Wonderful Weekend (in pictures)

Last week I posted that our camping weekend was either going to be super fun or a complete disaster.  DJ Research and I are not campers, yet here we were, attempting to sleep in the great outdoors.  With a toddler.

Well, we just got back.  IT. WAS. AWESOME.

Nugget had the time of his life.  He ran around the campsite like a wild banshee, playing in his own little world.  The DJ and I ate waaaaay too many roasted marshmallows, and just enjoyed being together and unconnected from the rest of the world.  We spent some time wading in the river, and walking along railroad tracks.  Plus, the DJ and I still got our #rwrunstreak 1 mile in on some really hilly terrain.

And though we had a blast, theres really not much to tell.  The trip was quiet and very low key.  So I'll just show you pictures instead:

Ready to roast marshmallows!

Glow stick fun!

We all slept on a queen-sized air mattress,
 much to Nugget's delight.

Nugget really enjoyed the more
technical parts of the trail.

Sensory exploration.

Enjoying the river.

As we're playing in the river, a train comes rolling by.  Choo! Choo! Woo! Woo!

Lunch!

The kid is very determined.

This kept him occupied for HOURS.

We're already planning our next camping trip.  This time around our menu was pretty simple, so next time we want to be a little more adventurous (I'm thinking mochiko chicken and grilled sweetbread).  I'm already hungry!

Do you like to camp?  Whats your favorite camp food?



RAR!

Into the Deep Unknown

This weekend we are venturing into the deep unknown.

No, we are not diving to the bottomless depths of the ocean.

Nor are we journeying to the edge of the universe.

We are going camping.  In a tent.  With a toddler.

It's only for the weekend: two nights, three days.  But it does have the possibility of feeling like FOREVER.

We've packed the essentials and I've got a list of activities to keep the kid entertained and make this weekend super fun.  So I feel prepared.  But I said that before the kid was born, and then he arrived and I realized I had no idea what I was doing.

Despite my slightly anxious tone, I'm actually really excited.  I camped a lot of a kid (though it was always on the beach, so this in-the-woods camping is new to me), and always loved it.  I want to provide similar experiences for little Nugget.

So we'll see if we get the camping bug.  Or just get eaten alive by the little monsters.


Did you camp as a kid?  What are you fondest, or worst, memories?

Tossing Ideas Around

DJ Research has been considering initiating a health challenge among his social sphere.  He's tentatively calling it "Health Week Challenge" (which I actually coined and I realize is not very creative).  Basically he wants to challenge himself and his friends to actively engage in one healthy activity--be it physical, educational, dietary, emotional/psychological (i.e. stress)--for one week.

This is not completely uncommon for the DJ and I.  We will sometimes impose little challenges on ourselves; for instance, we challenged ourselves to become "voracious readers" and last year we both read over 30 books (a big jump from a few years ago when I just read 6 books).

So the DJ is tossing ideas my way as to what his "Healthy Week Challenge" challenge might be:

DJ: I was thinking I could try to run 100 miles in one week.
Me: You realize many would argue that puts too much stress on the body, and thus would be the opposite of healthy.
DJ: Yes, but I really want to do it.
Me: Well, I think its a great goal, and I think you could totally do it!  Maybe not next week, but with smart training, I know you could totally run 100 miles in one week.  Thats an awesome goal!!
DJ: Thanks! I was also thinking I would try to get 8 hours of sleep a day for one whole week.
Me:  WHAT?!?  Are you crazy?  Thats insane!  You mean 8 consecutive hours?  For 7 consecutive days?  Thats impossible!  Are humans even capable of such a feat?!

Clearly priorities are a little messed up around here.  And clearly I need more sleep.

Getting enough sleep is exceptionally vital to good health, but it is oh-so-difficult to do.  I would love to blame it on the fact that I have young son, but honestly, Nugget is a champion sleeper.  10-12 hours a night is the norm for him  I'm just such a night owl, I can't go to bed before midnight.

Despite my night-owl tendencies, getting adequate sleep would not be the biggest challenge for me.  My challenge would be in the kitchen.  Because I H.A.T.E. cooking.  To be completely frank, "cook one meal every day for a whole week" would be really difficult for me.  I hate cooking that much.

So we'll see whats in store for both of us once the "Health Week Challenge" rolls around.  Hopefully I'm on vacation that week.


RAR!

A Good Mother's Day

[Harper's Ferry Half-Marathon recap coming soon.  Quick summary: It was bleeping awesome.]

Mother's Day is quickly turning out to be my favorite holiday of the year (thanks Hallmark!)  This is only my second Mother's Day as a mom, but both years have rocked hard, and I'm liking the way this holiday is trending.

The day started with an early morning run in the historic town of Harper's Ferry.

Goooooood Morning, Harper's Ferry!

I ran on some trail for the first time in about a month, and it felt oh so good.  Loved the sound of gravel under my feet, and brief chats with local wildlife

Gooooood Morning, Ms. Deer!

And the scenery around Harper's Ferry is just so beautiful, especially early in the morning.

Gooooooood Morning, Morning!

Don't worry, I am not usually this chipper in the morning.  In fact, I'm not usually chipper at all.  But today I just felt like being EXTRA cheesy.

When I returned from my run, DJ Research and Nugget were already up and ready for breakfast, so we headed down to partake in the complimentary continental breakfast at our hotel.  I thought it was awesome, but I admit that I do have a weakness for free food.  DJ Research was not impressed.  Apparently breakfast gave Nugget a kanak-attack (food coma) because he passed out almost immediately on the car ride home.

Eating breakfast is exhausting.

My in-laws had been in town for a few days, so they stopped by before heading home this evening.  We had a nice picnic at the nearby park and then went for a walk around the lake.  Nugget surprisingly walked almost the entire way, frequently stopping to pick up rocks and sticks and throw them into the nearby brush, which is seriously the most exciting thing in the world to do.

Starting our hike

Thanks to our very active day, Nugget passed out in his crib (he was very happy to be sleeping in his own bed again) by 6:30, and I am now chillin' with the DJ and enjoying some brewskis.

I'm enjoying the Avalanche Amber.
Hoppy beers are not for me.

But before he fell asleep, I asked Nugget for a good night kiss.  He looked at me, then wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me the biggest hug I have ever received from him.  I could feel the strength of his entire little body in that hug.  BEST MOTHER'S DAY GIFT EVER.

Oh, and this gift was also pretty awesome.  Introducing my new running shoes, the Innov-8 F-Lite 230s:

I think they're rather ugly, but they fit well and will be a great to run in as I transition to natural running.  It will be back to basics after my half-marathon this Sunday.  Yup, this summer is all about form.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommas out there.  I hope you had a fantastic day!  You deserve it!

The Sweetest Moments

We rocked back and forth quietly, listening to the melody of the lullaby. Despite his active day, or perhaps because of it, he was having a tough time falling asleep. Little Nugget, nestled in my lap one minute, would flip and turn an almost complete 180 the next, then suddenly bury his face between my arm and the rocker. Sensing maybe he needed a different rhythm, I stood and swayed to the music, holding my precious son close in my arms. Little Nugget lifted his head off my shoulder and brought his face close to mine, his sign that he wants to give me a honi, a kiss. His spontaneous and silent way of saying, "I love you, Mom."

Moments like these beat any PR.