In celebration of dad
I try to mention nearly every day much I appreciate our daddy and everything he does to keep our family rolling. He’s truly one of the best.
Kendall, Ava and Kayla, bowling with their daddy
He’s always thoughtful and kind.
He works his tail off — dropping kids off, picking them up, hauling them to activities, dragging their gear around.
And he gives the girls all the love and attention he’s got to give — I don’t think he’s eaten a full meal in the past two years without a child on his lap, horning in to steal the tastiest bites.
I’m so thankful for all that we have, and above all, for each other. Our daddy rocks!
Fitness Friday
Before the heat of summer beats us all down, I wanted to get the kids outside for some family fitness. One of my favorite places to do this is Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
Our kids are a bit too young (and rowdy) for me to feel comfortable heading up the mountain with them, but the half-mile Kingfisher Trail is perfect.
Technically, there’s no bikes allowed. But Ava was desperate to ride and it wasn’t crowded, so we sneaked through with it just one time. Despite a few gentle hills, she pedaled through with little trouble. And Kayla and Kendall were happy to check out everything that could be seen — even a snake we saw slithering though the creek. (Eek!)
After the first go-round, we headed off to the playground and caught a neat demonstration by one of the park interpreters about reptiles (our snake friend included). Then I headed back to the trail while everyone else played. I’ve always felt happy exercising there — good for motivation, right? There’s just so much natural beauty that you can kinda put yourself in another world for awhile.
I also managed some bench pushups and stretching, although I wished I’d have looked up some playground workouts before heading out there. This one from Parents.com looks good for beginners/new moms, although there’s no swings at Pinnacle to tackle the first exercise. (It could probably be done on the ground our on a bench, too.) Next time, I’m on it!
Wordless Wednesday
Multitasking = coupon clipping at the McDonald’s play place during breakfast. (The new egg white McMuffin is pretty good!)
Making a go of it
Now that the school year has ended and our family schedule will be (very) slightly freed up, I’m grabbing the opportunity to focus a bit more on health and fitness.
I haven’t been a skinny minnie since before puberty, although I was fit enough for a few years before I met my husband that I was once confused for a staff member at the gym. Those days are long gone, however.
First came the happy relationship/marriage pounds. Then came Ava — I lost weight after her, but not nearly enough. Then a miscarriage at 11 weeks that left me wallowing in sadness and comfort food. And then came the twins, who I was determined to grow as big as possible through the cheeseburgers and ice cream prescribed in the books for pregnancy with multiples. (And hey, it worked. They were 5 weeks early at 5 pounds and 5 pounds, 1 ounce. No NICU time, either. Amazing.)
But all that combined with 5 years of child-related sleep deprivation and a monster work schedule scattered with too many 10- and 12-hour days has left me with way more padding than I’d prefer. (And a stomach that looks like a bear attacked a kangaroo pouch.)
From time to time, I rally the energy to make a go of it, and get my rear to the gym and watch what I’m stuffing in my mouth. But then something always pops up to knock me off the horse — kid stuff, work, no sleep, heel spur, whatever.
I’m planning to keep myself on track better this time by starting a Fitness Fridays segment this summer. That will force me to do something fitness-oriented to write about! And perhaps knowing that all you friends and strangers out there are watching me will help, too. (If nothing else, I know myself. I suffer from overresponsibility syndrome. I mean, I can sidetrack myself — no problem. But I can’t let YOU down. That just doesn’t happen in my world, or I’d eat myself alive with guilt.)
So help me out! Leave me your tips and tricks. Knock the cookie out of my hand. Just let me know you’re watching me.
Last day of school
Today’s the last day of the school year in the Little Rock School District! Horray!
For us, that means we’ll officially have a kindergartener in the house tomorrow. I can barely believe that. There’s been a lot of growing up going on this year in Pre-K.
Tiny Ava on the first day of school
Not so tiny Ava on the last day of school
It’s been a real whirlwind of activity, but I think we’ve all loved it — Ava’s starting to learn to read and work on beginning math, and she’s also learned to open up a little more and make friends with lots of kids.
Being the nerd that I am, I’ve already ordered her a few summer workbooks and started to plan out a summer reading list. I’m not sure what we’re going to do without all the creative and fun classroom learning that Ava’s teacher has put so much effort into this year, though. I know Ava will probably miss school terribly, along with all her friends.
But school’s out for summer!
Pull-ups away!?!
Kayla and Kendall, doing their thing
We’ve reached a milestone moment this week: Daycare sent home the twins’ pull-ups, saying they don’t need them anymore.
But wait! They do!
They aren’t even sure of their own names yet, even! (Kayla ALWAYS says her name is Kendall, and Kendall says her name is “sissy.”) Surely they’re not big enough to go pull-up free all the time yet.
They still won’t use big potties when we’re out anywhere. At home, they need a stool and a potty seat to use the toilet. And Kayla even peed in the windowsill behind the couch this weekend. (An incident, I might add, that has reminded me to watch my mouth since it prompted a few rounds of “dammit, sissy, dammit” from Kendall. Whoops.)
And they especially can’t make it through the night without help yet. We’ve still been putting diapers on them at bedtime because Kayla can sometimes stay dry until morning, but Kendall sure can’t. But I guess they’re somehow magically making it through naptime at daycare OK. The immense flow of soiled clothes coming home in plastic bags has waned to a trickle.
