More than you wanted to know

Here's the third installment to my "5 questions you've always wanted answered" column. (The links for the first two articles are on the side bar when you click on this one.)  It's fun to write and is clearing 20,000 hits every time. But the best thing about writing it is researching the questions I've always wondered about. Wanna know why your pee smells after you eat asparagus? Stay tuned!

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=24886527&nid=711&title=5-questions-youve-always-wanted-answered&fm=home_page&s_cid=queue-16

Muddy Buddies

I don't normally take a 3 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon, but I conked out today after a very long and fun weekend. The kids are exhausted. Wes is exhausted. And even Zero is tired from just watching us.

FRIDAY

I took a last minute trip to Pasadena with friends to see Time Out For Women. I'd give it a mixed review if I had to, but the company is what really matters and the fact that I watched a friend eat her first pazookie at BJ's restaurant. A milestone in anyone's life.

Time Out is a church sponsored retreat and meant to recharge the batteries of tired women. Sort of up my alley. There were a few talks that I really enjoyed and needed to hear. I love it when a speaker actually puts together something that resonates with me and makes me think. And then there was a speaker/singer/Broadway actor who, albeit extremely talented, was the star of the show and tried desperately to tie together spirituality and Broadway songs that he enjoyed singing. For example...

Singer: I love Jesus, and here's a little song from "Fiddler on the Roof" that describes that love.

*cue very long rendition of "Matchmaker."

Singer: And now I'd like to sing a song from "Grease" that I think shows how families can be together forever.

*cue medley of "Grease Lightening/Summer Nights"

It was awkward and every time you thought (hoped) it was over...he'd find another song to sing that had nothing to do with anything.

But again, the company was wonderful and I heard what I needed to hear, which is always the case when I listen to those promptings that tell me I need to be somewhere or with someone.

Way to not look at the camera and ruin the picture, Nikki.

SATURDAY

We had a marathon birthday party to attend for my nephew and brother in law and spent the day in Simi with family. It was such a relaxing day and we had so much fun watching the cousins play non-stop, all day long. They must have gone up and down the bouncy house obstacle course at least 50 times. They had a boot camp work out without even knowing it.

Wes' Aunt Janeane, Tay, and her one of her favorite second cousins, Shane.

A fun minute to win it game that Wes' mom put together.

The birthday boy with Tay. He's "finally" 6.

Uncle Bobby and Ms. Avery

SUNDAY

This is the 4th year I've ran in the Down and Dirty Mud Run and the most memorable yet. I had my family there and it made it that much better. Which is funny since the reason I joined the run 4 years ago was to get away from them. And I mean that in the nicest possible way.

Corinne was a baby and Taylor was only 2, and I was feeling weak. Weak in my head and weak in my body, and I needed to do something to prove to myself that I was stronger than how I felt. I needed a break from taking care of everyone and desperately needed to get reintroduced to myself. I still don't know why I thought a 5k run in mud would accomplish those things, but the idea of testing and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone was appealing. I've found that I learn and grow the most when I'm uncomfortable.

So I signed up by myself and took off to the run alone. But back then alone felt amazing. I craved alone. And even though I didn't have anyone high fiving me at the finish line except a few strangers I met along the way, at that point in my life I really didn't need a big audience.

But fast forward 3 years and life is SO much easier. There are no diapers, late nights, colic or tantrums and I wanted my best friends in life to be there and share my happy place. (But they were still given strict instructions that if they complained or whined that it would be their last time visiting my happy place. Luckily, they were gems and couldn't have been sweeter.)

I'm so lucky to have had Jessie with me the last 3 years as well. Who would have thought the popular girl in 8th grade who befriended me and who I thought was the coolest thing since NKOTB, would still let me hang out with her on occasion. I value her friendship so much and hope we are running in the mud together until we are old and grey. And she's brought along her friends who make it even better. It's just fun to look around and see all my muddy buddies from here and there enjoying such a great day.I look forward to it every year and it never disappoints.

Kelli, Jessie and myself. Team Run Like A Mother.

It broke my heart to hear about the Boston marathon the day after I enjoyed my run without any worry of terrorism or bombs. I don't consider myself a runner at all, but having joined the Down and Dirty run, I know how electric the energy is at those races. It's such a positive and uplifting sort of thing. To have someone turn it into a horrifying event is just awful. I wore my run shirt today in some small way of showing that my thoughts and prayers are with that poor little boy who lost his life, to his mom who had brain surgery, and his sister who lost a leg. Not to mention the other families who lost loved ones. How unbelievably sad. I used to feel very invincible, but it's becoming clearer that we live in a time where nowhere is really safe. Not even a movie theater, a kindergarten classroom, an airplane or a marathon. But what do you do? It would be ridiculous to live in fear, but it's natural to be more vigilant now at public events that we used to take for granted as being safe.

The human hamster wheel with Tay and Corinne inside.

 

Her first year! I was so proud of her. She is always up for anything. I love it!

Her knees kept her out of the race, but it was nice having her there to cheer me on and the girls were over the moon that they spent the day with her.

Our friend, Nick.

Almost done!

No hugs?

 

Her shirt says "Mom's Muddy Buddy."

 

I hear mud makes you look ten pounds heavier than you really are. I sure hope so.

