When your kids are your work, you bring them with you all day, everyday. And yes, the boys are the majority of my work but I also freelance write (for actual pay, not just the blog!) and train…like it’s…well, my job. How many jobs is that so far? While I schlep them with me to the gym, to races or just to run up and down the hill we live on, it makes me wonder what they think about all of it…or if they think about it at all.
I used to be happiest on the run but now…this is my absolute happy place! (Vaughn on the left, Miles on the right 🙂
I saw a post from Beth at Shut Up and Run with 10 questions she asked her much older kids about her training. Of course I couldn’t wait to ask the boys the same ones (with a few tweaks) and I braced myself for the answers:
1. What does mom eat before a run?
Miles: Snacks?
Vaughn: Cookies!
*Does Vaughn even live in the same house as I do? I think he thought I asked “what do YOU eat before a run?” He never was a good listener.
2. How far does mom run everyday? Bike? Swim?
Miles: 20 miles | 8 miles | 5 miles
Vaughn: 12 miles | 10 miles | 8 miles
*I love the overestimations! They have a lot of confidence in my swimming and obviously my biking leaves a lot to be desired.
So far, they LOVE to swim! And could they look more identical in this picture? OMG! In case you’re wondering, Vaughn is on the right and Miles has the plate of crackers.
3. How many times a week do we go to the gym? Do you like going there?
Miles: 5 days. Yes!
Vaughn: 10 times. Yes…and I see a birdie (looks out window and points and then yells “activate bird power!”)
*It’s usually only three times a week but the boys have grown up going to the YMCA. I would have never been able to train the way I do without that place, not to mention teaching classes there and the community and friends there. Luckily, the boys love it too.
4. What was my favorite race?
Miles: The one in Spain!
Vaughn: New York
*Spain was hands-down my favorite race but I’m pretty sure Vaughn is talking about the upcoming NYCM in November since he’s excited to go!
In Spain, with my family, representing Team USA!
5. Why do you think mom runs?
Miles: For exercising. Maybe for just running? Cause you just want to run.
Vaughn: Because you love it!
*They’re both right! I also love how Vaughn smiled so big when he said it. They get me.
6. Â Does having a mom who runs make you want to run?
Miles: I could already run really fast, but YES!
Vaughn: Yes? Well no, not really because I love movies and toys.
*Miles is always the competitor. That kid cannot wait to beat me! And Vaughn, well, I think he may just be addicted to anything with a screen.
They both seemed to absolutely love track this Spring…Miles is in the first shot and Vaughn is next…
7. Have you learned anything from having a mom who runs?
Miles: Yes. Running.
Vaughn: Yes, I’ve learned all about the Y.
*I should have asked Vaughn to elaborate on his answer but I was a little scared.Â
8. What else does mom do?
Miles: I don’t know. Swim? You also make stuff like cakes and watermelon push-pops and hamburger cupcakes!
Vaughn: Swim? You love going off the diving board and sometimes you pee in the bathroom.
*I love that Miles only thinks about the the stuff we baked alongside Jen of Cookies Cupcakes and Cardio! And obviously Vaughn doesn’t think I do a damn thing but swim and pee. At least I’m well hydrated.
All those LONG winter days of baking were at least remembered by one of them!
9. What is the least favorite thing about having a mom who runs?
Miles: I don’t like you working or writing about it. And Daddy, he works all day and does this *moves fingers like typing*
Vaughn: It’s super boring.
*Obviously they just want me to bake, swim and bring them to the Y.
10. Do you think you will run when you’re mom’s age (40)?
Miles: Yes, maybe even when I’m 12 and when I’m 12 I will run even faster then I do now!
Vaughn: Yes!
Maybe this is in their future? Team USA in the making!
What do you think your kids would say? There’s only one way to find out!
LOVED and LAUGHED at the ten times to the gym comment.
I adore kids.
and their initial inability to count or tell time or…
<3
Isn’t it the best? Sometimes I wish I lived my life regardless of day or time!
Oh. My. Gosh! This was THE most adorable post ever! I absolutely loved it, and slowly read every single word! This is such a cool post, and I loved a sneak peak into the mind of your boys! More posts like this PLEASE! Loved your commentary too!
I’m so glad you loved it so much!! The boys really loved the attention and I think they were suspicious at first as to why I was asking!! It was so much fun 🙂
Seriously couldn’t have loved their answers more and actually just interviewed Emma for her birthday questions (that I ask each year) and will be sharing for her birthday next week. Got to love the way kids answer just about anything we can ask them, I suppose, but always really is fun to see what they think 😉
I do the same thing with the boys birthdays! It’s funny but a little scary…I was glad I could actually post everything they said!
This is on my list to do! I saw Beth’s post and loved it…I’m kind of afraid of what my kids will say. 🙂
I hear you! I was definitely afraid but it was so much fun!!
Could this BE any cuter?! I love learning what they thought of you. I want to eat cookies before a run too 🙂 such fantastic pictures too!! Love to see the kiddos active. My hubby asked my eldest what I was and he said a blogger. 🙂 I have a feeling both if your boys are going to be amazing athletes in the near future!
