Good morning. Would you believe I have been trying to blog all week? Would you believe that I am worried that I'll lose readers because I'm not blogging!! Which would suck, since you all just started reading.

School is in full swing, and that means I have less time to blog. Well, that's not entirely true. I have less time to write an interesting and at least kind of well written post. I want to post about my daughters ballet class, my son's work with schooling, the accomplishments I've made over the week, instead I end up with poorly written, slightly difficult to understand, heaps of words. So today I have a cup of yummy coffee...my own "house blend" if you will, and of course I've turned on Slacker Radio. I should really pay for it, I listen to it all the time, paying for a year at a time really wouldn't be that awful. Definitely something to think about, or put on my Holiday Wish List.

Lets see if I can give a brief recap of the last week or two...doubtful, but I'll try.

Dance Girl (aka Butterfly Girl) has had three weeks of dance classes now. Only 45 minutes a week, but I could already tell this week she was starting to really pick up some of the simpler steps. She struggles with the longer strings of instruction, but I have complete confidence she'll be keeping up great by the end of the year. This is really supposed to be fun more than anything. She did have her first "I don't wanna go" melt down this week when her tights were uncomfortable. She was squirming around while I was helping her pull them on, and lets face it, those seems on your toes can be uncomfortable if you "get it wrong". I got it wrong. My mistake! Pull them off, and try again. By the time we finished discussing why she didn't want to go (while getting dressed just incase she changed her mind...) she forgot why she didn't want to go and decided she was ready to go see her friend L and dance! Yay!!

Soccer Boy is still waiting to start, I think he's getting really excited, I told him practice starts in just under 2 weeks, and his face lit up!! I am waiting to hear from his coach still. Registrations run through Sept 1st, so hopefully by next weekend I will have practice days and times, and game times. Luckily all games are on Saturday's so I just need to know the time! Just keep your fingers crossed that his practices are not on Tuesday!! Girl's dance class is Tuesday mornings, and Boy and I usually aren't finished schooling until 3pm. Most days we get started with our work around 9:30-10:00 and we're finished before 1:30. He has really taken back to our old pattern of working, and it's been a much smoother start to the school year than I was expecting. However, Tuesday's....well, they just take longer! We leave around 9 and we're usually home in time to eat lunch and then move on to our school work. This week I took a little work with us...but forgot a pencil! Hopefully next week I'll be able to get that done more effectively.


The Husband, he's working hard, like always! Making me proud :) Hopefully currently enjoying a bit of a sleep in after Game Night with his friends. Looking forward to him being home tonight, and almost all of next week!!

Me, hmmm....me....I have been brainstorming what colors to paint in the house. We've been here for a number of years, and have only painted one room. I think it's time to Make It Mine ;) Since I love blue, I'm looking at blue shades first. Our main area is a bit difficult to paint, it really needs to be all one color....like it is now. The previous Lady of the House chose a soft, but bright yellow. I understand why, this house gets very dark during the dark days of Winter. It gets a little depressing if you're home all.the.time. Which, I am. But the yellow just ain't doing it for me!! (Hehe, I remember my midwife commented on the yellow walls when my daughter was little, she came by for a 6 week check up, and we had to take the baby outside because it was SO YELLOW in here we couldn't tell if it was her skin tone or the paint...yeah, I don't like the yellow anymore!)

So we're painting the "top" of the kitchen, the living room, and hallway all one color. The "bottom" of the kitchen is a deep red, I am strongly considering keeping that because I love it. But I'll wash that and give it a fresh coat. The hall bathroom needs re-freshing, but I am completely undecided on what color. It's currently a sandy color...I might go a shade or two lighter and keep it neutral. Soccer Boy's room is getting a new shade/or a fresh coat of the same shade. My bathroom is going from a dull grayish purple (more gray than purple) to something called "pool party" blue. When you think of the color of a pool, yeah, that blue....yep. My bathroom is tiny...I mean tiny!! When my doulas came over for some pregnancy photography and a belly casting N asked me which bathroom I was planning to use for labor when she saw how small it was. It's hard to have 2 people in there for anything. There was no way me (very pregnant of course) a midwife, my husband and a doula would have fit in there. I would have gone insane! The kids bathroom is twice the size of mine) Anyway, so that means I want to put a brighter but not overpowering color in there. I absolutely love how that little paint chip makes the room feel. I hope it carries over when I paint all the walls!!

