Vermont visit - chapter 3 - Additional Excursions

Fun at Friendly's

After the Montshire spashapalooza, the rest of the trip followed a similar pattern for the most part - outings in the mornings, chillin' at Camp Nana (and Poppy) in the afternoon. Not every morning saw us visit a proper tourist spot, but hey, to us furriners, Old Navy is a definite attraction. And we even got to experience Friendly's legendary customer service (does the sarcasm come through on blogger?) while Paige sampled her first cheeseburger. Ah, ain't that America...

Waffle-tastic

Other holiday highlights included a day at Silver Lake (where Paige sampled her first hotdog); an afternoon at Woodstock's Wednesday farmers' market (her first snickerdoodle); a visit to the Path of Life garden (her first taste of African food at lunch afterwards); and another diner breakfast (first waffle). Hmm - I sense a theme here.

Chillin' at the lake

Amazingly enough, we did find time to do more than eat. Aside from the hot dogs and chips at Silver Lake, it was fantastic on a blisteringly hot day to swim and swim and swim. Paige was less enamoured of the water than we expected, but she looked awful cute in her factor 50 swimsuit complete with foreign legion hat and sunglasses, so that was ok. And we got to watch Poppy in his kayak, woot woot, go Poppy go!

Walking the Path of Life

And the Path of Life Garden was an experience, to be sure. A bit hippy dippy, with the 18 different 'garden rooms' leading from one symbolising birth, through to death and rebirth, passing of course along the way wisdom, ambition, and sorrow, among others. It is beautifully laid out, however, and definitely worth a visit. As mentioned we followed up our Garden walk with lunch at casual African restaurant Mariam's -- definitely *not* something you expect to find in Vermont. Or most of New England for that matter. How could we not go? Unfortunately, the service, while with a smile, was also snail speed - so not sure we'll go back, but we had to at least give it a try.

Vermont Visit - Chapter 2 - Out and About

At the moment, we've got Paige in a fairly set daily routine, especially as meals and sleep is concerned. I'd planned and assumed we'd relax this somewhat on holiday, so as to not impact the various activities we anticipated. However, I found that keeping to a roughly 1pm *home* naptime (Paige isn't the best car or pram sleeper) turned out to be a nice way to manage our days.

Keeping this 1 pm home time meant we got to balance sightseeing with relaxation -- the latter part of that equation something that often gets missed on vacation, as we run around trying to pack as much in as possible.

And with Paige awake between 5 and 6 a.m. most mornings, there was still plenty of time to get out and about before naptime... assuming we could get everyone else moving as well!

Pre-meal at the Farmers Diner

After a day spent recovering from jet lag (and lazing about inside due to rainy weather), we were ready to explore. Bright and early Thursday morning, we headed out for the Montshire Museum of Science (stopping of course for our first diner breakfast, at the good 'ol Farmers Diner in Queechee. Yum. Though our enjoyment of the meal was somewhat curtailed by the sight of a chipmunk running in and out of the kitchen and dining area. Hmm... not sure what it says for the restaurant's hygeine, but the pancakes were still tasty enough...)

Before the Science Park - but still splashy

The Museum was great... or at least it looked great. We didn't get through much of it before venturing outside to the Science Park. I didn't notice the bit about the solar system model -- we (by we, I mean Paige) were too busy checking out the "The Rill, a 250-foot long watercourse that takes a meandering path from the Museum building toward the river." According to the website, "Young hydrologists can store up a mini-flood and then release it to the lower part of the Rill." Or they can just splash. And splash. And get absolutely soaked, laughing all the while.

 

Splash-tastic... and soaked

Making music with Poppy

Vermont visit - chapter 1 - the journey

I know the photos have hit Facebook already, but thought I'd re-ignite the blog for anyone interested in a little more context.

