Skinny Housewife: Extreme Abs

19 extreme ab workouts for women

Since I've injured my knee, and my cardio is being hindered, I'm using this time to work extra hard on my core.  I'm training for a series of Spartan races in 2015, and can't lose this month of time because of a bum knee!  PLUS--who couldn't use some extra work on the middle section during this time of year.  It's cold and gloomy outside, there is plenty of sugar-filled-goodness in our houses...now go workout.

I just want to note that you can't out exercise your diet though.  Don't expect a 6 pack while you're downing soda and cookies.  ;)  And, water.  I can't say enough good things about water.  Drink it.  A lot of it.  Every.  Damn.  Day.  Half your body weight in ounces, each and every day folks.  Get 'er done.

Sunday Snapshots

We took a xmas photo. 

Three "kidnapping" Two for the ransom money. 

Three working on his poster for co-op Xmas presentation.

Food spread from the party, and him giving his presentation. 

Crafting at the party

Lego creation

Crafting at home

Inventive playtime

Four helping me cook

And this one just PRIOR to him sneezing all over the onion. 

After our impromptu ambulance driven ER visit, he was soaking in the tub (to remove those tabs they use to monitor his heart and breathing) while explaining how he was NOT tired....he nearly fell asleep. This bath was followed by a nap for Bubba and Mama. 

Flashback Friday

Monday:  Stuff.
Tuesday:  Stuff.
Wednesday:  Amazing Christmas Party with our co-op groups, including presentations by all the 1st/2nd graders.
Thursday:  Unexpected ambulance ride to the ER for an acute asthma attack in Four.  Asthma can kiss my ass y'all.
Friday:  Stuff which included a lot of whining on my part because I'm tired and sick myself (I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection) running on no sleep BUT topped off by a husband who is bringing home dinner so that I don't have to cook.  I love that man.

Lazy Housewife: No Back Chocolate Eclair "cake"

No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake

I am being a scrooge about holiday baking.  I just don't wanna.  I'm in need of something to take to our co-op Christmas Around the world party tomorrow to represent France.  Who doesn't think France when they have an eclair?  This is my out.

Wordy Wednesday

5 ways you are unkowingly destroying your husband and killing your marriage

This post is inspired by this article.  Now, here is my disclaimer.  This article has a Christian slant.  I'm not a Christian, but I find many of their principles to hold true (just be good to people...it's not that hard.)  So know, going in, that it comes from that perspective.  IMO it doesn't alter the value of the points.  Also, it applies to husbands as well as wives (and there is a disclaimer to point that out at the beginning.)  I will just add MY thoughts to the points, read them together. ;)

Point 1:  If you are constantly living above and beyond, it's a source of stress for EVERYONE in your household.   You are stressed.  Your spouse is stressed.  Your kids are stressed.  It's a trickle down effect.  Just stop.  If you are in a one-income household, living above your means will make your spouse feel inadequate, and that really will cut the legs out from under anyone and that's not something you should knowingly do to the person you have pledged to love and honor.  Now that you know, fix it.  

Point 2:  This applies not only to your marriage/relationship, but to ALL aspects of your life.   Life isn't happening TO you, it is REACTING to you.  What you think about, obsess about, bitch about...will multiply in your life.  Constant complaining only breeds more BAD.  Change your thought patterns.  I know that not everyone has an easy life.  Not everyone is having a great day, every day.  But, dwelling on how bad your life is, and how much you wish things were different isn't helping ANYONE.  And bitching about it....constantly, to anyone and everyone who will listen....isn't helping ANYONE either!  I'm not saying don't vent.  Especially to your significant other!  I'm saying don't make it the ONLY thing you have to say.

Point 3:  I see this ALL THE TIME.  I know you all love those little beasts that came out of your body.  And, Lord knows, I love mine too!  However, allowing them to take over is a HORRIFIC PLAN.  I'm not saying put them at the bottom of your list, but don't put them above your significant other.  Your 'other half' should be numero uno 95% of the time.  Now, not every waking minute needs to be about them either...but they should hold priority.  When they constantly feel like other things are more important to you, they will look for someone/something to make them feel like top dog.  That's just truth.

Point 4:  I can sum this up with one sentence:  Have sex with your spouse.   Even when you don't feel like it.  Physical closeness (like negativity) will work its way into other aspects of your daily life.  If you feel closer to your spouse, your communication will be better.  Petty things won't get on your nerves as much.  Like Nike, just do it.

Point 5:  True that.

Two for Tuesday: Science!

Three and Four are currently VERY into science, and ask for experiments all the time.

