Suzanne McGrath Photography

(Half) Marathon Monday

I decided I would start a new weekly series.  After all, it's my blog, right?  That means I can write whatever I want to.  So there.  In all honesty, though, I think if I write my thoughts down on here, it will help keep me more accountable.  Maybe even push me just a tad?

I'm not running any crazy distances or anything, but I am finding as I up the mileage on the weekends, it's actually harder to make time to get it in.  This weekend I was up to 6 miles.  It's the longest I've ever run and I've only ever done it once before.  I wasn't nervous about it, so that was good.

But it was hard to fit it in.  That's mainly because it's still hot here.  And I'm not a fan of running in 80+ degree heat.  That means I have to run first thing in the morning or late at night.  As you might recall, I do NOT like to run in the dark.  That truly only leaves first thing in the morning.

The problem with first thing in the morning on Saturdays is that soccer seems to get in the way.  And by the time soccer is over, it's really warming up.  Then Sundays we either have church and/or #1 has swim practice.  But that's what I did yesterday.  I got up and had my cup of coffee and then took off so I knew I'd be home before #1 had to leave for swim practice.  

How'd I do?  Well, great.  Until I looked at my time.  50.45.  At that point, I knew Google maps was wrong.  There was no way I ran 6 miles at that pace.  I measured it in the car.  It was only 5.4 miles.  I'm kind of bummed.  I feel like I cheated myself.  Next weekend my training calendar only has me running a 5k race.  But I'm going to skip the race and run 6 miles.  And this time I'm going to measure it BEFORE I go out there!  

Wish me luck!  

Six on Sunday

Here goes...

1.  I wrote about our "punch list" a few weeks back.  Well, it's still going strong.  I've started by planning out the weekend a little bit to make sure a few key tasks are completed.  The tasks are nothing crazy, but it feels like if I write them down, then I make sure to follow through.  Otherwise, I might think about doing something but it probably won't get done.  I guess you could say I'm trying to live a little more intentionally.  I feel really good about it.  Having a household with six people is busy.  I like a little structure in there.

2.  As part of our punch list, we did a few things this weekend.  My hubby and #4 made a trip to Goodwill to drop off donations.  Meanwhile, I took the other three out to Wayside Waifs to drop off donations (lots and lots of stuffed animals and baby blankets).  We also wanted to check out the long haired cats to see if #2 could tolerate one.  Since she and I both have allergies, I know I can only handle a long haired cat and we wanted to see if she was the same.  They didn't have any up for adoption, but we were able to hold one that had already been adopted.  So far, so good.  (Possible Christmas present???  Hmmmm...)

3.  I also had Deanna Rose on the list for the weekend.  #3 has been asking me - every single day for the last two months - "When can we go to Deanna Wose?"  My answer was always the same, "When it's not 100 degrees outside!"  Well, Saturday morning was perfect.  #1 had a soccer game at 8:00am and was VERY tired so she went home with dad.  I took the other three to DR after #2's soccer game finished.  I was able to take a few snaps but it's much harder to do when it's just me!

The picture below is so telling...#2 does not like to go IN the pen with the goats b/c they will eat anything.  So she chose to feed the babies from the outside.  She was so careful to walk around and make sure each baby goat got a turn.  She is a true animal-lover!  

Oh, my, my, my...#3.  What can I say?  She had on the most adorable outfit - courtesy of Grandma Rori - complete with her gold, gladiator sandals.  I mean, I need to shoot her in this T-shirt b/c it's so awesome.  Then, well...  She is just such a character.  She cracks me up on a regular basis. This picture is kind of like a Where's Waldo type of picture to me.  First, her headband is always right at her hairline.  She will NOT let me pull it back.  Second, she has on a ton of lipstick.  Third, her hair has some nasty sticky stuff in it and I cold barely pull it back that morning.  Fourth, she is holding a zebra stripe purse that completely doesn't coordinate with her outfit but holds her beloved princess phone.  And lastly, she is only wearing one shoe.  

  

 And this last picture?  It's so awesome because I caught the complete surprise and joy on #4's face.  See for yourself.

