Bowling

So Lauren earned 5 stars this week for good behavior and she wanted to go bowling. So we ventured out yesterday to see how she liked it for her first time. Granted, she is a bit small yet to really be able to bowl, but she had fun nonetheless.

Eating before we left for bowling, telling me she loves me in sign language or that I rock. I'll take either one.

All dressed for bowling

In the car

Waiting for her turn

Not too shabby

Pedal Pusher

So we have been having some decent weather lately...love it. Very springlike and nice. WE had to take advantage of it and hang outdoors when we got home from work. Lauren, of course, had to play with every bike, ball, etc she could find.

Riding her scooter

Her favorite, "Baby Bball"

This year she has finally got the hang of pedalling. Last year she wasn't quite strong enough to do it and now....you can't stop her!

In our driveway with the neighbor girls coloring with chalk

Lauren had school pictures again at the beginning of March. They turned out pretty well.

Her class. The boy to her left is her BF, Jack.

Randoms

Another beautiful day here. Spring has finally arrived and I am LOVING it. I have been in a great mood the past couple days. I hope this warm and sunny stuff sticks around. Training is going well and I am staying motivated, which is huge! And now this nicer weather is giving me even more motivation.

I cannot believe that Easter is less than 2 weeks away, heck April is just over a week away. This year is going quite fast so far. We have lots of things coming up over the next few months, so I have no doubt it will be summer before we know it.

APRIL

4 - Easter

10 - Bowling Fundraiser

17 - Lyla's 2nd Bday party

24 - Crazy Legs

MAY

6-8 - Garage Sale

9 - Mother's Day

15 - Bridal Shower

21 - My niece arrives (hopefully)

30 - My marathon

Lauren taking care of her baby, Annie

This was so sweet. Daddy's night to read and she was putting her arm around him

Annual Gram's Brunch

Lauren and Cal, they look like sisters

Lauren right before her photo shoot




St Patty's Day

The invites I made for the bridal shower in May

Crazy Train(ing)

So yesterday after my friend, Melissa, and I saw the movie Remember Me (very good with a shocking ending) I headed over to Endurance House to finally get fitted for some proper running shoes. I had a wonderful experience and plan to go back when I need my next pair. The shoes I got are amazing, feels like I am wearing nothing. I am acutally excited to run now that I have these great shoes. I am hoping to start running in the morning before work and outside. With just over 9 weeks till my marathon, I really need to kick the training into high gear!

My terrific new shoes, Brooks Glycerin 8

Luck Of The Irish

So, I was home with Lauren last night about 6:30 when our phone rang. Jason had left for bowling earlier. I answered and my mom was on the other end sounding a little frazzled. Apparently, my father had just been in a car accident (broadsided by someone who ran a stop sign) Of course my heart started racing and I started shaking. Thankfully, he and his friend were ok, but his truck, trailer, golf cart and clubs...not so much.

So needless to say with my dad, my mother in law and father in law and myself all surviving car accidents in the past 3 years, we may be some lucky Irishmen. I think my family has met the quota for car accidents now, thank you very much!

Pot of Gold

Happy St Patrick's Day to all you other Irishman out there. I am 50% Irish myself and did wear my green today. Lauren donned her green seguin shamrock shirt and green hair ties (I will get a pic tonight to share)

So I asked her this morning if she was a leprechaun and she turned to me with a big smile and said, "No mommy, I am a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."

You sure are kiddo, you sure are!

In Awe

Lauren's photo shoot on Sunday went great. Karmen was amazing. Her creative ideas and her way with kids is phenomonal. She truly is talented. We shot in alleys, on a dock, on railroad tracks, etc. I am so excited to see the final images. Karmen was kind enough (or evil to torture me, LOL) with a couple sneak peeks yesterday. I am so in awe of these images. Lauren looks so grown up and so beautiful. No longer my baby, she is definately a little lady.

Photos by Karmen Lindner Photography

Best Water Bottle

I am in love with this new water bottle I got from Target this past weekend. I always have a hard time getting all my water in for the day and this little bottle is the perfect helper. Intak by Themos is BPA-Free, break resistant, doesn't leak and has a handy counter right on the lid. Comes in some great colors as well and for only $9.99, it is a great way to stay hydrated!!

Funky and Quirky

So last night was a running night. I did 20 minutes of straight running and then 10 minutes of sprint intervals. It was a good workout. Waiting for the weather to get nice so I can start running outside now and then.


