1st Grade Field Trip

Today I chaperoned the twins' 1st grade field trip to Cows 'N Corn, a dairy farm about 40 minutes away.  To be honest, I wasn't super excited about walking around a farm in 90 degree humid weather with a million 1st graders but Jackson and Josh really wanted me to go and it was fun watching them interact with their classmates. 

 

On the way to the bus I asked each boy if they wanted to sit with me or with their friends...

 

Josh chose me...

 

 Jack chose his friends...

 Playing on the little playground...

 On the hayride...

I learned a couple things about them today in talking with their teacher and classmates.  First off, they are both very advanced in their reading.  Josh is also advanced in his math.  Second, Jackson is by far the more outgoing one.  Third, at least three girls in Josh's clasas have a crush on Josh.  How do I know that?  They came up to me..."Are you Josh's mom??  I have SO many questions for you!  I totally have a crush on Josh.  Did you know he is SO cute?  What's his middle name?  Why doesn't Josh talk to me?  Does he like me?  What does Josh eat for breakfast?"  Hahaha, growing up with all sisters and being a girl myself it's very interesting to be on this end of the whole "crush" thing.  Josh is oblivious to all this, which is fine by me.  Girls are so much farther ahead of boys socially and emotionally it's crazy!  I noticed my mother hen coming out though, gosh girls leave my little Joshy alone!!  Two of the girls were always trying to hug him and sit by him and I could tell he was super annoyed but was such a good sport, he'd just roll his eyes and carry on.  Words of advice for anyone who wants to win Josh over: he's not the touchy feely type!!!  I also learned that, despite being 6 and 7, most of the kids STILL don't understand what twins are and I had to explain at least five times how and why Jackson and Josh are the same age.  Lastly, I was reminded how much I detest summers here in Virginia.  It is humid and it is hot and I am miserable.  Thank heaven for our pool and thank heaven for air conditioning and a husband that lets me crank it even if it costs us $300/month!

Today was also my Grandpa Barraclough's funeral...I'm going to gather pictures from my family and will do a post on that next. 

More T-Ball Pics

Our team mom, Susan, takes pictures throughout the season and I got antsy to see them so I asked her to send me a few...so cute...

 

Josh hitting...

 Josh in the dugout...

Jack hitting...

 Tyce not paying attention in outfield...

Tyce hitting...

We only have three games left, the season has gone by so fast this year! 

A week from tomorrow Parker and I leave on our 5 day 10 year anniversary getaway!  Can't wait!!!

Tyce's First T-Ball Game

Tuesday Tyce played in his first t-ball game!  He was SO excited and SO stinkin cute! 

 

Here he is before the game...

 Brothers...

 My camera doesn't zoom very far so this is the best I could get of him batting...

 Running to 1st base...

Waiting on 2nd...

 Looking at mommy from 2nd...

 While he was in outfield he ran off to go potty, haha...

So cute, Tyce in outfield, Jack on 2nd, and Josh on pitcher's mound...this will probably be the only time they all three play on the same team...

Tyce hit really well but he runs SO slow!  I don't know if he's so slow because he doesn't TRY to run faster or if that's just really how slow he is.  He had fun though, he ran off the field after the game and said, "wow I can't believe I'm a baseball player now!"  Haha, he's so cute to watch and we'll see how the rest of the season goes. 

Fun in the Sun

Today was HOT HOT HOT so we thought it'd be fun to get the sprinkler out!  The kids had a blast while Traci and I ate popsicles and sat in the shade..

 

Here's the clan...

 Haha, blurry but still cute...

 Josh was dancing...

 Tyce and his girlfriends...

 Cute Jackson doing sidewalk chalk...

 Sometimes kids are so easily entertained...

I am SO not ready for the hot humid Virginia heat...thank heavens I'll be in Utah for a month of it! 

Cell Phone Pic Dump

Here are pics from the month...

 

Tyce taking the garbage out, "Mommy can you believe how big my muscles are that I can carry this?!  Now hurry and take a picture because my muscles are almost done."

 Precious boy sleeping with all his stuffed animals...

 Walking to meet daddy at the train station...

 Play date with Alyssa and some caterpillars...

 Dentist trip...

 Cute Jackson warming up for his game...

 Their class pic...

 Their individuals...

 Parker and I went shopping for our trip...

Apparently while I was gone THIS is what they did...(don't worry Traci they had underwear on under Sarah's pull-ups)...

Tonight Tyce gets to play in his first t-ball game...pics to come!!! 

