Trinidad Run, Catch, Release

We had lovely spring weather this past weekend!  

On Saturday, I ran a 10K at Sue-Meg State Park (formerly Patrick's Point), rescheduled from the weekend of torrential rains earlier this winter, along with friend (and fast, former cross-country runner) Jenna. 

The course was lovely (and not too hilly!), and consisted of four loops, repeated once for those of us doing 10K (there was also a 5K course).

Music kept me company...

... and my time (55:29) was under an hour, which I thought was pretty good for a middle-aged mom of two without being a long-distance runner :) The kids and Kelvin went to the beach after dropping me off, but were back to see Jenna and me finish (she at 47:52, well ahead!). Official race results here.

We went back to Luffenholtz on Sunday, as the kids wanted to catch a crab as a pet (and name one "Pele"). We need another "pet" like we need another kid, and they were able to nab one crab, which I forced them to release.

Keepin' it Real

I enjoyed The Velveteen Rabbit as a child. I saw words from the book on a post recently and they struck me. 

I have often been accused of being "negative" in life. (A good book I read a couple of years ago about people who see the world as glass-half-empty is Bittersweet by Susan Cain, who also wrote Quiet, another book [about the blessings of often-misunderstood introverts] with which I strongly identify). I am not alone.  Iver also, like me, tends to have a "realistic" (as well as highly sensitive) temperament.  At times, I may be "content."  However, I am not a laugh-out-loud often kind of person (my kids love to try to get me to laugh out loud). 

Sometimes I say (or write in ranting company e-mails) things that people don't want to hear because they can be uncomfortable and reveal flaws.  My words may come across as negative, but they are in efforts to make things better, usually offering practical solutions. When things don't improve, it is possible to spiral into cynicism.  As a HSP (highly sensitive person), I am affected deeply about things and people around me, especially things which are inefficient, not working well, or unjust.    

Sometimes my honesty is not always welcomed. I may not always tell you what you want to hear, but I will be honest (and real). I can't stand superficial small talk, which exhausts deeply feeling realists like me. True honesty is truly the only way to have deep, and genuine relationships.  

I may be kinda shabby and definitely worn down, but think everyone should appreciate me wanting to keep it real! 

Blue Ribbons & More!

The kids' second (and last) short-track meet of the spring was yesterday at Arcata High School. We were blessed with another lovely sunny (but windy) day for a meet.

Iver was eager to avenge his second-place 100m finish the week before, and Niall was convinced to take a crack at the first race, Kinder Boys' 50 m dash. 

He did so well on his little legs and took home a second-place ribbon!   Unfortunately, the video(s) that my mother-in-law took of the meet cannot be uploaded here. 

Proud to show Papa, who joined us at the meet from the airport midway.

Iver again competed in the 50 m, the 400m, the third leg of a 4x100 mg relay (with three fourth-graders), and the 100m. 

In good form! 

Sweep!

I so wish I could figure out how to load the videos here, because it's really exciting to watch your kids (and many other kids we know) compete and cheer on their friends (including from other elementary schools). I love supporting the local kids at these meets, and, while Iver loves the blue bling, I'm just happy they're moving their bodies and doing worthwhile social activities!

Legacy

I have to admit that I haven't followed college basketball much in the last few years, but enjoy tuning into March Madness when I can. So much has been written about Caitlin Clark, the senior who just finished up her career at Iowa, and the excitement she brought to the game and all the records she broke. She truly has been a joy to watch, even though her team fell short to undefeated South Carolina in the NCAA Women's Championship game on Sunday.  Her legacy, inspiring kids of all genders to reach for the stars, will live on (and she's likely to be the first pick in the WNBA draft).  Thank you, Caitlin! 

Sprint Master

Spring Track is here! It's a short season, and the K-4th graders only have two meets, the first of which was held at Cal Poly's Redwood Bowl on Tuesday.

Niall has participated in Cross Country and in running club, but changed his mind and decided not to run in any of the races, even though I think he probably would have done well in the 50 and 100m. He was mainly whining, lying on the grass, and demanding snacks for the duration of the meet! 

Iver, on the other hand, despite having an injured (possibly fractured?) left hand, was ready to compete!  

He entered the 50m, 100m, 4x100m relay, and the 400m and ended up with three blue ribbons and one second place (the 100 m). 

the home stretch

With friend Olivia, both 400m champions! 

4x100m relay (Lucas, Juan Emilio, Iver, Ryder)

He also participated in the baseball throw and long-jump "just for fun."

The next (and only other) K-4 meet is next week. We'll see if we have one or two sprinters!

From Dr. Pepper to Patient Pepper

 

The above picture is Pepper for Halloween, 2014. 

Iver has never been very interested in Pepper-- until recently. He's had intermittent interest in playing "vet" but has been a bit intimidated by holding and picking her up (in the past). Now, she's old and pretty docile, and she's a good "patient" for his play.

We're trying to get him to be in charge of her eye drops (dog-walking is a bit of a stretch, in part because she doesn't really like to walk anymore!) but it's nice to see some pictures of them together, even if it is as "doctor-patient."

Easter Smiles

 

Easter weekend 2024 was... okay. 

Egg hunt #1 was in our backyard on Saturday, which is a bit of a tradition even though I think the kids have outgrown it (they were mad that the eggs were stuffed with tiny items that I thought they'd forgotten about, but which looked familiar to them!).

The kids woke up to stuffed baskets on Sunday.

We went to St. Mary's Catholic Church for a very full mass on Sunday. Iver did a great job altar serving, and Niall messed around annoying us for the whole service. 

A potluck brunch followed the service.

Egg hunt #2 was around the grounds of the Parish (= the kids' school). They had their (a bit ghetto but better at holding lots of eggs) sturdy plastic bags stuffed by the end! 

We finished Sunday with friend, play and another egg hunt at Shannon's house (alas, no photos). 

We had sunny (although windy) where the kids enjoyed playing in a bounce house and playing football in the springtime weather. 

And, from 1986 (I would have been four!) this is a little note that my mom sent me: 

The kids were way too sugared up but had a fun Sunday. He is Risen!