Weekend Update: part one, Just Tryan It

It was a VERY busy, action-packed weekend over here.  Andy had his birthday party and the boys participated in the Just Tryan It Triathlon on Sunday.  My in laws were in town for the party, so they got to see it all, which was fun. 

This post is going to be about the triathlon, and I will do a separate post (maybe tomorrow, maybe next month....!) about the birthday. 

This whole past week it has been H-O-T here-- in the 90s every day.  The morning of the event, we woke up and it was COLD out.  Well, in the 60s, which isn't cold to some, but to us, it was pretty much freezing. 

We had to be at the location at 7:30, so we were up and moving early!

They have the kids go into the transition area and set up their bikes and bags and they remove their shoes and shirts-- let me just say: burrrrrrrrr.......

 They do this because they are going straight from the "opening ceremonies" to the pool for the race to start. 
Cal did this race last year, but this was Andy's first time. I was a little worried he might freak out or have a last minute panic, but he totally did great! I am sure it helped having big brother there. 

 Funny story-- after I took the below picture, I noticed Cal's booty was looking a little...odd... he came over and said he had to tell me a secret-- turns out he put his jammers (bathing suit) on OVER his boxers--- hahahahaha he totally forgot to take them off...! What in the world?!?! So he had to go do a quick change up. 

Andy ended up getting in the line up next to Charlie-- they were cute together waiting. 

My friend was volunteering down at the starting line and sent me this picture:



Then they were off! The boys were not in the same "heat" so we were kind of scrambling to see everyone.  They swam first, then ran to transitions.  I ran up to the start of the bike ride, and caught Andy as he was heading out (these volunteers are amazing).  

Then, as Andy was off on his bike, Cal came running up from the pool:

He was off on his bike before I knew it (volunteers would run their bikes down the hill for the participants).  

 I was watching the line where the bikers came from-- they rode into the transition area and dropped their bikes and then ran out, past us to begin the run portion-- to see Andy come out and I totally missed him! He was so much faster than I thought he would be!

I blinked and he was past me-- so then I waited for Cal to come out of the bike transition, thinking I had loads of time before Andy would finish the running portion, when all of a sudden I heard the announcer say "and well done, Andy Williamson......!" I totally missed him running through the finish line! Thankfully my dad got this shot:

 So then I could focus my attention back to Cal who was finishing up his run strong:

 And straight across that finish line!

 

I'm going to be REAL honest here: I started crying when he crossed.  I am SO lucky I have two healthy children who are ABLE to do stuff like this.  There was a little girl who spoke during the opening ceremonies about her battle with leukemia--  and I thank the sweet Lord above that my children are healthy kiddos...

Both boys loved every minute of it.  They are little competitors and said it was so much fun.  

 After the race, they got to go to the party zone! There was dancing and face painting and all kinds of fun games.  The kids had a blast.....even though it really was pretty chilly!

These two smiling mustache boys are my world.....

SUPER proud of them!!!!

 

Book Report!

It's been a while since I have blogged about books. When I started to plan this post, I was thinking I would have sooo many books to include since I haven't done one in a while.  Well, I don't.  haha Last one of these was done in February....! Here are some books I have been reading and enjoying lately!


the mother's promise

ohhhhhhh this was a tear jerker! It was SO SO SO good! I cried, but they were happy tears mixed in with the sad ones.  This is about a mother daughter team who only have each other- the daughter has social anxiety that is paralyzing and the mom spends her days protecting her daughter.  The mom gets sick and they have to figure out their new norm.  Let me just tell you, there were several parts that had me gasping out loud.  I read another book by this author and loved it-- this reminds me to read more by her......


one plus one

I listened to this one, and once again, I loved listening to a Jojo Moyes book! I love the accents! This book is about a single mother raising her daughter- a math wizard- and her step son, who is a "freak" wearing eyeliner and tight jeans.  They live in a bad part of town and the mom is trying to make ends meet.  The daughter is trying to get into a really good school, and to earn the money, they enter her in a math competition... there is a man who is also very down on his luck, who happens into their lives and next thing you know, he is driving them, and their very large dog, across the continent to the competition-- and the story that follows this is hilarious and fun.  Really enjoyed this book too!


