Oh, Poor Neglected Blog...

How I miss thee...
Unfortunately, life has gotten the better of me and I've no time for you, my friend.  Here's a brief update...

Kids are out of school, obviously, and doing great this summer.  We have a new babysitter that takes them to the club when I'm at work.  They are having a fun time and their schedules are much smaller, but they are still partaking in all the activities they enjoy.

Shelagh is on the swim team and progressing beautifully.  Her freestyle is fast and technically improved.  She does breast and back nicely too, but races butterfly.  Yes, you read that right.  She is working on her form :) but is one of the few 8 and unders to take this stroke on.  She is also doing tennis 2 days a week and golf once per week.  We have new tennis and golf pro's/programs and man are they fantastic with kids. 

Rory is not interested in swim team, although he loves to swim and jump off the board demonstrating his most excellent jedi moves on the board and in the air.  He LOVES tennis and is working up to 3 days a week at that.  While he is a lefty, he appears to be a powerful righty in tennis.  He also is enjoying starting golf this year.  I kind of thought the heavy bag, the heat in the mid afternoon, and the 2 hour clinic would be too much for me, but he surprises me with this stuff and just wants to be like his Dad.

Miss Kelly is still at the home care 2 days a week, but is with the big kids and sitter once a week.  When I tell you this kid is a FISH, I am not kidding.  She is not quite 3 1/2 and is now swimming without her bubble (only with me and Joe), face down, ALL DAY.  She cannot get her face out of that water, going so far as to swim with her eyes open with or without goggles (no matter) and is impossible to get out for breaks.  Surprisingly, she does get out to pee.  The number of pee breaks is astounding which makes me feel mixed - 1) she is clearly drinking pool water - yuck and 2) I will take this to mean she isn't peeing in the pool.  She is also taking tennis once a week this year.  They have a 3-4 year old class and she is pretty damn good.  Loves her outfit and gear of course.

Shelagh and Rory also started piano for a 1/2 hour per week.  I've been wanting to do this for awhile but our school year schedule is just nuts and I decided to give it a try over the summer.  They've only had 1 class, but both enjoyed it and have been practicing.  Music is big in our house so I really didn't expect much else.

Joe is doing great - he is preparing (sort of) for the Pan Mass Challenge which is an 80-mile bike ride down to the Cape on an upcoming Saturday.  He raised a ton of $$ (3K in a few days) thanks to his amazing support system of friends and family and is working with a team of friends to hit a big $$ goal.  If anyone can pull off this kind of ride with little prep, it is my amazing can-do husband!

I am enjoying summer with the kids - nothing like spending my days off at the pool all day!  But, I am also ridiculous stressed at work and working way more than I'd like to for the last couple of months.  Unfortunately, this has led to a Shingles breakout over the last 2 weeks that has

1) Made me feel incredibly old.  Isn't turning 40 this year enough?
2) Displayed itself majestically in the form of a blistery rash down my right leg and onto my backside reminiscent of Robert the Bruce's pustule faced dad from Braveheart
3) Caused me extreme discomfort inside and out, although that seems to be easing up today (don't want to speak too soon though).

Anyhoo, I'm on anti-virals and advil and went to my first ever acupuncture appointment today.  It was quite relaxing, but I'm hearing it takes several visits to feel a physical difference.  Fingers crossed this doesn't linger on.

Barely cooking, not taking pictures, staying in the moment....

Back to the grind!