Monday, August 18, 2008

Happy first birthday Avery!

Today is my darling niece's first birthday. Happy birthday Avery!
The weekend was pretty well one big long celebration. On Friday evening we all went over to my brother and sister-in-law's for dinner. After downing a few slices of Papa John's and a bottle or two of Okanagan Springs Pale Ale I had the brilliant realization that I needed to run 8 miles the next morning. So much for hydrating the night before! After heading home I fell asleep watching the Olympics. I woke up briefly around 3 am, realized the rowing was on and thought I could watch it live, but instead turned over and fell back asleep. I made it up and out of bed somewhere around 6 am and learned that we'd won a few medals overnight. I delayed heading out on my run so that I could eat some breakfast and watch the coverage on CBC. It turns out that our first gold medal winner, Carol Huynh (48 kg wrestling), has a bit of a tie to the family. She's the baby cuddler for Avery's mom and baby group. So my niece has been cuddled by a gold medal winning wrestler. Pretty cool, eh? Once I watched all the highlights I headed out for an 8 mile run around my neighborhood. The sun was pretty intense and I was sweating up a storm but the run felt great. My final long run before the marathon...I feel great!
---
In the afternoon it was back to my brother's place to help get ready for Avery's party. I whipped up some dates stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon...yumminess on a tooth pick! The party was a good time and Avery seemed to really enjoy herself. When it came time for cake she was pretty enthralled. She ate all the icing first before turning her attention to the cake. Good stuff!
I've been totally caught up in the Olympics otherwise. I was rooting for Paula Radcliffe and Deena Kastor in the women's marathon. I can't believe the lead that Constantina Tomescu-Dita had. She was way out in front of everyone and was blazing fast! The women's triathlon last night was also super impressive. This morning I was late leaving for work because I got caught up in watching Karen Cockburn win a silver medal in trampolining. Gotta love the Olympics!

8 comments:

ShirleyPerly said...

So cute! I remember my niece's first birthday party. She was sick, unfortunately, and, well, let's leave it at that. The adults had fun, though!

Amazing Dita. I kept thinking she was going to burn out later but she didn't. Very exciting to see who'd grab 2nd and 3rd.

Tea said...

I just want to pinch those cheeks!! She is so cute!

I always remember the story my sister tells about having to watch AK one night. She had to change his diaper. Just as she took it off, he smiled at her and said "Chrishey" and promptly sprayed pee all over her. hey, maybe that's why she never had kids!

Sarah Elaine said...

Happy birthday, Avery!

I've been watching the Olympics at all hours, too. It's inspiring, isn't it?!

Wes said...

Yea, Dee Dee let me go to bed by myself so she could watch the women's triathlon on the laptop :-) Girl's got to have her priorities ;-)

I love first birthdays! Only thing better is if they throw the cake at everybody!!!

Sonia said...

Your niece is adorable! =)

Viv said...

I missed out on the watching the tri, but I am with you the womens marathon was exciting but sad to see my favs strugling hard.

That lil niece a such a cuite!

Danielle said...

I had a beer and glass of Prosecco on Friday before my long run!!

I've been enjoying as much of the Olympics as I'm able to stay up for. I think the summer games are definitely my favorite.

Steve Stenzel said...

What a cutie!!!