Me lately

There are so many things I need to record here - I'll get there eventually.

But for now, I am more tired than ever. Going, going, going has finally gotten the best of me. I'm putting things that should be refrigerated in the pantry and trying to push the gas on a car that hasn't been started yet. Lack of sleep, too many things at once, Brian out of town. Tomorrow will be a good day. (Not that today wasn't - Seven Peaks with the boys and friends, naps, exercise, dinner and shopping with Mother.) Tomorrow we'll fold the mountain (literally) of laundry and play with the boys. Slow and steady, I always say.

Echo Triathlon on Saturday. That's what's really making me nervous and tired!

Fourteen Month McKay

You lately...

cruising, grabbing, pulling, investigating

daring, climbing

not walking yet...but soon

grass, dirt, sand, cement, scraped knees

bonking, bruising, crying

swimming, laughing, clapping, waving

daddy, nana, hi, doggy

making your voice and opinions heard

we hear you, buddy - loud and clear

And then he was three...

We had a marathon birthday weekend with parties and activities spanning two full days. Gavin's "Spiderman Birthday" has been on his mind for months and months.

We had family over for a BBQ yesterday. Brian got the yard all spiffed up the entire Robinson family came.

Gavin specifically asked for a Spiderman cake. I wasn't sure how I was going to pull this off until I found this cake pan. It was a little time consuming, but I think it turned out pretty well. I kindof felt like a star-tip-caking rock star.
Gavin's cousin Madi has a birthday next week. They love celebrating their birthdays together. When Gavin goes to heaven, he's certain that mom, dad, McKay, and Madi will be there. He also wants to marry her.

Grandma Robinson pulled out all the stops and completed the Spiderman theme. A shirt, hat, swim shorts, and personalized scooter were favorite gifts.
He was a little less excited about the baseball hat and preschool books we gave him.
But we won with the Black and Decker Junior tool kit. Willingness to share comes and goes.
My little worker boy. Sometime earlier this day Brian said, "You can cut his hair if you want to..." Yes, I want to. We've been growing it out for six months so Brian could have his dreams of a surfer boy. I don't see surfer. I see raggamuffin.
In the morning, on his REAL birthday, we put batteries in his tools and he played and played. After a swim lesson, he got a haircut and sported his new baseball hat. How old does he look??

After naps we went golfing and 4D rollercoastering at Trafalga. "This is so much fun, mom!"

And, as per new tradition (free coupons!!), a Baskin Robbins birthday scoop. "I want green."
Ran to Walmart to pick up some toys using Grandma and Grandpa Woolf's birthday money. He scored a Spiderman action figure and helmet. He's all set.
A letter to my three-year-old Gavin:

I remember specifically the thoughts I had one year ago today. I knew you were changing. And it seriously happened in an instant. It was literally the day you turned two that we started conversing. I mean really talking about things - and you understood. Two was cute. Really, really cute. I've said it before, but I could have just bottled you up. Minus a few episodes, of course.

I've seen signs of your three-ness for awhile now. More independent, more stubborn, more I can do it by myself, thank you very much attitude. Even today, I see a shift. I've been warned by others, but I've fully been expecting a revolt from you. I have a feeling it's coming. You are strong and have your own mind. You negotiate and question. I think we both want to win and I'm wondering how that will turn out. I'm guessing we'll take turns. I'm guessing I'll get tired some days, and other days I'll be the boss mama. I told your dad today that I need to be so patient and so emotionless when we get into those things, but that's hard to do when I'm in the moment. I want to be kind and fair and I want to teach you well. I'm nervous. I'm guessing I'll always be nervous because I don't totally know what I'm doing. And you're the first. I'm making this up as I go. I'll do my best, but hope that you'll forgive me later.

At the same time, your growing up has shown me how much compassion and empathy you have for everyone around you. It is not uncommon for you to worry about people's feelings. I love that about you. I love that you still say, "I love you, mom" all the time. You tell us we're your heroes. And that I'm gorgeous. And that the food I make is delicious. And thank you for doing this fun thing with me. And that you need a snuggle friend. And call me Gavvy Bear. Or Monster Gav. Or Super Gav. And will you protect me? You say such funny, smart things.

At age three, you:

*still will take a nap most days

*recognize all of your letters and can usually come up with a word that starts with each one

*can count past twenty

*love to build forts

*love to be outside - you love your bike and love playing tag with your friends in the front yard

*watch How to Train Your Dragon and have it pretty much memorized

*have an incredible memory - I can't believe the things we talk about that you connect and remember

*love to sing and repeat songs you hear after just a few times (I knew I had to be careful when you started singing some Lady Gaga song I had on a random CD in the car. Then there was the time you busted out How do I get you alone?? from my Glee soundtrack. Yikes. Likewise, you know most of the primary songs I've taught the kids at church this year. Now that's cute.)

*have a hard time with your brother. Well, you can't stand him, really. You rarely want him by you, touching you or any toy that you may or may not want to play with, or making any noise that you can hear

*are doing more focused and imaginative play by yourself and with friends

*think Sacrament meeting is torture - right when we sit down you say, "Are we done yet?"

You are a special, special boy. You are loved. Thank you for teaching me and loving me despite my weaknesses. I guess that's what you do when you're in a family. And I'm so glad you're in mine.

Love,

Mommy Bear

Another year

I have triathlons, St. George trips, McKay's monthly write-up, and other things I want to write about. But right now I just cannot seem to get over this:

June 6, 2008
2009
2010
2011
Three? When did that happen? I've been here virtually every minute and yet it is still mind boggling how entire years seem to pass so quickly. Crazy. He's his own person, that's for sure.

I love you, Super Gav - sassy and all.

