No, this isn’t another plyometrics post. Instead, its how I spent my late morning.

After this morning’s long run and tropical ice cream breakfast, I had to haul butt to a birthday party for one of Makenzie’s dear friends. First I have to get all emotional that my little girl is starting preschool on Monday. Now, I get to face the fact that our little ones are turning THREE this year. Sigh.

Fall birthday madness began today. I don’t know why but there are a lot of fall birthdays around here for the little ones. We have party after party after party on our calendar. I don’t mind. It’s all fun and games to me. Including today’s party which was all about the jumparoos. Weeeee!!!

Is that what you call them? That’s what I used to call them growing up. Whatever they are called, it makes for some fun for toddlers and the parental units accompanying them. I had a great time watching Makenzie live it up with her friends and catching up with some of my friends as well. And meeting new ones – hi, Molly!!

And we clearly can’t forget the fun that comes in the form of cake.

oahlkandihoaihja. Speechless. That cake was amazing!!! Normally I could care less about the cake and just want a vehicle for the frosting to make it to my mouth. I think I could say that this was some of the best cake I have ever eaten. EVER! I loved every bite. Just like I loved these posts from this past week. Check them out if you missed them. It’s FFF Features time!

Featured Post of the Week: I Am A Runner

It finally hit me that I can call myself a runner. Runner Up: Month 7 Progress Pictures!

Featured Fitness Post of the Week: Break Through Plateaus

Because we all hit them from time to time.

Featured Meal Post of the Week: Healthy Candy

This post highlighted some goodies - “Reese’s” Oatmeal, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Green Smoothie, and some delicious eye candy you don’t want to miss…or just want to take a gander at again. Runner Up: Chocolate Coconut Pancakes

Featured Fun Post of the Week: Daily Feats Add Up

A cool new site and tool to rack up points to earn gift cards to fun things like iTunes, Amazon, Fandango, SpaFinder, Best Buy, Starbucks, and more!

Featured Cuteness of the Week: This Can’t Be Happening

Getting ready for Makenzie to start preschool on Monday. I can’t believe it!

Featured Reading of the Week: Sisters Jess & Jo from the blogs…

Eat Drink Breathe Sweat (Jess)

and Determined To Be (Jo)

A few words come to mind when I think of these two ladies. Dedicated. Loving. Supportive. Encouraging. Genuine. Open. Fighters. Fit. Healthy. Motivating. Every post they write touches me in some way. I love hearing their running thoughts, their body image ponderings, and just experiencing their growth over the years I have read both their blogs. Love these ladies and I know you will too. Plus, they both face a half marathon together tomorrow, so give them some of the love and encouragement they pour out into the blogging community back. 🙂

• What was your best moment this past week?
• Which do you love more of – cake or frosting?

Another long run is officially on the books!

Yippee skippy! I had another 9 miles to tackle today and I made it happen. I headed out a bit earlier than normal and visited an area of roads I haven’t run in awhile. The hills! Oh, the hills!!! Including the hill I so lovingly reference as the “hill of death”. You see it there? The entire mile of hill between miles one and two? I loathe you hill of death.

Let’s just say I played it smart making it at the start of my run so I had a nice downhill slope at the end of my run. I’m glad I managed to push through this run on my own because earlier this week I had considered meeting up with a local running group to face the run. Too bad when I looked at my schedule I realized the timing wouldn’t work.

This morning I had to get out the door, complete my run, and book it home immediately to shower and eat before some plans today. I  know the first time I go with the running group I want the time to actually meet and talk to other runners in my area. You know. Be friendly. So – giving the running group a shot will just have to wait.

What shouldn’t wait? making this for breakfast. Or snack. Or dessert.

I had it for a snack the other day and determined it would make a perfect post-run treat this morning. I was right. I’m all sorts of refreshed now…just in time to go spend a couple hours with more toddlers than I can count. Jealous, no?

Tropical Soft Serve

• 1 container pineapple Chobani, frozen and thawed enough to scoop out
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1/2 tsp xanthan gum

Toss all in a food processor and let it whirl away until it creates that glorious soft-serve consistency. Garnish with your favorite toppings. I opted for Love Grown Simply Oats granola and some chopped mixed nuts.

Fall in love and eat it every day to hold onto the last weeks of summer…or to cool down enough to lessen the increasing desires for fall to arrive. Whichever.

• Are you holding onto summer for dear life or ready to kick it out the door and welcome fall instead?
• How are you getting active today?