runner (a.k.a stunner ) will tell you, tiaras and tutus are a must for any Disney Princess race.  I think what I wear will be a game time decision, but I would love to hear your vote: Belle or Tiana?

The girls have the Gasparilla Jr. Race on Saturday. Next year, Liam will be old enough to run the Gasparilla Jr with Emmalynn, but this is Allana’s last year to run it as she’s getting too old for it now.  The thought of it makes me all melancholy, but she’s moving on to bigger distances with her mom.

And who knows maybe she’ll run a Princess race with me someday.  Then she can be Belle and I’ll be Tiana!  There. Problem solved.  Hopefully, by then I would have found a green tutu or made one or bought one of these shnazzy sparkly skirts.  A runner mom can dream, can’t she?  Like a wise mouse once told me, “If you dream it, you can do it.”

And now for my running stats!

I suffered from a stomach bug for two days after the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon, but I think the forced rest helped me run under 30 minutes for the first time in nearly a year.

2/15

3.1 miles

Time 29:35

Ave Pace 9:33

Max Pace 7:31

 

2/16

4 miles

Time 41:09

Ave Pace 10:17

Max Pace 7:59

 

2/18

6 miles

Time 1:13:27

Ave Pace 11:51

Max Pace 8:56

 

2/21

3.1 miles

Time 30:21

Ave Pace 9:48

Max Pace 7:06

 *Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Kiss Me

Posted on by Run DMT
11

For this week’s Music Monday, I’m co-hosting with Xmas Dolly and her Monday’s Music Moves Me crew: Lorie, Stacy, Callie and Cathy.  These ladies are such wonderful, supportive people and I am THRILLED to be part of this with them!

And what better way to show my love and appreciation then with a kiss? I mean, it’s Valentine ’s Day and all.  Well, how about a juicy, wet kiss from Little Lion Man?

He’s refined his kiss a bit since the holidays.  Now, he can blow you a kiss…

…with a little smack of a sound at the end. Muwah!

How stinking cute is that?! Don’t you just want to smother him with kisses?

Now it’s your turn. What love songs have you hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat?
Show some Music Monday/MMMM love and join our linky party. Be sure to visit our spotlight dancers also, Introducing Mr. Cool and I Made It Through the Rain

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I’m a Sucker for Pinterest

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15

Pinned ImageAs you know, Pinterest is my guilty pleasure. It truly is like getting a new magazine in the mail every day.  Not that kind of magazine, silly!  Sheesh.  Get your mind out of the gutter!

For me, it’s like Shape, Runner’s World, Better Homes and Gardens, Food Network Magazine and Family Fun all rolled into one happy space.  But I didn’t realize how literal that was until I stumbled upon this awesome Valentine’s Day idea. 

How adorable and creative are these Valentine’s Day cards?  It sure beats the perforated, punch out Sponge Bob stupid pun cards my kids would beg me to buy.

And it’s no wonder because the blogger behind this idea, Design Mom, was featured in the February issue of Family Fun magazine.

So when you’re flipping through Family Fun and you wonder, “Who are all these amazing moms?” All those amazing, creative moms, dads, grandparents and teachers do indeed exist and can be found on Pinterest.  So go follow them (and me too)!

And then you can try to replicate their ingeniousness like I did.

I started with a photo shoot…

…and a tiny bit of tweaking and editing in Picnik (which I will not be happy to lose on April 19) to add the text “Valentine, I’m a sucker for you.”

Then, a few small cuts for a heart-shaped lollipop and voila!

Our classmates’ cards are complete.

Thank you Family Fun Magazine Design Mom Pinterest!

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue

More Gasparilla Booty

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I captured so many great photos from the Gasparilla Children’s Parade and I wanted to share some more,  If you missed my previous Gasparilla post, gather ’round to hear the tale again, me hearties.

They Have a Dream

Posted on by Run DMT
11

The girls had Monday off from school, but I wanted it to be more than a long weekend.  I feel it’s important to understand why we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every year, we observe the holiday by watching Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.  Then, we discuss it and follow it up with a writing activity.  When I saw this MLK writing activity floating around Pinterest, I thought it would be a great extension to our usual MLK activities.

After we watched the speech, we discussed what Dr. King’s dream was for our country.  Did Dr.King’s dream become a reality?  Are all people treated equally today?  What’s your dream? 

When Emmalynn said her dream was to be a pony, I realized I needed to clarify the question, “What’s your dream?”  I explained to Emmalynn, “It’s not a dream that you have when you sleep.  It’s a hope for the future of the world or for others.”

What’s your dream for the community or the world?  

She understood the difference and wrote a wonderful response.

