Race Day!

As has become a fun, family tradition, James, Katie, the kids and I drove to New Richmond Wisconsin for the 4th of July Class family celebration which included running, turtles, champagne and pancakes. We're like the adopted children Bob and Helen never wished they had...

We got up at 6, loaded up the car and "raced" off to Wisconsin. I say raced, because we were running a little late if we wanted to say hello to Paula's family and have a relaxing registration before the craziness set in. We of course got stopped by a very crabby Wisconsin police officer who seemed to think we were hiding fugitives in the backseat. The traffic stop took almost a half an hour and in the end he didn't give us a ticket (we like to think that Grandpa Tom had a hand in that).

No longer speeding and a little stressed out, we did make it to the campgrounds before the start of the 10k. We handed off the kids to Paula and her sister, Nancy (of course). OK, so first of all, I RAN my first 10K, which felt like a pretty big milestone, and I finished it in a little over 54 minutes. I was not the last person to finish - which was one of my silent goals. Very pleased with myself. James on the other hand is old hat with this sort of thing and ran his 10K in just over 36 minutes. Seriously. He finished in the top 5 and was second in his age group (the guy who beat him won the whole thing). He is a complete rockstar. Katie ran the 2 mile race and I think felt pretty pleased with how she did. The best part of the whole thing was that Paula loaded up the boys into the Burley and brought them out on the course to cheer everyone on - let's just say there was a lot of cowbell. Finn even ran for a while - I think Seamus was more interested drinking all the water.

This proved as a good warm up for the kids 50 yard dash - Finn won 3 third place in his age group and let's just say that Seamus got some questionable coaching out from the start line. But they love this event and we all have so much fun watching. When Paula gave Finn his ribbon he got so excited and then gave it back to her and said, "no, for my birthday, you give it to me for my birthday." Could this kid be any easier?

I got some decent pictures of the turtle race (thanks Sophie for being so patient with our kids). Finn's head almost exploded when he got to hold the turtles - seriously, that's what we should get him for his birthday...I can't even tell you if any of our turtles won - but it was so funny to watch.

After all the races, we went back to Connie's (Paula's sister) cabin for brunch. Great food, wonderful people and a beautiful day. The nieces and nephews played with the boys and held MJ a bunch so not only was it a lovely day it was pretty relaxing for James, Katie and I (our kids really have three parents on most weekends).

I got some good pictures of Paula's family - this was an important holiday because it's the last one before Eric leaves for training and then Iraq. Paula video taped most the day for him to bring with him - and I can't wait to hear all of her witty commentary :)

Kids, I hope you appreciate how lucky we are to have such good examples of strong families. I was struck this trip by the connection and closeness of Paula's family - Connie's cabin is decorated with photos and drawings of all the nieces and nephews - she's made sure there is space for everyone (not just for the holiday, but always). Speaking from experience, big family present a challenge because you've got so many personalities, but when you get it right, a big family can be sort of second skin, that gives you energy, protection and a broader sense of touch. What fun.

Summer Faces

This is what most of my days looks like...

Star Wars & Shadow Tag

A few weeks ago now (sorry) Paula treated the boys and I to a special preview of the Star Wars exhibit at the Science Museum. The boys were so good and we had such a nice time checking out all the costumes and "rides". For a few months now Finn has been in a Han Solo phase, which means that he often likes to announce "I be Han Solo now" and he find some sort of vest/necktie combination. He often sleeps this way. Until we saw the exhibit I didn't realize that Han actually does have a weird collar as well as a vest. I should be paying better attention...








The boys also played a little shadow tag as we were leaving. Seamus kept remarking with a thrill "Mom, I'm so big in my shadow". I felt like seeing the boys casting shadows on the pavement gave a sort of form to how fast I feel they are growing. It's almost as if in the warm, long rays of a summer evening you can see their joy and energy expanding, stretching and changing as they move around you. It was lovely.

Father's Day

Well, kids, as you know your father rocks (see previous entry). I think that while you are still 4, 2 and 1, no one truly knows how spectacular your dad is better than you do - and I love how much you adore him. I also know that when you read these entries for the first time you might have some other ideas about your father and I's "coolness", but I guess we'll see.

My favorite thing, if I could have just one about your dad, is that there is nothing he loves more or anything that he loves better than you guys and me. Everything else is second place - including himself. Not everyone can say that about their dads.

