Why I run (and why I wish I could run more often, further, and faster)

I just posted this on my other blog but thought I would share here too:

This is all from Eva (5 years old). We've instituted a 'we all take turns talking' policy at the dinner table and apparently I'll have to do the same for the car. This was on our way home from Boulder but it's only a small sampling of the 30 minute drive. When Michael (almost 3 years old)  and I are alone he talks up a storm too but no one can get a word in edge wise with Eva nearby--she's so insistent on having EVERY OUNCE OF MY ATTENTION. Help me.

And this is why I run. And why I wish I could run more often, further, and faster.

Mommy! Look, a school bus!
Mommy! It's a YELLOW school bus!
Mommy! Can I bring the snack to school?
Tomorrow? Okay! Can I bring crackers, juice, and bananas? (Me: Ok.)
Look! A bird!
Mommy! A bird!
That bird is black!
Crackers, juice and bananas kay mom?
Mom!
Mom!
MOM!!!
Crackers, juice and bananas OKAY? OKAY?
Sings:
Crackers, juice and bananas
Crackers, juice and bananas
Crackers, juice and bananas
Crackers, juice and bananas
Crackers, juice and bananas
Crackers, juice and bananas
Crackers, juice and bananas
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!
A blue car!
That car is blue!
MOMMY! Did you see that blue car?
Oh! A yellow truck! Hey Mom did you see the yellow truck?
That tree has leaves!
Is it summer?
Are we going to North Carolina now? (Me: Not yet)
You said when the leaves are on the trees we're going to North Carolina!
There were leaves on that tree...
Oooo! Look! There's a bag in that tree!
Why is there a bag in that tree?
And leaves!
There are leaves in that tree too!
Are we going to North Carolina now?
Mommy!
Mommy!!!
MOMMY!!!!!!
When are we going to North Carolina?
Can I swim with my sister Nichole?
And Josh?
And Grandma?
And Grandpa?
And Katy?
And Chris?
And Uncle Michael?
Does Grandma know how to swim?
Grandpa?
Katy?
Chris?
Uncle Michael?
Nichole?
Josh?
Do you?
Mom!
Mom!
MOM!!!
Can you swim?
How about Daddy?
Michael?
Onya?
Mom!
Can Onya swim?
Mom!
MOM!!!
Can Onya swim?
Can I swim with Onya?
Is Onya going to go with us to North Carolina?
Is she going to the beach with us?
Oh!
Will I see penguins at the beach?
Penguins live in the ocean!
Polar bears!
Will I see polar bears at the beach?
Mom.
Mom!
MOM!!!
Can I swim in the ocean with the penguins?
Maybe I can swim with the polar bears!
Mom.
Mom!
MOM!
Can I swim in the ocean with the polar bears? (me: no)
Why noooooot?