Super hero birthday

For weeks I was gathering ideas for Bubba-do's 5th birthday. This was the first time we had done the whole deal with party games and favors etc. He decided that the theme should be super heros. Now I don't like to be super literal when it comes to themed things, so here is what I came up with. Hubby assumed the character of "Evil Dr. Gynostein" (I know...he and the kids actually came up with the name..hilarious) First he dropped bombs (black balloons) that they had to destroy (pop). Then he scattered kryptonite that they had to pick up with tongs and drop in a "safe box" at the other side of a simple obstacle course. Finally, after I revealed the evil doctor's only weakness (silly string) They attacked him with their own cans of the stuff! After each game they earned one part of their super hero costume: Wrist band, mask, and cape. They loved having a cosutme. The masks were bought as is, the wrist bands were those slap on bracelets that I covered in gold glittery foam paper, and the capes were just black fabric with a star sewed on the back. It all turned out so cute! After the games we just had cake and opened presents...simple...fun...fairly easy. Bubba-do just beamed when his big present rolled out...his first big boy bike. He just said "Thanks Daddy!"

Happy birthday buddy. You are now 5 and kindergarten is just around the corner. You are one of the most generous, caring, clever people I have ever encountered. A real super hero.

My first 5K

Ok...I did it. One week ago I actually ran a 5K. To many of my very fit friends (I have more than a few) this sounds like easy peasy...not for me.

If you have read anything from me lately, you know that I have always hated running and have recently become a convert to it. I signed up for this race to motivate me to keep going. I gave birth to our third child 4 months ago and I'd really like my regular size body back.

When I got to the race and picked up my t-shirt I realized that because I signed up soon after having a baby, I had over estimated my shirt size. I gladly exchanged the large for a medium :0)

I felt ready for this race. I had run this course at least once before and it seemed fairly pleasant. It started just blocks from my house...went through some shady parts of a neighborhood..over the I-80 bridge...down a pretty long hill..through a park.. down a tunnel under I-80..up a steep but shortish hill...with a flat road toward the finish. Well, that is what I thought. When the race started I realized I had practiced the route backwards...yep. All those down hills were now up and the shade didn't come until the end.

I had no delusions of winning any prizes for my speed, I just wanted to finish. The heat that morning was stifling...and the humidity...near 100%. I dug in and finished in a respectable 37 minutes. I felt proud of myself and I will proudly wear the t-shirt...but next race I do will have fewer hills......much fewer :0)