It seems like only yesterday our sweet baby was in Kindergarten. It’s hard to believe time goes by so fast.

More pics from our day at the Modern in Fort Worth.

Just registered my baby for high school. I’m having difficulty processing this.

It’s hard to believe our sweet little baby girl turned fourteen yesterday. She’s growing up to be an amazing young woman. We were lucky enough to have Grandma and Grandpa here for the celebration this year. They got her a fishing pole. We got her clothes.

She’s already mastered texting while fishing

and super modeling

It’s hard to believe not long ago she was just our sweet little Pillow Queen.

Every now and then, scattered about the science fiction novel that is our life, there are a few good days – and today was one of them. It’s a great time in life when our babies are finally old enough to run the races with us. Today, Kenza and I ran, swam, clawed and climbed our way through the Run the Jailbreak Adventure race.

And adventurous it was – by the time we got to the course the announcers were already shouting warnings because there had already been one broken arm, one broken leg and one serious accident.

When did broken bones stop counting as serious?

With that in mind, Kenza and I had a plan – stick together. Of course one mudslide and a waterfall later stick together turned into leave slow, old Mom in the mud and wait for her at the finish line. That’s my baby girl.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love that baby girl?

Who knew a 25 cent gumball machine mustache could provide hours of entertainment for the two of us? This photo is the perfect reminder of why I work so hard everyday to make our space in the world safe.

It makes my heart sink a little – my baby is officially a teenager. The most perfect and beautiful teenager in the entire world. I don’t know a better way to celebrate than chocolate birthday cake (and texting) for breakfast! Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.

I’m so lucky that I get to be the mom to the best (soon-to-be) teenage daughter ever! Even if I do have to wear 5″ platform heels because she’s taller than me now. Sigh.

Kenza was in her first theatrical production last night – playing the role of Tree #2 in the Phoney Physician. She was fantastic. Sitting in the auditorium brought back so many memories of my days in school theater.

So much is going on in my life that sometimes I don’t feel in control of what’s going on around me. I’m needing a time out, I think.

But the most beautiful girl in the world is not taking a time out from growing. Kenza is already taller than me. How did that happen? When did this happen? Where did my baby go?

Next Tuesday I visit the physician once more to get some more results, and then I’ll post a proper “8-hour physical” post. So very interesting.

I love it when Kenza wears her high-top, multi-colored Converse with shorts and dances around the house with her iPod singing Weird Al songs at the top of her lungs.

It seems like only yesterday it was bubble baths, pigtails and pink cowgirl boots. I couldn’t ask for a more spectacular and perfect daughter. Today, the most beautiful girl in the world is twelve and it’s all about socializing, Barbie-ques and thinking it’s hysterical to refuse getting a birthday picture taken. The time goes by so fast. And some of those times go by faster than others.

First chair on the left is where all the world class trombone players sit.

I love the track. I love speed work. I love that I can get a fantastic workout in and it doesn’t take five hours. And the track loves me back by utilizing my genetically gifted super fast twitch muscles. You know, those muscles those Boston Marathoners don’t have many of but I have lots of. I’m not getting new legs any time soon so I better sam hell learn to love what I got.

Today was 800m warm up, 2000m at a 7:56 pace (I rock), 800m medium pace, 1600m at another sub-8 minute pace (rock again), and then a 400m cool down right as the rain rolled in. Perfect timing for sprinkles.

I’m just all about the love today. I’m especially loving this: I received an email from the race director of the half marathon that I bailed on because of the rain and it said the race was canceled due to flooding – and the entrants get FREE entry into the September Half they are putting on. How awesome is that? Love it.

I even shared the love with my dear friend, Jeanne. I love Jeanne. I think I’m going to add a “Ask Runner Susan” button to my blog because my love has no bounty.

And with that love in mind, I’m going to share a blond joke with you. Kenza is all about the blond jokes right now. She especially thinks it’s funny because she’s blond and smart. She thinks it’s even funnier to tell them to other blonds. Like her mother.

A blond girl gets off the school bus and was so excited when she got home to tell her mom what they learned at school. “Mommy, Mommy, guess what? We learned to count today and I could count to 15 and all the other girls could only count to 10. Is it because I’m blond, Mommy?” And the mother replies, “Yes Dear, it’s because you are blond.”

The next day the blond girl gets off the school bus and was equally excited. “Mommy, Mommy, guess what? We learned the alphabet today and I could say the letters all the way to L and the other girls only learned to G. Is it because I’m blond, Mommy?” And the mother replies, “Yes Dear, it’s because you are blond.”

The third day the blond girl gets off the school bus and was excited once again. “Mommy, Mommy, guess what? We had our very first swim lesson today and I was the only girl with breasts and the other girls didn’t have any at all. Is it because I’m blond, Mommy? And the mother replies, “No Dear, it’s because you are 25.”

The things kids hear at school. I’m sure worse is to come. Now, I’ve got to see about getting some time in on the rollers. The Chef’s HHH plan is calling my name and it’s still raining. I have a feeling the rollers might spoil the love thing I got going on.