4.  So I realize Halloween is only two MONTHS away.  However, the oldest three already have their costumes picked out.  That's right.  We spent the better part of Saturday investigating Halloween costumes.  I'm sure you want to know what they have picked out, right?  #1 = Medusa, #2 = daughter of Dracula, better known as a vampire, and #3 = any princess costume that allows her to wear high heels.  We will now spend the better part of the next two months obsessing over costumes!  I will post pics when we get them.

5.  Part of my living more intentionally means getting rid of stuff we don't need and getting rid of the clutter.  Hence, the trips to Goodwill and Wayside Waifs.  I've also listed more STUFF on Craig's List.  It's so amazing to me what you can get rid of on that site.  Love it.  Plus, I feel so refreshed to have my drawers and storage rooms cleaned out.  

6.  Part of getting my life more organized means instituting - and following through on - an allowance for the girls.  They each get a dollar for each grade.  Therefore, #1 gets $4 since she's in fourth grade and #2 gets $2.  Of course #3 wants an allowance but doesn't understand the concept of money.  I told her I'll give her a quarter each week.  She is pleased as punch with that result.  

It's amazing to me the different value they place on items when I tell them they can use their allowance.  Suddenly, a game they HAD to HAVE becomes not quite as important.  I really like that they are learning some good lessons with their money.  #1 is especially starting to understand the concept of smart shopping.  She understands that if you're patient and wait until you can use the 30% off to Gap (Give and Get - solid) you can buy more with your money.  I think these lessons are so important to them as they grow up and someday leave the nest!

All right.  In traditional style, that's my random blathering for the week.  Have a good one! 

  

  

Six on Sunday

It's back!  

Here are six things I learned this weekend:

1.  I learned it IS possible to be vastly productive over a weekend even with four kids - of which one is 16 months old!  Can you believe what we accomplished?  A grocery store trip, hung up around 40 feet of baseboards in the basement, a Target trip (with four children and the only extra item I came out with?  a recorder.  don't ask), a trip to Kohl's, a trip to Justice, washed the car, went to the pool, hosted a sleepover, put together a shrimp boil for dinner, made a necklace with #1, baked homemade pumpkin spice muffins, made a healthy snack, church (dad and #4 - so I'm suffering from some good ol' Catholic guilt), uploaded 5 months of pictures to Costco for the fam, 7 loads of laundry, cleaned a chinchilla's cage, mended a pair of shorts and a pair of slippers, attended #1's soccer game in the hundred degree heat, sorted through two YEARS worth of school papers, put away 2T clothes, and went on a 5 mile run.  Phew...no wonder I'm ready for bed! 

2.  I learned how to make an EASY healthy snack?  It's like a healthy version of french fries.  No joke.  Take a can (or two or three) of garbanzo beans.  Rinse them and pat them dry.  Then toss them with a little olive oil.  Bake in a 350 degree over for about 40 - 45 minutes.  I put salt on them for the last 5 minutes or so.  You can put on any spices you want!  That's it.  I found the recipe on Steamy Kitchen and it's great!

Before:

After:

3.  Speaking of car washes...I learned even though you have four children, this does not decrease the time it takes to wash a suburban.  In fact, it greatly lengthens the time it takes to wash said suburban.  It was, on one hand, really fun to spend an hour and a half with the girls outside in the water because it was so darn hot and humid (again).  On the other hand, I wished I was deaf at times so I couldn't hear them arguing about the hose.  By the end they had pulled it together, though, so I have to give them a little credit.

Here's a technically terrible picture but I simply love it.  It is so them at this point in time.  

A few more:

       

4.  I learned that although #4 doesn't actually say ANY words yet, she mouths them.  Yep, that's right.  My hubby caught her doing it yesterday.  I asked her if she wanted something - I can't even remember what I asked her.  Anyway, while vehemently shaking her head yes, she mouthed "yeah".  And today when I asked her to say "up" when I picked her up, I saw her lips forming the word, "up".  So I know it's coming - I just hope it gets here soon!  

(Check out her piggie tails - aren't they cute?  Her AWESOME teacher, Miss Anne, put them in her hair on Friday and I couldn't bear to take them out.)

 

5.  I learned that it gets very dark out by 8:44pm these days.  I also learned that it's not a great idea to eat a Chipotle black bean burger, corn, beans, and a Miller Lite an hour and a half before going for a five mile run.  I actually had a decent pace going (thanks to the carbs) but vacillated between thinking I was going to puke and being on the edge of heartburn for most of the run.  Add insult to injury, and my last half mile was in complete darkness!  The full moon didn't help one bit, nor did all the street lights that were NOT on.  Ugh.  I'm a complete klutz in the dark.  

