P365 - 2014 - Day 120 - dinner

P365 - 2014 - Day 120 - dinner

He's back from his last long trip of the semester!  Practice was cancelled due to the rain of biblical proportion, so we were able to all sit down for dinner.  I tried a soup instead of a shake tonight so I could sit with everyone and have dinner.  Today is Day 6 of my nutritional cleanse and despite this awful weather, I still felt good - and that is saying something. ;-) I continue to have lots of energy and feel well rested.  I am satisfied with my good, healthy lunches and small snacks in between my shakes.  I have been drinking water like it is going out of style and I have found that many times in a day when I would think I was hungry, I was more likely reaching for food out of habit or because I was thirsty! I am learning to listen to my body more and feed it what it needs! Yeah me.

P365 - 2014 - Day 119 - I admit it is slightly ironic

P365 - 2014 - Day 119 - I admit it is slightly ironic

Today was Day 5 on my 30 day nutritional cleanse journey.  I woke up feeling good and decided to check the scale.  I was already down 4.8 lbs!  As much as I want to lose a few pounds, for sure, I am doing this cleanse and starting on this journey for more than just to lose weight.  I want to be healthier overall.  I want more energy.  I want to rid my body of toxins... all those rounds of antibiotics and steriods that I had to take for sinus infection after sinus infection before I got that under control - those toxins need to go!  I want to be more cognizant of what I am eating and give myself the best nutrition that I can to be the healthiest me that I can be.  That all being said, I admit it is slightly ironic that my picture for Day 5 was taken at McDonald's. ;-)  To be fair, the kids' school was running a fundraiser, their teachers were there working, and they wanted to go. (and McDonald's is a treat they don't get often) So I took The Bear, The Princess and their friend (The Boy went with his friend before soccer practice).  I had already had my delicious shake for dinner, so I went in to McDonald's armed with my trusty water bottle.  Now, I am not typically a big fan of McDonald's normally  (don't get me wrong, there are unhealthy foods that I like- this just isn't one of them) but I was wondering how I would feel walking into a McDonald's while on my nutritional cleanse.  I'll tell you - I felt fine.  Good even.  I was so darn proud of myself for being so committed to this, that walking into a restaurant didn't even register a blip on my radar.  I am too determined.  I am too confident.  And I just wasn't hungry.  I feel too good to blow this now.

P365 - 2014 - Day 118 - I experimented a little

P365 - 2014 - Day 118 - I experimented a little

Today was Day 4 of my 30 day nutritional cleanse.  I tackled my first cleanse day yesterday and woke up this morning 45 minutes BEFORE my alarm, feeling refreshed and ready for the day!  That alone is an awesome result of this cleanse.  Today was back to a shale day with one good healthy meal. I had my morning shake and then went for a 5 mile run.  I was excited for a good meal after that so I experimented a little and came up with this - whole grain spaghetti with grilled chicken, tomatoes, and avocado.  I used just a dash of olive oil and a little onion, garlic, and pepper.  Let me tell you, this was delicious.  Four days down, 26 to go... and a lifetime of better health inside and out.

P365 - 2014 - Day 117 - feeling good

P365 - 2014 - Day 117 - feeling good

Today was Day 3 and my first "cleanse" day.  I decided to do my first cleanse day on a Sunday when we have the kids' soccer games for a couple of reasons. I don't normally run on Sundays when we have soccer so I thought that would be a good way to not lose another day that I do run.  Since a cleanse day consists of a cleansing liquid and no shakes I thought it best to not run on those 4 days this month.  I also thought soccer Sundays would be a good cleanse day because I am occupied - so my mind will be off the change in routine..... :-)  I have gone into this 30 day cleanse with a positive attitude and realistic expectations, but I was a tad nervous about my first cleanse day.  I turned out to be pleasantly surprised at how good I felt all day.  I still had a ton of energy  - I got all of the sheets changed, washed, and put away this morning, showered, and headed over to the soccer fields.  After all three of their games (The Bear's team won 6-0 and he scored a hattrick, The Princess' team tied 1-1 and she played awesome at midfield and forward, and The Boy's team suffered a 4-1 loss but he was scrapping and fighting in leftback and forward) the kids and My Wonderful Husband stayed to watch some friends play their game and I came home to make dinner for the hungry soccer players and coach.  I joined them at the table with my last cleanse tea of the day.  Day 3 and I am feeling good physically and mentally and proud of myself for my determination.

