Growing Fast

Carlie attended a "Diva" Birthday Party this weekend, and the girls had so much fun. We went to the beauty college where their hair was fixed, nails painted and makeup was applied. They thought they were so cool. While driving Carlie and her friend to the Pizza Hut for the lunch celebration after the makeovers, she instructed me to "just pull up to the door and drop me off." How did we get here? Where is my little girl who wanted to hold her mommy's hands all the time? Little by little I am noticing Carlie become the woman she one day will be. Little by little I am trying to loosen my grip on her hand, and let her become that person. But I just didn't know it was going to be this hard!

St. Patty's Day

Long gone are the days of green beer and 9:00 a.m. O'Sullivan visits. Parenthood has definitely changed my St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Do I miss the old days? Sometimes. I would be lying if I said I didn't. There are even moments when I think that I could do it all again. But then I think, seriously? Each year I attempt to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a kid friendly way. This year, J.K. O'Donnells had a "family friendly" tent. Jeff had to work late, so the girls and I dressed up in our beads and green and went down. Carlie was very disappointed. Her exact statement was, "I thought there were going to be kid things to do." And when I went to the bartender and asked for a non-alcoholic beer (I was driving you know!) - you should have SEEN the look I received. Luckily, the owner was standing by and quickly came to my rescue and my request was granted. We stayed for approximately 26 minutes. Enough time for the girls to be "bored" and "hungry" (which we ate dinner RIGHT BEFORE we went down). So we hit McDonald's for a Shamrock Shake and went home to celebrate. Maybe next year. Probably not, but an Irish mom can hope. Instead I bought a four pack of Guinness and enjoyed one with my husband when he got home. Come to think of it, I don't miss it at all.

Daddy Date Night

Micki read somewhere that as a father, it is your duty to teach your daughter how she should expect to be treated when she is out on a date. Now, I know Carlie is only 7, but I guess it is never too early to start. Central was running a promotion for a Mad Ants game, and since Carlie's "favorite sport" is now basketball, we decided to go. I open the car door for her, open the restaurant door for her, pull her chair out for her, pay for her dinner, buy her cotton candy. All these things, and what is the highlight of her evening? Mrs White sitting next to her for the first half of the game. So goes being a Daddy. As she gets older, it will be hanging with her friends or YIKES!!! hanging out with the boys. Of course I assume I was much more relaxed than any of her dates will be with the threat of "Crazy one shoe, banana pocket Dad" lurking in the shadows. If you don't know what this last sentence means, ask me sometime and I will be happy to explain.

F.A.M.E.

F.A.M.E. = Foundation of Arts and Music in Elementary Education. Carlie had her artwork chosen to be displayed at this year's FAME Festival in Fort Wayne. Of the nearly 300 students in her school, only about 40 had their artwork chosen. Way to go Carlie! Her current future occupation desire is to be a teacher, and particularly, an art teacher. I think she would be a great teacher, just like her Aunt Ginger!!

5 Kilt

So if you attend a race in the 45 degree blowing rain, does that make you a "true runner"? I asked myself that question this morning. I convinced some of my very good friends to run the first (annual?) 5 Kilt race with me today. It was SUPPOSED to be sunny and 50 degrees, but instead it was 42 degrees with blowing, freezing cold rain. Can't you tell by the picture how much "fun" we are having pre-race?? I have to laugh at several things with this race. I often invite my "non-running" friends to run races with me...and it never fails that always beat me. That is very frustrating. For some reason, I am not a very fast runner. The other laughable moment today was my 1 mile time. I came up to it and checked my time, and it read 6:52. Ha!! Obviously, this wasn't correct, I am consistently a 10minute mile runner. Finished the race at 28:20, only to find out that it was measured wrong, and we ran about 400 km short. And I was so happy to run my first race of the summer under 30 minutes! Afterwards, my very loyal husband greeted me in the pouring rain and we enjoyed a nice Irish Stout in the beer tent. Fun was definitely had by all. I can't wait until next year!

New Bike!

With the warm weather around us, out come the bikes, scooters, balls and all the outside toys that pollute our driveway each summer. I can't believe how much Lucy has grown since last fall!! Her bike was desperately too small for her. Even after Jeff raised her handlebars, her knees still hit them!! We decided that we were going to get her a bike for her birthday in May. But each bike ride we have taken over the past few days, I just felt so bad for her! So off shopping we went. She picked out a purple Hello Kitty bicycle, and she is "still getting used to it." I think the mere size of it intimidates her. Give it a week or so and she'll be an old pro. Carlie lost her training wheels on the first day of Kindergarten...oh my...could my Lucy be getting that big too? No, no, no!