P365 - 2016 - Day 31 - really doing this

P365 - 2016 - Day 31 - really doing this

What a difference a week makes.  Last Sunday I cancelled my long run due to the cold temperatures and icebergs that were still floating on the roads.  This Sunday I ran 13 miles in shorts down to Holgate and back.  It was a beautiful day for a run and with no time to spare before the prices went up, I registered for the NJ Marathon.  I guess I am really doing this thing.....

P365 - 2016 - Day 30 - a tiny rainbow

P365 - 2016 - Day 30 - a tiny rainbow

The Boy had a basketball game at St. Francis in the morning - unfortunately they suffered a loss and ended their undefeated streak - but the good news is they play the same team next week so they have the chance to even the score.  From the game, we all had a nice lunch out together before going in two directions.  My Wonderful Husband had to coach an indoor game and I was headed to watch the school play.  The Boy and The Princess joined me while The Bear went with his dad.  After the play we met them for The Bear's indoor soccer game.  On our way down, the clouds opened up and revealed a tiny rainbow.  It was beautiful and luckily my co-pilot captured it in a photo.

P365 - 2016 - Day 29 - scored

P365 - 2016 - Day 29 - scored

The Princess is playing St. Francis basketball this season and had a great Friday night game and win.  She scored the first basket of the game!

P365 - 2016 - Day 28 - SRMS 7th grade boys basketball

P365 - 2016 - Day 28 - SRMS 7th grade boys basketball

Basketball season was delayed because of the snow and two missed games.  Thankfully, even though I couldn't make it to the game today, someone got a photo of the team and shared it.  It's been a great season for the SRMS 7th grade boys basketball team - here's to a great last few games!!

P365 - 2016 - Day 27 - a go

P365 - 2016 - Day 27 - a go

Another day of no classes at SU but his night class at Ship was a go.  So off he went....

P365 - 2016 - Day 26 - up higher

P365 - 2016 - Day 26 - up higher

My Wonderful Husband had another day off because of the snow in Winchester, so he used the time to put our storage area back together and up higher.  Cinder blocks and plywood and we are back in business.

P365 - 2016 - Day 25 - not a fan

P365 - 2016 - Day 25 - not a fan

It was a snow day for My Wonderful Husband (we got flooding and some snow but Winchester got almost 40 inches of snow!).  The Boy and I also had a snow day but The Princess and The Bear only had a delay.  While it was nice to have a morning to sleep and an extra day with My Wonderful Husband home, I would be very happy if this was the end of winter.  I am not a fan and I am sooo over it.  Please and thank you.

P365 - 2016 - Day 24 - All in all

P365 - 2016 - Day 24 - All in all

We woke up to sunny skies, icebergs, a sparkling ocean, and some soggy items in storage.   All in all, it wasn't bad, and after cleaning out the mess and drying it out we made a plan to hopefully help if this happens again.   The sunset was a beautiful gift after a stressful couple of days....

P365 - 2016 - Day 23 - Winter Storm Jonas

P365 - 2016 - Day 23 - Winter Storm Jonas

Winter Storm Jonas brought high winds and high tides.  Those high tides from the bay brought flooding and as the river outside rose with floating icebergs, our storage area began to flood for the first time since Sandy (but probably not the last unfortunately).  So with no other options as the water came in, we formed an assembly line and brought in the important storage items... decorations, photos, kids' school memorabilia, etc... and eventually our living room was our new storage space.  The remaining things under the house were stacked in the center and we crossed our fingers that the tide would go down and we would not be left with too much damage.

P365 - 2016 - Day 22 - here goes

P365 - 2016 - Day 22 - here goes

Winter Storm Jonas is on the way... the snow has started to fall on the island and My Wonderful Husband took a walk over to Acme for some last minute staples.  Here's hoping that Mother Nature spares us flooding and the wind doesn't get too bad.  Snow is better than rain - the lesser of the evils I suppose.  We are as ready as we can be..... here goes.

P365 - 2016 - Day 21 - This is the face

P365 - 2016 - Day 21 - This is the face

This is the face that tells me that I have stayed up past my bedtime on a school night....  After a late run, I came home, showered, put on jammies and finally sat down on the couch.  But The Pooch was ready for bed (and ready to go out for the night) and reminded me that I should get off my computer and hit the sack...5:45 am rolls around kind of early.

P365 - 2016 - Day 20 - It's here!