OMG it was so much fun to do! I truly hope they get interested and excited about ANY sport. We shall see…
Vaughn is my spirit animal.
Hahahaha!!!!! Yep.
I love this! I’d love to do this with L too although I don’t think her answers will be all that interesting. Your boys are hilarious!
You never know…:-) thanks Laura!
Love this….I think you have just inspired me to interview my kids about my running!
You absolutely should! It’s so interesting, especially the older they get. I would love to read what your kids had to say!
This is one of the cutest things I’ve seen it. Thanks for sharing and opening us into that portion of your life.
They are too funny not to share:-) Thanks Hollie!
Oh my gosh, too funny and adorable! Vaughn cracks me up especially.
He cracks me up too!
what cuties! ACTIVATE BIRD POWER! 😀
I know, right? I think we need that on a shirt *emails Oiselle*
This is awesome. They are so adorable and ornery–you wouldn’t want it any other way. I think you need to make this an every five yrs kind of survey to see how their answers evolve. The best part? You are modeling behaviors for them that will stick in their unconscious and become the norm as they get older. Great work, mama!
I hope so! My heart soared when Miles said he wanted to run at 12 🙂 Thanks Amanda and yes, I think I need to do a five year check-in.
omg your boys are adorable!!! yes, i totally love how they think you swim MILES a day, that is hysterical!!! and so awesome at the same time. i love their positive attitudes and outlook 🙂
we don’t have kids yet but i’m hoping to get on that pretty soon, and when we do i look forward to their observations of my life as well.
They will be your most honest, loving and adorable voices. I love some of the stuff they come out with and it’s usually right on target!
OMG they are the cutest! I love love their answers especially the fact that you go to the gym 10 times a week. haha.
I know!! That was hilarious. I love how they still have no concept of time! I want to live like that.
I can’t believe how funny and adorable your boys are! I mean, I can believe, but they always blow me away!
I think Vaughn thought you said “what do you WANT to eat before a run?”
Ahhhh! I didn’t know you taught at the Y!! I’m teaching at the Y! I love the childcare there (and it’s FREE), the swimming lessons for Cooper are amazing and the facility is so nice! I love teaching there!
Actually, I’m pretty sure Vaughn thought the entire survey was about what he wanted. Haha. Also, my favorite comment is that sometimes you pee in the bathroom… is that unique????
You just wait until Cooper starts talking! And yes, LOVE the Y as it’s truly the best family place and has all the things (like swim lessons!) that they need. I don’t know what I would do without it and we have a nice new facility as well.
I think you’re right about Vaughn and yes, so weird about the bathroom thing? He actually leaned in and whispered it into my ear. Maybe he sometimes follows me on runs and has seen me pee in the woods?? 🙂
I love when kids do Q&As. Apparently my favorite thing to do is wash dishes.
At least they notice you’re doing housework! Apparently my kids are oblivious to all my “chores.” I seriously cannot believe folding clothes didn’t make the list, as I do it on a daily basis!
This is seriously the cutest thing EVER!!! I love it! I wonder what my kids would say?! I will have to try this for sure.
Your boys are so, so CUTE!!
You have to do it!! It was so fun and the boys were excited to be asked so many questions. Thanks Natalie.
That is super cute and I love Vaughn’s answer to if he wants to run. So adorable! I’ll be at the NYC marathon this year as well and just finished my second week of training=)
Awesome!!!…although now you’re making me nervous because I haven’t started training 🙂
OMG this is my favorite post of yours EVER!! So the ‘Activate Bird Power’ – is that from Octonauts? Because Roman says it ALL THE TIME about everything. Activate….eating dinner! Activate…check on Tanner! etc etc. And that’s the show he’s really into.
Really happy to hear you’re just peeing in the bathroom. First I read that response quickly and thought Vaughn was saying you peed in the pool. (That’s frowned upon).
LOL!!!! My kids refuse to pee in the lake. I know they shouldn’t but the bathrooms are WAY over there and they never have to go at the same time. Of course I don’t directly tell them to just go in the lake but I may have suggested it and they may have completely freaked. I guess I potty trained them too well!! 🙂
And the “activate animal powers” comes from the Wild Kratts. They take on creature powers and become them. It’s a reality based TV show 🙂
xoxo
I loved their responses!! They were awesome. The bathroom one got me laughing outloud! I’m interested to know what my 12 year old daughter thinks. I’m going to have to ask her these questions. 🙂
I laughed out loud too!! You should ask her – it’s so worth it to know what they’re thinking, and 12 is a perfect age.
I love it! Out of the mouths of babes! This really is adorable! They’re both such characters with their answers. It was fun to read this.
I remember once I was reading something my oldest wrote when he was little (maybe 1st or 2nd grade) about what I did all day. He said I watched tv and went out for lunch with my friends. Hilarious. Clearly he thought I was a closet tv watcher, since I stopped watching tv right around when he was born, and lunch out every day…boy, that would be the life wouldn’t it?! Haha. I couldn’t ask my kids now. They HATE that I work at all and they don’t want pictures of them anywhere. Then again, work pays for a lot of their stuff, so…
That is too funny! I wonder why he said the tv thing? I think they sometimes just say whatever comes to mind and don’t really think about what you actually do!