April 15, 2013

• April 6th (Saturday) was Zachary’s birthday! For lunch, we went to his favorite restaurant, Red Robin. Then in the evening, he had 5 of his classmates come over to celebrate. First ever sleepover at our house!

    

  The boys played basketball and on the play structure until it got dark. Then they came in for fruit and pizza, before games. Game #1: A 3-part individual paper airplane contest on flying the furthest, accuracy (flying through a basketball hoop), and getting stuck highest on a tree!

   

  Game #2: The boys paired up to compete in building the tallest structure using only mini marshmallows, toothpicks, coffee stirrers, and a pipe cleaner. James also made a structure and won. The “prize” for our games was bragging rights, so James can brag about beating 3rd graders. (Zach and Drew came close in 2nd place, only half an inch shorter!)

   

  Zachary had an ocean themed ice cream birthday cake. Only a third was eaten; I think the boys may have overloaded on marshmallows. Zachary was so happy when his best friends sang him a personalized version of happy birthday, highlighting his interest in marine animals. I am really loving these smaller parties with closer friends – so much more meaningful! 

   

  At around 10pm, I put on ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’ movie, thinking they would quickly fall asleep. The kids were still whispering past midnight after the movie ended! Once again, kids outlast parents.

   

  That next morning, I went on a slow 2.7 mile jog with Sam. My first attempt at running since the half marathon. I felt okay, but not 100%. James fed the boys pancakes and by 9am, all the guests were picked up. We survived! All of the boys Zach invited were well-behaved, smart, polite, and fun kids. Like the rest of the family, he knows how to pick quality friends! HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY ZACHARY!

  In the afternoon, I took Calista to a Laser Tag party (she was very afraid and sat out  … but she did like the Wikki Sticks party favors!) while James took Zachary to a Mad Science party at a pizza restaurant. Happy 5th Birthday Anna! Happy 7th birthday Erik!

    

  This weekend, James and I went out for a movie (Oz the Great and Powerful) and late dinner (Bistro 33.) I really enjoyed the movie, although Mila Kunis still reminds me of ‘The 70s Show’, so it was a stretch to think of her as a wicked witch!

  Saturday, after Calie’s dance class, I took her to Annika’s birthday party. They threw a carnival themed party with games, a clown who twisted balloons and held a magic show, and Robot dance party. I went in thinking I would skip dessert, but couldn’t help myself when I found out it was Tres Leches cake. Happy 5th Birthday Annika!

    

   

  In the late afternoon, I went to a painting class with Rachel, Kathy, Melissa, Sandy, Hui-Ling, Nancy, and Tom. We painted Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night.’ I initially thought there was no way it would take all 4 hours, but the time flew by. It was nice to exercise the artistic side of my brain, although I admit Tom and I did talk shop for a few minutes. Afterwards, a few of us (joined by Dana) celebrated Rachel’s birthday at Sutter Street Steakhouse. What a great excuse to indulge in steak and cake with good company – Happy Birthday Rachel!

    

   

  Progression of my painting:

    

  On Sunday, Melissa, Karen, and my family went to see ‘It’s Magic’ at Three Stages. It was a live 2 hour show featuring 5 different magicians. Very entertaining – and one of the VPs from work got called up on stage! Afterwards, we all headed back to my place for a barbecue dinner playdate. First barbecue of the season  … we kept it simple with salad, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, and grilled pesto chicken. Dessert was watermelon and leftover ice cream cake. You know you’re good friends when you can serve leftovers, right? The kids had lots of fun playing badminton and Sam’s crazy ‘capture the ball’ game. Both Zach and Calie were so exhausted, they were asleep before 8pm. Way to go – we should have Sam over more often!

   

    

  I ran 2.7 miles both Saturday and Sunday, so I am slowly getting back into the game. I’ve been feeling a bit lethargic since my vacation without my regular exercise. My plantar fasciitis still isn’t 100% healed, so I’m trying to take it slowly, but it’s been a 4 week rest and I’m getting antsy. I’ve taken 2 barre classes, which are great for core and my arms (vs running) but it’s not quite the same. It’s also a bit frustrating because it seems the difference between my speed and Zachary’s is increasing. He waits for me at before crossing the road or runs backwards, which is demotivating.

  Random pictures of stuff we’ve been doing the past few weeks … lots of games, geo caching, trips to parks and the library.

     

    

   

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