Checking off another 13.1

As we have entered into spring, it seems like some days you get a taste of every season: brisk temperatures in the morning, unexpected rain showers, hot afternoons, and then windy evenings. Luckily there have been more opportunities to get outside this week, and both Emmy and Eli enjoyed the sunshine. After a walk with Grammy at Triad Park, Eli explored on the playground. And here's a snapshot that was posted on social media of Emmy and her classmates playing in the sandbox.  

Speaking of Emmy's classmates, I just have to share this class photo of the Owls. We all got a laugh out of Emmy's friend Peyton on the front row, far right. She looks like she is riding a roller coaster! 

Back row: Mrs. Holly, Emmy, Roland, Ellie Sue, Norah, Emerson
Front row: Eliannah, Caleb, Journey, Callum, Peyton

Eli got a hair cut this week. You may remember that he had a trim around the ears a few months ago, but this was a full hair cut with scissors and clippers too. His hair was getting a little shaggy and falling into his eyes. Grammy and Grandpa worked together to entertain and hold Eli steady while managing to take about an inch off around his face and in the back. (I mostly stood back and took photos!) Eli wasn't too excited to be in the high chair without any actual food. We also picked a time that he was a little sleepy and ready for a nap. Considering all these circumstances, I think it turned out really well! 

Before...

...during...

...after!

This weekend, Megan and I ran our annual sister half-marathon. Since races aren't all the way back to normal yet, we opted for another virtual run with the same route we used in October. We had our cheering squads along the way to provide water and encouragement. It was a beautiful spring morning and our first run in shorts this year. We squeaked in just under the 2 hour mark with a 9:07 overall pace. Megan was pretty strong the whole run, and I'd like to think I could have been faster, but I was still recovering from the after effects of my second COVID-19 vaccine. I got the shot on Wednesday, and on Thursday, I had a fever and chills which have been typical with this second dose. Luckily by Friday, I was feeling somewhat better, and I somehow cranked out the 13.1 miles on Saturday. Meg helped pull me along, and I perked up each time I saw our sweet cheerleaders! Now that 2021's half marathon is checked off, we will shorten our Saturday runs to a manageable single-digit distance - yay! 

After crossing through a toilet paper finish line, Megan and I took showers while Zack made a big breakfast for everyone: pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, livermush, and fruit. Then Grammy supervised all the cousins as we dyed Easter eggs. The three oldest ones each got a dozen to dye, and luckily there were no major spills or disasters. Eli didn't participate this year, but he enjoyed walking circles through the kitchen and playing with Zander's and Maddox's toys.

This morning we went to church, and although there were a few tears from Eli during nursery drop-off, I think he is becoming a little more accustomed to this new Sunday routine. It is only our third week of attending church in-person this year, but after joining at the end of February, we are feeling ready to get plugged in with a Sunday School class and with programming for the kids. 

I snapped this last photo to document Emmy's squad of stuffed animals. She lines them up in this very specific way every morning. She usually snuggles in between Skye and Purple Baby when its bedtime. My rule-following, particular oldest child! 

Spring Break 2021

This past week was my district's Spring Break! We kicked off the week with a Saturday adventure to Mount Airy. We tried out a restaurant called Old North State Winery, and then we strolled down Main Street to Miss Angel's Heavenly Pies. The town was made famous by the Andy Griffith Show, and we saw the iconic police car and Snappy Lunch, the sandwich shop featured on the show. Grammy and Grandpa came along and helped handle our two kiddos. While at lunch, we celebrated their big anniversary (40!) which was the next day. They are enjoying a much deserved getaway to the beach with another couple from church. We miss them - we are so spoiled to see them almost everyday that a whole week without them feels like a long time!

