Feeling better odds and ends (randomness...)

Thankfully I have been feeling better for 3 or 4 days now. I just haven't had time to write a blog. Today I have 4 kids in the house so, I don't really have time now either. Nothing too deep here folks just an update on life and happenings of the Mara's. I think I'm going to do more of a picture blog.....


I can actually eat real food again. Here is a picture of the edamame succotash, talapia, and couscous I made last Thursday night. The succotash was delish and Mike and I both think it was very summery tasting. This weekend Emily, Frankie, Olive, and Omri came and spent the weekend with us. I feel like I didn't leave the kitchen much! Saturday morning I made pancakes that were amazing (and I'm more of a french toast person)! They were super fluffy and just the right amount of sweet. You should try them too... http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Good-Old-Fashioned-Pancakes/Detail.aspx

Sunday after the Freska/Medina clan left we decided it was just too nice outside (high 40's and sunny) not to take advantage of our zoo membership that we received as a Christmas gift from Mom and Michael. We only planned to stay for an hour but ended up staying closer to 2 hours. Sam is still really cautious about the animals. He is really interested but as I put it, "he keeps a respectful distance". He most wanted to see the monkeys and elephants which we did but I think he enjoyed running and jumping in the puddles the best (he hasn't been able to play outside much!). Ray absolutely loved the aquarium. I must say, I am very partial to the Toledo Zoo (it is far superior to the Columbus Zoo) but the aquarium in Columbus is really amazing.


Sunday evening I protested the Super Bowl but had to do something to keep myself occupied until The Office came on afterwards. Since the boys were already in bed and Mike took care of things around the house while I took a very long shower I decided to do some scrapbooking. I actually created 3 pages - they aren't the best but I'll share them anyways. I should also mention that I went through all of of digital photos and have 138 pictures to pick up later today! (yikes - I haven't done any developing in a while and that will be plenty to keep me busy scrapbooking!)

An update on Couch to 5K - Due to sickness and weather I have not been out in a few weeks. My plan is to get going again this week. I think I will likely start over since it's been a couple of weeks; I'll keep you posted. Rather than sticking to the same days every week I'm just gonna go with the flow of what the weather is doing... If only the groundhog would have seen his shadow!

Ray is suddenly even more crazy! He is acting like he is much closer to 12months than he is (he's not even 9 months yet). He is pulling up on everything and I know he is going to start cruising along any minute now. He also seems to have found his voice this weekend. He started saying, "Dada". Although this is not in association with Mike frankly, I am a little peeved ;) We all know what a Mama's boy he is! Sam however, is trying to teach him to say, "Mama"!

I've also decided that I need a beach vacation where I get to do nothing but read! My goal this week is to actually finish a book (I have lots of books 3/4 of the way done!) before I start reading anything new! (I have several books on hold to pick up at the library!)