Start It Out Right

Something in me has been screaming to exercise. So much so that I've started having dreams about it. I had a dream last week that Brian and I had been to the doctor and both of us were 90% body fat. Is that even possible? I don't know, but apparently my brain and body were working me up for something. I have been longing to get back on my bike since Ethan turned 1. Dreaming/longing don't count though, does it! Summer is (again!) upon us and I live in a beach city. Not that I'm worried about swimsuits, I'm more focused on the fact that I'm loosing my breath faster as I 'dance' with the kids to music on iTunes, and that my muscles shake way too quickly after a few jumps around the couch/room doing the hokie pokie. It's terribly embarrassing.
So, the day after my dream (Friday) we were shopping in Target. We were racing down the aisle to the restroom when Ethan stops dead in his tracks and points to a large box. "Look! Mom!" What is he pointing to? A bike trailer...did he have the dream too? ...ON SALE...! "Oh, we are so coming back for that!" (which we did)
Now...how do I bring this up with Brian? usually, I'll at least call him before I purchase something that's not planned for...and more than $50. . .that night I told him about my dream...and then brought him to the car (it was still in the trunk)
Even now I can't tell you if he's excited about it, but yesterday (Saturday) he assembled it while I googled "bike trails in Fallbrook" which led us to a 7.2 mile stretch of paved, mostly flat, trail that went straight to the beach. With a little drive we could park (for free!) and bike to the beach? What luck! We didn't want to go to the beach because it's Memorial weekend and perfect weather = no parking available, naturally. But if we could RIDE our bikes to the beach!!
Brian didn't think we'd make it that far, and without wanting to pressure him (because he would be doing the hardest part: pulling the trailer) didn't pack any beach gear. If he didn't have such a great endurance level, and so much love for his wife...plus adding in a few comments about burning body fat, and remembering he used to bike 7 miles (one-way) to work everyday in Logan...we probably never would have made it to the beach. But I think he felt the 'pull' just as strongly as I did. Destination: BEACH. Brian pulled Ethan in the trailer with our packed lunches, and AJ was on the seat in front of my bike. It was picture perfect. I had on a camelback and AJ would reach for it and pull it to her mouth. Ethan watched for airplanes, and gave quite a lot of people a good laugh when we had to stop for a 'potty break'. Everyone was chuckling as they rode by.
WE MADE IT! We rode our bikes to the beach. It was exhilarating. I couldn't have been happier. Even when we had to ride the 7.2 miles BACK to the car. It was seriously a great way to start the weekend.

Yeah...our butts are super sore.
Here's to a fun summer!

Sandbox Project

When we moved here we acquired a wooden box that movers would put a TV in to keep from being banged up. Our TV is much to old to fit into such a slim box, but I was determined to keep it and 'make something'! (Sometimes, I just can't 'let things go') It sat in our garage for over 8 months...while I dreamt up what it could be. After months of contemplation, and hours spent at the park playing in the sand... I knew what it was supposed to be: a sandbox. It became my project while Brian was in New Jersey. I sanded the edges, corners, rough spots to minimize any splinter possibilities. Sprayed a sealer on it to keep it from rotting when exposed to the rain/sprinklers, drilled holes in the bottom and put landscape fabric down to let the water drain out, but also to keep the ants from coming in from beneath.
I didn't paint it, or make it pretty, but I'm still excited about it.

who needs sand?

When Brian and Ethan came home from camping on Saturday, we took a trip to the hardware store and bought the sand.
250lbs of sand later = two happy, sandy kids.

Girls Night/Boys Night

Tonight was Ethan & Brian's Fathers and Sons camp out at Oak Grove National Park. Brian flew in from New Jersey at noon...reported to work...went to the doctor...came home, ate dinner...and left again with a VERY excited little boy. I kept prepping Ethan that 'when Dad comes home, you're going to go camping with him' His little enthusiasm helped Brian keep on track to getting out the door for another night 'away from home'. Making one last bathroom trip he was washing his hands when he asked me, "Mom...I don't know! Will there be toys there or not?" I said, 'no, not toys, but lots of trees, and you'll get to sleep outside!' "Oh...there will be beds!" was his reply.

rosy cheeks!

snake caught by the boys

Annie Jane and I had our little girls night out. It happened quick, as AJ is a wiggle worm. BUT...I did accomplish what I set out for :) . . . painted toenails/fingernails :) It's silly because I didn't even have a bright color to paint with. It kindof dampened the initial excitement I was anticipating from her watching me. She probably couldn't even tell what I was doing, as the color was more like a peachy color. Oh well, it was just the two of us and there were girly things to do! But Brian has the camera and so there won't be any shots of pretty toenails/fingernails. PINK toenail polish is on the list to buy at Target, next time I go.