Three weeks ago Tuesday we loaded the 4 backpacks, 3 people and 2 overstuffed suitcases into 1 large minicab and headed off to Heathrow to kick off Camp Nana (and Poppy) 2010. And one week ago Tuesday, we hauled the same and more back to Planet Wulfagar, thanks in part to an incredibly surly black cab driver. (Surly, that is, until it was time to pay, and possibly tip...)

The next few entries cover those weeks in between. In excruciating detail. May even take me just as long to write as it did to experience...

We arrived at Heathrow to one of the longest queues I'd seen in a long while. Or maybe that's just American Airlines. Fortunately the queue gave us plenty of time to find someone to take a photograph. Less fortunately it also gave one little girl plenty of time to get antsy, squirmy, and any other condition that applies to toddlers who realise that standing in an incredibly slow line is not the most exciting way to spend a Tuesday morning, especially when there are gates to run through, luggage tags to grab, and long hallways to run down... This did not bode well for the enforced confines of the airplane.

Actually, given those confines, Paige was pretty good. Or maybe it's just hindsight telling me that. We'd not bought her a seat, and it was (surprise, surprise) a jam-packed flight, so take-off, landing, and any other seatbelt-on time equalled lap time equalled not very happy Paigey. [Note to self -- be prepared with food next time. That pretty much always works...]

Luckily, however, mandatory lap time was relatively brief, and as we had the bulkhead, we we able to rotate with one of us sitting on the floor some of the time, which provided more room than you'd think. In fact, I think Ashley quite liked it. And as long as she wasn't being made to sit somewhere not of her own choosing, Paige had a pretty good time as well. As well she might, given the fact she was being constantly entertained -- being walked around the aisles, sharing her books with a younger traveller she encountered.

And of course watching Dora. And more Dora. And more Dora. No, not on the plane entertainment system -- on my iPod. Phew, thank goodness I thought to download an episode. Yes, an episode. One. And with no headphones, that meant Mommy got to narrate the story. Given I'd never seen it, I think I did a pretty good job. Then again, each Dora does tend to follow a pretty predictable story arc. Map, Backpack, and vamanos!

And then three Doras and no nap later we landed at Logan, to face of course an incredibly long wait for immigration, despite having two Americans in our group, we still had to go through the 'foreign' line, if we wanted to stay together as a family. Yawn.

Fortunately our chaffeur and navigator (aka Poppy and Nana) were nice enough to wait, and -- after an uneventful, if squished, drive -- we concluded our journey to Woodstock, USA only about 15 hours after locking the flat door in Kew, UK.

And the rest of the trip will have to wait for the next post... 

Hair today...

"Trevor Sorbie Hair Salon for Children," said the voice on the end of the phone.

My husband's voice, in fact. The same husband to whom I'd casually mentioned that morning, "I wonder if we should cut Paige's hair. It's getting a bit scraggly at the back."

I'd merely called to let husband know I was on my way hime, and instead learned he'd taken my throwaway comment as a request. An order, nay. (Why that doesn't happen when I, for example, I just as casually mention "the laundry needs doing" or "the bathrooms need cleaning" is beyond me...)

As I was on a crowded train, I refrained from shouting any expletives down the phone (though, to be fair, I'm not really an expletive-shouting person; I would probably have refrained even in an empty carriage). Instead I just laughed and thought, really, how bad could it be? And she did need a trim...

Hmm... when I got home I discovered it was a little more than a trim! But it is cute. Ish. And besides - it only took 19 months to grow, so by the time she's 3, the mullet may be back...

Fabulous family weekend

Wish we could have been with the rest of the family in Vermont, but at least we did have an almost as great non-celebratory 3rd-4th of July weekend here in mother England...

Saturday saw us venture out for an in-town adventure... one that due to timing would mean NO SCHEDULED NAP for Paige. Eek! How would she fare??!

After a typically early wake-up call, we hit the road (well, Tube) by 8:45. Destination: Science Museum. Our mission: To check out the kids' area I'd heard about. Oh, and enjoy some family time in sunny London.

