Rock'n'Roll 1/2 marathon-Nov.

I made a New Years Resolution to run the Ragnar and two halfs. After this weekend I'm 2/3 the way there. I decided a while ago that if I was going to be a runner I only wanted to run the fun races. So, when I read about the Rock'n'Roll race series I was hooked. Savannah, Georgia is a beautiful historic city and music makes everything better.
So, my mom and sisters and I decided to make it a girl trip. Unfortunately, Karen's in-lawsbooked a cruise for the same weekend. Meaning, she had no babysitter. My mom pincked a nerve, and Becca was just along for the party. Alone again. Oh, well. I made a goal and I was going to do it. Plus, I had already registered and booked a hotel.
Esther said she was up for a weekend get away. We left Friday at 1?39. I wanted to be gone by 12:00 but life takes longer than I think it should sometimes. We had to get to the convention center to pick up my # before 7:00. Every traffic obstacle that could happen, did. Poor Suzanne!, my GPS. She kept telling me to turn off the freeway. I kept thinking she was lost, until traffic slowed and we were stuck. Sorry, Suzanne, I should give you more credit.
Anyway, we made it with just moments to spare. We picked up my packet and our shuttle passes and left for the hotel.
I just have to say that taking the shuttle instead of driving to the start was the smartest thing I've done. We woke up at 4:45 AM caught the shuttle at 5:45 and arrived at the start at 6:30. What a zoo. There were people everywhere! It was super cold and I learned a new runner tip, Trash bags! Who knew, right? The smart people were wearing trash bags like ponchos to keep the wind out and body heat in. Note to self, add trash bags to race day checklist.
23,000 runners were in Savannah on November 5, 2011 for the Rock'n'Roll marathon and half. It was an incredible and inspiring sight. Many people had a "United Way" race bib ontheir back honoring someone they love who had died from, is fighting, or defeated cancer. I ran in honor of Susan Headley. I gave Savannah the race bib when I got home.
There were lots of runners in costumes. Lots of tutus, beaker the muppet, waldo, and Elvis were amond the crowd. my favorites were the groups of friends that wore matching running outfits.
Part of the "Rock'n'Roll" draw is that they have bands every mile and 1/2 to keep you going. It was fun. My favorites were the cheerleaders of the local high schools. "R-U-N-N-I-N-G Keep on Running!" The people that live in Savannah have true Southern hospitality. As we ran through the very poor neighborhoods of Savannah many of the residents came out to enjoy the parade. Most of them were greeting the runners with a friendly "good mawning y'all." "Welcome to Savannah".
When I reached the 2 mile marker I was well over my cold temperature issue. So, I took off my jacket and threw it off to the side of the road! Don't worry, I knew that it would be picked up and donated to a homeless shelter. If you have been worrying about the poor people of not having coats or gloves, you can rest easy. I was not the oly one to donate that day. I saw hundreds of jackets, gloves, hats & head bands.
Around mile 4 we were told to make way. An amublence was coming through. I found out later that a runner actually died during the race. I never heard the details, but it makes me sad to think about.
I passed Esther at the 8 mile mark. She was wearing a shirt that said, "13.1!?!...Heavens to Betsy". I love that lady.
Here's where it gets tough. I was running by a mad that hollered to the crowd, "Cheer for me!" They responded. The lady next to me confided that that's why she usually runs in a costume. "People think you're crazy and they cheer you on."
I saw a mom spot her husband and kids. She sighed and veered to the left for a hug and kiss. The rest of us let out an sudible "oh". I was a little sad my kiddos weren't there for me.
We passed a woman that was yelling, "YES YOU CAN. DON'T YOU SAY YOU CAN'T CAUSE YOU CAN. TODAY IS YOUR DAY. YES YOU CAN." I wondered how long she had been standing there. I didn't really care, but I did appreciate her words.
The full marathon and the half follow the same course for 11.5 miles. At that point the marathoners take a sharp left to enjoy their extra 13.1. About 1/4 mile before the break-off the volunteers start prompting the "fulls to the left. fulls to the left." I couldn't help giggling to myself as I watched all the FOOLS turn to the left.
At mile 12 we could hear the finish line party. We heard the announcers congratulating finishers. And I saw the WINNER of the full marathon as he blew past me. He ran 25.2 miles in the time it took me to run 12.1! That's just disgusting. He won a chunk of money and an opportunity to compete in the olympic trials in Houston.
And then, it was my turn to finish. I DID IT! 13.1 in 2 hours 12 minutes and 15 seconds! I felt great. I wasn't hurt or sick or anything. Until my body temperature came down. Then I was just cold. Again.
The race ended at a huge park and they had a band performing on the stage. I kind of felt bad for them. they were trying to get some rock'n'roll reaction out of a crown that had just run 13 or 26 miles. It was a fun race. I would like to do it again. I hope to have a friend or two join me next time. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.

