Elf on a Shelf

We decided Sky was ready for her very own Elf.  While she doesn't grasp the full intent of Tinsel, her elf's name, she does wake up every morning ready to find her.

Apparently Tinsel has an infinity for high places...

Just a few of the places Tinsel has spent her time hanging out.  This morning she was in Mark's stoking peaking over the top.

Some people really get into the whole elf on a shelf thing...their elves make messes and get into all sorts of mischief, Tinsel is not one of "those" elves.  Mostly because I'm not willing to create messes to clean up.

It's fun figuring out what our Holiday traditions with Sky will be and see how excited she gets about all the festivities.  She may not fully understand what is going on, but she knows it's different and special from the normal day to day.    

2013 Races

I was reading the latest Runner's World and is suggested that January is the month to plan your race year. 

Why not get a jump on that and just do it now?!  In an effort to make sure I can afford to do the races I want to I have 2013 planned and the early registration discount dates marked!  I have it all written down in my Runner's World Calendar!  

January:
19 - No Sun Fun Run - 5k and it is totally 100% fast and a great PR course!  I hope the Elya, who has been wanting to PR a 5K, will want to do this one.  I would love to shoot for another 5K PR myself, but even more I would love to pace her to help her get her PR!  Plus it's only like $20!

February - Nothing

March:
9 - Foothills Dash 5 and 10K - in Orting on the Orting Trail.  Not registered for this, am thinking about it.  It's another flat, fast, paved course, and I have yet to do a road 10K.  Would kinda like to see what my road 10K time is.  This one is only $15 I think if you register early, and in the Pierce County Parks office, which is in Lakewood! 

30 - Dash Point Trail Run several distances.  I did the 10K last year and LOVED this run!  It is so pretty, and was one of the muddiest most challenging from a footing perspective trail runs I have done...so much fun!  I remember I ran it a little scared because it was my last trail run before my 1/2 and I was really worried about twisting an ankle or something.  Not registered yet...again thinking about it.  Would like some company for this one, it's just too fun a course to not do with friends! 

April & May - Nothing - will be focusing on the training plan for the mile heavy second half of the year, working out any injuries (if there are any) breaking in new shoes etc.  I want everything to be in good working order for the June - September stretch of races I have planned.     

June:
8 - Sound Two Narrows 12K - Deferred entry from last year.  This one is confirmed and it's my first 12K so will be a PR no matter what.  I'm shooting for 70 minutes or less...it's a way hilly course.   

July:
14 - See Jane Run Seattle 1/2 - registered and confirmed.  This will be my first 1/2 with Michelle, and my first of 3 1/2's in 90 days.  Elya and her friend Michelle have registered as well, and Michelle's brother may run this with us, so we will have friends on course with us!  

August:
3 - Tacoma Narrows 1/2 - Registration opens in March.  2nd 1/2 in 90 days and Elya and El are both on board for this one.  It starts at the GH Airport and ends downtown Tacoma...yep that means we run over the Narrows Bridge! 

September:
29 - Race For A Soldier 1/2 in Gig Harbor.  Registration isn't open yet, but I'm keeping an eye on it.  This will be the last of 3!  Elya is in for this one as well! 

October-Dec - Nothing...yet.  There are a lot of fun runs around here that time of year so I'm not ruling anything out.  Will depend on  how I'm feeling after running 3 1/2's. 

I'm super excited to run Michelle's first 1/2, and our first 1/2 together!  That is a highlight for next year. 

I'm also thankful that Elya will be joining me in the Half Fanatic goal.  It will be nice to know we are in it together! 

This is subject to change as I don't have a single mud run or obstacle course on here and I would love to do at least one.   Just depends on dates...not going to do anything to mess up the 1/2 marathon schedule I have planned. 

Sorry no pics...makes for a boring post. 

Missing Grandma

After losing 3 of my grandparents over the years I learned that I tend to react after the fact and at strange times. 

I'm not one for immediate and emotional reactions.

