just one of those moments

Have you ever had one of those moments where you purposefully decide to ignore what your child/children is about to do, knowing full well it could possibly destroy your reputation as a parent around the neighborhood? Well, I had one of those moments last night, while home alone with my girls.

We were taking advantage of the beautiful 70+ degree weather by spending the day outside doing all sorts of fun stuff. We went on a walk, played hopscotch, jumped on the trampoline, played on the swing set, ran around the yard, and of course, ate all 3 meals on the deck. We were having a great day together, bonding in the way that girls should bond.

By 7:30pm, Chloe had had enough "Baby Bjorn" time and was pooped out. She was ready for bed. Not wanting to disrupt Ella and Britten at play, I told them I was bringing Chloe in the house to feed and put her to bed. I told them they could stay outside as long as they stay in the yard and play nicely together.

"Okay!" They chimed in unison.

The "dynamic duo" are known for brewing up a lot of trouble in a little bit of time, so I decided to perch myself next to an open window, just to keep an eye on them. Things were going swimmingly for the first 30 seconds, until I overheard the following conversation unfold:

Britten: "I have to go potty. I'll be right back." She starts walking towards the house when Ella stops her in her tracks.

Ella: "Wait, Britten. Do you want to squat instead?" I was about ready to yell out the window and tell Britten to come inside to go potty, but decided instead, to watch how this scenario played out.

Britten looks toward the house, then back at Ella, then back at the house, then back at Ella. Britten's never "squatted" before, and I think the idea of going potty outside made her a little nervous. But it seemed my little 2 year old was up to the challenge! Next thing I know, they dash off to the big pine tree in the back of the yard.

At this point, they're a little too far away for me to hear them, but from what I saw, I knew Ella was giving Britten step-by-step instructions. After a moment, Britten's pants dropped to her ankles (Oh, how I wish I had my camera! I was still nursing Chloe, so there was nothing I could do but watch!), and then she sits down on top of the landscaping brick that surrounded the pine tree. She sits and sits, but I could tell nothing was happening. I think her nerves were getting the best of her and even with coaxing from Ella, she wasn't able to relax enough to make herself, you know, go. Next thing I know, Ella's pants drop to her ankles and she plops down next to Britten. After several moments of silence, cheers break out:

"Britten, you did it! You squatted! Good job!"

"Good job, Ella! You did it, too!"

Together, as a team, they did it! They both stood up with pee dripping down their legs, pulled their pants back on, and ran off to the swing set. Moments later, when Chloe was finally down, I quickly grabbed my camera and ran outside. I couldn't resist taking the following shots. Like a dog marks his territory...

...Britten and Ella marked theirs!


They're so proud of themselves!

And quite honestly, I was proud of them, too. I know it's not proper to go to the bathroom outside, and unless it's an emergency, it's not something we normally let them do. But as I secretly watched them from the window, my heart swelled with pride and my eyes filled with tears. Even though they fight like cats and dogs, Britten and Ella love each other so much. By encouragement and support, they know how to help each other stay strong through the difficult and somewhat unnerving situations. They're a team, and as a team, they can do anything together --- even squatting on our landscaping!

don't play with your food, unless...

...you're using it for educational purposes!

We sat Ella down at the table with a snack of pretzels and moments later came back to this.

welcome!

When you come to our house, you'll be greeted by this...

...standing on our couch in the front window!

About 10 minutes before you arrive, I say to girls, "__________ is going to be here any minute!," and they both dash off to our front window, climb up on the edge of couch and wait for YOU to pull in our driveway. They proceed to jump off the couch, roll onto the floor (usually bonking heads or some other body part in the process) and meet you at the front door. Wow, what a welcome you get! How special you are! My girls really know how to roll out the welcoming mat...

What's the purpose of owning a dog when your own children welcome you home like this?!?

Am I bad mother for letting my kids do this?! Wait. Don't answer that.

peek-a-boo!

Chloe's all time favorite game right now is peek-a-boo. But not the kind of peek-a-boo where I hide behind my hands or a blanket and pop my head out to surprise her. If I start doing that, my always-smiling baby furrows her little eyebrows together and gets this really serious look on her face. The photo aboves captures that precise moment, as I was popping up from behind the blanket with my camera. I wanted you to see "the look" for yourselves. Quite cute, don't you think!? So yeah, she doesn't like it. I think the idea of me disappearing really bothers her.

Chloe, instead, prefers the sort of peek-a-book where she makes herself disappear...

Here she goes...

Almost there...

...Poof! She's gone!

Oh, but wait! She's back! My always-smiley baby is back! Peek-a-boo, Chloe!

a matter manner of fact

Britten and I were standing in the pharmacy line this morning, with Chloe beside us in our stroller. While we were waiting, in the dead stillness of the pharmacy, Britten decides she needs to pass some gas --- very loud gas, I might add.

