Capture the Gauntlet

Yesterday, Dan participated in another obstacle run.  It was supposed to be about four miles, but it turned out to be more of a 5K.  He came in 59th out of over 600 men and ran it in 40 minutes and 39 seconds.  I was impressed.  It rained that morning, too, which just made it even cooler.  Dan ran in the first heat at 8am, when the weather was almost chilly.  It was beautifully drizzly.

Always comforting to have one of these around.  Although its presence denotes a bit of danger that might not actually exist.  Life on the edge.  :)

Here he is, clambering over the first obstacle.  He was one of the first in his heat to approach.  Which was good since it bottle-necked there once the masses reach it.

It's hard to see because it was across the lake and far away.  But this strange-looking obstacle was basically monkey bars.  However, as it was wet, Dan said he didn't manage to hang on for more than a few rungs.

Apparently, one of the obstacles I couldn't see was a series of 5 8-foot walls in a row.  With no hand holds, or supports of any kind.  One simply had to lounge and jump and reach and pull.  There was a very fast lady runner who got hung up at several of the walls.  Dan and another guy would catch up to her and help her over. 

This wall had 2x4 supports across the front that you could use to climb the front.  But apparently they did not extend fully to the top.  Dan stood on the highest one and had to jump and reach to grasp the top of the wall.  Sounds a little uncomfortable to me.

Right after this wall, they had to trudge through chest-high water.

Camden and I tried to cheer loud enough that Dan could hear us, from across the lake, but I don't think we succeeded.  

I missed Dan getting to this part.  (Camden was distracted looking at the ambulance.)  I guess this obstacle is more exciting to look at and just not that complicated to get through.

This was the very last obstacle.  

Here is Dan, running to the finish line.  The other guy saw the finish before Dan did and took off.  (Sorry for the picture quality; I wasn't expected Dan to erupt from the bushes so soon.)

Dan's last gasp at the finish.

Celebrating with Camden!  

This course had a lot of different climbing walls, some foliage to leap over, a barb-wire crawl, tires to step through, and much more.  I think they omitted the customary fire obstacle due to the state-wide burn ban.  :) Several runners said they liked the obstacles better than the Warrior Dash, plus this run had a lot fewer hills.
http://conquerthegauntlet.com  Just in case you want to see more details.

Last Week - the Aquarium

We had several fun doings last week.  Fun for Camden, at least.  Ethan is just delighted if someone pays attention to him, whatever our surroundings are.  He doesn't much care where we go, as long as he has a smiling face directed his way, and a nice crinkly toy to chew on.

But for Camden's edification and my own personal enjoyment, we went to the aquarium with my good friend Lisa and Camden's friend Zachary.

The boys were quite excited about the turtle display.  

That is a lot of turtles!!

Camden was mesmerized by these large fish.  I am sure I should have educated myself better by reading the placards, but I was more concerned that Camden might fall from the ledge he is sitting on.  I think these were game fish.  

Ethan, saying, why aren't you more focused on me?!

They had beaver there!  I've never seen a beaver before.  Camden didn't really care.

He was too busy climbing the stream fish display nearby.

Camden is saying, "I touched it with my hand!"  This is the touchable stingray tank.

 I was impressed by the number of water exhibits that encouraged the kids to touch the animals.  I'm thinking the sea cucumbers there were a little different than our Okinawa versions that would squirt their guts at you.

Anyway, it was a fun time.  And I think we'll have to go with my friend again sometime.  Because, not only is she great company and her son is Camden's good friend, but she has a pass that lets us in for free.  :)  Thanks, Lisa!

Last week - the Fire Station

On Tuesday, we visited Fire Station #5, with several of our friends from church.  A total of four moms and ten kids, counting two babies.

Camden didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped.  He kept saying, "I want go some where else."  

It's true that our tour guide fireman was a little erudite for the young folks.  He explained lots of fascinating tidbits about fireman tools and strategies.  I spent a little time admiring his vocabulary.

Mostly the girls were more excited about dancing around and making music from jumping on the grating.  Camden, very naturally, pondered on the bizarre doings of his female counterparts.

We saw lots of fun things - the jaws of life, the inside of an ambulance, and all the things they stuff into the compartments of their ladder truck.  (I forgot I had my camera, so there is no documentation of most of the really exciting items, er, apparatuses).  

Especially for the kids, one fireman donned his full fire-fighting ensemble, including his mask and air tanks and turned it on.  They wanted the children to be able to see what a fire-fighter would look like and sound like, so they wouldn't be afraid if one came looking for them in a real emergency.  

A dream of mine was fulfilled today!   They drove their ladder truck out of the station, set out the out-rigger supports and raised the ladder.  You can operate the whole thing from below.  The nice fireman even swiveled the ladder 360 degrees.  It was pretty impressive.  And!  I  have wondered - if you rescue someone using the ladder, how do you get them down?  Especially if they are injured.  Well, apparently, the ladder can be lowered to within arm's reach of a man standing up.  

At the end of the tour, the gave these adorable junior fireman hats to all the kids.  Camden was delighted! 

Primary Temple Activity

On Saturday our Stake had an incredible activity for all the primary children (ages 3-12) for a "Touch the Temple" day.  We tagged along even though our boys are little too young.    

Here is the Oklahoma City Temple.  The Stake Primary Presidency invited all the children to come to the temple and provided supervision so that parents could attend a session, if they wanted to.  They even provided a tasty lunch, too.

A lot of children came!  I think they had over 250 show up.  We had 65 kids from our ward there.  Nope, no problem with replenishing the earth in our area.  :)

The children were able to stroll the temple grounds, wash the steps of the temple, and enter the reception/waiting area to hear the temple president speak.

