What a fabulous weekend! Little girl loved her birthday party, a very simple family-only affair built around some delicious homemade lasagne, garlic bread, caesar salad, topped off by a yummy carrot cake — the best kind of old-school comfort food.
Can you see the delight and wonder on her face?
And the love on her dad’s?
She was thrilled with the scooter-bike, and we were impressed at her determination to figure out the balance thing, never succumbing to frustration. By the end of the day, she’d got it.
Not without a pitstop along the way . . . .
In other news, I finished my Half Marathon in quite decent time, although not a Personal Best — the icy sections of the course required slowing down (at least for this runner who had no intention of risking a fall). Still, I was in by 2:04, and the adjusted time will be reasonably close to the 2:01 I managed last May.
Right now, I’m hobbling a bit, but happily, and expect to be fully recovered by tomorrow. The blister on my foot stayed intact until after the race, but began leaking this afternoon — perfect timing. Currently, I’m kicking back with the weekend papers, enjoying the blissful cocktail of endorphins that is the Runner’s High. Not even going to complain about the continuing cold and the snow flurries in the weather forecast. It’s all good . . . .
How about you? Did you have a good weekend? Are you ready for the week ahead?
Nola is such a cutie – is she 3 now? She reminds me a bit of a mini version of the woman who writes Between Laundry Days (a very chic young woman). Of course, Nola is totally her own person…
Sounds like a delicious birthday dinner. And perfect for this time of year.
I'm so impressed that you ran a marathon – and in this weather, no less. I say that while stuffing my face with chocolate sable.
That's a GREAT time for a half – especially given injury AND icy conditions! Well done. Gorgeous photos of the birthday girl.
My weekend involved going out for dinner for my mother's 70th, plus ferrying of kids to sailing and auditions … Fun but not entirely relaxing. It's already Monday here, and I'm not sure how that happened.
I can't believe she's two already! These pictures are just delightful.
Congratulations again on finishing your Half Marathon. That's really quite an achievement, even without ice and blisters to contend with!
She's adorable!
Such a precious time for all of you…and the menu sounds perfect.
The baby is gone. The little girls has arrived!
Congrats on finishing the marathon. I thought of you much today and wondered how it went. Enjoy the glow of accomplishment, the endorphins and the snow. It sounds like a lovely way to spend an evening.
K: A Half Marathon only — two of my sisters run the full ones, but so far I've escaped that temptation.
And yes, I can see the similarity you notice with Between Laundry Days (a blog worth keeping an eye on, thanks)
Tiffany: Oh, I do remember those days as a chauffeur to one kid activity after another. Fun, as you say, but not exactly relaxing.
Pseu: I love that new photo of you, at least, I think it's new — did you get your hair cut?
Hostess: It was a great menu, and even better for all being cooked by the kids — we just relaxed and enjoyed!
Belette: She really is a girl rather than a baby now, yes. And as I corrected K, above, I only ran a Half Marathon, not the real deal!
'It's all good' that is SO Canadian, I say it with a really poor Canadian twang sometimes!! I met my cousin who had flown in from Toronto on Saturday, of course the weather finally cropped up!
It must feel so amazing to have completed the half marathon, well done you.
Birthday girl is cute as ever, does she ever not smile for the camera?
Bravo on your run! Strange you have snowflakes before us in TO. And that look on Nola's face, that photo should be on our coins, or someplace we'd see everyday, to remind us that life holds wonders and delights at any age.
Alison: It might be Canadian, but it's also a younger generation thing — when I use it, it's always a wee bit tongue-in-cheek or ironic. Self-conscious. And yes, she always smiles for the camera — often with a big "Cheese"!
Duchesse: I know! It doesn't seem fair we should have this early blast of winter, but my skiing friends seem pleased. You've got exactly what I mean to capture in Nola's face — it does seem to me an inspiring reminder of wonder, of how life can be if you really pay attention.
She looks so beautifully happy. And I'd say you deserved every single endorphin you felt, after that race. Congratulations.
The two first pictures are so beautiful! Congratulations to the grandmother too!
LPC/Metscan: Thank you.
Bravo on making the run and I am sure worth the effort and the discomfort afterwards.
Fabulously adorable birthday girl as well.