Post Easter bloating

We had a very pleasant, relatively low key Easter. This year, Ryan did get to dye eggs twice (one with three friends, once by himself) and go on a family egg hunt (a tradition). We also went to not one, but TWO Easter buffets on Easter Sunday- a early brunch with the family the AM, and then another fancy shmancy one in the afternoon with friends out on the Kohala Coast (followed by beach time for the kids). Thank goodness for that, as I'm the absolute worst about taking Ryan to the ocean! (Sand is the reason. That stuff is evil.) Back in Ryan's younger years, Easter festivities would have also meant a crowded community egg hunt (or two), a picture with the Easter bunny, and a road race...so it's much quieter these days!

We were also very excited to spend some time with friends who recently got a new dirt bike, so Ry got to ride one for the first time, ever.

Our friends have a large, gorgeous property that is perfect for riding. Though he was a bit terrified at first, the three kids were able to get him feeling comfortable enough that after an hour or so, he eventually took the wheel himself. ;-) Though I briefly dreamt of getting him an electric scooter (since we don't have the space/property for a dirt bike/ATV) so he can ride alongside me while I run, I know it's far safer, healthier and cheaper for him to ride his bike instead.

Thanks to Ryan's swim group (we only go once a week, so we're not exactly on the Michael Phelps track to success...more on the 'we don't want our son to drown' track), he scored a second (short) trip to the beach yesterday for an ocean swim. I chose to tell myself that the laminated, yellow 'Beware of the white-tipped sharks' sign taped to the post was years old, probably decades (to avoid hyperventilation on my part). I was happy to see after 4-5 months of his once weekly swim class, that he is now in far better swim shape than I am. I was pretty pooped just swimming to and from their 'practice area' near the fifth buoy. While they did laps back and forth, all I did was tread water and try not to swallow half the sea (I failed, my stomach was like an aquarium by the end). Swimming in the open sea will never be my passion (until shark proof wetsuits and dummy-proof spear guns are made), but I'm always happy when I do get out there. I feel a little more like and islander and less like an A/C loving, hermit.

Tomorrow a friend and I will be attempting our first ten-miler in my many months, thanks to my knee injury and our Dubai trip setting me back. I'm mostly excited, and a tiny bit nervous. I've never been this out of shape. My longest runs these days are about 6-7 miles (I've made a mild shift to shorter, faster distances to gain more muscle/speed), so there will likely be some aches/pain and chafing (which I haven't missed).

All else has been good. I'm preparing for two back to back family visits starting next week, and we have about a month before I become a home school teacher for the summer. This is the first year we're planning on skipping a summer enrichment program (that we've done every summer since K) to focus more on language arts and math, so I'm in the process of ramping up for that. I've created a tentative school schedule for us that also includes a little Japanese language and science. I'm hoping it will help Ry with his 4th grade readiness (and me with fourth grade math)! ;-) (HA! Not a joke, sadly.)

All right, over and out...
JM