Why Is The Easter Bunny So Scary?

Sunday, I decided I would get the kids all dressed up to get pictures with the Easter Bunny in Rogers at the Pinnacle Mall. Aunt Kristen and Uncle Brian were going to meet us there since they had not taken Ava yet either.

On my way to the mall I called to just make sure we would not be going during the Easter Bunny's break. Well I was shocked to find that the Pinnacle Mall did NOT have an Easter Bunny this year! WHAT?!?!?! I mean, did these people not know the work that goes into a mom of two getting their kids all dressed up and out the door without getting something on the clothes five seconds after they are all dressed? I mean they were all dressed and ready to go, loaded in the car and I was almost to the mall...PLUS my sister-in-law got her 9 month old daughter all prettied up to see the Easter Bunny for the first time! I was NOT about to let this time go to waist. :-)

The security office (yes that's who I had to talk to about the Easter Bunny) told me that "we don't have an Easter Bunny this year but he is over at Old Navy this weekend". I thought 'ok, we will just go over there'. But before we went I thought I better call and check it out. The person at Old Navy assured me that YES they did have an Easter Bunny walking around the store. I being the crazy creative mom I am said asked if they had anything set up for pictures and the store associate said "well we don't have an official set up, but there is a bench outside you could use" and I thought 'perfect'!

We get there (me, Kristen, Brian and the 3 babies who are all dressed up in their Sunday best) and make a full lap around the store but don't see a bunny anywhere? I found 2 managers at the front of the store greeting customers and I just said "I have a random question for you...I was told the Easter Bunny was at your store today since the mall doesn't have one this year" and the guy said "oh, that was yesterday." I wanted to scream...but kept my cool and said "NO! I was literally just told 10 minutes ago by someone at your store that the bunny was here today" (how's that for keeping my cool!) I explained the situation and he asked the other manager if the bunny was still here. She said "he's not but he could be" with a smile on her face. So, they went to the back and had someone get the bunny (and by that I mean someone had to get all dressed up again since they thought they were done for the weekend!).

Needless to say, we basically made someone get all dressed up again just to take photos with our kids! LOL Hey, that's what you do when you are a mom right?!?!?!

Colton was not a huge fan of the bunny and Lauren would not even sit near him which is why I'm in the photos below

(BTW I'm consoling Colton in the 2nd photo...not getting on to him)

Oh, the things we do for our kids!

Half Marathon Running Assumptions

So about 6 months ago my friend Keisha mentioned the idea of doing a half marathon with her in Nashville in April 2011. I instantly thought YES I WANT TO DO THAT because it's always been something on my bucket list. Well I mapped out everything I needed to know about training...or so I thought. I started training in January using the Hal Higdon 12 week method (although since I had not been working out I added in an extra 4 weeks (16 total) of training so that after 4 weeks I would be running up to par with the HH training method) I started out by running 1 mile - 3 days a week and gradually increasing by 1/2 mile increments during the week and running 2 miles on the weekend as my long run, increasing by 1 mile every 2 weeks from that point on. I went from not working out at all, eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and nursing Colton to working out 3-5 days a week and not nursing Colton at all.

I assumed that I could eat like I was when I was nursing Colton because the 3-5 workouts a week would wash out the food I was eating...first assumption that was wrong. I assumed that because I was running, all my left over baby chub would just melt away...assumption #2 wrong. I assumed that my 'saddle bags' as they are called would just vanish into thin air...assumption #3 wrong.

Well about 6 weeks ago (2 months into my training) I noticed my pants were fitting tighter than they had before in the waist and legs. I thought what is going on? because I just didn't understand how someone could be running 10 miles a week and be getting bigger. I reached out to basically everyone I know for advice...I mean if you were ever considered a 'runner' you probably received an email from me. LOL I did some research myself and found that runners in training normally retain water (for hydration on long runs), store carbs (again for the long runs) and gain muscle. I was perfectly happy with the muscle part but not the water retention or carb storage since that was making me gain/hold on to the fat instead of letting it vanish like I had dreamed. I started eating better than I was (but honestly still could have done better...especially during the 2 weeks stuck at home from the snow). Well I think that time was the peak of it all because now 6 weeks later I'm noticing that everything is going back to normal...but the good news is I have more muscle...so I'm assuming that the fat is finally starting to s...l...o...w...l...y go away...first assumption that I think is actually right! When I assessed my eating habits 6 weeks ago I started doing better then but figured why would I train for 4 months and only half way do something...why not get the full benefit by eating right too...not half way right like I was really doing but actually eating right about 80% of the time (80-20 concept). I think that new mentality is helping me not only physically but mentally also. After 3 months of bad assumptions I think month 4 is the month everything clicked with me. I know...I know...why did it take 3 months you ask? I honestly think I lived in fantasy world for the last 5 years! I know it sounds funny but I was very lucky with both kids and could eat what I wanted when I wanted and not gain weight. With that said, when you are pregnant and nursing for a combined 3.5 years (44 months) out of the last 5 years (pregnant with Lauren in Sept '06, had her in June '07 and nursed until March '08...then pregnant with Colton Jan '09, had him October '09 and nursed until Jan '11) then you will know how hard it is to get back on track...it's not the fact that I'm a procrastinator...no that would not be it at all. ;-)