“My dream is to help the world.  I would help people by making sure that they have homes, families and don’t get separated.”

I love Allana’s dream too.

 

Aren’t they beautiful girls with big, beautiful dreams for the world?  And speaking of beautiful girls, my niece, Meghan, joined us for our MLK fun.  You can read about Meghan’s dream here.

Allana’s Compassion in Action

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“Look, Mom!  My shirt matches the sign!”  Allana proudly exclaimed when she spotted wings on the Angel Crossing sign.

A few days before Christmas, Allana and I volunteered at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent.  It was a wonderful learning experience for her as she saw firsthand how our donations to the food bank help others.  Allana enjoyed helping the families and throughout the evening she often commented on the graciousness and cuteness of the children.

A couple weeks later, I realized just how much the experience impacted Allana when my friend made some remarks about her high school students’ poor their hygiene.  I didn’t know Allana had heard my friend’s comments until she chimed in, “Well maybe they’re homeless and they don’t have any running water.  Maybe they live in their cars.  You really shouldn’t judge, because you just never know someone’s situation.”

Our short time volunteering had a big impact Allana but at that moment, I learned something too.  My daughter is growing into a truly beautiful, compassionate human being.

A Run DMT Year in Review

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11

January – The F Word

In 2011, the number 40 was more than milestone.   At the beginning of year, I proclaimed a goal to run 40 miles before my 40th birthday and my desire to be fit at forty all with the emphasis of the f-bomb.

During the winter break, we built Florida Snowmen with Auntie Kirsten and Meghan which produced some fabulous photos.

February – My Air and Water Diet…Not so Much

Although there was enough love in February to sustain a city, it would take more than hearts, love notes and valentines to keep this mama going.

In a funny vlog, I share a pile food I ate and still lost 18 pounds, ‘cause mama loves to eat which is why I run.  When you watch this crazy long vlog, count how many times I drop another f-word. Fantastic.

March – Education

March was a time of reflection and education.  It started with a random act of kindness and which led to Lucy joining our family.  Then, a Gallery phototheme had me hunt down an old photo from my teaching days.  Those students taught me more than I ever taught them.

Also, spending more time with my niece, Meghan has educated me and made me more sensitive to epilepsy.  Since March is Epilepsy Awareness month, we recognized it with a spontaneous purple picnic.

April – What Tomorrow Will Bring

In 2011, Liam and I showed our determination and fortitude to reach the finish line.

In April, I waited with bated breath for the NYC marathon lottery selection, which didn’t happen for me.  Watch the NYC Marathon video and you’ll understand why I’m applying again this year.  Applications for 2012 NYC Marathon lottery open at noon on January 2, 2012. God, I hope I get it. Keep my fingers, toes and shoelaces crossed again.

May – Run DMT’s Top 10 of Summer Don’ts

With May, came lots of  sunsets and summer, my favorite season.  I heart summer almost as much as I love writing lists.

June – Airplanes

Sometimes my youngest daughter, Emmalynn, has her head in the clouds sometimes and I love her for it.  I can totally relate.  During the summer months, my head is usually there too.

July – Loving You for Your First Birthday

Although we have three birthdays in July in this family, two of those birthdays were milestones this year.  First, our little Tiny Cool, Emmalynn, turned six.  Then Little Lion Man turned one and I hit 40.  In our first Music Monday vlog duet debut, Little Lion Man and I share our best Minnie Riperton impersonations to recognize his first birthday.

August – Get the Party Started

In August, I blogged a lot of back to school posts and summer coming to end stuff.

But we ended the summer on a high note when we celebrated my 40th birthday in August and it ROCKED!  Plus, I met my goal of losing 40 lbs and 40 miles before my 40th birthday.

I also organized a Tampa Bay Blogher Meetup.  (Another one is in the works for March 2012.)

September – Things Heard at Our Girlfriend Getaway

Summer heat and celebrations were still in full swing in September as well as our annual girlfriend getaway.  You may need to take a few shots of Whipped Pinnacle vodka to understand most of this post, but it still makes me chuckle four months later.

October – Random Thoughts about Tigers, Honey Badgers and Bunnies

In October, I transformed into a bad ass honey badger and Amy Whinehouse and transposed my likeness onto some photos for a funny list of 22 Things I’ve Never Done.

November- Ten Years with Our Soul Sister

When November came, my family and I gave 30 gifts in 30 days and counted our blessings.  My oldest daughter, Allana turned ten and requested her ears to be pierced. Her milestone birthday hit me harder than my own.  Where did a decade go? 

