On Things I love Thursday

On "Things I love Thursday" I can only write about my lovely 4 year old, whom we celebrated over the weekend. His birthday fell on Father's Day this year, so we celebrated Richard as well. And I am specially grateful that my Mum and Edina could be here with us as well (unfortunately Dad had to cancel last minute as a two week work project just fell on his lap. When else...)
We have been in Barton Marina, watchend the original 1967 Jungle Book at Little Red Carpet Cinema (I can only recommend this place, it is in a lovely setting, small child-friendly cinema, in the same building there is a bistro with a small garden, where there is a Wendy house for the kids, legos, trains while the adults soak up the sun...lovely)
I drove (!) to Hopwas, went to shopping to Birmingham, and on Sunday we celebrated Benji's birthday at the Cliff House in Kingsbury. Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best, but with the kind help from the staff they improvised an improptu gazeebo out of parasols. I am sure we will remember this at least. I am also happy for most of the family making his birthday despite being it Father's Day and the start of theWorld Cup..
This year Benji understood more that birthdays are good, and he was saying it beforehand how much he is looking forward to it. He got a big boys bike with "pedals and a bell" thats what he wanted, but I am not sure yet how much patience will he show to keep try to pedal it. At the moment he still chooses his balance bike.
This year he didn't burst into tears when we started singing Happy Birthday to him (although you could tell he was a bit shy on his party, but not as "bad" as last year). Love my big, clever 4 year old son!

Dissapeared a bit

I haven't had any posts lately, partially because not much happened, but I also had little time to write as well due to trying to acomplish my new year resolutions. One of them to drive in England, and the other to run 10km in one go.
The first was speeded up by Benji's acceptance in Manor Primary, as there is hardly any public transport there, so i will definitely need to drive by then. And also my parents coming in a week, and thought would be nice to drive around when Richard is at work.
The running was always amongst my wishes, I just encouraged myself a bit by enrolling to the Sutton Fun Run. So in my spare time lately I was either running, or having driving lessons, or hunting for a car.

This weekend was the race, which wasn't just 10k, but 13.5. I managed to run 8.5km in one go without stopping, and the rest with a walking-running mix. I am still very proud of myself as it is still personal best, plus I will have another attempt on 29th of June to run the 10k, as we will go to the Coventry Breast Cancer awarness race as well.

It was very different to run in a race than at home on the street on  my own. It was a big endorphin hit, and was great to see people clapping and cheering, that you forgot how tired your are.
But the best encourangement was, that Richard brought Benji to cheer us, and when I spotted them in the crowd, waved him, he waved back smiling, was sooo good, you couldn't just stop and let him down! I really hope that I will show him a good example, and sport will be natural to him. We were already planning with Nicola to take Benji and Oscar for a little run around the block to see what they think. Even at the race there were lots of kids running with their parents, I hope I will run with my boys one day.






After the run, because the weather was so nice, and noone cooks or diets after a race, we sat into the Cliff House pub for a nice cold, refreshing beer and dinner, because we deserved it :)

Before

After