Anyway, I'm happy to say that I have stuck to the Hal Higdon program (with some minor adjustments for things called winter and sickness), am eating much better now and feel great! The race is less than 2 weeks away now and I feel ready...nervous but ready! This past weekend I ran 9 miles and plan to run 10 or 11 this coming Easter weekend with the race of 13.1 miles next weekend the 30th! Watch out Nashville...here I come!

Lauren's First Soccer Game Spring 2011

Saturday, April 9th was Lauren's first soccer game of Spring 2011. Let me just say something clicked with my little soccer star because there was a huge difference between Fall 2010 and Spring 2011! She was actually running after the ball and kicking it down the field, etc. A few times she was even pushing nudging others out of the way to get the ball! Go Lauren!

Getting a little pep talk from dad during a water break

Let the shoving nudging begin!

My little soccer star!

And what did Colton do during the game you ask?

Playing Well Together

We had a great weekend with lots of fun stuff going on...so it's nice to capture these special moments on camera of the kids playing and laughing together! We love them more than they will ever know and I'm going to miss these times when they get older!

Colton LOVES Lauren so much that sometimes he comes at her like a Vampire baby because he just wants to hug and kiss her! Luckily most of the time she lets him.

They are both big into books...Colton is especially into any type of car book (cars, trucks, trains, etc). He goes around the house and says "ca-ca" for Car anytime he sees a car or wants us to read him a car book. :-)

Princess Lauren

After going to Hannah's birthday party and playing dress up...we came home and Lauren wanted to dress up again. She got Lipstick at the party so she had to put some on. She didn't want me to take a picture of her outfit...just her lipstick! :-)

Love you baby girl!

Where Did My Baby Go?

With the warmer weather this weekend we had not turned our air on yet so it was a little warmer than normal...so Colton got to hang out in a onesie! He looks like a little man in a baby outfit! Where did my baby go?

I can't believe he is already 17 months old! And talking up a storm!

Happy 4th Birthday Hannah!

Sunday afternoon Lauren and I went to a special Tea Party for Hannah Nana! We went to church with my parents and they took Colton from there so Lolo and I could have some girl time. :-) Thanks mom and dad!

Lauren and the birthday girl loving the party hats, feathers and gloves!

I just love this picture...I wonder what she is thinking under that little hat!

Lauren and Hannah cheersing their chocolate covered strawberries that Boni made.

Such a cute group of girls!

Tangled was the theme of the party I guess...Hannah got 3 Tangled DVD's!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Lauren loved dressing up as Daphne from Scooby Doo!

Happy 2nd Birthday Kieran!

Saturday we got to celebrate Kiki's 2nd birthday! She had cake and pony rides and lots of fun things for the kids to do outside! Happy Birthday Kiki! We love you!

The birthday girl playing tee-ball with her cousin Colton!

Miss Brady showing all the younger kids up by going down the slide by herself and loving it!

Lauren going across the Monkey Bars

Still learning! ;-)

I just love this picture. Colton is big into pushing things around the house lately. Well, he saw Lauren driving the car so he wanted to help push her...but she hit the gas pedal and this is what happened. He hung on though! Aunt Kissy is running after him to help while I being the awesome mom I am...stopped, laughed and took this action shot!

The birthday girl wet from playing in the water.

Lauren riding a pony! She LOVED it and didn't want to take turns...but she was a little lady and shared. :-)

Aunt Nikki and Uncle Mike

Family Shot

Ava's first pony ride

Love this boy!

Uncle Mike feeding Colton some cake. He tried to give him icing at first and Colton kept saying "no" but would point at the cake so we figured out he just wanted the actual cake...not the icing. He would just open his mouth like a little bird waiting on someone to feed him. It was pretty cute!