Future Techster?

Summer Fun Run Series

Me and my awesome running friends are embarking on the extremely-hot-but-supposedly-fun Summer Fun Run Series put on by the Red River Road Runners. Susie, Ford and Eric ran this series last year, but I was on the verge of birthing a massive little baby (didn't know he was a boy) - so I missed out last year.

It's a series of 5K races every Thursday at 6:45 pm. Can you say H-O-T? Louisiana summers are brutal, so you can be sure that I will not be glistening; I will be sweating... profusely.

What's exciting about the series is that each week, the races rotate locations in Shreveport, a different park each week: Stoner Boat Launch, Ford Park, Bilberry Park, Bickham Dickson Park, Southern Hills, Mamie Hicks, Querbes Park, and Betty Virginia Park. Some of these parks I remember from growing up in Shreveport - but I've certainly never run through them.

I may prefer to run on a treadmill, in my air-conditioned gym, a fan blowing on my face, and at a pace I set (usually 5.4 to 5.6 miles an hour, 6.0 on a good song). BUT - I need to shake things up a little. So I am looking forward to the "tour" of Shreveport parks!

Cousins - same pint-sized kiddos

Brady was born in June of 2008. His cousin Lauren was born in August of 2007. Nearly one year apart.... and yet, they are the same size.

Brady looks perplexed by this news. Lauren looks shocked.Yes kiddos - you are the same size. Brady is a BIG boy... Lauren is a little girl. It's just how they're made ... and their mommas are just fine with it.

A New View...

Brady is a big boy. We knew that when he was born at 8 lbs and 13 oz. So with only a week left before he turns one, we decided to go ahead and turn him forward facing. His legs had to bend in his previous carseat because they hit the seatback. It was uncomfortable for him.

So this weekend, I bought him a new carseat and he is LOVING his new view. He seemed very confused at first... was very quiet while looking around.
Now he laughs and plays with his sister in the back seat. I can see his face in my rearview mirror, which is nice, so I can calm him down if he's fussy. Before I know it, I'll be getting him a booster seat like Kennedy!!!!

Getting ready to party!

The invitations are in the mail, the plans are made... and we can't wait to celebrate Brady's first birthday!

The guest of honor will be wearing authentic Boston Red Sox gear, thanks to his Aunt Kelly. Our boy LOVES food, so I have no doubt that cake will be smeared across his face for that typical 1st birthday photo.

We cannot wait!

Chore Chart

Thanks to Simple Mom, Kennedy is on week one of using a Chore Chart. She will be five years old this summer and we think it's time she start doing some daily "chores." She's been making her own bed for a while and she is always expected to tidy up at the end of the day, but Chris and I have decided that having a few chores will only teach her responsibility. And that's a good thing, right?

So this is posted on our fridge and she was very excited to select which chores she wanted to do yesterday.
She is required to do five chores everyday and she can pick from the following: make her bed, help in the kitchen, feed the dog (she will NEVER do this one), set the table for dinner, put her dishes in the sink, clean her room before bedtime, and help with the laundry. I think we're going to add "I listened to mommy and daddy today" to the list. This one is starting to become an issue.

If all goes well and she does five chores a day, she gets a $1 on Sunday. Stay tuned for and update after the weekend.

Guess who is WALKING??

It's just two weeks before Brady turns one... and this weekend, after showing some major skills in standing up on his own, getting into a standing position on his own and shuffling all over the place, we decided to see if he could walk.

Low and behold - he took OFF! And then four steps later, he fell. He was so impressed with himself. It was adorable. We kept standing him back up again and coaxing him to walk.

We're working on it and I certainly don't want him to start walking too soon because he will be in EVERYTHING! He's already very fast crawling, so I can't imagine when he's upright instead of on all fours.