Watch out: Marathoner in the family

I probably have "material" for at least four posts, ha-ha! Life is in the fast lane doesn't give me much time lately. It's been very busy (and fun) on both the work and home front.

But this made me smile today and I think it deserves its own entry:

Miss Ella completed her first marathon: yes, 26.2 miles. She was part of a program they have at school where they split the distance throughout the school year and ran/jogged distance increments adding up to 26.2 miles during recess.

Staying active, setting goals and then working hard to conquer them is the way to go! Nothing comes free or easy, at least nothing worthwhile. 

{Proud of you baby for going beyond mommy's 13.1 miles! :)}

Race downtown

This is how I wrapped up my busy work/home day this past Thursday: with a race. Downtown. In the rain almost.  Love, love, love to race. Against myself. Love to be among runners. Thursday was a little bit more special as all runners were women, just like me. Women in all shapes and sizes. Yes, really. Women of pretty much all ages. Women, busy women, crazy women who love to get out there and enjoy themselves.

High on endorphins. Definitely.  All the way. Personal record. Averaged a little over 11 minute/mile. (ran my half at 12:45 min/mile.) Finished my 10K in 1:08. Happy to the moon and back!!!!!!!!

My dear friend Andrea ran her first 5K. I am so so proud of her as she and her husband were in a car accident 45 mins before race start. Luckily they were fine. She still ran the race and had a good time. 

They had a open-air spa and champagne after the race. Of course, I had my own bubbly, a protein shake, but oh it was so fun to be out there.

Our finish jump!!

:)

Great times!!

Welcome dear Aji, Azoba, and Maitreyee didi!!!

What wonderful fun is to have dear family with us!!! The days go by even faster but they are fuller with love, laughter, good food, and sweet memory making.

I am so spoiled to hang out with these beauties!!! Love my girls!!!

Hrishi, with his amazing teaching skills taught sweet Maitreyee to ride w/o training wheels in one day. She is a very fast learner, too. The first thing she wants to do every morning when she gets up is to ride her bike!!

I have been cooking almost non-stop for the girls, spoiling them all their favorite dishes and desserts. Maitreyee is hopefully enjoying my culinary talents as much as Ella does. Ha-ha, otherwise we always have aai/aji who whips up some amazing dishes in less than ten minutes!

We went to see Andrea take her discovery lesson last Saturday and Maitreyee got to see the stables and get introduced to all the horses there. She's very much looking forward to her discovery lesson next Saturday.

Enjoying mocktails:

Lounging by the grill, boy I need to do this more often: that is to sit down and relax....!! I seem to always be on my feet.

This is what I saw one morning when I woke up!! :)

At the Museum of History and Natural Science:

Big bubble baths, bike riding, fishing, reading, and lots of snacking are commonplace around here. The girls love being together for the most part. Ella is also soaking in her grandparents, aji and azoba. Boy, she loves them and they love her!

At church waiting for sacrament meeting to start:

Say moooooooo!!!! :)

Our Sunday afternoon at Brazos Bend park was just lovely: the highlights were getting to see an alligator underneath the bridge we're fishing at, seeing some pretty big fish jump out the water, and catching a few little ones.

I love this picture!!!! (And I think Hrishi is getting into my 'modeling' posing!) :)

Riding to school to pick Ella up on our bikes!

Giving aji a head massage:

I love this family of ours. We always have so much fun. Every day, just living our life.

I am grateful for all the fun we're having together as a family, and for some golden-hearted mother and father-in-law and extended family. This is indeed a wonderful blessing!

We lost Red, our spunky Betta fish, a few days ago and what a heartache that was for my poor Ella and I have to admit for myself too. You see, I was used to peaking at him throughout the day, and feeding him when Ella was away at school. I still catch myself looking at the empty tank once in a while and expecting to see that little fishie swim in there. Ella and Maitreyee gave him a funeral in the backyard and are placing pretty flowers at its grave daily, well... almost daily. :)

Today was piano recital and it felt so good to have grandma and grandpa and cuz' there with us cheering for Ella. She did a great job. Ella will be taking piano classes throughout summer as she is preparing for her Royal Academy exams in October.

We are so proud of you, baby!!! You are amazing!!

With Ms. Samantha, our lovely teacher.

Snacking afterwards:

At Target to get the much awaited toys:

I'm excited about the little adventures we have coming up!! Life is great, not perfect, but wonderful nonetheless!