Right now I feel like I’m learning a lot about myself.

I have to be honest. It’s hard getting older. Things just aren’t the same!

I’m learning how to dress “age appropriate” while still being me. Lately I’ve been questioning which stores I can still shop at and which trends I can get away with. Reality sucks a big one.

I’m learning how to balance my home life and social life. This has been a lot harder now that C is older: he’s into more activities and attending school functions and outings with his friends. Being a mom is always my #1 job and lately it’s felt like my only job. I LOVE being a mom, but I desperately need me a cocktail and some girl time.

Pumpkin pie shots, anyone??

I’m learning how my body is changing. The past two years have been hard. It sucks, but the older I get, the harder it gets. My metabolism is definitely not the same it was 5 years ago! I feel like I’m re-learning how many calories a day is perfect for me and my body. And counting calories sucks.

I’m learning that I’d rather stay home on a Friday night than go out. I absolutely LOVE falling asleep on the couch on a Friday night in my sweat pants covered in my big faux fur blanket. It’s heavenly. Not sure when I became a grandma, but give me my Friday nights in!

And, most importantly, I’m finally learning that the drama isn’t worth it! I’m over it. I want to be friends with nice people. I don’t have time in my life for jerk faces. Nice people up in here only please.

Love all these ladies dearly.

What are you still learning??

It sucks getting older (for many reasons).

But what bothers me the most is my recovery time.

When I trained for the Pittsburgh and Cleveland marathons in 2010, I was teaching 5-6 classes a week in addition to running 5 times a week and I felt great! I took a few ice baths and stretched, but nothing like what I do now. And these days I try not to run 2 days in a row for fear of injury!

I sure can’t hang like I used to either.

In addition to the Warrior Dash on Saturday, I also attended Seanski and Matt’s Cleveland White Party.

I had good intentions, I really did.

But they put on one hell of a party.

Me and Alana. Still early in the night.

I knew I was supposed to run on Sunday, but I couldn’t help myself. J was out of town, C was with his grandparents, and I had a cab ride home, so I really had no other choice, right??

Total Vegas night club in the basement.

I didn’t get home until 4am (holy crap! who am I??). And when my body was screaming at me on Sunday I thought for sure it was from the Warrior Dash. But that was before Alana texted me this photo:

Bahahaha!!!! What am I doing??

Something tells me I was sore from the dancing, not the warrioring.

So, I spent Sunday on my couch, only getting up to change loads of laundry, until I had to fulfill my mom duties later in the afternoon. No exercise took place whatsoever. And I’m completely fine with that. It was worth it.

Have you noticed a difference in your recovery time the older you get?? Or am I the only one?

Yesterday was C’s last day of 3rd grade.

I still can’t believe it. I have a 4th grader. Man, I am OLD.

Check out what a difference a year makes.

First day of 3rd grade:

Last day:

He looks older, right?

What’s more important, though, is how much he has grown this year. Not in height, but in his attitude and personality. I really enjoy the person he is becoming and am super proud of the way he conducts himself.

The teacher gave each of the students a word (or two) she thought described them and she used “humor” and “empathy” for C. I immediately asked him if he knew what empathy was and he told me it meant that he tries to cheer up the other kids when he notices they are down (close enough). Then he further explained that he doesn’t like when the other kids are upset or sad so he tries to make them laugh or feel better. Seriously, I couldn’t have been more proud (still am!).

I’m so lucky to have such a great kid that I can trust. I truly enjoy his company!!! It just seems to keep getting better the older he gets (I’m trying not to think about the teenage years yet – hehe).

I can’t wait to see what the next year brings. I’m looking forward to it!

Do you remember 4th grade? I remember that I had my first “real” boyfriend and we wore those broken heart shaped necklaces (he wore half and I wore the other!).

p.s. You have until tomorrow at 5:00pm to enter my Bondi Band giveaway!