Saturday 28 February 2015

Put down that fork and pick up those joggers!

Running
Sorry for being a slack blogger.  It seems like forever ago but the only exercise I've done this week is 5km on Monday and a pump class on Tuesday.  This morning I managed to get my butt out of bed for a slow 90 minutes before the heat set in.   I've put on a couple of kilos in the last couple of weeks and I can really feel them!

Autism
T2 officially finished early intervention ABA sessions last week.  His supervisor went to school to watch and he is doing pretty well with NO support in the classroom.  He was daydreaming alot but his attending has improved greatly and he hardly ever has behavioural problems any more.  In fact I've been observing many of his peers lately and frequently the twins are far better behaved than 80% of them.  Its been a long road and it definitely isn't over.  But here's to progress and a bright future ahead!

The twins were invited to 3 parties in 3 days!  I remember a time when I was scared that the twins would never be invited to a party.  I'm not sure if you've read this article, but it really broke my heart.  I can't believe a whole class of parents could be so heartless and cruel.  Shame on them.

Look at that stance!
Thankfully, We've had the opposite experience at the twins' school.  The boys are completely included and have some really good friends.  I was worried about the putt putt golf and bowling parties.  These involve metal sticks and hard balls and we've had stressful experiences in the past.  This weekend I was able to talk to other parents while keeping a half an eye on the boys.   They behaved really well and had a great time.


What a great weekend!













Saturday 21 February 2015

Magenta Shores, The Entrance; Beach Running & The Lolly Barn

Running

While we were on our mini-holiday to Magenta Shores I ran along the beach each morning.  The first morning was tough as the sun was out and running on sand is just hard.  The next morning was cloudy and the sand was much harder from overnight rain.  I did about 8 km each morning but it felt like much more.


After my morning run my husband would meet me at the lagoon pool for a pre-breakfast swim.  We had the pool to ourselves one morning and I found a skimmer ball in the filter box.  We were like a couple of kids skimming it down the long pool.   I love how we're still best friends and true loves after more than 15 years together :)






We ate in Barrett's restaurant each day, swam and read.  I even got drawn into watching the cricket, as the NZ vs England match was so exciting. 


The view from our balcony - people really zip about in the golf buggies

No holiday is complete without chocolate and a good book

The hotel gym was good.  I only used the weights as I ran along the beach each morning.

Barramundi and Risotto
Can't remember the name but this chocolate tart was delicious

One of many breakfast courses - fruit, yoghurt, nuts and pancakes :)


After a couple of days it was time to head home.  We never go home from a kid-free break empty handed.  We stopped in at the Lolly Barn and I was keen to get some American treats for the boys (Hershey's has no peanuts!!).  My MIL's weakness are Turkish Delight and gummy bears.


Just as well The Lolly Barn is a 90 minute drive from me :)
When I saw the range I got pretty excited.  









Monday 16 February 2015

You can take the (old) girl out of the beaches......

Running

Sunday was my 40th Birthday!  And I'm crazy enough that I woke up at 5am, ran 90 minutes up and down Manly beach to Queenscliff then back to Bower beach a few times. The sun was rising and the crowds quickly built up.  I was happy that the flags were up before 7.30am and there were many swimmers in so I went in for a lovely dip.  I am kind of freaked out about sharks at the moment.  Manly has had 3 shark alarms in one week!

Running at dawn - a great way to start the day
It was all wonderful.  I ran really slowly just wanting to drink in the view, my life so far and what I want to achieve in the years ahead.  I also thought of how blessed I am and also thought about the very tough times I've survived.  It was a SUPER way to start the day.

I love Sydney's Northern Beaches

My shark plan was to ensure many people were swimming in front of me :)

Too beautiful

My other workouts this week and a half
Today: 15 minutes on the bike, Bodypump class
Monday: 25 minutes treadmill 8-12km/hr, 15 minute elliptical, 15 minutes bike (Spin class was full :(
Sunday:90 minute easy
Saturday: Day off
Friday: 21/2 hour intense gym session 20 minutes running, 15 minute on the bikes, 15 minute on the elliptical, bodypump class and a half hour Cxworks class
Weds, Thurs off
Tues:  Hills 1 minute running hard up a hill and 1.5 minutes jog down repeat times 5 (short but hellish!)
Monday: 80 minute run

Birthday

 After that I met my mum for breakfast at the Novotel.



