Racing Day!

Like most boys in James's age group, James loves the movie cars. Whenever we watch it, James loves to act out the opening race. This racing has spread to other activities and before you knew it, James races with everything and loves to win. When I signed up for the Reedy River Run tomorrow, I noticed they had a kid's fun run. I asked James if he wanted to be in a running race. "Yes!" he said "I am going to win!"

So, we had to work on the idea that he may not win...there may be bigger kids there who are faster, and as long as he did his best and had fun, that was all that matter.

"Yeah, but I am really fast!"

At any rate, the race was today at 5:45. I got James dressed in cute little soccer shorts and a tshirt, then layered with sweat pants and a sweat shirt (good thing!). Once his new running shoes were on, he was good to go.

"I am very excited!"

We timed our arrival just right. We parked, got our packet, and was putting James's number on when they were calling the participants to the starting line. "I am a little nervous..."



And of course it was a hurry-up-and-wait situation. I got James warmed up and stretched out.



The dads were on stroller duty. Andy was trying to make a break for it. Sorry, buddy, you have to be three!



We made our way to the starting line and got lined up. James had said all day, "I am going to run ALL BY MYSELF and you can watch me mommy. Yes, I do it ALL BY MYSELF." Can you see James on the front row center of the starting line?



As the person in charge counted down, James started looking really nervous. He allowed me to run with him. This picture was taked about 30 seconds before we started.



This picture was taken about 30 seconds after we started:



That is exactly how James looked the entire race. He had a GREAT time. He ran the whole way except for where he tripped right before the finish line. His (our) time was 2:20 for 400 meters. Once he finished he got a medal.



He was in awe of his medal! Here is James with John who also finished:



We went for a celebratory dinner at Sticky Fingers. A good time was had by all!



We can't wait for the next race. James "Mommy, maybe sometime I can go run with Ms. Jenny and you can stay home." I think someone has a crush on Ms. Jenny!

Nerd Alert!

Fridays are pretty laid back for us. It is the only day where we have nothing scheduled and we just recover from our week. On a normal Friday, we usually do errands: go to the grocery store, to Target-PetsMart-Michaels, stuff like that. Last Friday, I suggested going to see the fish at PetsMart. James wanted to see the fish, but he wanted to go to the Duke Power World of Energy to see them. He had been there with Mark a couple of weeks ago. Well, we really didn't have anything else to do, so off we went.

It tooks us about 20 minutes from our house and it was a pretty nice drive! Here are the boys on the way in:


James likes it here because there are shows in every room:


By putting your hand on the right spot, that starts the show:


I am not sure what this is:


The kids dancing on an atom:


Oh, no Andy! Don't climb into the nuclear reactor!


Oh, no, not you too James!


Andy is excited about wind energy (freakin' hippie):


At the end, they have video games about saving energy:


They have a bunch of displays about the area, a big map:


Here are James's fish:


We got free frisbees and the boys played with them outside:


The World of Energy is F-R-E-E and a good inside activity.

Snowmageddon, Low Country style

I feel like I am just adding to a previous story. This weekend, there was snow in SC. It was predicted and pretty much assured, which usually means we won't get anything. We had already made plans to go visit Mark's parents by Charleston. We ended up leaving EARLY to beat the weather. On the way down we saw lots of proof that the area was gearing up for snow:



Snow started falling about the time we hit I-95...and James had to hit the bathroom. It is really better to have a kid that is potty trained?



We get to Mark's parents house right around 5pm. So here I am, at my in-laws, grading papers, and we lost power at 9:15pm. It stayed off until about 2pm the next day. This did not seem to bother James. He excitely insisted everyone view the snow when they got up...before 7am (it was cold!).

I was afraid I didn't pack enough clothes (especially since, did I mention? we had no power) so we layered the kids with their jammies. Then we got their coats on, and was in the snow by 8am.



James had a to do list. Snow angel:


Check!

Snow ball fight:


Check!

Snowman:


Check!

Andy was done with the cold in 20 minutes. He is really a little young to keep his stuff on.



James and Daddy in front of Opa and Grannie's house:


After the snow, we went to "the pirate ship" for lunch. Except it wasn't really a pirate ship. James was NOT fooled.







At least it had heat!

My new vacuum!

Oh, and my new vacummer!

Just kiding, but what is it about new appliances that, let's face it, even those I am the one who is going to use it, HE is the one who can't wait to get it out of the box and working....MEN!

Our old vacuum just isn't working as well. I mean it works, but it doesn't really SUCK, do you know what I mean? So, I asked Mark for a new one, but I guess my mom thought that was not an apropiate gift for a wife, so she got me one. YAY!! Thanks mom!

And Andy got one too!

Friday night dance party

In Shape With Sharon Mann...and James

As a semi-stay at home mom, it is really hard to find the time to workout consistantly. One way I have found to increase the chance of my workout actually occuring, is to DVD shows from FitTV. My favourite (it is canadian) is In Shape With Sharon Mann. It is just a half hour show and generally, you don't need any equipment. It usually ends up being a pretty good workout. With James not really napping, he will sometimes come down for the last half of my workout and join right in. Here he is during the cardio portion:



And doing the cool down:


You can also get a fairly good workout with The Wiggles "Yummy Yummy" I am just saying...

The Worst Snow Day Ever

We had some weather here this weekend, and by weather, I mean not much of anything at all. But it sure was cold. We pretty much stayed inside. Andy loved this house I got him:



It is called a coloring house and I got it at Hobby Lobby for $15. Definately worth it. James spent some time staying warm in front of the fire.



After all day of nothing, at about 6:30, it actually started SNOWING. And by SNOWING, I mean, not much, but it was something.



We quickly put on all the cold weather gear we had to do outside.



The kids really enjoyed being out in the snow. I think they have an idea that they are suppose to be able to play, and sled, and make snowmen, and snow angels, but for today this was enough.



Afterwards, we had some hot cocoa.





And that is how we do snow days in SC.