Happy 3rd Birthday Eli!!!

My oh my, where has the time gone? Was it really 3 years ago that I joined the Mommy club? We had such a great time today celebrating our 3 year old Eli. I've mentioned many times that I love birthdays and I want our boys to love their birthdays and know that we truly do celebrate the day they were born.

The day started, of course, with a birthday banner, balloon, presents and a special breakfast on the star plate - breakfast of choice, chocolate chip pop tarts! Eli loved having such wonderful treats when he got up. He especially loved opening presents, just some little ones to start the day. Then it was getting dressed and off to school. Tim & I went to school for lunch as they were having end of summer picnics. We loved being in Eli's class and having lunch with him. And he really loved having us there. After lunch, his classmates sang Happy Birthday to him and then they all had mini cupcakes that we had taken. School had given him a cupcake sticker for his birthday and he loved all the attention. I snuck a few peeks into Cole's classroom but didn't go in because he would have been more upset than good by me coming and then leaving again. Before we left though, we did get to see Cole napping on his cot - so cute! We took Eli out of school early so he could have a special Mommy / Daddy afternoon. When we got home, we gave him his big gift - a red Strider bike. He was so excited when Tim brought it out and told us "it is soooo cool!". His reaction was so great. He practiced inside for a few minutes and then it was helmet on, time to ride. He rode up and down the road through a puddle until he was hot and sweaty. Then we had planned to take him to his first movie - 'Toy Story 3'. He was excited to go to the movie theater but especially to see Woody and Buzz. He didn't like the previews at all, getting scared at some of them. He enjoyed the movie once it came on but near the end, he was really tired and got emotional on me - the noise and parts of the story upset him. I took him outside for a few minutes and he about broke my heart when he was upset that the baby doll in the movie just wanted its' mommy. He was sad that the baby didn't have a mommy - behind that brute exterior, he's so tender hearted! Eli fell asleep before we got home and Tim was able to walk him upstairs and put him in bed without Eli waking up the slightest bit - very tired little boy. While he was sleeping, I picked up Cole a little early and we ran to Target. Cole enjoyed snacking his way through Target and we got our shopping done. Back home, it was time for Pizza night and more Eli celebrating. Grandma C got here for pizza night and helped with the boys and the rest of party preparations.

All in all, I think Eli had an amazing day. Let's hope he gets a good night's sleep so he will be ready for his Monster Jam birthday party tomorrow!

Waiting on Eli when he woke up

He snagged one of his birthday cookies as part of breakfast too.

Cole loves when we let them have a pop tart for breakfast (not often so such a treat!)

Eli and Daddy during show & tell before the picnic

Waiting for lunch

I LOVE this cheesy face!!

Be afraid broccoli, be very afraid.

Cupcake time - yay!

"You sure you want that cupcake Griffin?"

Cole on his cot - notice the tape on his shoes. He keeps pulling the velcro and taking them off so this keeps him from doing that. It's so funny to see but definitely functional!

Eli was beyond excited about his bike - his reaction was priceless.

Thanks Mom & Dad!

Whoa, learning how to balance.

Cheese......

Practicing outside

Happy

Oh the magnificent draw of a puddle for a little boy on a new clean bike.

You've got mail Eli! Taking a break to open his mail.

Eli loved his Grave Digger card from Grandma and Grandpa C

my sweet birthday boy

As soon as Henry got home, Eli rode over yelling "Look at my new bike, Henry. Look at my new bike!"

Puddle play is fun anytime. Eli is always drawn to puddles - all boy.

He looks so big!

Going to the movies

Before the start, popcorn in hand. Eli loved eating Daddy's popcorn.

He didn't even make it home before falling asleep.

Future Triathlete

Swim / Bike / Run - Mommy Tri's

The main thing going on in our house this weekend was a triathlon I did this morning but I'll recap the entire weekend.

Friday night we had Family Pizza night and just hung out at home. Saturday, the boys & I did the Y and then at lunch Eli & I went to pick up my race packet. Cole took an early nap and Eli refused to nap at all - I did make him have an hour of quiet time in his room because he needed to chill out / calm down and I needed some quiet. Grandma C arrived late afternoon and everyone was happy to see her. After a yummy Outback take-out dinner (it has been forever since we've had Outback), we got Cole to bed and Grandma and Eli had some time together. Tim and I then walked next door where our neighbors and friends were having a big pig pickin' party to celebrate three of the guys turning 40 this year. We didn't stay too long since I was racing today but I hear the party lasted until well after 3am. These days, the only time I'll be up at 3am is with a sick kid!