6.  I learned that ice cream can actually be eaten for dinner.  We met some of my co-workers on Friday night and the only time we could meet was 5:30.  No fear.  My family was certainly up for it!  Yum.

That's it, folks.  Another round of Six on Sunday.  Have a great week!  

First Day of School

Wed. was the first day of school for #1 and #2.  Thankfully, they really enjoy school so they were looking forward to it.  We went to Meet the Teacher night on Monday.  We found out #2 is three for three; meaning she has followed in her sister's foot steps all three years.  She got Mrs. Shineman and we could not be happier.  Then, surprise of surprises, #1 got the same teacher she had last year!  Mrs. J moved up from third grade to teach fourth grade this year.  We were thrilled.  #1 had such a fantastic year in third grade and we know this year will be no different.  All in all we are so EXCITED!

I, on the other hand, felt a bit nostalgic, almost weepy.  How is it we've gotten to the point where we have a fourth grader and a second grader?  I can remember our trip to Disney World like it was yesterday - and they were only four and two at the time.  *Sigh*  It's so awesome to watch them grow up into these wonderful, kind, thoughtful, smart individuals and it's so heart-breaking at the same time.  It's like letting go of a little piece of my heart every time I stop and think about it - so I don't stop and think too often.  It's just too hard.  I just love them so much.  

Cate and Lizzie - here's to a WONDERFUL year:)

 
 I love you both, Mom XOXO  

Ten on Tuesday...Special Edition

**WARNING** This post is loooooooonnnnggg.

Since I didn't post my Six on Sunday, I thought I ought to come up with TEN on Tuesday!  Here goes, random, stream-of-consciousness style...

1.  Many of you know I come from a big, Catholic family.  But for those of you who don't know?  I come from a big, Catholic family!  (My mom's side)  My mom is #8 out of 13.  Therefore, there are over 30 of us cousins and we have about 50 kids between all of us cousins.  And some of my cousin's kids (first cousin once removed, I think) even have kids.  Yep - we're a big family!  And every year we have a family reunion.  Last weekend was the reunion.  It was a blast!

2.  Responsibility for the reunion rotates every year.  This year it was my mom's turn.  She found a camp on Lake Herman near Madison, SD for the location this year.  It was awesome!  There were cabins that slept quite a few, a campground, a lodge, a swim beach, and playground equipment.  And everything was very close together so it was easy to watch the kids throwing rocks into the lake while hanging out with the little ones on the playground.  Perfect!

Here is a view of the cabins.

 

And check this out.  Do you know what this is?

It's a storm shelter.  Crazy, huh?  I'm just glad we didn't have to try it out. 

There was a cute little gazebo on the tip of the campground.  A bunch of us ventured out there to watch the sunset one night.  Here is my dad with #3.

I am a little disappointed with myself.  I don't have any pictures of my mom!  I think she was running around a lot trying to keep track of everything so she didn't slow down enough to let me document her properly.  Note to self...keep a mental checklist of "must have" pictures next time. 

3.  A few random snaps...

Below are three of my aunts:  Marge, Mary, and Barb.  

 

My cousin, Jan (well, technically, she's married to my cousin.  details, details) and my aunt, Debb.

 

This little guy is one of Debb's grand babies.  I forget which one - they're twins!!

4.  The good thing about reunions?  There is always someone there to hold a baby for a second!  This is my aunt Elaine - she's the oldest of all my mom's siblings.  That means she has great-grandkids.  Which means she has lots and lots and lots of practice holding babies.  I love it.  

5.  I didn't have a lot of time for pictures, so I wasn't able to capture everybody - there were just too many people.  Here are a bunch of them at once.  There was a bonfire both Friday and Saturday nights.  I missed Friday night's festivities (more later) but was able to thoroughly enjoy Saturday night.  I managed to stay awake just shootin' the breeze with my cousins until 1:00am.  Not bad for this old lady:)

    

6.  Here are a few of my cousin's kids.

Gracie 

Taylor (technically my cousins' kid's kid - got that?)

