Wonderful Long Weekends

September 3, 2018September 3, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 7 Comments

A good three-day weekend with the family can put you in the best of moods – don’t you agree?

I had a really nice weekend with our family of four. The weather was pretty amazing and felt like a great way to wrap up summer. Our days involved plenty of outside time, running, baseball, baking and more.

Friday night included some of my favorites – patio beers with B, a walk with FW (we walked to pick up our CSA) AND dinner outside on our porch.

Saturday morning, we took a trip to the local farmers market. There’s one we can walk to, so LM and I ran there while B and FW rode the bike.

We picked up some fruit and meat for dinner.

The afternoon included an impromptu trip to the lake to watch the annual Labor Day air show. We got there just in time to catch the Blue Angels! FW was amazed by the loud and fast planes.

That night, B cooked us a pretty amazing meal that just screamed summer. AND it was all local food – the steak was from the Saturday farmers market, the bunching onions were from the farmers market at FW’s school and the corn and potatoes were from our CSA.

Sunday morning started off pretty perfect as well! B and FW surprised me with bagels. My favorite bagel, an everything, was even warm when we ate on the porch.

They also picked up a local blend if everything bagel seasoning.

We decided to go for a little family run together before it got too hot out. It was out fastest family stroller run since we became a family of 4.

That afternoon, while B did some yard work, FW and I made muffins! He loves these chocolate chip banana lentil muffins.

And then it was time for baseball! We left LM with a babysitter, and FW, B and I went to the Indians game. We stayed for the whole game- I was impressed with how good he was for 9 innings.

Monday brought a lot of fun, too. We started off the day with a trip to the park for a picnic with some other mommas and their kiddos, too. FW loved the playground and I had fun catching up with my friends.

The afternoon included some meal prep grocery shopping and even a 2ish mile family walk. It was 90+ degrees out, so it was a sloooow walk and hot.

And that night was our fantasy football draft! I’ve never played before, so this should be interesting … maybe it will get me more intrested in football?

Some questions for you:

Are you obsessed with everything bagel seasoning too? What do you use it for?
Do you like baseball?
Do you play fantasy football?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

Friends Visit Plus a 5K and Triathlon

August 12, 2018August 12, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

To say we had a busy weekend is an understatement. From 5 pm Friday through Sunday, we had something going on pretty much at ALL times! The weekend started with a 5K (for me) and ended with a triathlon (for B), but also included some park time, a cookout and friends visiting.

Friday night started with a race! It was actually my first race since LM was born. One of the boards that B is on was hosting a 5k fundraiser (The Sunset Sprint 5k) to kick off the USA Triathlon weekend that was taking place in Cleveland. The course finished through the triathletes’ finish chute and included most of the sprint’s 5k course.

I was excited to race in my first 5k since baby #2 was born and had really no expectations. I knew it was a semi-hilly course, and my goal was just to not walk it and perhaps get under 10 min/miles (my typical not-sprinting pace these days is slower). AND I was going to be running it with Mary who is faster than I am, so I was hoping to keep up with her for maybe a half a mile or so.

I was pleasantly surprised- maybe it was the race adrenaline, but I finished with a much better time than I expected, including running the first mile in the 8s!

Saturday, we got to spend part of the day with some friends who were in town with their kids. In the morning, we started the day with a playground and park followed by lunch. That night, everyone came over to our house for a cookout. B made chicken, eggplant, green onions, and I made a salad and cookies to go along with the meal.

It was fun to see all the kids together – but wow, 7 kids in our house was a little overwhelming.

Sunday morning started EARLY – I got up at 4:30 to feed LM before getting FW ready — we were headed out to watch B compete in his first triathlon! I’m so proud of B – he didn’t have much time to train after LM was born, and all his runs and bike rides were done with a kid either in a trailer or stroller.

Some of our friends came to celebrate B at the finish line – and brought donuts!

And we got a pic of most of the kids- minus Maddie and LM.

That afternoon, the four of us took a little walk out to lunch. I don’t know how B was still moving after his race but I was happy to get in some activity.

Sunday evening usually includes dinner with B’s family, but this Sunday instead was pizza night! We enjoyed pizza from Geraci’s before taking a family walk. Two family walks in one day (plus a triathlon for B) makes me a happy camper 🙂

Some questions for you:

Have you ever competed in a triathlon? Which was your hardest event?
How often do you eat pizza?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps.

