Outdoor plans

I know I know, I haven't been around for a few weeks and for that I apologize. I think I have been totally overwhelmed with all the challenges parenting can bring.  My mind has been spinning with ideas for what positive changes our household needs to make in the next few months.  One of those ideas is really getting some good use out of our large backyard.  Last summer I told you about our new sandbox.  It hasn't really gotten the use we hoped mainly because the sand is quite messy.  My new outlook is, let's get messy.  Here they are having a blast because I agreed to let them fill it with water.

We recently added some stepping stones over by our big apple tree.  They are great for developing balance, agility, and coordination.  They are also great to sit on while you eat your popsicle.  My husband strategically placed them to make it easier for the kids to climb the tree.  You can see Rooster perched happily up there.

We also added a tether ball to work on hand/eye coordination and upper body strength.  I think me and the hubby may be enjoying it more than the kids.  You can see it way in the background of this picture.

This appears to just be the first steps in revamping our backyard.  Right now I'm working on deciding the how and where of a mud kitchen.  Won't that be fun for the summer?  I bet you can't wait to come play!

Couch to Smokies finishes up with parchuting

Well, like Murphy's law dictates, my Couch to Smokies series did not go as well as anticipated.  I was relying on great weather for many long walks and runs but we have been plagued with rain.  Today I was forced to turn on my creative juices to get them moving and let me tell you, it took a power juicer to get them going.  Something about the rain just makes me want to curl up in bed with a good book; as if I've even been able to do that since having kids. I fought through that urge, poured an extra cup of coffee and decided to have a jumping contest.  Every good jumping contest needs a parachute, right?  This is what we did...

 I started with an old pillow case (obviously I haven't finished simplifying my house since I have random pillow cases sitting around).  I cut the pillow case in half.

Then we painted them.  Sorry for the blurry picture, I guess I moved.

It's interesting to see the difference between the art work of a 6 year old...

compared to his 17 months younger 4 year old sister

After they dried, I was forced to venture outside to get some sticks for the handles.  I used my nifty Pampered Chef scissors to trim them.  I love these scissors as they cut through anything!

We used two sticks per parachute to make two handles.  I just took the stick and placed it on one of the corners

I then rolled it up to see how far I needed to go to cut my handle slit

I then cut a slit just above my roll

I then rolled duct tape (because it holds anything) around the stick to make a firm handle

See, nothing fancy here but it's sturdy

The kiddos grabbed the handles, held the chutes above their heads, and jumped!

Over, and over again

Lots of fun and great exercise! Rooster was the longest jumper but one could guess that given how big he is.  They asked if they could keep their chutes as if I had just created some forbidden toy! 

Couch to Smokies continues

We have been busy these past few days cleaning the house and continuing to exercise. Two days ago, my birthday gift to my triplet nephews arrived. I bought them those sit on scooters we used to use in gym class. Remember those? Here they are at Amazon in case you want one too. 
Gamecraft Safety Guard Scooter Boards /Green

I was pleasantly surprised when I checked out and there was no shipping charge despite not being a Prime item. Anyway, I saw the opportunity and knew my nephews wouldn't mind letting their cousins try them out.  They loved them! I'm sending an early request to Santa to get all 3 kids these.  It is great exercise with endless games you can make up.  That was their exercise for the day.

Yesterday, the mean mommy I am made them walk to our still closed association pool in the hot 85 degree weather. They were troopers and I rewarded their efforts with some frosty treats!

Smart Trike Deluxe 3 In 1 Pink Flowers

Today they were busy climbing firetrucks at a local fire station.

Just as their time was ending at Station 20, the alarm rang and they watched the trucks spring into action.

 Who ever said exercise can't be fun?

*Disclaimer:  Yes, I do get a percentage if you buy a Gamecraft scooter through my link. Don't worry, it won't make me rich and I won't paste links for any products that I don't fully support or believe others would enjoy

15 in 30- Day 15 and the new Couch to Smokies challenge

As I mentioned earlier, today ends our 15 in 30 outside activities.  I thought about taking a break before my next challenge but I'm just way to excited for this next one.  I also don't have much time to meet my deadline.  On May 20th, my little Rooster is going on a backpacking trip with my hubby and his brother in the beautiful Smokey Mountains in Tennessee.  The hike to their campsite is approximately five miles long.  My husband had already surrendered to having to carry my 45lb Rooster but I frankly think it is ridiculous that a six year old can not walk five miles.  Therefore, it is boot camp for my little buddy (only he doesn't know it). 

I will be the first to admit I have no idea what the Couch to 5K program entails. I've heard about it and that is about it, but the name is so catchy.  I have no rhyme or reason for my fitness activities with my kiddos, it is just whatever comes up and gets them moving.  I figure they need at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day to really get an increase in their energy levels (am I insane?) and any extra is bonus.  I'm happy to report our first day went quite well.

We started with a low key activity to get them basically "off the couch".  We went outside with a twin size sheet and filled it with plastic balls (half of my workout was keeping Beaner off them).

Then the kiddos each grabbed an end of the sheet

and shook like crazy!

