So what did we do with ourselves today you’re surely wondering?

Why we took up the offer of a fellow homeschooling mama to blow this pop stand in favor of the YMCA and burn off some energy this afternoon.

Not me, mind you. I burned off a bunch of energy at 6 AM with my new running friends. These kids though? Yeah. They’ve got a ton energy to burn and let’s call a spade a spade: They are driving me nuts.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love them – but let’s face it. It’s winter. They’re kids. Our new yard is small and sort of boring. We miss our friends. It was time to herd some sheep and get the flock out of this house for a little while.

After some time in the padded room, I decided to write a children’s book.

I’m going to call it: The Monkey and the Snorkeler Go Swimming

Is it possible we burned off a little too much energy? After I accepted my Children’s Lit award, we hit up Goodwill and the monkey fell asleep while we waited in the donation drop off line of 100 cars. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who had the idea to donate stuff today. It’s all about the tax breaks, baby. Well not for me it’s not! I just moved, peeps! I need to get this stuff out of my house! Here, you can have my receipt if you let me cut to the front of the line!

Oh great. Now she’s going to be raring to ring in the new year. Quick, someone set the clock ahead 3 hours! That’s the only way I’m going to stay up until “midnight”. I’m celebrating with my pillows and a little bit of drool tonight.

After sheep herding fun we came back to the sheep pen (do sheep live in pens? Or is that pigs? Bah. Details.) and I did my best to avoid cooking once again.

Not only am I not cooking, I’m not even making hummus! Blasphemy! Good thing Sabra hummus is so damn creamy and good. I’m jealous actually – what the heck do those Sabra scientists do to make it so flocking creamy?

I bought the roasted garlic variety (because you know, vampires) and holy garlic breath batman we loved this. In fact, “we” loved this so much “we” barely left me a tablespoon for faux-cooking tonight.

My sad little layer of hummus on my slice of toasted sesame Ezekiel bread.

Light on the hummus, heavy on the spinach. Isn’t that how that saying goes?

Wow. My last post of 2009. Do I know how to ring in the blog new year or what?

• Whensday?
• Thanksgiving is Officially Over
• Rest Day

After a roasted red pepper hummus sandwich and a side of carrot sticks with salsa for lunch this afternoon,

we were off with some friends to the local garden center for some holiday fun.

Lots of decorations to check out -

and painted plywood to stick our heads through.

We enjoyed a gigantic train display.

The adults appreciated the finer details of the model, like dirty old men and their posters.

Bums being picked up by the cops.

Guys drinking on the job.

After train spotting, it was time to move on.

There were rides to ride after all! And rides to just watch too, apparently.

Maxine chose to watch, Ava chose to ride.

One likes to bounce.

One likes to hold still.

But we finally found a ride that was Maxine approved. Mama approved too thanks to the lack of sketchy characters standing around the train scene. Although a reindeer decorating a Christmas tree seems a little sketchy, but we’ll let it slide this time.

A fun day out, but I’m afraid the day after Thanksgiving is not complete without a meal full of leftovers.

Leftovers of vegetarian stuffing and sweet potato casserole were freshened up with some steamed broccoli and cauliflower and a little sage seasoned, sauteed tofu.

Plus a small piece of apple pie!

The leftovers are gone, the last piece of pie has been eaten. Thanksgiving is officially over. Who wants a sexy lady poster for Christmas? I’m making my list and checking it twice! I already know you’re naughty, but I’m nice – Mama Claus is shopping around!

• Whensday?
• The Reasons I Had Kids
• Strawberry Shortcuts

Well why don’t you just make yourself at home Hissy?

Hissy has in fact made herself at home, I happened upon her last night in the bathroom hanging out on the sink.

A little snake charming last night, a little charming pre-run snack this morning.

Why do dates look so creepy when you cut into them? And then to top it all off – it coughs up this gigantic bug-like pit! This is a cruel joke of nature if you ask me. Here! Eat this thing that looks disgusting but tastes unbelievable! Try it – it’s good, I promise! Just don’t look at it.

I had plans to run with my running bud Shawn today and it’s a good thing because I was not at ALL in the mood to run this morning. Glad to have someone I’ve made plans with on days like that.

He showed up around 9 and we warmed up by running the mile to the track. He’s been pestering me for a while to do a “fast mile” – basically run one mile as fast as we can. That’s what was on tap for today. After some stretching we each ran our own fast mile – meaning we each ran at our own pace 4 times around the outdoor track.

He ran his mile in 5:56, I ran mine in 6:52. I think that’s probably my PR for a mile, and is definitely not a pace I could have held on to much beyond a mile. It does make me want to believe a sub-20 5K might be a realistic goal with more speed work!

To summarize, that mile totally sucked, but I felt really good when it was over. I’m glad to have a benchmark though so I can see improvement (or lack there of) with more training.

We ran 3 more miles back to the house and ended with a grand total of about 5 miles in 40 minutes.

This mornings run was COLD – only hot oatmeal sounded good for breakfast this morning. Except it was 11 by the time I was finally getting around to making breakfast, so maybe this was lunch?

Banana bread oatmeal – KERF style!

