A Going Strong Challenge for Parents: Run a 5k with Your Kids

05/05/2014 R.C. Liley 5 Comments

Hi there!

Summer is fast approaching and for those of you with kids in school, that means they’re about to have some extra time. Unless you have a full schedule lined up for them already, but still, work with me here.

For the parents with kids not at school age yet, like Going Mom and myself, summer just means warmer weather with basically the same daily routine you’ve been doing.

Well, I want to challenge all parents to do something healthy and active with their kids this summer; run a 5k! Yes, find one in your area with a date set out long enough for you to prepare and sign up now.

Signing up will help work as motivation to train for your race and deter you from slacking. If your kids are of proper running age, make it a great time to train and run together. If, like me, your kid is a baby who is just now learning to sit up on their own, run with them (safely) in a stroller.

Or, I’d even suggest wearing your child in something like the Onya Baby or Ergobaby Carrier and train to walk a 5k with them. Most days of the week I usually walk about 4.5 miles while wearing Avery, so a 5k wouldn’t be too taxing for either parent or child if you properly prepare yourself.

If you’re already a trained runner, go ahead and sign up for the next race available if your kid is willing and able to go along.

And don’t think I’m only posing this challenge to my readers, it’s a challenge to myself too. I haven’t entered a race with Avery yet but have been wanting to for a while now.

That said, the next race I enter will be a solo run. Next month, I will no longer be in my twenties *gasp* and want to run a least one more race in that age group. It might be a local 5k or even up to a half marathon if I can find one and it doesn’t cost too much.

I’ll make sure to post which one I decide and let you know how it goes. Same for a race with Avery, I will take this challenge and sign us up to finish one together. If it’s a stroller friendly race, I’ll run with her in the B.O.B., but if not, I’ll walk the 5k as fast as I can while keeping it safe!

I want to hear from everyone that is willing to step up to the challenge and let me know what race and when. The deadline is to complete a race by August, but feel free to do more than just one.

Too many kids and parents alike are living a sedentary life which is unhealthy and not fun. So make it a point to get out with your kids and be a great role model by doing something healthy and active together!

Are you a novice runner and not sure how to get started? The website, CoolRunning.com, has a great Couch-to-5k plan that you can even download as an app on your phone. Check it out and stop making excuses!

If you’re a seasoned runner, this challenge should be a ~~walk~~ run in the park; just get out and go!

So, will you accept the challenge?

Please share with your friends and family and see if they will get on board too!

Life, Parenting

Baby Collages: Sleeping, Sitting, and Saying “Ahh”?

05/04/2014 R.C. Liley 4 Comments

Hey there, how’s your weekend going so far?

Saturday was pretty low key around here, but I did get a well overdue haircut! Yep, I used an exclamation because that’s what this stay-at-home dad gets excited about now.

I almost went too extreme by asking for a Mohawk, but thankfully the lady cutting my hair talked me out of it. Phew!

When I was a freshman in high school, my step-dad at the time once made me go back to the hairstylist that put highlights in my hair and have them taken out. Yep, I came home all happy to have highlights like the cool kids (fyi, not cool anymore) and he drove me right back to have it reversed. Fun guy…

Needless to say, my mom is no longer married to him and we’re all better because of it. She deserves better and has someone much better now!

Anyway, I got carried away, the moral of the story is that Kelley would’ve sent me right back to have the Mohawk cut off immediately; no questions asked. So just the regular “do” for me and we’re all happy.

When I returned home, I worked out in the garage and then Kelley and I went to a nearby hill for a great workout. I did hill sprints and Kelley charged (carefully) up and down the hill while wearing Avery in the Ergobaby Ventus.

We both worked up a good sweat and Avery had a short nap to boot! Win-win for us!

While I was out, Kelley had photo session with Avery in our room and snapped some great shots. I came in and we worked with Avery on sitting up and took more pictures in the process.

There are tons of photos to go through (yes, stamp “new parents” on our foreheads!), so I thought I’d share the most recent via collages.

Before the collages, here a few single shots. It’s hard not post everything we take since we are just so proud and think even the most blurry picture is priceless and hard to delete. C’mon, if you’re a parent, you know what I’m talking about.

I couldn’t “bear” to delete the photo because, well, what if one day…..

No explanation needed, just an adorable face I’m lucky to see everyday.

Oh hey, are those mine?

Helping her get set up for sit up practice.

Someone knows how to pose…

The first collage is of Avery’s multiple positions before falling asleep that we captured on the baby monitor.

Here she is in 3 stages all spanning about 5 seconds. From left to right: sitting, falling, fallen.

A few days ago Going Mom and I had a fun play session with Avery. Going Mom snapped these as Avery reached for and grasped the blue ring.

And the last collage is of Avery (surprise!) with her mouth wide open. Not sure if it’s just a laugh or she’s trying to say something, but as always, we think it’s adorable.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the rest of your weekend too!

Have you ever had to go back to have your hair “fixed” either by choice or by force?

Parenting, Pinterest Picks

Going Dad’s Top Ten Pinterest Picks (4): Homemade Baby Food

05/03/2014 R.C. Liley 10 Comments

We’re almost there; Avery is approaching 6 months and we’ll attempt to start feeding her food other than breast milk!

I’ve read a few signs to look for to know your baby is ready is for them to sit up on their own and that they lose their reflex to push out with their tongue. Right now, Avery does not sit up on her own and I’m pretty sure that tongue reflex is how she rejects the bottle every day. But we’ll start slow and take it from there.

She still has 12 days before she’s officially 6 months anyway, so maybe an intense core workout will build up her strength to sit on her own. Bad idea?

Well, what’s not a bad idea is making your own baby food. Those little jars of pureed grain and produce can and do add up fast, so it only makes sense to make your own. It’s healthier, puts you in control, and saves money!

Here’s my top 10 list of recipes, tip, tricks, and helpful tools to have you on your way to making a nutritious puree!

1. This is a long one but a good one!

2. Gotta have the tools!

3. If you don’t know it already, homemade costs less and is healthier!

4. If I had a printer, this would be printed.

5. This is great for any left over breast milk bags. They also make bags like the little fruit squeeze pouches that cost an arm and a leg, but they are reusable for your homemade food. Here’s the link.