Beach Blogging Part Deuce

Most people get I love yous and wedding proposals in the sand-- ---my sand message was

In case you can't read that it says-- "Pop Tarts and Water in Chair". What a sweet hubby --cause nothing says lovin' like pop tarts and water after a four mile walk to the other end of the beach (more stories to come on that)

Beach Blogging

What do you do at 2am while vacationing at the beach? Blog of course! We are testing out a new look for the ol blog. What do you think? Does this white hurt your eyes? Mindy says yes, I say no. We both agree that we need to take a look at it again in the morning (morning being a relative term here). In the meantime I will leave you with the words of the night- "pavement ends." These were the words I read on a road sign seconds- miliseconds before we hit dirt. Details coming soon....

Watch out Brutus

Look at these 2 up and coming Popeyes...

Always an adventure..

Never fails-- put Mindy and I in a new situation-- and it is always an adventure..last night at the gym was no different-- Mindy had a free pass and I wanted to try the gym so off we went..

Let's see where do we start?

oh okay Cardio--

Couldn't hang- Mindy set her machine @ 20 mins-- (can't even remember the name of the machine --that's how bad it was)--so of course I put my machine at 20 mins--I only lasted 15-- so like the true friend she is-- she stopped at 15 mins too--

That was after I struggled keeping my foot on the machine and had to slow down 3 or so times to adjust--

Then I went to lean over to grab the heart monitor and was so ungraceful that Mindy thought I was about to fall off and laughed so hard she spit her water out--

I did however burn 128 calories to her 121--but who was counting??

Speaking of Cardio -- when we were done with that horrible machine I said let's go do weights and then we will come back for a walk-- RIGHT--- sounded good at the moment--and I needed to show that I could hang on some cardio that I am good at-- I love to walk


So off to the Circuit--- (this would be the weights)

I don't think they would have been too bad-- but once Mindy taught me how to use the machine she would just stand there and laugh at the faces I made while doing the weights-- so there she stood just staring and giggling--

Leg Presses

Then on her favorite machines- -like the leg press she challenged me to do more -- she said "I did 30 and 15 on my calves"-- okay I was tired-- but couldn't resist the challenge--so I did 30 and 20 on the calves-- but who was counting? ---by the way my legs are loving me today--

Thigh Presses

Then there came the thigh presses-- the inner and outer thigh presses-- not sure if you know what these machines are like-- but from the beginning you start in an awkward position that you can't help but laugh about-- both of these machines ended with me practically falling off almost in cramps-- and scared I was going to get stuck in this not so "lady like" position.

Work those abs

We should have been done after those weights--but I wanted to do those inverse ab crunches -- where you are upright and sorta hang and pull your legs up to your tummy-- after debating on whether or not you should do abs when you have belly fat-- I convinced her to just try it-- we were tired but that didn't keep us from doing more and more just to prove we could do the same amount

Good News/Bad News

So good news we exercised-- bad news we were probably not the most professional or serious looking people in the place-- good thing for Joe and Brad that we didn't mention we were their wives-- because they are there almost every other night--and may be a little embarrased of the two women that giggled the whole time they were supposed to be exercising

Until Next time...

By the way-- we didn't go back to the cardio--that was a very quick passing thought-- but get ready Mindy because next time it is on!!!

Growing up

Today was the start of Payten's 2nd grade year-- Joe is beside himself--on our way to take her to school this morning - he said to her 3 times --"Shorty you are growing up to fast"-- and even asked her if she would still give him love at school-- she said --"YES Daddy" --whew--thank goodness--she didn't break his heart this year--just give it time

I thought I would put in a pic from the exact same time last year --a picture of her first day of first grade so you can see how much she has matured---

Last Year

This Year

Ode to the Hoggly Woggly

Thanks Georgia for the COOL shirts

Reminiscing

Tonight Mindy and I spent some time reminiscing over Payten's kindegarten agenda-- and who knew such a bond could form over:

134 Stamps/happy faces
38 Notes (Back and forth) some serious some not so serious--(3 included Mindy's home # just in case I needed to get more clarification on Payten's bad choices)
12 Sad Faces (who knew Payten had so many bad days in K5 :))
5 Silent Lunches
1 Happy Birthday greeting (missed by me)
and a request to do our 6 week conference at Walmart

It's a good thing I was able to get over all of those bad notes on Pay Pay enough to see a hint of "coolness" and invite Mindy to bunko--I don't think life has been the same ever since (he he he)

All that's left..

What a great weekend-- on Saturday I had a much anticipated visit from Georgia and Christina (my two best buds from college). I was so excited for them to come and as always I had a great time-- and guess what--no pictures-- why? -- not sure --besides to busy catching up???

