October 2010 photos

Carving our Halloween pumpkin!

Complete concentration. This is serious business.

Jon is getting interested.

Hmmm. Can I see what's in there?

Let's see...

Ah ha!! The pumpkin scooper!

Daddy's attempt at a family photo!

Lydia carving the face.

A visit to Baba and Dedo's house...all dressed up!

Hangin' with Uncle Bob.

 

 

Visiting Great Gram G.

Mom and dad went to a Halloween party.

There were some pretty good costumes!

Time to Trick-or-Treat!

Jonny the Spider

Jonny sure does love his big sister.

 Lydia the Unicorn Pegasus

Jonny was the keeper of the light.

 

Good Night!  (Mommy used to love sleeping surrounded by her stuffed animals too!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!! The scent of Thanksgiving is wafting through the house. The bird goes in the oven at 11:00. The guests arrive at 2:00. Lydia and Jonny are busy coloring together. Pete is on his way to the store for Drano for a clogged drain. I think it's a perfect Thanksgiving. Let the feasting begin!

The Pink Apron

    

     Thanksgiving is a mere week away. I get super excited for the holidays. Thanksgiving weekend is the weekend I get the house all decorated, the tree goes up, the outside Christmas lights get turned on, and I go black Friday shopping, even the years I'm not out for anything specific. I just like the energy you feel during that shopping experience. I am going to try a couple of new turkey day recipes, healthier versions of some things I already make. Next week, we also cook our annual feast in the classroom. My students, and the faculty that join us, really enjoy the cooking and feasting experience. The pink William-Sonoma apron has been pressed and is hanging in my classroom, anxiously waiting for next week. 

     The holiday festivities are beginning. I plan on getting the outside lights hung this weekend. I promise I won't turn them on until the Friday following Thanksgiving. Although, driving home at night, you see plenty of them already on in our neighborhood. If the weather permits, we're going to do the walk-through of Lights on the Lake next week.

    Tonight we're going to Shades of Orange (children's art studio) for a playgroup activity.  I'm sure we'll be making some Thanksgiving craft. Lyds made her own bed this morning so she could go. She is actually pretty good at making her own bed. Lydia is changing her gymnastics class to Saturday morning. There is one time slot that doesn't have any kids enrolled. Apparently there is a teacher slotted for the class but no students. We did the class as a make-up last week and Lydia really liked the 1:1 time. She is still iffy about her new pre-k. Right now she is still not interested in going to kindergarten if they do centers like in pre-k. JP is getting better at walking and can go a bit further than he has been, but he's still a little shy about the whole thing. He still prefers to crawl to get places. If you do some planned walk time with him, he is all about clapping for himself. He sure is a funny little guy.

     I've been good at taking the week off to rest my leg and I do think it's helping. I'm excited to try a short run on Saturday...at the gym...just in case I need to elliptical instead. Sadly, the Michelle Obama arms and flat abs won't be gracing me anytime soon.  I haven't worked out at all this week. I seem to lack the motivation when I don't have the draw of some sort of cardio activity. Apparently, I am a cardio junkie. 

http://www.lightsonthelake.com/     

    

Hats off to Santa!

I tip my hat to Santa!

Flat abs and Michelle Obama arms

     The leg pain seems to be improving but it's not gone yet. I'm going to take this week off from even the elliptical and just focus on upper body and core strength training. Flat abs and Michelle Obama arms, here I come! If this week's leg rest doesn't seem to help, it will be time to have it checked by a doctor...at least that's what people are suggesting. All this, just as I was getting my running groove.

     I got myself back to Weight Watchers this Sunday. So far it's working...no candy for me. Lydia's Halloween candy bowl that heckles me every time I walk into the kitchen, is now falling on deaf ears.

     Lydia's attitude about her pre-k program has changed. I think the newness has worn off and she is not happy with the structured program. She is not a fan of the "centers" because she can't bring the toys anywhere she wants in the room anymore. When I told her it was getting her ready for kindergarten she replied, "Then I don't want to go to kindergarten!"

     The Veteran's Day Brunch was a nice time! Lyds had a blast trashing the house with her friends. (Of course the photos are on the computer at home, so I'll update this post with photos tonight.)

     It's the last full week before the big Turkey Day!! I'm hosting this year. I still have to figure out my menu...

     Ha! I found this link when I was googling a picture for the blog post....