When Grandma Jean passed I was more upset by some of the family drama that took place than by her passing.  While I was sad, and shocked because it was totally unexpected, I had  peace about where she was, who she was with, and how she spent her last day on this earth.  It was just as it should be. 

There have been a few moments of realization that she is gone and gone for good.  (There have been and are moments like that in regards to all my Grandparents.)   Yesterday was one of those moments. 

When I addressed our Christmas card to my Grandpa, and had to stop myself from writing Grandma it hurt a lot, and kind of stopped me in my tracks.  She always called me after getting our card to thank me for sending one and tell me what a great picture we picked. 

I'm going to miss that call, miss hearing her voice yelling "Hi Jenni" over the phone.  She is one of the few people that still called me Jenni.  Her first questions was always about Mark, asking if he took the picture, how work was going for him etc.  The last few phone calls always, always ended with her yelling through the phone to Sky that her Great Grandma loved her and couldn't wait to see her again. 

I'm so thankful that my sister and I had pretty amazing Grandparents all the way around.  I treasure every last memory from all the fun had with them, and the fun still being had with Grandpa and watching him play with and dote on Sky. 

Now off to bake some Christmas treats...something Grandma was really good at! 

Football Sunday

My heart was singing this morning while Sky and I were watching the ESPN pre-game show.  The announcers where on air talking about stuff and they cut to game film showcasing a players running ability.  Sky was sitting next to me playing with her little laptop (does not have internet...all she can really do is play with the calculator...sounds lame, but she loves it!) and as soon as the game footage started she started bouncing up a down with a huge grin on her face and threw her arms up in the air yelling football! 

My work here is done.  ;-)

We are pretty excited around here because the Steelers game is actually on TV today...two weekends in a row!!! 

It's been a busy/crazy few days with plans being changed and/cancelled only to be replaced with new plans.  All too much to get into here. 

Some pics from the week...

 

She loves sitting with Daddy and playing on her little laptop while he is using his. 

 

We had a free pass to Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park, and since our dinner with the Beckham's was rescheduled due to sickness we all decided to drive through at the same time since germs don't truck hop.  Sky was having fun waving at the other cars, but don't think she was as impressed with the lights as we were.  She did get really excited about the snowman kicking a field goal though...my little football fan!  One of those rare times that she gets to sit in the front seat with us.  

 

 

Sky sitting with Daddy and helping him drive!

 

 She has started using her fave blanket as a cape and running around the living room like super girl! 

 Loves her little table. 

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful Sky is still napping, 2 1/2 hours, that is long for her! 

Nice thing is I got stuff done and had time to do fun stuff like read NW Runner, check email etc. 

Given I'm feeling a little stressed about how busy things are going to be the rest of the week/weekend it's nice to have unexpected down time! 

Now, I really do need her to wake up though because I have one more errand that has to be taken care of today! 

Sky's First Race!!!

Yep that's right, I figured after chasing her around the house and yard day after day that she is probably close to 3 ish miles a day of running from Mommy.  Her new running shoes are perfectly broken in so she should be good to go!  December 15th she will join me in the Santa Runs Tacoma 5K.  It will be an automatic PR for both of us since it's her first race and my first race with her. 

I suppose I could have signed her up for the Tiny Tim's 1K, but why not go big the first time right?! 

I just hope I don't have any jogging stroller flat tires the morning of the race.  You didn't think I was making her actually run the race did you? :)  Although, if she were running it and I were chasing her I probably would PR! 

I don't know when I'll stop saying never in regards to my running life, but I never intended or wanted to run races with her in the stroller.  Enter the stroller running group, and leading the charge for a group of stroller running mommies to run the race together!  So, yep I'm running my very first race ever with Sky, did I mention it's a course I have mental health issues with?!  Oh well.  I will be with friends and will have new music going, and Sky to distract me.

Last race of the year with Michelle, Sky, Stroller Mommies (actually I don't think any of the other stroller mom's have registered yet...I may be the only one), and our friend Alex's first 5K...sounds like a great last race of the year to me!  Looking forward to it!