We have candy canes that our Elf brought us, and I'm going to use them to do these:

Easy Christmas Science Experiment

Dancing Candy Canes

Manic Monday...

Just another manic Monday!

Our Elf on the Shelf brought doughnuts, the boys have been so pleased with the Elf this year, and I feel like it's one of the few years we have left of Santa-belief...so I'm trying to make it one of the best years ever.  So far, our Elf has:  pooped candy, had a war with the Clone Troopers, hidden Candy Canes for a scavenger hunt, and brought Christmas lego sets (a xmas tree and santa!)

If you're looking for some Elf ideas (because, truly, I am not that creative when it comes to this stuff...but I don't mind a little help from my "friends") here is my pinterest board.  I'm thinking our Elf will be attacked by the dinosaurs tonight (we have a ton of dinos.)

I'm off to make Three practice his reading (he's really struggling...while being lapped by his younger brother,) start some laundry then head to teach my Zumba class.  Send some positive thoughts up about this since I will be teaching without my knee brace.  I need to remember to take it easy on myself.  Then of course, we have TKD this afternoon.

Enjoy your day, may it be less manic than mine.

Sunday Snapshots

I've been taking aerial bootcamp. It's kinda awesome. 

My sweet (The Punk) and I saw Garth Brooks!!!

Three and Four belt test. 

Random working...

Doubles math game. 

Rare pic of One and Two both using my bed as their chosen location for school. 

Enjoying a warm afternoon outside!  (Playing Hyper Dash.)

Putting my elves to work..

Touring Historic Oak View Park, and the homes of the Williams family. Getting a "Christmas through the years..." Lesson. 

My fancy-schmancy accessory. 

Co-op Hanukkah craft. 

A science experiment to wrap our study of the water cycle. 

Sideways Saturday!

(This post is going to be a Two for Tuesday, Skinny Housewife, and Flashback Friday all rolled into one....Sideways Saturday Fo'Sho!)

Phew!  The weeks are just flying by.   Not to sound TOO cliche, but how is 2014 almost over??

We are doing well with schooling, I'm pleased with where the boys are.  One and I recently drew up a contract to help her get herself back on track (she asked for my help) and that's been going pretty beautifully.  Although, truthfully, we are just wrapping week 1 of using this new contract, so it's still in the 'honeymoon phase.'  However, after only one week, I can see a difference in her PHYSICAL behavior and she seems genuinely happier on the whole (She is dealing with depression, and I put in place some things that I was hopeful with help as she and I are both a little leery of medications.)

This month we've been learning about Christmas Around the World (different holiday traditions) as well as other holidays celebrated at this time of year.  In Kindergarten Co-Op this week, we covered Hanukkah (we did the menorah hand-print craft only I had the kids trace and cut their hands out of paper, and glue on paper flames because I didn't want to do paint!) and Kwanzaa (I was inspired by this, and each child made a chain with 3 red, 1 black, 3 green links, and we discussed the different principles celebrated during Kwanzaa as we went.)  For Early-Elem Co-Op, we are each working at home on a project board covering a different country and how they celebrate "Winter Holidays" and will all be making a food item from our country for a big Christmas Around the World party this coming week.  Our country is France, because my great-grandparents were french immigrants and I'm trying to hold on to our french heritage.

My job is going great, I teach 3 mornings a week and my ladies have asked for one more class.  I have to pitch the idea to my boss, so we'll see!  However, I injured my leg sometime before Thanksgiving, and am currently wearing a knee brace to assure that I don't bend it wrong (because it hurts like a BITCH when I do!) and I'm taking ibuprofen around the clock to get rid of the inflammation.  I've been braced for 3 days, and it really is helping a bunch.  I have 4 more classes to teach and then I'm on a 2 week holiday break.  I won't be running or dancing during that time, and am hopeful that by the time my schedule goes back to normal my knee will no longer be an issue.  I AM worried about gaining weight during this time though as all my normal cardio is what keeps my weight in check.  Seated cardio is way harder than you'd think.  I have a very hard time getting my heart rate up while NOT moving my legs.  However, I keep reminding myself that it could be SO MUCH WORSE, and I'll take this minor injury over something more major.

Two for Tuesday: It's Christmas Time!

Christmas Around the World

Mrs. Nelson's Class

This month for Kindergarten Co-Op we are covering holiday traditions from around the world.  For our holiday party, the older co-op kids (early elementary) will be presenting a poster board on a country of their choosing and both groups will be bringing in foods from a selected country.  I'm sort of crazy excited.

Here are some links to use to get your own studies going.  Explore!