How to Get Michelle Obama's Arms: The Workout Plan

 

 

Two Years Ago...

Two years ago we announced our pregnancy for #2

Two years ago Lydia was pretty excited that she was going to have a baby brother or sister

 

 

Two years ago, this is what it looked like outside on the day I announced our pregnancy.

      

       I think I'm done throwing up about the marathon. Now I have to get myself signed up for a few races in between now and then to work through my race anxiety issue. Nothing like a good challenge.  I do have an ache in my lower left calf so I'm taking it easy this week and icing and elliptical-ing my miles instead to see if there is improvement. The elliptical doesn't seem to bother it like running does. If it doesn't improve, I may need to get it checked out. I even took the long run off this weekend to give it a rest.

     I'm also going to start back at Weight Watchers, just to get me through the holidays.  I would really like to avoid eating my way through them. I think the weekly "public" weigh-ins at meetings will hold me accountable and make it easier to resist the holiday food that likes to taunt me during the season. Lydia's Halloween candy has not been a good friend to me lately. I pulled out my lifetime member card and sadly, I'll have to lose 4 pounds to get back to my "free meetings" status. For now I'll have to pay the big bucks for the meetings.  Perhaps this is the kick-start that I need to get back down to my lowest post-pregnancy (between the kids) weight. I will be happy to see the 130's again.

     Pete has been working out like a madman. I think he’s in better shape now than when I met him. He’s been getting his autumn fishing in and has had a few good catches. People ask if he brings the fish home and the answer to that question is, he doesn’t. He is a catch and release only kind of guy. Lydia likes to fish with him and tells me that I should go too. I tell her that I don’t like to touch squiggly things. She told me that daddy will do that.

    Lydia likes her new pre-k program. It is much more structured than her previous program. So far her favorite thing has been the peanut butter and jelly snack on tortillas. That was a BIG hit yesterday.

     JP has finally decided to give walking a try. He still seems a little nervous about the whole thing and doesn't quite have the balance thing down, but he has been standing for a bit on his own and attempts a few steps. We keep practicing and when we forget to clap after his attempts he makes sure to remind us by clapping for himself.

     We had some friends over for dinner on Sunday and they have a little one year old girl, just a week younger than Jonny. I think he fell in love with her. Lydia seemed lost and didn’t quite know what to do with herself since, for once, Jonny had a playmate and she didn’t. Veteran’s Day is this Thursday and we’re having some mama friends and kids over for a brunch play date. This time Lyds will have more playmates than JP, which I'm sure will make her happy.

Sleigh Bells Ringing

     The non-race half marathon training plan is going well. I'm on week three. My neighborhood friend, Emily has been running my long runs with me, so that helps pass the time for the longer runs. So far my longest run to date (and I mean ever, not just since starting this plan) is ten miles. It was a great run. It was followed by a busted eight-miler the following week, but I guess all runs can't be great.  And as you can see from my previous post, I registered myself for a marathon next fall. Yikes.

     Halloween was fantastic! It was cold, but Lyds had a blast. Jonny sat in his spider costume in the stroller. He was the "light keeper" and held tight to the Coleman lantern we brought with us. The annual Esce Halloween Party was, as always, an event to remember. I think this year had the best costumes yet!

    We had a full schedule of Halloween activities and are now happily enjoying a quiet week. Lydia is changing pre-k programs. Her current program just had a 30% rate increase, which is just insane. Luckily, there was one 4-year old wrap around spot in the Universal Pre-K program at another near-by center, only giving us only a $7 increase. I felt badly for switching Lyds like that mid-year, but she surprised me and is excited about a "new school." I'm taking her for a visit later today. 

     The holidays are just around the corner. I hear Christmas music already. They always start it November 1st, but end it December 26th, which annoys me. To me the holidays aren't over until the New Year. Come on folks, get with the program. It's bad enough they start it just a bit too early. Who makes these music rules anyway? I think they should be rewritten...or at least a letter to the radio station telling them they have it all wrong...and mom wants a Christmas list BEFORE Thanksgiving. She's nuts too.

The Inaugural Empire State Marathon and Half Marathon

Yup. There it is. I did it. I signed up for a  full marathon. Totally out of my comfort zone. I have a year to prepare...but first I must throw up....

