P365 - 2017 - Day 31 - here we go

P365 - 2017 - Day 31 - here we go

I attended my second and final middle school orientation.  My Littlest Leonard is months from graduating 6th grade and becoming a 7th grade middle school student.  I am just barely holding it together .... I thought it would be easier after going through it before, but I was wrong.  I am watching the end of an era - the last child to finish elementary school and the beginning of a new era of middle school and high school.  Ready or not, here we go.

P365 - 2017 - Day 30 - addicted

P365 - 2017 - Day 30 - addicted

My name is Lisa and I have a problem.  I am addicted to Orange is the New Black.  I started binge watching it and I.can.not.stop.

P365 - 2017 - Day 29 - three little faces

P365 - 2017 - Day 29 -three little faces

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about these three little faces.  I don't know why but I continue to be surprised by the passage of time and how fast it all goes.  Lately, with two newly minted 14 year olds and an almost 12 year old, I feel like time is just slipping through my fingers and I am not going to lie.... it is making me a bit sad.  Don't get me wrong....I am so proud of the amazing people these little people are becoming.  I love watching them grow into who they will be, I cheer for every accomplishment and root for them in every endeavor.  But there is always a part of me that misses these little faces and the little voices that I can only just barely hear in my memory.  I miss having them all to myself... when the world didn't really have their hands on them at all.  This photo was from 7 years ago and when I posted it, I had titled it "Best Friends".  I am so happy that they have always had each other, I hope they know how lucky they are, and I hope they remain "best friends" always.  We are reaching a large milestone for all of them soon - with high school and middle school on the horizon and while they are growing up in front of my eyes, they will always be these little faces in my mind.

P365 - 2017 - Day 28 - new sweatshirt

P365 - 2017 - Day 28 - new sweatshirt

LOVE my new sweatshirt and I couldn't have gotten it on a better day.  I feel pretty lucky to have so awesome SOL sisters to run with....especially today when I was not really feeling my run and was battling an internal voice to throw in towel.  Thanks to their support, I got through my 18 mile training run and lived to tell about it....(once I got some coffee, that is) .

P365 - 2017 - Day 27 - The countdown is on

P365 - 2017 - Day 27 - The countdown is on

Further proof that time really flies.... it seems like yesterday that The Princess got her braces and now she will be getting them off in two weeks.  The moment she has been waiting for for close to two years!  In honor of the very important appointment today where she learned the date of the removal of her braces, here she is pre-braces (back in January 2015), then the first day with braces in March of that year, and a more recent photo of her.  She couldn't more excited to see them go and see the end of result.  The countdown is on.

P365 - 2017 - Day 26 - safely protected

P365 - 2017 - Day 26 - safely protected

This guy cracks me up with his bones... tonight he came in from outside and pounced on one of them like he hadn't seen it in days.  He flipped one on the couch by accident and knowing that he wasn't allowed up there to get it, sat staring at it until I rescued it.  In the end, after all of that excitement, he fell asleep with both of them safely protected from any danger....

P365 - 2017 - Day 25 - the calm after the storm

P365 - 2017 - Day 25 - the calm after the storm

And just like that, the waters receded, the temperatures went up, and the sun came out and our island was beautiful and blue skies.  It was the truly the calm after the storm.

P365 - 2017 - Day 24 - flood day

P365- 2017 - Day 24 - flood day

After the wind and the rain, came the flooding...we went to bed knowing schools had called a two hour delay and woke up trapped on all sides by water unable to get to school.  Thankfully the under side of the house stayed relatively dry, I had moved my car to higher ground, and there was really nothing left to do but wait for the water to recede.  So when life hands you a flood day, you make a jammie and chill day too.

P365 - 2017 - Day 23 - oh my the wind

P365 - 2017 - Day 23 - oh my the wind

The NorEaster started with wind, then slowly started to rain.  But the wind....oh my the wind.  While I love living on this sandbar, I am not, have never been, and will never be a fan of boats.  Unfortunately, our house was rocking like a sailboat on rocky seas all day Monday.  It was an ominous warning of what was coming.

P365 - 2017 - Day 22 - Playoffs

P365 - 2017 - Day 22 - Playoffs

It was the Playoffs and we had one kid cheering for the Falcons in their playoff game and one cheering for the Steelers in the other game.  Jerseys were worn.  Superstitions kept safe.  Fingers crossed.  In the end, one kid went to bed happy and the other, not so much.  In the end this house will be cheering for the Falcons to support our youngest Falcon fan... and because, even though I pretty much couldn't care less about football, there are no Patriots fans here.  Anyone but the Patriots.

