running down a dream

Well, I set a new record for myself! I finished the Cellcom marathon 5k (3.1 miles) in 27 minutes, 27 seconds this morning. Last year I did a 29:03 so I took a minute and a half off of last year's time! It was chilly this morning, but it was great running weather. The best part of the run is the lap through Lambeau around the field.

Now I'm super-excited for the Bellin Run (10k) on June 14th. I want to finish in under an hour. Last year I was a few seconds over an hour so I was bummed. I've been training like crazy though, so hopefully I can do it this year.

Sunny day, sweeping the clouds away...

This is hands down, one of my absolute favorite childhood memories. Try not to laugh...it's impossible. The little girl's laugh is medicine for life. Make sure you catch the last 3 seconds, too. It's the sweetest thing ever.


John John was also a big hit in my house as a kid. I remember watching this with my mom and sister and laughing. Again, wait for the last few seconds to overload on adorableness.


Seriously, folks...if you're ever having a bad day, just watch those clips and your bitter grown-up heart will melt.

I love Angela Chase.

If you really think about it, there is no better tv show about what high school is like than My So Called Life. Here's an awesome video from Rich at fourfour (one of my fav sites!) entitled The Collected Wisdom of Angela Chase. And what happened to Jordan Catalano? What a waaaaaste.

Goin' to the chapel

I'm so happy! My little sister just called and told me that she got engaged! She lives in Portland so I don't get to see her nearly enough. She is my best friend in the whole, wide world. I'm just ecstatic for her and her fiance (how cool is that?) She brought him home over Christmas to meet everyone and he is a wonderful guy and will be an excellent brother-in-law.

Here's a picture of her awesomely beautiful ring.

Congratulations, Emily!

(Here is a picture of Em and I all dolled up one night. We're natural beauties.)

I can't believe this was 1986...

Did you ever have a song pop in your head out of nowhere? One that you hadn't heard in years, but knew all the words to and adored it like some old friend who has known you forever? I have. Music is everything and I love my 80's tunes. Lately I haven't been able to get this song out of my head. Actually, the entire album is awesome start to finish and once I think of this song my mind automaically goes to the next one because I listened to it over and over and over again when I was a kid. I know the picture quality isn't the best, but oh well. The song rocks my socks off. Cyndi Lauper is the shit.
(and I was 12... or maybe 13.)

Check it out!

A friend told me about this interesting and different website. It's called For You. I spent about 30 minutes just checking it out. After I looked at it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Isnt' it neat? Let me know what you think in comments!

All she wants to do is dance, dance!

Maddie started a dance class at the YMCA this week. It is quite possibly the cutest and most enjoyable thing I've ever witnessed. We went shopping this week for the necessary accoutrements. I was a little freaked out when I realized that I would be shelling out about $150 for everything if I bought it at retail price (I mean c'mon - she's 3...who knows if she'll even want to go to class is 2 weeks).
Here is what we needed to get:
1 pair of tap shoes
1 pair of ballet slippers
1 or 2 leotards
1 or 2 pair of tights
possibly a skirt (many of the little girls were wearing them over their leotards and Maddie really wanted one)
bag to carry all of the crap listed above (again, there were oodles of pretentious pink bags with names like "Hannah" and "Courtney" embroidered on them.)

So after checking ebay and almost winning a few auctions (I wasn't going to pay too much for something I couldn't see or have her try on) I decided we would head over to Once Upon A Child. Now I have some issues with this store. First of all, the customer service sucks. Also, the clothes are generally overpriced for used clothing. Occasionally you can find a bargain., but anything name brand is marked up. It does save time if you aren't into thrift store shopping, but I enjoy heading out to the Fox Valley Thrift Store and picking through the crap to find the diamonds. However, I figured that Once Upon A Child would be better for finding specific dance-related items. Also, the children's section of the thrift store is a little seedy. 'nuff said.

So we go to Once Upon A Child and within 5 minutes I found tap shoes that fit her perfectly, 2 adorable leotards that looked virtually unused and a new pair of cotton tights. I spent $14. AWESOME! I also have the perfect fabric to make her a skirt and am already halfway done sewing the kick-assest (yes, it's a word) dance bag to hold her things. I will post pictures of both when they are finished. We stopped by Walmart and found ballet slippers for $5. They aren't the perfect Capezio brand leather ones, but they have leather soles and they are made by Danskin so I was more than happy.

You know what? Someone else was happy, too. :)

Happy Earth Day!