The last time I stepped out of my comfort zone was in May 2000, when I participated in my first Boston 3-Day (60 miles) Walk for Breast Cancer. My cousin was supposed to walk with me but then couldn't. I had to decide if I wanted to do it alone. At the time I was someone who wouldn't go to the movies alone, let alone drive to Boston and spend three days with strangers walking for breast cancer.  I did it...for the very same reason I am running this marathon. To do something that scares the bejesus out of me. It's been ten years. It's time to step it up again. Doing that Boston walk made the list of "The best things I have done in my life." I imagine running this marathon will make that list too.

Syracuse, NY.—Nov.1^st, 2010— Achieve Fitness Events, LLC announced the inaugural Empire State Marathon and Half Marathon.  The Event will happen Sunday October 16^th, 2011 and will include the New York State Health and Wellness Expo on Friday and Saturday, October 14^th and 15^th.

Brian Collins, Founder and Managing Partner of Achieve Fitness, LLC is the Event Director of the Empire State Marathon. 

 “Being a native of Syracuse, NY and being in the running ‘business” at every level for the last 12 years, I have always known there was an  opportunity to create a premier Marathon and Half Marathon in Syracuse, NY.  This Race will provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase the best aspects of Central NY to all the visitors who will choose our Race during our peak autumn season.  Our running community here is without peer and I know we will impress.”  Brian Collins, President of Achieve Fitness, LLC and 1^st Marathon.

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The  course will begin from the Carousel Mall in Syracuse NY and head towards Liverpool west on Lakeshore Parkway, for a counterclockwise loop around Onondaga Lake through Onondaga Lake Park.  One loop around the Lake to the finish line.  For the Marathon route, runners will make two loops around the lake and finish in the same area.

An additional element of this Race will be a four-person relay, designed to share the race experience with co-workers, family or friends, yet at smaller distances.  A relay team consists of four people, with each person running one segment of the entire marathon course, 26.2 Miles.  Each relay runner will run roughly 6 to 7 miles per leg.  (Registration for the Relay will open December 1st.)

Here's another article.  

 http://blog.syracuse.com/cny/2010/11/syracuse_hosts_empire_state_marathon_oct_16_around_onondaga_lake.html

Our Knot wedding page revisited

CARRIE BOJLEVSKI & PETAR BOJLEVSKI  

JULY 2, 2005

 Newlyweds for 1944 days!

ABOUT CARRIE  

Carrie grew up in Syracuse, New York. She graduated from the Lemoyne College with a Masters of Special Education. She is a special education teacher in Dewitt.

ABOUT PETAR  

Petar grew up in Syracuse, New York. He graduated from Saint Bonaventure University, with a BBA in Business Adminstration and Management Sciences. He is a mortgage broker in Baldwinsville.

HOW WE MET  

Petar and Carrie were lucky enough to meet on an online dating website. We both joined it a month prior to meeting. I like to tell everyone that I bought Petar off the internet for only $19.95.

WHEN WE GOT ENGAGED

December 4, 2004

HOW IT HAPPENED  

On December 4th, 2004, we headed to the Painted Lady Bed and Breakfast in Elmira for our one year anniversary (November 30th) celebration. Along the way we stopped in Ithaca to see the waterfalls. Petar does some fishing in the Finger Lake area and he wanted to check the water levels so we stopped at one of the areas that he likes to fish in. He asked me if I wanted to go. It was cold and windy but I went because I really had to go to the bathroom and I was hoping for a secluded spot to go in. Along the walk from the car to the falls I was complaining that I was cold and really had to pee- a typical Carrie moment. Pete was holding my hand, being patient as we walked along. We neared the falls and he points out a good ‘pee’ spot for me. I turn around and there he is on one knee, holding a box, asking me to marry him. At that moment I had forgotten that my bladder was bursting and I was no longer cold. I said yes and jumped on him, giving him a hug with my arms and legs. I really didn’t expect it at that moment. I had a feeling it might be coming soon and quite possibly over dinner or over wine next to the fireplace in our room. Never did I expect that he would do it near the falls. I was completely caught off guard. Later he told me if I had decided not to go see the falls with him, that he would’ve waited for the next day, and stopped again on our trip back home. Petar called my dad the Friday prior to ask for his blessing. He was also going to ask my mother too, but I crimped that plan when I decided to hide the key at the house rather than drop it off to her. Mom took care of Oki while we were gone on our overnight trip. The rest of the trip was magical. The bed and breakfast was beautiful and very romantic. We had dinner in town at Charlie’s Café—recommended by the bed and breakfast. Over dinner we had called our parents to tell them the news.

