Staying in Touch

In case you didn't know, Daniel has an e-mail account. It's danielgittelman@zoobuh.com. He likes to get e-mails. He can only receive e-mail from people on his contact list, so let me know if you can't e-mail him and I'll make sure you're on the list.

Thanks!

Back to School

Boys went back to school today. Both had a good day. Joshua is happy he finally gets an official agenda to keep track of homework assignments and time spent reading. Did his homework (reading) as soon as he got home, then fell asleep! Daniel has discovered there's a lot more work in 4th grade, because he has a big binder to keep it all organized. Here they are on their way to school this morning.

Here's Joshua reading in bed:

South Riding Hurricathlon

Alison: 1st female overall

Stuart: 3rd in age group

:)

Iron Girl Video and Pictures

Here's a link (below) to my pictures and finish line video from Iron Girl. You have to wait until the very end of the video to see me...doesn't that guy look bored?!

Iron Girl Video and Pictures

None Too Quiet on the East Coast

We had an earthquake on Tuesday. I was on the 3rd floor of a building in Tyson's Corner when everything started to shake and the building began swaying. Nothing fell over but a lamp and a cabinet were shaking violently for a while. The shaking lasted 5 - 10 seconds, long enough for several thoughts to go through my head:
1. What is happening?
2. Feels like an earthquake!
3. We don't get earthquakes!
4. We had no earthquake warnings!
5. Terrorists!

We evacuated the building for 10 minutes or so, then everyone decided it was safe to go back inside. Now that we've read up on what to do in the event of an earthquake, we realized we did it all wrong. Should have stayed inside - more danger on the outside from falling debris. Should have sought shelter away from windows. Should not have been in stairwell. Should not have used cell phone so lines could be open for emergencies. Everyone was using their phone. Couldn't make a call anyway.

To add to the excitement, Hurricane Irene is on her way up the coastline and will most likely hit us Saturday evening/Sunday morning. Stuart and I are supposed to be doing South Riding Triathlon Sunday morning. That may or may not happen. We'll have to wait and see. We are low on toilet paper but I refuse to join the crazy people stocking up at the stores. We'll hunker down and make do... ;)

Joshua hits 19.1 mph!

I took Joshua for a 5 mile ride on the trail yesterday. It's smooth and flat and you can go fast. We decided to see how fast he could go. I rode behind him and called out his pace...13, 14, 15, 16, 17... on his first speed attempt he hit 18.3. On the second sprint, 18.6. I asked him if he thought he could do 19. He said "sure." 3rd attempt: 19.1mph! Speed demon. Here he is after the ride.

IronGirl

Iron Girl Results

Click the Results link above. Can you find me? Hint: don't scroll down too far! :)

The Governor of Virginia

I just received this certificate from the Governor of Virginia. I don't know if he's an avid follower of Duathlons, or what made this race significant enough for him to send me a certificate, but it's nice nonetheless! The race was back in April so I guess he's been busy.

Funny that I am "Overall Female Finisher"...

Dog Days Triathlon

Here are a few pictures from Dog Days Triathlon, in which Stuart won his age group! We showed up to watch and were instantly put to work directing runners, many of whom wanted to go the wrong way! So we had to form a kind of human shield to keep them on the right path. Even with that, and yelling, some of them tried to run through us.

There's also a couple of other pics - one of me during my first 55 mile ride, and the other of the boys and Leah at the FDR memorial in DC. Enjoy!

August 16, 2011

Romeo, Foolio, and Juliet

Joshua decided to try acting camp this year. Well, I decided he should try it, given that he's always acting up, acting out, or pretending to be someone else. So I signed him up for "Fakespeare Camp" which promised lots of fun and games as well as an introduction to acting.

There were two comedic plays which would be shown on the final day of camp: Julius Caesar and Romeo, Foolio, and Juliet. Joshua came home from camp on Monday announcing that he was going to try out for Foolio. He had already learned some of the lines and was rehearsing them. I warned him that he might not get chosen, but apparently the camp director decided he'd be a perfect Foolio and he was cast for that part.

During the rest of the week they rehearsed, made catapults and wands, and played games that were around during Shakespeare's time - including a skittles game in which Joshua got the high score, breaking a 9-year record!

On Friday parents were invited to watch the plays. Joshua was hilarious. He got off to a bit of a rocky start, having to ask Romeo to repeat his first line, timing being of the essence, and then losing his place in the script (they didn't memorize all their lines) but then he got into the swing of things and clearly enjoyed himself. He's already looking forward to going back next year!