The kids have MEA break (also called Fall break around here) this week. They have Wednesday – Friday off, giving them a FIVE day weekend!  Unfortunately I still teach this week so it’s not really going to be exciting for them, but it’s still a nice change of pace.  Tomorrow morning I have BSF so the two older kids get to go and play at a friends house, so that will be fun at least!

In other news Josiah lost his first top front tooth!  He has a nice big window when he smiles now.  It’s fun.  🙂  A childhood milestone.  It was pretty funny because I had no idea it was even loose.  On the way to the bus stop he mentioned that it was loose and I felt it and exclaimed “Wow!  You could probably just pull it out right now!” And sure enough it fell out at lunch while he was eating a strawberry.

We’re having family pictures taken this weekend.  I’m excited.  I always love the pictures that my friend Tara takes.  And I love them more and more as the kids get older and it captures them so well at the age they are.  Hopefully we’ll have great weather!

21 Day Fix Update: Day 9 almost done!  I admit I’ve been hungrier lately.  Probably because my body is starting to build muscle and burn more calories–or at least that’s what I’m telling myself when I’m hungry.  Last night was hard, so I just drank some water and went to bed early.  🙂  I’ve been having a salad at lunch most days and I’ve been able to cut back on the amount of salad dressing that I use, and I really don’t miss it.  I was surprised at how a little can go a long way.  I did go for a walk plus do my workout (arms today!).

So we had a lovely weekend full of play-dates, Baker’s piano lessons, swimming lessons, friends over for the Football game, being outside and general weekend merriment.  I was quite concerned about keeping up with my meal plan over the weekend since weekends are my nemesis.  However, I am happy to report that it went great!  This past week I had been posting the day after regarding how I did the day before, but I was finding that to be confusing, so I’m going to recap the weekend and then start posting about how today went (even though I know it’s technically not quite over yet).   And before I start the recaps, I thought I would share a picture of my adorable new egg slicer.  It’s just too cute not to share…

21 Day Fix Update:  Day 5  (Friday) is done and in the books.  I’m finally starting to not feel as sore.  I feel like this week has been ridiculously long.  I’ve only into my 6th day now, but it feels like I’ve been doing this for weeks.  But I suppose in a way that’s a good thing because it’s starting to not feel as overwhelming anymore.  I did breakdown and have a zero calorie / zero sugar energy drink yesterday.  The black coffee was just not enough… I felt bad “breaking the rules” but I figure if it keeps me going it’s ok.  And I’ve been sooooo good about everything else, that I felt kind of like I was rewarding myself.

21 Day Fix Update:  Day 6 & 7 (Saturday & Sunday) are completed! I was super concerned I wouldn’t be able to hold it together.  But Saturday I kept myself busy and got up early to get my workout done before swimming lessons.  Sunday we had friends over and they brought super yummy food, but I was in charge of veggies for the meal, so I just made sure there was an amazing veggie assortment and I was able to pretty much keep myself eating fruits and veggies for the afternoon.  I admit I did sample a tiny bit of a couple things, but I kept it totally in moderation.  So even though I cheated, it was still within my calorie limits.  Oh, and I had one small cookie.  Hehe!  And it was soooooo good.  I haven’t had any sugary things this week, so it was super scrumptious.

21 Day Fix Update:  Day 8 (today) is just about done!  And I’m happy to report that I am officially NOT SORE!  Yippie!  Today I’m finally feeling like this isn’t as hard anymore.  I’m able to plan out my day and think of foods much easier.  I also finally have my water intake under control–and am able to get all of that in without trouble. I was ecstatic to see another tiny drop on the scale again this morning.  I’m going to make you wait on pins and needles to share my final weight loss number with you though.  🙂  You’ll just have to hang on to the end to find out.

Most of all, I’m impressed at how much of a change I can feel in just one week.  Mostly mental, but a little bit physical.  I don’t feel as overwhelmed.  I’m feeling healthier and overall better about myself.  I can tell my belly is starting to shrink (a tiny bit) and I’m not as winded going up and down stairs.

21 Day Fix Update:  Day 4 completed!  Boo-yah!  This was my hardest day yet.  I was REALLY dragging.. and on this plan I only get to have black coffee.  Meh.  Not my favorite, but when it’s all I get I’ll take it.  I did do my morning workout (Pilates) and walked again with my friend, but by noon I was feeling exhausted, crabby, sore and hungry.  I powered through, and managed to get in all my foods and almost all my water.  I look forward to not being sore someday.  😉  Oh!  And I tried almond butter for the first time.  Very tasty.  A bit messy though…

And can I just say… Holy Water Batman!  This plan has me drinking 13 glasses of water a day.  Now I consider myself someone who naturally drinks a bit of water, but sheesh!  I’m having a hard time getting it all in.   I am excited to see what a difference all that water will make in my skin though.  🙂

I can already tell that I’m feeling more healthy.  I’m fuller faster and able to eat veggies and unusual foods and enjoy them now.  For example today for lunch I had brown rice with grilled chicken topped with a few black olives.  And I can honestly say that I really enjoyed it.  Weird, huh?