My handsome Hubs.

Taylor with her friend, Maddie. They were so cute and excited at the start line.

Poor Rin was SO tired.

I love this chick, Cristine. I met her the first day of Kindergarten when our kids were in the same class, and liked her immediately.



LOVE!

5 more questions

Here's my 2nd article for my KSL column, "5 questions you've always wanted answered."
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=24633517&nid=711&title=5-more-questions-youve-always-wanted-answered&fm=home_page&s_cid=queue-1

It's doing pretty well and getting a decent amount of hits and shares. More importantly, I actually enjoy writing it. Some of the questions being submitted are worthy of an eye roll but it's fun to research the legitimate ones.

How do you make Mexican chili?

I've enjoyed Spring Break, but I won't lie. There are two days left until the kids go back to school and life returns to normal, and I am counting down the minutes. But one of our outings this week was a trip to Olvera Street. The kids had no idea what Olvera Street was, but when I told them we had to take a train to get there, they were all for it.
 I met some friends at the station and forked over my $20.00 for a round trip ticket to Union Station. And just FYI if you use Metro, don't even bother buying a ticket. They didn't even collect them. It's like BYU, all on an honor system or some crap so I felt like I threw $20 out the window.
The kids were free since kids 5 and under don't have to pay.  I had to drill Taylor about this little fib so mommy didn't have to throw another $20 out the window.
Me: You're 5.
Tay: NO! I'm 6 mom!
Me: Not today, and not while we're riding the train. You need to say you're 5.
Tay: But that's a lie!
Me: It's ok to lie...sometimes...when it saves you money....and...I'll buy you a treat if you lie.
Tay: Oh, ok.
And away we went!

Funny thing about Metro. They saw us coming with our 6 kids and pointed us away from the "Quiet Car." They actually have a car that is designated as a quiet car, and we weren't invited on it. Imagine that?!

The girls were so excited to be on a train that I vowed we'd find more reasons to ride it in the future. When we got to Union Station, I was so depressed I didn't have my camera. I'd been there before but had forgotten how gorgeous that building was. We crossed the street to Olvera and set out for shopping. My girls don't miss a beat. I told them there wasn't much to do but shop the booths, all of which sell the same crap. They were thrilled!

Corinne picked up a guitar and I knew there was no talking her out of it. She strummed it up and down that street like a little mariachi girl. Taylor wanted a stuffed dog as her treat for lying. Even though she has a million and I HATE adding to her collection.

A side note about the crap sold at Olvera Street. It's disgusting. Our little friend, Allison, bought a whistle that twirled around. And the thing had hair stuck on it. Not her hair. God knows whose hair it was, but they sold it anyway. Some of the things the kids picked up looked like the stuff you'd find at a garage sale. It was dirty, old and torn but still $12.95!
We ended up eating at a Mexican food place where they had jokes written on the children's menu. Taylor read out loud, "How do you make Mexican chili?...You take him to the North Pole!" Upon which every Mexican within ear shot (and since we were at Olvera Street, that was almost everyone) gave us a dirty look.
It was on the menu!! She's not a racist!!
So we inhaled our food and took off before the mob of angry Mexicans descended on my child.

Before the mob.

We visited the oldest house in LA, and the kids actually found it interesting. And then we listened to a little mariachi music. I'm not a huge fan of old houses or mariachi music, but when in Rome!

They ooed and awed over this bedroom. My little tourists.

And then we stumbled upon a health expo going on there. So we had the kids tested for HIV and hepatitis. Good news! They're clean!!

Here's the free HIV testing truck. We're up for anything if it's free!

Kids are never too young to learn more about hepatitis.

Before our ride home, I had Corinne earn back the money that I spent on junk we bought there.

"Smelly cat, smelly cat. What are they feeding you?"

Our ride home on the train was much, much louder than the ride there. I apologize to everyone in that car who had to listen to Corinne "playing" the guitar THE. WHOLE. WAY. HOME. Accompanied by this sound......

2013-04-04 14.14.15.mov from Nikki Pollard on Vimeo.
Play that clip at full volume and put it on repeat for about 45 minutes. Add Corinne's guitar as accompaniment, and that was the soundtrack for our ride home. It's funny, because none of us moms really noticed the noise. It wasn't until I got in the car to drive home that I thought, "Hmmm. I bet the other passengers are really happy we're off the train."

What I learned from this little outing is:
a. I should totally get a booth at Olvera Street and sell all of our old crap at full price
b. My kids can go ANYWHERE. We've been going on outings since they could walk, and they are a piece of cake to take out. I love having my two best girlfriends to hang with.
c. You aren't allowed to let your kids walk around on the train. We were reminded of this several times.
d. If there isn't a health expo going on at Olvera Street, it would be very hard to kill three hours just shopping.
More Spring Break Pics:

CA Science Center with Gramps, Aunt Sue and Uncle Mike

USA! USA! The shuttle was awesome.

Hanging with Tay waiting for Corinne at gymnastics. She's just so pretty.

It was actually hot enough for playing with the hose in bathing suits.

Dance like no one is watching.

Who has a Great Aunt like my girls?! They are so lucky.

Thanks for the cute outfit, Nana!