Marathon??

No, I'm not actually training to run a marathon.  I am calling myself marathon mom for a couple reasons. 
#1.  I always thought I would run a marathon, and this makes me feel as if I'm following my ambitions even though I'm more of a 2mile jogger...   and
  #2. because if you are a mom like me, you know that your life consists of doing many of the same things OVER and OVER and OVER again.  Kind of like running for 26.2 miles...  


Didn't I put this dish in the dishwasher yesterday? Yes, yes I did.   Didn't I pick up these toy trucks earlier today? OH, yes, I did.  Didn't I drive this carpool, do this laundry, cook these meals, buy these groceries, bathe these little bodies yeserday?? Yes, yes I did.   And I'm gonna do it tomorrow too...


See?  It's my very own marathon.  Running is one thing, you can go for a jog, come back and lay on the couch.  That's what babysitting is like... going for a run.  But if you're a mom, its like a marathon.  It's repetitive, it's hard, it's also exhilarating, full of accomplishments and extremely satisfying.   I love being a mom.  But I think it's just because I have the BEST kids around.  Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and claim that... what? This is MY blog!!  
Olivia, she's 6 1/2. She is so smart, and so kind hearted.  She is sensitive, and loving and aware.  She is in first grade up at Longview Farm Elementary... (best school EVER!) Anyway, she loves her friends and IS a good friend... she plays soccer (well she did in the fall anyway, she's not the most aggressive, but her heart is there) and she's into dance, gymnastics, singing, sewing and loves swimming.  :) She's missing her two front teeth and that girl has got the best hair ... Seriously, I could do so much cool stuff with her hair, but she won't let me... yet.  We are just focusing on brushing it for now.  But she's awesome, and a fabulous big sis. 
 Then there's Jack.  He's 3 1/2.  Do I need to say more?  He's ALL boy.  He's got the sweetest blond hair and blue eyes like daddy.  He LOVES Thomas the train and builds me amazing tracks all over the house.  He's not a fan of trying new foods... he exists on peanut butter (dinosaur shaped) sandwiches, goldfish, eggo pancakes, frozen strawberries and lots of milk.  He loves school (most of the time) and when I go to pick him up he always says "I had so much fun at school today!!!!!"  Usually with about 5 exclamation marks at the end.  He's such a daddys boy.  He loves to go downstairs while Chris is working and just sit in the chair by him and watch cartoons in his jammies.  Who wouldn't? What a life!
 And then there's sweet little Ellee.  She's 1 1/2.  She is just starting to talk and try and copy big brother and sister.  She adores them.  I dont know if it's just me or what, but it seems like she's growing up really fast.   She doesn't like the baby toys, she wants whatever Jack and Olivia are playing with.  She loves her baby dolls though, but also trains and lately she's wanted to wear Olivia's cute little ballet flats around with Olivia's scarf around her neck... oh also, Olivia's purse.  I mean, shes 1 going on. 16.  She's obsessed with her belly button, if you try and put her jammies that zip up, she flips out and tries to get thme off so she can rub her tummy...   She's starting to talk to me which is SO much fun.  You might think the milestones aren't as exciting by the time you get to your third child but thats so not true.  I get just as excited and tell Chris every time I hear her say something new.  I see her studying me when we read books... We were reading an animal book today and she was watching me say "Moo" and doing it quietly with her own little baby lips.  It was so adorable to see her whisper "moo". 


And I've saved the best for last.  My running partner, the talented, the funny, the devilishly handsome Christopher Palmer.  He keeps me sane.  He keeps me grounded, he is truly my partner in all of this.... Plus he's so cute I like to look at him too... 


See?  It's like I do the same things over and over and I get better the longer I do it.  I've got my endorphins kicking now ... I've been "running" my mom marathon for 7 years now.  It's funny, it's hard,  it's all about balance and patience and endurance.  It's my life, it's my marathon.  :)  Stay tuned...