I have started running.
I'll give you a minute to let that soak in.
Yes, me. I've started running with the Couch to 5k program. I did my first workout on Sunday, did yoga yesterday and will do my second workout tonight on my mom's treadmill.
Here's the biggest shocker. I LIKED IT. Now, keep in mind I was running 60 seconds, walking briskly 90 seconds for 20 minutes. Not a whole lot of actual running but still. I liked it. I liked the feeling of moving quickly, my feet hitting the pavement rapidly and pushing the running stroller. I just...enjoyed it. My ultimate goal at this point is to run a 5k this spring. If you knew me in real life, you'd know how huge this is for me. Typically, I hate running. But I've made it a goal to learn to enjoy the one type of exercise you can do ANYWHERE. Vacation, home, anywhere. You can run. I want to go on runs at Disney World this June in the morning before everyone else wakes up. I just want to be a runner.
And that my friends is 90% of my battle.
Here goes nothing...
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Thanksgiving Crafts
I love Thanksgiving. I love this time of year. Food, family, cool temperatures, sweaters and boots...I mean, come on. My favorite time of year! Here are some of the crafts I'm hoping to do with the kids this year. Rory is very in to "projects" lately and I figure some Turkeys would be right up her alley. :) (All images via Pinterest. Come on. Where else do we find projects anymore?? :))
I'll keep you posted on the results! :)
Source: myblessedlife.net via Cassie on Pinterest
Source: crafts.kaboose.com via Noelle on Pinterest
Source: allkidsnetwork.com via Erica on Pinterest
Source: thepinkinkdoodle.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest
I'll keep you posted on the results! :)
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
A Way Back to Then
Just feeling a little small lately.
A Way Back to Then from [title of show]
You're that little girl with her wings unfurled, flying again
Back in the backyard dancing...find my way back to then.
As thankful as I am for my husband, kids, business, beautiful life...part of me always wonders what I would be doing right now if I had finished school and pursued my choreography career. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy and content. But at night, sometimes, when I've had a long day and the crying never seemed to stop, there are dishes to be done, laundry piled a mile high, a teething baby, a cranky toddler and a day set to repeat itself the minute my eyelids flutter open the next morning...I find myself dancing back to the recesses of my mind. Curiously wondering. Would I be in New York? Would I have chased my crazy dream of choreography Disney parades? Would I have failed? Maybe. But at least I would have tried.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
It's Okay Thursday
It's Okay...
...to not understand the Pumpkin craze. I just can't stand the taste of pumpkin anything. Blah! Sorry pals.
...to be really annoyed with your dog's constant itching and licking at her flee bites. I know. It's not her fault the medicine didn't work but AH. Annoying.
...to really think your kids are the cutest, most intelligent, awesome kids ever. No like seriously believe it. :)
...to firmly believe the STEELERS are headed to the Super Bowl again this year. Haters gonna hate, but you better realize. Steelers and Packers rematch this year! Stairway to SEVEN!!
...to eat dinner at 9:30 at night. Normally, it's not okay. But it is okay when it's just a Lean Cuisine and milk. :)
...to be beyond excited for the Top Chef premiere tonight. Does anyone else love that show as much as me?!?
...to plan a spa day for Saturday morning because darn it, you deserve a break.
...to really want the Justin Beiber Christmas album!
What's okay with you??
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Review: Melissa and Doug Toys
Note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. Melissa and Doug did not send me anything or pay me to write this. I just really love their toys!
With Christmas coming up, I thought I'd take a few days on this old blog and review some of my favorite kids' toy companies. I'm rather picky about toys for my kids. I want things that will last, won't break super easily and can stand two toddlers beating them up. I also like educational toys and toys that encourage creative, independent play. I'll be talking about some of my favorite children's book authors, television shows and musicians as well.
First up, my all time favorite kids' toy company!
Melissa and Doug!
From the M&D website...
Over 23 years ago we started our company in the garage of the home where Doug grew up — we had to be careful not to disturb Doug's parents who were still living there! Thanks to your support, we've been able to move into a real office down the road, a building that actually has separate ladies and men's bathrooms! Our philosophy has remained the same over the years–to make each and every customer a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family, while offering products with tremendous value, quality and design. Our line offers something for everyone with over 1,000 innovative products for children of all ages! We've always welcomed customer suggestions, and we continually strive to make improvements to our products. We're honored by the faith you place in us and view it as our responsibility to continue to earn your trust in the years to come!
Melissa and Doug offer all sorts of toys, educational and colorful. Some of my favorites include...
Band in a Box
Colorful Stacking Blocks
Magnet Dress Up Dolls (Adorable!)
Tina Ballerina Puppet (We use her every week at the studio!)
Big, Chunky Puzzles (Perfect for little fingers!)