I got home and have spent today playing with my toys (I know, I won't ever grow up) and now am chilling after a family lunch.  I caught up with my best friend on Friday night so today is a relaxed day.

I'm a lucky lady - and my husband is taking me on a holiday for a couple of days too!

Amongst my pressies I got a beautiful new handbag and wallet.  Therefore I've been cleaning out my old wallet and have discovered this amazing app that means I can store all my reward cards in my phone by scanning the barcodes.  I just hope it works when I go to use the app.  Its called Stocard.


A good book before uni starts and my novel ban begins

My son wants to watch Seinfeld's Junior Mint episode while eating Junior Mints - sounds like a plan!
My Mother-in-law made me  a cake to order.  It had to be chocolate with Haig's sparkles on it  (I'm kind of bossy when it comes to my food).  Her cakes beat any cake shop hands down.

The Century - Pyrmont

Its not great having a birthday around Chinese New Year.  The restaurant was busy and we were 10 minutes late so they tried to tell us we were too late for our booking.  It was very awkward, especially since once we got in there seemed to be free tables.  I had to ring my Chinese sister who brings 10s of thousands of $$ to the restaurant for business.  She had given me dinner here as my birthday present and booked the special table.  The call was made.  Suddenly a table was free, the manager came to apologise and we were given a Chinese dessert after our meal.  If I wasn't addicted to the Peking Duck I might not return.  But I am addicted!  Once we were in my husband and I had a fantastic meal and a lovely walk afterwards.

The tanks


The apology dessert

This is a wall decorated with thousands of chopsticks!
Part of the reason I keep coming back!

Happy Year of the Sheep!



Sunday 8 February 2015

slow 10km & High Tea at Bistro Fax

Running

When my alarm went off at 6.30am I wanted to roll over but I'm so glad I got up and did my very slow 10.7km.  It was an absolutely beautiful morning running beside the river.  I'm loosely following the beginners SMH half marathon training plan.  I did the same last year and ran the half in under 2 hours.  Fingers crossed I can do something similiar this year

High Tea Bistro Fax, Radisson Blu Sydney

I forgot to take a photo of the outside - this is pretty poor

Late this arvo my mother-in-law and I headed into the CBD for a beautiful High Tea.  I love the historic facade of the Radisson Blu and we always try and sit at one of the beautiful window seats.  The walls are so thick.
These lounges are so comfy!

Love this window


I was pretty hungry after my run this morning so we made short work of the High Tea.  The chairs are so comfy and Sunday arvos seem to be the quietest time in this restaurant so we felt really relaxed.  We stayed for over 2 and half hours and the time just flew.  With a bottle of Chandon to polish off and huge pots of English Breakfast we were in no hurry to move.




We loved all of the food but were particularly impressed with the nectarine profiteroles in the shape of swans.  They were almost too pretty to eat - almost.



Friday 6 February 2015

Running update & my child is hugging strangers!

Running
I've been trying to hit the weights in the last couple of weeks and I've been loving it.  But, I've been so stiff that I've been hardly been able to run properly.

Life got in the way of blogging so my workouts since my last blog post are

Monday - 70 minute run (ahem...shuffle)
Tuesday - body pump class, 15 minutes on the elliptical, 10 minutes on the bike
Wednesday - Friday off
Saturday - 5km - see below
Not happy about the time :( Consolation is the 368 calories:)


Life
Want to know why I had Weds-Friday off training?
Work asked me to finish at 11pm and start 6 am (I need my sleep!!!) and T2 woke up with croup on Wednesday at 1.45am.  I then realised I was out of Redipred, so my husband and I had to take T2 to the local hospital and then didn't get home until 3.30 then I had to get up at 5.30am.  Croup was brought on by a virus which I also now have.  Friday we all stayed home and coughed (except for the short escape to our local donut king!).

Autism
This morning I got a delivery of two lunchboxes for the twins from the local Tupperware woman.  She actually called me a Tupperware virgin (snigger).   I was talking to her on the doorstep when T2 burst out of the house and hugged her.  It was quite embarrassing as I said to him 'T2 you don't hug people you don't know!'.  We've had the 'you don't kiss people at school' conversation but now I think a refresher course on PDAs is required.  Sigh.