I hope everyone finds a way to do a little more for our earth. We made the switch to compact florescent light bulbs in almost all of our fixtures earlier this year. We also are big recyclers...I think our neighbors think we're crazy because on recycling-pickup-day we haul out WAY more than anyone else. The kids are really involved also. We walk Elliott to school as often as we can (especially now that it's warmer!) and we have an amazing garden that everyone is involved in all summer long. I hope that all of you find ways to take care of our planet.

Have you ever figured out your carbon footprint? Your carbon footprint measures how many tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses your household emits each year. The national average is 110 tons annually. I'm happy to say that our household's carbon footprint is 55 tons, half of the national average! Head on over to The Nature Conservancy to see what yours is and to find a way to lessen it. While you're there, you can become a member (it's free!) and you get awesome emails and ideas on ways to help the environment.

So do what you can - if we all make a few changes, it will make a WORLD of difference!

wow.

Ok, 3 posts in one day is a bit much, but this is amazing. I just saw this video of Kelly Clarkson singing "Ave Maria" for the pope. Just, wow. I couldn't breathe through most of it.


(And how fantastic does she look? I want that dress. I'm totally Team Kelly.)

delicious oatmeal cookies!

A good friend of mine wrote about how easy, economical and tasty homemade cookies are in her blog the other day. I couldn't agree more. There is something comforting about the smell of cookies baking. It also brings the family together - my kids are well-trained in measuring and pouring the ingredients. Maddie even works the Kitchen Aid mixer! My husband isn't involved in the production of the cookies, but he's always available to help with the consumption. :)

I have a recipe for oatmeal cookies that are heavenly. Even if you aren't a fan of oatmeal cookies, you will love these. They are chewy and soft and very flavorful. I think I found the recipe on allrecipes years ago, but I'm not sure. I have it memorized now and I've tweaked it over the years to make it perfect. Every time I make them for friends, they ask for the recipe. Give them a try! I've convinced myself that they can be an acceptable breakfast item because they contain oatmeal and they are homemade.



Soft Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 cups quick cooking oats (you can use rolled oats, but the texture will be slightly tougher)

In a medium bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (if I'm in a hurry I'll put it in the freezer for 15 minutes).

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets (I use parchment paper). Roll the dough into walnut sized balls in your hands, and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie with a large fork dipped in sugar. Don't be skimpy with the sugar - you should see sugar on the top of the cookie.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Be careful not to overcook. They will firm up more after cooling.

They clean up nice!

I thought I would post some pictures of the kids that I took today. It's fun to see the comparison between these and the ones I posted yesterday!


Just know that he was about to poke her or do something annoying. The smiles lasted for a millisecond.


I can't believe how old he is now. *sigh*


Take notice of the super-cool froggy boots!

fun pics from the past

I thought it would be fun to post a few pictures of the kiddos when they were younger. I'm always taking new pictures, but it's nice to see how cute they were way back when.


Maddie randomly yawned while I was trying to get some cute pictures one morning. This became one of my all-time favorite baby pictures!


Elliott got a pretend shaving kit for Christmas and used it every night in the tub. He even had to borrow dad's shaving cream!


Maddie was hamming it up on the rocking chair. She was really into clapping at this time.


I really don't have an explanation for this picture except that Elliott will do anything for a laugh. He's standing on a coffee table if you look closely. I'm so proud.

One things for sure - being a parent means that you will never run out of laughter. Ever.

today's randomness

Today's random thoughts...

- I really want to go to Santorini or Mykonos. I'm sure it's all touristy and whatnot, but I don't care. It looks gorgeous and beautiful and the Aegean Sea rocks.


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-Elliott made the coolest clay cat in school. I love it.


We weren't sure what the small holes on the sides were for (unfortunately, Elliott wasn't sure what they were for either), so we decided that it would be a cat-pen holder. Voila. Instant decor. It is a true masterpeice, don't you think?


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-I am running 5 miles now, 4 or 5 times a week. The Bellin run isn't until June, but I should be more than ready for the 6.2 miles when the time comes. My time last year was 1 hour, 1 minute. I'm hoping to beat that this year.
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This week's tv predictions...

*Natalie NEEDS to get voted off of Big Brother. She is completely deranged and filled with self-righteousness. She also looks like this: 'nuff said.


*I really hope Dominique gets booted off ANTM. She looks like a man.


*Gossip Girl comes back next Monday! It's about fricking time.