Less Of Me To Go Around...

...or that's what I'm hoping for, anyway!

(And no, that doesn't mean there's another J-kid on the way!)

I'm literally going for less, as in 20 lbs. less. I set a goal at the beginning of February to lose 20 lbs. by the end of May. I'm hoping that will be enough to get me back into my collection of size 8/10 summer clothes. Due to 2 pregnancies and the shorter summer season here, I haven't worn them since we left Texas. Nearly 4 years ago. Yikes!

I'm also hoping that this change will help with another goal: to actually get dressed in cute clothes every day. Yes, my usual uniform if we're not leaving the house is a pair of sweat pants and a long-sleeved tee, covered by a hoodie. Not exactly cute or attractive, lol. The primary challenge to this goal is that I have NO fashion sense. AT ALL.

So I'm going to need some help...but first I'm going to drop this 20 lbs. of baby weight!

I pulled out my Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds DVD today and did the first 2 miles. I thought *pant* I was *wheeze* going to *gasp* DIE!! And this is the same program that I used to do all 5 miles of while hardly breaking a sweat! I have my work cut out for me. Baby steps, right?

In other exciting news, I'm changing my name and moving...

to Wordpress! (He he he, had you going for just a second, didn't I? *grin*)

More on that later, since I still have to pick a host and then transfer everything. I'll keep y'all posted! :)

Awwwwwww!!

A certain little scrumptiously-dimpled cutie pie...




Is now sporting 2 cute little teeth!!




Isn't he adorable?!?! *grin*

Minute To Win It -- J-Boys Edition

What do you get when you combine a tray full of random craft supplies and household objects, 4 very active boys, and a little bit of imagination? Well, you get "Minute to Win It," J-boys style!

We took most of the day off on Valentine's Day. Even Jeremy took time off since he had a business engagement in the city that evening, so wanted to take time during the day to hang out with the kids. We played a few board games, but I could tell the boys needed something to do that was fun and ACTIVE!



So I ran around the house and started gathering items, many from our extensive collection of kids' craft supplies. I put instructions on index cards for each activity, then we all sat in the living room while the little ones napped and did silly things like:



Transferring pom poms from one bowl to another one a couple feet away using spoons held in our mouths...



Stringing colored noodles onto yarn using only one hand...






Stacking paper cup towers...











Using rubber bands to "shoot" down toilet paper tubes...






Flipping pennies from a craft stick onto a plate below...






Sorting foam shapes into bowls--blindfolded...









Throwing marshmallows into the air and catching them in our mouths...






Balancing a bunch of pennies on the end of a craft stick...






Catching giant pom poms in styrofoam bowls tied to our heads...









Keeping a feather in the air by blowing on it...












And rolling little styrofoam balls through a paper towel tube into a container on the floor.










We didn't play by the official TV show rules. Instead we divided into teams and did face-offs, with the winner being the one to stack/string/catch/sort/shoot the most in 1 minute's time. We pulled out our iPhones to use as timers. (Yes, I use my apps far FAR more often than I actually use the phone part, ha ha!)

The J-boys best events? Here's the recap:

Joshua could keep a feather aloft with only his breath longer than anyone else.
Jonathan sorted shapes blindfolded in record time.
Jordan was a pro at catching pom poms in a bowl on his head.
Joseph could stack cups higher than any of the other boys...

I emphasize boys because the overall champion cup-stacker was Jeremy. And I was the best at throwing marshmallows up into the air and catching them in my mouth--I only missed twice in 1 minute...I think I caught 10. Bet ya didn't know I was so talented!! :)

2012 Cross-Country Road Trip Part III--Hot Air Ballooning!

One of the biggest highlights of our visit with Jeremy's parents in Albuquerque was the 4 bigger boys' first hot air balloon ride. They were sooo excited!

Not only did they get to ride, but they also got to crew. This means they helped set up the balloon, and then helped take it apart and put it away when we were done. Here they are helping with the tarp that the basket lies on while the balloon is being inflated.

Joanna watching from her stroller

Here Granddaddy is showing Joshua and Jonathan how to hold the cables so the neck of the envelope (what the actual balloon is called) will stay open so the air from the fan can blow in. I was manning the fan. (And the camera! Multi-tasking again, lol!)

Jordan

Jonathan

Joshua

Jonathan is working hard!

All set up and ready to go! Just had to snap a quick pic before the camera lady jumped in the basket.

Joey, being a good big brother, covered Josiah's ears as we were taking off. The noise from the burners can be pretty loud!

Our shadow on the ground...cool, huh?

Aerial view of the field where we set up. There was another balloon setting up there as well, they were just a little bit behind us. You can barely see our van, and the truck pulling the bright yellow balloon trailer.

Little houses! I commented to Jeremy's dad that this would be a great way to get new landscaping ideas. :)

Jordan

Jonathan



After flying for 45 minutes or so, we landed so that Jordan and I could get out and let Jeremy and Joseph have a turn.

The boys "flapping their wings" to help get the balloon off the ground. Silly boys!

There they go! That's Joshua waving and Jeremy taking pictures with his iPhone.

Uh oh! Looks like they're landing on top of that house!











Look at Joey's face! That's the look of a boy having FUN!



Everybody helped take the balloon apart and put it all away.



The boys kept having to flop down on the bag that holds the envelope to squish everything down so there would be enough room.



I think they liked that job!



Helping Uncle Mike (Jeremy's uncle) take the burners off the top of the basket



Josh and Jon helping Granddaddy get the last of the envelope into the bag







The boys learning to tie the knot that holds the bag closed







Joshua



After everything was packed into the trailer, the boys got to participate in the fun little activity Granddaddy always does with his 1st-time crew helpers. He tells them a story about ballooning history (sorry, I don't remember the story!) and then they have a contest to see who can down a cup of sparkling cider first...without using their hands!



Ready...


Go!



And Jonathan wins!!



Joey came in second! :)

The boys all had a fabulous time both flying and helping. Now we really have to get out to Albuquerque for Balloon Fiesta. That's what Jordan is asking to do for his birthday, which is around the same time. Grandmommy and Granddaddy, can we come visit again in October, please? :)