Addison (Gracie's sister)

  

Together:

 

Anna

7.  My family got there on Friday afternoon.  The kids took full advantage of the empty beach and jumped right in - even #4!

Here is #3.  She travels with her floaties and goggles.  With these pieces of equipment, she can brave any body of water!

8.  Remember how I said I missed the festivities on Friday night?  Well, we thought our cabin only had one bedroom.  And remember how well that went over on our vacation during the 4th?  Yeah - it didn't.  Well, as it turns out, our cabin had two bedrooms which meant #4 could have her own room!  However, I left all my stuff (and the pack-n-play) at my parent's house in Sioux Falls so #4 and I had to go back on Friday night.  

That meant I had to do my 5 mile run with #4 and a jog stroller on Sat. morning.  While I don't love pushing the jogger, it was such a beautiful morning that I truly didn't mind - aside from having to sing OUT LOUD to entertain #4.  I just hope everyone who ran by me had earphones or else they likely got a good dose of Black Eyes Peas or Kelly Clarkson!  Thank goodness she fell asleep about 20 from the end.  I think she decided to practice baby yoga in the stroller.  Check her out.  (Thanks for the stroller, Rachel!)

 

9.  The highlight of the trip?  My cousin and her husband got their hands on an awesome pontoon boat!  While the weather wasn't perfect on Saturday, it didn't stop any of the kids from having an absolute blast.  This pontoon was a double-decker with a slide.  Does it get any better than that?!

(Photographer's note:  I had my camera set to burst mode but I didn't have all my focal points activated.  Darn it.  That would have helped ensure there were more pictures in focus.  And it was so bright out that it was hard to tell what was what on my LCD screen.  Oops.)

#3 was totally ready.  However, she wasn't too keen on the experience.  She only went once.

 

Below is my cousin Jenni's little girl, Anna.  I don't remember if Anna ventured down the slide or not?

This shot was one of the winners.  I love that you can see the beads of water flying off her life jacket.

 

This next one is Anna's older sister, Ellie.  I didn't get a decent shot of Cole, their brother.  Darn. 

 

I love this shot of my niece, Sydney, because she's holding her nose.

This next one was a series of pictures that I stitched together in Photoshop.  This little boy, Aidan, belongs to the cousin who brought out the boat.  Aidan turned two on Aug. 1st.  He has NO FEAR!  Vicki - you better watch out:)

 

Lastly, this is the biggest kid of them all.  My dad, Papa, got in the water under the guise that he would "help" the kids.  But I think he went down the slide as many times as the kids!!

      

10.  And in closing, I shot a couple sunset pictures.  So here is one. Pretty, huh?

 

I can't wait for the next reunion.

  

  

Six on Sunday

1.  I had 24 hours to myself over the weekend.  As in, I was in MY OWN HOUSE with NO kids!  Can you believe that?  The last time that happened I only had two kids.  My hubby was going to meet my parents in Omaha (the halfway point to Sioux Falls) to drop off #1 and #2 for a week of Gamma and Papa time.  After I sweetly asked him if he wouldn't mind taking #3 and #4 with him - oh, and going up a night early - he kindly agreed.  

Although I dreamed of movies and bon bons, manicures and pedicures, facials and massages - that didn't happen.  I spent the majority of my time trimming all the bushes in our landscaping.  I literally hit three out of four sides of our house!  I spent HOURS doing this.  And I'm not gonna lie to you - it sucked.  Royally.  But at least it's done and it looks so much better.

2.  I am having second thoughts about not sending #3 up to Sioux Falls with her sisters.  Last night she cried and cried and because she missed them and wanted to be with them.  She is also NOT a fan of sleeping by herself.  She really needs "my Lizzie" as she says.  So to spoil her a little, I took her to a movie and to Target to buy new shoes today.  That cheered her up - but only slightly.

3.  I don't know what's gotten into me these days, but I'm on a kick to "fix" my house.  You know, those little projects that don't take much time but you've put them off for oh, say six YEARS?  Yes, those.  So tonight I painted the baseboards in the breakfast nook in the kitchen (six year project) as well as the trim around the door to the deck (two year project).  It feels good to mark something off my list:)

4.  We are going up to Madison, SD for a family reunion next weekend.  We are staying in a cabin up there.  #3 refers to it as the "cabinet".  It cracks me up.  So of course I don't correct her - I encourage it.