P365 - 2016 - Day 20 -

It's here!  The Blog Book is here!!  I love that I do this every year.  It is one of my all time favorite things.  :-)

P365 - 2016 - Day 19 - it was cold

P365 - 2016 - Day 19 - it was cold

It was back to school and back to work for all of after a long weekend.  My Wonderful Husband had to head back to campus for the Spring semester and I was back to my weekly night runs.  And it was cold.  Even colder than before.  Cold enough to pull the old Willy P cheerleading jacket out of the closet...because seriously that thing is ridiculously warm.... I piled on three layers, long pants, ear muffs, a hat,  gloves, and tied my hood.  I was not messing around - I had 6 miles to run.  The Princess got this photo when I got back - 6 miles done...

P365 - 2016 - Day 18 - Thirteen

P365 - 2016 - Day 18 - Thirteen

We officially have teenagers in the house - two of them.  The Bear and The Princess turned 13 today. We started the day with french toast for the kids then off to a soccer tournament for The Princess followed by dinner out and ended with ice cream cake and gifts.  Through it all I was running the events of 13 years ago through my head over and over.  I also had a film in my head playing on loop of all of the birthdays before this one... all of the photos of the these two entering a new age together. Thirteen birthdays.  Thirteen years.  It was a minute ago that they were three....but that was a DECADE ago!  I am grasping on tightly with both hands as I realize more and more that time is a thief.  But as I hold on tightly, I am watching in awe as these two grow into amazing people - a handsome, athletic, smart, kind, funny, and driven young man and a beautiful, athletic, smart, kind, funny, and determined young lady.  I am proud of them always and wish them both the happiest of birthdays in a lifetime of many happy days....  xoxo Love you two to the moon and back.

P365 - 2016 - Day 17 - last night as 12 year olds

P365 - 2016 - Day 17 - last night as 12 year olds

So in honor of their last night as 12 year olds I asked The Bear and The Princess to take a selfie and send it to me for the blog.  This is what I got from them.  There you have it... on the very cusp of becoming teenagers.... Maybe I should have been more clear with my request but I would say that this selfie is the perfect representation of our soon to be 13 year old twins.  Sleep well my almost teens... and maybe slow down time a bit while you're at it.

P365 - 2016 - Day 16 - Today

P365 - 2016 - Day 16 - Today

Thirteen years ago today, we were not yet The Leonard Five.  We were not yet The Leonard 4 for that matter... Thirteen years ago today I was on my way to the hospital, six weeks earlier than my due date for our twins.  Thirteen years ago today began the ride of our lives and the first two players were a couple of days away from entering the scene.  Today we had brunch at ScoJo's after some St Francis basketball...something of a tradition it seems... and began the weekend of celebrating the two people that first made us a family.  I can not believe The Bear and The Princess will be teenagers in two days.... where does the time go?

P365 - 2016 - Day 15 - Memory Lane

P365 - 2016 - Day 15 - Memory Lane

In honor of the upcoming big event... it's the annual time for the trip down Memory Lane.  I will begin that trip with this gem.... this was me, mere days before heading to the hospital for the arrival of our twins.  This was one of the last photos taken of me pregnant with The Bear and The Princess.  In just a few short days, we would become a family but at this moment were still waiting.

P365 - 2016 - Day 14 - not tonight

P365 - 2016 - Day 14 - not tonight

The time has come...the winter break is ending for My Wonderful Husband.  The Spring semester begins next week and he needs to be at a faculty meeting tomorrow.  The plan was to leave tonight so he was packed and ready to go when he decided that he would just make the trip in a day tomorrow.  It may have only been a few hours but he wasn't ready to end his break just yet and I was happy to have him home for the night.  The semester will start soon enough... but not tonight.

P365 - 2016 - Day 13 - Another day

P365  - 2016 - Day 13 - Another day

Another day, another night time run...  these running shoes are racking up the miles in my 1000 mile challenge.  I am so glad I decided to train for the NJ Marathon because it is pushing me to keep running this winter.  Cold, dark runs are the only way right now but I am getting it done.

P365 - 2016 - Day 12 - study

P365 - 2016 - Day 12 - study

After a day of work, I came home, went for a run, showered and finally put my jammies on and sat down.  From my comfy spot, I was able to help The Boy study for his upcoming science test.

P365 - 2016 - Day 11 - elbow

P365 - 2016 - Day 11 - elbow

The Boy slammed his elbow on the gym floor tonight during basketball practice.  I think it is ok...just bruised and I am sure it hurt, but I think that is it... I hope.  So what to do when you still have homework to do and you have a sore elbow on your right arm?  While he was icing it, I helped him write out his science study guide answers as he dictated them.  But once he was done icing it, he decided he could write on his own with a "cushion".  Good plan and homework is done.

