March 10, 2012

Sparkly arms

Last night ended up being really fun, and the kids were well-behaved, which is always a bonus. When they got home from school, we told them we were taking them out to a surprise location. We ended up choosing Red Robin, because I knew the kids would like it (they'd never been there before).

They loved the decor and Eli was fascinated with an airplane hanging from the ceiling. Jerry and I ordered fried jalapeno coins to share as an appetizer, and they were awesome. They were just slices of jalapeno peppers, battered and fried. It was a tiny portion, so we each ate probably about 10 coins total. I didn't want to be full before my food came.

I can't even tell you the last time I ate french fries or a hamburger before last night... it's been SO LONG. I ordered their cheeseburger with the works--lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo, onions, ketchup, and mustard. I could barely fit my mouth around it, but it was delicious! I ate about half of my fries and almost my entire burger. I looked it up when I got home, and my meal was 900 calories. Which actually wasn't as bad as I thought. I burned 600 calories during my run yesterday, so I didn't do too badly.

I should have only eaten half the burger though, because I was STUFFED when we left. I hate that feeling. My stomach felt super bloated and gross, and I actually got kind of nauseous. I learned that greasy food doesn't agree with my stomach very well. But it was worth it, and we don't eat greasy food very often--like I said, I don't even remember the last time!

Then we surprised the kids by taking them to Toys R Us. They were thrilled when we pulled into the parking lot. I took Eli and Jerry took Noah to shop. Eli knew what he wanted (more Army guys to add to his collection of about 10,000). He loves those little, tiny, cheap plastic toy soldiers. So he picked out a bucket of them that came with a bunch of other stuff (tanks, helicopters, etc.)  I gave each of the kids a $40 limit, and since that was only $20, I let him pick something else. He got the same bucket of stuff only it was a Western theme instead of military ;)

Noah picked out some nerdy stuff that I knew he'd like--a little microscope, an ant farm, and a remote control rat. Yep, definitely a boy!

On the way home, we dropped the boys off at my parents' house, because they wanted to spend the night there. Jerry and I had the house to ourselves, and we wound up in bed and asleep by 8:30--hahaha. Jerry gets up at 4:00 in the morning for work, so he has a hard time staying up late.



I'm super nervous about my race tomorrow! I can't wait until it's over and I'm drinking green beer at the finish line. I got out my scraps of green sparkly fabric from the skirt I made, and threw together a couple of headbands for me and Jessica (they look like Bondibands, but they're the sparkly green fabric); and I made a pair of wrist warmers for me (not enough fabric to make them bigger into arm warmers!)
Kind of lame, I guess, but I wanted to use up every scrap I had! At least if I don't get my PR tomorrow, I'll look cute festive while trying ;)

23 comments:

  1. Good luck with your race - Just did my first 5K in YEARS - the 100% for a Day. I jogged half, walked half, and didn't come in last. Goals met! I'm hoping to jog the majority of the next one, set for May.

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  3. *Sorry about the "removed comment" I should ALWAYS proofread before posting...lol.

    I just went to Red Robin for my birthday last weekend! I also got the cheeseburger with everything...good to know I didn't eat over 1000 calories with that. I never finish my fries there...which I think is funny because they advertise "bottomless" fries but I've never gotten a refill. We tried a mixed appetizer of onion rings and fried zucchini. I had been wanting to try fried zucchini for a long time...and it was SO GOOD!!! I tried making it at home...but wasn't even close to the same...they weren't crispy enough...I'll have to get some panko bread crumbs and try again.

    I can't wait to see pictures of you in all your green getup! I'm sure you'll look great! : ) I'll send up a little prayer that you PR tomorrow! ; )

    www.willbeskinnyernie.blogspot.com

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  4. Last time we ate out was on Christmas break and I had an Applebee's gift card that I got for Christmas from the kids I babysit. Before that I think it was my surprise 40th in September! I would love to be able to go out and not worry about every calorie I consumed, but I know me, it would start a downward spiral...

    What did the kids eat? My daughter gets chicken fingers and fries without fail and Charlie loves Buffalo wings or burgers and then proceeds to eat less than half.

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  5. LOVE the wrist warmers! You're going to look great and totally festive! Rooting for you!

    With 7 kids we don't go out to dinner either. My husband took my girls camping one weekend so I took the three boys (17,15 and 7). My poor 7yo had never been to a sit down restaurant.

    Have fun tomorrow!

