Back from the Beach

We're baaaack! We had so much fun at the beach! We went to Ripley's aquarium, ate lots of crab legs, stayed up late and slept in in the morning, and spent every day on the beach. We were joined by Juju, Grandad and Grandma Patty. I'm sad to be back :) if I could live there I would. Now it's back to school, bills and other not-fun stuff. I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I would have liked, but here are a "few":

As SOON as we got there (still clothed):






Doing a fashion show with Mommy's clothes:



On the pier (Jack refused to pose with the family, but Ainsley thought she was a supermodel):






At Ripley's Aquarium (Ainsley wouldn't go, and stayed back with Juju and Grandad):




Last Day at the beach:










Now that we're back, I'm really going to get back on track with everything. School, blogging, exercise and eating right.

Happy 4th of July!

Earlier today we played in the wading pool:




Next we set off some bottle rockets:



Caught lightning bugs:


Played with glow sticks...


and sparklers:



Poor Jackie grabbed the wrong end of a sparkler and got a little burn on his hand
:( Here he is with his ice pack:

So, Daddy fashioned him a sparkler-holder out of a cucumber from our garden...you might be a redneck if...

Then Jack and daddy watched the fireworks in the backyard while Ainsley and Mommy sat on the couch due to Ainsley's overwhelming fear of fireworks.

Happy 4th everyone! How did you spend your day?

Countdown to the Beach

I made a countdown calendar with the kids this morning. I like doing these types of things with young kids because it's so hard to explain the amount of time until something to kids. I can say, "8 days until we go to the beach!" But how do they know what that means? So, we made a countdown calendar. I wrote the numbers 1-8 on a piece of paper, and we each decorated 2-3 of them with stamps, stickers and markers. Next, we stapled them together (Ainsley's favorite part) and hung them on the wall. Each day we will tear one off until they are finally gone. That day will be beach day!!! It's our own Advent Calendar of sorts. You can do these types of things in many ways: Xing of days on the calendar, making a chain, or anything your smart little brain can think of.

We're headed to Garden City beach right near Myrtle. I love Garden City because it is more of a family beach. There aren't as many ginormous hotels, and not as many partying teenagers. We're staying in a house we've stayed at many times, and I just can't wait!

Hope you have a great 4th of July tomorrow! We live about a block away from where they let off the fireworks here in our town, and they are so loud they shake the house. Poor Ainsley is terrified of them, even though we've tried everything including earplugs to help with the noise. We have a great show from our backyard, though, and hopefully Jack will be able to stay awake for them this year.

Biggest Loser Finale!

I won! I can't believe it. My major competition gained weight this week, and somehow I won! I'm $44 richer, baby! I'm going to keep weighing in every Monday morning and hope I get down to my goal weight of 130 by the end of the summer. Wish me luck!

Week 1: 164.4
Week 2: 160.4
Week 3: 159.4
Week 4: 162.4
Week 5: 160.8
Week 6: 158.2
Week 7: 157.6

Total Weight Lost: 6 lbs. 14 oz.

I Need a Blog Makeover...

Bad! I want a total makeover, a new header, a new background...everything. I am not sure where to start. I know there are companies and individuals who do this sort of thing. I know they can also be pretty expensive. If you have any idea about a reliable source for this type of thing, please let me know in the comments. I want a professional-looking, fun, and as inexpensive as possible.

Wordless Wednesday: Summer Fun

Biggest Loser: Week 6

It's been a good week!

Week 1: 164.4
Week 2: 160.4
Week 3: 159.4
Week 4: 162.4
Week 5: 160.8
Week 6: 158.2

Total Weight Lost: 6 lbs. 2 oz.

Around a pound a week. That's not bad, considering I gained 3 of them back one week. Next week is the finale! I hope I win!

