Revisiting the Superfication of Miss E

This is an older post that originally appeared two years ago before I merged my running and nerdy family thoughts into one handy dandy little spot. 

The first picture popped up today in my memories on Facebook, and I remember how much fun this conversation was and how much I love how her mind works.

Our topics are slightly different now at nine, but I still don't know where we are going with most of our conversations. Like yesterday when we had a conversation about whether lattice multiplication or partial products was the "more fun" variation of math, that she knows three words in French.  One being her full first name, the second bon jour (though arguably that's two and three) and finally flambé. Any guesses as to what inspired those word choices?  I asked her if she knew what flambé meant and she said yes.  Then channeling her inner Becky Lynch she said (straight) fire. 

I hoping she continues to retain that totally spontaneous thought pattern and stays true to being who she is. 

But for now, let me reintroduce to the seven year old wonder Super E. 

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The Superfication of Miss E

That's a word right?  Superfication?  If not it should be. 

It was only a matter of time before it happened. Even with E's most recent obsession with the breathtaking spectacular that is Cinderella and the added bonus of a brand spanking new Frozen adventure... it happened.

May I introduce you to Super E.

I picked my girl up from school only to find out she now has her own alter ego.

Her reveal  started out the same as any of our afternoon conversations begin...

Me: "How was school? What did you do today?"

E: "I made a cape today. I need a glue stick to finish it "

Me: "awesome!"

E: "I have sidekicks"

Me: you have what?


E: "sidekicks.  You know you can't be a superhero without sidekicks"

Through the course of the conversation it was revealed that she is now Super E, she makes her own costumes and the capes of her sidekicks.  So she's super and she is crafty.  Believe me when I tell you she's crafty, this girl has had an artistic bent for as long as she's been able to reflect that crafty side.

Her super power is flying  and she stands for "hugs, cuteness and the protection of animals" and I for one feel much safer knowing she's around. 

My Princess loving girl has also discovered her superhero side.  I love seeing her play and create and be who she wants to be without worrying what anyone else thinks. 
  

Do you have a super side? If it was just as easy as making a cape and finding sidekicks, what would your super power be? 

To my Girl

On International Women's Day...

Always remember that you CAN do whatever you want to do and be whatever you want to be.  Only you are allowed to define yourself.  No one else can.  You are so much more than "just a girl"

Always remember that you are smart and strong.  You are capable of so many great things. Don't ever be dissuaded from your path.

Always remember to support your girl friends.  Do not tear down, do not gossip, do not mock.  Build up other women, do not tear them down.  Though really this should apply to everyone, every day.

Always remember your worth.

Always remember that you can be anything even a superhero.  Or better yet, be your own superhero.

Always remember that you are loved.  Now "go, get 'em tiger!" 

Bounty Hunter's Blend: A Dark Side Roast

It's St. Jude Heroes fundraiser time again.  This could quite possibly be one of my favorites.  I hit up my friend Chris at On a Roll Design for her creative genius and I am so excited by what she came up with  for me. 

I had the idea to attempt a T-shirt fundraiser through Booster and Custom Ink.  When I decided to move forward there was only one person I would trust to come up with the image for me and that was Chris. 

My request was as convoluted as it was simple.  Combining some of my loves into one image that I hoped other people would love as well.  She managed to combine Star Wars, my family's love of a certain Mandalorian bounty hunter and coffee and as always hit it out of the park for me. 

Introducing the design for my first ever t-shirt fundraiser.  It is active as of today and will close in four weeks on March 26th, with an estimated product delivery to you on April 11th.  Which would be plenty of time for any of my Dark Side Challengers to receive in time for race weekend. 

I currently have two options up and running the first is for an awesome charcoal grey Hanes tagless T.  It's so comfy and the design really pops against the grey.  Information and ordering options can be found here

I also have set up a Ladies Hanes X-Temp Tank in black.  This would be perfect for race weekend, for working out, or anytime you feel like showing off your caffeinated Dark Side.  Currently, the option to purchase is here, but will be combined to the above link within the next day or so.

All proceeds will go my St. Jude Heroes fundraiser for the year.  As always thank you for your support and thank you for helping provide the families of St. Jude the best gift to fight the Dark Side of Childhood Cancer.  Hope. 

Worry Less, Run More

Well, I do believe this is my first running related post in my new home.  There are several reasons, but mostly because there hasn't been a whole lot of running going on in my world. Unless you count running errands, running  little people places. Truthfully,  my treadmill had been taken over by my cat who was less than thrilled to see me back.

I could say I've been busy, which is true.  But also it's been an excuse.  I could have run.  I could have put more effort into training for Dark Side and Light Side.  But I didn't.  

I let people, things, situations and what I perceived to be other people's opinions of me take up space in my head.  Being an anxious person by nature the smallest thing can set me off and spiral down a rabbit hole.  When that happens, I tend to isolate myself and stay close to those who love me in spite of myself and my flaws.

Running took a backseat to other activities. But here's the thing, I started running to get out of my head and clear out the negative. Running has always, always, always been my happy space. I lost sight of that for awhile. 

