Time for some lifestyle changes

Brandon and I have decided that we are way past due some lifestyle changes and have signed up for a "free trial" exercise/nutrition program for the next 8 weeks. We wont gross you out by posting our "before" pictures, but hopefully we will see some significant results in the next 8 weeks. So far we have found quiet a bit of frustration with figuring out what to eat. We are supposed to eat 200-300 calories every 2-3 hours throughout the day with a fairly even proportion of carbs, proteins, and fats-- have you ever tried to do something like that? Brandon and I have been eating fairly non-cohesive things throughout the day. Any suggestions for meal recipes following the requirements would be gratefully accepted. :)

Sledding

Poor Benjamin was SO tired. He fell asleep in the first 5 minutes!
We had fun sledding today, with just a few minor casualties. It's always nice when you can find snow gear on sale early in the season in anticipation of snowfall. (that and buy big, so hopefully it will fit next year!) Happy New Year!

Dance Lessons

For the past few months Eleanor and Quincy have been taking dance lessons through Hale Center Theater. They seem to really like it. Our little ballerinas?





(p.s. I love the panty lines visible through their tights.... hahahaha!)

That Shouldn't Happen When You're In Time Out!

When I got home from work the other day Brandon told me to go look at the coin on top of the bookshelf up in our living room. Curious, I went upstairs and to my surprise found this.... Apparently while in time out, Quincy had decided to find out what happens when she puts a penny between the outlet and her night light while it is plugged into the socket.... We're lucky she didn't get shocked real good and that the house didn't burn down!

Busy Holidays

So I know that the holidays are especially busy for everyone. At the hospital we usually about double our surgical schedule census for the 6 weeks between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. This year, in spite of the poor economy, is no different. It is really busy, but it is a blessing because it is good job security, but it leaves me feeling pretty exhausting by the end of my shift and then I feel guilty going home to 3 children and husband (when we are not passing in the doorway of coming and going) too tired to do much of anything. I am glad that I am not hosting any Christmas parties though.... My house it a wreck and I'm a terrible hostess anyway-- I'm just glad not to have that added stress. I'll let the people who LIKE doing that sort of thing take care of it.

sorry to pass the buck!

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at my parent's house this year. Yeah- 13 adults and 10 children under 10. :) It was a rip roaring PARTY! We had yummy food, had family pictures taken, played games together, tended children, met with friends, and generally just had a good time together (some of the boys even got in a rousing game of flag football on Thursday morning!) The day before Thanksgiving of course my kids all started coughing.... great. Benjamin had been chewing on everything the past few weeks and on Thanksgiving morning he had a tooth that had broken through! Hooray! After his nap that afternoon I went to show off his tooth and found that the SECOND one had broken through! Two teeth in one day! What a boy!

"I don't like his suit"

Yesterday at church I tried to take Quincy to her primary class but she would not go into the classroom. I looked into the room (of course we were late, so everyone was already sitting down) and found out that the regular teacher was not there but the parents of one of the kids in the class was substituting. After trying to convince Quincy to go into her class for a few minutes I finally gave up and she came to class with Brandon and I and then agreed to go to sharing time... (I found out later that although she went to sharing time she refused to sit anywhere near the substitute teachers.... especially the man.) When we got home I asked Quincy:

"Quincy, why didn't you want to go to your class today?"
'Because Timmy's dad was being the teacher and I don't like him'
"Why don't you like Timmy's daddy?"
'I don't like his suit'
"You don't like his suit?"
'Yes'
"Anything else?"
'I don't like the way he talks either'
"The way he talks? How does he talk?"
'He just talks, and I don't like it.'
"Okay, does he scare you?"
'No. I just don't like his suit and the way he talks'
"Does he make you nervous?"
'Yeah'
"Oh, okay. Thanks for talking to me."

Hmmm..... My daughter is apparently making decisions based on the suit a man is wearing.... should I be concerned?