Casualties

I have been anxiously awaiting the completion of Lance's half-pipe so I can play on it. To better prepare me, Lance has been giving me "drills" to practice on the skateboard around the house. However, he warned me that I will break my hip and it is entirely too dangerous for me to do. Well, of course in my stubbornness, this only spurred me on.

A few nights ago, I was doing my practice drills (and getting pretty good-- if I might add), when the skateboard flew out from underneath me. I managed to land on my rear, my elbow and knock the wind out of me all at once. All Lance could hear was a crash, a whoosh, and me trying my hardest to sputter out some choice words. He came around the corner and couldn't stop laughing at me on the ground. Because of this, Zoie keeps saying, "Mommy fall, Daddy happy."

I haven't been able to run in a few days, but in the end, I have only a bruised booty, badly bruised elbow, a stiff neck, and of course, a badly bruised ego. No matter. This morning, I am back on the skateboard.

Kira 1, Hair 0

It doesn't take much more than a glance to realize that I absolutely hate my thick, defiant, unruly, and unmanageable hair. Pair this with the Florida humidity and it is an outright civil war raging amongst me and my hair. All summer we have been in a precarious cease-fire, as I have been wearing it in a poorly constructed pony tail- everyday.

Last week I snapped and declared an all-out battle-- the final battle, if you will (Think Battle of Appomattox) . Ok, what I actually did was make an appointment with the salon. I asked my stylist for, short of shaving my head, the absolute easiest hairstyle ever invented. She agreed and chopped, and chopped, and did this "thinning" technique that has always been a favorite of mine. The less hair to fight with, the better!

In the end, I had little hair left. It feels great! And I have at last achieved my dream of waking up in the morning and doing NOTHING with my hair (I'm talking not even combing it!) . Up until now I always thought it was a myth. Just thinking about my easy hair brings tears of gratitude to my eyes.

The look we were going for was Jennifer Aniston circa Season 7 of Friends. I know what you are thinking-- it is downright masochistic to put up a picture of myself side-by-side with the great Rachel Green. Its true.
I am planning to dye my easy hair a myriad of unnatural colors and will certainly keep you posted.

Early Mid-Life Crisis

Since Lance's 30th birthday, he has been lamenting the fact that he no longer participates in potentially fatal past times. Florida does not afford him the luxury of snowboarding, mountain biking, or rock climbing. He started talking more and more about skateboarding and I thought it was a perfect solution to his um, "mid-life" crisis. I don't think I realized just how serious he was about it.

In just a few hours, a half-pipe was constructed in our backyard. It is not completely finished, but Lance has been practicing on our back patio. Here are are some pictures of the surprisingly short process of building a half-pipe. Those who know Lance know that once he sets his mind on something, nothing stands in his way. He is like a man possessed.

I'll keep everyone posted as the half-pipe progresses. I will also be sure to include pictures of Lance's inevitable injuries.

Old Man Rasmussen

On September 2nd, Lance turned 30! We made a weekend of the celebration. We took the kids to the beach on Saturday. It was fun, although taking a two year old and a newborn to the beach is hardly the tranquil, relaxing experience the beach usually is. Saturday night, we ditched the little ones and went to dinner with friends.

On Sunday, we had an old-fashioned birthday party-- complete with presents, singing, and cake and ice cream. Well, in place of cake I made a couple of banana cream pies. I got the world's easiest recipe and still managed to screw it up. I take no pride in my baking skills.

On Monday, Lance took his various gift cards and we hit the mall. It has taken me six years to get Lance to see the light-- but at last, I have converted my husband into a bargain shopper!! The only thing better than getting something great is getting something great for cheap! (Thanks, Mom). And Monday night, we barbequed with friends.

It was an awesome weekend-- full of phrases like, "now that you're old..." and "even at your age..." Lance isn't too traumatized by old age. Although he has a new- found determination to get in shape and find new ways to risk his life on a more regular basis. I told him that eating my cooking each night is risky enough...

Tobin the Pig

Tobin just turned five months and his doctor told us to start feeding him basic baby food. The first time I tried it I thought he hated it because he kept crying. It took me a moment to realize that he was crying every time I would pull the spoon away to get more food. He LOVES it and has no patience with anything other that constant food! To make matters even messier, Tobin shows his approval by blowing bubbles with the food. (Zoie saw me taking pictures and wanted to get in on the action).