Now all that is left is the empty table (with the uncomfortable seats) where we sat for several hours last night laughing and reminiscing-- and the table is still sporting the essential bug spray- for our sweet kids that attract the evening mosquitos--




And a little purple sand, left from the kids who had so much fun playing together



And as always more great memories made --that I am sure we will discuss next time we are lucky enough to be together

Thanks C and GaGa for making the effort to get together last night-- your friendship means the world to me-- and I am glad we were able to hang out--- Now C you have to start a Blog for us!!

Good Timing

Sometimes I get something that just hits a cord with me-- this was the Daily Motivator I received today-- I love it


JUST BECAUSE...

Be joyful, just because you can. Spread genuine joy to others, just because it feels so grand.
Generously give of yourself just because it's your own special way to make a difference. Smile, just because it is so easy and pleasant to do.
Follow your dreams just because they call so vividly and persistently to you. Live your deepest purpose just because it feels so very right.
Always speak the truth just because you understand its far-reaching power. Act with integrity just because it keeps you on the path to true fulfillment.
Offer a kind word just because it can have such a positive impact. Lift up those around you just because you feel connected to all that is.
Life can be quite complex, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Live each moment richly and fully, just because you are.

-- Ralph Marston

Lazy Blog

Look at how much fun we had at our "Make your Own" party-- thanks Mindy for doing all of the work on the blog post and letting me be lazy this time :)--everyone else check out the post below

http://mindync.blogspot.com/2008/08/make-your-own.html

Sweet Smile

It is not often I get to take pictures of Mamamurk--especially all dressed up-- so I tried over and over at the wedding on Saturday to get a picture of her-- Everytime I went to get a good candid shot without her knowing --she would have her hand up or something in the picture--so I finally just asked her to smile for me and I was so proud of this sweet picture--

All dressed up and SOME place to go

We had our first "formal" event last weekend as a family- we went to a wedding for my Cousin Meghann (which by the way made me feel really old; I have watched her grow up)--

I was a bit nervous taking the kids to a ceremony where they had to be quiet for at least 30 mins-- but they did really well--in fact Carter fell asleep-- and it was fun to play dress up--it is not often I get to wear a dress anymore-- but Of course I got no pictures of myself as I stayed behind the camera-- actually Joe got a couple of me and Carter dancing but they were two dark to see --- oh well-- maybe next time-- here are a couple of shots we did get....

Clues, Triangles, & Babies in the Belly

Today I had well visits for the kids and was very interested in learning about their development. Because I get regular learning reports on Payten from school, I am comfortable with where she is developmentally and I found out she is growing well in height and weight-- all on track, so I was happy to hear that.

As for Carter, I feel like he is developing well too and is a smart little thing, I just don't know comparatively (I mean to other 3 year olds)-- don't get me wrong-- I don't need him to be the smartest of the bunch or cutest, or great at everything he does--I just want that feeling of knowing that he is on track--

And I can't lie, I like to show him off a little-- I want the Dr. and family and people I don't see a lot to see how smart (at least I think) he is-- especially like in our situation with Dr. Jamie, we have a long history with him-- he was Joe's Dr. when he was a teenager, and the Dr for Joe's brother and sister-- so with that said here is how the visit went:

Carter has been watching Blues Clues lately and for those of you not familiar with the show-- during the show they look for PAW PRINTS that are "BLUE'S CLUES" and when they see the paw prints on the show they yell out -- "A CLUE, A CLUE" --so lately when Carter sees handprints (on anything) he says "A CLUE, A CLUE" and today while sitting in the lobby he noticed a Paw print on a Clemson shirt in the Drs off and said-- "Dat Boy has a CLUE on his shirt" I first thought he said glue--but then I saw the paw print and thought-- That is pretty smart--

Next we went into the exam room and after the nurse did all of her checking she gave me the development sheet that gives a few bullet points on where he should be-- Under the learning portion it said at this stage they should be recognizing circles and even drawing them --well low and behold, after she left and before the Dr. came in we found a Sesame Street book on recognizing shapes-- and curiosity got the best of me so I tested him--and guess what not only did he recognize the circles on the first page, he even recognized the "ITRANGLES" on the second page-- okay so he was close-- but either way-- I was so proud- and ready for his time to shine with Dr. Jamie

So we were ready-- ready for Dr Jamie's big visit and we were ready to show how smart we were-- and this was the conversation:

Carter: "I have a baby in my tummy"
Carter: "It orange baby"
Mommy: "I thought it was green"
Carter: "No it not green no more, it orange"
Dr. Jamie: "Does the baby glow in the dark"
Carter: "No"
Dr. Jamie: "That is cool, you have a baby in your tummy that changes colors"
Carter: "uh-huh"

Oh well-- maybe next time-- still proud of the little fella--and good news he is still growing well in height and weight!!