Hi!
WHEW. It has been a week. On the downside, the kids have been sleeping like $(*&@# (both a little sick, including some fun wheezing for C). On the upside, C has been using the potty like a champ! Woohoo!!
I am on call and planning on a late-ish night at work, but wanted to take a quick break to check in first.
Random updates:
Running: I ran a 5K last weekend and placed 3rd in my age group!! I ran 24:40 or 7:56/mi which is not exactly blazing but I was very happy to be sub-8. I am definitely getting a little bit faster than I was a few months ago. I love that about running – seeing/feeling improvements is just so much fun and rewarding. I know I will have to adjust my expectations as I get older (and older . . .) but I don’t think I’ll ever tire of picking a goal and going for it. Also, running endorphins are real. I am so much happier when I run.
Kids: I registered A for kindergarten. KINDERGARTEN. It was traumatic, honestly. She will be going to the same (public) elementary school that Josh went to, which is pretty crazy! Apparently there is a lot of homework. I am concerned but . . .we’ll just have to see how it goes!
Excellent podcasts episodes of late:
We may have to consider an allowance for the kids soon!
– On Horses and Beatles: A conversation with Real Estate – All Songs Considered
Because I love the band Real Estate, and loved them even more after this podcast.
– Matthieu Ricard, French Monk and ‘World’s Happiest Person’ – 10% Happier
Though this had the side effect of making me feel like I should go vegetarian (for ethical world-saving reasons) even though I actually do not WANT to. But maybe I could go somewhat veg.
Work: On call. Not feeling too stressed out yet. Maybe this will be the week I find call zen . . .
PIX:
7 Comments
Sorry you’ve been dealing with bad sleep issues and ick.
FWIW, Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle disputes a lot of the environmental arguments about vegetarianism (i.e. how much fossil fuel does it take to make and transport tofu vs. eating a locally raised grass fed steak).
A lot of homework in kindergarten seems crazy!!
WowI hope the homework load turns out to be overstated a bit to K at least! Our town recently had a forum for parents of incoming Kindergarten students and they said there is no required homework in kindergarten, though the teachers will give optional activities to kids who want them. They said they want the kids to get a good night’s sleep above all else, haha. Though I suspect some of it at this level depends on the definition of homework. Right now in PreK my daughter has "homework " to write the names of all her classmates on Valentines to exchange.
Congrats on your race!! That’s awesome!
I am extremely excited to register G for kindergarten, yet I have a feeling that when it’s finally time to do it, I’ll feel the trauma as well. He’s ready, though. Our Kindergarten has a little bit of homework but it’s mostly reading for 10 minutes a day – which we already do. I’m more concerned about all of the projects and events and fitting those into our life (with a newborn coming, no less!).
I’m always undecided about vegetarianism. We eat very little meat (maybe 2-3 servings a week each) and only poultry and fish [our mantra is no mammals]. There are days when I really want to give it up and have some bacon or pulled pork [I really don’t miss beef] but then I feel guilty about the environmental impact so I continue on. It’s hard living in NC where almost everything has pork in it. I can’t even get shrimp and grits (how tragic!).
YES! I listened to the 10% Happier podcast as well and I immediately regretted my meat filled sandwich for lunch. I have been going back and forth about going vegetarian for a while now, my main ‘excuse’ is that I could never get my husband to cut out the meat so I would still have to cook it; and I like it. But after listening to the podcast and hearing the monk speak about all of the issues I was already aware of, I just couldn’t justify not cutting the meat out of my own diet. I’ve also felt guilty about consuming dairy products since after I had my children and read literature basically describing the torture of cows in the milk industry. I’ll start taking those small steps as much as I can. ( full disclosure, I did eat beef stew last night bc I made it for my husband and there was an abundance of food that would not get eaten if I didn’t have some for my own dinner. I felt it was worse to waste that meat.)
I hope the kids feel better soon!
erretret