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Happy 2nd Birthday, Benjamin! Sunday, August 31, 2008 We love you! Update to follow. ~Courtney posted at 6:10:31 PM Last day of one... Saturday, August 30, 2008 And we ran around like crazy-people!  ~Courtney posted at 10:00:42 PM 17 down Friday, August 29, 2008 1 to go. I've managed to watch 18 episodes of Gossip Girl in the past couple of days. SICK. Now, on to Entourage... ~Courtney posted at 9:25:46 PM Vacation!! Friday, August 29, 2008 I just looked at the website for our vacay rental house, and got VERY, VERY excited. Not that it's time for it yet, but talk about something to look forward to! And, it's Benjamin's favorite color.  ~Courtney posted at 5:28:15 PM Wish I'd thought of this. Friday, August 29, 2008 So, it's raining and just miserable here today, and after having been a bit of a slacker mom this week, I was on a mission to find something fun for us to do this morning. A friend, awhile back, had sent me the newsletter for this place. The website does NOT do it justice. Benjamin LOVED it. He played and played and played, and made some little friends, and played some more. I read some magazines, sipped on tea, and let him burn some toddler energy, which would otherwise have been saved for a tantrum (which we had on the way out...over a toy vacuum cleaner). We didn't stay for lunch, but now I really want a grilled cheese sandwich! ~Courtney posted at 12:59:09 PM Mom's Morning Out! Thursday, August 28, 2008 So, I just signed Benjamin up for Mom's Morning Out at the gym. It's not exactly what I was looking for (as in, there are only 8 of them between now and the end of November...), but since you sign up for each session individually, I figured that we'd try one out while I remain on the quest for some sort of more consistent entertainment for him/break for me. So, three weekday morning hours to myself. What should I do? ~Courtney posted at 8:26:17 AM One of those days... Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Without going into too much detail, Benjamin did something this morning that required an AM bath. Not the norm. He soaked and splashed for about an hour while I worked on my to-do list for the day. He climbed out when he was ready, and got dressed. While I was getting dressed, I noticed it had gotten awfully quiet. He was sitting in the tub. I'd drained it, but it was only about half-way done, so we had to have a costume change. Wrangling a wet, wiggly toddler is about as much fun as dental work, so I was far from thrilled. Post clothed dip in the tub:  We finally got out to run errands, and suffered no less than 30 temper tantrums, mostly surrounding walking vs. riding in the cart, and Benjamin's newfound distaste for his car seat. I started to pull out of my space at Target, and instead put the car back into park, and cried for a few minutes. Like, full on crying. I've had it REALLY easy with Benjamin's behavior the past few months, so of course I am going to pay for it now. We had some lunch, and then it was naptime. I debated whether or not to nap, and opted to watch some Gossip Girl instead. I got four episodes watched, and even let myself have a little glass of wine when I realized I was out of my favorite low-fat ice cream sandwiches... Benjamin is now up, and seems to be in good spirits. Let's hope it keeps up until bedtime. ~Courtney posted at 4:16:14 PM Most annoying email ever... Tuesday, August 26, 2008 So, I get this email if I haven't been to the gym in a couple of weeks. Courtney, There are so many reasons not to exercise. We are often busy focusing on family or work responsibilities but fail to attend to our own personal needs including physical activity. Yet, the small amount of time you invest in your health will result in big rewards and allow you to better handle the daily demands of life. The key is finding an activity or exercise program that you enjoy and that meshes with your lifestyle. As a member of the YMCA, you have access to knowledgeable and professional staff who are eager to assist you in finding the exercise program that is right for you. Your success and satisfaction are important to us. Our qualified staff is always available to assist you. We will be happy to help review with you your exercise program to make it fun, effective and time efficient. We look forward to seeing you soon. Best of health, Annoying ass name removed for privacy Um, I ran 29 miles last week. Sorry I didn't make it to the &*%^&*((^$ gym. ~Courtney posted at 8:13:48 PM Pull ups... Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Not the potty training kind. Benjamin has assured me he wants nothing to do with potty training... But he loves doing pull-ups in the tree in the front yard:   And he love the sprinkler.  ~Courtney posted at 7:58:13 PM And it gets even easier... Monday, August 25, 2008 ...to waste time. Andrew bought the first season of Gossip Girl on DVD and surprised me with it tonight. He was tivo'ing and watching them this summer, but I never really paid attention. Suddenly I have a huge interest, and want to "catch up" before the new season starts. I wish I didn't like guilty-pleasure television as much as I do... ~Courtney posted at 6:54:53 PM Like I needed an excuse to waste more time... Monday, August 25, 2008 I don't need an excuse. I am quite able to waste an entire evening without much effort, in fact! I just (quite randomly, as I rarely do it) checked our netflix queue, and Season Four, Disc One of Entourage is en route. That makes me pretty happy. Can't wait.  We should just get HBO... ~Courtney posted at 4:34:23 PM More Tri pics Tuesday, August 19, 2008 I got the pictures that my mom had taken...here are a few! My dad and I...not in order:  A SO not flattering bathing suit pic of me running out of the water...no Hollywood contracts in my near future, but notice the lack of competitors behind me. :)  Even the cheering squad needs some juice!  Ron, post race:  Post-race team photo, and Benjamin:  Loving the beach:  ~Courtney posted at 9:54:34 PM Triathlon Monday, August 18, 2008 Ron and I ROCKED the Norwood triathlon this weekend. I swam, then he biked (15 miles!) and then I finished up with the four mile run. I was convinced that I was going to drown, but I did pretty well (considering I've done lap swimming 5 times in the past 12 years). The only girl who beat me was about 12, and other than her, only 6 guys finished ahead of her. And since this will mean something to some of you, rumor has it that a certain swimmer from the past (coughJessicaJockcough) was somewhere behind me. I digress. We did great, and we had a blast doing it. Plus, we had the best cheering squad there! Here is the event in photos (Andrew didn't catch a team photo, so I am waiting to get the shots from my mom's camera for that): Finishing up the swim (I totally thought I was at the tail-end of the group) Right before the start, I had a guy tell me I was brave for not wearing a wet suit. To that I responded...no, I hate swimming and am too cheap to buy one for one race. I think he thought I was kidding...  Quick costume change while Ron was biking:  Silly faces for Benjamin, who desperately wanted to hang out with me at the running start line.  I love this one, because you can see Ron rolling in, and me taking off!  Finishing up. A personal record for a 4 mile run, too. Actually, I think the pace is a PR, all around...  Benjamin helping with a post-race back-rub, and some extra hydration.  We got stuck in a LOT of construction traffic en route home this morning/afternoon/evening/late night, and are partially wired, partially beat. I think the beat-me needs to head to bed! ~Courtney posted at 12:53:53 AM Outdoors, Mom. Outdoors. Wednesday, August 13, 2008 This is how Benjamin just walked into the dining room, asking to go outside:  ~Courtney posted at 8:34:20 AM Weekend fun! Saturday, August 09, 2008 We've had a very laid back weekend...the first one in awhile, and likely the last one for awhile, too. It's been a nice change of pace. Last night, we went to the Herndon concert, but didn't make it for too long, because we were ALL tired. I was in bed by 9:15. Which is an AWESOME Friday night in my book. Today, we had a morning of errands and duck-feeding, and then I got out by myself to do some shopping (LOVE fall clothes!!!), and then we spent the evening at the playground up the street. Click here for some pics of our evening.