December – A Serendipity Style Date

I’m not sure if blogging and Pinterest is making me a better mom/wife/friend or a worse one.  How can anything that helps plan dates like this be bad?

Of course, there was some of running happening throughout the year too.  After all, I am a Mom on the Run.  All my race recaps from this year and previous years can be found here.

Naptime MomtogMama's Losin' It

PhotoStory Fridayand then, she {snapped}the hollie rogue

Magic Reindeer Food

Posted on by Run DMT
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The kids and I have been making Magic Reindeer Food as part of our Advent calendar for years now.  At first, the food was a mixture of old fashioned oats and glitter.  Then, I learned how dangerous glitter can be for animals or small children when ingested.  From then on, we made our reindeer food with only edible ingredients.  Of course, oats are still part of the mixture but instead of craft glitter, we use edible glitter like red and green cake sprinkles.

This year, we added a few more ingredients to make it more like trail mix.  After all, those reindeer have such a long journey and they’ll need the extra carbs and sugar to that fuel flight.

Emmalynn, Allana and I had fun searching through the pantry for snacks the reindeer might enjoy.  Along with the oats and edible glitter, we added raisins, dried cranberries, Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch, Corn Flakes, peanuts, gum drops, mini marshmallows, Cheerios, pumpkin seeds and wasabi peas.  Wasabi peas might seem like an odd addition, but I thought the reindeer might like a little heat on the way back to the frigid North Pole.

After we combined our ingredients, we poured the mix into Ziploc bags and added the how-to poem.  This printable Magic Reindeer Food poem tag can be found here.

On Christmas Eve just before bed, the kids, Auntie Simone and I will sprinkle the Reindeer Food in the yard.  Of course, we always leave carrots for the reindeer next to Santa’s cookies and milk too.

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration 2011

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To start the holiday season with a splash, my family and I set sail once again for SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.

The evening’s Christmas festivities started with small reception to meet some new friends: a sloth, a sea lion and a macaw.

During the reception, we snacked on sugar cookies and sipped on hot cocoa while the Sea of Trees danced and sang.  With 25 more trees this year and comprised of more than 200 thousand individually choreographed LED lights, the Sea of Trees truly brings the season to sea.

Once our senses were dazzled and our bellies were full, we made the long journey to the North Pole for The Polar Express Experience.

Liam and I traveled by foot through the Wild Arctic while the girls traveled by train with Daddy.   Little Lion Man and I followed the frosty paths through the polar bears and beluga whales to find our way to Santa.

This year, SeaWorld added a new show, O Wondrous Night- The Greatest Story Never Told. 

“O Wondrous Night tells the greatest story never told, with more than 30 carols, based upon the Christmas Story and told through the eyes of a variety of live animals.  The 30-minute show features puppetry and dance against the backdrop of traditional Christmas music  and a true living nativity including camels, goats, sheep, an alpaca, a zebu and a flock of white doves.” -SeaWorld

Unfortunately, my girls were more interested in rides without queues than shows depicting the real season for the season, so we spent the rest of the evening in Shamu’s Happy Harbor.

In between rides, we stumbled upon two lively elves playing a game of marshmallow toss and the girls joined in the fun.

Although the girls wanted to stay for s’more fun, it was time to end the evening on a high note by remembering the Frosty the Snowman philosophy.   We’ll be back again someday.

Many other Orlando amusements parks charge an additional fee to participate in such extravagant holiday festivities, but all this magic and wonder is included with a SeaWorld admission every weekend night throughout December including Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

On Dec. 31, families can ring in the New Year SeaWorld style!  On New Year’s Eve, SeaWorld offers a spectacular musical celebration with DJs and live bands plus a bold fireworks display to send a wave of welcome for the New Year ahead.  With special show times for New Year’s Eve, the festivities continue until 1 a.m.

For more information about the last few days SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration or to purchase a Fun Card, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

But wait!  There’s more!  

Saturdays in January, SeaWorld kicks off a new program Just for Kids featuring special performances by LazyTown, Max and Ruby, the Doodlebops and Choo Choo Soul.  Check SeaWorld.com for dates and show times.

Family Photos 2011

Posted on by Run DMT
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Just as I had expected, she did it again.  Kelly captured some gorgeous shots of my family for our Christmas portraits.

Funny thing, we didn’t have to travel far for our portrait session.  All of these photos were taken at the North Pointe Village in our neighborhood.  Upon a closer look, you may notice the Pasco office building, Residence Inn, Carrabbas, International Beer Garten or an abandoned Up the Creek Mongolian Buffet in the background.

If you love these photos as much I do,  please leave a comment on Kelly’s blog so I can win an 11×14 print.  Thank you in advance! :-)