Women of Steel Triathlon

A few months back, my friend Michelle asked me if I wanted to try a triathlon. Me? Triathlons? Not in my wildest dreams! But once I signed up for it, I got really excited.

In March I took swimming lessons at the AF Rec Center with my friends Alison and Jen. It was amazing how the first day I could swim no more than half a lap without feeling like I was suffocating and eight lessons later, I swam ten laps in a row. My Arizona summer swim team days came back to me and it was a matter of endurance rather than technique.

We dropped the boys off on race day and Brian and I headed over. Alison, Emily and I waited in line forever to get started with the swim. Lots of women were in the wrong time slot and thought they swam faster than they really did. That made it hard when I was trying to pass them and they were walking or using the walls to crawl along. Lesson learned for next time...put myself up in the time zones and just say I swim faster than I do. Then I will be exactly in the right spot...


The bike portion was super fun - I think it's my new favorite sport! Not that I'm super speedy, but it's a total rush biking down hills at high speeds. The run was my weakest - I felt like I was crawling. I'll work on that...

As I crossed the finish line, I felt proud and strong. I am SO glad that I did it and know for sure I will do it again. A perfect first race to get me TRI-ing!

Washington, D.C.

Part 2 began on Monday as we were dropped off by Desmond and the Bolt Bus at Union Station.
We worked the crowded rush hour metro madness and made it to Mark's house by 6:00pm Monday night. Mark Willis is my mom's cousin and he generously allowed seven (now Mother was with us) girls to invade his luxurious bachelor pad. He was so kind and made us feel so at home. Staying there was half the fun.

We woke up the next day and again started our walking adventures. Saw the National Archives, American History Museum, and then headed towards the monuments.
Lost Lincoln's head - but this is my fav.
Walked all the way to Georgetown. Of all the cupcakes we tasted, these were THE best. They had one gluten free chocolate lava cupcake just for me. My pants are getting tighter by the minute.
That evening Mark drove us around in his car to see the National Cathedral and the Temple grounds. The cathedral was incredible. We were too late to go inside.




They don't do tours in this one:
On to the Jefferson Memorial.

Wednesday was Mount Vernon. It was a beautiful day!
Arlington. Incredible for so many reasons.

Brittney makes her exit back to AZ.

The next day we head back to the cathedral to take a look inside. My directions only get us lost a few times before we make it.

Susan and I spent the day together at the National Art Galleries while the other girls did the Holocaust Museum. Brian and I did that last time - so I'm covered for a few years. We waited for them outside the Washington monument eating lemon icees and visiting. Then the (not so) funny part - as we walked to our parked mini-van, I yelled, "Susan, they're towing our car!!" Can you see five screaming girls running down the street trying to stop the tow truck? He only took the car a couple of blocks away, but that was a $100 mistake. We had parked in a spot that started towing at 4:00pm. It was 4:30. Oops. And it was pretty much my fault. I'm the one who paid the parking meter and did not read the sign. Just another adventure!

Mark made us a delicious chicken chili dinner that we ate outside. Fun, fun. A perfect ending.

DC was super fun. Relaxing, insightful, new museums, new family ties. Thanks to Mother, Mark, and the girls for making it happen. I'm so glad I was able to be there.

Jaime and I woke up and were on the road to Baltimore by 5:00am the next morning. I arrived home on Friday around 11:00am and was ready to spend the day with my boys. Brian never fails to deliver. The house is always spotless. I think he's sending me a message. :) Flowers, handprints, notes, and Michael Buble's Home playing on repeat on my computer.
Who wouldn't want to come home to that?

New York, NY

When this trip was in the works, I wasn't sure that we were going to be able to pull it off. Nine days all by myself? What would become of the children? And my husband? Brian is actually the one who told me to go for it - and go for it we did. I sometimes forget the preparation involved for me to leave home. After all, I am the CEO of this operation. The fridge was full of information pages and postits taped everywhere. Notes to Brian, instructions for babysitters, coupons for eating out, etc. etc. Thanks a million to Brian, Grandma & Grandpa, Karen, Jenny, and Valerie for making it possible for me to have a minute. (Or many minutes.)

My cousin Jaime and I flew together from SLC to Laguardia. Bad, yucky flight. We met up with Jourdan and a green Susan, later to be joined by Brittney and Becky, who all flew in from AZ. Two aunts and four cousins taking NYC by storm. Mother wasn't up for this portion of the trip.

The five of them stayed in a small hotel room while I stayed with Britton and Lane. Being around them is always fun, especially since I don't see them very often. And when I do see them, I'm chasing around kids and hardly have time for a real conversation. We went to bed between 12 and 2 am each day. So unlike me, but well worth being tired.

Some highlights:

Spongebob made $1 for this picture. I don't even like Spongebob, but I knew that Gavin would recognize him and smile.
Brittney, Becky, and I on the Brooklyn Bridge.
My bro Brit and I. He is the tour guide extraordinaire. So nice to spend time with us telling info and answering our many questions.
Central Park. Natalie, Jaime, Brittney, Susan, Becky, and Jourdan. This was early in the trip, when posing for pictures was still fun.
A view from the top of Rockafeller Center. Who knew cathedrals were built in the shape of a cross? Makes sense... The trip to the top was a definite highlight.
Finally saw a Broadway show. Mary Poppins turned out to be cute. Wicked was my first choice, but no such luck.
Lunch in Central Park. The weather was beautiful the entire time we were there. As is typical for New Yorkers, we walked our legs off and counted those calories towards our bakery visits.
A visit to the Met. The folks behind us are talking all serious about old architecture while Jourdan and I keep it real.
But I really like to see the Van Gogh's and Monet's up close.
Mostly I enjoyed spending some quality time with many family members that I love. These girls are cheaper than therapy and helped me come to a few realizations of my own during our travels.

Next up...DC!