Goodbye Paci

Yes, Jack still slept with a paci up until last night. I just didn't feel like doing the separation process that involves taking away a child's comfort item. He got older and older and I got lazier and lazier about it. I knew the end was near; however, when he bit the ends off of two of his last three pacis. Last night when it was bedtime I searched high and low for the remaining paci in our paci collection. It was gone. Jason looked. I looked. Ainsley looked. Jack looked. No paci. So, Jack went to bed without his paci. Around 2 1/2 hours later he fell asleep. At around 3:00 am he woke up, realized he had no paci and threw a middle of the night temper tantrum which involved throwing pillows. At 7:45 am he woke up for good and was quite the little grouch. But, we made it through one night and I'm sure we'll make it through the rest of them. My baby's definitely a big boy now :(

Biggest Loser: Week 5

My husband said: "Why are you posting your weight on your blog?!" I just rolled my eyes and ignored him, but I don't mind posting my weight on here. I like getting the encouraging comments, and it holds me somewhat accountable. I think everyone struggles with their weight at some point in their lives, and I'm certainly no different. Would you post your weight on your blog for all the world to see, or am I just crazy?

Week 1: 164.4
Week 2: 160.4
Week 3: 159.4
Week 4: 162.4
Week 5: 160.8

Total Weight Lost: 3 lb 12 oz

Slow and steady wins the race?

Pictures from the past few weeks

I've been such a blogging slacker, I just wanted to share a few pictures to get caught up.

...At cousin Ellie's graduation party






...fishing at Claytor Lake






...playing outside this summer.

Biggest Loser Week 4

UGH! I told you those doughnuts would do me in...getting back on track today.

Week 1: 164.4
Week 2: 160.4
Week 3: 159.4
Week 4: 162.4

Total Weight Lost: 2 lbs.

My Loyal Commenters

There are a few people who always take the time to leave me a comment here and there. Some are my family and friends, and some are people who just started reading my blog and have become a bright spot in my day. I just wanted to take the time to thank everyone who comments, because I love checking my email and getting those comments! Here are my thank yous:

Thank you Jennifer @ Coplings Hobbit Hole Jennifer has such a cute and funny blog! She makes me laugh!

Thank you MaryAnne @ Thrifty Craft Mama MaryAnne has such good ideas and such adorable kids! She has a new one coming soon too:)

Thank you Mighty M @ Mighty M Family Mighty M--I'm not sure about her real name, but she wins the award from most comments. She always has something nice to say

Juju--my mom, and my kids wonderful grandma. She doesn't have a blog or I would link to it. I never have to worry about having a reader on my blog. I know she reads it every day.

Aunt Amy-- my aunt, and my kids GREAT aunt. She is almost like a big sister to me, because she's so much younger than my mom. I love knowing that she reads my blog.

Mary Beth @ Irishembi...because I said so
and
Kate @ Does This Newborn Come With a Manual?
and
Michelle @ Lifes a Journey Not a Destination

I met all three of these ladies on a due date message board. They all have children that are Jack's age. They are all so nice, and I feel like I know them. I might actually get to meet Mary Beth soon when she stops in our town on the way to Myrtle Beach!

Anyway, I know there are more of you who comment from time to time, and I really appreciate you all too! I just wanted to say a special thank you to everyone. If you read the blog, but haven't commented, please de-lurk, I would love to hear what you have to say! Thanks!

Chocolate Muffins

This is a weight watchers recipe. They are soooo good, and only three points apiece. Also very easy. I didn't tell anyone in my family what they were made of, and they all just thought they were chocolate cupcakes. They are better for you because of the added fiber, no oil, butter or eggs. Here's the recipe:

Chocolate Muffins


Makes: 12

Ingredients:
1 box of devil's food cake mix
1 can solid pack pumpkin

Directions:
Mix two ingredients together. Mixture will be extremely thick. Do not add anything. Put in muffin pan, either sprayed with cooking spray or in paper muffin cups. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.

Biggest Loser: Week 3

Yay! I think I'm in the lead now because everyone else gained. :) I'm not getting too cocky though because the kids sold doughnuts for a fundraiser and we have two dozen sitting on our kitchen counter mocking me right now.

Week 1: 164.4
Week 2: 160.4
Week 3: 159.4

Total weight lost: 5 lbs