ABOUT THE BIG DAY  

We are getting married and having the reception at Saint George Orthodox Church. We will be having an Orthodox wedding ceremony. The bridesmaids will wear black dresses of their choosing and they will carry pink rose bouquets.

____________________________________________________________________

Pete stumbled upon our The Knot wedding web page. I thought it would be nice to put here so when I print this blog, I'll have it for the kids to see someday. I should also mention that my ring was about three sizes too small and it didn't have a stone in it. I have a beautiful sapphire ring, and he was nervous about picking a quality sapphire on his own, so we went and did that together at the jeweler the following week. Recently Pete planned a romantic getaway for us at the same bed and breakfast in December. We both can't wait!

Glamour

Lyds had a manicure play date! Dove is one of our group's sponsors, so we had a girl's "self esteem" day at Snip-Its salon, complete with Dove products for the moms. 

Everyone is very busy doing a craft as they wait their turn.

Dove products for the mamas.

The manicure.

Wait. NO BOYS ALLOWED! It looks like we have a party crasher.

Rock Stars!

 

Bust

     The old October Challenge is a bust. I've only missed 3 days of workouts so it actually wasn't going too badly. I've been setting running goals for myself the past couple of weeks and making a weekly mileage goal which seems to get me more motivated to move than saying, "work out everyday."  I like something more structured, so I picked a half-marathon training plan to follow, even though I have no intention to actually run in a race because that would be just crazy. So why do I run if I never participate in organized runs? I run because I like it. I run for me. I run for the personal challenge. I run for the satisfaction of knowing I can go the distance. I like running with my friends. I like getting my non-running friends excited to run. I run because it is the most efficient way to burn calories. I run to feel strong. I run because I can. I like feeling a sense of accomplishment when I meet a running goal. So a half-marathon training plan it is. I picked a 4-month plan since there isn't a race date I have to meet. This should hopefully get me out there on the cold winter weekends for my long runs, because who wants to do those on a treadmill?

     There are a lot of fun Halloween activities coming up for the kids. We have a Halloween packed weekend, a few things mid-week, bringing us right into the actual Halloween weekend full of ghostly fun. Spookiness all around! Pete and I even have our own party to go to. I HATE dressing up, but we are going to a costume party, so...

     And if you're wondering if Pete ever catches anything when he goes fishing on the weekend:

33 inches long and 19 inch girth, which is around 16lbs

     Oh, and the peanut butter cake cups? I didn’t forget about making them…we have another faculty breakfast coming up next week that I plan on making them for. Yum!

http://littlebittybakes.blogspot.com/2010/09/chocolate-peanut-butter-cake-cups.html

Autumn Weekend

Lydia, September 2008

     The October Challenge is still going strong. I only made one strength class at the gym this week, but I hope to catch another one on Saturday, after my long run. I’m planning to run at the park after work today. We’re having a gorgeous couple of days—nice and sunny. It was a tad windy for yesterday’s run. I actually felt like I was running in place a few times and the occasional leaf whacking me in the face wasn’t really fun either. It was nice to get out and enjoy the sun though. Even with the wind, it wasn’t really cold. 

     I had five parents for open house! Go me! The two hours went by quickly—very different from the years that I had no parents. 

     Michael Pollan was FANTASTIC! It was really just a summary of the books he has written, so it wasn’t new information to me, but it was still nice to hear his lecture. Go check out a few of his books from the library. Seriously. He even has books on CD so you can listen to them in the car, if you don’t have time to read. I have the PBS documentary The Botany of Desire (based on his book) to watch this weekend. 

     It looks like Pete won’t get to help out with Project Healing Waters this year. They canceled it because the water levels are still too high for any decent fly fishing. On a positive note though, since Healing Waters was canceled, he’ll be around for the birthday party and the pumpkin picking planned for this weekend. I’m looking forward to a nice Columbus Day weekend with our family. No work on Monday! 

 Here are a few pumpkin picking pictures from September 2008:

Cousin's  Breanna and Gavin will be joining us for pumpkin picking again this year!

September 2008

Lyds looks so tiny!

http://www.pbs.org/thebotanyofdesire/

http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/