Birthday Celebration #1....or #31 (depending on how you look at it)

This birthday was much better than the previous three....by far. It helped that it was on the weekend and it helped that I was able to spend it with more people than just my three children. It was destined to be better for that mere fact.

I took Friday off to spend the morning at the salon and the afternoon with my husband. He had surprised me the day before with beautiful flowers at the office so I thought I'd return the favor and drag him shopping all afternoon. ;-)




I wanted to pick up a new top for the weekend so we stopped at the mall. Normally the idea of shopping for clothes makes my stomach tie up in knots and my head pound, but lately it's been fun. Sort of a progress test. And Friday I had another moment. I am offically down another size in tops!!! I came out and was pulling at the shirt and told Dustin I thought it was too small and he said I was wrong. He said it fit perfect. I turned to look in the tri-fold mirror and saw that he was right. And then I bawled.

Friday night mom and Titi watched the kids so that I could go to Uptown Friday Nights with my brother and some friends. We had a blast! We all went out afterwards and I ran into a co-worker, ate at Dublin's and had such a fun night.

Saturday we met mom, Titi and Joel for lunch at one of my new favorite places: The Londoner. We headed home and the kids took a quick nap (I did, too) while Dustin went and bought a bike trailer. As soon as the kids woke up we took our first family bike ride!

Ella was very excited when I told her we were going for a bike ride!



The she realized she didn't have a bike and was very confused.




(Yes, Lauren is wearing a leotard. It was easier than listening to her whine...which she appears to be doing anyways.)





After the long bike ride it was time for cake!!!





It was a great birthday and ended with dinner with a great friend! I couldn't have asked for a better day!!

Fun in the sun!!

This weekend was absolutely beautiful! I mean, you couldn't ASK for more perfect weather.

Saturday Dustin spent the day with the kids and I went on a 19 mile bike ride with some friends...and about 100 other people. I had so much fun and we've already decided that we will be doing more of these this summer. My legs held up just fine...my bottom, on the other hand, is a bit sore. ;-)

Today was another beautiful day so we decided to take advantage of the weather and play outside...and wash my van.









I think it's safe to say that summer is finally here and I can't wait to see what it brings!

Expressions of Ella

People have always commented on how my children all have very animated expressions and Ella is no exception. Tonight while I was waiting for everyone to finish eating I caught a few shots of our favorite Ella expressions.

Let me explain...

Before I start getting hate mail, let me explain why the blog has not been updated in awhile.

On April 6, 2010, I started something: it's called "a diet". And less than a week after that I started something else: it's called "an exercise regimen".

As of yesterday I am down 24 pounds. A few more pounds and I will have lost Ella (in weight, of course).

You can ask just about anyone I talk to on a regular basis and they will confirm that I have suffered a life changing event. On April 5th I saw Lauren mirroring my eating habits and I freaked. Literally. And less than 24 hours later I joined Weight Watchers and swore to never go back again.

Since that time I have...
#1 - dropped two sizes
#2 - found an entire new wardrobe in my closet
#3 - woken up at 4:45 every morning (Monday - Friday) for a 40 minute walk/run
#4 - worked out each night doing Pilates, Shredding, running or a combination thereof
#5 - completed the first three weeks of a nine week program in which I am training to walk/run my first 5k
#6 - surrounded myself with friends and family who lead active lives

I tell people that I feel like this weight is a cancer and I just want it off of me. And while 24 pounds is a lot to lose in a relatively short period of time, some days it just doesn't seem fast enough.

It's amazing how quickly you can change a lifestyle when you change your mindset. The kids have already picked up on the changes and I couldn't be happier. Joel was over at the house last night for dinner and Lauren asked if I was still going to do Pilates before bed. That was a big moment for me. She's noticed her mom is active and knows that it's now part of my routine.

She's been my little motivator this entire time and she doesn't even know it. If she wakes up in the morning and can't find me in bed she comes downstairs and lays on the couch while I walk. And at night she reads a book on the couch while I do my video or run.

I started this because of her and I will continue this because of me.

That being said, I'm trying to figure out a way to work in things like pictures of the kids and weekly updates. I'm still adjusting to my new routine and I will do my best to work the blog back into my schedule. ;-)

Have a seat

Last weekend Josh and Lauren wanted to have a sleepover. I told them that they could go ahead and set up his tent in the family and they could get their sleeping bags. While they were setting up the tent Ella found a new seat...and wouldn't get out of it.

Non-Green Thumb

Of all the things I inherited from my father...his green thumb is not one of them.

We met Dad for lunch when we got into town but he had to go back to the office for a bit in the afternoon so we headed to the house. The kids and Thomas whipped out the crouquet set and I got some photos of the beautiful flowers in Dad's garden. Meanwhile, Cassie stayed where she thought she'd be safe.

Underwater Adventure

The kids and I are up at Dad and Thomas' this weekend. We left by 7:30 on Friday morning and had a wonderful trip up. This was the first trip we took without the DVD player and the kids were great! I'm hoping for the same to be said about our trip home tomorrow. **crosses fingers**

This morning Dad and I got up nice and early and took a long walk around Lake of the Isles. We had our morning coffee and were home by 7:00 o'clock! Just in time to get the kids ready to go to Underwater Adventure at the Mall of America. In all the times we've come up here we've never been to it so it was an extra special treat!

It was AWESOME!









Lauren made a friend while we were there. His name is "Turtle" and he stared at her for a good five minutes all while flapping his arms. It was too cute!










At the end the kids all get the chance to touch starfish. Surprisingly, BOTH Josh and Lauren took advantage of the opportunity. Dad asked Josh what it felt like and he said, "All goo!"






It truly was amazing. I've never seen anything like it and it was one of those things that I enjoyed just as much as the kids! By the end of it Ella was ready to go and more than happy to help us along.