Father's Day

Well, my first Father's Day has come and gone. It could not have been any better. I really had a great time spending the day with my family. I felt a special kinship with my brother and father... finally joining their ranks. It felt good to share that with them. It's really awesome to be Dad!

We kicked off the morning with the GBMC 5K. Sara, Mady, Anne and I participated. Supporting these causes makes me feel like a better person. Running the race itself makes me feel like a crazy person :) I managed to struggle thru it, pushing Mady along in the jogging stroller. I placed 500. Following the race, the Sheraton Hotel hooked us up with an outstanding breakfast -- it's so easy to put those calories back on:)

Later, we met up with my Tim, Cin & the kids...along with Mom & Dad...at Padonia Swim Club. Tim found the perfect table, nestled under a tree which provided shade the entire day. Schwew! An open tab at the bar (yep..a bar at the pool) kept a smile on my face thru out the afternoon. My niece Erin was sporting a new dew...growing up so fast before my eyes. This girl can really swim. It's amazing. Lauren was happy to cozy up on her Hannah Montana sleeping bag....which my Mom surprised her with. Dad, as usual, manned the grill. Mady surprised us all by standing unassisted for about 15 seconds straight.

We finished up the evening at James Joyce. We met up with Bory, Anne, Synath and a few pints of Guinness. Ahhh...me beverage of choice. A shot of Jameson to top off our dinner and I was good to go. Well, not entirely. A final pint back at the house sealed the nail on my coffin. 11PM...I was snoring away. What a great Father's Day!

Heavy Breather

Yep...that's me on the other line. It's not a crank call, just me gasping for air after my 3 mile run last night. The training has begun.

I ran with Mady last night, navigating the tree-lined streets of Stoneleigh with our Bob stroller. I figured it would be good training for Sunday (Father's Day)....when Sara, Mady and I plan to participate in a 5K to benefit the GBMC NICU ( http://www.gbmc.org/foundation/5k/index.cfm ). It kicks off at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel in Towson ( http://www.sheratonbaltimorenorth.com/ ). It's a great cause for an awesome hospital. Mady was born there....so it holds a special place in our hearts.

Sara and Anne (my brother-inlaw's wife to be) trekked the same route shortly after me. Their exhausted faces mirrored the one I wore just an hour before :) We're such the healthy family. Trying anyway.

I feel good today. Much better than I anticipated. I have never heeded the warnings about stretching....always preferring to take a brisk walk as my warm up. I'm hopeful my aging body won't let me down and allow me to continue to do so. Stretching sucks.

Last night I thought I would run every other day. Today I'm feeling like I'm going roll the dice and go for 2 days in a row. I'm such a rebel.

Weekend

Friday...just saying the word makes me smile. The extended weekend is upon us. Woohoo! Sara, Mady and I are running in a neighorhood 5K tomorrow morning -- the Stoneleigh Stampede ( http://www.charmcityrun.com/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=461 ). There's also a 1 mile walk...which is sounding more and more desirable at this point :) I never was a runner. I run when chased I tell most people...and that doesn't happen very often. Temps are in the 70s and couldn't be more perfect.

I've got a great family shoot set up for Saturday afternoon in Federal Hill. Sunday, I'll be meeting with Sherri & Jason at Fiore Winery ( http://www.fiorewinery.com/ ) to discuss their wedding details in June. I love the place, the owners and their wine. A mixed case is bound to end up in my trunk. My arm is easily twisted.

My in-laws will be in town this weekend as well -- eager to see Mady. Sara and I have long been forgotten. Steamed crabs will be on the menu at some point. Gibby's Seafood has treated us well and should not disappoint. Hopefully they can accomodate our order for a bushel :)