And my number one fave: the Trunki! This little suitcase on wheels is awesome. It's designed for kids to ride on through the airport (in our case) and still have their lovies and "to do" bags close at hand. It also fits the size requirements for a carryon. The kids can ride RIGHT ON TO THE PLANE. I'm not sure if you've ever tried to wrangle littles on to a plane, but you have to gate check your stroller. It's so hectic and awful. You're carrying babies and strollers and diaper bags and carry ons and something is bound to drop. We will be investing in a blueTrunki and a purple Trunki, I'm sure! Sidebar. I will not be putting the kids names on the outside of their Trunkis (or any luggage for that matter.) Kate Gosselin made a good point years ago on Jon and Kate plus 8, before they were famous. No need to let strangers know your kid's name and give them potential to lure them away. Shudder. We travel in non-named clothes, thank you very much. ANYWAYS. Bottom line? Trunkis are awesome! I've got a 20% off coupon if anyone wants to order one! :)
We really do love Melissa and Doug in this house. Reasonably priced, well made and educational. Total win!
With Christmas coming up, I thought I'd take a few days on this old blog and review some of my favorite kids' toy companies. I'm rather picky about toys for my kids. I want things that will last, won't break super easily and can stand two toddlers beating them up. I also like educational toys and toys that encourage creative, independent play. I'll be talking about some of my favorite children's book authors, television shows and musicians as well.
First up, my all time favorite kids' toy company!
Melissa and Doug!
From the M&D website...
Over 23 years ago we started our company in the garage of the home where Doug grew up — we had to be careful not to disturb Doug's parents who were still living there! Thanks to your support, we've been able to move into a real office down the road, a building that actually has separate ladies and men's bathrooms! Our philosophy has remained the same over the years–to make each and every customer a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family, while offering products with tremendous value, quality and design. Our line offers something for everyone with over 1,000 innovative products for children of all ages! We've always welcomed customer suggestions, and we continually strive to make improvements to our products. We're honored by the faith you place in us and view it as our responsibility to continue to earn your trust in the years to come!
Melissa and Doug offer all sorts of toys, educational and colorful. Some of my favorites include...
Band in a Box
Colorful Stacking Blocks
Magnet Dress Up Dolls (Adorable!)
Tina Ballerina Puppet (We use her every week at the studio!)
Big, Chunky Puzzles (Perfect for little fingers!)
And my number one fave: the Trunki! This little suitcase on wheels is awesome. It's designed for kids to ride on through the airport (in our case) and still have their lovies and "to do" bags close at hand. It also fits the size requirements for a carryon. The kids can ride RIGHT ON TO THE PLANE. I'm not sure if you've ever tried to wrangle littles on to a plane, but you have to gate check your stroller. It's so hectic and awful. You're carrying babies and strollers and diaper bags and carry ons and something is bound to drop. We will be investing in a blueTrunki and a purple Trunki, I'm sure! Sidebar. I will not be putting the kids names on the outside of their Trunkis (or any luggage for that matter.) Kate Gosselin made a good point years ago on Jon and Kate plus 8, before they were famous. No need to let strangers know your kid's name and give them potential to lure them away. Shudder. We travel in non-named clothes, thank you very much. ANYWAYS. Bottom line? Trunkis are awesome! I've got a 20% off coupon if anyone wants to order one! :)
We really do love Melissa and Doug in this house. Reasonably priced, well made and educational. Total win!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Rory the Explorer!
I hope everyone had a delightful Halloween and Trick or Treating! We did, we really did.
Since August, I've been planning the kids' costumes. I showed Rory tons of options and let her tell me which she liked best. No surprise to anyone, she chose Princess Tiana. Nice choice, Ror. We have that dress! (We bought it in Disney World last spring.) I found Trace an adorable, warm fleece frog outfit on Amazon for $19. Add in some light up shoes for Rory from the Disney Store at $12...and I barely spent a thing on Halloween this year. Win!
Trick or treat here in the forest was last night (Monday) from 6 until 8. No way was I taking Trace out in the freezing cold darkness to visit people. I arranged to make a few stops with Rory and Trace on Sunday afternoon, when it was going to be about 20 degrees warmer and still light out. We visited our Aunt and Uncle, the family of dancers and my mom. We were supposed to make it to one more dancer...but the kids melted down. They had a great time until the meltdown and got some treats at all the houses.
Halloween, 2011
I figured that would be the end of our Halloween festivities. I thought the kids would wear their monster shirts, hand out some candy to the trick or treaters, watch a Halloween episode of Dora or Jake and the Neverland Pirates and call it good last night.
Boy was I wrong.
My mother in law, Ann, watched the kids for me yesterday while I went Christmas shopping. (Not kidding.) And fyi, Ann is awesome.The kids were so excited to see Grandma and it's so nice to be able to drop them off to her and not worry about a thing. Anyways. I picked them up after naps and as soon as we got in the car, Kids Place Live (the kids' station on SiriusXM) started talking about Trick or Treating.
All bets were off. Rory is so darn smart. SHE KNEW it was last night. Okay, fine I said. She could wear her Princess costume, we'll leave Trace home with Dave, no biggie. Hit a few houses, maybe she'll get some Reese's I can steal. Except the dreaded words came out of her mouth...
I hate Princess Tiana. She hurts me.
WHAT. She's worn that dress 10 times and never complained before.
