Turkey Time....

I could make a big long list of all the things I am thankful for but what it really all boils down to is the following two things......

#1

#2

We were able to enjoy a very leisurely Turkey day, not sure why but things seemed to just seem easy this year.....we actually stayed in our jammies and watched the parade until 10am, went for a run, popped the bird in at noon, watched football on the couch, had our kid nap for 3 hours, and randomly had all the food hot at one time.....(the biggest challenge in my book) it was really laid back and enjoyable! So I am Thankful for that!

These are just proof that we didn't have the pizza delivery man come (although don't think it didn't cross our minds!)

Daddy cutting the bird...

When else can you have a pad of butter molded into a turkey?

And perhaps this is one reason I am thankful we hosted this year - Brady bugs hasn't mastered the art of good manners to be welcome in someone elses home......However Daniel Day Lewis would be proud!

Little Girls & Big Boy Weekend

Brooke enjoyed a girls night out on Friday.......she jammed to tunes while she got dressed up, She met her posse out at a restaurant to eat, she took her playbill and sat mesmerized at the live production of her favorite movie, High school Musical (for the THIRD time), she ran into some school friends at intermission and discussed the show, and rolled in way after curfew.....She was a regular Paris Hilton and loved every minute of it.... On the way home she asked me "Mom do I have to wait until I am in High School before I do plays?" I could barely contain my Jazz hands as my Broadway bound partner and I drove home....

A night out on the town.....

Giving a quick performance on our way out....

Her Posse grabbing a bite to eat before the show...

Brady spent 85% of the weekend in a naked potty training boot camp. There was a lot of time spent on the linoleum or wood covered surfaces in our house....but the boy made some progress! Every time he was naked he always made it to the potty on time, his only accidents arose when he was wearing underwear, perhaps it felt too much like his coveted diaper - who knows but it is exciting none the less, I think we have a ways to go, but this was definitely a step in the right direction and have a lot of time home with the holidays to keep working on it.... Great work Bugs....

So there was a lot of this going on.....chugging milk while letting it all hang out.....

Brooke went into full instructor mode making him a chart and administering the Superman stickers upon his victories. She would be reminding him of it more than I would sometimes....."Brady do you have to go" "you almost have five stickers today, let's try for six"

The little man was proud of himself and surprised himself that he really could do it. He made up some new potty dance moves during our celebrations, and told me "Mom, I really can run faster without a diaper......" (a moral in a story I got from the library in an attempt to convince him not to wear diapers anymore....) Hope he continues with that train of thought!

YIKES.......

That is to put it lightly of what was really said when I looked in the mirror and discovered my first grey hair. Discovered being the operative word here.....let's be honest they have more likely than not always been there but have been disguised behind my age inappropriate blonde highlights! Well in an effort to get back to my roots so to speak and have my hair match my eyebrows for the first time in 15 years they seem to be popping up right and left and standing out like a hoard of Long John Silvers against this new brunette background. I am constantly telling people to just go grey (mostly men and my mom) I think it is distinguished looking and adds some character, however I couldn't give myself that same advice, somehow in the same breath that I tried to talk myself into embracing the white coarse spaghetti strands I did what any sane woman would do and that was to speed dial my stylist on speaker phone so I could manage the tweezers in my hand while making my appointment.......Mom I get it.....I get it.

Forgotten Firsts....

Sometimes that second kid syndrome takes effect and reminds us that even some of these "big moments" that don't feel so "new" or "big" anymore....are just that ......."NEW" and "BIG" to one little guy who likes to have his turn and experience his "firsts" Cases in point......

Brooke: "Mom can Brady sleep in my room and have a sleepover?" (on Sunday)

Brady: "Yeah .....Yeah......Yeah....."

Mom: "Not tonight we have school tomorrow - how about we try Thursday night when we don't have to rush anywhere in the morning."

Brooke and Brady in unison "AWWHHHH"

Brooke on Monday : "Is it Thursday yet?"

Brooke on Tuesday: "Only two more days to go...."

Brooke on Wednesday " I can't wait for tomorrow"

Brooke on Thursday "I can't wait to go to bed tonight"

Mom: "What??" "What did you just say?" (since it has never been spoken from her two lips in 6 years...)

Brooke: "Tonight's our sleepover!!" - Seriously the kid forgets NOTHING!

Brady: YEAH ......YEAH.....YEAH.....

So Chris got them all set up with snacks, a movie, blow up mattress, kikis - the party was on......

Most would think - no big whoop but Brady just looked up and declared.....

"This is my most favorite sleepover EVER!!!"

Out Cold.

Another one that this little man o' mine surprised me with lately was his FIRST drop off birthday party the other week - Sans Sister....... As most of you know Brady isn't our kid that likes to be dropped into new situations and just run with it......but he had a few things going for him..... #1 the party was for a good friend he sees frequently #2 it was a super hero party and was required to wear his Batman ensemble. So He was excited when we packed up to go even made sure to remind me that Brooke doesn't go with us.......then on the way in the car the questions started.

Brady: "Mom your staying at the party right"

Mom: "Nope buddy its just for little guys like you"

Brady: "But you will be there right"

Mom: "No, Hon Ms. Stacy will be there and if you need anything she will help you."

Brady: "Oh Ms. Stacy OK........"

Then silence - he was really thinking it over trying to make sure he understood.....