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  6. I thought of you today. I ran a 5K and though it was a Shamrock-themed race, very few people were dressed up. I saw one couple dressed normally with tiny green hats on their heads. One 10K racer was decked out. I guess our town is boring for races (my first one). But I thought of you and how cool you'd look with all your sparkly green stuff! Good luck tomorrow.

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  7. Cute - can't wait to see the entire outfit! I love green sparkle!

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  8. I just wanted to let you know that I signed up for the Air Force Half Marathon. My best friend is flying out to run with me and I've been completely inspired reading all of your running posts!

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  9. OMG, I LOVE Red Robin. There's one about 5 minutes from my house. I used to go about once a month, but since I've started really watching what I eat, I haven't gone in almost a year! I always get the whiskey river barbecue burger... I'm drooling just thinking about it!

    I love that you guys decided to spend Jerry's bonus on family time. You have the cutest family ever - Such a good mama!

    Amanda

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  10. Ah-I love hearing your surprise! But seriously I want to know how this any farm turns out. Bear has asked about it before and it makes me itch just thinking about it. **shiver**

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  11. Ugh I used to work at 4am, it felt like I was getting up in the middle of the night. From 8pm on, I was a zombie.

    Good luck tomorrow!! You should veer off i75 and stop at Just Baked in Southgate. I believe they have Guiness Cupcakes! Not sure how good that one is, but their Fat Elvis cupcake (banana cupcake with peanut butter buttercream dipped in ganache) is fantastic! Bonus calories must be used wisely lol.

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    1. I'm in Southgate ALL the time, how have I never heard of a place called Just Baked?! Lindsey, you're going to be the end of me... ;)

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  12. I have a question that isn't related to this post but hopefully that's ok! I have been researching running shoes and have decided on brooks as well, I will have to order online as no one in my area carries them (small town! Ugh!) I have read to order half a size up, do you find this to be true? I will be ordering a wide also and normally wear a 9.5 so ordering a 10.5 w just scares me! Thanks so much and you are the reason I decided to run!

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    1. Lesle, it's actually very common to order a size up--that's what was recommended to me, also. I normally wear a size 8.5, but my running shoes are 9.5 W. It sounds like they'll be huge, but your feet swell a little when running, and you have to imagine how that pressure of each step causes your foot to "spread out" a little. Hard to describe. But I would go with the size the running store recommends!

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    2. I totally agree! it was only about 2 years ago that I learned I've been buying my running shoes too small for years. No wonder I would get sore or numb feet when working out! I normally wear size 8 so I always bought size 8 runners, until I finally decided to go to a store that sells running gear and the salesperson did a proper fitting for me. My feet have thanked me ever since!

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  13. You are so fortunate to have parents who are together and who enjoy helping out with your kids and having them over. I would love it if my parents were like that! Give them big hugs for me! I have one little boy that's four and he's such a sweetie, but it's like pulling teeth to get help so I just don't ask anymore. My husband works out of state for months at a time and it's hard. I've gained weight because I feel so trapped at home. I eat and have no way to go to the gym. If I work out at home I'm constantly interrupted. God bless your parents!

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    1. You're right, I AM very fortunate. My parents love being grandparents, and my boys are their own two grandchildren. Add that to the fact that we live less than a mile away from them, and I'm extremely lucky to have their help when needed.

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    2. We live across town from our grandkids, but I take them every chance I get. I don't understand why your parents don't help you more, anonymous--especially since you're alone so much and could sure use it. But I'll tell you what--it's their loss! I have such a good time with mine whenever they stay--in fact I just took them home, after they spent the night. We have a GREAT time! I get more out of it than they do I'm sure! Katie's parents are super, aren't they? I aspire to be just like them!

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    3. Dupster, that's awesome. I had so many good memories of staying at my grandparents houses on the weekends when I was growing up. I feel bad that my kids don't get to have that. Both my Mom and my husband's parents live close by too. I can't use it as an excuse, I know. It's just discouraging/frustrating. Thanks for letting me vent!

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  14. Sounds like the kids had a super fun night! I used to live really close to a Red Robin so I went a bunch in college. Take pics at the race so we can see your complete outfit! :D

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  15. How fun for the kids to get to go to Toys R Us with $40 to spend! You're such a great mama :) Your race gear is both festive AND cute!

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  16. Good luck! Can't wait for the race report!!!

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  17. Hope you had fun!!!!!

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