Untitled from Sarah Nosek on Vimeo.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
A puppy and two giggling girls :)
Caroline and one of her best friends, Audrey, played with Moxie this morning. Their giggling just makes me happy! Moxie was in her glory! Sweet puppy!
Untitled from Sarah Nosek on Vimeo.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Today's blessings
--Evan's room and the play room are clean, and the process was not painful. ;)
--3 FANTABULOUS report cards. We are so proud of our kiddos!
--Compliments from friends and teachers about our Seth
--After much frustration, I was finally able to upload a video to my blog from my phone. What would be more of a blessing is if I could remember how to do it next time. ;)
--Facebooking with my sister and my niece...so much fun!
--A dear friend who I haven't seen in ages contacted me, and we're going out for a girls' night Monday! I can't wait to see her!
--Sweet Moxie. I love how she makes the kids laugh! (And she looks so cute and fluffy after her bath!)
--Green grass, buds on trees, and plants poking up in the garden! YAY Spring!
--The giggles and smiles of these two sleepover girls tonight...love them!
--3 FANTABULOUS report cards. We are so proud of our kiddos!
--Compliments from friends and teachers about our Seth
--After much frustration, I was finally able to upload a video to my blog from my phone. What would be more of a blessing is if I could remember how to do it next time. ;)
--Facebooking with my sister and my niece...so much fun!
--A dear friend who I haven't seen in ages contacted me, and we're going out for a girls' night Monday! I can't wait to see her!
--Sweet Moxie. I love how she makes the kids laugh! (And she looks so cute and fluffy after her bath!)
--Green grass, buds on trees, and plants poking up in the garden! YAY Spring!
--The giggles and smiles of these two sleepover girls tonight...love them!
Future American Idol?
Listen to this and you can judge for yourself! What do you think of that fancy vibrato? ;)
Untitled from Sarah Nosek on Vimeo.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Finding a way
I was reading my Facebook status updates this morning, and one really struck a chord with me. One of my friends posted this quote:
DIET--It's been a full 3 months that I've been on this diet, and I've been really pleased with the results. This is the longest that I've ever stuck to a healthy eating plan. I truly see this as a lifestyle change rather than a temporary diet because in my adult life I've never felt better. I am proud that I have kept these healthy choices as a priority, working them into my busy life, and not letting discouragements or stresses derail me.
Is there room for improvement? Yes. I've been getting into rut with some of my food choices. Lately, I have been consistently reaching for the same favorites instead of working in more variety. So that's my goal now: Branch out a little more again, and get more creative in my meal and snack planning for myself and my family.
EXERCISE--I've been exercising for the past 3 months now too. I can't believe that I am running again! I am thrilled that I am back to doing an exercise that I felt was so integral to who I was when I was growing up. I moved past fear, and did what I needed to do to move beyond my back issues and knee injury. And I'm running in my first 5K on Saturday. That's my first race since college! Although I am kind of nervous about the race, I am thrilled to be at the point where I can actually do it.
Again, is there room for improvement? What has been my excuses in this area? I have, on the whole, been pretty consistent in my exercise. What bothers me is that lately I have been exercising mostly in the evening after the kids go to bed, and that when I am the most tired. It is the time of day when I am the most apt to say, "I need to catch up on this or that. I'll run tomorrow." Or "I am too tired tonight." I don't want schedule exercise at a time where I am in the most danger of making excuses. So today I am running right after I finish this post. :) And tomorrow I am going to try to run before the kids wake up. I want to run in the morning when I have the most energy, enthusiasm and motivation.
Another area for improvement...I am within my target range for healthy weight, but I'm at the high point of that range. I range between having lost between 32 and 35 pounds, and have just kind of plateaued right there. I am happy to be there, but truthfully get a little discouraged when I'm at about 32 pounds down. I do have some areas that I want less flabby and more toned (hello, stomach after 4 kids!), so when my weight is higher I don't like it. However, I am trying to remind myself that this process is long-term, and with continued exercise and attention to diet I will see positive changes to those problem areas. From this point forward, I want to be motivated less by the scale, and more by toning and becoming a strong runner.
HOUSEWORK--Keeping up on housework? That is the area where I am making most excuses. Oh. my. word. I honestly have the market cornered on excuses there. The state that we keep our house is not pristine right now. That is an understatement. Yes, indeed, it is. But I've been working out. But I have been busy with the kids' activities. But we've been away several weekends lately. But I need to write a blog post. But Evan's been asking me to play. But I need to call so and so. But I need to catch up with my emails and paperwork. But I'm tired.
Truthfully, some are good excuses, but when it boils down to it, they are just excuses. And I have too many of them. I need to figure out what I should do to move past them. Because, truly, I am failing my family if I don't figure this out. I am not teaching my children what I should if I rely on these excuses and don't do what needs to be done here.
