A Very Hot 5K Race followed by a Cuban Lunch

Mother's Day 2014, we decided to do something out of the ordinary. In year's past, we've celebrated all weekend by going to a water park together, riding the rides at a local amusement park, as well as going on a lunch cruise around the bay. 

Since mini-me loves to run, we figured why not register for a Mother's Day 5K race? Off we went, with matching outfits. I must say, I was particularly proud of her when she refused to be carried across the finish line (after hurting her foot). 

After the race, we celebrated by eating at her favorite Cuban restaurant. It was a very memorable Mother's Day for us.

A Soggy, Wet Night of Football

I've had season tickets to my alma mater's football games for years now.  It's so much fun rooting on my favorite collegiate team.  Working on a college campus and mini-me's school being on said campus means she is surrounded by a college-going culture.  On our way to school in the mornings, we often times pass college students on their way to class.  This is common place for her.

This football season, her first chance to attend a game was on a night when it just wouldn't stop raining. Instead of staying home on a Friday night, we chose to attend the game.  Albeit, we were prepared with ponchos. We had an amazing time. Afterwards, we went for ice cream and a night of Netflix.

Our First Mother-Daughter Trip

Okay, so we've been on road trips to South Florida, but have never left the United States together. This was our very first trip abroad. So what if we cheated by going on a cruise ship! We still really left the U.S. We went on a Disney cruise to The Bahamas.  

Mind you, mini-me has gotten sea sick on a small boat before, but I was confident she'd be fine on a ginormous ship. Think again. The first night, at dinner, we were seated next to a lovely window. Nice right? Watching the waves and movement struck a chord in the poor girl and she was out of commission the rest of the evening.

(Taken right after we closed the curtain)

One of the first things we did when we got on board (after the emergency drill, of course) was go on the Aqua Duck. If you haven't been on a Disney cruise, you are probably wondering what it is. Well, it's a water slide that goes around the perimeter of the ship. 

(that's not us, but you get the point)

The second evening of the trip, there was a pirate party. We dressed up and went to dinner in our outfits followed by a party and fireworks on the pool deck. 

 (Pirate Night - Dining at the Animator's Palate)

On day three we visited Castaway Cay, which is a private island in The Bahamas owned by Disney. We spent part of the day on a beach, walked around and mini-me even drank from a coconut. Well, a plastic one but you get the point.

This trip was so anticipated and was exactly what we needed. We not only got to bond as mother and daughter, but we were able to do so away from computers, cell phones, televisions and all of life's "noise." It was just us two.

Welcome to My Parenting Blog

There are several reasons why I started this blog. One reason is because I love to write. I also consider it therapeutic. Let's see...I express myself better in writing than I do verbally.
I have blogged about a variety of topics, yet this is one I'm faced with everyday since my daughter was born--parenting. 

For those of you who are parents, how many of you can relate to being confused the majority of the time because we don't know how to handle a situation, or even how to respond to our child's questions? Yes, it happens. They look to us to "know it all" and even though we swore we did (when we were teenagers) now we are at a loss for words.

At any rate, I'd like to use this blog to share things that come up now that my daughter is a "big kid" and I'm faced with issues that run the gamut, from schooling to hair to balancing it all while being a single parent. 

Our First 5K Together

Mini-me has a passion for running. I love that she does because it has been an outlet for me for years. It's the only way I was able to get back into shape after having her. Since she started school a few years ago, she comes home with stories about PE. "Mom, I'm the fastest runner in my class," she says. Well, yes, I believe it. The girl can run.

Last spring, I signed her up for her very first 5K race. I signed up to be her running partner. We duck taped our running shoes to make sure they wouldn't get stained and we even wore tights (it was chilly that night). I wasn't so sure she could keep up for 3.1 miles, but she inspired me. "Come on, mom. No walking. Run!" We had so much fun.