Amazing Weekend

WOW what a weekend!!  Everything about this weekend was super special.  Here is a recap of all the fun:

Andrea and me after our 12 mile run

Saturday

I met up with a friend from Radnor High School, Andrea Weber, who I hadn't seen in 16 years, for my long run.  She is currently lives in PA and is training for her second half marathon (check out her blog about balancing healthy living, parenting and daily life at http://www.reallifeinrofo.com/).  We have been keeping touch through Facebook and when she told me her family was coming to DC, staying in Alexandria, VA just 45 minutes from my house, I knew we had to get together.  We met at her hotel at 6:45AM and headed over to the Mt. Vernon Trail.  We had a beautiful 12 mile run and caught up on everything from our kids, running successes and challenges, and future plans.  I have to apologize to Andrea for my poor performance at the end of the run – apparently I haven't figured out proper hydration and had to do some walking the last 2 miles.  She was super supportive and jogged along side of me.  This was my BEST training run yet, even with the walking.

James and Father Matt that 20 yr high school reunion

That evening James and I went to his 20 year high school reunion (I just realized there was a high school theme for the day).  MeeMaw came over to watch the kids and sleepover so we could stay out late (and when I say late I mean 12:30AM).  We got dressed up and headed into Baltimore to Little Havana to meet up with the Bowie crew.  James has an amazing group of friends who have not only stayed in touch over the years, some go back all the way to elementary school, but they all live in MD, VA and DC – honestly they are an extended family to each other.  We hadn't seen everyone in several months so it was a super fun night getting caught up and making plans for the coming months. 
                    

Sunday

The most important day of the weekend – Paige's 5^th Birthday!  I'm not sure where the last five years has gone.  She has grown so fast and is so excited to be starting Kindergarten in the fall (which the thought of brings tears to my eyes). 

Paige's new unicorn pillow pet

The day started with Paige coming into our bedroom saying, "I'm five!"  Then she proceeded to ask if she could open her presents (hey, she has her priorities straight).  We went down stairs and had her open Ian's present (a purple unicorn pillow pet which I would like to add here is super soft and I want one), our present (clothes) and MeeMaw (who remember had slept over the night before) let her open up two presents as well (a scooter and v-reader cartridge of Shrek).  Then it was pancakes for breakfast before James took the kids to the gym so I could run (that is right even for Paige's birthday I don't stop running).  Right before they headed out the door James just couldn't wait any longer to give Paige one more gift he had picked up for her – a kid size megaphone with voice changer.  Yes, everything you are thinking is right – it is loud, funny, annoying, and only a gift a Dad would buy.

     

The afternoon was spent splashing around in the kiddy pool and getting ready for the family birthday celebration.  The Benson family showed up around 4PM and of course Paige wanted to open her presents.  She received everything from clothes, shoes, an art easel supply set, books, Rapunzel Barbie and her backpack for school.  After dinner we had cake – and this is the best part – with no singing!  Paige does not like it at all when people sing her Happy Birthday (enjoy the video below).  So she made a wish and blew out her candle on her princess cake, took two bites of cake and was off to play with the super cool balloon her Aunt Val and Uncle Scott gave her.

                       

After the Benson family headed home we went upstairs to Skype with my parents.  That's right, we weren't done yet.  As the Skype video came through my parents were sitting there with party hats on singing Happy Birthday.  Of course Paige started screaming to make them stop.  After a little bit of chatting about the day Paige was able to open her presents from Grandma and Pop Pop – A puppet theater and puppet making kit. 

Paige opening her gift from Grandma and Pop Pop as they watch via Skype

It was a super fun, and slightly exhausting, day.  The best part was everyone, including my parents in CA, was able to see Paige open her presents and celebrate the day with her.

This weekend concluded week 3 of my marathon training.  I have run 89.32 miles over the course of three weeks and raised $770.00 of my $1500.00 goal.  The coming week includes my longest run EVER – 16 miles on Saturday.  Thank goodness for the Annapolis Striders group I run with because I don't think I could go that distance by myself.


If you would like to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure, please click here and visit my fundraising page.  For anyone who donates $50.00 or more I will write your name on my marathon day shirt.

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B. (a.k.a. MeeMaw)

George S.

Don and Candace W.

The Wooley Family

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.