Day 234

The Red Light Runners had another great outing this morning at the Stonebridge Memorial Day 5K & 10K in McKinney. We followed it with a pool party at one of our friends' homes, making it a nearly perfect day for the whole group!

Day 233

"I just want to bang on my drum all day!" says Jorden.

Day 232

Today was the USARS South Central Regional speedskating meet, and while Sandro has only been back to inline racing for a few weeks, he did a great job out there today. His primary goals were to not fall, not get lapped, and not get disqualified by jumping his starts or miscounting his relays. He met all of those goals and more, advancing out of his preliminary heats in his individual events and really showing some big heart. With a little more training, he's going to be pretty good at this skating thing, I think...

Day 231

Tomorrow is the first speedskating meet for Alessandro since getting back on his wheels a few months ago. As he packed his bag before heading out for warm-ups tonight, he pulled out his new skinsuit, a much updated version of the black, white and red uniform from his first races nine years ago. Good luck tomorrow, buddy!

Day 230

It's the last day of school for Ben-jamming, so he stopped by the shop for his summer haircut on the way home. Between being promoted to fourth grade & the new 'do, he suddenly seems very grown up.

Day 229

Wednesday nights this summer are Red Light Runners group run nights. Tonight only three of us could make it, but that didn't make it any less awesome!

Day 228

Ben's gymnastics coach had a birthday last week, but we weren't able to get together with his classmates to celebrate properly until tonight. The three of them really push each other and have a great time working out together, and hopefully will have time to see each other outside of class this summer, figuring out ways to torture their coach! Happy Belated Birthday, Josh!

Day 227

guess who almost forgot to post a picture today?

Day 226

Had a nice relaxing afternoon with the Strothers today, hanging out & watching baseball & hockey. It was the perfect time to pass on Benjamin's first skates to Jorde. He's got ice hockey skates, and now he has inlines, too!

Day 225

The celebration of the 15 year-old's birthday continued today with a cookout at Grandpa's house. I love the rays of sunshine over his head - he looks so angelic! Ha!!

Day 224

Eenie, meenie, minie, mo... Decisions, decisions. We had soup for dinner specifically to leave room for our desserts. Now the only choices are carrot or chocolate and whether to eat it while watching baseball or hockey!

Day 223

This is the roller rink where we spend Tuesday & Thursday nights. Doesn't look like much from the outside, but I tell ya, they're working on making magic inside, 100 meter lap by 100 meter lap.

Day 222

On the occasion of his 15th birthday, I was able to coax both a photo & a smile from the teenager and, as a bonus, his usually reluctant father, too!

Day 221

Do not anger the Guardian of the Guacamole, or he will never let you in to get the goodness that is Chipotle...

Day 220

Something about these storm drains made me think of It...

Day 219

The view from my Sunday morning run.

Day 218

Alicia is nearly off her SWAT maternity sabbatical, so she eased back into our Saturday morning girl time by meeting me & Denise for breakfast after our walk today. It was so great to have time to catch up on all our news & solve the problems of the world. Nothing quite like time with my best girlfriends !

Day 217

all effort & imagination is focused on getting through the day. mo' better pics to come, I promise.

Day 216

One of the best parts of our inline speed skating experience the first time around was all the friendships we formed and the fun we had at the rink, even when they were off the floor. I'm pretty sure Ben has already discovered that aspect of the team.

Day 215

The group run was awesome tonight - the courses were measured & marked, complete with start & finish lines.

Day 214

New skates - Luigino carbon boots, loaner cado motus frame (for now), 110 mm wheels. way cool!

Day 213

After my run during Scout meeting tonight I had the chance for a quiet moment in the garden next to the church. I caught the sun through the trees as it was about to set giving everything a beautiful wash of light.

Day 212

 

We headed out to Keller today to watch our friends' son in his indoor soccer game, and afterward, had a chance to snap a pic of him with Alessandro and another of their buddies. These guys have played hockey together for five years now, and it's really great to see them supporting each other off the rink.

Day 211

 

A few of the Red Light Runners participated in the Highlands 5K at the shopping center near the house this morning. Weather was great, and I ran a personal best 27:08, good enough to place 4th in my age group. We're not sure how fast this guy ran, but we think he beat the other banana and the dude dressed like a strawberry.

Day 210

Had to get the boy's skates sharpened so Friday date night ended up being a walk around Grapevine Mills mall sharing gelato & coveting the shiny gear in this place. Such is life as a hockey mom!

Day 209

I met my 20+ year BFF for lunch today & got to see her beautiful baby girl on her one-month birthday. Sadly she napped the whole time & I didn't even get to hold her.

Day 208

my new nemesis! I will have Michelle Obama arms by the end of the summer, oh, yes. Yes, I will!

Day 207

a boy & his cat. 'nuf said.

Day 206

Spring storms moved into town today. Some folks caught a rainbow but all I found were tall grey clouds...

Day 205

I volunteered at a women's half-Marathon this morning in Dallas. Highlights of the day were definitely the pacers from Dallas Running Club, all of whom ran 13.1 miles in skirts. Some were more creative than others !

Day 204

We got to see the baby tonight! So tiny & sweet & content! I have to admit my ovaries ache just a little... Nope, over it now!

Day 203

Friday night @ gymnastics, trying to master the back handspring. Not quite there yet...