Out and About in Nashville

A few weeks ago, my oldest sister, Patti, and my youngest niece, Leah, came to Nashville for a quick visit during Leah's spring break from college. We did stuff that I never do - mainly, shopping at a couple of relatively new spots in Nashville. First we relaxed at Casablanca Coffee, which is an ultra-hip spot in the Gulch. If you're visiting Nashville (or, like me, you live here and rarely travel beyond your own little enclave), you should really try to get over there. It's the first LEED-certified neighborhood in Nashville, and it's just a neat, walkable outdoor area with cool shops and restaurants. I rarely have a kid-free chance to get over there, so it was a treat to kick back with a bagel, coffee and some conversation before heading to Urban Outfitters. I learned that Leah is a strategic and systematic shopper; it was fascinating to watch her in action.
Then we headed over to the Hill Center in Green Hills, another cool, bustling outdoor shopping area. We spent some time in Anthropologie, a place that I love but stay away from for obvious reasons. Patti bought me a beautiful summer shirt that I can't wait to wear. (Thanks so much, Patti.)
We ate lunch outside at Provence Breads & Cafe and headed out to pick up Sawyer (his first day at mother's day out). We also played on a playground and attended Parker's kindergarten concert. It was such a treat to have family here for that milestone event.
Thanks, guys, for driving all the way here and spending your free time with us.

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A Marathon Weekend

It's been a marathon weekend for us, in more ways than one.

First, Parker ran in the Country Music Kids' Marathon Friday, which was so much fun. More than 4,000 kids took part, and he participated through his school. The kindergarten kids ran 1/2 mile. The idea is that the kids run or walk a total of 25 miles over two or three months on their own, and they run the final mile (or 1/2 mile) at the race, and they get to cross the actual marathon finish line. Very cool. Parker had a great time running with his friend Charlie, and the main thing (for me, at least) is that he learns to have fun through exercise. Jerod ran behind the boys so we wouldn't lose track of them.


On Saturday, I ran the Country Music Half Marathon (13.1 miles) with my friend/neighbor/running partner, Erin. We've been training for the past few months, and we made it through. You can read all the details (more than you ever wanted to know) by clicking here.




Also, our friends from our New Hampshire days (they live in Philly now) came down to take part in the half marathon, and we hung out with them throughout the weekend. More to come on that. They are such a great couple - so much fun - and I wish we could see them more often.

Today was a much-needed lazy, back-to-basics day filled with laundry, books, cartoons and hanging in the backyard.

DEEP BREATH.

EXHALE.

Thanks for checking in!

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Exploring Warner Park Nature Center

Last Friday, Sawyer and I headed to Warner Park Nature Center to check out the new play area and wade in the creek. Just the two of us.

The new natural play area includes a big dirt hill - perfect for climbing, digging and throwing dirt around. There's also a little kid-sized log cabin and a few other nature-y things.

Sawyer climbed the hill, but he mostly loved throwing dirt.

Then we checked out the creek by the nature center. It's perfect for wading.

We did some light hiking.

Sawyer threw lots of big rocks into the creek.

What a great way to spend the afternoon - just walking, wading and wandering around together at this great park. We'll be coming back here a lot this summer.

Saturday was busy with a pancake breakfast to benefit Parker's school (the teachers and principal served the food), followed by a tee ball game. Here are Parker and his friend Connor in the dugout before their turns at bat.

Sunday was packed full, too. I ran 11.5 miles, finished staining our fence, played with the boys and did the usual stuff around the house to get ready for Monday.

I hope you had a great weekend, too!

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A Little Something for Me

I mostly write about my kids on this blog, because that's really why I started it: to keep my scattered-across-the-country family and friends in the loop of our lives.
But I'm in the midst of doing something that's kind of for me. I'm running in the Country Music Half Marathon later this month, and it has been a fulfilling and character-building trip so far. If you have a moment, skip on over and check out my progress on my running blog.

I also wrote about my motivation for running on this blog started by my friend Sarah B. Gilliam. If you haven't seen her photography blog or her personal blog, then get on over there. You will be inspired.

I'm buying one of these Runner Girl magnets for me and my friend/running partner Erin as a little congratulatory present after we finish the race. Nine more days!




This one's just for fun.

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Spring Into Summer?

The high temp reached 80 degrees in Nashville yesterday (already!), so we broke out the sprinkler. It was still a little on the cold side.

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Bigger Is Better

I'm testing a new blog layout, so bear with me! Big photos make me happy, so I'm trying to figure it out.

Here's the view from my kitchen window on a recent spring afternoon. It makes washing dishes a little more bearable.

Just ignore the dirt on the windowsill.

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Soaking Up Spring

Spring is my favorite time of year, and we've been basking in these perfect days. Here's a rundown of some stuff we've been up to:

Tee ball is in full swing. Here's my view Parker's tee-ball practice when Sawyer comes along..

Sometimes he'll stay in one place and watch the big kids.

The tree in front of our house is amazing for just a week or so at the very beginning of spring.

Sawyer and I visited Parker's school this week to help with the spring egg hunt. It was a gorgeous day.

Then we went into the class and hung out with the kids during the party. The big kids are all so great with Sawyer.

Random photo: We're making some progress with the vegetables. Sawyer will eat corn if it's on the cob.

We've spent a LOT of time just hanging in the backyard - blowing bubbles, sifting sand, lying in the grass.

Parker and I painted spring pictures Friday while Sawyer napped.

My sister Susie and her boyfriend Terry sent a big box of gifts as a surprise: new jammies for Parker, bristle blocks for Sawyer, a gorgeous apron for me and a lavender sachet that has my whole living room smelling like spring. My family rocks.

Today we dyed eggs with our neighbor friends, Ethan and Amanda.

Parker didn't need that little wire egg holder. His hands were much more convenient.

Sawyer spent the day running around barefoot in the grass. We'll be doing plenty more of that.

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall." ~Nadine Stair

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