Valentine's day crafting

There's really only a couple days a year that I bust out my skills...the ones way deep down...those crafty ones by which I follow pinterest directions down to the T and something fun turns out.  Valentine's day is one such day.  I got the supplies ready tonight and did a practice round.  A couple of lessons learned:

1. Peeling crayons takes a lot longer then you would think...calluses will build.

2.  Put the silicon tray on a cookie sheet otherwise you'll have to let it cool / re-harden in the oven.

Spa evening

I'm fresh from GJ thanks to saved up Christmas and Valentine's gifts from Nick and Deven.  Maternity massage and pedi can't go wrong.  I'm feeling pretty comfortable so I thought it would be a good time to document the 'ol belly so I can remember why we will be done after two!! : ).  37 weeks tomorrow!

Valentine's Day Dash

Deven signed up for his first race this month. Well actually, I couldn't stand not signing up for the dash again this year so I made the whole family come with me!! We got Deven his first running shoes and prepared him by talking about the race all week. When we got to the race he prepared by running almost the full length of the neighboring soccer field, downed a dum dum sucker from the packet pick-up table and inhaled a full banana. He was good to go.



After I felt satisfied with the number of pre-dash pictures I had taken it was time to get him lined up. Kiddos his age were required to be at the back so Nick and Deven got ready...the competition was pretty fierce. There were lady love bugs everywhere! I am pretty sure Deven (accompanied by Daddo and Momma) were last. I'm talking the people making sure the course was cleaned up had to slow down for him to finish!! Regardless, he had the best time and celebrated with his honorary ribbon and tons of hugs and kisses from Grandma and Grandpa Bodle!


Next up was the official Valentine's Day Dash. I made the decision to stop running around 26 weeks (6.5 months) so it had been almost two months since I had even put the 'ol running shoes on. Thankfully edema has not been an issue this pregnancy so they actually fit...no, they would not have fit at this point with Deven! I strapped Deven into his spaceship (aka stroller) and we headed to the outer most corral so as not to disturb those 15 minute 5k finishers.

I decided to do what I could running wise, which proudly was about 3/4 of a mile, before it was just too uncomfortable. I finished the rest walking as fast as I could which wasn't as fast as some stroller mommas but I managed to finish before they cleaned up the coarse! Bottom line is Deven and I finished in about 49 minutes. Nick circled backed to make sure baby sister was still in my belly so we all finished as a family. Uncle Aaron presented Deven with his first trophy after we crossed the finish line.

The race was a success and officially a tradition for the Johnston Family. Will we enter into our 4th consecutive St. Patrick's Day Dash?? TBD!!

Belated Valentine's Post

So I am about a week behind but the Saturday before Valentine's Day Nick and I decided to celebrate. In the majority it was all about different places to eat!!

First up was a quick run around Green Lake - the better to fight the calories to be consumed later. We had a blast! Deven ran with us...or rather rode with us in the stroller. He did wonderful - measured by whether or not he has both shoes, blanket and isn't screaming "All Done!!" The free bananas, apples, bottled water and all the trucks he could see were enough for him to put up with us.

Next, we scooted over to Hale's Pub in Ballard for brunch with our friends Codie and Alex. Don't worry, there was plenty of family seating. Please note their coffee cake is to die for (but not better than Bubba's no Christmas morning)!

Later we used his schools "date night" service for the first time and hit the town, Mill Creek Town Center that is, for some Indian Cuisine at the Clay Pit. We ate enough naan and curry to last us for the rest of the weekend.

Grown up conversation and a cocktail at a neighboring Mexican restaurant closed our day before we had to pick up the man from his after bed time play date. We heard pizza was on the menu...now anything with tomatoes and oregano is, PIZZA!!!