Free Stuff (that no one will take)

I now know where Hunter gets it- his persistence, insistence, stubborness, etc. Mitch! After weeks (months?) of talking incessantly about buying a new TV (and researching it and dropping constant hints about it) I finally broke down and said, "Whatever! Buy one!" He, of course, was already at the store when he called me to "ask" if he could buy it. Anyway, he now has a 50-inch flat screen plasma in what he has named his "Man Room." He moved the other clunker of a TV (huge, weighs a ton) out to the curb and posted an ad on Craig's List in their free stuff category. So many e-mails later from people promising to come pick it up, it still sits on our curb making our house look very classy. Why will no one take our free stuff? Rewind to the Dining Room Table debacle of this past summer. Someone came and picked it up and then brought the damn thing back. Seriously. Anyone else could put a pile of newspapers out on their curb and someone would be there in an instant, probably fighting off hundreds of others who are just desperate for some old paper. Now we are going to have to pay our waste collecting company to pick up the TV- forty-five bucks. I wonder what would happen if I posted this ad on Craigslist- "We will pay YOU to pick up this TV"? I really think it would continue to sit. That's just the way things go for our free treasures!

Merry Christmas and All That Jazz

Hi, my name is Bethany, and it's been nearly two months since my last post. Why so long? Well, I have two small children who really don't give me a lot of free time to work with. Even now, Mason is doing cannonball jumps off the computer chair I'm sitting on in our office. Things go terribly awry when I'm not paying attention to them.

So here goes a quick update:

1. I ran the Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Half-marathon. Very little training this time= no injuries and a very solid run. People ask my official time. Officially they clocked me at 2:32. I have to say though that I waited in a portapotty (spelling?) line for 10 minutes and then had to stop a couple times so Jodi could fix her race number (2-3 minutes total probably). We ran the entire 13.1 and if you subtract all the wait time, etc. I'd say we officially ran it in 2:20 or less, which is consistent with what we typically run that distance in. The trip overall was quite fun. I would do it again, though I'd say that being gone for four days was hard on the boys and did me no favors professionally.

2. According to our measurements, Hunter grew a 1/2 inch in 10 days. Mason grew a 1/4 inch in 10 days. They eat constantly and I guess it's not just "eating out of boredom." They eat because they are growing like weeds (cliche yes, but so very true).

3. Mitch purchased a 50 inch TV for what he's calling the "man" room downstairs. If you want a free TV, you're welcome to our old one. It's quite large. You will need to find transport for it. But again, it's FREE!

4. My sister Shannon welcomed a baby boy on December 13th! Welcome Chanceler James! Sarah will welcome a baby boy in April. I'm done having kids (why I'm choosing to share that, I'm not sure).

5. I'm tired of training for things. What does 2011 hold for me regarding races: don't know. Shorter races. Maybe a marathon. Can you see the inconsistencies in this item?

6. I'm tired of teaching- burned out right now. I want to go to culinary school.

I guess the theme of this entry is: TIRED!

Argh, etc.

Mason does the best imitation of a pirate. The best part is how his chubby little cheek crunches up when he shuts one of his eyes.

Hunter has a double-dutch jumproping talent!

Mason and Hunter now demand what they've termed "Family Read." We cuddle up in Hunter's bed at bedtime--mommy in the middle, of course--and read all sorts of good books. We are currently reading Halloween-themed literature :)

Mason will be Superman this Halloween. Hunter is Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Mommy made her first presentation to the School Board after eleven years working in the district. I can now mark that off my Life's To-Do list.

Mommy finished her second half-marathon yesterday. This year's race tally- 6. The goal was 10 in 10, but various injuries have gotten into the way.

Hunter's artwork is on disply at the District office. I'm so proud!

Mason's cute new saying- "I don't live here." He says that everytime we visit a new place.

Hunter LOVES "Iron Chef America." His favorite chef: Michael Symon. Hunter really wants me to sign him up for some cooking classes.

Mason can sing the following songs- "A B C D's" (Mason includes the D's when he requests that particular song), "Twinkle Twinkle," "Baby Mine" (He has created his own lyrics- "Baby mine stay alive"), and a Duffy song (I guess he listens when I'm cleaning dishes in the evening)

Steelers are doing awesome this year! Go D!

Family Pic 2010

Here is a recent photo of our family, taken at Mason's birthday party on October 2nd:

A Wonderful Autumn Day in the City

While Mitch is away, mommy and the boys will play! Here is a list that details out Super-fun and super-tiring Saturday:
1. Wild Rumpus Books in Linden Hills: They have live chickens running around the store. While I would have been happy to curl up with a good book, the boys were much happier chasing the poor chicken through the store.
2. Rose gardens at Lake Harriet: This was the boys' idea. We parked by the gardens and they thought it would be the perfect place to run! They were right. The picture above is at a fountain in the rose garden.
3. Brueggers Bagels for Lunch: The boys ate cinnamon sugar bagels and I ate a breakfast sandwich and enjoyed a pumpkin spice coffee. You may not think cinnamon sugar makes for a good lunch, but my boys would beg to differ.
4. Lake Harriet Park: Lots of running and climbing and sliding and reminders about treats. Each boy was rewarded with an ice cream treat. Mason's was so messy I finally couldn't take it anymore and took it away from him. Bad mommy, I know. But we all have our moments.
5. Life Time Fitness: After all that fun, I needed a little quiet time. The only place I can get it is LTF. I can check the boys into the Kid Center and get my workout on. The boys got even more exercise there and were looking pretty rosy-cheeked and tired on the way home.
6. The boys set up a "Wipeout" inspired obstacle course in our living room. Cushions and pillows off the couch. Lots of jumping, falling, flying through the air, etc.