Back to Ballet

Olivia is very excited to announce that she is back in ballet.  We took a little break in the fall but she couldn't stay away.  Stay tuned for Spring recital!

 Here she is in her class.

Running Diaries

Yes, I thought I would add an entry about my 12 mile adventure because I feel like I learned so much today.  Here's a little snapshot:
1. 12 miles is REALLY long.  It is truly as long as it sounds.  I ran it in 2 hours and 40 minutes, and I can honestly say in addition to that being the longest I have ever run, that is the longest I have ever done any kind of physical activity.
2. 52 Degrees is the best weather to run in.  I love it, you start off a little cold, but with the big Texas sun you warm up pretty fast.  It's warm enough that you build a little sweat but still cool enough to not feel over heated.
3. Music matters so much.  And the most important thing I've learned about music is that I don't need all this "pump you up" and "motivational" music.  What I need is something that is going to make me smile or even laugh when it comes on.  My favorites for today were, "Ice Ice Baby" and "Turning Japanese".  The other favorite was that on my last leg of a very long run today, the song "Loser" by Beck came on.  Gave me the little pep that I needed to finish, you know so I wouldn't be "a loser".
4. Sports beans pretty much rock.  I ate a pack about 20 minutes before I ran, then took a pack to eat on my second half.  I don't know if it is all psychological but I really feel like it gave me energy.  In fact for the first 6 miles I was rocking my face off.
5. Here is a break down of what goes through my mind while I'm running 12 miles:

• Mile 1-6 - I am rocking it out!  I feel great, I feel like I'm flying through it.  I am doing intervals of 1min walk/run.  Usually I will stare at my watch in anticipation of that one mile finishing.  The first 30 seconds of running are fine, then I start a countdown.  Today I haven't checked my watch once.  Before I know it, the minute is up and I can walk again.  I'm actually considering upping myself to 2 minutes run and 1 minute walk.  And to think I was so worried because I haven't run much in the last two weeks, and turns out I feel great.  Maybe I run better when I don't have much practice under my belt.  If this is the case, maybe I shouldn't run anymore until the race, then I could probably win first place, or pretty close.
• Mile 6-8 - Okay, it's starting to catch up to me.  Starting to feel a little tired now.  I just need to pace myself because I still have half way to go.
• Mile 8-10 - Okay, I'm starting to feel a little pain in my hips and knees.  I have now started checking my watch every time I run.  Pretty depressing to know I still have 4 miles to go.
• Mile 10-12 - In a great deal of pain.  I now have a stabbing pain in my right butt cheek (felt like sciatic nerve).  In addition it is extremely painful to start running.  Every time I can actually hear my hips and knees pleading for mercy.  So I stop running and walk the rest of the way.  I see my shadow and wonder where this grandma came from, oh wait, that's me:(  If I collapse here and now, could I be air lifted out of here or would I still have to walk back to my car. . . . .

So, there you have it.  I think I am all done whining about it.  As much as I hated it, you know why I will go back next weekend?  Because I can. . . . I literally can.  I am not trapped in a body that doesn't work like my daughter Juliana.  As much as it hurts I can make my body move forward and finish.  Every day Juliana works tirelessly to do simple things we take for granted.  So yes, I can make myself do this.  And you know what, I am confident that one day, Juliana will run one with me!  And then we will push each other, like we always have to finish the race!

So please, donate to my team and help us get closer to a cure!
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/kristy-brooks/disneyprincesshalfmarathon-teamgp2c

Pizza Party!

Pizza night at the Brooks' House is definitely Juliana and Olivia's favorite dinner night.

Start off with the dough, whole wheat of course. . . .

 After you spread out the dough, a little sauce

 Look how focused she is.  Pizza making is serious business!

 Next some cheese

 Extra please. . . .

 And finally the pepperoni - yum!

 Livi is a pro as well. 

Livi likes it extra on the cheese

Hey, is Monteleone's hiring. . . . . .

Growing to Fast

Just caught a glimpse of this girl that is growning so fast before my eyes.  Yes, she is brushing her teeth all by herself.  And yes, I still go back for a second scrubbing.  She is only 3 3/4 years old after all.