P365 - 2017 - Day 181 - this throw back

P365 - 2017 - Day 181 - this throw back

This summer seems to be the summer of multiple directions so when I saw this throw back to 7 years ago, I had to make it the photo of the day.  This trio would spend mornings like this before going up to the beach....

P365 - 2017 - Day 180 - just hanging out

P365 - 2017 - Day 180 - just hanging out

Some cool temperatures and wind on the island mean open windows (before the craziness of the 4th descends on the island that is..) and sweatshirts.  I love that they can have fun just hanging out in the kitchen listening to music, talking and laughing.

P365 - 2017 - Day 179 - a moment

P365 - 2017 - Day 179 - a moment

The kids have been going in three directions a lot this summer so it was nice to catch a moment of brother bonding....

P365 - 2017 - Day 178 - wouldn't trade these dinners

P365 - 2017 - Day 178 - wouldn't trade these dinners

For many years, I was a stickler about dinners all together at a table...and then the kids got older and life started interfering with that plan.  So now I make an effort to make sure that at least a few days out of the week we sit for a meal...sometimes in the summer it's lunch or dinner but a meal at the table nonetheless.  We tend to cook a ton as well so there are leftovers for the nights when we can't all sit down together and are on the run.  So that's what this Tuesday dinner was.  A night to all sit down to dinner together (with several options even).  I wouldn't trade these dinners for any fancy night out at a restaurant!

P365 - 2017 - Day 177 - Mondays

P365 - 2017 - Day 177 - Mondays

Mondays are swim days.  I am committing to this... ok this was just my second week but I went and swam.  I am self conscious and feel like I really stink but I am doing it anyway.  This isn't about anyone else but me.  I promised myself I would give this a go and that is what I am doing.  I may not swim far or fast but I am doing the best I can to be the best I can be.  I may run all the time and have run two marathons but I can tell you that swimming.is.hard.

P365 - 2017 - Day 176 - trophy

P365 - 2017 - Day 176 - trophy

It was his second tournament with his new team this weekend and they brought home the Champion trophy.

P365 - 2017 - Day 175 - end our day

P365 - 2017 - Day 175 - end our day

The Bear was off to a graduation party after his tournament, The Princess was sleeping over at a teammates house after her games and My Wonderful Husband, The Boy and I decided to end our day on the beach with some sunset skimming and surfing.

P365 - 2017 - Day 174 - Let the tournament weekend begin

P365 - 2017 - Day 174 - Let the tournament weekend begin

Let the tournament weekend begin!  The Bear and his team are playing in the Neptune Summer KickOff Tournament and they started with a Friday night game.

P365 - 2017 - Day 173 - summer haircut

P365 - 2017 - Day 173 - summer haircut

Look who went to the spa and got his summer haircut!  This guy.

P365 - 2017 - Day 172 - Love this girl

P365 - 2017 - Day 172 - Love this girl

After getting home from work, The Princess asked if I wanted to walk up to the beach with her.  We got a little rain but as soon as it stopped we grabbed some chairs and walked up for a bit before dinner and practices.  Love this girl.

P365 - 2017 - Day 171 - two chairs looking out at the ocean

P365 - 2017 - Day 171 - two chairs looking out at the ocean

So I am about to make a cheesy analogy but bear with me.... life is like the ocean.  The tides come in and go out, sometimes the sea is rough and other times it is calm and serene.  You may find hidden treasures that wash up at your feet and you can send your own wishes and dreams out with the waves.  Hallmark may not be banging down my door to acquire this bit is beachy wisdom, but it is what I was thinking about as I soaked in this moment.  Just like the tides, it seems that we have returned once again to days spent with two chairs on the sand.  For so many years, we have schlepped and carried all of the accoutrements that go along with three children at the beach.  We have adjusted our days based on naps and lunches, played in the sand and water, packed snacks, stood nervously at the water's edge, and watched as our three children grew up in front of our eyes.  On this first day that I was able to get to the beach this summer, our three children were in three directions, on different beaches with friends and once again it was just me and My Wonderful Husband.  Just two chairs looking out at the ocean.

P365 - 2017 - Day 170 - Third marathon - third state - bring it on!

P365 - 2017 - Day 170 - Third marathon - third state - bring it on!

