Feed the Birds, Tuppins a Bag

I had to make a trip to Weber State today so before we left campus we went over to the pond to visit the ducks.

I wouldn't have thought to stop before.  I'm a "get in, get out" type of errand runner, but since I've been thinking more about experiencing life with Leilani, it's fun to take a few minutes to stop and smell the roses, or in our case, feed the birds:)

*I would also like you to take note of the sun shining...thank you very much!

Overdue

Ok so I made this video for Leilani's first birthday.  I've tried to put it up here multiple times but couldn't get it to work.  It's 15 minutes long so come back when you're bored, but it's adorable and I thought 15 minutes was pretty darn good to cover an entire year:)

Enjoy! 

I cry every time.

Fitness Tip #6

Well, I have some big news about my weight loss endeavours.

I'm joining Weight Watchers.

Yup!

That's right!

I'm gonna be your next Jennifer Hudson

See how happy she is about it:)

I have not been very pleased with my own efforts and felt I needed an extra little kick in the behind so here's my next tip.

Fitness Tip #6

Do Something Different

If you are not happy with the results you have been getting with your workouts that you are already doing, seek out something different.  If you are not working out at all, start.  Choose something that you often avoid, a weakness you have to improve on, and your body will give you results.  If you hate getting your heart rate up, start to jog.  If you loathe weight lifting, then that is exactly what you need to do.  If you only focus on your strengths, then your weaknesses will always remain a weakness.  Your body responds (adapts, changes shape) to something different much better than the same old thing.

*An ideal fitness plan rotates days of resistance training with cardio sessions.

So this is my something different.  My diet is my biggest down fall and I have no one to turn to but myself.  I have never been a part of a weight loss group before so wish me luck!

Double the Fun

Sheesh!

I had to really wriggle my way around the system to get to a spot that would let me write a post.

My blogger has been down and doing very strange things.

Anywho!!!

Here are some of the things we've been doing.

My little munchkin required 2 activities yesterday.

The regular stuff just didn't do it for her.

Part 1: Mommy Daughter Date

This was my original plan because low and behold...it was raining.

We tripped on over to Petco to have a look at some "manimoos"

And that lasted about 20 minutes so then we skipped over to Deseret Book to read some books.

And that lasted about 10 minutes. 

It was lunch time so we took a jaunt over to Del Taco for a 49 cent taco and were disgusted by their Mac N' Cheese bites!

Seriously?  As if macaroni and cheese isn't fattening enough, let's dip it in batter and deep fry it.  Wow!  I could feel my pores expanding just thinking about it.

It was very fun though to have a little day out with my daughter and make sure it was all about her.  Usually if we go out we're running errands, so I tried to keep it relaxed and let her take the lead. 

She thought that was pretty cool.

Part 2: Sidewalk Chalk

After her nap it had stopped raining enough for the sun to come out, so I pulled out the chalk and let her go at it.  She's not really into coloring yet, but she liked that it would write on anything she touched, (and I mean anything...I don't remember sidewalk chalk being so messy, but it is) 

This chair ended up being her canvas.  Good thing it wipes off with water.

So proud of her work:)

Even the Mundane Tasks

Today is just one of those regular days of doing the laundry, cleaning up, grocery shopping, etc.

But my goal of having an activity every day is not just for the sake of having an activity.  Although it has helped me to have something to look forward to this week, my main point is to try to be better at including Leilani in the things I do, not just having her around me while I do them.

I've been reading more about child developement and children need an adult to help them make sense of the world around them.  Everything is new to them.  Which is one of the reasons having a kid around makes things more fun.  More time, more messy, and sometimes more frustrating...but more fun.

So this is Leilani helping me with the regular but necessary stuff:)

(p.s. Yes, this is just one day and yes she is wearing 4 different outfits.  This is part of the more time, more messy and more frustrating:)

Helping with the laundry

Helping Dad run 1.5 miles for his health class.

I think we have a future track star on our hands.

Love that sexy man!

(he ran 1.5 miles in 11 minutes and 45 seconds without warming up, training, nothin!  He probably hasn't ran for 3 years.  Sometimes he just makes me sick:)

Green Thumb

Turns out Leilani couldn't help with this activity as much as I had hoped.

I've been waiting for a break in the rain so we could plant some flower pots and we finally got a few minutes today.

It was more of a "no don't pull off the petals" "no don't step on that" "ok go ahead and put the dirt in your mouth and see how you like it" kind of activity.

I'm not usually a big fan of messes but they seem to be the essence of happiness for my little one so they have been happening a lot more often around here.

This is her going out to gather some rocks.

Isn't that the cutest little purple riding hood you've ever seen?

Putting the dirt in the pots.  A much more difficult task than expected.

Silly Mom!  You left the door open!

The dirt didn't taste too good so how about this leaf?

Well, at least I have some pretty flowers by my door:)

Come on sun!!  You can do it!

