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Mortality

We've been muddling through out the idea of mortality and death lately. A couple weeks ago, Nathan came home from school playing “I’m dead” while closing his eyes, sticking out his tongue, and going limp. Then recently, we read the 1930's version of Babar where the elephant’s mother is shot and killed by a hunter on the first page. Also, the elephant king dies after eating a bad mushroom and Babar is promptly elected the new king. At dinner he pronounced that he would never be dead, and not Mommy or Daddy either. We explained that dying happens to everyone, but usually one once you are really old or really sick, to which Nathan amended “or if you eat a really bad mushroom.”

Finally warming up

Now that it is feeling more like summer, I am once again glad we live only a couple miles from the beach. Even when it is hot, it is never that hot.

I've been trying to increase my jogging miles. I'm aiming to race a 10k in the winter. I can do 4.5 miles pretty well now, so I think I can do it. If I keep it up, I'm going to try for a sprint triathlon next spring or summer.

Nathan has been sick with the flu. Two of his teachers were out with it this week, so not huge surprise. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no one else in our family gets it.

Pushing the limits

Our house is gradually filling with baby and toddler toys. Occasionally I try to reign in the chaos, but it seems a losing fight. Also, I've been trying to hold down my frustration at Nathan's limit-testing. His latest display of will is at bed time. Also, my attempt at a bribe completely backfired. One night he actually got ready for bed so well, I told him he could have a toy from his favorite TV show, Yo Gabba Gabba. Little did I realize that no toy store in Southern California carries these toys. We had to buy one online through Amazon.com and it took a week to arrive. Every day he asked "Where's my Foofa toy?"

I hoping to play some live Dungeons and Dragons in two weeks. If so, it'll be a psuedo-birthday party for me. I don't really care much about celebrating my birthdays. The only think I'd really like is some more sleep and maybe the chance to go on a long jog.

There has been much soccer, in the backyard and on TV, at our house. Gary has become smitten with the sport, partly due to the recent World Cup, the fact that the Angels are not doing very well, and encouragement by one of his good friends. It doesn't make much difference to me.

camping and recovery

Last weekend I had a great time camping. It's been a long time since I'd been to Sequoia National Park, and the first for the rest of the gang. We saw the largest tree in the world and explored an enormous cave. Really only the car ride was tough. In theory it is a five hour drive, in reality with an 8 month-old and a 3 year-old, it was more like 8 hours. We decided to rent a minivan and I am so glad we did. We have way too much stuff now to go car camping in just a car. The weather was pretty good, even the thunder shower was short, educational and exciting.



Work has been more slow, which is a nice change. My new coworker actually starts working here this week. Between her and the occasional nursing student, I think I'll be doing more teaching/training and less working this week.