The kids and I have had fun outings each day of the break. The weather hasn't been the best, but we have gotten outside when we could and took naps in the dreary afternoons. On Monday, we met Katie, her newborn Robert, Emily, and her little boy Sawyer for a walk at Reynolda followed by doughnuts from Dough Joe's. We also fit in a trip to the library, where Emmy got several books that we have read all week. Daddy was excited that we found one about Black Widow...although we change the words from "she kicked butt!" to "she kicked bottom!" On Tuesday, we met Shawna in Statesville for lunch to pass along some baby things. Shawna is due with her second little girl on July 1st. The timing was perfect because Eli had just outgrown several things that Shawna needed: the jumper, the bathtub, the boppy, and the rainforest play mat. I also passed along my breast pump - queue the angels singing! We had a nice long run, ol' Medela and me. So many hours I spent with that thing! I officially stopped nursing Eli at the beginning of March, but it had been since January that I had last used the pump during the workday. I was only nursing in the morning and at night through February, and then at the end of February, only at night. It was bittersweet when Eli just decided one evening that he would rather go to his crib than spend any extra time with Mommy. Luckily Boomer was there to comfort me and inject some humor. He let me get out my tears, and then he reminded me of all the times (and places!) I had nursed. Gosh, motherhood is a roller coaster of emotions. I am so happy that both kiddos are healthy and thriving, and I am proud of myself for sticking to the commitment of nursing. I will miss the closeness and the snuggles...but I won't miss that breast pump!

On Wednesday, the kids and I went to the Science Center. We have maintained our membership this year, and we continue to go about once a month, 12-14 times a year. Emmy is in a phase where she loves wearing dresses, so even though it was 45 degrees, she choose a short-sleeved dress. I convinced her to wear her shamrock socks so she at least had a touch of green on for St. Patrick's Day. After leaving the Science Center, we had lunch at Freddy's, followed by naps, some time outside before dinner, and then a make-your-own pizza once Daddy got home.  

On Thursday, we visited Boomer at work and went out to lunch. No break is complete without a visit to Daddy's office! Both kids made themselves at home in his desk chair, and Eli was not shy about exploring any open door. Emmy again wanted to pick out her own outfit, and I managed to talk her into wearing pants underneath the frilly skirt since it was again in the 40s. 

With no plans today and temperatures again below 50, we entertained ourselves in the kitchen, colored a lot, played with the water mat, and ended the evening with our usual Friday movie night while Boomer was at a football game. It was the only "screen time" we had all week, which seemed like a pretty big mom win! 

The break was such a nice taste of summer. Emmy, Eli, and I had a lot of fun, and I (mostly) felt like I managed them both without feeling outnumbered. As we enter the final quarter of the school year, I am excited about the summer ahead!

Football in March

In the spring, our weekends usually start to fill up again with activities with family and friends. During January and February, the cold temperatures keep us inside, but now that March is here, we are coming out from our hibernation. A very unique thing this March is the return of high school football. Most states chose to delay the start of football until the spring rather than playing the season in August. After almost 18 months of no Friday night lights, Boomer was excited to be back in a stadium. He's not required to go to games in his new position, but he still loves the sport and wants to show his support for all of the Yadkin County teams. Before the game, the kids and I met him for dinner at Alex's, just like old, pre-COVID times. Emmy and Eli loved climbing all over Daddy. After we said our goodbyes, we headed home while Boomer went to the ballgame. We carried on with our regular Friday movie night (this week: Aladdin), but we missed Daddy. We're glad that he will be home again this coming Friday to resume his popcorn duties!

On Saturday, Boomer went to a second football game! He and his dad went to Elon for the Elon vs. James Madison game. Boomer's dad went to JMU, and the two have gone to this game a few times in the past. We coordinated to meet Paw Paw in Greensboro for lunch at Freddy's, and then the guys headed on to Elon while I headed south to Star. The kids and I spent the rest of the day with Granny, and both kids had so much fun playing in the play room, visiting the chickens, and generally being spoiled. We had not been to Star since Christmas so there were so many things to discover and explore again. Boomer's mom recently brought out her wedding dress, and Emmy had the special honor of wearing Granny's wedding hat. She wore it the rest of Saturday and on Sunday too. We joked that Emmy wore it more than the bride! Emmy also got to play with Great Granny Wakeman's costume jewelry, and paired with the hat, she was every bit the princess. On Sunday, Bret took both Boomer and me for rides in his 1972 TR6. He told us stories about getting the car for his 19th birthday and putting miles on it all over Virginia. He just recently got the car back and has had work done to get it running again. It was a fast ride!

Even after only one night away, it's always nice to come home. We think that Eli is teething, and he didn't sleep well on Saturday night (meaning we all didn't sleep well on Saturday night!) Our poor guy has been a bit fussy and a slobbery mess. Boomer and I both have been running low on sleep and working hard in our jobs, and sometimes the chore of parenting is just that: a chore. But as I was folding laundry and prepping for another week, I am holding on to the blessing of a family that wears all these clothes. Yes, don't laugh, I paused to position these socks so I can always remember the little feet that fill them.