Continuing from last month, I ran every day this month, for a minimum of 30 minutes. Last month, doing 3 miles daily seemed like a huge accomplishment but now it seems more of a normal part of my routine. Sustainable. I'm already making plans for how I can continue the same distance in the fall when back to work full-time. I like running in my life and the benefits are not just for me, but everyone I interact with. 
I realized that I had shifted from making myself run to wanting to run on Mother's Day. When I woke up that day, I told myself that since it was my day, I could spend it however I wanted. I briefly thought of skipping the run, but knowing how it makes me feel, I dressed in my running clothes and headed out the door before hubby was out of bed, or before I even realized what was happening. I waved bye to the kids as they watched me through the window on A's bed. It was then that I realized that I just might be enjoying it and decided to continue the daily miles all month.
By the end of the month, I had logged 173 miles. Disappointingly, I did not lose one pound. I realized that I need to do something additional and different because I still have more pounds to lose. I need to build more muscle mass and also make revisions to my diet. What I've been doing isn't cutting it (see what I did there?) and I seemed to have hit a plateau, almost twenty pounds away from where I want to be. This was hard to admit, but once I got over it, I felt good about my plan and am excited to share what I did and also my results at the end of next month!
Besides birthdays, our month was filled with hikes, backyard camping, beach trips, Joshua Tree, the Cabazon dinosaurs and more hikes! She also made a huge progression this month in learning sight words. We started with five and by month's end, she could recognize 20!
I truly love being home with these kids and my husband. This time together is such a unique gift and I am reminded of how blessed we are almost daily. Future spouse selection advice for the kids: Choose someone you could be around 24/7 for three months and still be excited to see! I love doing life with this guy! Although it looks like our summer trip to Krakow & Croatia won't happen, I'm perfectly happy with him right here in our home. 
For A's birthday, my husband and I created two balloon garlands. I put one up on the stairs a few days before and then created the second one with a backdrop after she went to sleep for the wow factor when she woke up. (If you're planning to do this, make sure that you use an electric pump like this one.) We also hung a pink canopy with lights above her bed while she was asleep.
Grandpa Glennie joined us for the gift opening. Glennie bought A the double doll stroller that she really wanted, and Grandpa-Glennie gave her a new pink Power Wheels that goes twice as fast as her Jeep. Grandpa also had some very special flowers delivered to her, in the shape of a dog.
After nap, Mara came over for pizza, cake and a confetti cannon. It was a special day, but we are still looking forward to a bigger celebration at Wish Out Loud next month.
I wish this time in my life lasted a little longer. Two decades with the kids at their current ages would suit me just fine. I just don't want them to grow up!
Cheers to family time + making memories with the simple things!
