My heart aches…

I sent my oldest son to middle school today.

As the bus pulled away I turned, stifled my sobs, walked back to the house and then … I cried.

I was emotional for so many reasons. For the overwhelming concern he timidly revealed before boarding the bus. For his anxiety. I wept thinking of the long confusing corridors, unfamiliar faces and surroundings awaiting him.

It was as if the release of my own tears would somehow lessen his burden.

I suppose a part of me mourned the loss of his childhood. Because middle school signifies the beginning of a new era. A new era where my son will need me less. Where, if my husband and I have done our jobs correctly, we will no longer be the center of his universe.

It is time for him to transition. To rise to the challenge and start trusting himself. It is time for him to take responsibility. For his choices. And eventually, his life.

And it is time for his mom to start to learn to let go…. eventually.

This week was an exciting one for my pre-teen. He got to see his Invisalign Clincheck and is one step closer to his new braces.

During our last visit, our doctor took x-rays, pictures and impressions of of his teeth and sent them to Invisalign. They were then converted into digital 3-D images. (Which impressed the boy to no end. Yes, I admit, it IS too cool.) At our most recent appointment, she mapped out our treatment plan for us, including the exact movements of his teeth during the process. It is estimated that it will only take 12 months for his treatment. (Wow! I remember kids having them on for three years when I was young.)

Let me just pause for a moment to say that I didn’t think that Ninja’s teeth were that out of line. Once I saw the video of how his teeth are projected to change, I was taken aback.

Here is a video of his teeth (one angle) and how they will proceed through treatment:

Technology is amazing, isn’t it? And those flesh colored dots on his teeth? Those are called “attachments.” They are glued to the teeth to help them move into place. Don’t worry, they will be clear as well.

The funniest part about this whole experience so far is the fact that my son seems to enjoy telling people (friends, acquaintances, random strangers… ) about his “invisible braces.” Their reactions range from “No fair!” to “Aww, you are so lucky!” to “Mom, I want those too!” Jeez, if he is this bad now, hate to see him when he is actually wearing the darn things.

Disclosure: I’m part of the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board and my son is receiving free Invisalign treatment so that we could share our honest experiences.

Follow the other #invisalignmoms on Twitter: @amnichols @thePOSHpreneur @HoosierHomemade @thenagainphoto @Linda_Sellers @AnissaMayhew @SugarJones

I sometimes forget how hard marathon training is.

Isn’t that ridiculous?

I forget until I’m right up in the action. Like, at mile 14 when I am wishing that I had just SLEPT IN and that the last damn hill wasn’t on the route.

It is usually then I realize what an undertaking marathon training is.

Training FORCES me to think of myself and my body in a different way. I think about sleep. I think about nutrition. I try new strategies and buy products that confuse my husband.

Anyway, this week’s update:

We hit the crazy 16 this week. As awesome as it feels to say that out loud, there is always that little voice in the back of my head screaming “How the hell am I supposed to do 10 more?!”

But we will get there. Step by step. Week by week. GU by GU…

This week’s run was fueled by the following tune:

Don’t ask. Around mile 15 runners typically start admitting things that normal folk wouldn’t. Like the fact that some of us listen to Radio Disney even when our kids aren’t in the car. I may or may not be outing myself here.

Back in May I put together a list of 40 things that I want to do prior to hitting the big 4-0. At that time I promised myself that I would check  in every couple of weeks on the blog in order to keep myself accountable.

So here is the progress….

Personal

• Finish decorating my bedroom.
• Complete the picture mural in the living room.
• Begin writing a book.
• Bring back the pink hair or get a nose piercing.
• Learn how to skateboard.
• Have my first girlfriend’s weekend away.
• Visit the beach.
• Buy an expensive night cream.
• Buy a new (read: slinky) dress to wear to a fancy function.
• Get an extravagant pedicure.
• Adopt a mantra.
• Buy iPhone 4 (Please, honey?)
• Complete a Bible study.
• Join a book club.
• Take a cooking class.

