Three Things Thursday ...

Race Day - I got a notification from my countdown app that the Flying Pirate Half Marathon is a month from today. It is likely my only stand alone half marathon this year and thus, my only chance of a new PR. After I nearly surrendered to the course at the Seaside Half Marathon in October, I am itching for a good race.

The thing is, with all this Z2 training I am doing, I am kind of doubting my ability to run fast. OK, I lie. I know I can run fast, but I'm just not sure for how long. All these two hour runs at an 10:30 pace are kind of killing my mojo. I just keep telling myself that I'm doing the work for my "A" race, Rev3 Cedar Point 140.6 and that what will be, will be. I guess we'll see. Either way, I get to spend the weekend with some of my favorite running friends, G, Kim and MCM Mama (who also happen to be pretty awesome bloggers too). It's highly likely that the weekend won't suck.

Bikes - Speaking of a weekend that probably won't suck, Doodle turns 6 tomorrow. Yeah, somehow that happened. Since J is traveling this week, we are celebrating on Saturday, but before we do I am headed up to Rev3 Headquarters for a bike fit in hopes of getting a sweet Quintana Roo CD0.1. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out.

Epic Cuteness - Over the past week, the girls have been getting their costumes for this Spring's dance recital. We still have two more to get, but I'm totally convinced that my kids are pretty much the cutest thing ever.

I'm right, aren't I? Go ahead and admit it. I won't tell your kids.

Three Things Thursday ...

Beautiful - We got Dizzle and Doodle's school pictures back yesterday. My, um, confident, children were completely enamored with themselves. Shocking, I know.

Before I even had a chance to look at how the pictures had turned out, I heard Dizzle in the third row of our car take out the photos and say,

"Wow, I really am beautiful."

Obviously, my children have no issue with self esteem.

And although I told her she should learn to be modest, I couldn't help but agree with her when I finally saw the photos

Doodle, Kindergarten

Dizzle, 1st grade (left) and 2nd grade (right)

Honestly, I'm not really sure where my babies went. They are 7 and 5. It scares me for what things will be like in a decade.

Embracing Potential - I am the first to admit that I am very hard on my children. I expect a lot from them. I have visions of what they "should" be and at times, I'm not very open to accepting what they are. More often then not, I see them as little versions of myself.

Athletic. Intelligent. Sensible. Composed.

The thing is, sometimes, they're not. Sometimes, they have interests outside of what I am comfortable with. Sometimes, they are blubbering messes and frankly, I don't always know how to deal with it. It's a process. For all of us.

Most of the time, Doodle and Dilly are easy for me to process. They usually excel at the roles I've laid out for them. I can read them like a book and I know exactly what to expect from them.

Dizzle, on the other hand, is complicated. She's emotional and raw. Her strengths lie outside the physical, competitive and driven bubble I seem to force my kids into. She's graceful (despite her clumsiness). She's artistic. She's a thinker. She writes poems and songs, some with a depth, I'm not sure she really understands. Basically, from the time she could walk, she has been singing and dancing her way through life. And I don't know how to handle or foster that.

Yesterday, she spent the afternoon practicing a song they are singing at school. She had such a nice tone to her voice that I felt compelled to record her. Immediately upon finishing, she begged me not to post it to Facebook. Too bad that until she's 18, I'm the one with the control over that issue and her plea was denied.

Oh, and I also shared it on YouTube for the whole Internet to see.

I think she's pretty good and I should probably embrace her passion. Oh, and I'm confident that she'll forgive me. Eventually.

Where's My Race Mojo? - I am registered to run the HCA 8K this weekend. It is my all-time favorite race. The course is flat with a downhill finish. The distance is the best one out there. And historically, I have run really well at this event.

But, this year, I am SO NOT FEELING IT.

I'm not really sure why, but my head is not in the game. I don't feel ready (or willing) to race. It's kind of annoying. At this point, I may race. I may run with my sister. Or I may just stay in bed. I don't really know.

(mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Bada** Ballerina ...

Doodle is strong.

Confident.

Athletic.

Competitive.

Driven.

And if you watch her play soccer, you'll see that she's epic ...

But, somehow, at the same time, Doodle is graceful.

Delicate.

Focused.

Balanced.

Refined.

And if you watch her dance, she is epic in a whole other way ...

 

 She's our bada** ballerina.

Three Things Thursday ...

As I mentioned yesterday, today is the last day of preschool. And since my children attend a co-op, I am required to work in the classroom a few days a month. Today is one of those days. And tomorrow starts Summer vacation. Which makes it official. Bye-bye, eight hours of freedom. I'll see you in September. Now onto Three Things Thursday ...

1. Dizzle and Doodle have dance class on Wednesday nights. Yesterday, they received their costumes for the recital. And I'm just going to say it. They are BEYOND cute. Here's Dizzle dancing/posing in it (imagine it without the black tights and leotard underneath)...

When I saw it, I really was impressed. Dance costumes have come a long way in the 23 years since I danced in my first recital. (Dizzle and I are about the same age in these pictures.)

Seriously. What was my dance studio thinking? Was our recital circus-themed?

2. Speaking of dance class, I am fortunate enough to not have to stay for the class. So, I take advantage of this hour and squeeze in a run with Dilly in the stroller. But apparently, someone forgot to send me the memo that I shouldn't wear all black to run in because it was going to be 84 degrees at 5:30 last night. It was CRAZY hot. I was drenched. A total mess ...

3. In other news on the running front, I am racing a 5K this weekend. It will be my first non-virtual 5K in 53 weeks. I ran this course last May and set my current PR at the distance (25:19). I'm hoping to crush that. I've run over a minute faster in virtual races and in workouts, but I want a sub-25 on my permanent record.

hold me closer taco dancer ...

Last night, we had tacos and burritos for dinner. And while we were eating, Doodle started to close her eyes and dance in her seat after every bite. It was hilarious. Mainly because she was completely into it. (Hopefully, I will get the video up here soon.)

Anyway, while Doodle was dancing, I looked over at Dizzle and said, "Hey Dizzle. Why don't you close your eyes and try dancing too?" And instead of joining in on the fun, Dizzle turned up her nose and said to me, "No, mommy. I'm only a ballerina dancer. Doodle is a taco dancer."

And I couldn't help but laugh ...