Breathe

If you're looking for the giveaway, and instructions on how to enter it, visit this post.

I feel like I'm inhaling deeply again, after not realizing that I had been holding my breath. Life has been SOOO CRAZY BUSY lately, that the pace just took my breath away in so many ways. But, with each task I've crossed off my list, my grin grows wider, my feet more firmly rooted, and my soul ready to fly.

Yesterday my amazing hubby and I signed some papers. Now, signing papers does not always make such an impression on me, but yesterday, it felt like life was turning a significant corner, the tides were shifting, and the sun was breaking through clouds - all at once haha. Our signatures, decorating beautiful dotted lines, bought us a house! A HOUSE!! We are thrilled to be building our dream home, a home that we thought we would never find in a million years, but which our realtor helped us dream about, find, and now purchase! Thank you Bruce for all of your hard work!!! Darius asked me which house is yours, "the one [to the right] or [left of us]." I told him we should let you pick for yourself, but either would be great. I'm telling you, if you want a fabulous realtor, call Bruce Dunham! Our home is at the electrical stage of the building process (it's a spec home, so we're receiving many upgrades for a fabulous, less than building price. Seriously great deal!) and we've been given a projected completion date of October 21st. So, we'll be in our home by Christmas for sure, but we'll just have to see how long before Christmas our move in date is!

That's just one thing, but do you want to know what else has been keeping me so busy lately? Of course you do! My cousin Lindsay came to town, and seeing as we've grown up hanging out as often as we can, the tradition has continued into adulthood. We grabbed our kiddos [Darius was off on an adventure, so Elias was flying solo with me that day] and headed to the Zoo. I haven't been there since Darius was a year and a half, and while Eli slept the day away, I had a great time catching up with my cousin, spending time with her Dad, and getting to know Linds daughter, sweet Maddie, better. Just think of all the hanging out we could do if you lived here Linds?

Last Friday my big brother and I planned a surprise party for our Mom's 50th. Can you even believe she's 50??? Seriously, this woman [mother of seven, and grandmother to three as she reminds all of us] is incredible, loving, smart, kind, generous, and a trooper to say the least. Anyone that can survive raising seven kids and still smile like that deserves more than a medal - maybe a tropical island to go and hide out from their seven kids and the surprise party they planned against their mothers orders?

My awesome hubby's work planned a Family Stampede Party for the day after my Mom's party, and so off we went as cowboy'ed up as we could manage. Darius saw the bouncy castles from the car, and in a reverent tone said, "I really hope that's my party." The first hour [no joke] was spent standing outside of the bouncy houses watching my sweet little boy go nuts! I'm so blessed to have enthusiastic children ahaha!

There's a glimpse of my crazy life. In a nutshell, life is busy, but great none the less. I look for opportunities to fit exercise into my everyday life, as my runs do not always slide so nicely into the jam packed days of a Mama in the summer. But, playing at the park, swinging across the monkey bars, swinging on swings, running, playing Frisbee, and laughing until Eli pees his pants, are all great workouts - so I guess it all balances out.

What are you keeping busy with this summer? Do you have travels planned? Or big life events eating away your free time?

Sunny Skies

Thanks for the boost out of yesterday's blah day - friends are awesome. Turns out that what I really needed was some sleep (why a mother of two small children would need rest is beyond me...)and so after passing out on the couch with Darius while watching a movie in the afternoon, I went to bed relatively early, and woke up feeling MUCH better. Add to that tackling some nagging items on my to-do list, running (yeah for endorphins!), making two different cookie dough bites, taking my boys for a walk, and playing toys and you have one happy Momma - with two pooped out and napping boys. So, while the boys nap, why don't I catch you up to speed on some summer 'must do' activities?

 Puddle Jumping

Poor kid doesn't have a rain jacket - but his winter jacket layered over a sweater kept him warm and dry.

Rainy days need not be spent indoors! Darius and I recruited my hot hubby to play with Sweet Cheeks inside while we went exploring the great wet outdoors. In the process of becoming soaked to the bone, Darius acquired his first last and only pet - a worm he appropriately named "Wormy."


 Lawn Mowing

Notice the boomerang he's clutching even in his sleep!

Yard work is always more fun when it's completed as a family. After weeding in the garden with me, Darius climbed up onto the lawn mower with his awesome daddy, and went to work manicuring a winters worth of unruly lawn. It was absolutely EXHAUSTING work!


 Bike Riding



Pure joy on wheels.

Just yesterday Darius climbed up onto this TWO WHEELER and started peddling forwards and backwards, with ease. Sure the bike has training wheels, but this big boy is a pro! He has his daddy's self assured athletic ability - a wonderful quality  that will serve him well I'm sure.

 Chariot Cruising


Darius nursed his slurpee through the whole twenty minute ride, and Eli smiled almost the whole time

Today was Eli (Sweet Cheeks) first ride in the Chariot. With the little man turning four (months that is) tomorrow, we thought it was time to try out the double stroller with TWO kids in it. Both boys loved the ride, and it turned running a errand (mailing a letter) into a fun family activity.

There are so many ways we can get outside and be active with our kids through the summer months; so take advantage of the warmer weather and crawl out of hibernation!

What is your favorite thing to do with your kids in the summer?

“Is this a Good Activity?”

(Are there any Brian Reagan fans out there? If you haven’t heard of this comic genius, look him up on YouTube and it will be your ab work out for the day.)

Yesterday we made the trek out to see the in laws, and get our house on the market. While there visiting, we did our usual small-town Alberta activity – swimming. Awesome Hubby and I have made an effort since Darius was young to make fitness a family activity. So, while we may be into lifting weights, running, and the such, these forms of fitness are not exactly baby or toddler (unless your Darius) friendly. Enter swimming! Swimming is a perfect introduction to functional fitness, as anyone of any size, age, whatever, can don a bathing suit, get in the pool and splash around. Eli went swimming last night for the first time, and loved it – seriously what’s not to love about a hot and humid environment when you’re fresh from the original sauna?

If you are not a swimmer, and don’t intend to try it out, here is a list of other family friendly fitness excursions and activities. Give them a try – you might just have fun!

Go for a bike ride,

or a walk,

or try hiking!

Playing at park,

have a dance party,

or play basketball/soccer/volleyball/baseball (or pass, shooting, catch if only a few people are available.)

Remember frisbee,

hopscotch,

and four square?

Or try the new XBOXKinect,

the original Wii Fit,

or exhilarating Rock Climbing!

Do you have a favorite family activity? Is your family looking forward to warm summer months to roam outdoors? or is your family more of a winter sport group?