Children

Learning about the Olympics

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 13 Comments

Every four years we get to experience some amazing sports through the Olympics. Growing up, whether it was the summer or winter Olympics, we’ve always watched them. It became something we did as a family and now that tradition is starting with our daughters.

Our girls are 3.5 and 6 years old, so their understanding of sport is limited to soccer, running and skiing mainly. Watching the Olympics through their eyes is well, eye opening. They know nothing about the sports being played: Rugby 7’s, synchronized diving, rowing, fencing etc. Basically we have to teach them about the sport as they are watching from the knowledge we have.

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It’s also been an opportunity for them to understand more about other countries. Saï is British and I’m Canadian, so technically the girls have two countries they can cheer on! While watching the Canadian women’s soccer team in their opening game (while playing in the sprinkler cause that’s how we roll), I asked if they wanted to play for Canada some day…they both said yes. Then came the question, do you want to play for Canada Mommy? I laughed and said yes, of course but it just not something I’m able to do.

What I’m Loving About The Olympics So Far

Its day six and I have to admit, I love that all the medals Canada has won have been by women! Strong, powerful and confident women! For my daughters, I love that they have these amazing role models swimming in the pools, running on the fields and riding on the roads. They are striving for their best and really what more can you ask for.

Watching the games online at work (yes, because we are doing that in our office) has been a fun way to see all the advances and set backs Canada (and other countries) are having. If you missed some Canadian highlights, check out this #whatittakes video as I’m sure you will be inspired and see their motivation to do what it takes to succeed.

WHAT IT TAKES

I don’t know about you but watching this video makes me want to go for a run (my passion) and just get more active in general. During my bike ride Monday (18k) all I could think about is how the cyclist do it since I was going to slow and on a trail at that. Olympic and Paralympic athletes amaze me!

What’s been your favourite “What It Takes” moment for your country?

What sport are you learning more about this Olympics?

Are you more active during the Olympics?

 

Six

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 15 Comments

It’s six days (if you count today) from race day! However, this post isn’t about running or me.

SIX

You see, we now have a six year old in our house. SIX! It’s been six years since this little peanut joined us four weeks early in an extremely fast birth experience. She was due on my 30th birthday but decided she wanted her own month and day!

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Dear Lillian Mae,

You are the most sweetest little girl.

You don’t always listen to us but apparently you have reasons for doing so.

You LOVE your little sister to pieces and I’m amazed at how much youth both truly love each other when I watch you play. Don’t worry, I see you both when you are fighting as siblings do, by my oh my Lilly…you are awful sweet to your sister.

You love everything. You love to run. You love soccer. You love to swim. You love your friends (who are all very lovely children). You love MacLean (dog). You love our neighbours like they are family. You are a happy kid (don’t change).

You don’t always love doing scary things on your own. You CAN do HARD things like learning to ski by yourself or riding your bike. BUT….but, when you try it over and over again, you succeed at everything. You can know ski happily on your own. You can now ride your bike up and down our street with zero assistance from your father or I.

You are the slowest eater your father and I have ever met. Well, unless it’s grilled cheese, fruit or a Marmite sandwich your father makes you 😉  You love picking out what clothing you want to wear each day and sometimes pick the most outrageous combinations BUT you are so proud and happy.

I honestly can’t believe you are six years old. You are just about to finish your first year of school and are doing so well. I love that your favourite part of school is recess and gym class yet you get so excited about your math, science and writing too!

Your father, sister and I are so lucky to have such a happy, sweet, fun little girl in our lives. I can only imaging what adventures you are going to go on and where you are going to take us.

Happy Birthday Dear Lillian Mae.

xo Mommy

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day Mother Runners!

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 7 Comments

HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY! 

I love being a Mom! Don’t get me wrong, there are days when it’s HARD…so HARD but I love being a mom. Lately, I’m finding that I’m holding on a little longer, sitting a little longer, watching a little longer as my girls are growing out of the toddler stage and into little girls.

I call myself a “mother runner” with pride. It was not an easy road going from being super active to pregnant, delivering two babies and trying to get back into shape. I worked hard at it and I’m not perfect to this day but I’m happy and healthy and that’s what matters.

Signs You Are A “Mother Runner”:

It’s never a dull moment – sometimes you plan a run and it doesn’t happen as your kids have other plans for you. Your kids know you are a mother runner but their views on “your running” can sometimes be hilarious!

Your kids understand that when Mommy says she is going for a long run, she’s going to be a while. 

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Sometimes they want to run with you. 

1st run of 2015 with girls

Sometimes they want to stretch with you post long run (2014).

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Yoga/Stretching post long run 🙂

Most times, they don’t want to hug you post run!!! Ewww, sweaty mommy! 

They cheer you on at your runs or make signs for you when you get home! (2014)

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Love My Girls 🙂

You make friends with other Mother Runners! (2015)

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Last but not least….I’ve been called a “KAMR” by my husband one day, to which I looked at him and said “WHAT?”. Your a “Kick Ass Mother Runner”! At first I thought it was funny but then took a moment to really think about that. It actually made me tear up because I would have NEVER called myself that.

What I’m most proud of as a Mother Runner? That my girls want to run just like me!

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom! xo

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Wishing all the mom’s out there a great day; whether that is with your family or a day to yourself. Enjoy!

What are some funny mother runners stories you’ve had or heard?

What are you doing today? 

Have you had any mother runner moments?

Friday Five ~ This Week’s Adventures

/ Anna @ Piper's Run / 8 Comments

It’s FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!! Oh my, I’m so glad the weekend is upon us! I’m ready to do nothing and everything, ha ha! Apparently Nova Scotia isn’t going to be hit with THE big storm this weekend so we’ll see how that turns out!

Today I’m linking up with Mar on The Run,  You Signed Up For What and Eat Pray Run DC for Friday Five Link Up. I’m sharing “Things I’ve been up to this Week”.

One: I managed a great treadmill run last night: 8km! I’m now trying to build my base back up so I’ll be ready for Half Marathon training soon. Yup, I’m running a late spring half marathon June 19th = Johnny Miles in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

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Two: I’ve been using my balance ball at work more and trying not to sit so much. Since returning back to work from the holidays, sitting is killing my upper back. Gotta move more, gotta stand more.

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Three: Mid week I borrowed some snowshoes for the girls and when I got home from work took them out to play in them. They were too big for Hilary, so she wore her “stompers” and was just as happy. Lilly was loving the “big kid” snowshoes! Glad we have tones of snow to play in.IMG_20160119_164019

Four: Since the girls went snowshoeing, I decided to go on my lunch break by myself. It was the perfect day to be out snowshoeing.

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Five: I’ve been fueling my runs a lot lately with Nuun and discovered the “tropical” flavour. A must while I run – watching Chicago Fire/PD/Med or any other show on my tablet. Last night my internet was a little wonky so I had to run for a bit without anything, then reset my tablet and all was good.

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How’s your week going?

Are you expected to get any of this crazy/intense snow storm? (be safe)

What gets you through your treadmill runs?