Hello August!

So I still have a little summer break left, but for all intents and purposes, August marks the start of the academic year.  I know it won't be long before I am swamped with work and school and the juggling act that the fall brings.  I feel ready to get back into a schedule, but I really want to start and/or maintain some healthier patterns now.  I figure if I can get on a somewhat strict/rigid program starting today, I'll be more inclined keep it up (at least some of it) into the fall and beyond.  Here is what I'm setting out to do for at least the next 31 days...

1. follow the 20 minutes per day cleaning regime (found here)... I'm really hoping to keep the house a little cleaner this year!
2. wash and dry or fold and put away one load of laundry each day... see above!
3. go to the gym 2 times each week... this should not be very doable!!
4. do the 7 minute workout 3 times per week (found here)... I tried it out today and I really didn't expect it to be so intense (maybe I'm just really out of shape?!).
5. do the intermittent fast 2 times each week (found here)... we do this once a week around here so I just want to see how it goes when I do it twice each week (mostly to help break out of the vacation mode of stuffing my face all the live long day!).

Aden's birthday ninjas are very motivating to me for some reason! 

Ninja Swimming Party...

I think in general, the Tofu King and I have a pretty good division of labor (for example, he cooks and I clean).  When it comes to birthday parties, I do the cupcakes and treats... and he shows up in character (he has been a superhero and a pirate... this year he was a ninja!).  As I've mentioned in the past, I do love a good birthday party.  Here are a few highlights from the day...

The cupcakes and treats (yes... that's candy sushi and it was good!):

The Ninja Papa (he missed his true calling as a character actor... or clown?!):

A splash of color...

Our shelves in the living room were a vision of dusty, brown clutter.  It's the first thing you see when you walk into our house... and sadly, it was not very inviting.

Here is before (yikes!):

And here it is after (yay!):

A little blue paint and an attempt to de-clutter made a big difference!  I also got rid of a floor lamp that never really worked in the corner and replaced it with a hanging lamp (it makes me smile).  It was really hard to pick a color, but I'm pleased with this shade of blue... though this is definitely one of those projects that I predict will have a bit of a domino effect.  Let's just say that this weekend project has encouraged me to consider a few other changes in the room as well.  We shall see!

Oregon!

So this is where we've been...

... and it was seriously awesome!

Spuds!!

There are few things more satisfying than digging down into the dirt to unearth potatoes!!  I only harvested half of my bed and found some real beauties (lots of them!).  It always surprises me so much... it just feels like opening a present on Christmas morning or something.  I'm going to let the other half of the bed go for a few more weeks to see what happens (more presents I hope!?).  One thing is certain:  I know what we're having for dinner tonight...

Into summer...

Summer is officially here... the longest day actually came and went (how is it already June 23rd?!).  We're settling into our summer rhythm (swimming, bike rides, reading, lots of drawing, world cup soccer, hanging with friends, visiting the library, hitting the parks, playing a little disc golf, pony lessons, and Aikido classes... plenty to keep us very busy!).  This morning, however, it was a "Go outside and stay outside!" start to the day.  I set up the teepee and they set about creating a home away from home (you know... since they had been banished and all!).  

I was pretty impressed with the result...

"Santa" made this little tee pee a couple of years ago.

No tea for Abbey... poor puppy!

A clay pot and a large tile make a lovely table don't you think?!

A pillow-nest inside the teepee... all mama-made pillows of course!

They made "fire" out of bright orange flowers... very clever!

Carrot, tomato, and zucchini soup... and a fried egg.  Good little vegetarians!

Happy Father's Day...

The Littles made their Papa a very special Father's Day t-shirt using fabric markers.  It turned out pretty awesome because what father doesn't need a Rainbow/Disc Golf/Boxer/Dragon/Ninja shirt?!  Seriously?!  Pretty stinking cute...