5.  Speaking of words, I think #4 says "Mom".  Not "mama", but "mom".  It's very succinct - almost British.  I think I might have caught her saying "that" last week, too.  I hope so.  I'm ready for her to start talking.  I think it will cut down on the temper tantrums a little bit.  And THAT would be a good thing.

6.  #4...#4...what can I say?  She is the Queen of messes.  Tonight she took out the crayon drawer in our "art cart" and dumped it on the floor and then proceeded to swoosh the crayons all over, as fast as she could.  That was after she spit out a fruit snack in the box of Kleenexes and threw in a couple puzzle pieces for good measure.  I swear, I walk around just picking up All.  Day.  Long.  **sigh**

And because I can't post without a picture (or two), here are a couple more from Brett's Senior Session.  Brett is going to be a Senior at Blue Valley North next year.  Oh, and ladies (if I have any teenage girl readers?), he is single and lookin' to mingle.  (Yes, I just had to say that - it cracks me UP!)  

I edited this next one a little differently.  I'm not sure what I think about it - but the graffiti made me do it!

That's it.  Have a terrific week.  

Funny Story

Just a quick entry tonight, kids.

#2 and #3 had a playdate today with two sisters roughly the same ages.  This was the first time #3 played with her friend, Addie.  It went well and they played great together.  When I picked them up tonight, I learned that they played in the "kitchen".  

Apparently, #3 was cooking something.  Addie's mom asked #3 what she was making - innocent enough question.  #3 replied, without skipping a beat, "Miller Lite and hot dogs!"  Awesome.  I guess Addie's mom knows what we drank around here last weekend!

This picture has nothing to do with this post, I just get a kick out of it.  #3 was mad at me because she wanted to go home.  Therefore, she refused to look at me.  (I bet she listened to the iPod for at least 30 minutes.)

     

Brett {Overland Park Senior Pictures Photographer}

I have been editing my heart out all night - or since 8:15 when #4 went down for the night.

I shot Brett down in the West Bottoms last night.  Was it hot?  You betcha.  Was it the hottest day of the year?  Nope.  That's today.  But despite the heat, we had a great time!  We just walked around and waited until inspiration struck - which happened about every 10 feet down there.  There are so, so, so many more of these, but this is all I can muster tonight.  Hopefully I'll have more posted later this week!

I am posting this next one because it makes me laugh...I love the graffiti!  

Brett - I hope you like them as much as I do.    

Six on Sunday - the August Edition

Hello.  It's Sunday.  I'm blogging.  All is well with the world.

1.  This weekend my parents made the trek from South Dakota to visit us all (my sister and her family live in KC, too.)  I am forever more going to call this weekend Water Weekend 2010.  I think we try to do this about once a summer and this was our chosen weekend.  I took 175 pictures in 24 hours!

2.  Overheard this weekend:

"Dad.     What!      Seriously?      It's bedtime?!"  from our very precocious 3 year old at 10pm last night.  (I'm sure she probably had her hands on her hips when she was talking.)

"Mom, the 'popo' is down the street.  We're just hangin' low." from my 9 year old in response to the police car parked at the bottom of our street shortly after my family finished blowing up the cul-de-sac with sparklers, smoke bombs, and other assorted fireworks.

3.  #3 fell into the deep end without her floaties and managed to swim to the side by the time my hubby ran over to her - about 5 seconds later.  Phew.  And she still likes the pool.

4.  We went swimming Friday night and it was great.  By the time we left it was pitch black out and the three older girls just had a blast!  It was so fun to watch.  (And I may have enjoyed an adult beverage or two.  wink wink)  

5.  My mom and sister bought a six foot long blow-up alligator.  It provided hours of fun yesterday.  It was a little touch-and-go at first in terms of sharing but that didn't last long.

6.  I have a senior shoot tomorrow and I'm so excited.  I just hope it cools off a little by evening!

And now I present to you, "Water Weekend 2010":

 

 

I just adore this next one - the connection, the real smiles, everything about it.  

Did I ever tell you my hubby was a Nebraska yell leader?  These next two are proof:

  

 

The color is slightly off on this one.  I realize that.  However, Design Star is calling from the DVR and it's time to go!

    

Have a great week!