dance

I was never a dancer growing up, and I'm as uncoordinated as it gets.

CJ is still young, so I figure I'd start her early and give her the chance to enjoy dance/ballet.

The fun part is when little girls put on pale pink leotards, slip on the little white tights and those tiny pink ballet slippers. And how cute is that when they dance and twirl around the floor with no care in the world? Sigh, I love it!

And that's just what CJ did during two dance sessions with EVOLVE. (12 weeks total)

It wasn't easy for her to get acclimated to the other girls in the class and to participate when asked to do so. It took some serious hand holding on my part to get her comfortable and warmed up with everyone, but she eventually did. We watched her learn to do pirouettes, tip toeing, stretching, tumbling, hopping, crawling, skipping... and she even brought some of those moves home into the living room.

Week after week, it seemed the classes were the same and the girls were getting bored.

At the start of class they listened and complied with whatever Miss Christy asked, but towards the end of class they did their own thang and ran around like mad.

This weekend was the last of her ballet classes, and we were a little sad about it.

We got to know the girls and their parents pretty well over the last few months so we are probably more sad that we won't get to see eachother every Saturday morning.
But the girls are growing up and we have birthday parties and hopefully play dates to look forward to. Isabel's party in Jan.

Followed by Mateja's party in Feburary.

Madison's party is in a few weeks, so we'll all be seeing each other again soon.

Ballet/dance will definitely be in her near future again, I don't want her to miss out.
So for now, we will change it up... soccer perhaps?!

Here are pictures of the girls over the last few months in ballet/dance.

The girls all wore pink!

chocolate 15K run

Yum, chocolate!

But it was not the reason I ran this race. I needed some reassurance that this out-of-shape body can still run.

I need to know that I still had that in me. And though it wasn't the greatest results, I did it!

The last time I ran anything close to a 15K, was last year. 

Hazel, Glen & I ran the Earth Day 10K in Carlsbad.

Before that was Carlsbad's half marathon in 2008.

For this race, I complained a ton before the race about not being able to train much.
And honestly my training schedule (for running) sucked.

Here is how it went:

6 weeks of Insanity, 5-6 times a week

5 weeks of 2-3 miles of running, 1 time a week

1 five mile run with Glen and Cloie at the lake the week before the race.

My time: 1:48:51

Not great, but not bad...considering the lack of training.

But I owe it all to Insanity! That is what kept my endurance going. Thanks Shaun T, awwwh yeeeh!

The hills sucked- the gradual hills are always challenging, a slow torture. We hit that between 2-4 miles and it was rough, I found myself stopping to walk a few times. 

And the damn hill at mile 6.5 was ridiculous, there was not one person running up it. I hated that hill so much I had to run up the last part of it, just to get it over with and out of the way.

At mile 8 to the end, it was easy...yet hard at the same time.

Knowing that I was so close to the finish line made me want to stop. Although seeing the finish line made me run faster, and also made me want to beat the annoying gal that kept passing me through out the run. :)

After all the complaining and a year long running hiatus, it felt great to put that one down in the books.

I'm ready for my next race. 

April 29!

run check

The chocolate race is done and I can check a 15k off my bucket list.

Other than the 2 nasty hills, the race wasn't too bad.

9.3 miles is not an easy run, but I would consider doing it again.

I know there is a 15k over the Coronado Bridge coming up soon, which would be an awesome run, but maybe next year. I'm tired, and I need a rest.

Between my training program (which wasn't much), last night's Over the Anaheim Hill party and getting up at the butt crack of dawn, I'm spent.
Although now I'm in search of an upcoming run.

5Ks are fun, 10Ks are manageable, 15Ks a little more challenging, 1/2 marathon..yikes, who's in???

over the anaheim hill

I thought I was far from celebrating "Over the Hill" birthdays with my family and friends, but it seems I keep inching closer and closer to it. We celebrate birthdays each year as we get older...imagine that!
I guess that's how it works, right?

I remember feeling a bit down turning 20- no more 17,18 or 19. Never mind that I was 1 year away from being legal age to drink, big deal...so over it! I was depressed putting a #2 in front of my age.

When 30 rolled around, I was at the prime of my life (at the time)...owned a condo, got engaged then married (8 months later) and celebrated being 30 with all my family and friends.
Such a big deal, I was reeling!

I'm still a little ways from turning 40 (ugh!), but having my older sis celebrate her 40th over the weekend was a simple reminder that I am not far behind.

Because I had my run early the next morning and because I would end up being the DD from OC to SD, I didn't get my"party on" with Mfe. I suppose we have many a days ahead of us to do that.
One thing is for sure, this girl partied and had a lot of fun.
Her house was packed with a lot of family and friends who wanted to welcome her into her forties.
There was plenty of food to go around, more than enough drinks to go around, and the cake was massive. It was massively delicious I might add. Susie's Cakes killed it!


Over the Anaheim Hill was a success and although it is an indication that we are getting older, it also adds to the memories that we all can share and cherish.
Happy Bday Mfe, you are no where close to looking like 40 my milf sis!
xoxo

my little frenchie

In preparation of H's upcoming trip to Paris, the little girl has learned to introduce herself.

I only hope that we can go on a trip to Paris (or just a Euro trip in general)...one day, one day.

And I'll make sure she brushes up on her French a little bit more.

flower power

Nothing says SPRING like beautiful flowers.

Tulips used to be my favorites, but after my cousin's peonie filled wedding I fell in love with those.

Roses are always classic and play the fun or romantic role, depending on the color.

I've always loved hydrangeas and how full and vibrant they are.

And nothing says simplistic beauty like orchids, which are my mom's favorites.

What are your favs?

In honor of the first day of Spring, here's to beautiful flowers.

birthday brunch

I'm trying to figure out what it is about the month of June or July that makes people get busy.

You know busy...like carnal, sensual, horny, etc... LOL!

I say this because March is filled with birthdays, and to this day I am still trying to keep up.

Mom, sisters, brother, nephew, friends, dogs, etc...

For my family, we implement a date within the month to get everyone together and celebrate all March birthdays. And that usually works.

Then I have the other family... enter Hazel, the only March baby on hubby's side of the family.

The one person who loves birthdays, special occasions and just being festive in general.

She chose the place and we were there...Karl Strauss Brewery for Sunday Brunch.

Hello Mimosas!

The brunch was pretty good too- a lot to chose from and all fresh food.

The scene was pretty diverse with the majority of the crowd being hipsters.

Delicious brunch and being a brewery (for Glen's sake) it was a win- win for all.

Happy Birthday H!!!
XOXO
 

CJ is amazed by her braid. :)