Pepper Paints » walk

What We Have Been Up To

Kristen — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:20:14 +0000

In case you have been wondering where we have been………………

sleeping in the back yard

Visiting the zoo

Gathering information and ideas for keeping chickens (the girls already have names picked out)

Attending fancy tea parties

And a trip to Chicago. I love this city…. I love a city where you can walk to most places or take public transportation!…. And there is so much to see and do in Chicago that is free or cheap…. And all the public art–huge bonus!

The Children’s Museum at Navy Pier is probably one of my most favorite places! It is different every time we go. The whole thing screams Please Touch!

We had a great Chinese dinner in China Town…complete with a lazy susan in the middle of the table!

We love you Chicago…can’t wait to visit again soon!

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Post tags: art, back yard, Chicago, child, Children, china town, chinese dinner, city, fancy tea, favorite places, keeping chickens, Museum, navy pier, photo, photos, public art, public transportation, Tea, tea parties, trip to chicago, walk, zoo

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Our Holiday in Review

Kristen — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:22:12 +0000

I absolutely love where we live. I also love tradition. I go out of my way to make sure we are making memories together and carrying on family traditions. The 4th of July is one holiday steeped in tradition that my kids really look forward to. Growing up, my parents always had a big 4th of July party–it started in the morning with everyone coming over for breakfast outside. Family came and went all day long. We swam and ate and then moved the party into the garage in the evening. My dad and older cousins would blow off fire works in our back yard and a great time was had by all.

The apple must not fall too far from the tree. We start each 4th of July at our Clintonville Community Breakfast. We walk over to the park early in the morning to begin our day.

One or more of my kids always participates in the pet parade

Then there is the fishing derby

And the party preparation

It is the part of the day that is the calm before the storm. Because the next thing I remember– It looked more like this

And this

This was before the fireworks show and the post fireworks snacking!! It was a late night. And today after cleaning all that up, I took a long nap–in the air conditioning. Hope your Holiday weekend was both fun and relaxing!!

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Post tags: 4th of july, 4th of july party, back yard, breakfast, clintonville, community, community breakfast, family, fire, fire works, fishing, fishing derby, holiday, holiday weekend, July, kid, Kids, making memories, Parent, parents, park, pet parade, photo, photos, tradition, traditions, walk, weekend

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Take a Walk With Me (1)-Whetstone Park of Roses

Kristen — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:40:59 +0000

Earlier this week, Maine Momma invited me to take a walk with her. I was so flattered to be asked! And so inspired by the “walks” others have shared!
Today was a perfectly, bright and beautiful Autumn day here in Columbus.
As we headed out the back of our yard I couldn’t help but notice the brilliant sun, vivid colors and long shadows.
Come take a walk with us to The Whetstone Park of Roses. Click on the button below to view my slide show.

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Post tags: Autumn, autumn day, brilliant sun, Columbus, long shadows, park, slideshow, vivid colors, walk, walks, whetstone park, whetstone park of roses

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Feckless Friday

Kristen — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:05:23 +0000

My feckless friend Abby has started a new Friday game and she wants us all to play along. It’s called Feckless Friday-I could write a post titled Feckless Monday thru Friday but I won’t embarrass myself. This dream I had about Lil’ Wayne is bad enough!

A bit of back ground info-I have a 14 yr old son, Jake, who controls the car radio-so I listen to a lot of hip-hop. Every time they mention Lil Wayne, my husband and I have a tendency to act like we are cool and yell, “Lil Wayne, Lil Wayne, Lil Wayne’s in the house!” (I need a megaphone there so you can really hear how stupid we are!) And my son always tells us to “shut up!” in his 14 yr old brooding tone.

So on to my dream—Jake and I were at some fair or something and Lil Wayne was standing on a small platform stage with just a handful of people around. I turned to Jake and said, “Oh, Please, please can I do it?!!” He rolled his eyes and and said OK but walked way ahead of me so no one would know he was with me. And then I did it, I screamed, “LIL WAYNE, LIL WAYNE, LIL W-A-Y-N-E’-S IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!” and all the coool young, black, hip hoppers shook their fists at me and high fived me and said, “way to go Mamma!”

It was like a dream come true to be considered so cool by all those rappers. But as Jake reminds me…”it’s only your dream Mom.” Ahhhhhhhhhh

But I think Feckless Abby could have pulled it off…What d’ya think?