Ok, it's official.... I registered for my third marathon.  I will be running the Freedoms Run Marathon in Harper's Ferry, WV on September 30.  Third marathon - third state - bring it on!  I just finished my training plan which began today and I am ready to do this thing!!!

P365 - 2017 - Day 169 - Happy Father's Day

P365 - 2017 - Day 169 - Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to My Wonderful Husband.   The kids and I are so lucky to have you!!!  xoxoxoxo

P365 - 2017 - Day 168 - Another Wall uniform

P365 - 2017 - Day 168 - Another Wall uniform

Another Wall uniform is in the house.  The Bear has made a move to a new team and both he and The Boy have EDP tournaments this weekend with their new teams and we are going in two directions.  Here's to a great weekend of games and a great transition to these new teams.

P365 - 2017 - Day 167 - Let Summer begin

P365 - 2017 - Day 167 - Let Summer begin

Today was my last day of school.  It was a fun two months of long term subbing in second grade.  I got to work with some awesome people and had the pleasure of being in the school for the end of the year fun.  Once I was done and celebrated with my fellow teachers, I went home to get in a run and check out the beach which I am hoping I get to see soon....I am ready to let summer begin!

P365 - 2017 - Day 166 - Just like that

P365 - 2017 - Day 166 - Just like that

Just like that, the year has come to an end... and with it the end of an era.  No longer will a Leonard kid catch a bus on the corner of 93rd and Long Beach Blvd.  After the final awards ceremony where The Boy was awarded a special medal for breaking the school mile record - set by his brother two years ago, the Presidential Fitness Award, Honor Roll for the year, Safety Patrol, Perfect Attendance, and the Outstanding Academic Achievement (from last night's graduation), he walked out of the Long Beach Island Grade School as the last of the Leonard children.  Four years ago, this school and district welcomed us with open arms as we made our way back home to NJ and settled our family and our hearts on this 18 mile sandbar we call home.  This school will always hold special memories for us all and it was bittersweet to see that come to an end.... This handsome young man is ready to move on over the bridge to Southern Regional Middle School but he will always be a Sandpiper at heart.

P365 - 2017 - Day 165 - 6th grade graduation

P365 - 2017 - Day 165 - 6th grade graduation

It seems like yesterday that my "littlest Leonard" began Kindergarten.  After watching his big brother and sister before him, he was so ready to take that step and begin "big kid school".  Gone were the days of nap times and snuggling on the couch in the middle of the day to watch Little Bear or Max and Ruby.  He was ready to grab his backpack and take that first big step on his journey.  He was ready to take on the world....on that first day of kindergarten, after a breakfast of "jelly toast", with his favorite shark tooth necklace and spiderman slap bracelet, he walked into school with his brave shoulders set and his eyes on his future.  I can not believe that so much time has passed and we are now watching as he graduates from 6th grade - with that same brave determination and his eyes firmly set on his future.  I am so proud of this boy and all of his accomplishments - he graduated with academic honors and the physical fitness award.  He has gone from that cherub faced little boy in the first photo to the handsome young man in the second and I look forward to seeing all the places he will go.  Congratulations on your 6th grade graduation!!!  xo

P365 - 2017 - Day 164 - all three of my "bugs"

P365 - 2017 - Day 164 - all three of my "bugs"

For two years, two of these glass bugs sat waiting for the third.  This is a traditional 6th grade art project that they do at the LBI School and with the addition of this third bug, it is obvious that graduation is drawing ever closer ..... in just one more day, all three of my "bugs" will be heading over the bridge to Southern.

P365 - 2017 - Day 163 - officially high school freshmen

P365 - 2017 - Day 163 - officially high school freshmen

This year went by in a flash... each year seems to go faster than the last.  And just like that, these two finished 8th grade and are now officially high school freshmen!  I am so proud of their hard work over the past two years - in the classroom and on the fields.  I continue to watch in amazement at the young man and lady that they are becoming and look forward to seeing all that they achieve in life.

P365 - 2017 - Day 162 - the final days

P365 - 2017 - Day 162 - the final days

The school year is coming to an end and with 6th grade graduation almost upon us, the Class of 2017 had a pool party to celebrate.  After a weekend of three tournaments and a triathlon, The Boy was able to make it to the party after his last game.  They had a blast soaking up the sun and the final days of 6th grade.