Camden loved being there.  I think this was one of his favorite spots.  No surprise there.  

He even stayed dry.

For this special activity, the east gate of the temple was opened and the children were allowed to walk on the grass and touch the temple.  (It was a really hot day!)

Not Working!

Here is my son, the problem solver.  

Problem: Camden wants to go to the pool, but the fence is in the way.

Solution:  Walk around.

Well, it might have worked if Mom let him.

Next option: Stare at Mom til she caves.

Dang, didn't work.

This is where the yelling began. "Not working!"

"Not working!!!"  with a higher pitch.  

This is where I started laughing really hard.

Maybe I can fit under here?   Not working!!  Not working!!

So, no, he didn't go to the pool that night, but we made up for it on several other occasions.

In the Toddler Bed

A couple months before Ethan arrived, we introduced Camden to his toddler bed.  He loved it!  For a whole two months.  One night when I went to check on Camden before I went to bed, I found this.

Apparently, Camden caught on to a basic life conundrum - the crossroads of growing up versus the coziness of the comfortable past.  Denied the pleasure of sleeping in his safe, secure, soothing crib, he boycotted his bed on a regular basis.  Several nights I found him on the floor.  I learned to be more careful, since one evening I bashed my poor child with the door, as I went to check on him.  But after a few nights, he discovered a more comfortable?! way to pass the night.

I'm not sure it would be worth the crick in the neck.  This kid also likes to snooze in his car seat, too, so his vertebrae must be much more forgiving than mine.

Well, he is cute!  

P.S. I think we're past this phase now.  Ninety-eight percent of the time, Camden will still be tucked in his bed, snoozing peacefully when I check on him.  But it was quite entertaining!

Smiley Boys

I took Camden to the splash park right after they came on, but it was a breezy, overcast day and a little chilly to be wet.  But it didn't seem to diminish his enjoyment of the water, just the duration.  I love this grin!

Ethan is so smiley!  He started smiling a lot right as soon as he turned 2-months old. He loves to be looked at and talked to.  So it's very convenient that I like to talk!

He's just so darn cute!  It turns out he does have a pretty happy disposition.  He withstands a good deal of  punishment, er, loving from Camden before declaring he has had enough.  As long as he gets food and sleep and attention, he is a very content and cheerful child.  Funny how that works.

Yes I'm still alive

Well, life has changed, but I think I'm mostly getting used to it.  Camden seems to have pretty well adjusted and has resumed his position as the delight of my eyes (ie, he is no longer a whining, angry, hitting, crying maniac).  

So here are some pictures of our life lately.  I'd like to point out that Ethan is much cuter than these pictures reveal - he must have inherited his mother's lack of photo-presence.

Camden loves his brother.  And Ethan is happy when Camden is around, despite the high probability of bonking or kicking or bruising of some sort.  My elder child remains in ignorance of how the presence of others will interfere with his body movement.

They are both pretty darn cute!  I think Camden was more excited for this toy than Ethan.  Although Ethan has been very content to lay here and look at the dangling items, especially if his brother lays next to him.  

Camden just cracks me up.  

This boy just keeps getting cuter and cuter.  He makes some great faces!

Imotep!  

He was actually in process of yawning.  Not turning into a zombie.

This is just so you can see all his cuteness.  Scrawniness.  Whatever.  I like it!

I think we've settled into a fairly good schedule.  Ethan has evolved into a fast eater, so he can scarf and be done in half an hour most of the time.  His burps rival mine.  He is staying awake for longer periods and is becoming more content to do so.  He is quite fascinated and thoughtful as he studies his surroundings.  The pattern seems to be that he will eat and wiggle contentedly for maybe an hour.  Then he wants to be swaddled and snuggled and he will fall asleep.  The difficulty is getting him to stay asleep when he isn't held.  The swing is the best bet, but sometimes the bouncy seat is a winner, too.  If you swaddle him when he is happily wiggling, then he will be very angry!  


My baby is compassionate.  At night, he will go five hours between meals and then another four hours.  I love getting three or more hours of continuous sleep!  Ahhhhh.  So I only get up twice.  Which is nice.  If I'm really lucky, he'll go right back to sleep both times. If I am unlucky when he wakes at five, then he might take so long to go back to sleep that Camden wakes up too.  Fortunately, Dan is super heroic and he manages both boys so I can get a little more sleep.  Because of Dan's much-appreciated assistance, I feel so much better able to cope.  I am emerging from the haze of exhaustion and hormones and beginning to notice more of life around me.  


I try to go somewhere in the mornings because Camden likes it and Ethan sleeps great in his carseat.  I seem to struggle more with Camden's behavior when we are home all day.  Especially if I didn't get a lot of sleep, we avoid a lot of conflict if we go for a long walk or go to the store or library or park or a friend's house.  Anything!


And that's more than anyone really wants to know about our life!  But the pictures are cute.  

I Met a Goal Today

I admit it is probably a silly goal, but every time I see an excavator I want to stop and plant my toddler next to it and click away with my camera.  Finally today my opportunity came!

Camden wasn't actually sure he wanted to climb in there, until he saw me do it.

Lo and behold!  Today at the park, as if it were play equipment, were several large construction vehicles!  Hooray!  Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera.  So Camden got to play at the park twice today.  And climb on diggers once.
 

The machines looked a lot bigger up close!

Here he is asking if he could climb in and drive.  He was so disappointed I said no.

I did try to think how I could include Ethan in these pictures, but there seemed to be a slightly greater risk to life and limb and my ingenuity is on hiatus.  Oh, well!