Yes...Call Me Crazy

Guess who is training for her next big event....Me...and it is going to be a triathlon. I know, I may have lost my mind but ever since I have ran my half I have had this idea in the back of my head and I was scared to actually commit to this idea for a couple of reasons.

1. I am not a strong swimmer, but I knew with practice I could get better

2. Swimming in open water is mainly where you swim around here. If you know me you know I DO NOT go in the ocean in fear of anything slimy, crawly or HUGE that could...oh I don't know...Take my leg off!!!!! This is a fear that I am going to HAVE to overcome. Not sure how but I have met a few ladies here that have done a triathlon and they have promised to get me over this fear...good luck ladies!!!. I don't think they really understand the depth of my fear...but they seems up for the challenge. :)
So once I made up my mind that I can do this even if it takes 6 months to a year of training I would do it. It is a fear I want to overcome and a challenge I want to accomplish. I started doing some research because basically all I knew of triathlons was the Iron Man which is ALOT of swimming, biking and running. Luckily, I have made a few new friends here in my neighborhood that have actually done triathlons so they gave me some more info and it turns out there are several levels of triathlons. Some with not as many miles for swimming, biking and running. You can do a Sprint, Olympic, 1/2 Iron Man or Iron Man. This made me feel much better. So my first one or maybe first few will be the Sprint and Olympic length.

This past weekend Chris and I went to a bike shop in Wilmington that sells used bikes. We were browsing the bikes with one of the ladies who works there, when another guy who works there walked up and said, here is a bike we just go in today. A lady used it for a charity triathlon and then she came back to resale it. It is basically brand new but we got it for a great used price. I was super excited as it was just the height I needed.

So here is my newest friend to help me train. :)

This week I have officially started my training. I like the idea of having more than just running I have to do in this training. Good overall body training. I am excited for this new adventure and the fact that I have a husband who is by biggest supporting in this and also some new friends who are there to help me along the way. So here I go.......

Family Visit

Over Memorial Day weekend my brother and his family came over to spend a few days. We had some funcky weather for the first few days. Didn't get to spend too much time out in the sun so we decided to find some alternative things to do. My neighbor told me about a place call Mac Daddy's which is about 45 mins away but it would have fun stuff for all ages. We head over there on Friday night to have some dinner and play. 

After dinner the kiddos and adults wanted to play some games. We loaded up a few play cards and off we went. Bree was doing her best to drive this car.

Katie and Daddy riding the virtual roller coaster. I did this with Bree and she picked the adventure ride which took you underwater, over mountains, through deserts, etc. It shook up to death. I ended up putting my hand behind her head because her little head was bouncing all over the place. She laughed the entire time. Guess it didn't bother her but my insides were still moving by the time it ended.

Photo op for Aunt Brandy and Bree.

So serious about their water games. Haha!! Bree loves playing this game a CEC...she whooped up on her Uncle Kevin.

Kevin and Matthew giving the virtual ride a go.

Brandy showing us what she's got.

After we were done with games it was getting late and we knew we had a 45 min ride back so we opted to race go carts instead of bowling. We all raced except for Brandy...she was the photo taker. It was fun..we were all talking trash to each other. Katie and I were the first ones out of the gate and held the lead until the very end when this kid rammed us and spun us around and we got stuck and end up coming last place. Boo! But I guess that is racing...even though I say we technically won. :)

Even thought we did have iffy weather on most of the days there were a few hours of sunshine and we tried to take advantage of them. We headed to the pool a few times.

Bree doing what she loves to do when we are near the water... EAT. :) I pack so many snacks just cause I know she will eat pretty much all of them. She is a cutie doing it though.

Matthew and Katie spend most of their time in playing in the water.

We went out for seafood one night...went to a place down the road that is on the beach. They have really good food. There was a long wait so we took some photos to past the time.

The next to last day that they were here was a beautiful sunny day. We decided to go to the beach. The waters were really rough for some reason and the waves even at the shore were pretty good sized, but we got to play for a little while before it got to be too rough.

The Italian Ice guy came by with his cart, the girls love it so we got a cup to share.

 As most of you know, I am not a fan of actually going in the water at the beach. I hate all things creepy, crawly and slimy that could potentially attack me. :)  So I spend my time on the sand. Brandy was happy to join me.