The true test will come now that we have arrived at the weekend.  Those are notoriously hard for me… especially with having friends over on Sunday to watch the game.  I just love social eating… so I’ll just have to make sure I keep myself grabbing the veggies.  Who knows maybe I’ll be able to get in all my veggies easily that day!  Ha!

Tonight I’m making taquitos for supper.  I’m excited about these because they were super easy and I love frozen taquitos, so I’m hopeful they are similarly delicious.  I’ll post a picture later tonight when I’m actually done cooking them.  For now you can look at what they are supposed to look like.   Mine won’t have the amazingly beautiful garnish on them… And actually I can’t even eat them according to my meal plan… I’m still going to at least sample them.  A good chef has got to know what their creations taste like, right?

Here’s the link to the recipe: https://www.foodiecrush.com/chipotle-chicken-taquitos/

21 Day Fix Update: Day 3 done!  I actually got up extra early and exercised before taking the kids to the bus so I could fit it in before BSF.  Gonna be honest, I’m very proud of myself.  I’m seeing a nice little drop on the scale but Tim said I was overly puffed up to begin with (I *might* have binge eaten over the weekend knowing I was going to start this program on Monday…….).  I was VERY sore from my workouts though.  Stairs are not my friend right now.

(Edit:  The taquitos turned out delicious but didn’t photograph well, so you’ll just have to imagine what they looked like.  Or better yet, look at the recipe above and just imagine that mine turned out just a gorgeous.  Ha!  Regardless, they are definitely returning on our menu next month!)

21 Day Fix Update:  Day 2 is done!  It went better.  I actually fit in almost all of my foods.  I was still short one container of vegetables and protein.   I need to have more veggies in my snack times I think…  I also went for a walk with a friend AND did my workout.  Boo yah!

It frosted last night–so my walk this morning was quite brisk!  We have definitely moved into the fall weather around here.  The other night we forgot to close all the windows and boy was it cold in the house the next morning!

I’m adjusting to having just the two Littles home during the day.  It’s taken a month to really get into our new groove, but it’s been fun watching Maddie and Levi start to take an interest in each other.  Now that the older kids are off at school there isn’t anyone to entertain them.  I’m liking having nap time in the morning when they are both in bed–theoretically it gives me time to exercise, clean up the house, have my quiet time and shower/get ready.  I know that’s cramming a lot in a short amount of time, but I’m an overachiever.  😉

How about a picture before I go?  Maddie likes to hop up when we get in the van to say hello to Levi.  I just had to capture it in a picture….

21 Day Fix Update:  Day 1 is done.  It was a more labor intensive than I thought it would be.  A lot of chopping vegetables…  But I’ve downloaded the app on my phone and it’s sooooo cool.  Very helpful.  I did get most of my foods in, although I accidentally had too many fruits and not enough veggies and I didn’t get all my oils in.  Hopefully day 2 goes better.  I was definitely sore after my workout.

That’s right folks.  I’m heading into another weight loss program!

I’ve been intrigued by this program for a while now, and have heard really great feedback.  Back when we did our family weight loss challenge (in between being pregnant with Maddie and Levi) I remember that Luke was doing it a little bit.  And on the weeks that he was really sticking to the plan he was shredding those pounds like crazy (really giving me a run for my money!).

Basically the idea behind the program is that you do one of the 30 min exercise programs each day and then only eat what can fit in each container.  And, as an added bonus I got the containers as a white elephant gift a couple years ago (who’s laughing now? Ha!).  I did my homework yesterday and went shopping for fresh fruits and veggies and have been mustering through my first day.  The first day is always the hardest for me.  Actually the first 3 days are always the hardest because I’m genuinely hungry.  But I know after just a couple of days that gets better and it’s not nearly as hard.

However, this program is pretty specific, so I’m finding it’s taking a lot of prep and energy to make sure I eat what I’m supposed to eat.  I think it’s probably good that it’s harder for me since that gives me a challenge and I usually enjoy a good challenge.  Especially one where I could reap a really good weight loss goal at the end.  😉

Oh, and in good fun I’ve also made myself a paper chain to rip off each day.  Actually I’m going to do it at night once I’ve completed my day.  It will give me something to look forward to.

So, at the end of each post for the next 21 days I’m going to write a simple one or two sentence recap of how the day before went.  Just to try and keep myself accountable.  This should be fun!

They just want to be like the big kids.

The other day after Chloe and Josiah got on the bus and we got back home the Littles came over to the fridge and started “checking” things off of the chore list.  It was adorable.  Especially since it almost looked like they were collaborating…

Madison has the curliest hair of all the kids.  It’s the most noticeable when her hair is damp–so just after showers/baths.  Unfortunately as soon as she sleeps on it it flattens out.  So the other day I tried to capture how curly it really is.  It’s hard to see in the pictures, but her hair is so light and fluffy and curly!

I just love it!