Fountains

So, yes, I know that this blog has been neglected, and I know that I am terrible at photo journaling my time with Makayla, but it is better to be a part of the moment sometimes than to stand by and capture them. My good friend Stef (who I haven't seen in a long time) wanted to meet up, so we headed over to the Promenade shops, where they have a jet park. I haven't even been there, but I figured what the heck, it's going to be a hot one right. We arrived a little early, hoping for a good parking spot, and we couldn't have asked for a better one. Makayla didn't really know what to think at first....

But, once she saw how much fun Stef's daughter was having, she couldn't wait to join in.



Sheer joy right there!

I wish her head wasn't cut off here, but you can still see how much fun she is having with Lily.

Makayla and her friend Madeline

She really enjoyed standing on the jet

And she liked the fact that she was peeing without anyone knowing.

"Mommy, my butt is getting wet"

 

 

I think this photo here really says it all, she is smiling from the inside and out...

 

 I cannot wait until next week when we go again. Hopefully different photos and the same results, sheer joy and happiness. Who would have known that a free water jet park would be so much fun?!? And why didn't I know about this sooner?

 

NYC

So, yesterday I ran a half marathon in Brooklyn. On my other blog, you will be able to read all about the half marathon and the expo. But, since I feel like I have neglected this blog, and it is supposed to be about life outside of running, I thought it would be appropriate to post the pictures from Friday as I walked around Manhattan killing time waiting for my friend to meet me on the train platform. So, the Port Authority is on 42nd street and 9th Avenue. I think I have been to Manhattan only a handful of times, the latest time was about a year ago (possibly longer now) and my husband's cousin gave us a walking tour. This time, it was just me, and some text messages from a friend telling me what to see. So, I left Port Authority and headed down 42nd Street. I found this little restaurant called Al Fresco, and I think I had the best fresh salad ever! After I ate there, I posted something along the lines of sheer panic. A friend of mine, Mary, practically held my hand via texts offering great places to see . But, first, I stopped at Sephora! I <3 a="" although="" an="" and="" as="" became="" burn="" eventually="" got="" help.="" helped="" here="" hour="" i="" me="" nbsp="" of="" one="" outgoing="" p="" place="" t="" that="" the="" then="" they="" time.="" tourist.="" weren="">

I didn't know there was an M & M world, but I had to check it out...

 In M&M world, I saw this....

 Inside, it smelled DELICIOUS!! I couldn't inhale enough of the chocolate smell...

 Then I went back out and took one last photo of 1 Times Square...

It was a beautiful Friday, it was the beginning of a great night. Don't forget to check out my other blog to learn about the awesomeness that followed.

Speechless...

There are no words to describe the events of yesterday. It leads me to hug my daughter a little tighter, and endlessly thank those supports and strangers who are at every running event. We run for us, and they cheer for us. Sounds a little selfish. So, today, I pray for them...

I pray for Boston, I pray for the families of the deceased and those of the injured. I pray for the medical staff and for the police officers to be able to do what is best for the rest of us. These tragic events bring even more emotion into my half marathon in 11 days. I will now also be running for Boston!

Wordless Wednesday

It's rockstar Mickey...

Hey ya'll! Sorry, it's been so long since I have blogged, but, since it's a new month, I am hoping to get back to it. So, this is going to be a photobomb of random photos, but they all have a story behind them. Here is the long and short of it...
I downloaded a new game to my phone for Makayla to play with. It is called Rockstar Mickey. Well, you get many options, like play their version of guitar hero and make Mickey dance. Well, I also found out that you can get your photo taken with the one and only Mickey Mouse....

 As you can tell, Makayla is not impressed, but I was....

Then, there is the dressing room game....see..you are able to do whatever you want to Mickey here. Makayla loves this part, but I think she likes taking pictures more. I took my phone from here when she was finished playing with the game, and this is what I found. I do have to admit...she really did have fun "dressing" Mickey...

We later found out that Mickey can also get a guitar. Makayla didn't like that part, but I am interested to see what else she changes Mickey too.
Happy March! Here's to a great "warmer" month!

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday. For those of us that are Catholic, it is the time of the year where we fast (today, Holy  Thursday and Good Friday), give up things, usually things we cannot do without, and remember what we are preparing ourselves for. I usually give up junk food, soda, stuff like that, but since I don't eat the junk food, or drink the soda, giving them up would be pointless. This year, I am giving up excuses. All kinds of excuses that prevent me from working out. "There isn't enough time," "I'm tired." those are not excuses I am privy too. I have a half marathon in a little over 70 days, so I need to make sure I get all the training in. So, I really know that I need to stay clear of not getting that run done, not getting in the pool. I need to know that I am firing on all cylinders. Don't worry, I am not putting my training plans on here. No, that is what my other blog is for.  I also want it to be noted that I will NOT  be giving up coffee, or Facebook, I did that last year.


 Giving up the excuses seems like enough for me this year.

Hope you have a happy Ash Wednesday! What are you giving up for Lent?

Pinkalicious and sickness

Last Saturday, Pinkalicious was playing at The State Theater in Easton.  While neither Makayla nor I knew anything about it, I had heard it was a cute little show. And with wanting to take her out to see a live performance, I figured why not. So, I called my sister R and invited her and my niece S. I also asked my mom and my cousin Steph if her daughter could go. I knew that they had seen it in NYC and how much they loved it. So I thought I would see if she wanted to see it with us. It turned out to be a girl's day, and Makayla was so excited about going to see it. I know she didn't know what to expect, but since I made a big deal out of the day, I think she knew it was something special. So, since it was Pinkalicious, I HAD to dress her in pink...

When it was time to leave for the performance, my cousin's daughter couldn't wait to read the story of Pinkalicious to Makayla...

...and Makayla LOVED every minute of having her read to her.

Of course...we had a photo session since we got there early...

Just then, the play began...and this is how she sat the ENTIRE time.

until she couldn't see, then she sat on my lap, until I told her she couldn't in fact go up on the stage, and then she sat with my mom. I think she loved it. She loved the clapping, the singing, the dancing. I would say that it was a success. Hmm...now to find more theater for her.

Then, Sunday was the superbowl and well, I didn't take any pictures of that. Monday came and she had a low grade fever but I sent her to day care hoping that it was just a passing thing. At 330 it spiked at day care to 103 and that is where this happy kid has become so sick :( Since Monday afternoon she has been fighting me tooth and nail about taking medicine for her fever. The highest it was was Monday night (and again last night) at 104.4. But, since 230 this morning the highest it was was 103. We are working on a cooling trend. As a matter of fact, at 500 this morning, she was wide awake, laughing, coloring, helping me cook. She seemed like herself again. I won't go into too much detail, but let's just say it all started looking better after she used the bathroom this morning.  About an hour ago, she settled back down...

and is resting comfortably. I am going to check her temperature and then hopefully I will be able to go off to PT. There is a lot of stuff I get to talk to the physical therapist about, but I am only going if she is ok. She is ok...we will get through this. With lots of coffee and lots of faith, she will get better.

Have a great Wednesday...I hope this virus stays clear of you and your loved ones...