P365 - 2017 - Day 21 - determined

P365 - 2017 - Day 21 - determined

My long training runs are ratcheting up - today's run was 16 miles with two friends.  Afterward, I realized that I had a record on my watch.  I beat my most recent half marathon best by about 10 seconds.  Not too bad given that I wasn't trying and we ran an additional 3 miles.... but I am still determined to break 2 hours.

P365 - 2017 - Day 20 - In other news

P365 - 2017 - Day 20 - In other news

It was a busy day of hair and eye appointments.  While The Princess was checking out new frames for herself, I tried a few on myself.  I rarely wear my glasses since I am almost always in contacts, but maybe if I had a new pair.... In other news, when did my daughter get so much taller than me and when did she become my twin? I can't be the only one seeing that, right?

P365 - 2017 - Day 19 - second marathon

P365 - 2017 - Day 19 - second marathon

I have been training for a few weeks already (actually did I ever really stop training?) but I finally officially registered for my second marathon!!  I am so beyond excited to run the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach with my friend and running buddy.  26.2, here I come again!!

P365 - 2017 - Day 18 - My wish on their 14th birthday

P365 - 2017 - Day 18 - My wish on their 14th birthday

Happy 14th birthday to our twins... I can hardly believe that 14 years have gone by.  The old adage must be true - Time flies when you're having fun!  I am so proud of the young man and young woman that they are becoming.  Their ambition, drive, determination, humor, intelligence, and kindness never cease to amaze me.  I am beyond lucky to have a front row seat to watch the rest of their life unfold.  My wish on their 14th birthday is that they enjoy every moment of this journey called life, never lose their childhood wonder, always keep their sense of humor, work hard and never back down, remember that their integrity is their most important asset, and always, always have each other's backs.  Love you more than you will ever know.  xoxo

P365 - 2017 - Day 17 - the eve

P365 - 2017 - Day 17 - the eve

There they are on the eve of their 14th birthday.  Their last day as 13 year olds.  Time goes by too fast.  Their heads no longer fit in my hand but they hold my heart in theirs.

P365 - 2017 - Day 16 - the 16th

P365 - 2017 - Day 16 - the 16th

I always begin the celebration of The Bear and The Princess' birthday week on the 16th.... it was the 16th that my water broke, sending me to the hospital.  It was the 16th went "sh** got real".  Since I was not yet 34 weeks, the doctor gave me medicine to hold off my labor.  It was not fun.  It was a little bit scary and there were lots of unknowns.  A parade of doctors came in to talk to us and let us know all of the "risks" - I thought to myself..."well a little late for that isn't it?".  I was uncomfortable. I was hungry (they wouldn't let me eat in case I needed surgery).  But we were excited.  I wanted to meet these two little people so much!  But it would be two more days.... on the 16th my two peas remained safely in their pod.

(I chose this flashback picture even though they weren't here yet because The Princess was having a hard time believing me when I said we could hold their heads in our hands.  So there you have it, two tiny heads in our hands. )

P365 - 2017 - Day 15 - beach walk

P365 - 2017 - Day 15 - beach walk

I went for a wonderful beach walk with a friend that I haven't seen in too long!  It was a nice walk  - we chatted and caught up, breathed in the salt air, and collected these shells.... I even found my first piece of sea glass!!!

P365 - 2017 - Day 14 - new motto

P365 - 2017 - Day 14 - new motto

This is my new motto for the year.....

P365 - 2017 - Day 13 - fun night out

P365 - 2017 - Day 17 - fun night out

It was a fun night out with the SOL girls....talking running and life.  I am so glad I found this tribe this past year. :-)

P365 - 2017 - Day 12 - 2016 Blog Book

P365 - 2017 - Day 12 - 2016 Blog Book

The 2016 Blog Book arrived!!  I love this tradition.... I know we will look back on these books for many years to come.  Love my family!

P365 - 2017 - Day 11 - next step

P365 - 2017 - Day 11 - next step

Once upon a time, I was a teacher....I can not really believe how long ago that part of my life was. The part that was BK - before kids.  We made the decision that I would stay home with the kids.... and I was very happy to do that but somehow the years passed both with speed and a strange longevity as well and before I knew it, I was making my way back to subbing after more than 12 years out of the classroom.  Once I did, I began to remember a part of myself that had lay dormant for the years that my job description was CEO of the Leonard Household.  That part of me remembered how much I loved to be in a classroom.  After two years of substituting, one of my resolutions this year was to complete the process to obtain my P-3 certificate endorsement on top of my Special Education certificate.  I'm not going to lie, I am a little nervous about this... it means taking the Praxis, classes in my future, and the need to make some big decisions.  So, here I am, putting this out in to the Universe.... I am ready to take the next step and see where it takes me.

