Easter 2022

 

Spring Break 2022

 This Spring Break we...contracted a nasty stomach bug that slowly worked its way through three out of the five of us.  It was not pretty nor was it fun.  However, in between the children coming down with the plague, we did manage to squeeze in a day trip to Chattanooga to see Rock City and Ruby Falls.

We also kept it local by taking a hike to the lake behind our house to take a dip in the (chilly) water.  All of my kids are now proud members of the Polar Bear Club!

And what's a Spring Break without doing some cat yoga in the back yard?  

February Break

 We took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge over February Break.  It was our third time there, so we all knew what to expect.  As always, it was a great time!  Everyone except Judson is now big enough to ride the big water slides (but he doesn't seem to mind).  Caleb was even brave enough to ride the Wolf's Tail!

Since then we of course have been enjoying some local hiking in the lovely Spring weather...

March and April 2022

Days 1-7:  Moderate Weight, 10-15 reps, Tabata (20/10 x 4) (HIIT)

Days 8-14:  Moderate Weight, 10-12 reps x 3, eccentric focus, 45s x 2-3 for HIIT

Days 15-21: Heavy Weight, 5-7 reps x 4 (no HIIT)

Days 22-end:  Light Weight, 15-20 reps, 5-minute AMRAP

Days 1-7:  Moderate Weight, 10-15 reps, 30s each x 3 (HIIT)

Days 8-14:  Moderate Weight, 10 reps complex (all moves together) x 3

Days 15-21:  Heavy Weight, 5-7 reps x 4 with rest-pause (no HIIT)

Days 22-end:  Light Weight, 21s (7 upper range, 7 lower range, 7 full range) x 3, 45s x 2-3 for HIIT

Day 1:  Chest, Back & Core

(power) push ups

stability ball back extension

(stability ball) lat pullover

(stability ball) chest press

decline press

row

high cable cross over

angled press

neutral grip incline press

low row

HIIT:

stability ball plank

jumping jacks

side plank with band row (r)

mountain climbers

side plank with band row (l)

side shuffle

super man pull down

side to side burpee

skydiver

lunge jump

Day 2:  Legs & Core

half kneeling kettlebell halo (per direction)

one arm overhead dumbbell squat (per side)

squats

deadlifts

calf raises

leg extension

prone ham curls

cable glute kickbacks (per side)

cable adductor/abductor (per side)

decline Russian twist

drop lunge (per side)

HIIT:

calf jumps

pistol squat (r)

lunge jumps

pistol squat (l)

kettle bell swing

alternating side lunge

jump squat

step ups

Day 3:  Arms & Core

overhead carry (per side)

reverse plank

hammer curl to shoulder press to overhead triceps press

plank jack up downs

dumbbell Arnold press

banded squat to overhead press

row and rotate on ball

biceps curl to jump back triceps push up

dumbbell bent over Y raise

biceps push up

skull crusher with leg drops

banded plank jack (2) with kick through (per side)

Day 4:  Run Focus

Week 1:  Hill Sprints

Week 2:  Long Sprints

Week 3:  Steady State Run

Week 4:  Long Walk

Things Kids Say

One of my favorite things to do is listen to the things my kids say.  They will tell jokes, sing songs, misspeak in hilarious ways, recount stories, laugh about what someone else said, and just generally carry on a conversation.  

Wren asked me today why girls wear makeup, and then she told me that I was pretty without makeup.  (I just love her.)  She also told me that she loves me because I'm pretty and because I take her on fun vacations.  Thankfully, she did also assure me that she would still love me if I were ugly and too poor to take her anywhere.  

Yes, of course, there are (many) days when they call each other names (call me names even), hit each other and tattle on one another too.  

But sometimes there are those extra special days when I can do nothing but stop and smile and give thanks because of their words.  

For example, one day recently, Caleb was snuggling with Tiger (although Tiger may call it more like kidnapping (or perhaps catnapping?)), and I heard Caleb say to him, "Do you know how special you are?  You are so special!"  A few days later, Wren was petting Luna and said, "You are the sweetest, most precious girl in the whole world! Oh, yes you are!"  I heard Judson when he was playing with his action figures say, "You are so smart.  You can do this!"  These are all things that I have told each of them.  

I have heard it said more than once that what your mom says to you growing up becomes your inner monologue as an adult, and these scenarios are so encouraging to me.  They're listening to me!  And taking my words to heart!  I hope these are words that they will continue to use to build others and themselves up for many years to come.

Now, don't ask me where they come up with all the potty humor...