I’m not sure I’m ready for them to be done being babies, either. They’re completely different than Ava was at their age — she was already asserting her will like a teenager while conversing in fully understandable sentences. The twins are still clearly my babies, sweetly giving kisses, often babbling in gibberish twin baby talk and at least sometimes doing what I ask of them.
We’re just not ready for this yet! Emotionally, anyway.
Holiday fun
Here’s hoping you all had a restful, relaxing Memorial Day weekend. We really needed the break ourselves.
We hit the pool, did a little grilling and rounded the weekend up with a parade of Netflix kids movies to recharge a bit. With margaritas for mom, of course.
Oh, and ice cream!
Cotton-candy blue-mouthed Ava
Kendall scoops in a little peanut butter ice cream
Peanut butter for Kayla, too
Ladies Night at the Promenade
Well you can add me to the list of ladies who had a great time Friday night during The Promenade at Chenal‘s Ladies Night Out!
I headed over to the Promenade right after work. Margarita Mama (Heidi) and I met up with Moody Mom (Kristina) and some of her friends at Crazy 8. I had never been in Crazy 8 before — but I’m thinking I’ll be going back. I got the cutest outfits for Alaina — and it was really inexpensive. By the time I was done, I picked up a dress, a pair of shorts, a pair of pants and six shirts for Alaina for $42. That is seriously getting into consignment shop prices — whoo hoo!
The very nice sales lady at Crazy 8 ringing up all of my great deals!
Next up, Heidi and I headed over to Bravo! Cucina Italiana to meet Arkie Mama (Cathy) for drinks and dinner. For ladies night, some of Bravo!’s drinks were $5. Cathy and I both opted for the Flirtini, while Heidi felt she must sample a pomegranate margarita.
Yummy
All three of us went for Bravo!s flatbreads and salads. Then I coaxed Heidi into splitting a piece of their “light” cheesecake, which was made with Greek yogurt. Delicious!
Heidi shows off her margarita
Cathy enjoys her Flirtini
Yup, all in all it qualified as a fun evening for this mama!
*Note, while this is a compensated post, all opinions expressed belong to me.
Out at the Promenade
We had a great, relaxing night at Ladies Night Out at the Promenade at Chenal last night. It was exactly what I needed after a busy week! And the weather was perfect for strolling around.
First off, a little shopping.
Moody Mom and friends, getting their shop on
Lucky Mama and I met up with Moody Mom and her group at Crazy 8, which is one of my favorite kid stores. My family is there A LOT because they always have such great deals there. And speaking of deals, I picked up a couple pairs of summer sandals for only about $10 each. Whoo!
A little something perfect for toddler toes
After a little more looking around, we headed over to Bravo! Cucina Italiana to meet Arkie Mama for munchies. It’s a perfect place for a girls’ night dinner — cocktails, low-calorie food that’s absolutely delicious and even light dessert!
What else could I start off with but a pomegranate margarita?
Flatbread Roma for only 340 calories — yes, please.
The light cheesecake made with Greek yogurt — a perfect way to wrap up a great night with friends.
Next up at the Promenade: June shoe giveaways! Click here for details: http://www.chenalshopping.com/events/june-free-shoedays-giveaway/
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This post is sponsored by the Promenade at Chenal, but all opinions are my own, of course.
Don’t forget Ladies Night Out!
Like many moms, I have to forcibly schedule any free time for myself. And with the size and young age of my brood, along with a job that keeps me at work past dinnertime and into the bedtime hours, that very very rarely happens. So I’m REALLY looking forward to taking a break for Ladies Night Out tomorrow at the Promenade at Chenal.
The other Little Rock Mamas and I are planning on drinks and dinner — there’s $5 specials on cosmos and flirtinis at Bravo! Cucina Italiana, and a free bar bite appetizer. There’s also live music on the patio at YaYa’s Euro Bistro and at The Tavern Sports Grill.
Some pretty spectacular giveaways are happening — shopping sprees valued at $3,000, $1,500 and $500, a spa package, a 10 Fitness membership and more. We LOVE giveaways!
For the first 100 ladies there, they’ll be giving away bags with coupons, beauty products and shopping essentials. And there’s sales, too! Here’s just a few examples:
- Charming Charlie - Spend $50 & receive a beach tote with purchase!
- Coldwater Creek - 40% Off Storewide!
- J.Crew - $30 Off $150, $50 Off $200 or $75 Off $250
- RK Collections - Buy One, Get One FREE* (*Free item must be $40 or less)
- W by Azwell - ALL Merchandise Buy One, Get One 1/2 Off!
So gather up your girls, your mom or sister, or anyone else and meet us there! I’ll be hunting out a margarita for sure. After this week, I think we could all use one.
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Note: The Promenade at Chenal is an official partner of Little Rock Mamas, but all opinions are my own, of course!
About Me
I’m Heidi, mama to big sister Ava, and twin little sisters Kayla and Kendall. Daddy does a lot to help keep our house running, but our chihuahua-Jack Russell mix, Snuggles, does nothing but sleep.
Welcome to my blog! I love sharing little slices of our crazy, kid-filled life, and I'd love to hear from you, too, so please chime in. 