A Milestone...First Mother Daughter Run

My five year old woke up this morning ready for action!  First she got me to join her and my three year old daughter for some Jillian Michael's kick butt workout.  I wasn't even out of my ugly pajamas yet.  Nor had I had breakfast, brushed my hair, or done anything with myself so be warned.  But the best thing is that she begged and begged for me to let her go on a run with me.  She has been asking for this for some time.  Today was the day!  I didn't think she'd make it very far but I couldn't get her to stop. We went at least 1.5 miles and  she just ran and ran (and at a good pace too).  However, like a dog might be, she was easily distracted.  She wanted to stop here and there to check out houses for sale, pretty lights, fun lawn decorations, etc.  "Mommy, I love running.  It is so much better than driving!!  The best thing is that you get to see so many cool things!"  Definitely a girl after my own heart.  Loved it and loved seeing the joy she had from JUST RUNNING FREE!  

And the one you've all been waiting for....

Jillian in Jammies!  And I know you are so jealous of my fabulous and stylish pajama pants.  (disclaimer:  They were a gift.  Don't knock 'em until you've tried them. They may not be the most flattering but they are comfy!  I had not planned for a photo shoot): 

Happy New YEAR!!!!  2011 is going to ROCK!

Amanda

Learn Some Manners Jillian

This morning was a perfect morning.  My husband went into work late, no school, I had time to drink my coffee and read a bit before I was flying solo as a parent, and I fit in some Jillian Michaels while the kids played quietly around me.   

I guess I should start with the main reason I was able to do Jillian with all the kids around (not a normal thing).  Besides the fact that my girls were loving and kind to each other and playing perfectly together for a change, my 16 month old was fully engaged and entertained by this amazing new toy:

Recently, I asked my husband if he could design a toy for this little guy so that he wouldn't always be asking for us to lift him up to turn the lights on and off, ring the door bell, play with the faucet, and insist on playing with the electronics.  I was thinking along the lines of a flat board with metal locks, buckles and maybe a light switch attached.  However, being the electrical engineer he is, Waylon took this opportunity to "Geek Out" and design this box with light switches and buttons that will turn lights on and off and even make noise if we set it up to do that.  He even had our 5 and 3 year old learning about electrical circuits and showing them how it all worked.  Better him than me. Apparently, this toy is not finished yet.  My husband doesn't think I should share it until the finished product is ready.  He plans on adding ropes, eye hook clips, a hinged door, and much more.  Pictures to come in the future.  For now, I'm happy with it just the way it is!


Although I was envisioning something a bit more on the simple side and definitely smaller, this thing is a hit!  Who knew that just a few switches could be so fun and buy so much time for me?!

While I was bustin' my buns with Jillian, my 5 year old daughter was on the floor coloring pictures for my 3 year old.  Just after Jillian shouts out to one of the ladies on the video with a "Kristin, front and center!", my 5 year old sits up straight with her face scrunched up and says:
"Mom, that Jillian didn't even say PLEASE!  She just ordered that other lady around.  How Rude!  She isn't a mannered girl!".

I guess I don't do Jillian's Kick Butt Workout because she has manners but because her workout makes me sweat and makes my buns and legs look good. 

On a completely different note, I have a very hard decision to make by February and it seems closer than ever.  I have to decide whether to give up my teaching position in my district or go back to teaching half-time in a job share.  Hoping the answer comes to me soon.  I'm leaning more towards staying home with my kids for as long as I can but on the other hand, teaching is such a HUGE passion of mine and I feel so engaged and fulfilled when I'm doing it.  I'm sure this topic will come up again in my blogging. For now, I think it's time for a good run to help me clear my mind. 

Happy Friday! 

Amanda

Hodgepodge

This blog is becoming such a familiar place of comfort to come "home" to after a long day.  Funny how once I entered blog world and started thinking "blog", I see all kinds of things that inspire me to write.  Today I kept a list of things I wanted to put in my blog for today so be prepared for a hodgepodge of material here. 

First Self Kinesiology Tape Experience

Today was my first time buying Kinesio Tape and trying to tape my own hamstring.  I'm used to my awesome chiropractor doing it for me but now that I don't have to go to therapy as often, it is time for me to tape myself.  To help me get a visual, I used pictures that his assistant took of him taping me.  The pictures helped a little but let's just say my tape job isn't worthy of a picture to share with you.  When he tapes me, it usually lasts a week.  I can swim with it, shower, go on with my life without even noticing it.  Not the case with my tape job.  Maybe tape job # 2 will be better.  This stuff wasn't cheap so I need to learn quick so I don't waste it! 

How awkward!  Dr. Forcum makes it look sooo easy!

Okay, fine, here is shot of my first tape job.  Looks similar to what it should look like but definitely doesn't feel right.  Tomorrow I'll try again. 

Race Date Set and Confirmation Complete

I'm officially registered for the Hippie Chick Half Marathon on Mother's Day 2011!  Such a huge step for me in my return to running.  It will truly be a celebration of running, motherhood, and life.  A couple of my girlfriends are doing it too! 

Working Out With Kids Around 

Today was one of those great days that I was able to fit in a Jillian Michael's Workout and my kids were perfectly content to let me do it.  In fact, my 3 year old joined me and my 16 month old happily played at my feet while my 5 year old drew a picture of it all.  Check out her awesome picture.  I look so happy because I am! 

 The Follower Thing

 I have to say that this word "follower" just doesn't sit right with me.  It just seems like there could be a better word in the blog world for a person that reads your blogs regularly.  Any ideas?  Follower just reminds me too much of junior high school.  Despite my distaste for the word itself, having followers really is exciting!  I went to bed last night with 9 followers and woke up this morning with 14.  I feel really silly at how encouraged and excited I am at this follower thing.  But when it comes to blogging, it really is exciting to know that people are "on board" to read your blog and welcome you to the blogging community.  So, that is my small celebration in the blogging world for today!  I just need to remember that my kids hear everything I talk about and they pick up the lingo and use it too.  The other day, my husband and I were talking about someone (nothing to do with blogging) and my 5 yr old daughter shouts out from her room to interrupt our conversation that she overheard and says "Hey Mom, you really should be her follower because she's cool"!  Okay, that's just embarrassing.  Please don't say that in public honey. 

Running After Kids

I didn't get my mile run in today like I had planned.  By the time I did homework with my daughter, went to a school fundraiser dinner, got all the kids home and ready for bed, I was not only exhausted, but it was pouring rain outside. Driving to the gym at 8 p.m (in the rain) just to get on a treadmill for 11 minutes of rehab running sounded about as fun as ______________(you fill in the blank).  Does running after my 16 month old son in the restaurant and trying to make him sit politely at the table to eat his dinner as he threw french fries across the room count? Or does it count that I let the girls cover my table with glitter glue and sequins? 

I Love Dr. Suess
I think I'll end this blog with a quote by Dr. Suess that made me smile today.  My mom used it as her facebook status and as soon as I read it, I knew it would be one for my favorite quote collection. Here it is:
"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find
someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them
and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."  -- Dr. Suess 

Happy Monday,
Amanda