P365 - 2017 - Day 161 - first...of the season

P365 - 2017 - Day 161 - first...of the season

My Wonderful Husband competed in his first triathlon of the season - the Jersey Genesis.  He did an awesome job finishing the 1/2 mile swim, 16 mile bike, and 4 mile run in 1:35:17.

P365 - 2017 - Day 160 - Bay Day

P365 - 2017 - Day 160 - Bay Day

The LBI Class of 2017 had a beautiful, warm and sunny day for Bay Day....after days upon days of cold, cloudy, and rainy days, this was the picture perfect day.  They had a blast hanging at the bay beach paddle boarding, swimming and playing basketball.  It was a great way to blow off some steam after a long year!  These beach kids are heading over the bridge to the mainland soon, so this was a great reminder of where they come from.

P365 - 2017 - Day 159 - new medal holders

P365 - 2017 - Day 159 - new medal holders

Our new medal holders arrived and I can not wait to get them on the wall and hang all of my race bling!!

P365 - 2017 - Day 158 - they say it's June

P365 - 2017 -  Day 158 - they say it's June

Yes, they say it's June.  Yes, that is the fireplace.  Yes, those are long sleeves.  I think we are in a constant winter loop at the moment.  I fondly remember sun and warm days......

P365 - 2017 - Day 157 - one of the many things

P365 - 2017 - Day 157 - one of the many things

This is one of the the many things I love about teaching.  These little notes mean the world to me.  :-)

P365 - 2017 - Day 156 - ran the mile in 5:33

P365 - 2017 - Day 156 - ran the mile in 5:33

Two years ago, The Bear broke the LBI School mile run time record that had stood for about 20 years.  He ran it is 5:45.  At that time, in 4th grade, The Boy quietly decided that if anyone was going to beat his brother's record it would be him.  Today, he did just that.  He ran the mile today in 5:33 and broke his brother's record and set the newest LBI School record in 6th grade.  See that smile...that is pride right there.

P365 - 2017 - Day 155 - proud to say

P365 - 2017 - Day 155 - proud to say

I am still processing this experience...it is something that will stay with me forever and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to do it again!  This is about so much more than running - it is about getting outside of yourself a bit, pushing your limits, testing your resolve and courage, and yes - it's about finding your "inner wild".  I am proud to say that I did all of those things and intend to do them as much as I can in life.

P365 - 2017 - Day 154 - We are Ragnarians!

P365 - 2017 - Day 154 - We are Ragnarians

After a pretty decent sleep, in the van at some drive in movie theater... we woke up to some rain.  When it finally passed, the sun came back out and it was a second beautiful day just in time for my final run - the Ragnar Leg - 10.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1480 ft!!  Straight up the mountain to the top of the 100 mile overlook at Jim Thorpe.  It was amazing!  It was the hardest run of my life but it was amazing.  After reaching the peak, it was a downhill sail into the town of Jim Thorpe with a final hill for good measure as the crossed the bridge and ran into town - you can see the bridge and the town in the arial view above.  Once I finished, we had four more runners to go and then, as a team, we crossed the finish line - in 33 total hours and placed 6th in the Women's Open Division.  I am super proud of my accomplishment and the accomplishments of the other 10 women ( we had one drop at the last minute so we didn't have 12 this time).  We are Ragnarians! I can't wait to do this again!!!

P365 - 2017 - Day 153 - another Ragnar

P365 - 2017 - Day 153 - another Ragnar

I participated in another Ragnar - this time in Pennsylvania - 200 miles from Lancaster to Split Rock, Poconos.  We set out at 8 am on Friday to meet up with our van at the first major exchange and begin our first legs.  I ran 5.1 miles around noon and then 7.5 miles at around 10:30pm.  The scenery was amazing and my runs were great.  I was done early enough that I was able to actually get some sleep before the second day and my last leg.....

P365 - 2017 - Day 152 - final Field Day

P365 - 2017 - Day 152 - final Field Day

The days are ticking away and we are in the final stretch of The Boy's sixth grade year.  I am not sure how it got here so fast....  Today was his final Field Day.  I wasn't able to be there because I had work, but My Wonderful Husband was able to represent for us both.  He even got me this photo.  Nine years of attending field days....and just like that, it's over.  Graduation is in a couple of weeks and I am already feeling myself getting emotional.