Now today......my first post-two babies triathlon. I've only done four before this one in my life and they were all International distance or longer - endurance races. Today's was a sprint triathlon - 300 yard swim, 11.5 mile bike, 5k run. My dream goal was to do the entire race in 1 hr 30 minutes. I left the house about 6:30am and headed to the race site. Got my timing chip and body marking done and waited for my friend / co-worker Kathryn. I convinced her to do the race with me, it was her first triathlon. I was hopeful that Tim would make it to the site with the boys before the start and sure enough, they got there with a few minutes to spare. The swim was intense. It was the hardest I've ever swam in my life. It was a pool swim - 6 laps down and back. You had to report your 100 yard swim time in advance so they started you accordingly with 15 seconds in between swimmers. I was so worried that someone would come up on me and want / need to pass. No one passed me until the very last lane (which was large) and it was a guy several places back. Then ran out to the transition area. My swim to bike transition was slower than I would have liked. I don't know all my official split times yet but it could have gone smoother. I got to see Tim, my Mom and the boys as I left out on the bike. I was still huffing and puffing from the swim but took off on the bike. It took me a few minutes to catch my breath and get into a rhythm. I kept pushing myself because I knew it was only 11.5 miles. I passed several folks (including someone who started 5 minutes ahead of me!) and then towards the end, got passed by a few guys. Off the bike and onto the run. I got to see my crew again going out on the run. By that time, it was getting pretty hot. I have only run twice outside since I had my knee surgery (and only 1 mile inside on a treadmill) so that makes maybe 5 miles that I've run this year. I use the term "run" loosely, I kinda run / walk but keep moving forward. That was my strategy today. The run course seemed completely uphill on the way out and then, somehow, it didn't seem all downhill on the way back. The finish was downhill so that was great. When I crossed the finish line, I had to find Tim and crew. They weren't expecting me for a few more minutes so I caught them by surprise! I found the unofficial results and I finished in 1:28:06 - almost 2 minutes faster than my goal! Tim ended up taking Cole home and Mom, Eli and I waited to cheer for Kathryn. Kathryn beat her goal time as well. A great day for both of us!

This afternoon (I have a problem and can't seem to slow down), Tim & I went to look at a Mid-Century Modern Dining set that I found on Craigslist. I was hoping to complete my dining room by Christmas (it's a yearly goal), I had been working on a black furniture scheme. It wasn't working out well and this just kinda happened, like it was meant to be. We picked up half the pieces tonight and will pick up the others tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm very excited to get the dining room together. That also means I have a ton of stuff to get rid of and clean. Ok, finally pictures!

Edge of the pool mid way up - blue cap, that's me!

Swim to bike transition

While I was on the bike, Eli and Cole had fun on the playground.

Heading out on the run.

Just after finishing.

Tri-Mommy and her boys =)

Eli had so much fun riding my bike with Grandma's help.

Future cyclist. I'm glad the boys were able to see me race today.

Me and Kathryn - post race

Now who did the triathlon? Eli took a quick snooze (really like 5 minutes) on the way home.

Coloring session with Grandma. They made an amazing picture.

Grandma and Grouchy Eli - no nap 2 days in a row.

Cole, the Grandma magnet

See told you! Cole giving Grandma kisses. Thanks for coming to visit and help Grandma!

Tonight's bounty

Look what we got out of the garden tonight - YES, those are carrots!! Fresh salads for us tomorrow. =)

Sunday Fun-day

Lots of fun and the normal craziness at our house on Sunday. It started with Tim taking the boys for a walk and wagon ride while I went on a road bike ride. Then Carol & Ryan came over for some play time and to let us celebrate Ryan's birthday - we missed his party on Saturday because we were at Owen's party. The boys had a great time playing and Ryan even stayed with us for a bit while Carol ran home and showered - she had literally run over with Ryan and it was hot and muggy outside. The boys did great playing together. After some inside play, we got them suited up and went outside to play on the slip and slide. Tim threw the boys down the slide and Eli didn't like that too much. Instead, they opted to run around and push toys on the slide. Then Tim started spraying them with the water hose and the boys really liked that. After some swinging, we headed inside, had lunch and gave Ryan part of his birthday present. Things then started falling apart as Eli was getting tired so we called it a play-date.

Cole slept through most of the play-date so while Eli took a nap, Cole & I ran to Inside Out Sports to get me some new tri shorts for the triathlon this weekend. Yes, unbelievably, I'm doing a sprint triathlon Sunday morning. It will be my first triathlon post baby (and my old tri clothes don't really fit now!!). I'm not expecting much other than to get out there and enjoy doing it.

After nap we all headed to the pool for some water play. The boys always love the pool. Eli is getting more interested in the big pool these days. Dinner, bath, bed and we were on our way to the start of another week. I can not believe how weekends and then weeks just fly by!

Cole shoving in goldfish crackers - it's like he just woke up after a year and decided he likes to eat! He is eating very well these days. Only getting a bottle at bed time and no more baby food. Yay!

Eli & Ryan - suited up to go play. Ryan is wearing Eli's swim suit from last year.

Tim looks like he just bowled Eli down the slip-and-slide.

Ryan knew exactly what to do.

They really had fun running around on the slippery slide.

Eli running and pushing his mower as Tim sprayed him with the water hose.

at the pool - Cole with his faux mohawk.

I couldn't resist posting this picture from Monday's breakfast. My sweet boys!