The fact of the matter is this: I have 4 able-bodied children. Yes, the kids do basic chores like cleaning up their rooms and cleaning up after themselves in the kitchen. When asked, they'll help put away laundry. Are they always good about cleaning up after they play with their toys? No. Do they complain? Yes. Could they do more? Should they do more? Yes and yes.
I tend to get behind for various reasons, and then I get overwhelmed. When I'm overwhelmed, I don't think clearly. I then tell myself that I can't have the kids help out until I make some sense of the mess. Then I procrastinate doing that. Grrrrr...Seriously, Sarah, make a plan. Stop feeling bad about it. Jump in with both feet and create a system. Dave and I don't have to do it all (because, in all honesty we don't, and probably can't). Get those kids busy.
So...how do I move beyond the excuses and create success for my family in this area? I am not going to overwhelm myself or the kids. I am starting with something small and then I am going to build from there. This week, Seth's on kitchen duty, Caroline's on bathroom duty, Evan's on playroom duty, and Henry is on laundry duty. The next few days, I am going to teach them my current expectations, and I will inspect each time they complete their job. Each week, they will switch and learn new jobs.
Every time they pass an inspection, I am putting a ping-pong ball in my container on the fridge. Every time they do a job without being asked, I will put another ping-pong ball in the container. Every time they do an extra job that I request without complaining, I'll put in another ping-pong ball. When we fill the container, we'll do something fun together as a family. Examples would be a family game night, a hike, a bike ride, a picnic, movie night, taco bar and ice cream sundae night, etc.
As they progress in these chores, we'll move to a chart to record their passed inspections. I am going to then write numbers on the ping-pong balls, and those numbers will correspond to extra jobs that I need done that week. (Thanks for the idea, Mom!) So in addition to their duties (kitchen, bathroom or laundry), they will be responsible for an additional number of jobs (5?). We'll celebrate the regular chores as a family, but I'd also then like to celebrate individually. When we're at this stage, I'd like to start giving them an allowance for completing the extra jobs.
Obviously, this is a work in progress. But I am proud of myself that I am ready to move beyond the excuses, and start success today.
Hmmm...that is applying to me, some good, and some bad, on so many levels. Today I'm reflecting on 3, so as not to overwhelm myself (because, seriously, I could go on and on). ;)
DIET--It's been a full 3 months that I've been on this diet, and I've been really pleased with the results. This is the longest that I've ever stuck to a healthy eating plan. I truly see this as a lifestyle change rather than a temporary diet because in my adult life I've never felt better. I am proud that I have kept these healthy choices as a priority, working them into my busy life, and not letting discouragements or stresses derail me.
Is there room for improvement? Yes. I've been getting into rut with some of my food choices. Lately, I have been consistently reaching for the same favorites instead of working in more variety. So that's my goal now: Branch out a little more again, and get more creative in my meal and snack planning for myself and my family.
EXERCISE--I've been exercising for the past 3 months now too. I can't believe that I am running again! I am thrilled that I am back to doing an exercise that I felt was so integral to who I was when I was growing up. I moved past fear, and did what I needed to do to move beyond my back issues and knee injury. And I'm running in my first 5K on Saturday. That's my first race since college! Although I am kind of nervous about the race, I am thrilled to be at the point where I can actually do it.
Again, is there room for improvement? What has been my excuses in this area? I have, on the whole, been pretty consistent in my exercise. What bothers me is that lately I have been exercising mostly in the evening after the kids go to bed, and that when I am the most tired. It is the time of day when I am the most apt to say, "I need to catch up on this or that. I'll run tomorrow." Or "I am too tired tonight." I don't want schedule exercise at a time where I am in the most danger of making excuses. So today I am running right after I finish this post. :) And tomorrow I am going to try to run before the kids wake up. I want to run in the morning when I have the most energy, enthusiasm and motivation.
Another area for improvement...I am within my target range for healthy weight, but I'm at the high point of that range. I range between having lost between 32 and 35 pounds, and have just kind of plateaued right there. I am happy to be there, but truthfully get a little discouraged when I'm at about 32 pounds down. I do have some areas that I want less flabby and more toned (hello, stomach after 4 kids!), so when my weight is higher I don't like it. However, I am trying to remind myself that this process is long-term, and with continued exercise and attention to diet I will see positive changes to those problem areas. From this point forward, I want to be motivated less by the scale, and more by toning and becoming a strong runner.
HOUSEWORK--Keeping up on housework? That is the area where I am making most excuses. Oh. my. word. I honestly have the market cornered on excuses there. The state that we keep our house is not pristine right now. That is an understatement. Yes, indeed, it is. But I've been working out. But I have been busy with the kids' activities. But we've been away several weekends lately. But I need to write a blog post. But Evan's been asking me to play. But I need to call so and so. But I need to catch up with my emails and paperwork. But I'm tired.
