Reality

Some of you may be wondering how my 30 day exercise challenge is going (I flatter myself, I know). Well, how is it going?

It's not going.

At all.

I was doing great for about a week, and then I got sick, and then I just got busier and busier....

And now I have officially entered a health rut.

All last year I worried about how much weight I would gain on my cruise, but I should have been worried about what would happen when I came home. I have had such a hard time getting back on track. After eating such yummy food on the ship, I've just continued in that pattern....and my pants are starting to feel the difference. Ugh.

The goal that I set 6 months ago is far from being reached. And even though I have another 6 months to work at it, I've been starting to think about babies again (which means pregnancy will most likely come sooner than I anticipated---and NO, I'm not pregnant YET). As I've been thinking (dwelling day and night) about this, I've decided to admit defeat and adjust my goals to reality. I need smaller steps to help me feel like I'm actually accomplishing something.

So starting today I am on a new track---my goal is to lose 10 pounds in 8 weeks (April 9th). And then I'll lose another 10, and then another, until...I get pregnant (which could be 2 months from now or 2 years from now, depending on how much my 4 children continue to fight day in and day out). :D

Anyway, sorry to disappoint all of those who were "holding me" to my original goal. It's just time to adjust to reality.

Some Birthday Fun

Miss L celebrated her 7th birthday last month. She had a dog themed party. Miss L was insistent that only kids 6 and older were invited. Haha. I guess she's getting older. :D

The kids had quite a fun time. Everyone brought their favorite stuffed dog. First we made dog collars, then decorated dog bowls. Then we had a Dog Show. Each of the girls had a chance to show off their dog, followed by a dog parade. Then awards were given (each dog received a different award). After that we had paw print cupcakes, played "Doggie, doggie, where's your bone?" and "Pin the pawprint on the puppy." We finished with opening presents. I think overall the party was lots of fun.

Next came my birthday. Since my birthday weekend was filled with stuff that had to be done, I didn't get too much of a celebration. But I did have homemade calzones, which is the birthday meal I used to request when I was a kid. The girls had a blast making their own, and they were DELICIOUS!

Since I didn't get to do anything real fun, I came up with a mini-getaway for us last weekend. We finally decided to go to a beach near Sacramento---Stinson beach. I don't know why we haven't gone before now. We had a total blast. It was 70 degrees, and the beach wasn't crowded at all. I love that the parking lot is right next to the water, so you don't have to hike carrying your kids and gear. And the bathrooms were close by as well, which is essential when you have 4 girls. Haha! Overall, we had an awesome trip to the beach. Man---I hope one day I own a home on the ocean! A girl can dream, right? :D

Miss A, the crocodile

Miss L getting eaten by a shark

Baby C wanted nothing to do with the sand.

And this picture, I just had to throw in. One morning, while I was on the phone, the girls made their own fort under the bunk bed.