Year 3, Day 60: Crying on the Elliptical

Magnolia had a birthday party at the JCC where parents are invited to drop off your kids and go workout. This is of course provided your kid isn't clutchy and can do without you. It was my only opportunity all weekend to workout, so I took it, even though I could tell the parents weren't so sure what they were signing up for. I got in half a workout- 4 miles in 32.50 minutes and 80 ab crunches. I didn't want to push it; I got back in time for the cake, which to my dismay, was served with both juice AND ice cream. Just 10 minutes before wiping Magnolia's butter cream frosting-covered face, I was having an emotional breakdown on the elliptical. I can't explain these things, they just happen.

Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray (I would pray)

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I prayed I could break away

[Chorus:]
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away (I will)
And breakaway

[Chorus]

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway

I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway, breakaway, breakaway

Breakfast
3 Eggs
3 strips Turkey Bacon
Coffee

Lunch
Big Salad
Roast Turkey

Snack
1 Apple
1/2 cup Kashi

Dinner: Paparazzi
Mixed Greens with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinegar
Chicken with Lemon
Spinach & Broccoli
2 Shrimp
1 Meatball

We picked up Ruby from a play date, and on the way home she asked "Why don't we ever go out to dinner?" The truth is that Magnolia finds it hard to sit still and it's not that much fun to chase her around the restaurant. At least it's not as much fun for US as it is for her. Nevertheless, in a fit of parental generosity, we decided to drive straight to the restaurant and go out to eat. Emily marveled that Ruby could suggest something and we could follow through on it. I was glad we did it because we didn't go shopping and had no dinner groceries or plan whatsoever. Paparazzi, unlike so many other restaurants of its ilk, is a family-friendly restaurant (read: they provide crayons and dessert) but that serve excellent food with healthy options. Of all the places we've been to it's my favorite, and so naturally, I get the same exact thing every time. Though today I ate the meatball Ruby ordered with her pasta and didn't eat.