blue bistro

Well, you know I have read my fair share of her books.... but this one might have been my favorite! Maybe? Next to Matchmaker.... I really liked this one! The Blue Bistro is a cute little restaurant in Nantucket where only the best of the best food is served.  A girl new to town accepts the job as the front of the restaurant and she tries to figure out what's going on between her love interest, the owner, and the head chef (also part owner).... This was a fun book to read. 


along the infinite sea

I read another book by Beatriz Williams that I really really loved, so I was anxious to read this one.  And it was also really good! I didn't intend to read a book about WWII, but this one turned into that-- but it was really good! It is a story taking place in the present, as the story about the past unfolds.  I liked trying to figure out who was who and how they were connected.  It was beautiful!


forever interrupted

omg this book.  So so so so so good.  Talk about a roller coaster of emotions:
so this couple falls in love and elopes.  Nine days later, he is hit by a bus and dies (this isn't a spoiler, it is told in the info about book).  All of this happens on the first 2 pages.  The widow goes to the hospital where she meets his mother for the first time. It doesn't go well.  The rest of the book flashes back and forth, from the past-- like when they met--, to the present-- coping with his death....and his mother.  The roller coaster comes in because when they meet and spend time together, they are so happy- I found myself smiling stupidly along.  And then the next chapter is about the raw sadness she is feeling-- and I felt her sadness.  This writer is GOOD, y'all.  The way the past and present interlope together is impressive and clever and incredibly GOOD!




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I just got another book out of the library I am starting tonight and I started another audio book....hope to get back to posting more regularly!



 

Life lately!

Oh hellllllo there, and happy hump day to ya! We haven't had soccer this week so our load has been drastically cut back and I am not complaining one bit! We do have a baseball game tonight, so hopefully we whoop tail-- just kidding.  Let's be honest, I am just hoping the boys swing and make contact with the bat.  They both had really great games last week, so here's hoping the streak continues!

Some random pictures from the last week or so:

Momma is getting a new car... all the praise hands.  These jokers helped us shop this week and it was ohhhhh so fun.  

 They are just so good and not touching each other and listening. 

Pretty sure people think I am crazy when I say I teach preschool-- especially the two year old class.... but let me tell you something-- see this post below? This little girl really did run in and gave me a massive hug...and it was great.  And then she held my hand- not because she was upset, because she doesn't get upset, really... but because she wanted to.  And you know what? I wanted her to.  There are tough days, but then there are days where a sweet child wants to hold your hand just because...and that makes a day pretty great, if you ask me!

 Really, what would a life lately post be without a zillion baseball pictures??

 Cal had quite the game the other night-- he came to the field with a great attitude and had several great hits and then-- amazingly, made a double play.  He caught a pop fly and then tagged out the runner.  Pretty sure you could hear me screaming all the way in Raleigh.  It was great.  So his good attitude and power play earned him the game ball... and boy, was he pumped. 

Andy also took a turn at catcher and LOVED it.  He has been all about it! Cal did it, but didn't love it-- he liked it fun.... Andy loves it! I was a proud momma this night. 

 Cal caught a ball that I didn't think there was any way to catch-- and got out a running in the process. 

 That smile.....

 I am so thankful to the wife who takes these and sends them each week...!

 I adore this one too....

 He's always dirty. 

 Looking to make the play:

 And this one I am going to have to frame.... my loves.  How can they be so old??? Cal got a scratch on his nose from another little boy who wasn't being great to Andy.  Maybe that makes this picture even better. 

At another game last week (can you hear my washing machine constantly running to get baseball clothes clean?!), we played Cal's buddy, Jackson.  These two are goof balls and I love them.  

More pics from the professional:

 Heeeeeee's OUT!

 The hair sticking out the back of the hat kills me. 

Last week was teacher appreciation and we worked HARD to let them know we appreciate them!!! We baked until way too late last Tuesday night.  

 We were slightly delirious by the end.... yummmmmm banana cream pie.....
 

 Bruce got a bath and while we waited to pick him up, I surprised the boys by pulling into the Menchie's parking lot.  They were SO excited to get froyo!

Andy loaded up on strawberries... I had to stop him after 4 scoops. 

 Always messy.  Always. 

Because we had time to kill...and it's funny....

Bruce is having his surgery today-- of course my momma heart is worried sick about it, but I know he's in the best hands.  He's been practicing his position for a while now:

 that's it for life lately! I am sure Iwill be back with more baseball pictures soon- hahaha sorry to over share those, but I don't want to lose them!