Happy Holidays!

I feel like I still haven't joined the real word and I'm a bit lazy with the whole family on vacation.  I'll get there soon...I promise. 

 

 

Our favorite gifts were a karaoke machine which I see getting a lot of use and will have me wondering what I was thinking when I hearing Call me Maybe for the millionth time.  I'm kidding, well kind of.  I love and that it makes them happy.  I also have to admit that I may have belted out a tune or two with them even though I can't sing.  Now that I teach kindergarten I've left that at the door.  I sing everything now.

The other was our magic kit.  They are both amazed by their own skills.  I love that they are so proud when they get the trick right.

These two are the best gifts I've ever received.  I can't imagine life without them...even when they're making me crazy.  It was a perfect holiday full of family visits and wonderful memories. 

 

 

Next up we will be ringing in the New Year with the kids.  I don't even remember what going out to celebrate the new year is like.  We'll be eating pizza bagels and toasting with sparkling cider long before midnight but I would not have it any other way.  I also found this super cute printable for the kids and it has been updated for 2013.

Kids New Year’s Resolution Printable

26 acts of kindness

I'm trying so hard to get into the holiday spirit.  The tragic events in Newtown have really made me reflect on life.  I know once my girls wake up things are going to move quickly and I wanted to take these few quiet moments I have to think about how lucky I am and how grateful I am for all that I have. I know like a lot of people this tragedy tore me apart inside and I am changed forever.  As a mother, teacher and just a person in general life is different.  I've decided I'm joining in on the 26 acts of kindness a movement started by Ann Curry.  I can't think of a better way to honor the beautiful lives that were lost than by spreading kindness.

   

https://www.facebook.com/26acts

Hi again!

I'm back!  This is going to be one of my resolutions for the year.  I loved having a online photo journal for myself of all the memories from the year and looking back at the fun things that my girls and I had done.  I was also missing all my blogging friends.  Hopefully some of you are still here and are willing to take me back.  I thought I'd start by sharing one of our attempts at a Christmas card.  I promise we eventually got a better one but it's really hard to get two kids and a dog to get a decent picture.  I have to be honest, Sonny (my dog) was probably the most uncooperative one in this photo shoot.  He is still cute though even with his tongue out.   

 Also for big news my baby brother graduated from the police academy in NJ.  We all went to go support him at his graduation and apparently we all wore our green coats.  I'm so proud of him and now he goes on to become a game warden.

My middle brother is newly engaged and we will be celebrating that wedding on July 3rd.  It's sure to be a beautiful day that I am very much looking forward to and so are my girls.  They will be flower girls.

And for those who are predicting along with the Mayan  I just saw a good one...People are making Apocalypse jokes like there's no tomorrow.

Summer is here!

I had start by sharing a few photos from my girls' gymnastic show.  I'm amazed at how much progress they made this year.  I think they gained confidence and also became more balanced and coordinated from being in the classes.  We are signed up for next year already and can't wait to start.

It's officially the start of summer for us.  I am mom to a third grade and a kindergartener.  I don't even know how that is possible.  One of the best things about my job is that I get my summer off to spend with my children.  I also got news that I will be switching from teaching second grade to kindergarten.  I am prepared for that to be quite an adventure too.  As for now my plans are to enjoy every minute of my vacation.

I've surprised myself

I have finished my journey with my largest loser team and while I still have more weight I would like to loose, I feel fantastic.  I lost 35 pounds in 10 weeks.  My team and trainers gave me an amazing gift and helped me find myself again.  I actually like going to the gym now.  As I type that I'm saying in my head, "What?"
I ran a 5K over the weekend too with some of my team from largest loser, my brother and my roomate from college.  It was so much fun!   Color Me Rad was a race were you get splashed with color as you run.  If they come to your area, I would suggest registering...NOW! I can tell that this will not be my last race.

I am surprised by all these changes but I'm also welcoming them.  School is finishing up and I am so looking forward to summer vacation with my girls.

Red Team Rocks!

After another weigh in I am down three more pounds.  I worked super hard this week so I was really hoping for five.  I know it seems silly but I want to hit that mark just for one week. 

Last week my trainer told us to think about someone that we lost and dedicate last week to them.  That's what I did and every time I wanted to quit I thought about my mom and what a fighter she was.  I know I've got some of that in me too.  Somehow I had that little bit more in me to push harder.  As far as the competition goes...we are in last place which does not make our trainers happy.  I know tonight's workout is going to be brutal.

What I have found surprising is that I am feeling good and I have so much more energy.   Above is a picture from the first week of my team.  I'll post another one at the end, where we will all be looking a whole lot thinner.  I'm also surprised at how close our team is getting.  We are becoming a little family and they will be people that I will keep in touch with after this program is done.
GO RED!!!

I want to be a loser

I am heading in a new direction with this blog.  I still want to share my adventures with my girls but I also need to journal about my own weight loss story. 

A good friend and I have joined in a competition.  We have become part of the Largest Loser.  I had no idea what I was in for!  This is week 2 so we have weighed in twice after working out like I never thought that I could.  I have really pushed myself  and I am surprised at what I am capable of.  The reason I am starting on week two is because last week was rough.  Everything ached and it was difficult to even walk.  This week is better but I'm still feeling it.

I am not the gym kind of girl.  I don't like to run either.  I have to admit, I can be lazy.  I needed to make a healthy change in my life so I'm doing it and my team is helping me through it.  I have a feeling this experience will be life changing and I can't wait to share it.  Wish me luck.
 Results so far~
Week one-7.1 pounds
Week two-3.4 pounds