So how stupid are you? Let Abby know so she doesn’t feel so lonely!

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Field Trip To The Wetlands

Kristen — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:47:10 +0000

Even though I really love the hot weather of summer, yesterday’s 72 degree, breezy day was beautiful. It was the perfect day for a bike riding adventure. We have a great bike path that runs along The Olentangy River, with a lots of opportunities for some off roading. Molly loves riding on the paths that shoot off the paved bike path into the trees and “the jumps in the woods.” (I forgot my camera!! But luckily had my phone!)

From there we got back on the bike path and headed towards the OSU campus to The Olentangy River Wetlands.

Years ago we went on a guided tour of the area but today we were on our own. We climbed up the look out tower for a better view.

We really wanted to walk out on those tiny bridges over the water but that is only for tours. But we were able to hike around and see lots of birds, bugs and a meteorological station.

We even poked around by the river.

I love taking advantage of things “in our own backyard.” This was close and free and it was on our own time. I would like to spend more time checking out “neighborhood” and getting to know it even better. I have a few more places in mind so…stay tuned!

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Post tags: birds, bridges, field trip, look out tower, meteorological station, neighborhood, olentangy river, osu campus, paved bike path, perfect day, photos, trees, walk, wetlands

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The OCD Of My Running

Kristen — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:09:53 +0000

Seven months ago I started running. I started from scratch. I was NEVER a runner. I could barely run for 30 seconds straight with out feeling like I was going to die from lack of oxygen. Really, I am not exaggerating. I hated running. I never understood my husband and his family’s running for enjoyment. But I was feeling extra large and decided to join some friends in a May, 5K goal. I followed a couch to 5K podcast program and it was HARD.

I didn’t know that it would get easier, that my lungs would get stronger and I would not be gasping for air three steps in to a 30 second run, that I would not over heat or explode,that I would not die of thirst or be stranded on the trail and not able to hobble home. No one told me that it wouldn’t always be sooo hard. That I would find my breath and my rhythm. Well-they did but I didn’t believe them. I was SURE that maybe everybody else could run…but not me. I hated the jiggly, heavy, tromping way my body felt when I my feet hit the ground. I was just not made or built to run. You see, I am not skinny. And I equated running with skinny people.

I was thin once in my life for about six or eight months. So thin in fact I shopped in the children’s department. But that was a long time ago. ( I am just over 5 feet tall so it’s not that far of a stretch to be in a small size) When my daily routine consisted of smoking, coffee, smoking, walking and eating salad and cereal. That was about 3 children and 15 years ago. Now I am healthy and sturdy. I am a pillow for lounging children and someone who has trouble buckling ski boots over her ample calves. Don’t take that the wrong way. I like the way I look. Sure I wish my belly was flatter or I was a few inches taller. But all in all, I am OK with my body. (You may remember a past post where I explained my image in my head doesn’t always match the image in the mirror or a photo of myself. I feel much better about the way I think I look. Call it denial, but it works!)

Anyways, back to running-Seven months seems like yesterday. Sure there was lots of pain, I had terrible shin splints some chafing. It really was only a few weeks ago that I realized that I finally shook the little voice that told me to turn around and go back home a few hundred yards after I started. It was a struggle to keep going when I heard that voice EVERY time I ran. I always thought about quiting a few minutes into the run. And worse if I skipped a day, I was sure my body would forget and I wouldn’t be able to run. I would be back at day one once again.

Then, one day soon after that voice in my head went away, I realized I actually liked running. I even looked forward to running . I tried to challenge myself to run further and further. And I could do it. Amazing! My body is amazing! I am in awe of the fact that I can actually run 5 or 6 miles on any given day now. And that I am training for a solo- half marathon. (long story) Really it seems like only yesterday that I was running for two minutes and walking for one. If I can accomplish this anyone can.

So here is the OCD part. What I want to know-actually I find it fascinating-what rituals or routines (or in some cases obsessive compulsive disorders) do you follow when you run? For example-I only run in the morning after my coffee has jump started my colon. I brush my teeth, put my hair in a pony tail and take 2 tiny sips of water and then try to pee again. I always carry a stick or two of gum with me in my bra and I can’t stand to wear headphones because my ears get too hot and I get tangled up in the cords. I do the same 4 quick stretches, I follow the same route 95% of the time because then I can run on auto pilot. I never think deep thoughts. I keep it light and relaxing. Today for the first time I carried a water bottle with me and it was OK!! I know some runners do crazy things before they hit the trial!! What do you do?

