Festivities

My husband took this cell phone photo late this afternoon of all the boats moored out in the nearby Miles River in anticipation of tonight's firework display.

Eastertime

That's Catherine buried in the Bunny's tummy below:

Coloring eggs at home (the first time I dared to have those open dishes of dye around the girls!):

Christmas fun

The presents were stacked by the tree. . . .


At night the transformation was made, from simple table and chairs that they had opened previously. . . .

Via a late night of work and grandpa's generosity. . . .

To a dual computer workstation that they immediately started using. They had more fun with it today than it looks, and took right to using them both, even though Elisabeth was running a nasty fever.


Catherine also enjoyed performing magic spells with the new dress-up princess items that grandma sent.

As for me - I got just what I asked for! A backup hard drive for my computer. The girls surprised me with the necklace from their "Santa's Workshop" at school.

Christmastime cycling

One of our local triathletes, Mike Keene, made a great showing today in the local Christmas parade! I have no idea how he gets up on that thing.


There are always a lot of boats around here, in or out of the water.

Even the President put in an appearance. Well, a former president. Dick Cheney wasn't around town this year.


Grandpa is visiting this weekend and enjoyed the parade as much as the girls did, I think!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all my fine readers have a wonderful day!

I'm taking it easy, still recovering from bronchitis (although I did get in a few of the dreaded bike trainer indoor rides this week). Back to cracking down again next week when hopefully this cough will be gone.

Next Monday I will be registering for Beach 2 Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon! Woot! Not sure which link they will use for signups, but if you're doing it you may want to set up your personal information now! Other than that I'm trying to keep my 2009 events down to a bare minimum of about one per month. Other than that string of 3 or 4 half marathons in the spring, that is.

Halloween 2008

As promised, some Halloween photos from school! The girls really got into it this year - switching princess identities from last Halloween. OF COURSE Catherine was Ariel, her beloved mermaid. Elisabeth decided to be Cinderella - using Catherine's old costume from last year. We get a lot of mileage out of these costumes since they like to play dress-up in them about once per week.

Elisabeth got to show us her favorite classroom activity - like Mom, like daughter!

Steve was even able to attend the festivities at school this year and enjoy a cupcake with his girl.

We went out trick-or-treating in the neighborhood for the first time but only made it around one nearby block and that was enough. We acquired plenty of candy at only a few house visits. The girls started battling over possession of the single flashlight so I decided that they were tired and sugared-out enough for this year!

Present to myself

This is what I just ordered for my Christmas present to myself. I've been wearing a big clunky Timex Ironman 100-lap watch for years and years now, but it looks a little ungainly when we're going out to dinner and I'm dressed in something other than workout clothes.

So this will look slightly less clunky for dinners out. . . . and it still has similar functions for workouts as well. And it's inexpensive enough that when I break it or smash it, or the buttons come off, as they eventually seem to do, it won't bother me.

Are you buying yourself a Christmas present this year?

Observing Veterans Day

This Time photo essay "Men of War" is worth a look.

As Dwight D. Eisenhower directed us, ". . . let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain."

Our Valentine's Day

We're having a quiet "snow day" at home - even though it's only raining. It's freezing rain that's leaving a coating on the car, so I'm sure the roads are treacherous in spots. We'll save the treats to take to school tomorrow. I'm glad I wrapped them all up last night so that I won't eat them!

The girls enjoyed opening some Valentine's Day cards from grandma. How's this for a Hallmark moment? Thanks, grandma!!

As for me, for a seasonal activity, I get to figure out how to get out red crayon that some nasty gremlin put inside the baseboard heater that melted and dripped down onto the carpet. I've been looking around the Internet for cleaning ideas, and they all look tedious. Little monsters!!!!


No, I'm not going to attempt to run or bike on slippery icy roads outside. Maybe it's time to set up the bike trainer again. My training buddies are reminding me that I have a half marathon to run in 2 1/2 weeks - ack! I haven't run anything over 5 or 6 miles yet this year! Maybe the subsequent half marathons will get easier. Can I hope?