Blog / Online

• Finish the blog redesign along with You Tube, Twitter, About.Me and new blog cards. (In process. Almost complete.)
• Launch a new web series.
• Get that big content idea off the ground.
• Land a really cool partnership.
• Nab a cool guest post opportunity or meet a blogger that I’ve always admired.

Fitness Goals (I admit it… totally sucking at this)

• Lose that 15 pounds.
• Run the Baltimore marathon.
• Finish a Body-For-Life round.
• Try Yoga.

Professional

• Join the board of directors or take a leadership role in an organization.
• Finish decorating my office.
• Find an organizational system that works perfectly for me. (Nearly conquered)
• Do something outside my comfort zone.
• Write a white paper.
• Land a speaking engagement.
• Attend a conference or take an online course in my industry.

Family

• Take each boy on a special day alone.
• Run a 5K with one or both of the boys.
• Spend a romantic night away with my husband.
• See a musical, play or performance.
• Take the boys to New York.
• Go to a theme park.
• Call my sister(s) every week.
• Have tea at a tea room with my mother and sisters.
• Take a family hike.

You’ll notice that the sections that have THE LEAST AMOUNT accomplished are personal. Interesting, isn’t it? Is that just a “woman thing” or is it a “parent thing?” Why is it so hard for me to get a damn pedicure to try yoga?

I’m still holding out hope that I will be able to accomplish all of these goals. Fingers crossed!

Up until a week ago, my children had never had the opportunity to visit New York City.  It has been a dream of mine to one day introduce them to the hustle and bustle of the city that I dearly love.

I was thrilled to get the opportunity!We officially kicked off our summer vacation with a family trip to Manhattan. Not only did we bring the boys, but we also treated my mother and father-in-law and to surprise tour of the Big Apple a la THE RIDE

THE RIDE is part scenic tour, part comedy tour and part off Broadway show all facilitated via tour bus. But these aren’t just any tour buses, THE RIDE’s custom vehicles are outfitted with stadium seating and state-of-the-art lighting and sound. Seats face sideways, not forward so audience members look through floor-to-rooftop windows that sport breathtaking city views and make the streets, crowds, and building façades feel just like a show.  Onboard hosts (Jackie and Scott) guide THE RIDE, commenting on New York history and sites, as well as everyday citizens and performers.

THE RIDE is the most unique experience I’ve had in a long, long time.

My husband and two boys L O V E D the street performers that were woven into the tour. Their stages are quite literally the streets of New York. (The free style rapper was my husband’s personal favorite. He was hilarious, to be sure.) I most enjoyed watching the locals acting completely blasé about random opera singers, tap dancers, ballet performers and the like launching into performance in the middle of the street.  Only in New York…

Even my mother and father-in-law (lifelong residents of New Jersey) found themselves dancing in their seats. And THAT is saying something.

It was a BLAST. (Even for me and I’ve been to New York countless times and seen all of “the sights.”) Want another opinion? How about Josh Grobin? Here’s a video of Josh Grobin talking about THE RIDE on Regis & Kelly. Hilarious!

Couple of fun facts about THE RIDE:

• THE RIDE vehicle itself is over  13 feet high, 45 feet long and 8 feet wide. (Apparently it is as tall as the federal government will allow on the streets of NYC.) It is quite impressive!
• More than 3,000 LED lights, 40 video screens, a surround-sound system and “floor shaking” technology in each vehicle can create the feel and sound of everything from a subway train to the inside of a nightclub. (Funny thing, later we got on the actual subway prompting my son to quip, “This subway feels like THE RIDE.” LOL.)

A full schedule for THE RIDE is available online at www.experiencetheride.com. To purchase tickets, visit the website or call (866) 299-9682 or visit THE RIDE Box Office located at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel at 1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets.

Disclosure: My family and I received complimentary tickets to experience THE RIDE. All opinions are my own.