Starting with a Thankful Heart (and strong muscles!)

Here we are - Monday!

First of all, if you didn't already know it, this week is the HUGE 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party. Check out the site for all the juicy details on how you can win prizes and visit other bloggers with GIVEAWAYS! It ends on the 27th, so be sure to see how you can take part in the festivities while the party is in full swing.

And now . . . the wonderful things that make my heart thankful as we get our week started:

1. My daughter is nearly potty-trained! We've ditched the diapers during the daytime (and even on outings!). Of course this new adventure for her also includes a regular post-potty report - and, yes, she describes size and amount for us. Ah, to be 2!

2. I was chosen to review the "sane fitness (tm) QuickStart Full Body Workout That Won't Drive You Crazy" workout card deck. I tested the first day of the program yesterday (and hubby even took pictures for documentation!). I DO feel empowered after just one day and look forward to the next few workouts so I can report back to you soon with my review.

3. Mr. Music's second ear infection of the winter is just about gone, which is appropriate since it is now spring! He still has fluid causing pressure and discomfort, but the infection is gone. Whew!

4. We attended an auction for Mr. Music's school on Saturday night and "won" some great prizes. We've been talking about attending some professional sports games in the Seattle area since we moved here 4 years ago - and have only managed to get to two professional hockey games. But now, thanks to our winning bid on the Sports Enthusiasts Package, this year will be fun-filled with a Mariner's game (baseball), a Storm game (basketball), and a Seahawks game (football). We'll also be taking a kayaking class!

5. We were sad when we had to cancel our trip to see my husband's family in February because everyone under our roof was sick, but my mother-in-law just got tickets to come see us over Easter. The kids won't know until JUST before we get her from the airport, but just the thought of a fun visit puts a smile on my face and I know my husband is looking forward to seeing his mom, too!

Have a great week, everyone. And get on over to that Blog Party!!!

Starting with a Thankful Heart (and a new swimsuit!)

After the great weekend we had, it was a bit more difficult to get in the swing of the day, but by around 10:00AM I finally had a handle on it (more or less, anyway). Now that the day is drawing to a close, I'm able to reflect on some things for which I am thankful:

1. The new potty seat for Little Sister that has her interested and ASKING to go potty. We've got 3 success stories since yesterday. I'll take 'em!

2. Hooray for Big 5 Sports. Not generally my favorite store, but they came through for me today when it mattered - I needed a swimsuit for ME for Little Sister's swim lessons (they start tomorrow morning and I haven't gotten a swim suit in YEARS) and they had one in my size - in November, no less!

3. Mr. Music's interest in writing. Between his new science observation notebook and card-making for family and friends, it consumes 1-2 hours of each day. Guess he's following in his mama's footsteps. :)

4. Two heart-warming reviews of We Are Girls Who Love to Run from readers from my high school hometown (remember, I was an Air Force Brat!). One from my best friend from those days, another from a teacher at my school (who bought 3 copies!). I'm truly honored that they took the time to let me know what they thought in the midst of motherhood/teaching/taking classes, etc.


5. Pediatric Dentists. Who knew that my 4 year-old wouldn't need me for an entire appointment (x-rays and all!)?

I hope your week started out smoothly. Have a great one!

Starting with a Thankful Heart: Monday is Looking Sunny

I find myself looking forward to Mondays so I can do my thankful post. My plan worked - Mondays now have a bit of sparkle to them, so they don't seem so bad! I think I'm actually posting more on Mondays now than any other day . . . though I should be working harder to get some Wednesday Lost in the Pages posts going (and there are a few good ones coming your way - including some review previews of BRAND NEW books that are being released this fall!!!).

