3

Today, Scout turns three.  This means that this blog can no longer be about one mom's highly imperfect journey parenting a two-year-old.  

So, do I think that today will be any different then yesterday, last week or two months ago? No.  I think Scout will continue to strip naked at the drop of a hat, pee in teacups, draw on herself, swear and talk like a pirate.  But, I also think she will continue to be the best known kid on the airplane, a cheerleader for her parents when they are running races, a friend who kisses others "boo boos," a girl who is truly iridescent, and a daughter whose cry will always break my heart.  

Happy 3rd Birthday, Scoutzilla!

With a little luck and help from Starbucks, I think that we can make it to your 4th birthday.

Scout celebrating her 3rd birthday at Build-a-Bear

Celebrity

Photo Credit: Andy Molloy. kjonline.com
Pictured: Jackson, Wade & Scout
Not Pictured: Me

Last Sunday, Jackson ran his first 5K race.  Given his hesitation about the race, I decided to join Wade, Scout & Jackson to make it a family run. Well, as it turns out Jackson did not need me, and I was the slowest member of my family.  However, what made this race a truly special event for Jackson was the fact that his picture made the paper!  It was incredibly sweet to watch his excitement and pride at having his picture in the paper. 

And, because this is a blog specifically for Scout.  I do have to mention that Scout is the real CELEBRITY in the family.  This was not Scout's paper debut.  She had been photographed with Wade running a race in Augusta as part of the Bond Brook Summer Trail series in August of 2011, and the photo made the paper again in the spring of 2012.

Cheerleader

Scout does EVERYTHING to the extreme, which can be a good thing or a bad thing.  When she is happy or excited, enthusiasm reins her little body.  Her smile spreads from ear to ear, and her laughter is contagious.  When she is upset, her grief is inconsolable, and her cries break my heart.

On September 30, 2012, I completed my first (and probably last) marathon.  It was not the experience that I had hoped it to be, but I finished with the support of many people.  My mother was both wise and generous to book hotel rooms in Portland the night before the race.  And by rooms, plural, I mean that my mother, AKA "The Saint,"  agreed to have both kids spend the night with her, while Wade and I got to spend the night ALONE.  Speaking of Wade, he outdid himself running with me from miles 12-18.  Even though he complained about carrying a water bottle, and he gave some of my food away to a fellow runner, I might have given up if it was not for him.  At the start of the race, it was a HUGE treat to see my longtime college (and after college) roommate, Kim.  Kim was running her first half marathon and running with her for the first six and a half miles helped me get the marathon off to a good start!  By the end of the marathon, I really had nothing left to give emotionally or physically.  So,  it was nice to be joined by my super speedy sister-in-law who graciously ran, or should I say walked, with me the last six grueling miles.  As if the support I received from my mother, Wade, Jen & Kim was not enough, I was also very fortunate to have friends stand in the pouring rain and cheer me on.  

So you might me asking yourself, "How does Scout fit in to this story?  This is a blog about Life with Scout."  With .2 miles left in the marathon, I was greeted by Scout sitting on top of Wade's shoulders.  She, of course, was drenched from the rain, but beaming~a smile that spread from ear to ear.  Prompted by both Wade and Jen, Scout cheered for me.  The kind of cheer that I so desperately needed to finish the marathon.  And while I am convinced that the jostling motion from sitting on Wade's shoulders and running probably gave her brain damage, I am ever so grateful for her ability to do EVERYTHING to the extreme.

While this picture is not from the marathon, it does show her sweet smile!

"I LOVE Boston!"

Scout will happily tell you that she LOVES Boston, and I think that I can safely say that the residents of Boston LOVE Scout.  She was a big hit!  From the moment we hit the expo, Scout was high-fiving sales associates, charming people with her big blue eyes, and receiving "free" samples of every chocolate refueling confection.  

Outside the Expo

After the expo, we headed off to Wade & Ward's aunt and uncle's home, outside of Boston, which would serve as our "home" for the next couple of days.  The weather was gorgeous, so all of the kids spent time playing outside.

Coloring with chalk & sporting a Jet Blue sweatband from the expo

Scout, Ward & Izzy on the trampoline

Early the next morning, we were anxiously watching weather reports, packing bags, and getting four kids ready for the trek to mile 23 of the Boston Marathon.  We started our journey in Grafton and took the T to North Station.

Waiting for the T

Immediately upon arrival in Boston, we headed to Starbucks for an emergency caffeine fix.  And, although, people, who shall remain nameless, tease me about my LOVE of Starbucks, Starbucks did help us find our way home later that day.

Oooh, how I LOVE you!

Next, we began our "death march" to mile 23 of the marathon.  While the walk was not a problem for Jen and I, it did cause some problems for Tucker and Jackson.  Jackson tripped and fell in the middle of the street, and Tucker, depending on what version of the story you heard, twisted his ankle 3 to 9 times.  However, thanks to Jen, we had an awesome spot awaiting our arrival on Beacon street.  The kids were able to refuel and cool down while the adults watched elite runners pass by on the street below.  It was truly an amazing experience.