\

What? She finished in 2:03??

Thank goodness for the Racetrac. The breakfast at our hotel wasn't served until after we had to leave.

Starting line freeze

Pre-race cheese (look at the guy in the background)

I'm off!

23,000 runners

Beaker

My support team

I love her

Savannah's beautiful live oak trees

Man, I look old

Crowd at the park

Rehydration is super important

Yay, Me!

Halloween- Oct.

If you read this journal and think that I'm super mom...just read this post and it will put eveything into perspective for you.
I love Halloween. Not the gory, scary, icky parts just the fun, be someone you always wanted to be stuff. So, helping Savannah and her friends turn into super heros was an adventure, coming up with a way to give Emma Grace a braid to rival Repunzel was a fun challenge, designing a smurfette costume complete with blue body paint was exciting. When Logan told me that he wanted to be a musketeer with Daddy and Mommy I quick called Mike to see if he would wear the get up. When the answer was yes, Logan and I hopped in the car and drove to JoAnn's. We looked through the pattern books to find the right style, we picked out our royal blue material and had it cut,...It was at this point in our grand adventure that Logan decided to pitch and all out fit. Right in the middle of JoAnn's he was yelling that he didn't want to be my friend eber again. He wouldn't come with me eber again. He didn't want to be a musketeer EBER again. That was enough of that. I appologized to the nice girl at the fabric counter who had already cut our material. I let her know that my son would not be a musketeer after all. We left that store empty handed.
I called my mom in a furry. She thought it was hilarious. It took her all of two seconds to tell my sisters what a rotten two year old I have on my hands. They thought it was hysterical, too. Karen told me that she thought the best part was that I left the fabric lady high and dry with my cut fabric. I generally only tell my family the sweet, adorable, charming things my kids do. I didn't so much like having them know what a mean mom I am. Oh, well. The next time we were at JoAnn's I found a super hero cape on clearance 70% off. So, Logan was a super hero with Savannah. Maybe we can be the 6 musketeers next year.

Let down your hair

Lacey, Emma Gracie, Cozette

My Girls

Halloween Parade

Best face painting award winner!

Carving pumpkins

Impressive for a 4 yr. old, right?

Devilish grin

My spooky Crew

Happy Halloween

Glamour Shots

I bought a Groupon to Glamour Shots. I thought it would be fun to take Savannah and Alyssa in to get pictures made. Savannah ended up choosing her friends over the photo shoot. I think she regretted the choice later. Check out the results.

I have to admit that it's a little disturbing to see my 10 year old looking so BEAUTIFUL! She is going to give us a run for our money. She already has boys giving her the google eyes. The best thing about Alyssa is that she is a knock out, but she doesn't care or even know it. She would rather kick your trash on the soccer field than worry about her hair or clothes. I love that about her. And Gracie just had fun getting dressed up like a princess. She's a knock out too. Just ask her, she'll tell ya.

Savannah the Super Hero- Oct.

