We're taking the challenge

We're Hakensen's and we bike!  It's bike to work week, and it just happens to coincide with my car going into the shop tomorrow for a few days.  The goal: we will bike and walk everywhere with the exception of getting Luke to drivers Ed and today I plan to get my URM and Costco runs done, so the rest of the week we should have very few excuses!
Before my ex jumped ship on his parental responsibilities he used to take the kids to school in the morning, and I was a year round bike commuter, I LOVED it.  Now there are some logistical problems I can't seem to get around, mainly getting Lo to daycare at 6:15, but there's no reason Mondays we can't do it, and Thursday mornings I can do it.  This is an important part of my life and living by example for my children, so I am vowing to get back to it!  Today's a start!

She is AWESOME!

The essentials!

Mother's Day

I love Mothers Day, and who better to spend the day with  than the two that made me a Mother!  This weekend is actually their Dad's weekend, but per our agreement I get to have them Mother's day, and he Father's day. So I actually got a little bonus present with them coming home a day early!
It has been a perfect weekend (other than I am waiting patiently for my man to get home from Moab!). 
The girls and I got together Friday for Happy Hour, it's been WAY too long.   Then Saturday I enjoyed the most beautiful 64 mile ride.  We parked at Anjou (because we don't like to stop mid ride) rode Leavenworth and added going up the icicle to the dirt road and back!
Kids came home at 5,  more than ready to get home.  We packed up quickly and took off to Seattle to spend the night and go to the ZOO!  The kids and I LOVE zoo's, really anything with a mammal exhibit!  It was perfect!  I will say though we stopped at the Queen Ann Trader Joe's and leaving there I was reminded I am no longer a city girl.  Loved living just outside of San Fran in my twenties, now I crave open space, trees, no traffic and spotting cell service (yep the Methow was on my mind).  Home now an settling in to watch the Matrix 3!
Happy Mothers Day Mom, Du and Oma...and to my best friends that are truly amazing, committed Mothers!

I can watch orangutangs forever

Oh and Gorilllas (remember Diane Fossey, I was obsessed)

Thanks for the fun pic Luke!

Workout 5/7-513

Monday 7th - 5.5 mile run
Tuesday 8th - 24 miles (Burch, Lovel, April, back sleepy hollow) 1:26 minutes
Wednesday 9th - warm up 1 mile run, 40 minutes weights, 1 mile cool down
Thursday 10th - 5.25 mile run
Friday 11th - 41 mile ride, (2:10) Chumstick, Beaver hill, Tumwater
Saturday 12th - 63 miles (3:38) Stine, Deadmans, North Rd, Icicle to the dirt road, Back E.Leavenworth...
Sunday 13th - Happy Mothers Day to me, taking the day off and walking the Zoo with the kiddos!

10 on 10 May

I actually planned ahead this time.  I took my 10 photos Monday the 7th.   I love late start Monday, yes it's a pain for working Mom's, but I am fortunate enough to be able to schedule myself to come into work later on Mondays.  I love these extra couple hours with the kids in the morning, truly truly love it!  The day itself is never that exciting, but oh well!

*I know there's only 9 photos, my hummus one got lost on the way...

Early am run

Reward after the run

Breakfast with the girl

work

Veggie prep for the week

Waiting for my son's class to get out

The unexpected

She'll always be my baby

Goodnight

Mom Time and Fresh Air

There may be an advantage to single parenting, and that is, when we want to go, we go!  We had nothing on the schedule this weekend, except Apple Blossom, but I was craving some solitude and alone time with my kids, and no distractions. So we peaced out to my favorite place, the Methow Valley.   I LOVE taking these opportunities to spend 3 days with them.  I am always humbled  these are my kids.  They are funny, smart, caring, thougthful kids.  To NOT have to run around and do errands, and shuttle to and from, but instead wake when we want, eat breakfast together, hike and chat, have lunch, sit in the hot tub, have dinner, sit around and read....together for 3 days is pure bliss to me.  I think all three of us came back refreshed!
I've said before, but I'll say it again.  I think the greatest thing I will ever do in life is be their Mom.  I want each and everyday with them to count.  My gift to them is these experiences and my time.  At the end of the day, I want to know I have given all of myself I could give to them....they are two of the loves of my life.

* On a photo note, I took almost a 100 photos.  I'm limiting myself to 10 on here (and that's hard), but I did post 20 on FB!

Workout 4/30-5/6

Monday 30th - 5.5 mile run, 20 minutes medicine ball
Tuesday 1st - No 2 Canyon hill intervals (ride to gun club, hard effort to horses, spin down, repeat) 18 miles 1 hour 10 minute
Wednesday 2nd - 2 mile run to gym (14:56) weights 30ish minutes 1 mile jog home
Thursday 3rd - trainer spin
Friday 4th - 32 miles (JM-Heights and home) 2:05
Saturday 5th - hike Mazama with kids 6.35 miles (this is by far my favorite)
Sunday 6th - hike Sun Mountain trail 4.02 miles

End of the Season

Luke wrapped up his first season of high school track.  I won't lie, I'm kind of bummed it's over.  I had so much fun watching him.  His best mile time was 5:25, so very proud of him!  And huge thanks to my family for always coming out, watching and supporting him.  My Dad showed up to every meet, often before Lo and I got there.  Parenting on my own I sometimes feel like I 'm burning the candle at both ends, then I see my parents, and sister ALWAYS showing up and helping out and I realize how lucky I am, and how very lucky my kids are!

This is just a fun pic.  I walk to get Lo almost each day from schoo....my favorite time