Training and Evaluation

After a full five days of snow and family chaos I was so fortunate to be able to spend Saturday and Sunday working towards a Body Flow certification.  Can you imagine a better course after 5 days of kid time?!?!  It was 2-10 hour days of instruction -- both mental and physical.  It drained me and inspired me at the same time.  Taking this course was a personal goal for me.  Body Flow is the Les Mills course that is truly a mind and body journey with Yoga, Pilates and Tia Chi.

Our instructor (front and center) is a Les Mills celebrity in my book as he was selected to travel to New Zealand several times for the program launch.  Needless to say it was inspiring to be in the room with him.

Once again, i enjoyed being taught and evaluated.  Being able to rise to the occasion and be further driven and encouraged...

The structured course is over, but the certification still a work in progress as I ask my friends (and wonderful husband) to be my fitness guinea pigs as I practice and practice and practice to submit a self lead class recording.  I hope I still love the mind body experience as well as the ability to bring it to others....

Alternative parental ideas-taking tips

Drew is stubborn-so am I. after countless snow days and family togetherness we can come to blows. So when life shifts back and we all get some much needed separation I can get more creative. So u don't want today dinner with us? How bout by yourself in the bathroom? Lights off. Sounds good. He ate one bite (I had to watch him finish it). Because bite #2 didn't make it down (see floor below)


Yup-if u spit out ur food u have to clean it up. He knows what I am asking of him-he just often doesn't want to cooperate-noted.

Tam my brother in-law just posted this on FB.  Great reminder that we as parents need to ask them to do this stuff (Makes me wonder if I should get them to do the stuff that I never do--) But I find myself catering to them too often because its easier - but the times its stressful becuase I am doing it all - it is because I am doing it all!!  My own doing.

- Thank you Loudoun schools for holding school Monday and Tuesday thus far. It was cold this morning as we ran out for the bus (6 degrees). I know you wanted to cancel school like the Midwest-and southern areas--but u realized you already did that last week....it gets old right.

Spoke too soon, it was a 2 hour delay this morning...  for this...

Once the kids were farmed out to their places I squeezed in 45 minuntes formyself to run - yes it was 14 degrees out and yes it felt awesome.  Once my lunges stopped wondering if they were really going to have to perform I managed to get in a good stride, fall into the music and look forward to the adventure ahead that this year holds for us.  Maybe stacking the dishes for Drew.

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On the verge

That week my house look like this EVERY TIME I turned around.  They couldn't do a single tasked without touching each other, getting waylaid-ed by something else, asking why, you name it.  I was at the end of my rope MANY times last week (matter of fact my rope seemed VERY short).  But we survived - barely -  

So on Monday when Nick got on the bus and Shane went to preschool Mom and Drew finally got some time together.  I could tell Drew loved it too - Its not just me, but brothers need time in their own space too instead of the constant vying for each other, mom, dad - whatever.  

I'm not just crazy - i think we all felt this way.  

On Monday after a NORMAL day when this happened...  I opted to take a picture instead.  

Here is our reality

My house always looks like this-or on the verge of this.

 My request was shoes and jackets on. I think we are 80%.

Sadly all moments can't be like this one. Thank you Shane for the 2 hours of educational bliss we have enjoyed alone together over the passed 2 days. I too have enjoyed it immensely.  You are the middle child and truly love when the attention by some miracle gets put on you.

Whatever Loudoun county - you win.....

Loudoun county - names one of - no wait, THE TOP 5 richest counties in the USA - but apparently we CANNOT afford to HEAT the schools, salt, sand and PLOW the roads.  Heck we don't want the kids even IN the schools.  We have had 7 - SEVEN snow days WOW!

Here is snow day number one.  What is the obvious thing missing from this photo... yes, SNOW!  There wasn't a drop.  Yes, it rained and we were afraid that rain would turn to ice.  So we cancelled school.  BUT EVERYONE DROVE SOMEWHERE for the sake of their sanity. 

 I chose Nzone - and indoor play field for the kids.  It was AWESOME - but they didn't serve beer. 

But it did make for a decent nap time because I came prepared with lunch....  These snow days came right after the holiday break - right when we all needed a bit of a break from each other...  seriously!

Well, one week later we opted to do the SAME THING.  Yup, the snow started to come down on Tuesday after the MLK holiday.  Loudoun county was  on top of the school closings and sent the call out early.  no school on Tuesday.  Ok. I get it.  

here is our walk home from the gym Tuesday morning...Folks were SHOCKED we walked (but not the ones that really know us...)

Good thing Drew has all terrain bike tires - better than the buses of Loudoun county apparently (although i will admit - he tipped over once...)

Now no school Wednesday too - Wait, Thursday and Friday?!?!  So 8 inches of snow (I am being generous and measuring in the drifts) means we are out for the remainder of the week.  

Now I am not giving the whole story..- Monday 1/27 was supposed to be a teacher grading day - but they had opted to SKIP exams and do the teacher grading day on Friday - o.k. but tomorrow??  

Really, the roads are clear...  Loudoun county has enough money for pricey houses, high taxes, blah blah blah - but no heat for the schools, salt or sand for the roads.  I will say everyone else is back to work except the schools.  My heart does go out to the working parent that has to juggle camps and day care.  but the bottle of whiskey goes out to the stay at home mom who hopes her kids get a bit of separation time - oh yeah, and some education soon.