1/2 c unsweetened vanilla hemp milk, 1/2 c water, half sliced bananas brought to boil.

Once the water started to boil I added a half cup of rolled oats, a pinch of raisins and walnuts and a dash of cinnamon. Cook and stir regularly for 5 minutes, covered and let sit for 2 – 3 minutes before serving.

Topped with slices from the other half of the banana.

Hissy has been quite the hit around here – tune in to see a Hissy introduction!

And yes, that is Maxine saying “Oh my GOD” at the end over and over. I’m a fabulous role model.

• One Armed Carrot Jokes
• Half Marathon Race Recap
• Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

This morning we had an appointment to visit a prospective house. I had time for 45 minutes of yoga, a fast breakfast and shower before zipping out the door to meet up with Zak and our realtor in the city. After our walk through that lasted nearly an hour, Zak and I walked the streets in the surrounding neighborhood to get a feel for the area.

Did you know that house hunting makes you hungry? True story.

We hit up a bagel shop and split a hummus-veggie sandwich on an everything bagel, and we each got a cup of pumpkin (!!) soup. We discussed our thoughts on the house over lunch – a lot of character and nice features, but overpriced and needs some work. Sounds like we could have just as easily been discussing someone’s face and their consideration for a nose job.

I got home to discover a package waiting for me!

All sorts of goodies from Cindy!

Hmmmm – dark chocolate and tahini? Someone knows me a little too well!

But wait! What’s this?

Oh boy this is serious!

A little belated birthday hissy for Maxine!

The whole kit and kaboodle – tea, peanut butter cups, post it notes OH MY!

The girls have been with Aunt Ellen today so Maxine has yet to meet Hissy Le Maxine! They should be home shortly, so in the mean time I’m enjoying my new hand warmers with a cup of tea and a little computer bonding before the silence is broken. Thank you Cindy for the amazing care package you sent!

Friday night is almost here. Might that be considered an emergency? I must go investigate a rather large bar of dark chocolate to help me cope with the approach of the weekend.

• Whensday?
• Thanksgiving is Officially Over
• Rest Day

So we made it to the playground today but didn’t stay long because Ava was practically paralyzed by her fear of bees… she was stung when she was three and now she freaks when she sees one. It’s gonna be a loooong summer.

Bees don’t BUG Maxine too much though!

We had lunch at home and then they played while I worked on my computer and puttered around the house.

File this under “I Know a Good Idea When I Steal One”:

Almond Butter Stuffed Date!

These make awesome little desserts or as part of a snack!

For dinner I made gigantic salads. Green leaf lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, avocado, red pepper, cold tofu cut into chunks, feta cheese. My favorite way to do tossed salad is throw all the ingredients in a big bowl, top with dressing and TOSS IT! I use less dressing and everything gets coated! YUM ME!

Mine is tossed and ready to eat up front! Zak’s is in the back, sans dressing… cause he wasn’t home from work yet when I sat down to eat.

A longish run planned for first thing in the morning… 7 or 8 depending on how I feel when I get to the fork in the road. The low should only get into the 60′s tonight. Shorts in the morning baby!

• There’s Always a Silver Lining
• Thanksgiving is Officially Over
• Say What You Mean To Say

No work out this morning because I decided to stay home and clean up this house.  But instead I found myself playing around with Twitter and reading blogs.  Maybe I’ll do yoga this afternoon.

We would normally be rushing around like maniacs on a Wednesday morning trying to get out the door on time to Ava’s homeschool “class”, but now we’re done until the fall.  I guess we’ll just have to homeschool at home or something until then.

Monday was a low key day at home.  A 4.76 mile morning run and then did nothing but play and clean and cook.  After doing “nothing”  for the first half of the day we ventured out for a bike ride around the block.

Yes, I let my two and a half year old ride in the middle of the street.

OK, I really don’t, I made her get over as soon as I took that pic.  See?

Ava with her long 5 year old legs got ahead of us and we caught up with her investigating the drainage system of our subdivision. 

Love those puddle jumping boots.  Her sneakers were MIA so we made due.

This is about where things got a little dicey.  Off the bike.  Not a good sign.

I smell a nap.

And nap she did!

Yesterday after a quick 27 minute, 6.5 mile bike ride and breathing hard with Jillian and Level 3 for another 27 minutes I hauled us to the library and we scored some new fun reads.

I wanted to see what all the fuss is about with Skinny Bitch, and because I’m a Cheap Bitch I got it at the library, and will end up only paying .50 in late fines for it instead $10 brand new.

I got Chicka Chicka Boom Boom for Maxine since she now enjoys singing the entire alphabet and it was one of Ava’s favorites.  When we got home though the only person that wanted me to read it to them was Ava. Maxine was not at all interested.  Oh well, doesn’t hurt to brush Ava up on these sorts of things I suppose.

Chicka Chicka BOOM BOOM!  Will there be enough room?

Today we’re heading to the playground for a picnic and playing with Sharon, Haylee and Lauren. I should be cleaning until they get here but instead I’m procrastinating!

• Whensday?
• Thanksgiving is Officially Over
• For Old Aunt Zyne