Girl's room has yet to pick a color. I wanted 2 shades of purple and Hubby kind of agrees. Girl says red though. Ha!  No way kid, that's what color my room is going to be!! I've been wanting my bedroom to shed it's ugly shade of green and be a deep red since we moved in. And the laundry room is painted in the same green as my room for some reason. I will paint this to match the hallway because I hate that green. We leave the laundry room light on all the time to light up the hallway, mainly for at night because of the kids. I keep hoping one day my daughter might actually use the toilet, even if that's at night I leave it on. In reality it's on so I don't fall over the hamper on one of my many late night trips into her room to see what she's calling out for. More often than not it's "nothing" she's just awake and wants to make sure I'm still here (?)

Obviously paint is heavy on my mind these days. I really hope this happens! I'm so tired of the current colors/feelings in these rooms. I am also, as always, working on where things are in the living area. This year, school has more books, which means I needed to move things around. I might have gotten it yesterday. I moved some VHS and DVD's around a bit to open up a little space on the bookshelf. Hopefully it was enough. I also moved the cursive alphabet banners closer to our school area. Makes more sense and reopens part of the living room. I wish I'd taken some pictures!! This blog is so boring with out them!!

Well, it's 10:30 I suppose I should get off my ass and get those dishes done and laundry moving so we can go run our lunch time errands!

Ready. Set. Go!

Yesterday school began for my older child. He is a GCA (Georgia Cyber Academy) student. So far the first two days have been full of hiccups and pot holes!! The OLS (online school) spent most of the day yesterday not working properly. Today, I seem to have no Language Arts or Literature to teach....though I'm sure that kink will be worked out soon. In the mean time I'm spending time getting to know the newly designed, and somehow more complicated, interface. Don't get me wrong, it's better than last years, but I guess until it's working properly I won't know how I like it.

And today, my daughter had her second ballet class. She's still in her leotard and 'tutu'....though it's not the fluffy kind, it's a little flowy skirt. It's so cute! And boy was she excited to see her friend L today!!!! The teacher tells me the two of them were in the corner kissing....hmmm hopefully we won't run into any kind of 'class disturbance' problem.


So between driving, ballet and getting home and teaching all afternoon I am pooped!!! I still can't work on my lesson plans for the boy sine the OLS isn't quite right, and the little girl's lessons have been moved to the back burner. She has lost interest for the time being. And today being an active day for her, might just be one of the days she doesn't school. It's all about trial and error and finding what works.


*yawn* Well, I guess I'll go back to watching for hummingbirds while dinner is warming up. Yay for leftovers!!!

Happy Friday the 13th!!

Today is also my mother's birthday!! Happy Birthday Mommy!!

So blog fail!! I was planning on posting my No Excuse tasks yesterday, but unforseen tasks that cropped up Wednesday night left me exhausted and not very clear thinking yesterday. So...my No Excuse Friday list is

Finish washing laundry

mop the floor

empty dishwasher, and reload

clean up the school table (school on Monday for the boy)

start folding laundry (put away this weekend) 

attempt #2 of Level 2 of the 30 day Shred

Play old school Zelda on the NES for fun. 

So, yesterday I was ready to move on to Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred, I went to work out earlier than usual, and that ended up being a bad idea. I felt nauseas part way through, and it wasn't from exertion (I have learned to tell the difference over the years) so I slowed way down, and then ended up stopping. I think I made it 13 minutes. I'll try again today. 8pm seems to be "my time" for that, I'm definitely a night owl, so that makes sense.

I have taken a before picture, and then updated pictures yesterday, but my wardrobe will keep me from posting them EVER on my blog. Maybe today I'll see if my little black dress fits, and then think about doing some pictures in that, both "before" and "after" even though I've already started.  I did share the pictures with a very good, and very trustworthy friend, I know she won't share them....but she could see the changes in my body. That gives her a little motivation and makes me feel good that I'm not seeing things, that my body is changing!!

Here is a picture from Monday...Butterfly Girl was very excited about her ballet class the following day that she requested to "dress like a ballerina" so we looked through her clothes and found this and then she wanted her hair in a bun. Too cute!!!

I hope they're not all like that!!

Yesterday was nuts!!! I knew we were going to be out all day, but I didn't expect it to be so draining! It was probably just because it was so hot. It was 89* at 10:00! At 10:50 it was 92*.

But my little ballerina was too cute, even if she wasn't dressed appropriately for class this week. No idea what she'll wear next week, but we should at least have her shoes when we get there!

I know it's Wednesday, but by now you all know I pretty much suck at the meme's of the week. Today is supposed to be Wordless Wednesday, but I don't think I have taken any pictures in the last week that made me think "Ooh!! Wordless Wednesday here I come!!"

Maybe next week.

