Sunday, January 10

Lately

We've been trying to get into the swing of things again since break.  School, work, activities + every day stuff around the house.  We were all exhausted once Friday showed up.  

Monday night the kids headed back to ice lessons.  I love that they love their time on the ice.  We're hoping where ever we move this summer they will be able to continue with lessons.  Lessons run into their nighttime routine, but I felt it was worth not rushing out the door so early on a Saturday morning, so we switched to Monday nights.  They're a tad grouchy Tuesday afternoon, but we head to bed a half hour early Tuesday nights to make up for the missed sleep on Mondays.  It seems to have worked this week so we'll try it again.


On Tuesday after school, the kids headed out to play because it wasn't miserably cold.


We also received our new jogging stroller.  Which hasn't made it outside yet because it's been so cold.  Hopefully soon because that 5k is coming fast, ha!


On Wednesday someone was looking so cute in her dress and boots from Grandma.  I had a pot roast in the crock pot for dinner so I didn't have to cook.  I was tired.  I knew I'd need at least one crock pot meal this week, just trying to get back into the swing of things.


On Thursday is when the vacation slump kicked in.  It was hard to wake up.  It was hard to stay awake after getting home from work.


Friday came and we were ready for our last day of work/school!  We woke up to snow so we decided that we were going to skip ballet because we didn't figure the roads would be clear by noon.  But they were and we totally could have taken her. Oh well.  Next week.  I ran to Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Dollar Tree, and Hy-Vee while the kids were taking their breaks.  I leisurely walked around.  Kid free.  And enjoyed every second.
The kids received a Mickey and Minnie puppet from their teachers, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Ashely so that night they gave us a puppet show.  It was the sweetest thing ever.  Those puppets did not leave their side all weekend.  When it was time to eat, Xander would casually slide Mickey over the vitamins container so Mickey could watch him eat.  The puppets were involved all weekend.


Let's admit I was most excited for Saturday morning.  I was making monkey bread!  Oh. my. yumminess!  It was so good!


The rest of Saturday and Sunday consisted of working out and cleaning/organizing parts of the house.  I'm ready to move just to get rid of stuff.  We have way too much that it's overwhelming.  It was also the coldest days we've had here, 7 degrees.  -20 with wind-chill.  It was cold, so it made for the perfect organize the house days!

Tomorrow I start back with college life.  Only 3 classes left in my master's program (including the one I start tomorrow).  Too bad each class is 4 months long and I can't take them together.  They all have prerequisites of each other.  But, I really do enjoy just one class at a time. I just wish I could be done already.  No win-win situation here.

I have goals this week of waking up at 430 and working out by 5 .  It's really hard for me to get up in the mornings because I'm not a morning person.  But, it's even harder to workout after the kids go to bed because it's the end of the day and I'm ready to put my feet up.  I tried this week, but it didn't work so well.  Not one night.  So, I'm hoping the beginning of the day will be my new niche.
I also want to find an organizational challenge to do over time.  I think it will help with clearing things up in preparation for the big move and also making life less stressful.
What are your organizational methods that work?

Monday, January 4

Vacation is over

How was your weekend?!  Ours was nice and relaxing.  Didn't get anything done that we wanted, but it was the perfect weekend being together.  Just how it should be coming off break.  Christmas break is over (on Tuesday for us), but it may as well be tomorrow with the errands and rigmarole we need to get done.

Sterling was finally able to wear her dress from Grandma and she was so excited!  It's a bit long in length and the sleeves, but she kept it on ALL day (which never happens!).
She's munching on carrots, her favorite.


She also likes to dress herself.  She has for the past few months, but she's finally choosing outfits that look decent enough to go out without making her change.


Xander's been bugging me to play the "games on the TV," (the Wii) so he spent a long time on Friday figuring them out.  He's good at bowling and tennis.  He never won at tennis, but he had skill.


We also finally hung pictures on the wall!  Only 7 months before the movers take them right back down, but hey, our house finally feels like home.  Although this would never be our forever home.


Since Jan 1st, we've been bundling the kids up and taking nightly walks around the block.  They love and they sleep awesome afterwards.  Win win for us!


Today I decided to go with Nick to the trail and start training for a 5K.  He signed us up for on in February, so I need to figure this out.  On the way to the trail, this girl fell asleep.  Always.  Never fails.  (And yes, I put the shoulder belt over her because it's pointless to buckle using the 5-point when it's so loose from the bulky coat and snow pants and probably safer using the shoulder strap)


I finished week 1 day 1 of C25K.  I don't know how I'm planning to do this, really I don't.  I'm not being strict about it, and I'm just hoping I can enjoy running.  I probably won't be anywhere ready to run a 5K, but I'll keep trying.  It will take time because I always have some pain stopping me.  Like tonight, my hip started having spasms, but I mustered through pain and finished proud.  It was only week 1 day 1, but I'm still moving faster than all those sitting on couches still.  Sticking to it!


Happy Monday!

Friday, January 1

Welcome, 2016

****Happy New Year!****

(google images)


  2016 brings new beginnings, new adventures, new people to meet, and new memories to create.

May all your dreams and desires come true this new year.  Here's to a happy and healthy New Year!