P365 - 2014 - Day 116 - special Tweety glass

P365 - 2014 - Day 116 - special Tweety glass

I made it through the first day and woke up feeling pretty good on Day 2.  In between picking kids up, dropping them off, and getting ready to cheer on My Wonderful Husband's girls' soccer team, I ran 3 miles.  I had a yummy midday meal and later on when the kids and their Daddy headed over to Skipper Dipper I made myself my shake.  I pulled out my special Tweety glass (that glass has been with me for as long as I can remember....) and a pink straw for this very auspicious occasion.  I made it through the second day feeling even better than the first.  The non coffee headache has already subsided and I already feel like I have more energy.  I have been a water drinking machine and I can just feel that water washing away all of the toxins I have been carrying around.  Here's to another 28 days of feeling and looking better!!

P365 - 2014 - Day 115 - I am a MOTHER, after all

P365 - 2014 - Day 115 - I am a MOTHER, after all

It was Day 1 of my 30 day cleanse.  I woke up ready to get started - ready for a positive change.  I consider myself a fairly healthy person.  I run.  I eat pretty healthy - nothing crazy - but healthy.  I make sure the kids eat well and are active.  But that all being said, I have felt tired lately (that darn 40th birthday back in July...), I don't always pay enough attention to myself, and with my youngest turning 9 in a few days I can't really still claim to be holding "baby weight".  So, I finally decided to do something for me.  (In reality, I am still doing something for everyone else... because as they say, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.")  Now don't get me wrong, I love taking care of my family - they are truly the most important thing to me - my kids are my three best accomplishments.  But somewhere in between laundry, cleaning, driving everyone around to sports, arranging times with friends, homework, and all of the other "administrative duties" of a mom I sometimes don't have the time, the energy, nor the inclination to worry too much about me.  Again, I am not complaining.  I signed on for this willingly and enjoy every single minute.  I just want to be able to enjoy every minute while feeling better about myself - on the inside and the outside.  When I thought long and hard about doing this cleanse I questioned whether or not I have the motivation - can I do it? Can I stick to it?  Can I handle it?  Well 12 years ago I had the motivation to take shots every day in order to give us the best chance of starting a family.  I endured those shots and the sometimes sick feelings that went along with them because it was important to me.  Then I went through first 34 weeks and then 40 weeks of two pregnancies.  I made sure I ate healthy for the babies and I took care of myself because that, too, was important to me. With that all being said, I think I'm pretty tough. ;-)  I mean, I am a MOTHER, after all.  You don't get much tougher than that.  So if this mother can do all of the things that I do for everyone else (willingly and with love) then I should be able to do this for me.  With the first day under my belt, I feel good.  I clearly wasn't deprived - that was one delicious salad that I had full of chicken and veggies, egg, and nuts... I enjoyed two shakes as well throughout the day.  I ran my usually run - went for 4 miles and felt good.  I did have a slight headache because I  had no coffee all day.  This might be my biggest challenge, but I am up for it.  I look forward to feeling even better as the days go on.  I'll keep you posted on this journey to more energy and better health and fitness.

P365 - 2014 - Day 114 - fifth grade band concert

P365 - 2014 - Day 114 - fifth grade band concert

The Bear and The Princess had their fifth grade band concert tonight.  This duo did a great job - The Bear on the clarinet and The Princess on the baritone.

P365 - 2014 - Day 113 - third grade concert

P365 - 2014 - Day 113 - third grade concert

The Boy showed off his flutaphone skills at the third grade concert.

P365 - 2014 - Day 112 - we drove "under" it

P365  - 2014 - Day 112 - we drove "under" it

Tuesdays are a busy afternoon.  The Boy has soccer practice at 5:30, The Princess has soccer practice at 7, and The Bear trains with a different team at 7 during his sister's practice.  On this Tuesday, The Princess also had chorus practice after school.  So when a friend offered to pick The Boy up from school and take him over to practice, I said a resounding yes!  That gave me the chance to pick up The Princess and not rush right out the door.  We picked up one of her teammates and met The Boy at the park later so I could take him home.  The Princess and The Bear were getting a ride home from their friend's mom.   The weather was dicey this Tuesday and we were waiting for practices to be cancelled due to storms in the area, but the rain and thunder and lightening held off.  While The Boy and I were on our way back to the island, this beautiful rainbow appeared right in front of us.  We drove "under" it and headed home.

P365 - 2014 - Day 111 - I can't wait to get started!

P365 - 2014 - Day 111 - I can't wait to get started!

I finally did it.  I ordered my 30 day cleanse.  I have been wanting to do this for months and kept putting it off for a variety of reasons.  But I finally decided to just do it.  I am so excited!  I have seen and heard so many people get fantastic results from this product - I can't wait to get started!

