(Kinda) carving it up in 2014

Anybody who's had the unfortunate experience of being a Maggie cohabitor come late October knows my penchant for pumpkin carving. Street cred? I was into pumpkin carving before they made those patterns. (Full disclosure: I'm into it but I'm not that good. Totally full disclosure: 80% is about the pumpkin seeds.)

This year I pushed a record-breaking pumpkin home from Farmer's Market in our stroller. I scored two free pie pumpkins at the fall festival and participated in the 2-for-1 Kroger deal. Twice. And, Betty gifted me one. Basically, I had no excuse not to carve the shit outta some orange gourds and feed the town of Milford with my delicious Worcestershire Sauce seeds. No excuse except for two littles and an incredibly stressful carving session #1. 

I knew it would be difficult, I mean, I didn't have umpteen hours to plan my design, break out the pottery tools and then, at the end, separate each seed. But, 2011 was good. And 2012 super fun. (I don't really remember carving anything in 2013, but apparently I did. Thank you, blog. And, thank you for giving me a record of Will's awesome hair.) Both produced heaps-o-carved gourds and seeds. But, this: knives, a "let me do it" toddler, goo, an "exploring my world orally" one-year-old, and an obsessive carver do not a happy family make.

So, for the record, we turned out one Maizey-designed, Mom-produced pumpkin and one sad, but delicious, batch of seeds. Which I unabashedly hoarded. At least it was great weather. (Especially nice to remember considering it snowed today.)

Shamrocks and Shenanigans

As I mentioned a few posts ago - there is ALWAYS something to do in Ann Arbor. We source these family friendly excursions from a jackpot of a paper - The Ann Arbor Observer. My aunt (Big MR) has this little gem delivered monthly and attacks it with her neon yellow highlighter. I am proud to report that I (Little MR) have subbed in during her sojourn North, though admittedly am probably highlighting slightly different events.

Last Sunday's nugget? The Shamrocks and Shenanigans 5K, 1K and Kids Dash. Now, you many remember that Will and I (and Maizey) love participating in the Detroit St. Patrick's Day run. (See here and here.) Last year we skipped it - largely due to this. And this year we're realists. The weather forecast for Sunday's Detroit run is a high of 30. We have two kids. One jogging stroller. No place to pre or post-party... so the Patty's Day event last weekend, walking distance from home and featuring a 100 yard kids dash, was just the ticket.

It was Maizey's first race - not something to sniff at being a Spurgeon. 

And, it was FREEZING. 

 While Dad and Maizey took in the course,

 Lu and I tried to stay warm. (Coffee for me, soothie for her.)

 Then it was time to line up for the dash.

There was some hesitation so Dad joined her at the start...

Especially entertaining as there were serious warm-ups,

lead by this suited leprechaun/Darby O'Gill lass. 

(Yes, Lass.) 

Warmed up, or as warm as they were getting...

Then, it was time for the pep talk.  

 On your mark. Get set.

 GO!

Admittedly, though harboring the Spurgeon enthusiasm for running, she inherited the Breclaw attention for it. Note the sideways glance above. Definitely no eyes on the prize for Miss Maizey. Though I do think she got first in her division (3 and under). No matter she was the only entrant.

What followed were, sadly, a lot of tears. It was COLD. And not wanting to be late, we were way early = long time in frigid temps. Not to mention her after-race nosh: ice cream. Which she insisted on eating. So, no glorious pics of the party, or Will running the 5K, since the ladies and I hightailed it home for cocoa and heat.

Once inside, girlfriend was more than happy to show off her medal.

And I was more than happy to show off my counterparts.

Lovely ladies. 

(And yes. I look tired. I'm exhausted. But happy.)

Welcome 2014

Happy New Year! Though not much of a resolution person, I do have a few goals for 2014. First and foremost? Simplify. I'm going to shorten and prioritize my to-do list. At the top? Family. Then rest. Work will find a place, as will Enlarging Marge. But, I am going to try to lessen looking ahead to the "next" and instead live in the "now." This will probably mean scheduling a time to post Enlarging Marge updates. Most likely weekly, with the occasional bonus thrown in. So, until then - hug your family. That's what I'm going to do.