30 minutes

I ran for 30 minutes today while my teen took some hitting practice at a batting cage at a park. We might be doing that more often, as it's a great park and I'm realizing that I get more running in when I multitask and do it while the kids are playing or in a class.

The Songs of the Week

I found two great at least semi-new songs that I've been listening to obsessively this week.

First, I've have fallen in love with "I Am Not a Robot" by Marina and the Diamonds. Paul generally rolls his eyes at whatever weird music I'm listening to. He likes this one, too, though.

I also have quite a crush on this single from The Pernice Brothers, who I don't normally care for. You can get a free download of it from that link.

Kids' music: My 6-year-old's songs of the week: "Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones and "Back in Black" by AC/DC. The 8-year-old loves The Violent Femmes' "Kiss Off." I've gotten the 11-year-old into The Stray Cats, a band I'm not really crazy about but that we heard on the radio. The kids get a kick of how I can sing every stupid lyric to stupid '80s songs.

From the mouths of teens

I had my 14-year-old sorting clothes yesterday.

"I don't know, Mom. Between you getting smaller and me getting bigger, I can't tell our jeans apart anymore."

The kids were also asking about high school, and I told them I was pretty socially inept.

He said, "Finally! You admit it!"

He claims I'm inept now.

My idyllic life, Part 2

We went strawberry picking today. I don't think I've ever done that before. Of course, it was the farm that aims to be the Disneyland of farms, complete with artificially animated women dressed in cowboy hats and calling themselves "Farmer So-and-so."

The little kids ate it up.

Hula hooping, a sunburn and Cynthia Vincent for Target wedges

My idyllic life: I spent the morning at the beach today, and then the afternoon hula hooping at the park. My nose and the chest got a little red, despite the sunscreen. I wish I had the complexions of three of my four kids (and Paul) -- they get nice golden bases, despite their fair skin. I get a bit freckly or burn before tanning at all -- and I get burns despite wearing sunscreen.

The hula hooping was surprisingly good exercise. It has been literally 30 years since I've done it. One of my lovely mom friends makes homemade hoops, and they were easy and fun to use.

If I weren't on a big decluttering jag, I would've bought one from her.

Cynthia Vincent shoes have arrived: A package came from New York today with my much-coveted shoes. They are as lovely as expected. The nonadjustable ankle strap is a bit loose. I might have to figure out a way to tighten it; it's not a safety hazard, but it looks a bit odd. The Size 10s fit fine, if ever-so-slightly big. I think a smaller size would still be too loose in the ankle.

Why is your belly so big?

You have to love kids.

Here's what my 6-year-old said yesterday:

"Mom, why is your belly so big?!"

That's just how it is.

"You look like you're going to have another baby!"

I'm not.

"Look, it's so big!"

OK, it's time to talk about something other than my big belly.

I have noticed that by the end of the day, I can indeed pass for pregnant. In the morning, my stomach looks almost flat.

So it's gravity and muscle tone, clearly.