P365 - 2014 - Day 110 - Easter with a side of irony ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 110 -  Easter with a side of irony ;-)

I was happy to have a quiet Easter at home - a Sunday with no running around to soccer games.  But it was Easter with a side of irony....the kids got new pop up soccer goals and spent the day outside shooting goals.  Apparently, you can take the kids out of soccer Sundays.. but you can't take the soccer out of the kids. Happy Easter!

P365 - 2014 - Day 109 - "bunnies"

P365 - 2014 - Day 109  - "bunnies"

This crew of "bunnies" helped me make the knots and then colored Easter eggs.  I hope that they always participate in and enjoy all of our family traditions for the holidays.  I hope they always have this much fun coloring eggs and being silly together.  As The Boy said today... Happy Easter Eve! ;-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 108 - As far as I'm concerned...

P365 - 2014 - Day 108 - As far as I'm concerned...

This morning was Operation Pizza Gain... My Wonderful Husband and I worked our team magic and cranked out two beautiful pies that smelled a.maz.ing.  Can not wait to cut into them tomorrow and toast my mom and dad.  The kids had a couple of friends over and since it was opening day for the Skipper Dipper, that seemed like a perfect dinner before soccer practices... that's good parenting right? As far as I am concerned these are more signs that Spring is here (despite my cold toes in my flip flops)...pizza gain, Easter, and the opening of Skipper Dipper.  Now if only my toes could warm up....

P365 - 2014 - Day 107 - undeniable signs

P365 - 2014 - Day 107 - undeniable signs

Dear Spring,

I understand that winter has been a real bully this year.  Snow, ice, cold temperatures.  We are all over it.  You made a shy arrival last weekend and then disappeared again when that bully came back.  But today, I witnessed undeniable signs of your arrival.  We went to The Chegg for breakfast and I set up my porch with my perennial plants.  I spotted the green popping out of the dirt in those pots and got to work setting up a pretty porch.  This is your season Spring.  Kick Old Man Winter out, put your feet up, and stay awhile.  We're all waiting.

Sincerely,

Someone who is so tired of the cold

P365 - 2014 - Day 106 - a great day for everyone

P365 - 2014 - Day 106 - a great day for everyone

The Bear and The Boy went to an insect museum with some friends while The Princess had a friend over.  The boys all had a blast looking at all of the bugs...they even TASTED some...EEEEWWWW!  Meanwhile back at home, the girls went out for lunch and met some friends up at the beach.  It was a great day for everyone.

P365 - 2014 - Day 105 - rainy day

P365 - 2014 - Day 105 - rainy day

The Princess had a friend over today.  It was an awful rainy day and they couldn't get outside so the girls decided they wanted to make cookies.  We ran to Acme to get the necessary ingredients and got baking... they made some very yummy M&M cookies for snack.

P365 - 2014 - Day 104 - new glasses

P365 - 2014 - Day 104 - new glasses

The Princess and The Boy got their new glasses today.  Those are two happy faces that can see much clearer now.

P365 - 2014 - Day 103 - soccer Sunday

P365 - 2014 - Day 103 - soccer Sunday

All three of the kids are now playing soccer on Sundays this season.  Last week we were lucky enough to make it to all three games to start the season.  But today we had to go in different directions.  We were all able to see The Bear's game at home and watch his team's 1-0 victory.  Then The Bear and I took The Princess to her game and watched her team's 1-0 win.  My Wonderful Husband took The Boy to his game where he and his team had a 4-0 win.  We met back home for dinner and some time to relax after a long soccer Sunday.

P365 - 2014 - Day 102 - the best kind of get together

P365 - 2014 - Day 102 - the best kind of get together

The best kind of get together is an impromptu one with good friends after a long winter.  I forgot to get a picture - but both the adults and kids all had a great time...  I thought a photo of my new Peahala Park sign was a good representation of the night... :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 101 - These boys

P365 - 2014 - Day 101 - These boys

It was a half day of school today before the start of Spring break and we had a houseful.  These boys had a blast playing at our house and our neighbor's house then finished off the day with an impromptu pizza party before heading off to soccer practice.

P365 - 2014 - Day 100 - a great pic with his buddy

P365 - 2014 - Day 100 - a great pic with his buddy

My friend came for the day to see the house and do some shopping.  Before she left we took The Pooch up to the beach for a little while.....He posed for a great pic with his buddy before getting back to his shell collecting.  :-)

P365 - 2014 - Day 99 - ROV club

P365 - 2014 - Day 99 - ROV club

The Bear was part of an after school ROV club in which the kids got to build their own ROV - remotely operated underwater vehicle.  Over the course of several weeks, the adviser and several college students taught the children about the ROV's and then broke them up into teams to assemble their own ROV.  Today they took a class trip to a local pool (with a beautiful view of the bay by the way...) where they could test out their ROV's and race them.  The kids had a blast and learned a lot.  I am so happy that my kids have such great opportunities for learning!