~Courtney posted at 8:55:22 PM You didn't bring a blanket? Thursday, August 07, 2008 Benjamin and I made our weekly trek up to the farmer's market this morning. We got our fruits and veggies, per usual, and also not unlike any other week, Benjamin swiped some produce (today, an apple) and took a monster bite before I could stop him. So, I ended up with some apples, too. We saw a swarm of strollers migrating toward to stage where the Friday night concerts take place, and decided to follow. So, this band was getting ready to start a performance. I parked the stroller, Benjamin (and his apple) climbed out and sat on my lap, and we sat there while the band had their sound-check. FOUR moms scolded me for not having a blanket. Um, really? A blanket is a requirement? So we stayed for awhile, and since Benjamin wasn't all that into it, and I was annoyed by the alpha-moms, we hoofed it back home, where we enjoyed the sprinkler a lot more than toddler-palooza. It's probably a good thing that nobody knew I didn't even have a spare diaper with me, huh? ~Courtney posted at 1:01:11 PM Blah, blah and some more blah Wednesday, August 06, 2008 You know a week is pretty lame when stumbling upon this blog (really, any blog equating a high point is not okay) is a high point of your week. So far, 29 sucks eggs. ~Courtney posted at 10:37:07 PM How un-Monday-like! Monday, August 04, 2008 Andrew, having been working at home for the past couple of months, tweaked his schedule so that he could spend the morning with Benjamin and I, to celebrate my birthday. We hit up the Mr. Knicknack concert, and then realized that we could eat lunch outside at Clyde's, still hear the concert, and relax a little bit! Some concert fun:  Dancing to the music (I am not normally pigeon-toed, if you care):  Benjamin enjoying the big chair, coloring menu with crayons, AND a Clyde's truck for him to keep:  Wine at lunch on a Monday...how naughty!  Coloring is intense work:  Toward the top of Benjamin's "favorite things to do" list is throwing pennies (or quarters, or $5 bills) into the fountain. He'll ask, shrugging his shoulders, Mo' money, mama?  VERY tired Benjamin:  As you can see, it was an all-around lovely birthday morning! Thanks to my two fantastic boys for making it so nice! Oh, and yes. Benjamin is wearing pink. My buddy Tal once told me (he was six at the time), that it "takes a real man to wear pink." I've been giggling looking at Benjamin, and thinking about that, all afternoon. ~Courtney posted at 2:34:20 PM Thanks, Dora! Monday, August 04, 2008 This post is likely only going to be funny to Holly. :) Benjamin has been counting up a storm, lately, but usually in English. While watching our nightly 23 minutes of Dora the Explorer, Benjamin joined Dora with her counting, in Spanish! We then made him count in Spanish until bedtime, which he did happily with all of the rings off of our fingers. And after the ice cream truck buzzed through the hood...(and yes mom, he got ice cream). 
~Courtney posted at 7:55:13 AM And finally, some Miami! Sunday, August 03, 2008 Benjamin and I joined our friends Melissa and Sophia in Miami this past week for a great getaway! The kids loved the beach (or, begins with b, ends with itch, as Benjamin calls it) and the "oddin," and we can't wait until our next beach adventure! Thanks again to M & S for being such great hosts! Click on the album below to see a bunch of the pictures.
~Courtney posted at 9:27:12 AM Honorary Fire Fighter! Saturday, August 02, 2008 Thank you to the awesome fireman who basically made Benjamin's life this evening!       ~Courtney posted at 9:20:58 PM More Friday Fun! Friday, August 01, 2008 Love the Friday night concerts!        ~Courtney posted at 9:19:16 PM Baking Fun Friday, August 01, 2008 Some new neighbors are in the process of moving in down the street, and since everyone was so welcoming to us, Benjamin and I decided to make cupcakes. Of course, it appears that they have two teenage daughters of baby-sitting age, so it's not entirely selfless. Benjamin was a great helper, from washing his hands, to helping mix. He had a blast, and is now enjoying the cupcakes of his labor (sans frosting, since nap time is just around the corner). Stir, stir, stir:  Concentrating on the task:  Checking out the progress:  Benjamin and I are still recovering from our fantastically fun trip to Miami earlier this week. We met up with our friends Melissa and Sophia, got to stay in their fabulous condo, and spent some quality time on the beach, enjoying great weather, and Benjamin's new favorite thing...the "oddin" (ocean, for those who don't speak toddler). I will try to get some pictures up from the trip later today! Happy Friday! Update: We can't find the paper wrapper from Benjamin's cupcake, so we're leaning toward it having been consumed with the cupcake. AWESOME. Update to the update: We found the wrapper. Phew. Yet another update: Cupcakes were a hit. Three teenage daughters, 2 love to babysit! Looking forward to getting to know them better! ~Courtney posted at 1:22:17 PM |