We got to the museum about 5 minutes early, first passing a MAMMOTH queue for the Natural History Museum, and about 7 people lingering outside of the V&A. (Why does the NHM always have such long lines? I have absolutely no idea...)  We were a bit nervous when we saw what seemed like another crowd waiting at the Science Museum doors... but it turned out most of those people were for the next-door Natural History Museum, and we got right in about 10:01.

And... then spent about 15 minutes trying to find the basement 'garden', first taking the wrong lift, to the 'lower ground' (turns out that's a different floor than 'basement'); then waiting at yet another lift, until we saw the sign saying 'lift does not go to basement'. Finally, right hallway walked and correct lift taken, we arrived at the 'garden'. And I have no idea why it was given that name, as there are no plants and it's not outside... maybe because it's a place for little children to grow, with the hands-on exhibits.

Paige went first to the simulated canal system, where she had fun splashing about, though I'm not *quite* sure she understood the point was more than how wet she could get us all. Ashley decided he must be within the stipulated 3 - 6 age range, as he commandeered the giant Legos. And then once Paige had her fill of the water (or, rather, once Mommy got a bit tired of being splashed), she found the drum machine, and I think might have stayed there all day had we not insisted she let others have a turn.

Overall I was hugely impressed by all of the features, and think Ashley and I had just as much fun as Paige did pressing buttons, playing with puppets, re-designing canals and locks, and don't forget the Lego.

After that we headed off to the V&A to do something I'd looked forward to doing, 'when Paige gets a little older' (something I find myself saying all the time, and amazingly enough, occasionally that future age becomes her current one). Yep, I finally have a child old enough (and a day sunny enough) to splash around with in the V&A's (large-but-shallow) garden fountain. As we expected, Paige loved it, squealing at the fountain jets and splashing up and down the stairs. We finally dragged her away with the lure of a sandwich, and fortunately it was warm enough to air-dry, as we'd remembered a change of clothes, but not a towel.

Paige fed, dry, and changed, we continued our adventure, wandering slowly up to Kensington High Street, regularly checking the pram to see if Paige would fall asleep. And when she did, continuing our regular checks to see if she was still asleep. She managed about 1/2, and we managed some shopping, and Paige didn't have a major meltdown later, so lesson learned: it *is* ok to occasionally miss a formal nap. Note to self: must loosen up...

We continued to meander in the general direction home (ie, west), making one last (unscheduled) stop at the Brook Green play area before finally getting the Tube home. We were home by about 3, Paige still fresh and ready to run; Mommy and Daddy ready for a nap of their own!

USA! USA! USA!

Bzzzzzz! "Delivery!"

Two minutes and an ID-checked signature later, I held in my hands proof that my daughter is now a dual-national.

It only took us 18 months, but we finally got around to taking care of the paperwork AND the both-parents+child "interview" at the Embassy. After filling out multiple forms, including the one where I, as the American parent, had to list all the dates SINCE BIRTH I've physically been in the US. The first years, not so hard, but the last 13 since coming to the UK... well, let's just say I'm glad they didn't compare against plane records or anything like that. I'm sure I got some dates off somewhere!

The 'interview' itself was more of a 'let's see what's in the waiting room', as we were sent from one window to the next in a neatly choreographed make-work exercise...

"Ticket number P08 -- Window 4!" -- ooh, that's us!
"Ok, it looks like you have all your paperwork, and the photos too. I'm going to give this to my colleague to review; you'll be called again."
Wait, wait, wait... thank goodness for the kiddie-sized table, Paige loves rearranging furniture
"Ticket number P08 -- Window 6!" -- us again! 
"Your forms look complete, just sign here. And please pay $65 at window 10 for your Consular Report of Birth, and £14.50 downstairs for your passport-return envelope, and wait to be called again."
Window 10, Amex accepted, receipt in hand... Downstairs, luckily we have enough cash, receipt and envelope in hand, back upstairs.
Wait, wait, wait... thank goodness for the vending machine
"Ticket number P08 -- Window 8!" -- us... again...