I am so excited. An amazing photographer is doing $99 mini sessions this weekend at a train depot and I was lucky enough to score one. Karmen Lindner does amazing work and I am so excited to see what she does with Lauren. Anyway, the hard part now was choosing an outfit for Lauren to wear. It is still chilly here in Wisconsin, so it obviously has to be somewhat warm. I dug through her closet pulling out all kinds of possible combos. Do I want simple and demure, fun and playful, vibrant and exciting?? After lots of careful thought and talking to friends, I decided Lauren is only young for so long and why not do something funky, quirky and playful. I have no doubt Karmen will catch her personality in these photos.

Here is the winning outfit.

Striped turtleneck

Frilly tutu skirt

Polka dot tights

Jean Jacket

Possibly a beanie hat

Boots

An action shot with the skirt mid twirl

Here are the apple green sheers I got for our kitchen windows

Countdown: Day 84 and Other Things

This weekend went extremely fast, but a lot was accomplished. My biggest accomplishment...Saturday I ran 2.5 miles without walking at all and I did it in 30 minutes. I could have gone longer except my heel began to hurt. Another sign I need to get myself some good shoes. It was the best run I have ever had. I felt terrific!!! Let's hope these kinds of runs continue.


The painting is done too. I love it so much! It makes the house seem more cozy and warm. I added some pics...the lighting is no tthe best.

In the foyer looking upstairs or downstairs (color is Bavarian Cream by Behr)

Kitchen...will be adding green apple color accents. (color Belgian Sweet by Behr)

View from kitchen into livingroom

The accent wall. Terrible lighting. Same brown as in kitchen.

View from Master Bedroom looking down hallway.





A new necklace

Some gift tags I made to add to the fundraiser basket

Lauren reading one of her favorite books. I love the crossed legs.

Lauren and her friend, Aubrey

Lauren ready for gymnastics class.

Today's Schedule

Breakfast: Blueberry muffin and fresh fruit

Lunch: Spinach roll up with veggie salad

Dinner: Lemon pepper loaf, potatoes, spinach and steamed apples.

Work out: Body Pump

Countdown: Day 87

So the painting is 75% done. They will finish today. I LOVE IT! What a difference some paint makes. Will share photos next week of it. A rather busy weekend ahead. Tonight, we have a fundraising event for Caleigh's Cheer Team. Should be a good time. Saturday, I have to clean and put things back from all the painting. MIL and FIL are having Lauren overnight with her cousins, so Jas and I may go see a movie. Sunday, I have a shopping day planned with Tara who is 5 months pregnant with number 2 and just found out she has placenta previa.

Today's Schedule

Breakfast: Pumpkin bread with cream cheese and fresh fruit

Lunch: Many bean salad with colby cheese, bagel and fruit

Dinner: Stuffed potato with broccoli, cheese and beans

Workout: OFF NIGHT (fundrasier)

Saturday's Schedule

Breakfast: Waffles with strawberry sauce

Lunch: Vegetarian soup with tuna salad sandwich

Dinner: Veggie quesadilla

Workout: Running workout

Sunday's Schedule

Breakfast: Open face breakfast sandwich and apple juice

Lunch: spinach lasanga roll-up and salad

Dinner: Chicken and swiss cheese casserole and corn on the cob

Countdown: Day 88

Lauren has school pictures today. Hope she doesn't pull out the uber cheesy grin her father sometimes uses. I hope her hair is not in a total state of dissaray either.

Today's Schedule

Breakfast: Half a raisin bagel and cream cheese, plums and apple juice

Lunch: Vegetarian bistro sandwich with cheese, tomato, vegetable spread and fruit.

Dinner: Rigatoni pasta with seasoned veggies and dried fruit

WORKOUT: Body Pump

Countdown: Day 89

Today's Schedule

Breakfast: Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin with grapes

Lunch: Red pepper and garlic hummus with fresh veggies

Dinner: Seasoned meatballs with potatoes au gratin, seasoned peas and whipped squash

Workout: Off Day (might walk though)

Countdown: Day 90

Today's Schedule

Breakfast: Strawberry Bread and a Tangerine

Lunch: Turkey Fillet Sandwich on a bagel with fresh fruit

Dinner: Baked Tuna & Noodles with veggies and a dark rye dinner roll

Workout: Run Workout

It Starts

So today begins my full on, focused training to get ready for my 1/4 marathon on May 30th. I have 13 weeks till the big day and I am determined to get in the best shape that I can for it. That means eating super healthy, drinking lots of water (no soda) and getting my workouts in.

Today's Schedule

Breakfast: Homemade Granola & Fruited Yogurt

Lunch: Vegetarian BBQ Sandwich with coleslaw, dried fruit and nuts

Dinner: Baked Chicken with linguini and a side of herbed zucchini slices

Workout: Strength training - Body Pump (1 hour)