Did you know that an entire world of highly functioning people exists at 5:00 a.m.? Yes, I know, I was surprised too. In my world, 5 a.m. is still the middle of the night. It is dark and all sane people should be asleep. How do I know this strange world exist, you ask? Well, I will tell.
We joined the Y (as in YMCA) this summer so that we would have a pool to go to. There are two Y's in Brentwood. This is a wonderful thing. One is about a 1-2 minute drive from my house. This is fantastic. The other is about a 5-10 minute drive depending on traffic. The latter has a really fabulous pool for kids. Slides, sprinklers, the works. This is the one that we use for the pool. The first one I use for exercise.
A couple of factors are at work here: a. We are spending $90 a month on this membership, so I am determined to get the most out of it. b. depression from a recent dr. appt. where I did not like the number on the scale or the fact that the dr. politely tells me, "it is almost impossible for women to lose weight in their 30s because your metabolism drastically slows down." c. My rear-end protrudes from my lower back in a 90 degree angle.
So, here I go to the Y.
Since school is out, I have the boys all day, everyday. Yes, I am their mother. Yes, I am blessed to have this as my job. But, that leaves my exercise options open between the hours of 5-7 a.m. before JW leaves for work. So, here I go. Alarm set at 5:40, exercise clothes laid out the night before, I quietly creep out of a sleeping house into the unknown.
The first day I walk in around 6ish. People are walking out already dressed for work. I'm like "what in the world?" "what time does this place open?" 4:30 a.m. people!! Seriously, that is not right. So, my first day I just run on the treadmill, do some weights, and exercise on the Pilates ball. I am feeling pretty good. That is my typical work-out. Then I hit an 1 1/2 hour Yoga class. Sore afterwards, but still feeling good. I think I'll step it up a notch and hit the 6 a.m. spin class. (Please take note that this is the 2nd spin class of the day, because the 1st one starts at 5 a.m.)
Well, to make a long story even longer, this was a mistake. I am not a cyclist, I have never done a spin class before, and it was just awful. I could barely keep up, but I managed to "stay on the bike" (as the instructor said at least 45 million times) for the entire hour. I felt sick the rest of the day despite 2 Gatorades, and lots of protein with carbs. The next day I thought I was dying. I was literally sick from that class for 2 days. I haven't been back yet, but I am determined to go back next week. However, I may not "stay on the bike" for the full hour.
Any of you out there do spin class? Does it get easier?
I was told at one point that you can use the excuse "baby weight" for up to 3 years. My excuse ran up back in April. Now I guess I've got to get busy.
Found this wooden airplane shelf at a consignment sale for $10. I knew it had potential.
Finished product. It took a couple coats of blue spray paint to get it covered. We hung it on Will's wall with his initial letters hanging over it. The initial letters were in JW's room as a child and we spray painted them red when Will was born.
Attempt at a group photo on the waterslide
Baseball cookies
Boys on the lookout of the playset
Will blowing out his candles
The pinata was very stubborn and was not coming down so JW had to get out the real baseball bat and hit it. Notice the candy flying in mid-air and the expression on Meme's face! (thanks to Aunt Gini for this action shot!)
Will on the water slide
JW on the water slide- (I went down the water slide too, but thankfully no one took my picture)
David, Will, and Ryan
(It wasn't easy to get Ryan to stop running long enough for this picture. Notice the red cheeks.)
Meme and John have a huge garden this year. Will especially loves the garden. Here he is posing with the huge bounty he had just helped pick.
Will picking vegetables
Ryan pretending to be the scarecrow. (standing next to the fake crow!)