The thing about becoming a parent is that once you are someone's mother or father, you gain a bit of immortality. Because no matter if the time period that you are able to change diapers, tie shoes, give advice, pay tuition, yell, listen, hug, and love is for weeks, years, or decades; when you are gone, you're still someone's father, mother, grandmother or grandfather. That part never changes.

If someone asked me about my own grandmother, I wouldn't say I don't have one. I'd say, "her name was Edith and she loved to have parties". Or "her name was Helen and she loved the Minnesota Twins and Kirby Pucket". We're all still very sad because of Grandpa and Uncle Tom, but I'm remembering today, that they're still a big part of our family. When someone asks you about your Grandpa or your uncle, you'll be able to smile and say, "his name was Tom and he loved me." And it couldn't be more true.

We've worked hard to make this a nice day for dad - but I think the best thing that you'll do for your dad today was cuddle with him in bed. You read the newspaper (there were pictures of the Wild Things in the comics) ate cheesy eggs (only Finn really likes the eggs - Seamus is still an apple-man), and we got to enjoying sitting against big pillows with the beginnings of a summer tan, the cool breeze coming through the window, and that was the best gift of all. You might not remember today - but the happiness that settled over us at that moment becomes one of the translucent layers of our family's love. And that love stays long after we're gone.

There's a poem I've been thinking of that I want to include today, it's from a silly cabin book, but something that has stuck with me since I was a little girl.
From Tom Hegg's poem, Grandpa's Hands:

Grandpa's hands may be at rest
But we will be forever blessed
Because hands that did their loving best
Can never lose their touch.

Some photos...

Alcatraz!

This was my 4th time competing in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon with the one (the only) Charlie. He's a lot faster than I - but I have a blast riding the boat out with him before the plunge. He also has other wonderful assets - he provides me a sweet bike for the race, numerous accessories (water bottles, towels, etc.), multiple tivo'ed episodes of The Office, a place to stay, and Andrea - whose love, baking, and cooking prowess are only outdone by her good looks and willingness to await us at the finish line with champagne.



On a sidenote - I defeated Charlie for the first time ever this year. I beat his transition from the bike to the run by 5 seconds! After years of combing statistics looking for one aspect where I may have edged him out - VICTORY! (He must have fallen down) Feel free to email him and comment. If you're looking for a subject line, you might use "James owns Charlie" (just a suggestion)




^{Does anyone know which way the weight room is? Is it that way?}




I always miss the fam lots at this event - we need to accelerate their training so we can all do it next year. In an attempt to try and play up the event for the kiddies- I gave this little speech on the way to the airport, "Daddy's going to visit Charlie. We're going to plunge into the icy, shark infested waters of San francisco Bay; Bike the grueling elevations of SF; then run the dreaded sand ladder in our quest to Escape from the Rock {insert dramatic pause}" They were very quiet...although Finn did warn me (as he does daily) "Don't fall off your bike, Dad." Very helpful, Finn. Thanks. However, every time I called home, Seamus greeted me with extensive questions. "Dad, is the sand ladder made of sand?" "Do you take a boat to the sand ladder?" "Could I do the sand ladder with you?" "Could I ride my alleycat behind you to the sand ladder?" "I want to ladder the sand, but I don't like deep water. Is the water deep?" Evidently, the sand ladder captured his imagination. Here's a picture that captures it a bit - it goes for 400 steps.


Many thanks to Margo and Julian for hosting us for a post race dinner! We had great food - Margo is an excellent cook. And they treated us to their great views of the city. We played "Stump the Julian" by randomly pointing at distant locations from their deck - but lost. While, again, a visit with margo has come and gone without a picture - I've posted this picture of her and Julian to prove that they do, in fact, exist. Thanks again, Margo and Julian!

A good time was had by all. Party.


Thanks Anne, Seamus, Finn, and MJ - for rooting me on, loving me from MN, and welcoming me home! Go Dougherty summer of fitness!

Enter the Chino

Darren Chin, a great friend from our SF days stopped by to visit on his cross country drive from LA to Boston. Being us, we convinced him to stay a day longer than he intended, so we declare victory.

While we (allegedly) did lots of fun stuff, this was the only picture taken.




One of our other great friends, Margo (of ukelele, banjo, and "camp schneeman" fame), was also in town - we didn't get a single picture of her.

Fun weekend - but, alas, no proof.

We love you, Darren. We love you, Margo. Come move to Minnesota. It's way better than those silly places where you live.