And now it was time to talk to the Americans for the actual "interview". Why do I always get nervous when talking to authority figures, smile even more than usual, when I'm not doing anything wrong?

Um, why did we wait so long to get her her American passport. Erm, well, um...

The truth is, we just couldn't be bothered with taking time off work and trekking into central London with a baby, and the rules say you have until her 5th birthday, so what's it to you, Mr Embassy Man?  Hmm... maybe not the most politic of answers.

"Scheduling difficulties," we say instead.

And then, after answering a few questions about the names of my elementary and high schools (guess only a real honest-to-goodness American would be able to answer that!) and another trip to Window 10 ($85 this time, for the passport), and back AGAIN to Window 8 (no waiting this time)... and our 90-minute Embassy adventure was complete!

Happy birthday blog to meeeeeee!

Belated birthday blog, that is. It's taken me a week to recover from my fantastic 40th birthday weekend -- I guess things really do slow down with these advancing years. I can feel me bones a-creakin' already...

The festivities began when I was still a youthful 39 years, 11 months, and 29 days. I'd hoped to go to New York for a girls' weekend for my 40th, but 'twas not to be (there's always next year!). What's the next best thing? A girlie evening, with a movie that epitomises New York! (even though it was primarily about Abu Dhabi, and filmed in Morroco. Minor points.)  And what a fab time it was, even with the ridiculous movie. I thought it only appropriate to take my wedding Choos out for an airing, as we started with cocktails and dinner at Notting Hill's Electric Brasserie before travelling the 50 feet to the luxurious Electric Cinema (about all those shoes can handle). I'd never been to the Cinema before - and it's amazing, with wide armchairs instead of flip-up seats, and plush footstools. And tables in between each seat -- so you can rest the drinks you purchase from the in-theatre-bar. (A necessity, at least for this movie!). Fantastic Friday, and fantastic kick-off to the weekend.

The next day (39+11+30) was no less fantastic, starting as it did with a Paige-less morning, as Ashley had taken Paige to his parents for the night. (wonderful as she is, it's also wonderful not to be woken by her at 6 a.m. on the odd occasion!). Of course, my body's conditioned anyway, so even after the 1 a.m. lights out, I was still up at about 6:15... but it was my choice, a real distinction. (Of course, just as I'd settled in to read the paper, Ashley & Paige returned home, perhaps a leeeetle earlier than I'd expected... ah well - I had a couple of hours at least).

As it was the last day of my challenge, I wanted to go for a run -- during which I figured out just why Ashley had been so insistent that I be back by 11. So insistent, in fact, that I shortened my course, just to be safe. And as I walked in the door, shouting 'I bet Louisa's here!', I discovered I was correct. Ashley had booked his friend Louisa, who's a beauty/massage therapist, for a birthday treat. And one quick shower later, I was ready for some bliss -- I think I may have fallen asleep on the table at one point. How great is it to have a massage and pedicure in your own home? No need to destroy all that relaxation on a crowded journey home!

OK, so far, so great. But the weekend was due to get much much better. Our babysitter arrived at 7, and off Ashley and I headed for a romantic dinner a deux. I was in heels AGAIN, which must be some kind of record for me, at least in the past 2 years or so. After a bit of a late start, and a missed bus-stop leading to a longer-than-expected walk (fortunately these heels were a little more comfortable than the Choos), we got to Chiswick eaterie Sam's a few minutes before 8. I followed Ashley and the waitress, thinking neither of the two empty tables she looked to be leading us to seemed particularly attractive, and scanning the room for better ones. I was just about to ask the waitress if she could seat us at the cute table I saw empty in the window, when... I was startled to hear a loud chorus of 'Happy Birthday to You'... to ME! In my search for a table I'd been completely oblivious to the fact that the waitress had actually been leading us to the large table in the corner filled with 10 friends. Of course, once I noticed this, I grinned hugely... and burst into tears. I rarely cry out of sadness these days, but happy emotional tears -- all the time.

