My crazy kids!

My kids have been so into dress up lately and the creativity behind it just cracks us up. It all started after we got back from our South Dakota vacation (more on that later, really). They were each given $20 to spend on anything that they wanted and Skyler was all about buying toy guns and bow and arrow sets and I think that is how some of this started, but I could be wrong, as he is quite a fan of John Wayne as well. The first picture is the one of the kids dressed up like coal miners, then as Indians. They sure are crazy!

Lily's First Haircut

Yes, I am aware that Lily turned 4 in March, but I didn't really think she needed a hair cut up until this point! I took her in May to get her hair cut, and she was dead set against it. She told me no way was she going to get up there and get her hair cut. She said it would hurt. We explained it would not hurt, but she still wouldn't go for it. So, I waited. I talked about haircuts around her, a lot, with all kinds of people, asking if they liked to get their hair cut, if it hurt. She heard all of the right answers, so I tried again. She was a completely different person! She went right in, got right up in the chair and was ready to for it. She sat there perfectly while they trimmed about 3/4 of an inch off and then she let them spray it, curl it and style it. She sat there nicely while they put a beautiful glitter heart on her cheek and she jumped right down and asked me, "mom, how do I look, did I take a good hair cut?" Why, yes you did Lily! She was most impressed with the sucker she got when she was done, that was the cherry on the top!

Up, Up, and Away!

We had so much fun on Friday night. We went to Sumtur Amphitheater in Papillion for their free movie night. The movie they were showing was UP! and for a bonus they had hot air balloons! They were so cool. Unfortunately, Chuck had to just drop us off because his colitis was acting up, but Lily and I went up to look at the balloons and we got to take a tethered hot air balloon ride for $4.00! We were 25 feet up in the air and she was just loving it!!!! She didn't want to come back down and when we did, she wanted to go back up again! When it got darker, they did a balloon glow, where the balloons were light up and glowing in the dark- so cool. It was a blast. Chuck came back in time for the movie and it was so nice. The weather was perfect, there were very few bugs and it was so nice. The only downfall was that they kept running out of popcorn and Lily really wanted popcorn! Next time, I might sneak my own in!

Lily's Farm Field Trip

First Bike Ride of the Year!

Last weekend we went to our favorite trail over the Platte River for a quick bike ride. It was the first time that Lily got to ride her bike without training wheels on a family bike ride. She didn't make it as far as her dad thought she would. I was pretty sure she wouldn't make it, but what do I know! We just went over the bridge and had made it down the hill when she pooped out. She and I rested while the two boys finished the ride. After they turned around and rejoined us, we all finished together. We had a great time and also enjoyed our picnic lunch. Here are a few pictures of our travels.

The Runner- Sidelined!

Well, I was so proud of myself for completing that 10 mile run a little over a month ago. What I didn't know is that it would be the run that put me out of running for almost this whole time. I felt great after that run. I didn't get any cramps or pains while I was running and did not collapse when it was over or anything. I had a massage a few hours after it and I felt GREAT! Two days later, reality set in. I am talking big time shin splints and excruciating hip pain. I have neither had either from running and I have to say, I don't like it one bit. The shin splints I can live with. They hurt, but not so much that I want to cry. The hip pain, on the other hand, has almost been the death of me. I self diagnosed myself with bursitis.

What is bursitis? Well, I am so glad that you asked! The bursa is what cushions the tendon and helps to prevent friction between the tendon and the bone. Constant rubbing of the tendon over the bone can lead to enough friction of the of the bursa to cause inflammation and irritation. I have to say bursitis is the worst pain I've been in a long time. It doesn't heal quickly either. I was in constant pain, sitting, standing, laying, sleeping, and running. I tried to run through the pain. That was stupid. I finally went to the doctor and he took x-rays because he suspected a stress fracture. Bursitis doesn't show up on x-rays. His prescription was to stop running for a while, killing me, and physical therapy.

Luckily my physical therapist knew what bursitis is and the symptoms, and was certain that was what was wrong. I have been doing physical therapy for 2 weeks and the pain is mostly gone. However, During this time I have not run at all, which is what caused the pain to begin with! She wants me to run this weekend, not hard or far, but just run to see how my hip handles it. I am excited but scared to death, because I do not want to start running and have it flare up and go through this whole this again. There is a 5k at the end of April that I REALLY want to run in. I not only want to run in it, but I want to beat my time last year and I just don't know if I can. So half marathon will have to wait until the beginning of the summer or the fall. Bummer, because I was almost all done with my training for it!!!!!!

Pedestrian Bridge Walk

Saturday we took a stroll over the Missouri River on the pedestrian bridge. It was Skyler's first time and he didn't really like being up so high over the water and kept asking all kinds of safety questions and questions about what to do if the bridge fell or if he fell over the bridge. He was driving me crazy!!!!! He had fun on the statues though, especially the huge fish one!