Running update: 

6/26  5.0 miles in 45:19

6/28  5.0 miles in 47:57

6/30  8.1 miles in 1:12:23—the entire run to Cameras by Matt & Kim on repeat.

Was emotionally and physically exhausted after our trip to IU and alone with the kids on summer vacation, but had to get back to training on the 26th.  Who else do you call when you need a last minute sitter for a few hours so you can go running?  Your Mom!  A nap, a Power Bar, and a cup of coffee, and I was good to go.  (Thanks, Mom!)

I am at 503.0 miles for the year, aiming to run 1000 miles in 2013, so I wanted to get to the 500 mark before July 1^st.  Yay!

Jane update: 

Jane has finished Kindergarten!  We had her end-of-year celebration before our trip to Indiana, so thought I’d share some photos.  We are so proud!  The event included a display of the children’s paintings based on the works of Picasso, Rothko, O’Keefe, Pollack, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Warhol, and even Damien Hirst (spot paintings only!)  Aren’t her teachers wonderful?

 

 

 

The installation included busts the children made of themselves:

 

 

None of the busts are perfectly symmetric, but I couldn’t help being struck by the shape of Jane’s.  I don’t think it was intentional, but it does make me wonder how she sees herself.  I also often wonder how others see her.  A good friend recently commented to me that she was speaking about Jane with her 8 year old son.  My friend mentioned Jane’s tumor, and her son was puzzled—he hadn’t noticed it.  It seems lots of times children don’t.  Meanwhile, I see adults turn and stare at Jane all the time.  (I don’t blame them—it’s only natural to look twice at something you don’t usually see every day.)  And people often tell me they recognize my “family” when the kids are around town with others, and I’m sure it’s because of Jane—I don’t think they’re otherwise that distinctive.

NF update:
This video was created in honor of Jane and me by Sarah Coulam, the director of the NF Endurance Team.  We are so lucky to have her as our leader!  Sarah's video for Jane

Helen update:

More props to my eldest:  Helen finished 5^th grade with high honors in every trimester!