Queen for a Day

Since this week is my spring break and a week away from work, Ross took the afternoon off as well and we made a date with Sage. I don't think we could have fit more into a single afternoon! At bedtime she said, "Mommy, I had a lot of fun today. Thank you." :) I dropped in on craft time at her school around 10:30 and stayed to make a rainbow collage with her class. Then it was off to Monkey Joes, where all of central Iowa joined us. It was crazy-busy, but she had a blast jumping.

Then we headed home for a quick snack and some coloring before Ross met up with us to go to lunch. We went to Panera for lunch for "macaroni and cow yogurt" (there is a picture of a cow on the package). It's her favorite meal right now!

Then it was off to Build-a Bear where she actually built a cat, which she named Lily.

 

She rode the silly little rides, which we never let her do. :)

And ran around, for what seemed like forever, in the play place at the mall.

After a bit more shopping, throwing pennies in the wishing well, and riding up and down the escalators, we went to Scratch Cupcakery for some delicious cupcakes!

She desperately wanted to take a break from eating her cupcake to go fold that purple shirt on the shelf, but we were able to talk her out of it...this time.

After a yummy snack, we went to Trader Joe's so that she could push around a child-sized cart--something she always looks forward to. However, just as we walked in the door a group of four girls snatched them all up, so Sage insisted that we have a seat on the bench and wait for one to be returned...which we did. After about five minutes Sage took it upon herself to go tell one of the girls that she was just going to "sit over there and wait her turn". We waited another five minutes or so and talked her into going to Costco and then coming back when they were done shopping.

It happened to be the best sample day ever at Costco. Her favorites--Annie's macaroni and cheese, Greek yogurt, jelly beans, ice cream sandwiches... she was in Heaven. 

Then it was back to Trader Joes, as promised.

We wrapped up the afternoon by picking up Drew from school and then going home to watch a movie. I think we accomplished our goal of making her feel special. We also had a lot of fun ourselves. It's amazing how different life is with only one child, and a three-year-old at that. We are going to have to do more date-days in the future. :)

Slow and Steady

Well, it's been a quick ten weeks. When I signed up for Farrell's, I knew that I'd have to do before and after pictures as well as fitness testing. I debated not posting this, but a lot of you have asked how it's going and to see pictures, so here's some accountability for me two months from now, six months from now, and five years from now. I hope to continue to get fit. It feels great to start my day with "me-time" every morning. Here's to the next ten weeks.

Remember this? For the past three years I have either been pregnant or nursing.

During my baby-making days... (and that's only 25 weeks into Sage's pregnancy) 

I was much bigger with Drew!

Post baby-making days. I'd like to do another marathon someday. Johnni? ;)

Splish, Splash, Puddle

 A few kitchen utensils and a sink of running water.

Plus Uncle Lucas supervising = one wet bathroom! :)

I'm a big boy now!

Since Drew has started walking and talking up a storm, I decided it was time to give him a big boy haircut. So, as soon as Ross flew to NYC, I cut off Drew-man's little curls. Doesn't he look so grown up? :) :)

 

I would also like you to notice that he is NOT wearing pajamas. :)

And he's off!

 It might have taken fifteen months, but Drew is up and running!

 This was a tender moment I just happened to catch on camera--Drew walked over to Sage and gave her a kiss, to which she replied, "I love you, Drewster." 

 

So sweet!

February

At the end of 2012, I jokingly declared that 2013 is going to be "The Year of Amber"... so I joined Farrell's... at 5:15 in the morning... and I hate mornings!  However, I have to say that I've grown quite fond of getting up at 4:30 and getting my workout in before work.  It's forced me to also pay more attention to my nutrition and what our family is eating. We haven't gone off the deep end or turned into major hippies, but it's been fun experimenting with new foods and cooking healthy meals.

Sage joined me for a sporadic work-out at home. You should see her push-ups and sit-ups!

I'm not sure how effective our workout really was...

 Uncle Lucas also moved to town last week, so it's been fun having him around.

In other news, Drew got tubes in his ears after three months of constant infections and has been a happy boy. However, he hasn't escaped cold and flu season. Yesterday he was sent home with a 103 temp again. We are sooo ready for spring around here! By then Drew should be walking! He's finally started to want to walk and will do so for about 10 steps. Otherwise it's back to the boot-scootin' boogie for our little Ginger. :)

Sager

Sage has grown to be quite responsible and the perfect little helper around the house and school. She fills our days with pure joy.

We also helped Sage start a calendar to mark her school and social events. She had so much fun putting on the stickers and talking about all of the fun days she has ahead at school. Before bed tonight she even checked her calendar to see what she needed to pack for school tomorrow and packed the box of cookies that she needed into her backpack. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. We sure love our Sager!