I do however have a Housewife Boot Camp to do list I could put up. Then maybe I'll remember to participate in my own "No Excuse Thursday" that I said I would "take over" oh..the fail is all around!!! lol

• Run laundry
• put away hubby's clothes
• put away Butterfly Girl's clothes
• help Butterfly Girl clean up her room (messy messy!!)
• run dishes (I loaded the washer last night and forgot to run it!!)
• Shred. That's right, Shred. I'm on Level 2 now. I think! 
• Double check to see what day/level of the Shred I am on
• sweep, mop and vacuum the floors
• clean out the van

 Yep, I have more than enough to do for the rest of the week. On top of that I have my daughters lessons to teach, and lots of encouraging to get my son to work on his Study Island work this week. 

Until next time, have a great day, and stay cool!!

First Day of School

Today has been the family's first day back to school for the '10-'11 school year. When we got up this morning, I started coffee and fed the kids breakfast. Then I started getting Butterfly Girl ready for her first day of school! I remember being excited about the first day, almost every year of school, so I attempted to re-create a "going to school" type of morning.


She picked a dress, and how she wanted her hair to be, put on sandals, and I packed her lunch. Soccer Boy thought this sounded like fun, I'm sure remembering his first day of Kindergarten and First grade (when he attended public school), and he got dressed, put on socks and shoes and even packed a back pack!!! So I packed his lunch too.

Then we went to "wait for the bus". Really I just wanted to take some pictures outside, but SB decided pretending to wait for the bus was a fun idea. After a few pictures we came inside and got to work! Butterfly Girl breezed through her school work in about an hour. Soccer Boy's online school won't load our lessons until next Monday, but he is working on Study Island pre-tests today. He's very excited to be a third grader this year!!

Next week we will get to practice having two children schooling, in the same room, doing completely different tasks!! BG's curriculum is short and sweet. No reason to go crazy and fill her day with learning! She practices some sight words, we work together on Starfall, and she gets to do her favorite thing...practice writing!! Once SB's school gets going, I hope to be able to give BG a task, help her get started and then turn my attention to getting SB's lesson going. Once BG finishes a task she will have stacks of coloring paper/pictures and crayons, free time on Starfall, and plenty of books to search for sight words, and whatever else I can come up with!

I hope everyone has a great day!!

34 posts in July, and 37 Followers!

Wow!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you to all my followers!

Happy Friday!!

Well, it's Friday again! Ya know, just in case you couldn't tell from all the Friday Follow stuff pouring through your chosen RSS reader.

It's a busy Friday here for me! I have already finished my coffee, 1 weeks worth of school planning for my little Butterfly Girl, and as soon as I'm finished with this, I'm going to be working on our menu and grocery list for the upcoming week.

Today will be day 6 of The Shred. I think? I got behind and took a few days off, and that was a MISTAKE!!! (Makes me think of the Scrubs episode where JD has the singer follow him around singing Miiiiiiistaaaaaaaaaake every time he's about to fuck up, hilarious!) BUT, the good news is that I am NOT sore! Nope, not sore. Now if I could only manage to keep up and not take a 5 second break at times through out the work out. I really gotta say though, one part you go from abs on the floor to side lunges, and the up down is difficult, I get light headed if I get up to quickly (always do) but add to that my heart pumping faster, breathing faster...yeah, I have to either pause the video or just not do as many side lunges as the rest of the girls. But I refuse to let myself pass out. That would totally do me in!!

I have some how managed to lose 2 lbs....or so it seems. My weight likes to fluctuate between 142 and 146....but 145 was my first goal when I started running. I was 165 at the time. :D

I need to put up a new Housewife Bootcamp post, I'm way behind on that little challenge! And of course I haven't posted a No Excuse Thursday in a while. I really better do that next week!

Alright, I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! Don't forget to come back tomorrow for Saturday's Song!!! I'm brainstorming, and on the look out for what I'd like to share this week.

This week is World Breastfeeding Week. Did you know that? I did.

Did you know... that children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies? 

And that no matter what formula companies do to formula, all formula will remain the same (label by label) but that your milk will change every feeding to suit your child's needs. 

Did you know...The activity of sucking at the breast enhances development of baby’s oral muscles, facial bones, and aids in optimal dental development.

That's sure to save on some orthodontic bills ;)

Did you know...Breast milk is more digestible than formula?

So, rest assured that when your little one is sick for the first time, that your milk will be soothing to their tummy, and is more likely to be digested and provide hydration and nutrients to your baby. I remember the first time my breastfed daughter was sick enough to vomit. It was a relief to know that she would still nurse, and stay hydrated. This past Spring I did not have that luxury, and she did become dehydrated.

Did you know...Breast milk provides natural pain relief for baby 

That pretty much speaks for itself. Babies get hurt when they're learning new motor skills. A rattle whack to the eye, the first fat lip when the new crawler stumbles. The first goose egg your new walker gets from walking into the table. Yeah, mama's milk makes that all better, too.



Did you know that....moms and dads will get more sleep, and baby will be happier at night?