P365 - 2017 - Day 10 - three of a kind

P365 - 2017 - Day 10 - three of a kind

These three are three of a kind.... whether they are talking sports, scores of games, soccer gear, or whatever other silliness they might be discussing, they are almost always on the same page.  I'm not sure what they were all looking at on the computer but they were in a very serious discussion about it and I had to take this photo.  These are my boys and I love that they are three of a kind.

P365 - 2017 - Day 9 - finally done

P365 - 2017 - Day 9 - finally done

What you are looking at is a hallway complete with trim and closet doors.  Pop the champagne - I could not be happier that this is finally done!!!!

P365 - 2017 - Day 8 - what I got

P365 - 2017 - Day 8 - what I got

This is what I get when I ask the kids to take a selfie on the way home from dinner at ScoJos.  It was a nice dinner out with my favorites....something of a January tradition when there is snow on the ground.  But I didn't manage to get a picture, so I asked them to take one in the car.  This is what I got.

P365 - 2017 - Day 7 - woke up to snow

P365 - 2017 - Day 7 - woke up to snow

We woke up to snow that lasted through the day and into the evening as I type.  I spent the day cooking and relaxing and fighting off a cold that I refuse to have.  The Bear and The Boy met some friends at the beach for snow football and sledding and My Wonderful Husband went surfing - yes surfing - he loves snowy day surf sessions.  Not to be left out, The Pooch went outside to play in the snow as well.

P365 - 2017 - Day 6 - Friday Night No Lights

P365 - 2017 - Day 6 - Friday Night No Lights

It was "the night the lights went out on the island".....  Friday night at St Francis a few minutes into The Boy's basketball game and the whole gym was plunged into darkness.  It turned out that a wire went down on the boulevard leaving a good portion of the island without power, including St Francis gym.  We all waited it out for a bit but then all filed out in the dark and headed home.  Some places have Friday Night Lights.... we had Friday Night No Lights.  Ha!

P365 - 2017 - Day 5 - worth a shot

P365 - 2017 - Day 5 - worth a shot

One week back to school after the holiday break and these 8th  graders are already hoping for a day that they don't need to get up at 6 am.  In order to make that happen, they resorted to wearing their pajamas inside out with high hopes for at least a delayed opening.  Hey, it's worth a shot....I could take a delay... but no snow days!  I want summer to start on time!

P365 - 2017 - Day 4 - tempting fate

P365 - 2017 - Day 4 - tempting fate

I heard a rumor that there might be some snow coming our way.... ut oh, it may have been my winter decorations that did that.  The snowmen came out when the Christmas stuff got put away and I always feel like I am tempting fate when this happens.  But they are so cute.....

P365 - 2017- Day 3 - extra points

P365 - 2017 - Day 3 - extra points

It was a rainy day, I went back to work, and I wasn't feeling waking up in the morning to run.... So after I got home from work, cooked dinner, and got The Boy to and from basketball practice, I headed out into the dark and foggy night to get my 4 miles in for the day.  I think I earned extra points for finding my way through the thick fog and certainly for dodging the many large puddles from all the rain.  But it was actually pretty warm and that was a great trade off....and in no time, I was done and happy that I dragged myself out!

P365 - 2017 - Day 2 - 2017

P365 - 2016 - Day 2 - 2017

Each year for the past three years, we have all taking time at the new year to reflect on the outgoing year and plan for the incoming one.  I love this "worksheet" that everyone so graciously appeases me and fills out....  I love to see what their favorite moments were from the previous year and I love to see the things that they want to work on and improve for the new year.  I love to see where we all want to go (even if they are big dreams that may not happen.... I like to dream big).  It's more than about making resolutions.  It's about looking within and really congratulating ourselves for a year well spent and looking forward to the year to come that is full of opportunities to achieve more, do more, and be more.  With this exercise complete, I say bring it on 2017... The Leonard Five is ready for you.

P365 - 2017 - Day 1 - Another year, another Project 365

P365 - 2017 - Day 1 - Another year, another Project 365

Another year, another Project 365......I can't stop doing this now, we've done it for so long.  This will be the 7th year.  So here we are, in the first few moments of this new year full of possibilities.  I rang in the new year with the my favorites and look forward to all that 2017 has to offer!  Happy New Year from The Leonard Five! xo