(I really wanted to paint the pots. Guess that will have to wait til next year)

Rainy Day Fun

It rained again today.

So what better to do on a rainy day than cuddle up with some good books and M&M's in your very own homemade fort?

I think she had more fun with the making of the fort.

Uh oh!  Now she knows the cushions come off the couch!

This picture absolutely cracks me up!  Her face looks like she's a little loony, but really she's just saying "Melmo" aka Elmo, very aminatedly.  It gets me every time:)

Gloop

It's raining today (again) so our activity had to be indoors.

I decided to go back to the classics.

GLOOP

Cornstarch and water!

She seemed a little bit concerned by it at first, but then when she saw me having a blast with it, she dug in and learned the word "gooey"

White was boring so I added some food coloring

The best part about this stuff...

no worries about them putting it in their mouth

(which is pretty much a garantee)

and it wipes off with water!

It even sweeps off the floor.

I know!

Summer's Resolution

Since I am home this summer with just me and Leilani I decided to make a goal to do an active play learning time once a day with Leilani.

It will be like my own personal 30 day challenge...except summer is longer than 30 days...so ya.

I have a list of ideas I am going to try and then I'll post them on here and let ya know how they went.

If you have any ideas just send em on my way.  I am really just trying to widen my tool box for toddlers.

Our first day was a success.

All I did was fill up a bowl of water and grab a couple measuring cups and outside we went.

Leilani had so much fun splashing in the water!

She's kind of a tom girl and loves to get dirty so she was all about getting wet.

When the water was all gone we went around the yard collecting rocks and putting them in the bowl.

It was an awesome way to spend an hour, plus the fun of spashing in the bathtub after:)  

A Wicked Weekend

Targhee and I got to go on a little get away this weekend to go see WICKED!!!

Can I just say... I LOVED IT!!!

I have been waiting to see this ever since I heard about it.  I already knew most of the music:)

The tickets are so expensive whenever it has come to Utah so I've been patiently waiting for my chance.

We found the tickets for dirt cheap (as far as Broadway tickets go) in Boise, Idaho and we snagged them up!

Targhee said, "Happy Birthday:)"

My birthday is in November, but I'll take it!

We dropped Leilani off at my sister's in Tremonton (thank you so much Tif!!) and headed up north for 4 1/2 hours through the most boring countryside ever created.

I've been blessed to see a lot of countryside, but I believe I have found the forsaken country.

Poor Idaho.

Actually, I lived in Idaho for a couple years and found many many beautiful places, but this was just sad.

That's it folks! 

This is all you see for 300 miles.

We had a book on tape for half the drive but that was even more sad than the scenery.

"The Pearl" by John Steinbeck.

What a depressing story!

I suppose that is how most people view life though. Sad, depressing, money hungry, and then you die. 

I'm so grateful for the gospel.

Anyway, when we finally made it to Boise we went door to door shopping for the best deal on a hotel.

We weren't looking for a room of luxury, just a place to rest our heads, so Motel 6 it was.

Dear, dear Motel 6.

Yes. Do not plan on a night of luxury if you are staying at a Motel 6:)

I woke up in the morning with a kink in my neck that practically brought me to tears.  Really!

We quickly changed out of our travel clothes and into something a little more appropriate for a Broadway show and went to find some dinner.

We stopped at Murphy's Seafood and Steakhouse and had some yummy dinner.  The food was good, but our waiter, Colby, (he looked like a Colby so the name just stuck with me-lol) looked like he had too many tables on his plate so we were a little neglected.  I started feeling anxious by the time our food arrived that we might be pushing our time limit.  I chased Colby around some tables and shoved our card in his hand and said "We need to GO!"  I think I scared him and Targhee admitted that I did look a little scary, but I did not drive 4 1/2 hours to miss my show by 10 minutes because Colby couldn't multitask.

Thankfully, we made it through the doors with enough time to run to the bathroom just before the show started:)

I was thoroughly entertained for three hours and felt completely content when the curtains closed.

Thanks Babe for a Wicked weekend!   

Back in Business!

Did you know that I always spell business wrong?  Probably not news to you since I spell practically everything wrong.  But for some reason it looks like busyness to me and should be spelled like this, buisness, instead.  (Irrelevant to my post, by the way)

But speakin of being back in business.  I know you have all been very disappointed in me...right!!!!!  You haven't gotten a fitness tip from me in months and I have a very good reason for that...

....I stopped being fit.

My schedule changed and I let that get in the way of my goals.

Sad day!

And you were all supposed to keep me in line.

Shame on you!!

Well, I'm back to healthy foods and exercisin my buns off so wish me luck because I plan on lookin smokin hot this summer!
What about you?  Are you back in "buisness"?

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

If you have not been to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point yet I highly recommend you go!

They have extended it until May 7th and I imagine that the flowers will be even more fantastic since it is finally sunny:)

It's what we've all been waiting for!  SPRING!!!

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.