That is if you co-sleep, so that's probably not all applicable to everyone. But, I did co-sleep, and I did sleep a lot more at night with my co-sleeping nursling than I did with my crib sleeping formula fed babe.  


What about toddlers? Don't they benefit too? Of COURSE!!!

Did you know .... in the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:

• 29% of energy requirements
• 43% of protein requirements
• 36% of calcium requirements
• 75% of vitamin A requirements
• 76% of folate requirements
• 94% of vitamin B₁₂ requirements
• 60% of vitamin C requirements

-- Dewey 2001

Did you know that .... The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)

Breastfeeding past infancy (beyond 12 months) is NORMAL!

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "As recommended by the WHO, breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is not the cultural norm in the United States and requires ongoing support and encouragement. It has been estimated that a natural weaning age for humans is between two and seven years. Family physicians should be knowledgeable regarding the ongoing benefits to the child of extended breastfeeding, including continued immune protection, better social adjustment, and having a sustainable food source in times of emergency. The longer women breastfeed, the greater the decrease in their risk of breast cancer." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2008)






In short, there are countless benefits to breastfeeding your child from birth to a year. There are just as many, if not more that reach beyond the first year. 



And did you know that Firefox crashed while writing this, so all of the website I was going to site for information are gone!! I can tell you that two were Promom, and Kellymom. Thank you for making the information so easy to find!!! 


Finally:

 

Busy Weekend, and day 4 of the Shred

What a busy weekend!! But it's been a fun one!

Yesterday, the children and I treked out to Woodstock for a playdate/babyshower for my friend E. The kids ran almost non-stop despite the extreme heat. At 88* before 10:30 am, and it felt like at least 105*. But after some games, lots of water and capri sun, and some snacks we had our first cake of the weekend. It was a lot of fun, and I'm so glad we went :)

Then yesterday evening I attended a Slumber Party, and thought it was great fun! I'm so so glad I went there, I laughed so hard. But..."what happens at a Slumber Party, stays at a Slumber Party", so if you want to know what happens, go to your own, or host one.

Today, we celebrated my Grandmother's 86th birthday by taking her out to dinner. My kids each painted a paint-with-water page, and Butterfly Girl drew a few pictures. My husband and I gave her a peace lily, I wish I'd gotten a picture of it!


And, we are also celebrating Lughnasadh or Lammas. From  Asiya's Shadows:

Lammas marks the middle of summer and beginning of the harvest season. Lammas is considered a time of thanksgiving and is the first of the three Pagan harvest festivals. The Sun's strength begins to wane and the plants of spring begin to wither and drop their fruits or seeds for our use as well as to ensure future crops.

In other news, I did *not* Shred yesterday either between or after the parties. I was ready to, my husband and children were asleep....and all day my calf was just screaming to do a Charlie-horse. So I wimped out and went to bed. BUT, after I got up this morning, drank my coffee, made a grocery list, and went grocery shopping (which btw, when I left the store it felt like 114* outside!) I came home, ate lunch and DID Shred!!!

I also took a new set of measurements:

Upper arms - 11 inches

"belly" - 37  inches **lost 1/4 inch

hips - 36  inches **lost 1/2 inch

butt - 39 inches

thighs (together) - 37 inches
           Left 22 inches - Right 22 1/2 inches

AND, I have already dropped from 146.6 lbs to 143.6 lbs!!!


Well, I think it's time for an apple and peanutbutter, a little bit more Gran Turismo 4, and then SLEEP!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!!

Fun Follow Friday! and ICAN Shred Day 3...

And damn it I forgot to go badge collecting again!! Now that my internet is (somewhat) better since the repairs I should really get them all and save them for once! Later though....

Today was a busy day! We headed out to the insurance office (time to sign a new form for the next 12 months....hey, at least I only have to do it twice a year!), then we made a trip Inside The Perimeter (ITP) to check out Phoenix and Dragon. I would link to their site, but every time I tried earlier it timed out. I picked up a book, a candle, some charcoal disks and a small package of feverfew.

Then we headed over to pinkberry, to meet a friend, it was yummy! From there we hit up Borders and I picked up a few more books, including Spiritual Midwifery. I think I'm the only person I know (birth junky type) that still has not read this book. I passed up on my last chance to borrow a copy years ago, and have never taken the time to purchase it since then. But I saw it today, so I knew I should get it. (shhhh I even put it back for a moment....)

I'm just about to head into the kitchen to make dinner for the kids, I just did Day 3 of The Shred through the ICAN Shred challenge. I'm not too sore, but sore enough to know I'm doing some good, and to know when I'm slacking off!!

Sigh, well, here come hungry little ones, and no dinner started, I guess there will be more on the shred later.