Savannah's school has a costume dance for the 7th and 8th graders every year. So, starting at 5th grade all the kids are debating what they will dress up as for the costume dance. Savannah and several of her friends decided to be super hero's. And, Savannah volunteered for mom to help sew the capes. Truth be told, I'm flattered that she thinks I'm awesome. So, on the appointed Friday, I picked up 7 stinky giggly girls from cross country practice, took them all to JoAnn's, and helped them pick out fabric. Then we all drove together back to our house to put them together. It was fun to listen to them talk about their "custom made" costumes.

The finished products

Savannah, Emily & Allison

7th grade girls, Class of 2017

Savannah & Sandelin

Complete Super Hero Squad

Here they come to save the day!

Because the theme for the high schools home coming dance was "super hero's", these girls got to be in the home coming parade! I don't care who you are: that's awesome!

Logan breaks mom's toe-Oct.

This is the story of how my toe died. It's actually a very good story and it was a blessing that my toe was the only one to perish.

Let me give you some backstory. Logan, my 2 year old that I love deeply, has been displaying his best "terrible two" skills this week. He's been driving the girls crazy just because he can. He spits, hits, kicks, argues, and never NEVER says "sorry". He won't say it even after he has spent some quality time alone in his room contemplating the meaning of the two words, "brotherly love."

This week me patience has been tested to the very limits of it's capacity. I even made the comment in front of Esther that I was going to sell him to the gypies.

Mike's parents are here visiting. Emma Grace was showing Grandma her ABC flipbook and displaying her knowledge of the english language. Logan was trying to take the "fluff" on the mitten on page M. Emma Grace freaked out which made him even more determined to get his way.

In steps mom. Trying to show Gracie and my in-laws how well the situation could be handled:

*I spoke softly to my son

*I told him that he could read the book next

*I spoke about waiting for our turn

*I promised we could go get him a cotton ball to play with

*I told him how fun it would be to make an art project for Christmas with "fluff" for Santa's beard

*I expressed how sad I thought he would be if he ripped Gracie's book.

The time for talking was now over. I held him tightly under his arms. He held the heavy kitchen chair tightly with his legs. I lifted him up. He lifted the chair up. I pulled him back. The chair fell back and onto my poor innocent, already ugly, baby toe. I dropped Logan, expressed in very clean language (I still had an audience) how badly it hurt.

Then I just have to say that for Logan's sake and his future happiness it is a good thing that I was aware that all eyes were on me, because I was SO mad at that point I could have really let him feel my wrath. Instead, I scooped him up, hobbled to me bedroom, locked the door behind us, dropped him on the lovesac, went into my bathroom, locked the door and cried.

My heart left my chest to pump in my pinkie toe. It was white on top and red all around. Somewhere in the distance I could hear Logan screaming but I didn't care. When I thought I could talk to him without sending him to meet his maker I emerged from the bathroom. I should have stayed there for a few more minutes. When I showed Logan my toe and told him to say sorry he screamed, "No, I not be your friend any more!"

Alrighty then, I walked out of my room alone, found my cell phone and texted Esther. "Do you know of any gypies looking for a little boy? I have one going cheap."

That is the series of unfortunate events that led up to the death of one toe and the little boy that got off easy.

Logan's 3rd birthday-Oct. 28

Happy birthday, Logan Michael Baugh

Emma Grace gave Logan his first gift of the day. She insisted that he open her gift before she went to school even though everybody else was gone to work and school. Logan was OK with this arrangement.

Birthday smiles

Boy noises come out automatically when a super hero is present.

The next order of the day was a play date at the park with friends. Logan was a big helper bringing the snacks to the playground.

Smiling while everyone sang, Happy Birthday.

Handsome little buddy

Playtime

Logan Michael with Logan Michael? Yep. What are the odds of finding a friend with the exact same name?

The last party came when the sisters and daddy came home. Monkey Joe's is Logan's favorite place to go. So, Monkey Joe's it was.

Tractors are Logan's favorite thing. So, this is his second year to have a tractor cake.

I love this kid.

Make a wish!

Keep Going!

3rd times the charm!

Logan read every card. It was awesome to hear how much everbody loves my Logan and how they wish they were here with him. Honestly I can't think of any one who doesn't love my Logan. He is a sweet boy. Happy birthday, buddy.