We spent a lot of time in the sun this day and we all ended up a little toasty by night time. So on the last day with the family we decided not to burn anymore. We headed over to Wilmington for the day. Matthew and Kevin went to tour the Wilmington Battleship (I wish I had some of the picture they took..they were being silly in all their photos). While they toured Chris, Brandy, the girls and myself all shopped. Then we headed home and grilled out for Memorial Day.

It was a really fun weekend with them. So glad that got to come over and hang out with us. Love spending time with my family!!!

Pretty Pretty Ballerina

A couple of weeks ago Bree had her big ballet\tap recital. She has loved her ballet and tap class this year. She always looks forward to going and has the best time. Her class is a closed class which means that parents can't watch....so we have been very anxious to see what she has been working on. 

Big sis hear to support Bree.

We did video tape the recital....well let me correct that...we taped part of it. Not to hang Chris out to dry here...but he thought he was recording her ballet part but at the end realized that he did not push the record button. :(  So I'll do my best to describe it for you....in one word she did AMAZING!!!! We were so proud of her. She did every move and was so sweet and graceful. I had tears in my eyes when it was over. She smiled so beautifully during all too. We did however get the second act, their tap routine. I love how she has the perma smile going on again during it all. I thought she did pretty Amazing during her tap as well.  Click here to watch. If you are wondering why the kiddos keep looking over to their left and right it is because they had their teachers off to the side of the stage doing the dance as well to help them move along with the music.

After this dance and before intermission they had a little award ceremony where they called out each childs name and gave them a little trophy for completing the dance year. Here is are beautiful ballerina with her trophy and flowers from Mommy, Daddy and Katie. She is super excited for next year as she will be in the "big girl" ballet and tap class....no more preschool classes. :)

Sleep Over

Katie had a sleep over with her BFF Kelsey last month. Katie has been asking me for a long time to have Kelsey over for a sleep over. Finally Kelsey's mom and I were able to talk and meet up with each other. After that, we were able to find a weekend that she could come over. They were both beyond thrilled...and Bree was pretty excited too.

Kelsey came over around 5pm on Friday...Katie was pacing the floors and kept checking out the front door from the moment she got home from school until she pulled up in the drive way. As soon as her car stopped Kelsey flew out of the car and her and Katie gave each other a big hug. It was so funny!

Let the fun begin!!!!

For dinner I asked the girls if they would rather have pizza or I could fix sloppy joe dogs. They both looked at each other and immediately started whispering back and forth. LOL  After some well thought out plan, they both agreed on pizza. 

 Scarfing down some pizza ....they were all zoned out on some show (even Chris). :)

 After dinner we headed over to the park in our neighborhood. They played for a really log time.

 After the park we headed back home got on pj's and settled in for a movie. They were worn out because by 9:30 they were asking to go to bed. They both slept in Katie's bed and I only had to go in there one time and ask them to quite down. After that they were sound asleep....but they were up bright and early ready to go!

I told the girls that if it was pretty we would head to the beach for the day. After breakfast, they all three were in their bathing suits...I think this was by 8:30 in the morning. I told them it would be a little longer before we leave...so they decided to have a dance party. Katie cranked up the music and they all danced around for almost an hour.

 We finally got to the beach...it was a beautiful day but the water was FREEZING!!!! They sure don't seem to mind, they played for several hours.

Trying out the body boards

 Stopping for a little snack....this girl loves to eat at the beach. She gets that from me, I don't know why but when we are at the beach all I want to do is snack.

 There were lots of little crabs at the shore and they (along with a bunch of other kids) were catching all sorts of crabs. Checking out several of them.

Daddy was spending lots of one on one time with Bree so she didn't feel too left out from not having her a friend with her. She did really good with Katie having a sleep over.

 Here is a one of the bigger crabs they caught that day. Katie wanted to take this one home to keep it. We had to explain that we don't keep the creatures....we can catch and look but return the back to the sea. :)

After a few hours at the beach we headed home, ate some lunch and then Kelsey had to go home. She is such a sweet, sweet girl and so polite. I told her she could come back anytime. They had a blast and I have a feeling she will be back over lots this summer.