Part of me-even with all the confidence I have gained in myself, still thinks that if I don’t follow my routine or do these “things” before or while I am running-I won’t make it. I will have to turn around and walk back home. But somewhere deep inside I know better…I think.?

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Post tags: calves, daily routine, friend, friends, husband, image in the mirror, lack of oxygen, lungs, walk

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Kristen — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:17:37 +0000

Not all of our homeschool classes have started yet. So this week we eased back into our routine, slowly! Since Jake and Molly were younger and naps were a thing of the past, I would try to set aside time most afternoons for some quiet time. We called it Tea Time. In the afternoons we would make a pot of Red Zinger and have little snacks while I read to them. We still look forward to our afternoon break! And even though Jake only occasionally joins us for the snacking part, the girls and I use this time to catch up on our latest chapter book or some poems. One of the books I plan to use more ideas from is COME TO TEA by Stephanie Dunnewind. It has lots of ideas for tea party themes, crafts and games.

We also made a trip to the zoo this week.

While Molly and a friend attended a zoo class; the little girls and I walked around to see a few animals enjoying the snow. Then a quick hot cocoa break!

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Post tags: animals, craft, Crafts, homeschool, homeschool classes, photo, photos, quiet time, snow, Stephanie Dunnewind, Tea, tea party, tea time, walk, zoo, zoo class

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Art al Fresco

Kristen — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:43:59 +0000

We live in a really active arts community. With a OSU and CCAD in our city, along with The Short North down, High St., there are many opportunities to not only enjoy art but participate in it also. Last night The Short North introduced a new concept, Art al Fresco. Most galleries stayed open late, hosting performances in their windows and on their sidewalks. Artists, including my kids Grimaldi Circus, roamed the main drag.

This is just a small sampling of the fun! Hopefully this will become a regularly scheduled event!

And on another hopeful note-I have fingers crossed that Ginger’s puking and high fever this morning at 5 AM will be quick to pass. She has a very important Birthday to attend later this afternoon. And I already made the potato salad dag nab it!

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Magic (Science)

Kristen — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:16:01 +0000

Yesterday Ginger and I went for a walk and picked some Queen Annes Lace. We brought it home and placed 4 separate bunches into 4 jars, each with a different color of food coloring added to the jars. (You need to use a lot of food coloring) We have also done this with celery and white carnations.

This morning we checked our white flowers and whalla…..

As if by magic, we have colored flowers! Really just a good way to show how what we take in effects us. And a good , “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute!” example too.

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The Ohio State Fair

Kristen — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:38:17 +0000

Note the “Theeeee” at the beginning of most everything in Columbus, maybe all of Ohio. It’s not the it’s theeee.

The Fair is almost a national holiday at my house, although with my kids getting older, not as much this year. Molly usually has a count down going about 2 weeks prior to the it’s arrival. Every year we go the Fair, early in the morning until late at night. We spend too much money on wristbands and admission. We pack a lot of food and drinks that mostly don’t get eaten. My kids ride rides the whole day.

I don’t.

I follow them around trying to find an inch of shade to stand in, watching all the different people walk by.

And yell things like, “Hey did you plan that?” Not really.

I complain about not spending time looking at he “fair” side of the fair and not just the midway. They appease me by quickly walking through the Fine Arts Building

(And look what I saw!!!)

and The Ag building-mostly because they have to use the bathroom. I think they have looked at the animals a couple of times over the years. This year Jake and I walked off so I cold take some photos and look at a few real fair attractions.

The sun started to finally go down,

we loaded crabby, overtired kids and most of our food back in the van for a car ride home of screaming, yelling and crying of the volume 10 type. Add to it blaring music from the boys up front so THEY didn’t have to listen to all that, “whining and carrying on ” in the back. So I sat stoically in between two sets of guttural cries of, “We didn’t get to ride the …” and “Take me back, I want to play that game.” After throwing them separately into the shower and into bed, I too fell into a deep needed sleep.

Today we are moving slowly-although I have much to do. They are reminiscing this years day at the fair as if it were one of the best so far..ugh! Glad it is a happy memory for them and I am sure by next year I will once again forget the year before, as I do every year.

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