In the meantime....  even though Nick got his teeth busted out on Thursday this is what he was doing today... snowboarder here we come!

Shane - you have a few years to catch up..Drew was not photographed as he was screaming because it was too cold and he was hungry...  Whatever Drew -have you heard of the boy that cried wolf - yup, you can take it.

So i write this on Wednesday night - may the force be with you families for the next many days - I hope to see you bundled and outside or hanging from the rafters.  We will make it together right?!?!

This is what my house looks like - now how about yours??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bwGsWot_WE

An express tooth fairy visit

The days that mothers don't dream of but know they will happen.....

I am sitting in the salon chair loving my moments of well earned separation... Than the loud speaker clicks in. I'm certain every mom thinks it's her. But with 3 in there I'm certain it's me and even though I am decked out in Salon gear I am prepped for a diaper change... But I get back to the kids club and it's my sweet first born with a bloody face. All the staff is looking at me for what to do next... Oh-some ice I think. And let's breathe.

Nick is doing awesome-not crying but scared and bleeding. Shane is checking in and drew is still wondering having no real idea of the possible magnitude. He tripped on a basketball. Nothing wrong with playing. Let's go back with momma and see what our options are.


Ok-call Chris-call the docs-have him sit with me and wash the chemicals out. Thankfully it was the end of the day and daddy could lend a hand. He rushed nick to out wonderful dentist!

We heart Little smiles in Brambleton! They are exactly what I feel so fortunate to have in a skilled neighborhood dentist. Compassion too.

Chris walked through their doors after calling them. All staff members and doctors welcomed nick and got him started.


Salon appointment going wrong...for many reasons


Nick-snuggled in his sleeping bag in our room-2 teeth pulled-swollen lip and wanting proximity to mom and dad. Express that tooth fairy please!!


Day 2 - BIG lip-slow nick-happily couch sat during my mops meeting and enjoyed his time home from school realizing for the first time that things we do while he is in school is kinda boring.... But good for his relaxation.


Day 3-big lip but better


But a basketball court? Really? It was his first game and we gave him the option. And he wanted to play-cutest memory of the day--before we leave for practice I hear nick saying 'Lucas, Lucas' when I asked him what he was doing he told me he was practicing saying Lucas's name correctly with a swollen lip and 2 missing teeth. Now that is awesome


He was so nervous folks would make fun of him. Of course when we walked in Lucas ran up to nick. Nick told him he lost his teeth. What did Lucas day??
'Cool'!
Kids can be so cool.


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Christmas excitment

Ah - Christmas morning - can you imagine our first one to rise??  Yup, Nick at 5:15 - thankfully he managed to keep himself in his own room until 6:15 - and than he snuck into our room.  He tried to cuddle, but he felt like a caged animal.  Finally at 6:45 we succumbed to his excitement and headed downstairs.  Santa had magically visited us!

Nick and Shane were excited to say the least.

it was wonderful hearing their screams of joy over the gifs and presents.  In this photo Chris managed to capture 2 favorites - Drew's basketball ball and nick's Patriots shirt.

and a patriots shirt for doggie - high on the list.

My favorite gift from Aunt stosh - love the football hats!

After all the festivites at home - we packed it up and headed to springfield VA to celebrate with the Leadbetters.  Guess who we spotted on the road.

I figured he would be back home sleeping by now - but apparently not.

Merry Christmas!

That night Chris instituted a Christmas puzzle - here was the first one!  Its a weihnachtsmarkt in Germany that i discovered in the Leadbetter's basement.  Finding the puzzle was my only contribution.

Check out this crew the next morning bellieing up to the bar.

snack time!

the cousins play AWESOME together.  Shannon and Wyland arrived at 11 Thursday morning.  The big kids went out to play football and the other guys divided up among their favorite activities.  Robbie the expert puzzler.

Shane the cycler while not playing football.

And here is our football game.  I have a feeling this game will only grow throughout the years.

fantastic action shot!

we came inside for our cousin's gift swap.

I selected Winslow this year and was super excited to grab the doll she was hoping for!!

Shane was excited with the Hess truck!

The adults even did a little yankee swap - from Lamb to Starbucks and scents - rather festive!

Something about this moment I had to snap a photo.

We managed to coral the whole crew together for a family photo!  Nice looking bunch.  We were chatting the last time the whole family was together at the Leadbetters for Christmas we were swapping bridal magazines.  Guess a few things have changed...

about 7 to be exact.

Merry Christmas!

A little more football training before we head home.

Christmas Eve

Christmas eve turned blustery in Ashburn - so much that we even spotted snow flurries!!  No wonder Pauli camped out by the fire.  can you blame her?

Love love love this photo.

A little family shot before Christmas eve service.  We actually had the whole family in the sanctuary.  It was alright - we surely weren't the only ones.  

we turned a bit of the lights after service and came home to snuggle and watch polar express before bed.  This will be our first Christmas alone - together - that is magical!

just a quick video as i want to remember what my boys sounded like this year...  just their voices, the feeling - sometimes it does take a video to remember.

http://youtu.be/ia8T7qHFYbA