Okay, I say. What do you want to be? A ballerina? Princess Ariel? I go through a list of costumes we already have or can piece together quickly. Nothing appeases the queen mother. She wants to be DORA. DORA?! Where am I supposed to find orange shorts at the end of October in my tiny town!? I immediately began calling my dancers, hoping someone had some. No one did, of course.
We get home at 3:15. I throw the kids to Dave, grab my cousin Kaarina and off we go, hunting for a mysterious costume. First stop, Goodwill. We find not one but TWO pairs of orange shorts. $1.98 later, we head out with orange shorts. Next to the tshirt shop. No bright pink shirts to be found, but a light pink one will have to do. We rush home, 2 hours until trick or treat and no one's eater dinner yet. I send Kaarina digging through toy boxes to find Backpack, Boots, Map and anything else Dora she can find.
5:00. Dinner time. I make dinner for everyone then start getting Kaarina ready in her 1/2 devil, 1/2 angel costume. Rory needs her hair and makeup done too, of course.
5:45, we're waiting on the porch, flashlights, treat bags, umbrellas and gloves. The bells toll 6:00 and we're off!
After two falls in as many minutes, Rory and I scoot back home and grab our wagon. Much smarter. We're off again...
6:35, Rory declares she doesn't need any more candy and we go home. She's happy, excited to show Daddy her treats and ready for jammies.
7:22. Olivia is over and both kids are in bed. I crash on the couch. That was a 4 hour marathon. But in the end? Who wouldn't do the same for their kids? That's what makes moms moms. I'd do it again today if Rory wanted something so badly, so innocently, so earnestly. She's my favorite daughter. And the best Dora there has ever been!
Since August, I've been planning the kids' costumes. I showed Rory tons of options and let her tell me which she liked best. No surprise to anyone, she chose Princess Tiana. Nice choice, Ror. We have that dress! (We bought it in Disney World last spring.) I found Trace an adorable, warm fleece frog outfit on Amazon for $19. Add in some light up shoes for Rory from the Disney Store at $12...and I barely spent a thing on Halloween this year. Win!
Trick or treat here in the forest was last night (Monday) from 6 until 8. No way was I taking Trace out in the freezing cold darkness to visit people. I arranged to make a few stops with Rory and Trace on Sunday afternoon, when it was going to be about 20 degrees warmer and still light out. We visited our Aunt and Uncle, the family of dancers and my mom. We were supposed to make it to one more dancer...but the kids melted down. They had a great time until the meltdown and got some treats at all the houses.
Halloween, 2011
I figured that would be the end of our Halloween festivities. I thought the kids would wear their monster shirts, hand out some candy to the trick or treaters, watch a Halloween episode of Dora or Jake and the Neverland Pirates and call it good last night.
Boy was I wrong.
My mother in law, Ann, watched the kids for me yesterday while I went Christmas shopping. (Not kidding.) And fyi, Ann is awesome.The kids were so excited to see Grandma and it's so nice to be able to drop them off to her and not worry about a thing. Anyways. I picked them up after naps and as soon as we got in the car, Kids Place Live (the kids' station on SiriusXM) started talking about Trick or Treating.
All bets were off. Rory is so darn smart. SHE KNEW it was last night. Okay, fine I said. She could wear her Princess costume, we'll leave Trace home with Dave, no biggie. Hit a few houses, maybe she'll get some Reese's I can steal. Except the dreaded words came out of her mouth...
I hate Princess Tiana. She hurts me.
WHAT. She's worn that dress 10 times and never complained before.
Okay, I say. What do you want to be? A ballerina? Princess Ariel? I go through a list of costumes we already have or can piece together quickly. Nothing appeases the queen mother. She wants to be DORA. DORA?! Where am I supposed to find orange shorts at the end of October in my tiny town!? I immediately began calling my dancers, hoping someone had some. No one did, of course.
We get home at 3:15. I throw the kids to Dave, grab my cousin Kaarina and off we go, hunting for a mysterious costume. First stop, Goodwill. We find not one but TWO pairs of orange shorts. $1.98 later, we head out with orange shorts. Next to the tshirt shop. No bright pink shirts to be found, but a light pink one will have to do. We rush home, 2 hours until trick or treat and no one's eater dinner yet. I send Kaarina digging through toy boxes to find Backpack, Boots, Map and anything else Dora she can find.
5:00. Dinner time. I make dinner for everyone then start getting Kaarina ready in her 1/2 devil, 1/2 angel costume. Rory needs her hair and makeup done too, of course.
5:45, we're waiting on the porch, flashlights, treat bags, umbrellas and gloves. The bells toll 6:00 and we're off!
After two falls in as many minutes, Rory and I scoot back home and grab our wagon. Much smarter. We're off again...
6:35, Rory declares she doesn't need any more candy and we go home. She's happy, excited to show Daddy her treats and ready for jammies.
7:22. Olivia is over and both kids are in bed. I crash on the couch. That was a 4 hour marathon. But in the end? Who wouldn't do the same for their kids? That's what makes moms moms. I'd do it again today if Rory wanted something so badly, so innocently, so earnestly. She's my favorite daughter. And the best Dora there has ever been!
