2.5 months, really?

Has it really been that long since I've blogged? I'm amazed. I've managed to blog a couple of times on our neighborhood blog and also updated the Fiskar's blog (also for the neighborhood group, but I haven't gotten around to updating here. Honestly, I completely forgot about it. Oops, what is that saying about my commitment or rather my contentment?

The family is doing well. I'm in a guilt-ridden stage of not being a good mother, so I've been working on being calm, not yelling, and spending more quality time with my girls, ES particularly. ES is a sweet girl who loves to play with her worm farm while wearing a tutu and high heels. She's all girl, but has no problem getting her hands dirty! CC is talking now. Still mostly baby talk that only I can understand, but hey, my baby is TALKING. Bot = bottle in CC speak. And yes, I'm still giving her a bottle; I just don't want to go through the crying and 3 hour bed time fight like we did with ES, so yes, I'm giving in to the bottle. Surely, she won't go off to kindergarten with it, right? :)

Larry is doing well too. He is working out at a mixed martial arts gym about 3 times a week and he loves it. He's active with the girls so the exercise helps him keep up! He's getting his motorcycle out of the shop in the next few days, so I'm sure I'll be hearing requests for time to go out and ride. He is enjoying his poker games once a month and of course gets out to as many concerts as he can (he's off seeing Green Day tonight.)

I'm doing well too. I've been slacking off on exercise for the past 3 weeks and I feel it! I keep saying I'm going to get back into it, but the motivation has found me yet:) Work is going well; I ended the first quarter well above 100% to plan. That was a huge relief. We are always busy with ES preschool. We are now busy planning the adult social party which will be on Saturday, May 2nd. We have every single weekend booked from now until the second weekend in June. And even then, Larry will be preparing to leave for his camping trip the following weekend. It's crazy, but I've realized that this is just how it is. We are always going to be busy and I just have to exercise to help keep my energy level up!

I'm still finding ways to do "my thing" too. I've read 3 great books these past couple of weeks. I'm knitting; currently, I'm only knitting one project: leg-warmers for ES. I've been trying to catch up on sleep too. And, wow, look at the time! I hope it's not another 2 months before I'm back on here, but if it is, you'll know that we've been busy with the co-op...or planning the next event for GNG (www.gngcore.blogspot.com)...or playing with my girls.

Exercise = Energy

I've been active for one week now. Since my half marathon at the beginning of November 2008, I've barely done anything! I don't know why I go into exercise hiatus after I have a big run, but I always have.

Since I've been thinking of exercising for 3 months, I've finally done something about it. Last weekend, I went out for a walk around the neighborhood. A couple of days later, with a kid on my back, I hiked the neighborhood once again. On Thursday, I took my first class at The Dailey Method. Oh, yikes, it kicked my ass and I was about 3 minutes into the 60 minute class. I am not kidding! This was an amazing workout. I didn't want to lose all of the benefits of that workout, so a couple of days later (Saturday morning) I went out for a run in the neighborhood. My neighborhood is VERY HILLY! I didn't think I'd be able to run for the whole time, but I did. My body is so forgiving! :)

Yesterday, because I was feeling so good about staying active for the week, I dragged the family out to the pool. I only swam a few laps (maybe 10 tops), but it was nice to stretch out and be in the pool after so long!

I wanted to try to get to a 6am class at our downtown Dailey Method Studio this morning, but I couldn't figure out how to sign up for a class online late last night. (It's an excuse, I know, but I couldn't bear dragging myself to the class this morning and them turning me away because there wasn't a space open in the class!) So, I'm going to call today and sign up for tomorrow morning. If I can get myself to that class 2 or 3 times a week, I will look and feel fantastic.

And truthfully, who doesn't want more energy!

Slowing Down

I have been consciously trying to slow down the past few weeks. I've said no to many things just to have free time to think, be with my family, and enjoy the moment. I'm also trying to make time to do the things that I really care about, like knitting, sewing, meditation, yoga, baths, drinking coffee, talking to friends.

It has been interesting. I am enjoying it and looking forward to more quiet, peaceful time.

* This is a recent collage that Larry and Simone made during Craft time. I LOVE it! It has a prominent place in our living room.

The Start of Preschool

About 2 weeks ago, ES started preschool at a Cooperative Nursery School here in the City. She absolutely loves it, so much so that she quizzes us before we drop her off about exactly how long we will be there before we leave! She's only 3.5 she can't want to be rid of her parents already!!!

She's doing very well. She easily makes friends and loves the art projects, playing outside, and show and tell. The only side effect we've been dealing with is her tired and cranky attitude once she gets home! She's there 3 days a week from 1p-5p. Last week was the first week of being there for the whole 4 hours. We are still working on a new bedtime routine to try to get her down fairly quickly (like around 7:30ish)

I love that she is enjoying it. She was so ready!

Relaxing Sunday

I'm very excited to stay home and relax today. Yesterday was much of the same. I have been super busy these past few months and I'm working on letting go of some of these responsibilities and projects that have required my attention. Along the way, I've thought about blogging about them, but when I have a few quiet moments in the evening, I find that I don't want to be on the computer.

I WILL blog about them. I like to share what's happening with all of you, but mostly, because I like to look back at my blog as a history of some of the things we've done.

So for lack of time (I'm already being beckoned by Miss ES) I want to give myself this to-do list:

Things to Blog About:
1) The $100,000 grant my neighborhood group got to remodel a city-owned hillside at the end of our street. I have great before and after photos.
2) Our trip to New York. Maplestone Farm, WinChris Estates, and The Boulevard House.
3) ES starts preschool on Thursday, the 18th!
4) Our family job at the preschool
5) From way back when....the Women in Business Mixer I went to many weeks ago sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
6) Knitting and Sewing projects.
7) CSA Box
8) This cool party I won at Sports Basement.
9) Our participation in the neighborhood garden tour.
10) Our Thrift Store addiction.

That's enough for now. If I get through all of these posts in a timely fashion, I will be very lucky!

This photo was taken on Koh Samui, Thailand during our honeymoon in December 2005.

Happy Birthday CC

We had CC's first birthday party last weekend. It was a nice time. We had friends over in the afternoon to share cake and ice cream. One of the young boys asked if the cake was a hedgehog! ES has been telling me for a week that it wasn't a hedgehog, it was a ladybug. I think it's cute, but I can see how it could be mistaken:)

As we sang "happy birthday" to CC, she hid her face as if she were embarrassed that everyone was looking at her. It was the cutest! Is it possible for a one year old to be embarrassed?





Here are a few other photos of the birthday girl:
Obviously, this last one was not from the party, but I couldn't resist. It's too cute.

Second attempt at vacay photos

The start of vacation photos

This is a little taste of vacay for you. I can't get any other photos uploaded; it's taking way too long tonight. I'm exhausted and am short on patience:)

Here is my baby girl. Happy Birthday CC! I love you.