So . . . after a dreadfully long week last week, I'm happy to kick off this work/school week with some sunshine (which is remarkably how our weather is today, too - sunny after a week of rain). Today I'm thankful for:

1. The combined powers of kind doctors/x-ray machines/mineral oil/Miralax/prune juice and one fabulous little pediatric suppository that got Little Sister back to her little self again (I told you it was a long week!!!!)
2. The restorative powers of Sunday football for a husband's psyche and spirit (even with the Steelers' loss, the time was well spent)
3. Neighbors that look out for one another
4. The rope swing that entertains our son for HOURS at a time on our Cedar in the back yard
5. The carpet cleaner that takes care of plenty of "oops" scenarios - ranging from dogs who eat what they shouldn't to little girls who rip off their diapers and then yell "Pee!" while showing you the dry diaper and the wet spot on the carpet.

Yes, we're still in the early stages of potty training, but I think the pace is picking up quickly - we've just put 2 and 2 together to create an amazingly bright lightbulb idea for why our daughter has been waking up multiple times every night for the past week or so: We THINK (and will check tonight) that she's feeling herself wet her diaper at night. In my mommy fog at 2AM and 4AM, I don't think to check, I just redirect her to her bed, cover her up and smile when she falls immediately back to sleep (hoping I can do the same for myself!). I'm hanging onto my yellow hat as best I can - potty training is an adventure that I'm looking forward to completing.

Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Sunday: Gearing-up for the Week (Kid Stuff!)

So, before I dive head-first (almost literally) into potty training and loft beds, I have to take a second to cheer about this morning because my kids enjoyed time with my parents until right before lunch time:

- I slept until 8:15!
- I went for a run with my husband and the Garmin (complete with heart rate monitor for the first time - as soon as I make it to the downloading step, I'll be sure to add more details!)
- we read the paper together in a happy silence over bagels and fresh espressos from our happy little espresso machine at 10:30 (that's right, breakfast wasn't at 7 AM, it was at 10:30!)



Thanks Mom & Dad!


Last night my husband and I took our kid-free time to go shopping. Not really for anything in particular. We wandered REI and didn't get the shoes he had been looking at on-line, looked for a funky skirt at the 70% off sale at a store that is probably too young for me (but is fun, anyhow, even though I can't think of what it's called), and then spent nearly an hour at Target. Funny thing is, we didn't get anything there until the last 15 minutes when we suddenly recalled all sorts of things we needed, including the purpose of the post: Size 2T/3T girls panties.


That's right, my daughter (18 months old tomorrow, "today" if you are reading this on Monday) regularly rips off her diaper and runs around the house with giddy laughter . . . oh, and is starting to exhibit some of these other "text book" signs.


So, this week we're diving into the potty training experience. Unlike the first time, we think we're prepared this time (I say this with a grain of salt, folks!). We have at hand:



- 1 package of Curious George panties (hooray for Clearance sales, we would have gotten a second package if there was one)
- 1 package of generic pink/flowery panties (it is important to note that the 2T sizes are located in the baby area of Target near the bibs and small shoes, NOT over by the little girl section where one would think they'd be, nor anyplace near diapers . . . that's just my little FYI rant)
- 1 free standing potty
- the offer from a neighbor to use their kid seat that goes ON the real toilet
- one backyard with lovely weather for daiper-free adventures
- one portable carpet cleaner for those times when we don't QUITE make it to the bathroom . . . oops!
- the satisfaction of knowing we've successfully trained one child


Already one dolly has been on the receiving end of the oops!, which happened to save us from needing the carpet cleaner (but an exciting trip through the wash for dolly). And, Little Sister SO enjoys the undies that after we put one pair on her she pulled on a second pair for good measure. That's a good sign, right?


And, somehow aligned nicely so he doesn't think we've forgotten him, the big brother of the house was the recipient of a brand new (to him) used loft bed! Hooray for Craig's List and Pottery Barn for the great bed we bought him today! Granted he's sleeping on the floor tonight because "I'm feeling a bit scared, but not REALLY scared, so I'm just going to camp on the floor tonight. But if I wake up and get excited, I'll just climb the ladder and sleep on my loft. I won't be scared then." I predict we'll do lots of ladder climbing practice this week and by next week he'll be good to go - because he really IS excited and does like being up there during the day, just a bit intimdated for night time.


Funny how these "little things" can add up to make for a BIG week of parent energy! Have a good one, everyone. And . . . happy running!