Me, clearing my throat, and speaking loud enough for everyone to hear: "Britten, honey, what do you say?"

She thinks a second and responds: "Can I be excused, please?"

Me: "Oh, I guess that'll work (same meaning, different context). Yes, you can be excused."

Britten: "And thanks for the good meal, Mommy."

Well, at least she knows her manners!

F.I.T.

I enjoy a good workout. I've been an avid exerciser since high school, but it all began in my junior high days, when my mom would literally drag me out of my bed at 6:30am on Saturday morning and force me to walk the bike trail with her. I didn't exactly enjoy those early mornings. In fact, I can honestly admit that I hated them. I'd get so exhausted half way through our 3 mile walk, I'd grab hold of my mom's little arm and she'd end up dragging me the rest of the way home. I guess, in the end, it gave me a little break from our speed walk and resulted in an intense workout for her.

My mom is known around our small hometown for her "speed walking." She's a little lady, but when her arms start flying, that woman can walk faster than most can run! It's amazing, really. My mom also enjoys a good workout. Before we had a local community center, she had to be creative with her "workout routine." I remember finding my mom in the living room doing crunches, aerobics and all sorts of crazy stuff to her Praise and Worship music. I thought she was so weird and was always so embarrassed of this, especially if I had a girlfriend with me. Now that I'm a mom, I think I have clearer picture of her reality. With 4 little children, my mom was doing what was necessary to get "the job done." If that meant exercising in her living room, among the toys, dog bones and kids, so be it. Good for you, Mom! (Please note: My mom kept a very tidy and clean home. Never do I recall toys or doggy bones being thrown about the living room floor. Kids maybe, but that's about it.)

Because of my mom, health and exercise has become a crucial part of my life. I don't enjoy speed walking, and in case you're wondering, I still can't keep up with her when we go for walks, I enjoy RUNNING! I was never in track or cross country (tried both, quit both), but started running more in my college days. It began as something I forced myself to do, knowing the benefits behind a good run, but is slowly evolved into something I loved and now NEED as a part of my life.

Running is such an easy and convenient way to exercise. Weather permitting, I'll run around our neighborhood, or easier yet, I'll jump on my treadmill. Lately, I've been taking advantage of the childcare at our local gym, and exercising there several times a week. It's a nice little break during the day for me and the kids absolutely love their play area.

Last Wednesday, as I was doing crunches on one of their ab machines, I happened to glance into the Studio where they hold their classes. Normally, I wouldn't pay much attention to their classes (I'm not a "group class" kind of girl. I prefer to keep to myself, do my 40-minute run and finish with some quick ab and floor workouts), but lately (since having Chloe), I've been wanting to do more strength and core training. This class really grabbed my attention because the workout looked fun, and different, and between all of the different things they were doing, really seemed like something I'd enjoy! So, right then and there, sitting on my ab machine, I decided I'd be going to the class next Wednesday.

Which brings me to today. I found out, by looking at my class schedule, this class is called F.I.T. Not sure what it stands for, but it seemed appropriate, just by what I witnessed last week. I dropped my kids off at childcare and walked confidently up the stairs to the studio. After telling the instructor I was "new" to class, she guided me through what props I'd need. Four dumb bells, a bench, an exercise ball, a weight bar and a mat. Sounds easy enough, right?!

10 minutes into class, we were still doing the "aerobics," getting our heart rate up and warming up for the hard stuff. I thought, bring it on, lady...bring it on. I can DO this!

10 minutes later, we're into the "hard stuff" and my muscles are starting to hurt. They were hurting in places they've never hurt before.

10 minutes later, my body is screaming, "OOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!"

10 minutes later, I found myself inwardly crying for my mommy (I'm not even kidding) and thought, "How on earth will I make it 20 more minutes?"

10 minutes later, I'm screaming at my instructor (under my breath, of course), praying to be put out of my misery!

The last 10 minutes...Countdown is on! We do a some push-ups, a little abdominal work and some stretching.

Finally, we're done...and I'm a noodle. I almost stumbled down the stairs I confidently walked up just an hour before. I went to childcare to pick up my kids. I can barely carry Chloe in her car seat, my arms are trembling so much. I finally get them strapped in their seats and I'm able to sit...sit, take a breath and think.

F.I.T. Fabulously.Insane.Training. Will I be back next week? You bet I will!

does my butt look big in these jeans?

Ella wasn't actually looking at the size of her bum in the picture.  Ella was demonstrating a new dance for Britten, the one that she refers to as her "booty dance."  I SWEAR, neither my husband or I had anything to do with teaching her or helping her name these embarrassing graceful new moves.