Monday, April 27, 2009

Smartasses, stalking the subdivision, and of course, exercise.

With three kids, I have to say that something I'm very thankful for is that they're not picky eaters and they tell me they really like the meals I make for them. I wasn't so fond of my mom's cooking when I was growing up. It was a real thrill for me to have meat, starch, and vegetable actually appear as three distinct items at dinner. My favorite included anything that didn't leave a thick film of grease on the bottom of the plate.
So tonight I was serving pork with broccoli, lemon, and capers over wheat cappellini and as I was rounding the table I nearly tripped. I said, "Whoa, if I died you guys wouldn't be able to eat any more of my good cooking." My oldest (9) deadpanned, "We'd be okay - there'd still be leftovers from tonight."

Last week was a good one, T was in Vegas for work, it was nice to spend time alone with the kids. When either parent is missing, it seems like the morning routine is so much more streamlined, so we were able to get out of the house for school in much less time with much less confusion. There were lots of great conversations with the older boys that seem to sprout up more when only one parent is in attendance. Just before T left, we got an email from a couple of neighbors telling us that there was some kind of wild animal loose in the neighborhood, that one of the kids had found a bunny missing its head and shoulders (on Easter), and that a cat was attacked and managed to survive. The vet who performed surgery on the cat said that it definitely wasn't wounded from a domesticated animal, maybe a fox or wolf. I was hoping that there wouldn't be any bunnies for the dog to find, and since a rabid fox attacked someone in our town last fall, I was worried that the animal might be sick as well (why else would you not finish your Easter bunny?).

Exercise: So far this week, I've completed yoga everyday, and we took the kids for a short (8 mile) bikeride after the rain on Sunday. I had fun with Bodies in Motion and Total Body Sculpt w/ Gilad today. Gotta get the youngest to bed, I hear him sneaking back downstairs.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Exercise as Motivation

Getting a pretty good start to the week activity-wise, but because Easter brought with it lots of candy - food's going to be a pretty big focus for the rest of the week. I've really been missing the yoga that I practiced a few years ago. I've been so into the so-called "power yoga" that I've lost some of the more contemplative nature and deliberate movement of the yoga that I fell in love with. So, for the last two days, I've given 1/2 hour morning and night to a slow, deliberate Hatha practice. I'm already noticing an increase in flexibility.

Easter was really good - the kids loved their baskets despite the fact that the Easter Bunny made some significant cutbacks. Oldest got the third Diary of a Wimpy Kid book (bought with Borders coupon) and Pokemon cards with his bit of candy; Middle found an Indiana Jones lego set (on sale at Target but on his wish list) along with knitting needles and yarn. Baby (who's now three) is also really into the legos, so the Easter Bunny gave him a lego firefighter set along with some pastel Pla-Doh.

We took the kids to (UU) church. This is the first time in their lives that they've been to any kind of church on Easter. Does it sound like a back-handed compliment to you when someone tells you that your son is "all boy?" Or do they intend it as a comparison to your other son who prefers to dance shirtless in your living room so that he can show off the designs he made with his tattoo marker?

This week:

Sun: One hour yoga and 4 mile intervals

Mon: One hour yoga, Total Body Sculpt, and Bodies in Motion

Tues:Kids go back to school! 30 min yoga, 5 mile run, 30 min yoga.

Wed: 30 min yoga, triceps, biceps, back, chest - TV where Priscilla was TiVo'd suddenly isn't working - look for some yoga online tomorrow.

Thurs: 1hr30 raking yard, 30min yoga, Cathe Friedrich Bootcamp.

Fri: 30 min yoga, fitness trail and walk w/ kids, 30 min yoga.

Sat:4 mile walk w/ kids, fitness trail,

Friday, April 10, 2009

We're back

Okay, after a week of family wide ....Gastro-Intestinal issues, a trip to Pgh, and lots of coughing and sneezing - we're back. While most of the family was in the throes of vomit and the other thing that comes with that type of illlness, I was smug in the assertion that I was Superwoman and nothing could make me sick. I was so wrong. Five days of "GI illness" and I was left feeling like a deflated balloon.

Yesterday, I finally was able to get it together enough for some much needed exercise. Since it was so nice outside (after the weekend's 7-8" of snow melted) the whole family headed to the track with footballs, running cones, and iPods for the grownups. I definitely misjudged the weather as I ran/walked in the frigid temperatures that start as darkness begins to fall. I stopped a bit short of my intended 16 laps because the whole family was cold, tired, and NOT enjoying themselves.

so here's the exercise I have for what's left of this week:

Thurs: 14 laps intervals on track. Lungs burning from cold air and lack of exercise for over a week.

Fri: Gilad's Bodies in Motion and Total Body Sculpt w/ Gilad

Sat: Lots of scouring antique stores for a couple of particular things that we needed for Easter, no exercise.

Now I'm off to get the needed supplies to finish Easter Baskets and something cute for the new neighbors. Trying to decide whether to make them cupcakes or cookies. Made adorable cupcakes for Boy2's birthday last week with marshmallow peeps on top. Might do that.