We celebrated the munchkins turning two with two parties! The first a little family get together on their actual birthday and another on Cinco de Mayo with a train theme and about 20 toddlers on our back deck.

The kids didn’t really seem to understand that it was their birthday, though they now thoroughly enjoy opening presents and eating ice cream and cupcakes.

Outfits were OshKosh B’Gosh engineer style overalls for the boys and a bandana dress for Evie.  Invite, Goody bag and Thank You notes custom orders from Double U Design and Goody bags included “The Little Engine that Could” board books and engineer hats (like the one Cam is wearing in pics).

Easter weekend started with a nice 10.5 mile run with the girls on Saturday and a chill afternoon with the kids.  Sunday was another story.  The day started with opening their Easter baskets (no candy – just books, stickers, and little trinkets).  Then off to brunch at GCC – the kids were amazingly well behaved during the buffet and loved walking up to get their food.  After brunch was a magic show – not sure they really understood any of it but seemed to enjoy petting the bunny at the end.  Then hunting for eggs around the golf course.  Then it was off to my brother in laws house for Easter dinner.  The kids loved seeing their cousins, getting lots of attention from relatives and running around.  We even managed to get them to nap for 30 minutes in the car.

After a fantastic 13.1 mile run with friends on NYE, January was filled with everyone being sick.  Not the icky 24-48 hour gut busting stomach flu, just a constant stuff nose, coughing, post-nasal, blah ick for 5+ weeks.  I was sick, kids were sick, Tim was sick, Anna was sick, grandparents were sick, Tim and I were sick again…Training fell off the tracks.  At least it’s the off season.  On a positive note, I booked flights for Tim and I to go to London for ITU World Tri Champs in Sept.  Ok – real training starts March 1.

We were very sad to see Jojo go back to Sweden (along with American boyfriend) mid December but knew it was for the best – she has to go and live and experience her own life…but we think she’ll be back sooner rather than later.

With Jojo’s leaving we also welcomed Anna, our new au pair from Germany.  Anna seems to have the patience of a saint and the credentials any mom would lust over…multiples background, day care background and degree in early childhood education.  Apart from a short stint of homesickness Anna seems to be acclimating terrifically.  Especially as it’s difficult to come to a foreign country without friends or relatives right around the holidays.

As for Christmas, it was terrific although an absolute marathon day of unwrapping gifts (almost entirely for the kids).  I don’t think I’ve ever seen Calder, Campbell or Evie more excited (or tired).  It was a wonderful day…now to figure out what to do with all of the toys!

Opening their stockings

I competed in the Greenwich Tri the other weekend and was finally able to win it!  It only took almost 10 years 🙂 Some history…

This Tri has a lot of significance for me – it was my first tri ever (I had to walk about half the run I was so tired in that race) and was the last tri I competed in before I got pregnant.  Over the course of the last few years I was able to finish 2nd twice, so finally claiming top spot felt great! To make things even better – Tim (husband), Tom (brother in law) and Frank (father in law) all worked the race, my parents came to watch and the babies were able to check out the awards ceremony (and even clap!).  It was quite a family affair!

Some pics and press:

Greenwich Time

Stamford Voice