What an amazing surprise. I was totally completely utterly not expecting it. My sweet romantic husband pulled off a pretty fantastic gift -- though not sure how he'll top it for my 50th! (he's got 10 years to plan, I'm sure he'll think of something.)

The dinner itself was great, and full of chat and laughs and my repeated 'I had no idea. No, really, I had no clue. Really, really!' And of course a few more cocktails!

So of course by the time it got to my actual birthday on Sunday, that was a bit anticlimactic -- but I enjoyed opening cards, and a couple more presents, including a Mariners top purchased by my ebay mad husband, to match his own (so we can both share the misery of M's fandom I suppose). And after a yummy and messy brunch next door, I made some cupcakes to take along with me to my volunteering stint at the V&A, where Ashley and Paige came along to visit.

Definitely one of my best birthdays ever -- I'll have to turn 40 more often! (Which of course I will, because I stop counting NOW -- every next birthday will be my 40th!)

Race report - mark 2

Another weekend, another race. This time the Bupa 10,000 from Buckingham Palace through the City and back, taking in some of the 2012 marathon course. The day started off overcast and a bit chilly -- so not bad for a race, really. Certainly better than 80 degree sunshine would've been.

And this time I had a couple of supporters with me in the forms of Ashley and Paige, so my spirit was warmed at least (ugh - did I really say that?) We made our way via tube to Green Park, noting the many similarly-running-garbed travellers, many carrying the official BUPA 10,000 bag, and wearing the official timing chip all ready to go.

The run was incredibly well organised, and we had no trouble finding the start, and I reluctantly left my bag-carriers and headed to my wave. I say reluctantly, because leaving them also meant leaving my windbreaker. I knew that was for the best, but brrr... until the start!

Which took much longer than I'd expected.  I knew I was in the 7th wave (of 9) -- but I didn't realise they'd *each* be starting 2 minutes apart. And that was after the elite wave -- so all in all I was probably hanging around in the start area, jacketless and a bit shivery, for about 35 minutes. It was a real relief when our wave final started!

And off we went. My goal was to beat 60 minutes, but wondered if that would be possible (even with last week's 28:08 for the 5k) because a)I've been fighting a cold all week and b)I've not run more than about 3 miles in ages.

So I was incredibly pleased an amazed that as I crossed each km marker, my watch continued to stay under 6 minutes for each, until I crossed the 5k line at 28 exactly! I did have to slow down a bit between kilometers 7 - 8, but still, when I passed the 9km mark at about 51:00, I was preeeetty confident sub-60 was achievable.

But still -- 57:15?? I couldn't believe my watch! But the timing chip pretty much agreed with it, at a slightly faster 57:10, so guess my eyes and watch were in fact correct.

Unfortunately the crowd was such that my supporters weren't able to fight their way through to see me finish... but that was ok. After the seemingly interminable walk back to the official 'if-we're-not-at-the-finish-here's-where-we'll-be' meeting spot, I was still able to show off my watch, and the celebration was almost as great. Not sure Paige quite appreciated the result, but she was so cute it didn't matter.

Now for my next challenge... hmm...

I'm famous!

Weelll... maybe famous is overstating. But still -- nice to be featured on the Quilts for Kids website!

Race report

Saturday dawned bright and sunny, a great day for a 5k. So, what great timing that I actually had a 5k to run that day! I was supposed to run with a friend, but she, er, never got around to registering, so off I trooped to Regent's Park on my lonesome. One train, one tube, and several minutes of walking later I arrived at the gathering point for that Saturday's Race for Life -- one of many being held across the country this (and every) summer for Cancer Research UK.

The area was a sea of pink, with most participants in the official (for purchase) t-shirt. I bucked the trend in my old green tee, but that's the kind of maverick I am. You betcha.