P365 - 2014 - Day 98 - the trophy

P365 - 2014 - Day 98 - the trophy

The Bear and The Princess' basketball coach has given each player a week with the championship trophy before it finds a home at Bageleddi's.  This week is their turn with the trophy.  Since they have to share the week, they have set up a schedule for the trophy to be in each of their rooms.

P365 - 2014 - Day 97 - every day

P365 - 2014 - Day 97 - every day

He is starting to learn to tell time.  Every day around 3:15, this is where he sits.  He stares out the window searching for his kids.  Here he sits and patiently waits for the bus.... well patiently until he sees our neighbor's dog walk to the bus stop.  Then all bets are off.  "Why does she get to go out there? huh? huh? I want to go out there too!!!"  Maybe if he ever learns to behave and be polite with our neighbor's dog....who am I kidding?  This is where he will wait for the kids.

P365 - 2014 - Day 96 - great start to the season

P365 - 2014 - Day 96 - great start to the season

Today was the start of the Spring soccer season and luckily we were able to see all three games because they all played at home.  The Princess played first with her new team.  They played a great game and had a much deserved 1-0 win.  The Boy played next and also had a great game in midfield. His team played great but suffered a 2-1 loss all the same.  The Bear played last with his new coach - My Wonderful Husband.  He and his team played their hearts out - they let up two unfortunate goals in the first half but came back in the second half with fire in their eyes and scored 5 goals!!!  It was a great start to the season.  Go SSC!

P365 - 2014 - Day 95 - she said he's her horse

P365 - 2014 - Day 95 - she said he's her horse

The kids all had a great day.  The Bear went to a buddy's house and had a great time playing hockey, The Boy went to a friend's birthday party, and The Princess went to a horse farm with a friend.  I had a great day too - I got some girl time with a friend getting manis and pedis - I love my turquoise nails...But the winner for picture of the day was The Princess.  She texted me on her way home from the farm to tell me she got me a picture.  This is the horse she "met" today - she named him Coco. She said he had no name and no home...pull at my heart strings why don't ya... sorry kid I can't afford a horse... but she said he's her horse... She is in love.

P365 - 2014 - Day 94 - experiment

P365 - 2014 - Day 94 - experiment

The Bear brought a gummy bear home from science class to do an experiment about volume.  This gummy bear sat in cold water for the past few days...and while I am no scientist, I guess his volume expanded???  He was less like a gummy bear and more like a jello jiggler.

P365 - 2014 - Day 93 - I was up long enough...

P365 - 2014 - Day 93 - I was up long enough...

Yet another day with a high fever and cough - with My Wonderful Husband home, I rested as much as possible and finally decided that I needed to see the doctor.  Since we had strep in the house, he assumed that was what I had along with the flu and prescribed an antibiotic.  I was up long enough to get this picture of my boys enjoying the nice day, before I headed back to my trusty sofa and slept the rest of the day away.

P365 - 2014 - Day 92 - this fever

P365 - 2014 - Day 92 - this fever

In full disclosure, this photo was not taken on Day 92 because I didn't get out of bed very long all day.  My Wonderful Husband wasn't back from work yet, so I did need to get the kids off to school.  But right after that, I was back in bed trying to sleep off this fever.  I was coughing so much I thought I broke a rib.  I moved from my bed to sofa and got some motrin in an effort to get up at some point but couldn't even get up to get the kids from the bus stop - luckily I have awesome neighbors and one of them got them off the bus and sent them in the house.  Unfortunately, I totally forgot that The Bear needed to be picked up from school - when all alternatives didn't work out, I changed out if my jammies, threw some water on my face and drove down to get him.  Then I needed to get him to soccer practice, which I somehow managed to do but when I came home, I fell asleep on the couch again only to wake up to another raging fever.  I barely could life my head to say hello to My Wonderful Husband when he got home...  This fever was knocking me out and the coughing was out of control.

P365 - 2014 - Day 91 - Well played, Universe, well played

P365 - 2014 - Day 91 - Well played, Universe, well played

The Universe had an epic April Fool's Day joke in store for me today.  After having a cough and a slight fever last night, I woke up feeling great.  The sun was shining, the kids all felt good and went to school, and I got the house all cleaned and disinfected before doing a little shopping.  Good day right?  Ahh... it was... but just before the midnight hour, my cough had escalated to the point of making me throw up, I could barely catch my breathe, and my fever had skyrocketed.  Well played, Universe, well played.