Bray decided we needed to put a bigger ball on there and I then had to lend a hand to the activity

This activity is great for strengthening those arms or as my friend Kelly over at My Space Without the Distraction calls them "Bingo Wings".  I quote, You know... the sag of skin that flaps around when the old ladies shake their arms up in the air while yelling, "Bingo!"    Check Kelly out if need some workout motivation.  She's quite the funny blogger! http://kelbelsbox.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-23.html

Anyway, Rooster decided he was done exercising after about 10 minutes.  Not quite what I had in mind. He suddenly decided he needed to make a squirrel nest.  That is one thing I love about age six.  They are creative and capable.  Being the smart cookie I am at times, I convinced him that we needed to go on a walk and look at where squirrels lived and gather some acorns.  He bought that one hook, line, and sinker.  So off we went arond the block.  Here is building the squirrel home.  He is gluing acorns to card board.

Once my hubby came home from work, I told him my plans and he immediately climbed on board and agreed it was time for our family walk.

The Beaner is much happier in her new bike than the old stroller she used to get dragged around in

Like old friends, Rooster and Peanut talked about dead chickens for so long I think they forgot they were walking.  They were making dead chickens out of everything they saw because that is funny to a four and six year old.  Next thing I knew, we had walked one mile and they cried when it ended!

All and all, a great day one for the Couch to Smokies challenge!

15 in 30- Day 14/15

Wow, it has been 30 days already since we started our 15 in 30 things to do outside challenge.  It turned out to be much harder than I anticipated for several reasons.  One, the weather.  It did not always cooperate and forced us to enjoy any kind of weather. Two, we are a one car family by choice. My hubby works 1 mile from our house so it makes no sense to have 2 cars.  I, however, do not function much before 9am so if I want the car, I have to be on my game, and take all 3 kids to drop him off at work. I know, I know, "you lazy mama" your all thinking.  To my defense, there is a direct correlation to the amount of sleep I get at night and how soon I get moving in the morning. and our final struggle with outside activities is a half crawling half walking baby! 

Well, yesterday was 30 days so today we are blogging two different activities for you to finish up this series and start our new challenge.  Day 14's activity is water!  We chose the water table that Beaner got for her early birthday celebration.  Talk about squeals and giggles from a baby!  All 3 kids enjoyed this as they love water.  You can use anything.  Fill different bowls for them to play in with measuring cups, put water on a tarp for an instant slip and slide or the good old fashioned hose spraying.  So here are some pics of our activity.  Stay tuned for Day 15's activity as it is also the first activity of our next series!

Aren't they just adorable?

15 in 30- Day 13

Before you scroll down with disappointment, I did not take any pictures today.  The outside activity was of course our garage sale.  For Rooster, this meant his first little business.  Last year, some of you may recall, he made a sign and walked around the street recruiting people to our sale.  We were so proud of him.
This year, he decided to do a lemonade/cookie stand.  He is such a dedicated little man and so quiet about it. He sat there all morning and most of the afternoon tending quietly to his customers. I pretty sure others thought he was as cute as I did given the amount of "tips" he received!  Our garage sale was crazy busy so I didn't get a picture but I hope to get one tomorrow as he tends to his stand once again.  I think the funniest part of the day was when midway through, I noticed all his dollar bills were gone.  In a slight panic, I asked him where they went.  His response "my bank".  End of story.  "Don't ask me anything more about it mom" was the look I got.

Here are pictures from day 2!

15 in 30- Day 12

Do you remember when you were a child playing outside on a hot summer night?  Suddenly you hear the music and you know its the ice cream truck?  So you run fast to get your loose change and hope to catch him?  Well, that was our activity for the evening as I think every child should have the great memory of chasing the ice cream truck.  Unfortunately, 12 years in law enforcement has corrupted my thoughts of the ice cream man but that is for another blog.  When I was a kid though, he was magical as he had ice cream that no one else did.  The ones with the gumball at the bottom? mmmm
So when I heard that familiar sound coming through our neighborhood, I regressed back to that little girl and grabbed my loyal followers.  I'm not sure what the man was thinking coming through at 7:30pm during the week?  Luckily my husband indulged my craziness as I grabbed my pajama dressed kiddos and headed out the door.

Here they stand in our driveway, yes in pajamas, wondering why I brought them outside.  Notice my 6 year old likes the inside out style for his PJs.  I'm behind them saying "do you hear that?  do you hear the music? It's the ice cream truck! Run, run as fast as you can before he leaves!"

Here they are running.  Clearly you can tell which child wants the ice cream most.

They spotted the truck in the park and start jumping up and down for him to stop

Suzy Q truck stops and informs us he is out of just about everything.  I wanted to yell "then what the heck are you doing out at this hour?" but I calmly told him my kids are visual and to show them what he has before my 4 year old really shows her true colors

They settled for a Twix ice cream bar and ice cream sandwich.  They clearly were wanting the rocket pops though.  Remember those?

My kiddos then ran back to show daddy their goods.  I then, being the mean mommy that I am, slapped on the "kill joy" and told them they had to wait until tomorrow to eat them.  They surprisingly took the news quite well and went to bed with a smile on their face!

15 in 30- Day 11

Today we took off to one of our favorite parks here in Lexington.  Dogwood park in the Dogwood subdivision off Harrodsburg Road, just South of Man O'War.  We brought a picnic with us because it's one of those parks that makes you want to do that.  Although it connects to our subdivision, the parking lot is in the Dogwood subdivision.  If you don't have three kids to drag along, you can easily ride your bike there from our house and cross a lovely little creek often full of tadpoles and crawdads.  I drove because, well, I have three kids to drag along.

This is what you see from the parking lot. 

This is a wonderful spot for a picnic covered from the days hot sun.

There is a long path to walk along

Down there is the little bridge with the crawdads

The playground is one of the better ones we have seen

which brings big smiles to all!