Weekends with Sushi, Pizza, Running, Soccer and Then Some

July 15, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 4 Comments

Well, what a weekend. For having nothing really planned, we got in a lot of fun! Friday night included sushi and a family walk. Yup, we keep things simple these days as a family of four. But I am LOVING sushi right now and can’t get enough of it now that I’m no longer pregnant!

Saturday morning started off with our first run as a family of four! B took LM in the stroller and I took FW in the stroller and the four of us went for a run around our neighborhood. We live about a half a mile from some paved trails and it makes running with a stroller so much easier.

It was semi-hot and I was tired afterwards. I don’t know how I bounced back so quickly after FW – it’s harder this time around for sure!

LM may be going through a growth spurt, because I spent the rest of the day feeding her on and off, while B did some work around the house and yard.

That night we got pizza! A weekend with pizza and sushi is a pretty good weekend 🙂

Sunday morning we took a walk around our neighborhood before it got too hot. And then it was time for the World Cup! My friend Stephanie was having people over to watch the game for a brunch at her place. There was so much good food – and soccer – and babies!

Sunday afternoon, after doing some more yard work and work around the house, FW hung out with his cousins for a little. They had been on a vacation in Spain and brought back matching soccer jerseys!

FW and I also got in a short walk – it was HOT but nice to walk around the lakes.

Per usual, Sunday night ended with dinner with B’s family. FW got in more cousin time and it was a nice end to a nice weekend.

Some questions for you:

What’s your favorite pizza topping?
Did you get n any runs or walks this weekend?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

What We’ve Been Up To Lately

June 18, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 3 Comments

I can’t believe it, but it’s been more than three weeks since our family changed dramatically and LM entered this world. The days go by faster than fast, and weeks have flown by. But we definitely have been busy! And while I’m not cleared to run yet, I’v been trying to stay active as my body heals by walking nearly every day and working to heal my diastasis recti with some simple exercises. Here’s to hoping that in 3 more weeks, I’ll be running (or more like run/walking) again!

Anyway, here are some highlights of the past few weeks.

We took LM downtown and hit up one of the Cleveland signs. We took a similar picture with FW when he was just a few weeks old!

When we’re not walking too far (and it’s not too hot), I love wearing LM for walks.

We also made B a Father’s Day gift. Nicole came over with her little girl and we did some crafting on the porch!

Trying to entertain FW while also nursing and taking care of LM is no joke, even with B around. So, we’ve been getting creative. Like visiting the fish at the library.

And playing with all the toys there.

And hanging out on our porch!

Heck, FW even enjoyed going to the store with me. Maybe because while we were getting groceries someone gave him a free milk?

When it’s been hot, FW has loved playing with his water table.

And, of course, goofing around with his old bff Celia. Even though they no longer go to the same daycare, we still try to get them together!

I’ve enjoyed having summery drinks – like this mojito made with mint from my sister-in-law’s garden.

And food that I didn’t really indulge in during pregnancy – like pope!

Some days I’ve had time to bake. Our CSA gave us some strawberries and rhubarb, so I made a crisp with them.

FW even got in on the fun and helped me make some of his favorite muffins.

And we’ve been introducing LM to everyone in the family when we can – she loved meeting all her cousins!

Those are some of the highlights. Hopefully in the weeks to come, I’ll have some more activity-based ones to share. Until then, keep your fingers crossed we get some sleep soon!

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps.

It’s Almost Christmas!

December 18, 2017December 17, 2017 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 2 Comments

Happy Hanukkah and almost Merry Christmas! I can’t believe that we are just one week away from Christmas and can you tell I’m excited? We crammed in a few wintry/holiday things this weekend – here is a look at some stuff we did, one-sentence-per-photo style. We …

Took care of a little holiday baking with these graham cracker toffee bites (yes, again) and lemon cookies.

Shopped for, wrapped, and dropped off gifts and meals for our annual holiday adopt a family with some fellow BC alumni.

Went for a short, slow run in the snow.

Ordered takeout Thai food.

Played outside “in the snow” with FW and his friend Celia (full disclosure: FW actually was in a super clingy mood and didn’t want anything to do with said snow except when Celia pushed him on his bike).