P365 - 2016 - Day 10 - Sunday nights...

P365 - 2016 - Day 10 - Sunday nights...

Yesterday was basketball and soccer games and this morning all three kids asked to go to open gym at St. Francis... When they got back, My Wonderful Husband and I had a little time to go out shoppig together - something that very rarely happens and it was really nice.  (it really is the small things sometimes)  Then after a Sunday dinner of tacos, it was time to sit down to some grading and planning for the coming week.  It was dueling "school work" since My Wonderful Husband is nearing the end of his winter break and he is getting ready for the Spring semester.  It reminded me of Sunday nights years ago.....

P365 - 2016 - Day 9 - Rumble, Rumble, Storm!

P365 - 2016 - Day 9 - Rumble, Rumble, Storm!

In the past year, The Princess has been a part of three different travel soccer teams.  After joining the SSC Lady Gunners, the team split up as the girls began middle school so she found a new team with the TRFC Lady Gunners.  Unfortunately, after a season there, we felt it wasn't the right fit for her.  At the end of the fall season, she tried out for and made the Twin County Storm team and she made the move to her new (and hopefully last) team.  She had the opportunity to guest play with the team a few times before committing and afterward she was ready to join.  Since then, they have begun the winter season and had several practices and a few games under their belt already.  They are a talented bunch of girls and it has been some pretty soccer to watch.  The Princess seems happy with her decision and we hope to have a found her a home with the Storm.  As the girls say before their games... Rumble, Rumble, Storm!

P365 - 2016 - Day 8 - 14 points!

P365 - 2016 - Day 8 - 14 points!

After two weeks off, we were back to basketball at St. Francis.  The Boy is on Jayson's Pancake House (the defending champs and his brother and sister's team from last year).  He had an awesome game - his team won and he scored 14 points!

P365 - 2016 - Day 7 - at least it's not Polar Vortex cold

P365 - 2016 - Day 7 - at least it's not Polar Vortex cold

So, on Facebook today, a photo memory showed up on my timeline.  It was a photo of the bay completely frozen over.  Two years ago today were fully in the grip of the "Polar Vortex".  We have been very lucky with temperatures the past few months and even though this week's temperatures dropped, that photo put things into perspective.   I made a new winter frame and the sentiment is accurate - Baby, it's cold outside... that is true.  But at least it's not Polar Vortex cold.  That right there is the glass half full (and not frozen).

P365 - 2016 - Day 6 - Cold air...don't care

P365 - 2016 - Day 6 - Cold air...don't care

I might be nuts to run in twenty degree temperatures at night but My Wonderful Husband takes the prize for winter surfing.  Cold air....don't care.   The temperatures dropped but that wasn't going to stop him from enjoying his remaining winter break days to surf.  The only problem was that it was too cold outside for his wetsuit to dry so he needed to bring it inside to sit in front of the fireplace.

P365 - 2016 - Day 5 - I piled on the layers

P365 - 2016 - Day 5 - I piled on the layers

I wasn't about to let the sudden cold temperatures keep me from my scheduled run.   After getting home from work, feeding everyone, and going over homework, I piled on the layers, convinced My Wonderful Husband to join me for a bit and set out on my 6 mile run.  Twenty something degrees and dark but I got it done.

P365 - 2016 - Day 4 - I love doing this!

P365 - 2016 - Day 4 - I love doing this!

Better late than never... we all took some time to "review" lasts year's resolutions, reflected on 2015, and set some goals and resolutions for 2016.  I love doing this!

P365 - 2016 - Day 3 - this fan

P365 - 2016 - Day 3 - this fan

Sundays are made for football.... The "guys" spent the day watching all of the games, rooting for all of their teams.  Unfortunately the Jets didn't make it to the playoffs, so this fan was bummed.  But his dad and brother were happy because the Redskins and the Steelers did.

P365 - 2016 - Day 2 - new nails

P365 - 2016 - Day 2 - new nails

New year...new nails... I finished all of the "undecorating" and cleaning and rewarded myself with a new year manicure.  I am all set to go back to work.

P365 - 2016 - Day 1 - What better way

P365 - 2016  - Day 1 - What better way

I started the new year by taking down the decorations, cleaning, and planning my marathon training schedule.  What better way to start the new year than by mapping out a new goal?  The marathon is May 1st so I have mapped out my calendars from now until then with all of the runs I will need to do to be ready to rock this run.  I also decided to take on a 1000 mile challenge for the year.  I plan to use the app "Charity Miles" to earn money for different organizations by tracking my miles.   I am "running it forward".  Here's to a great 2016!!