Scout & Izzy refueling and waiting for their dads 

Finally, Jen received the text that Wade and Ward had reached the 30k mark.  We anxiously gathered our belongings and headed to the street to cheer the guys on.   Unfortunately, my pictures are horrible.  Trying to find Wade and Ward in the crowd was nearly impossible, and when they arrived it happened so fast.

Mark hugging Wade

Ward (with Tucker) holding back the flood of tears

Now, it was a race to the finish for the guys and the families.  Learning our lesson from our 3 mile trek, we hopped on the T to reach the finish line.  Scout, once again, made fast friends.  She was extremely fascinated with the man standing in front of us, and I was extremely apprehensive about this stranger.  As it turns out, he couldn't have been nicer.  Scout's new friend, Angel, entertained her for at least 3 stops of the T.

As worried as I was about Scout in Boston, I must agree with her new saying, "I LOVE Boston!"

Now, if only Wade and Ward could qualify again for next year...

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Lately, it seems like I have become a "worry procrastinator".  While I am a worrier, I have so much on my plate that I don't worry, or, for that matter, plan for events until a day or two before they actually occur.  


Well, let the worrying begin...
On Sunday, our family will travel to Boston, so Wade can run the Boston Marathon.  I am extremely proud of Wade, and his brother Ward.  They have worked incredibly hard to gain entry to this marathon, and they have definitely put in the miles to ROCK Boston.  While I am slightly worried for Wade ( I want him to run the best race possible), he is not the main source of my worry.


This is the main source of my worry...

Scout, taking a little rest in time-out.

As I am writing this post, the following questions are running through my mind...How am I going to keep Scout safe in Boston?  Rather, how am I going to keep Boston safe from Scout? Will Jackson be scarred for life?  Are leashes "legal" for children? Where will time-out be located? 


What could possibly go wrong?

Easter Photos

I must confess that I am exhausted!  Between the nervous energy of running a half marathon and preparing for numerous Easter festivities, I am officially wiped-out.   However, I thought that I would share some pictures of Easter with Scout.  

The Easter Bunny arrived bright & early this morning~about 5:50ish!

Shortly after a candy-filled breakfast, Scout climbed into her Easter basket with her new bunny.

For approximately 1 hour today, Scout was clean and looking like a little lady.

Jackson, Nannie & Scout trying hard to get the "perfect" Easter picture.

Scout searching for Easter treasure during the egg hunt.

Scout & Mommy sharing a sweet Easter moment.

Happy Easter!

P.S. I totally for forgot to include this picture of Scout's hair from this morning...

"I run fast!"

A couple of weeks ago, I registered Wade, Jackson and myself for Race the Runways in Brunswick, Maine.  Wade was registered for the mile, Jackson was registered for the kid's fun run (about 1/4 mile), and I was registered for the half marathon.  I knew that Jackson would not be too excited about the actual run, but he would like the swag (i.e. shirt, bag, and medal).  As the race approached, I realized that I had probably registered the wrong child for the kid's fun run.  Even though Scout is only two, she loves running.   In fact, she tells people, "I run fast."  So, yesterday was the big day.  Scout made her running debut.

A healthy pre-race snack

Walking out to the starting line

"Racing" to the finish

Scout's first medal!

Congratulations, Scouty!  You do run fast.

And...

For anybody that cares, Scout's mom ran fast yesterday too.  I was able to complete the half marathon in under two hours (just barely).  However, I did take over 12 minutes of last year's time.

Official time: 1:59:15

Thank you to Maine Running Photos!  Photos 2, 3 & 5 were taken from: http://mainerunningphotos.com/

Spa Day?

I am a true girly girl.  I LOVE pink, skirts, makeup, handbags, jewelry and trips to the spa.   I had always dreamed of having a daughter to share my girly girl "goods" with.  In my efforts to make Scout a girly girl, I have besieged her wardrobe with pink clothing and tutus.  She even has a small Coach purse for her play phone and jewels.

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to go to a local spa for a massage... it was heaven.  Obviously, Scout is too young to go to a spa, but she LOVES to have her toenails polished.  All week long Scout has pointed to her chipped pink "piggies" and asked, "polish?"  I HATE to polish her toes!  I can only imagine that polishing her tiny toenails is like polishing a cat's claws.  Scout can not sit still.  So, holding her down to, first, polish the nails and then wait for them to dry is torture (for me, at least).  She LOVES it!  Polishing her "piggies"was my last official act of vacation, and a step closer to sainthood.  Tomorrow is back to work...

Scout's Purple "Piggies"

And for the clean food challenge update:

Pre-run fuel: Zipfizz (Yes, I know that it's not clean, but I needed something before a 12.4 
                        mile run) &  a banana
Snack (while running): Larabar
Lunch: A (very) large bowl of veggie/chicken soup with a serving of Mary's Gone Crackers (I love these crackers; they are organic, kosher, non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, wheat-free and gluten-free, totally clean.)
Snack: Almond carrot body rock balls & a handful of raw almonds
Dinner: Indonesian Rice Salad (made by Stacy)
Dessert: Cashew pear cream
Water: 82 Oz (not to bad)