I got the reminder that I needed in January at the Light Side 10k.  I was under trained  but I was happy.  I ran the 10k by myself and I was happy. Giddy even and I even managed to get a Disney 10k PR. 

During that time there were no worries in my head.  Just me, my playlist, Star Wars and 6.1 miles in the Happiest Place on Earth.  It was not my best time but it was the BEST TIME.

Since then I have been working my way back into consistency.  I'm rediscovering the benefits that running plays in my life.  

With that being said 2017 is the year that I am declaring that I am going  to 
Worry less and run more. Lofty goals for me for sure but I can tell you I see a difference already.

So friends help hold my feet to the fire on this one if you see me slacking. 

 

Pop for St. Jude Heroes

So it's been awhile since I have done an actual giveaway for my St. Jude Heroes fundraiser.

I've sat on this one for awhile because I've fighting my inner fangirl over keeping this one to myself.

Back in October when we went to Wizard World in Tulsa we did the Sebastian Stan meet & greet and photo opp. I bought the POP Civil War Winter Soldier with the intention of using it for a fundraiser.  

Little known fact even though I am thoroughly and unapologetically #TeamIronman I do love me some Bucky.

Anyway, I digress...here are the details for every 5.00 donation to my fundraiser between today and January 2, 2017 you will get one entry towards bringing this signed POP figure to your collection.

As you know this is my fourth  #stjudeheroes race for the children and families of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Did you know that not only do families not have a bill while they are there, but that St. Jude also covers food, lodging and travel costs? So truly there is nothing the family needs to worry about outside of caring for their child. 

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are able to do such amazing things with your help.  Every donation goes to help them provide research, quality care and hope. 

Won't you consider donating?

http://heroes.stjude.org/suzanneran

Adventures in Roadtripping

There is no place like home.  But we do love a good vacation and equally a good road trip.

 The time we get to spend with each other away from schedules and activities makes it worth it to us.  Even the drudgery of the car is not quite so bad.  Says the lady who is comfortably ensconced in the passenger seat.  The driver might have a different tale to tell.

Holiday travel is just around the corner and as we gear up for our next road trip I thought this would be a great time to discuss our road trip tips.

Know before you go.

Whether it's a three hour trip or eighteen.  Know your route.  Compare several different driving options and pick one that makes sense for what you are wanting to accomplish. Don't just leave it to your GPS to determine your route for you.  

Know how far you want to drive in one day in longer trips.  Once you determine that find a hotel in that city and book in advance.  Trust me there is nothing quite as frustrating as being ready to stop and finding no room at the inn.  

Let me entertain you...

My role is to serve as entertainment director, referee, time-keeper, co-pilot and game show host. I switch movies, stop squabbles over chargers.  I enforce reading time, screen time and journal time.  I am responsible for keeping the driver awake. 

Have  plenty of entertainment options.  While we don't necessarily limit screen time while on the road. It is what it is. I do make sure that Mighty and Mini balance it out.  I do require reading, journaling or coloring between movies and screen time.  

We also livened it up with a Marvel Trivia box. After every stop and between every movie we would break out the trivia.This might have been my favorite part of drive. 

The Munchies

I would love to say that we do awesome creative 100% healthy snacks.  But I can't.  We do pack pre-packaged apple and grapes, and also had some strawberries and bananas on hand but that's about the extent of our healthy. We also have chips, fruit snacks, beef jerky and Turkey pepperoni. 

We subscribe to the it's not done until it's overdone theory when it comes to munchies. But it's rare to hear "I'm hungry!".  The variety helps stave off the temptations of the magical, mystery road travel centers.

Roll with it 

The toughest thing for this control freak is to roll with the unexpected.   Traffic (hello Atlanta!), weather,  and construction may slow you down but at the end it works out. 

Just enjoy whatever comes your way, planned  or not.  The road trip is not about perfection. It is all about the adventure, as  well as the family moments both good and bad along the way.

Does your family like to road trip?  what are some of your favorite aspects of being on  the road?

Turkey Day Birthday Bash

Fall is a crazy time for us.  It's not only the back to school to and the activities it's also Birthdaypalooza.

Our extended family birthdays start in September, two in October.  Then the fun begins. In we have  my birthday, 12 days later Mighty's birthday, then Thanksgiving and the week.after Thanksgiving it's Miss E's day.  Then Christmas it's a wild two months of celebrations. 

This year after a super stressful  September we decided to do something different for Thanksgiving since we have an extended break for the holiday. Enter a fortuitously timed email from Universal Resorts giving us a great deal and it just so happened to be valid during the time we were looking at.  Well, it was an offer we couldn't refuse.

So we are packing up  and hitting the road for a crazy whirlwind celebration of the birthday trifecta  and Thanksgiving.

We will be staying at my personal favorite Universal Orlando Resort, The Hard Rock Hotel.  I see lots of unwinding and time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for this year.   

New Universal Orlando Preferred  Annual Passes  have been secured so not only are we set for the fall, we are good to go for our summer trip. I'm looking forward to celebrate Thanksgiving with our Springfield family, The Simpsons and being able to #hulkout since it wasn't open this summer. As well as some up close and personal time with our favorite Raptor.

I cannot wait for our celebration  to begin.

Are you traveling for the holidays?