Monday Errands

Yesterday, I was home with the kiddos all day as well as today. My wife is in charge of organizing the reading program for her school's summer school program and has been busy at school and finishing up work on her Master's class. We had several stops planned to get ready for our trip to Disney World this weekend.

We made a stop at Menard's to get flashlights (free after a mail-in rebate), Walmart for a few pair of shorts for the 4 yr old, Target for muscle shirts for the 2 ye old and traveling pillows. We were on a search for youth ponchos and finally found some at K-Mart this morning. Everyone was satisfied but my 6 yr old who really, REALLY wanted a pink one. We settled on a blue one and I told her we could decorate it. Hoping glitter glue sticks to ponchos at least for a week.

I was wearing my pedometer during our errands and when we got home I checked and had close to 8,000 steps after four shopping stops.

I was quite amused at the reaction of fellow shoppers at Menard's. I had five guys stop and comment on the kids and the handful I had. None of the other stops brought any reaction.

We're chilaxing by the kiddie pool this afternoon as the temps are close to 90.

Eating is going fine, not actually sure what happened at my monthly weigh-in, I was up 8! Next day, back to 200. We did go out to eat the day before, so I'll blame it on Applebee's.

Trying the Elliptical

My wife told me four years ago that she would never use a treadmill. I had been mulling over the elliptical vs. treadmill debate that many people internalize. She also told me that she would use an elliptical a lot more.

It only took four years! She has been exercising deligently now for close to a month. Of course her motivation is to look better in her swimsuit when we go to Disney late next week. Not only has she started exercising, she has also started eating healthier. She hasn't been much of a salad/veggie type, but has tolerated them. She has limited her sugar, cutting out regualar soda, and limited her desserts.

Even though she's still wasting mindless hours playing on Facebook, she has not complained about exercising. In fact, she's used the darned elliptical more than me lately.

Officially, she was shooting for 10 pounds in a month, but has blown past that and now on the tails of 15 pounds. It's exciting to watch her enthusiasm for being healthy.

So here's an official shout out to Mrs. B and her awesome success practicing a healthy lifestyle.

Wedding Day

We had a great time at my sister's wedding yesterday. My kids had never really experienced a wedding reception before. Unfortunately, the last one we attended, my 6 yr old threw up at dinner and I spent the evening in a hotel room with the kiddos, but that was a few kids ago too ;)




To keep it health related, I haven't officially exercised since Thursday. I've been wearing my pedometer this week again and have been pleasantly surprised to find out I"m getting well over 10,000 steps. Yesterday, I tore up the dance floor with all the kids. With four kids wanting to dance at all times, I didn't take too many songs off. We had some awesome moves :) I'll load some videos onto Youtube sometime soon. Foodwise, I did great. Small portions and a few shared pieces of cake. It was a great day. I've posted a few other pictures on our family blog too.

Last Week of School

This last week has been a busy one and it's not over yet. Last week, I got the basement cleaned up from our rummage and finally uncovered our two claw foot bathtubs that have been covered in treasures for the past several years. Considering we remodeled our bathrooms almost 8 years ago, it's probably time to get rid of them. Finally put them on Craigslist and sold one in a day for $150 and have had a few inquiries about the other.


Seems likes we've been celebrating birthdays everyday. Last week, Benjamin turned two and we HAD to have cake for him on his birthday. Caryn celebrated her summer birthday on that same day so luckily, all we had to do was make twice as many ice cream cone cupcakes.



Memorial Day weekend we had cake with my wife's family and this past weekend it was my family's turn. The cake won't end any time soon. This weekend, my sister is gettign married and Sunday is Caryn's real birthday.

Today, we celebrated K3 and 5K graduation. Caryn had a bigger program with 5K, but Alex showed off his stuff singing the ABC's and Wheels on the Bus with the K3.


I'm having trouble finding time to sit down and read/write blogs as I do this now, my 2 yr old is climbing all over me hitting all kinds of buttons. I'm hoping to post at least weekly, but if not, it's summer and I've got bigger fish to fry!

Feeling Berry Good

We've had strawberries in our garden since we started a garden almost 10 years ago. Never have we had the amount that we are getting this year. Everyday for the last week, we've been able to pick about 2 quarts. It's been awesome. You know they taste WAY better than those mammoth ones that are sold in the stores.

Our weekend was a productive one. Rummage sale Friday and Saturday followed by a huge family party Sunday. We celebrated my two June kids birthdays. Monday, I hauled all the rummage stuff to our church, their rummage is in two weeks. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with getting rid of what doesn't sell now. Saturday, I had my monthly weigh in. Finally, back to 200. It's a battle and I'm sure it will continue to be so, but most of the time, I feel like I'm headed in the right direction.

Ever try getting 8 kids to look at you for a picture?

June Birthdays sharing a cake. She'll get her own this weekend.

What a happy kid!