Days of the Week

My 5 yr. old, Alex, loves figuring out the days of the week.  Each morning he asks what day it is today. Then he proceeds to tell me what yesterday was and what day tomorrow will be.  Then he sings this cute weather song that ends with naming all the days of the week.  Quite the production, but it's the routine he liked in school and I'm sure by the end of the summer, he won't be doing it anymore.

Do you ever just go through the motions? Another day, another dollar? Or do you take the bull by the horns and seize the day?  I go in spurts; sometimes I am so focused and know exactly what I want to accomplish and other times, I'm just existing.  I have really been focused since joining my gym and having a set workout routine.  I love cardio and could do it two hours everyday, but I also know the importance of strength training and I know the days when I need the strength training.

I look forward to our little morning routine and can't wait till the weather will be sunny and hot once again.  The kiddos have had a good time at the gym, but still put up a fuss before we leave daily.  Once they get there, they have a blast.  Today, was "Shark & Minnow" with the older kids and I actually saw my 9 yr. old smile.  She had a good time walking through the group exercise room and seeing me sweat too.  I have decided to try to get to the gym a little earlier a few times a week, but I do enjoy my groups and the leaders too, so I'd hate to have to learn new routines.

Pleasantly Sore

Have you ever felt soreness after exercising? I've been working out at the gym at least five days a week for well over six months now. Who would have thought that my hamstrings, triceps and abs could be more sore today than the day I started exercising regularly.

Some days I feel like an "old" man. This would be one of them. It hurts to stand up, hurts to sit down, hurts to hurt. But it's a pleasant soreness. Definitely a soreness that leaves me with a feeling the I accomplished something today.

My little Benjamin loves speaking with gestures. One which is a favorite is when he holds two fingers pinched closely way close to his eyes. This is his way of saying tiny. I like poking at his tummy and saying Big Belly. He responds with his tiny gesture and then points at my belly and gestures his hands as far apart as he can and saying in a deep voice "BIG!"

Nothing like being put in your place by a 3 yr old, who I can't keep up with because I'm pleasantly sore.

The Park

We have been off school since last Thursday for summer vacation.  Since that time, we have gone to four different parks and played for at least a half hour at each of them.  Today, my oldest daughter wants to go to the park once again.  It's an ugly day outside and rather chilly too, so we're having an indoor day this afternoon.  Probably, a good idea since a few of the kids have been in foul moods today.

So what do "we" do at the park? Well, I start out sitting on a bench, but that lasts all of 10 seconds.  "Daddy, can you help me?" "Daddy, I need a hand!" "Daddy, can you swing with me?"...get the idea?  I am amazed by the number of people that are usually at the park.  It's well used! But I am also amazed at how the adults are always just sitting and watching.  Not much interaction and the adults could stand to have a little activity in their lives!

We'll be back at another park tomorrow. It's been a good way to get my kids to come to the gym with me.  I tell them that we'll play in the park after we hit the gym. Of course, then they all have to "hit" the gym door when we arrive.  Such a site, Daddy followed by 4 little ducklings.

Today, was the end of a 7-week "Fit Club" session at the gym.  It's a tough, boot camp type group with lots of circuit training, which I hate doing on my own, but if someone else plans it, I am more than willing to partake.  The next session doesn't start for another few weeks and as long as the kids are still OK with me hitting the gym before the park, I'll be doing the next summer session.