Weight Watchers Month 1

A month ago I decided to get back on weight watchers for a couple reasons.  First off, I hated the way I looked.  My clothes didn't fit, my face was fat, and I was living in my yoga pants.  Second off, Parker and I are going on a romantic getaway for our 10 year anniversary and, let's face it, I want to look sexy for my man!  Third, I turn 30 in two months and, while I do not have the "ah I'm getting so old" feeling (mostly because my husband and almost all of my friends are older than me) I do have the, "ah I did not want to look like THIS when I turned 30."  Anyways, I started a month ago and have been doing awesome if I do say so myself!  :)  I've lost 12 pounds so far and have 18 to go!  Such a daunting number but I will get there, not by my trip of course but maybe by mid-summer. 

Like any trial or struggle, some days are better than others.  Some days I feel invincible.  I feel like I could run a marathon and eat only fruits and veggies my whole life.  Other days it's all I can do to survive.  My workout is hard and sweets are screaming my name.  What I do love about weight watchers is you are allowed to "cheat."  You get extra points each week and I've learned to save those for things that are worth it and that I won't regret.  For example, a couple weeks ago we went out to TGI Fridays and I got a cheeseburger and fries.  I regretted it and was mad at myself.  Last weekend we went out to Sweet Frog for frozen yogurt and I did not regret it and was not mad at myself.  I am learned to save my calories for things I will really enjoy and feel good about.  The old Jenn would have eaten cheeseburger, fries dipped in ranch, AND ice cream! 

I have always loved to workout but since starting weight watchers I have increased the intensity: 

Mondays-1 hour of body pump (weight lifting class), 1 mile run, 10 minutes elliptical
Tuesdays-6 to 7 mile run
Wednesdays-1 hour of body pump (weight lifting class), 1 mile run, 10 minutes elliptical
Thursdays-6 to 7 mile run
Fridays-1 hour of swimming in the morning, 3 to 4 mile run in the evening
Saturdays-3 to 4 mile run
Sundays-REST AND RELAX

I'm grateful for Casey, my awesome workout partner who keeps me motivated.  I'm also grateful for Gold's Gym's cinema room where I can run in the dark, under a fan, and watch a movie...totally forgetting about how tired and sore my body is when I'm running!!! 

I am mad at myself for getting to this point where I have SO much to lose.  But I am on the right track and will get there soon...

Happy Mother's Day!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day, my boys took care of me!

 

Here we are before church...

After church we opened presents...

The night before we had been shopping and I had pointed out these cute flip flops saying I wanted to buy them and Jackson was SO concerned..."no mommy do NOT buy those!"  Haha, turns out they had already bought them for me!  They sure know me and what I would like! 

Parker made me a yummy dinner and did all the dishes (my least favorite part).  Then we had root beer floats and played games as a family, it was a perfect day! 

Being a mom has its ups and downs, however, I know that Heavenly Father sent me Jackson, Josh, and Tyce for a reason.  Although, given my tendency for wanting a clean car and house I find it interesting he sent me all boys who fill my car with sports bags, dirty balls, bats, pads, helmets, sitnky cleets, etc etc etc and cover my house in swords, dinosaurs, nerf guns, legos etc etc etc but THAT is what being a mom is all about!  Frequently I find myself focusing on my many shortcomings as a mother.  I need to work on patience, loving discipline, and relaxing when things don't go as planned.  But you know what?  I have three adorable, smart, healthy, precious, hilarious, athletic, playful, obedient, and LOVING boys so I am going to take a little credit for that!  Despite their mom, they are amazing boys and I learn everyday how to better care for each of them and their individual personalities.  I love being a mom and I love knowing that my little boys love me too. 

Of course I cannot forget to give a shout out to MY amazing mom who, let's face it, taught me everything I know!  I learned so much from my mom when I was living at home and continue to do so.  She is a good example of working hard and taking care of her family and their needs.  I probably call her at least once a day with constant questions, complaints, funny stories, or just to hear her voice.  She is more than my mom, she is one of my closest friends.  I love you mom, thanks for putting up with years and years of my complaining at the dinner table, hours and hours and hours of hot muggy swim meets, the drama that may have gone on in our house of three girls, and everything else I put you through.  Happy Mother's Day!

Lastly, I want my second mom (I feel that's a more appropriate title for my mother-in-law) to know how much I love her.  It did not take me long to call her "mom" because she really treated me like a "daughter."  None of the typical mother-in-law jokes apply to mine, she is amazing and I wouldn't change a thing.  Well, maybe I'd change where she lives.  :)  She's loving, sincere, dedicated to her family, and very welcoming.  I love you mom!  Happy Mother's Day!