I also for once decided to push my way relatively close to the start line -- as part of the 'runners' group (instead of 'joggers' or 'walkers'). And smart decision it turned out to be, with a total of 5000 entrants (hey - 5k for a 5k!). I've been in enough races like these to know many entrants have no idea of their pace and start much further forward than they should -- the very participants I needed to avoid to get a good time.

My goal was simple -- crack 30 minutes, so 6 minutes / km. I didn't think I went out all that quickly, so I was amazed to see a time of 5:11 for my first one. And though I slowed down a bit after that initial stretch, I never dipped slower than that crucial 6 minutes (despite even spending nearly 500m between 1 and 2 sorting out my annoying failed iPod, but that's a rant for another day). I even put in a little kick near the end when I thought I might break 28:00.

Well, the kick wasn't quite enough -- but I was more than a little pleased with what I think must be my personal best 5k time of 28:08. Now let's see how my fitness holds for my 10k this Monday!

Hannibal Lecter in training...

Picked up Paige from nursery last Friday, only her second full day in 'Toddler 1' (last month was just a trial). When I got there she seemed to be playing happily with some Duplo-esque blocks, but dropped them when she saw me, and ran over, smiling. Ah, all normal and as it should be.

"She was fine today," said Nursery Worker 1 (I still haven't learned the upstairs names yet). "Good nap, ate all her lunch."

"Great," I said, looking for Paige's sweater and grabbing the rest of her things.

"Just one thing," continued NW1. "She was bitten earlier."

"Bitten?" I queried, looking at cheery Paige, and assuming some sort of insect had come her way as they played outside.

And then I saw her arm...

"OH MY GOD" yelped I, without thinking (don't want to scare the c-h-i-l-d, after all).

"Yes, it is a bad one. It's his worst yet."
Turns out there's a known biter in Paige's new room, and little Paigey, minding her own business, was just reading books when Chompster came over and, well, chomped. Much polite huffing and puffing and speaking to the manager on my part, but really nothing to do. According to the manager, the girls are 'watching him closely' (hmm - maybe not closely enough!), and looking for triggers so they can intervene. I do understand it's stressful for everyone involved, and no one's *fault*, but I really hope it doesn't happen again -- especially if the bites are getting worse. Who knows, the next time he could break the skin!

And in the meantime - I'll just be sending Paige to nursery in her new Kevlar long-sleeve jumpsuit...
(ps -- the picture is 24 hours later -- and she's still got a bit of a bruise showing today, nearly a week on!)

"A pleasure and a joy"

Aww... we had our first parent-teacher evening last week, complete with mom- and dad-sized adults perching on toddler-sized chairs. Paige received a glowing report, no suprise... but then again, could she really 'fail' at playing in the sandbox and colouring? She did get specifically singled out for *not* eating the crayons, so extra gold star there... now only if she would remember that while at  home!

Another milestone...

Awww... our little girl is growing up! When we arrived to pick her up from daycare today, we were informed that she'd spent the morning not in her normal "baby" room, but upstairs in "toddler 1". Normally you don't move until about 18 months... but hey - Paige is a genius. And she also appears to be the largest child in the baby room by some way, so upward-ho!

Back to it...

Phew, finally after crazy work schedule and then icky flu-like bug, I'm back to normality... Slow run today, a bit behind schedule, but will get there. Still annoyed at my nike+ kit however -- I bought a brand new sensor, and still didn't seem to work. So now as far as I can calculate, I've run 38+ miles, and my Nike+ chart only records 33... very frustrating!

Fingers crossed however the sun will continue to shine, and I can get a few more regular runs in - and catch up soon...

New day, new adventure

I can't believe I forgot my camera! That's what I thought as I watched Paige toddle happily around Snakes & Ladders 'indoor adventure playground' today for the first time. Because she absolutely LOVED it. We went from slide to toy car to swings and back again, Paige giggling all (well most) the while.

Probably the best thing about it is that the age groups are separated -- so Paige wasn't being knocked over by rambunctious 5-year-olds, like at the Lollipop club (an earlier, less successful, adventure). Of course, rambunctious 3-year-olds aren't much better (we were in the up-to-3 area), but there weren't that many kids, and Paige can certainly hold her own.