Then I dropped him off and was sort of lingering watching him bomb out with Spider man, Robin, & Super girl, he was fine, but it was my feet that weren't moving......just stuck.... then Brady runs over to me and kisses me and whispers in my ear....

"Mom, I'm Okay"

One unemotional Munson had to make a quick dart for the back door for her little boy threw her a curve ball....... I don't know if I was more impressed that he didn't need me there or for the fact that he recognized that I was lingering and wanted to make it easier for me.....That boy.... it's hard not to love him more every day!

The Five burroughs

Staten Island.

Brooklyn.

Queens.

The Bronx.

Manhattan.

Chris was able to hit all five Burroughs in NYC and cross that finish line in the NYC Marathon!
It was quite the event and we couldn't be more proud of his dedication to his training and his commitment for completing this hilly course that runs through the biggest city in the United States. Chris and I have been to the big apple various times, but this one definitely had a purpose, things were carefully calculated (carb intake, subway rides, limited walking, early evenings, & hydration!), and more sleep was had than any vacation I have been on with this man! We were still able to enjoy sites and events of the city that we always enjoy, just in a limited manner.

So we started off at the expo, where Aunt Suzanne joined us (42 years in NYC and this was a first for her!)

I think this is where the event really comes to fruition and becomes real as you see the millions of people walking around grabbing their bib numbers, shopping for that t-shirt to prove you did it (because let's face it isn't that why we all do this), loading up on gu, lube, making your list and checking it twice.........

It was fun to plan out the race and see all these landmarks that we have toured many a times but this time we would be catching them in a blink of an eye as Chris speeds by and we give a quick wave of encouragement and bust it out to the subway for the next stop.......

Then we headed off to the pasta party dinner the night before, did we know it would be insanity for a plate of noodles, yes, but we felt like to get the true experience we should give it a try...in hind site any of the million Italian restaurants or ramen noodles at Mark's apartment would have sufficed.......

We were able to walk the finish line on the way to the dinner though Central Park (one of our favorite places in the city!) It was eye opening to see all the countries represented with approximately 20,000 of the 40,000 runners being foreign.

Umm this is the closest I would get to cheering him on at the finish since only the hoitty toitty's are able to rent out a seat on the bleachers......

Good luck hubbie Bub!

Then it's race day 11/1/09.....Let's just say the logistics of this marathon are not fantastic. Poor Chris had to arise at 5am to walk 11 blocks to catch the right subway that would then take him to the bus that would then take him to the ferry boat that would them deliver him to Staten Island where he would sit until he started the race at 10:00am........Wowzer!! Non runners are not even able to accompany runners to the start for sheer Mayhem would ensue!

Our great friends John and Julie were able to drive up from Boston and meet me at Grand Central station so I had some pals to run around the race with.....Literally. Here's the loyal fan base waiting for one of many subway rides...

Here is Chris at about mile 7 cruising along feeling good, little did we know that feeling would fade to black in about 7 more miles. Chris hit a wall pretty early and experienced some leg cramping that he hadn't his entire training. It was unfortunate, but as we all are learning this thing called a marathon and our bodies are two things that are completely unpredictable. He still finished and he still completed an awesome task, he was just bummed he didn't "enjoy" it as much as he hoped he would have after such a strong training bout.

Technology never ceases to amaze me. John was gracious enough to bring along his I-Phone and we were able to track Chris throughout the entire race and the accuracy was incredible - it gave split times, and literally where he was at any moment, pretty neat. Sometimes we would be so devoured by looking at him on the phone that we would forget to actually look for HIM!

I saw one of the four celebrities that I was searching for (Ed Norton, Anthony Edwards, Allanis Morrisette and Ethan from Survivor) GO GOOSE - Finish this race.....or loose me forever.......hmmmm I wonder how many times he heard that?

Chris trying to warm up in his Mylar blankie - Mission accomplished!

One final Horrah with Medal in hand at Grand Central Station....

For those of you who have time here is a link to his official pictures, I can't believe how many they got of him......also there are some wicked over view city pictures....

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=47685&BIB=31623

So he has two under his belt, but let me tell you he is not done........he left unsatisfied I just know it. His legs feel great after a week, and he is ready to keep running........I can't relate but he has got the bug and a goal in his head of what he didn't get done in NYC.......So he is back on the training circuit and we have agreed lets leave the hoopla of these big city races, these elevated bridges, stay local, stay flat and just run your heart out so we can hang up the sneeks for good :) So until May............

We are proud of you!

Appears they survived without us.....

Well after a lot of self induced guilt, volunteering for every Halloween event, and making our neighbors put on an early trick or treating night, it appears B & B made it through the Halloween festivities without mutha and futha.......Here are some pix of our Mock Trick or Treating so we could join them in some of the fun......

It is defiantly still the year of the superhero as Bat Girl and Buzz Light Year made their appearances...

Yup that is my girl all suited up in Latex......
Can you just see the guilt fading away...haha.
Buzz and Bat Girl off to capture the candy!

It's nice that they both had flying capabilities this year or should I say "falling with style"

Brady participated much more this year with some trick or treats and even some thank yous!
As always 7:59 p.m. and my little guy waves the white flag!
As always 7:59 and my girl is just reeving up for the night.....



Here is a shot of the neighborhood shindig....Thanks again P&P for picking up our slack!