Exercise

     We bought the Wicker's treadmill from them when they moved back to Canada a year and a half ago... and we're just getting around to actually using it!  These last few weeks, Leif and I have started running, and it feels SO great to get this exercise in the middle of the winter.  Today is officially "spring" on the Russian calendar, but it was -28C/-18F.  It took me 2 hours to bundle the kids, pick up Anneka from preschool, and come back home!  Needless to say, we're very thankful for this treadmill and a way to exercise without burning our lungs.  And even when the weather gets a bit nicer, it's still convenient to be able to run at home.

  
     The kids really like the treadmill, too.  The girls can actually go really fast!  We always make sure one of us is spotting them, of course.  The other day, Anneka was running as fast as the treadmill would go, and she wanted me to take a video of her accelerating.  I was holding Ike, but then he got squiggly and Anneka was nearing the #12 speed (the highest) and I knew my little video would be done in a few seconds.  So I let Ike down and warned Leif that he was coming.  Leif picked him up and in that second, Ella (who was watching) stumbled and got rug burns from the treadmill on both elbows and both knees.  Poor girl!  Thankfully Anneka was okay (as she was the one running)

     Ella got lots of attention that night- cuddles, ice cream, and a little show past bedtime.  She really wanted tights on her legs to cover up the burns.  We figured it would be okay, so we put them on her.  But the next day her "owies" had oozed and were totally stuck to the tights!  So then she incurred worse "owies" by me having to peel off her tights.  She has been very protective and doesn't want us to look at her "owies".  We sneak peeks of course and they're all healed now.  Next time I'll know not to let Ike down, even if it makes for a bouncy video later!