The amazing thing to me is that these places even exist... amazing what you learn when you have a kid!

Reading monster

Paige has always loved books - but in the last week or so she's developed even more of a passion for them. Combined with her increasing walking coordination, that means she now no longer is content to simply throw all the books off the shelf. No, now she selects a few to throw off the shelf... and then picks them up and brings them to the closest available reader, and plunks herself down for a story. (Or climbs on the couch for a story -- all depends on where the reader may be!)



It's very sweet, and I'm thrilled by her early love of books (long may it continue)... but sometimes wish she wouldn't get so stuck on the same book. As cute and well written and illustrated and clever as they are, it's a little hard to maintain enthusiasm for Each Peach Pear Plum and Moo Baa La La La when you're reading it for the 17th time in a row that morning...

Suppose I shouldn't complain too much - and just be happy she'll sit still for that long!

Nike+ minus

I'm quite happy to see that 10 days in, I'm 6 miles over schedule. Or 4.2 miles over if you only look at my Nike+ log. I've discovered the quite frustrating fact that it doesn't aaaalllways work. Like last Friday, when I quite excitedly did a brisk and short invigorating run that felt just great, saw the total would put me just over 10 miles, plugged my iPod in to sync, and.... nothing.. The run just disappeared. I was more deflated than anything. Which was silly of course -- *I* knew I did that run, why did it matter so much to see it on the little Nike+ totals screen?

But it did. And does. The back up site I found, RunnerPlus, just doesn't interest me as much, even though I can add my own runs to make sure my personal challenge total is more accurate. Which brings up that old philosophical chestnut: If a run doesn't sync through your Nike+, did you really run it?

100 minus 4 days and counting

For the maybe one person who stumbles across this blog who *didn't* get the e-mail I sent out... my 40th birthday fast approaches, and I've decided to run 100 miles in the 100 days leading up to it. Not just for myself, mind you. My willpower is such that without some sort of external pressure I'd probably hit about, oh, 17 miles before finding one sort of excuse after another and before you know it, my birthday would arrive, and so much for that challenge!

So I'm making this public, and putting some $$ / ££ on the line by running for a charity: Quilts for Kids. Wanna donate? Easy-peasy lemon squeezy... Head to my donation page on Firstgiving, all major credit cards accepted!

So far I've done 2 runs in 4 days for a total of about 5 miles... so right on track. My aim is to go for about 8 - 9 miles / week so that I can build a buffer, just in case I get some super busy work times, or horrid weather days. (Horrid weather in London? Never!)

I'm trying to find a way to put my Nike+ monitor data straight on to this blog, but it looks like they may have taken that widget function away in favour of the Facebook link-up. Oh well - I'll try to put at least weekly updates here, and will also have the Facebook link.

Thanks to those who've donated already -- I'd originally hoped to raise $500, but as I'm half-way there already, I may have to revise my target up a bit... $1000 is a nice round number!

These shoes are made for walkin'

And that's just what they'll do!  When worn by the adorable Miss 'Walking' Paige. Every day is an adventure with the little darling; today's was a trip for her very first pair of shoes. Wow - much more of a travail than I expected. I knew proper fitting of these precious little feet was important, but didn't realise just how long it would take - and how much variation there is in sizing from one brand to the next.

According to the Start-Rite gauge, she was a size 4G (whatever that means). However, the Start-Rite shoes didn't fit. Nor did the pricy Italian ones, nor some other of the many brands I'd never heard of. Turns out Paige's right foot still has a bit too much baby fat (on the feet, who knew? in addition to length and width you need to worry about foot *height* for little feet) for most shoes. Luckily Geox to the rescue, clearly catering for the plus-sized baby foot.  (nope, I didn't know they did baby shoes either...)

And voila - Paige has her first pair of shoes... and so the slippery slope to Louboutins, Choos, and Manolos begins...