Summer Evenings

This summer has been an odd one so far.  It was late, then it has been off and on hot and cold.  We've gotten quite a bit of rain too. 
When we have nice coolish evenings, we like to spend them outside.  John's been working on his boat recently, trying to just get it running mostly.  It needs a LOT of work, but I guess that can be expected for the little he paid for it.  The kids like to climb around in it and around it and "help" daddy.  Right now, as I type this, John is looking for the keys that he just got for it.  Star ran off with them this morning and he made the mistake of not chasing her immediately.  Now he has a brand new switch and keys...minus the keys.  Lets hope they turn up eventually.

 We've been taking all 3 kids to swim lessons.  Dash and Miss Fabulous are a couple of fish.  Miss Fabulous continues to do well and improve each week and Dash has started to blow bubbles in the water, he can jump in and climb out by himself, and he's starting to learn to kick with his feet on both his back and his tummy.  Star still just screams.  Well, today she started to kick a little after 20 minutes.  Its a 30 minute class.  She had a life vest and a foam dumbell.  We'll see if she's somewhat comfortable with the water by the time the 6 week session ends.

 Years ago, I thought Miss Fabulous was about as girly as a girl can get.  I was wrong.  Star has topped her.  She wants dresses every day, she wants me to "cwean" her hands/face/clothes/shoes/whatever all the time, she dances around and sings, she's more moody/bossy/sassy/dramatic than MF ever was, and she can be the sweetest little thing you ever saw.  This little girl is starting to love books and stories.  She loves the "Muffets".

 Miss Fabulous has been brushing up on her Calvin and Hobbes reading.  We are getting things ready around here to do homeschooling this next year.  I can't tell you how nervous I am (I may have mentioned this before?) but I also feel like this is the right path for us, for now at least.  We are looking forward to reading some difficult books, science experiments, learning about each state, U.S. History, mythology, math, art projects, and field trips.  I also plan to throw in some piano, sewing, and cooking classes.

 Since Star is only almost 3, she is way too young for any formal schooling, but she is also VERY aware of what Miss Fabulous is doing and completely expects to be able to do the same.  I have a plan for her too.  I started MF at barely 3 doing pre-school with her.  Star will have her own little school too.  She will participate in the cooking, art, and reading time as well as learning her letters, the sounds each letter makes, colors, shapes, opposites, and I'm sure she'll probably pick up quite a bit of what MF learns.  If she doesn't want to participate, that's okay.  She needs her playtime and Dash will still want someone to play with too.


My half marathon training isn't going so well.  I've been fairly faithful to my schedule, but my time just doesn't seem to improve.  I'm adding more mileage each week, but that just seems to add to the time.  I'm not an efficient runner.  In fact, I doubt I can run a quarter mile without having to switch to a walk so I can breathe a little.  My fastest 1.25 miles was 12 minutes, but it was downhill most of the way.  Normally, I have about a 14:15 minute mile.  I've had older ladies tell me they walk a 10 minute mile.  What?  When I walk, I have a 17 minute mile.  I somehow need to step up my time.
 I've also been pretty careful about what I eat and I've had gains for the last 2 weeks.  I'm pretty tired of the whole thing.  I'm frustrated with this struggle and wish there was a better way.  I will continue to work, but at this point, I'm not sure a September half-marathon is feasible.  If I can't get my time down, I won't qualify for the half.  I will just continue to work hard, eat well, try to sleep, and pray that I will be able to accomplish my goals.

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