Been awhile but I'm back. Birthday celebrations to report on :)
Thank you to everyone for pressies, money and good wishes.
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Can you tell he is just coming too in this pic. Didn't take him long though to spring to life.
This is Braeden with his requested birthday breakfast. Chocolate chip pancakes and strawberries.
It was a school day. Being his birthday I got off work a little early so I could pick him up rather than him bus it home. This is Braeden with best bud Georgie, who came home with us.
Snacks and playing with Lego was the first thing on the agenda
Followed by testing it out the new water gun Cade had got him for his birthday.
About an hour later Cade was home from school and did some watching of the boys for me while I inflated some pool toys.
After some light refreshments for Cade he was re energized from school so it was "game on"
Some crazy play time on a trampoline, with the sprinkler going over it while they had a water gun fight. They were joined by cousin Davis, and Jesse from next door.
The Michels were over to celebrate with us. The menu, very typical Lesina fare per Braedens request. Ribs, bread and salad. We also grilled some tri tip. As always barbecue was delicious.
Then for dessert, chocolate cake with chocolate filling served with choc chip cookie dough ice cream. Braedens favourite.
A sponge bob cake this year. Braeden now does a dance move called the sponge bob hence his renewed interest in the cartoon character.
It's always a little scary walking down the steps to the backyard with your child's cake, not to mention trying to keep the candle lit. Oh the pressure ;)
We let all the kids blow out the candle.
George
Davis
Lincoln
A piñata and some hot tub time finished off what Braeden called the best birthday ever, but quickly followed that with " but we have to try and one up it for my 9th birthday " :)
Alright, can't finish up this post without mentioning Scott and my half marathon this weekend. We travelled 3 hours down to Eureka on the coast of California. The half marathon we signed up for was The Avenue of the Giants. A run through the redwoods of California. A truly beautiful run. But before the run we checked into our hotel on the Saturday night.
As I laid down on the bed I questioned if I would make it to the half marathon in the morning.
From where I lay, a fireplace, a view out onto the bay and a nice big TV that you could swivel so you could watch it from the big jucuzzi tub that was in the right hand corner. And boy did I enjoy that after the race :)
This was my view from where I lay.
We headed out to find food. Intake the day before a race is very important, and so far I have found a good stone fired oven pizza is what works best. We found a perfect little place and along with the pizza ordered char grilled romaine Caesar salad. It was so good, definitely something we will experiment with doing over the summer.
Again more temptation to forego the race. Such a cute wee place and 2 doors down their sister business of a wine bar. But I resisted and we headed home to get to bed for 9pm.
So it was up at 515. Half a bagel and honey with a cup of coffee and off to the redwoods we went.
We picked up our numbers and race goodie bags. Scott with his now 30lb weight loss is no longer an XL. We put our bags and t shirts back to the car, then headed to the start line. After the national anthem was sung the gun fired and we were off! Scott was gone from my sight in seconds. It was a no headphones race so it was very social. Between the comradery and the outstanding scenery I did not miss my music one bit. About 3 miles in a deer jumped out of now where, skimmed the chest of a male runner a few yards ahead of me, narrowly missed his wife then took off up the hill. Amazing. For sure the closest I have been to a live deer. I felt good in this race, and was at mile 5 when I saw Scott heading back. There weren't that many in front of him. In fact he came in the 138th runner overall:)
Mile 8 I hit the wall. My plan had been to take in some fuel at mile 6 but my stomach was not in agreeance. But then before I knew it I was at 10. Only 3 to go. That's like running from my house to Braedens school and back. That shouldn't be a problem, right? Wrong. Most painful 3 miles I have ever done. There was an uphill, a bridge cross and then we started to sweep round. And there was Scott cheering me on telling me to go strong. The boost I needed as I picked up speed to pass a few runners before crossing the line
It was over. What a fantastic course to run. I made it in 2 hours 9 mins finishing 27 th of 70 females in my age group (35 to 40). But not as impressive as Scott who was 18th out of 50 males in his age group, finishing in 1hr 49.
We are definitely signing up for this race again next year. And we are planning our future runs this year. Thinking a 10k in June in Brookings, close to where Scott's parents live. Then perhaps a half marathon in november at silver falls, Oregon. Grants pass has it's own half and 10k in October so I guess if we are not to caught up in football season that might be another. But despite Kelly's feelings that I might still want to go for a whole marathon, I'm thinking I am not the whole marathon type. I was in a whole world of hurt after the half. Couldn't even drink water. After a few hours I was ready to eat, and my salad with avocado, shrimp, olives, red cabbage and capers washed down with grapefruit juice was the perfect meal. Scott chowed down on eggs Benedict with fried potatoes with no problem at all :)
Boy that was a long blog, wasn't it ;) but its been an exciting week. Might not be anything else for a while now ;) hope alls well with everyone
Love to all
Lucy xxxx