Truthfully, some are good excuses, but when it boils down to it, they are just excuses. And I have too many of them. I need to figure out what I should do to move past them. Because, truly, I am failing my family if I don't figure this out. I am not teaching my children what I should if I rely on these excuses and don't do what needs to be done here.
The fact of the matter is this: I have 4 able-bodied children. Yes, the kids do basic chores like cleaning up their rooms and cleaning up after themselves in the kitchen. When asked, they'll help put away laundry. Are they always good about cleaning up after they play with their toys? No. Do they complain? Yes. Could they do more? Should they do more? Yes and yes.
I tend to get behind for various reasons, and then I get overwhelmed. When I'm overwhelmed, I don't think clearly. I then tell myself that I can't have the kids help out until I make some sense of the mess. Then I procrastinate doing that. Grrrrr...Seriously, Sarah, make a plan. Stop feeling bad about it. Jump in with both feet and create a system. Dave and I don't have to do it all (because, in all honesty we don't, and probably can't). Get those kids busy.
So...how do I move beyond the excuses and create success for my family in this area? I am not going to overwhelm myself or the kids. I am starting with something small and then I am going to build from there. This week, Seth's on kitchen duty, Caroline's on bathroom duty, Evan's on playroom duty, and Henry is on laundry duty. The next few days, I am going to teach them my current expectations, and I will inspect each time they complete their job. Each week, they will switch and learn new jobs.
Every time they pass an inspection, I am putting a ping-pong ball in my container on the fridge. Every time they do a job without being asked, I will put another ping-pong ball in the container. Every time they do an extra job that I request without complaining, I'll put in another ping-pong ball. When we fill the container, we'll do something fun together as a family. Examples would be a family game night, a hike, a bike ride, a picnic, movie night, taco bar and ice cream sundae night, etc.
As they progress in these chores, we'll move to a chart to record their passed inspections. I am going to then write numbers on the ping-pong balls, and those numbers will correspond to extra jobs that I need done that week. (Thanks for the idea, Mom!) So in addition to their duties (kitchen, bathroom or laundry), they will be responsible for an additional number of jobs (5?). We'll celebrate the regular chores as a family, but I'd also then like to celebrate individually. When we're at this stage, I'd like to start giving them an allowance for completing the extra jobs.
Obviously, this is a work in progress. But I am proud of myself that I am ready to move beyond the excuses, and start success today.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Sleepovers Galore
Caroline: MOM!!!! What time is Sydney coming over?
Me: At 4:30.
Caroline: Mom, it's 12:31!
Me: Yup, she's coming in about 4 hours!
Caroline: I can't wait for our sleepover. Mom! It's 12:32!
Me: (Realizing that it's going to be a long afternoon...) Sweetie, it's going to be a while. Why don't you think of something you'd like to do to pass the time?
Caroline: OK. (She colors for a while.) Mom!! It's 12:38!
This process continues for most of the afternoon.
At about 4:15, she pulled up a stool by the microwave clock, and reported to me every minute that passed. :)
Thank God 4:30 came! The anticipation was killing us!
The girls have been busy. So far they've set up a restaurant, complete with menus. They ate their dinner at their own girls' table, and paid their bill from the duct tape wallet we gave to Sydney. ;)
Caroline, Sydney and Evan also performed a puppet show for Dave and I. They even made tickets for the performance. The show was excellent. Dave showed his gratitude by performing his own puppet show for the kids.
But also, just look at how sweet he is reading to the girls!
Caroline and Sydney were thrilled to discover that they both had Disney Princess nightgowns! Think they'll ever go to bed tonight?!
The older boys each went to a friend's house for a sleepover as well. Evan was a little despondent that he couldn't have his buddies Connor and Ryan for a sleepover too. Poor kid has mean parents that are going to make him wait until he's six.
A little bit ago, I received a Facebook update from my friend, Julie. (Her son, Will, is having Seth and their friend, Matthew, for a sleepover.) Here's what she said:
On that note, I'm heading to bed. Good night, all!
Me: At 4:30.
Caroline: Mom, it's 12:31!
Me: Yup, she's coming in about 4 hours!
Caroline: I can't wait for our sleepover. Mom! It's 12:32!
Me: (Realizing that it's going to be a long afternoon...) Sweetie, it's going to be a while. Why don't you think of something you'd like to do to pass the time?
Caroline: OK. (She colors for a while.) Mom!! It's 12:38!
This process continues for most of the afternoon.
At about 4:15, she pulled up a stool by the microwave clock, and reported to me every minute that passed. :)
Thank God 4:30 came! The anticipation was killing us!
The girls have been busy. So far they've set up a restaurant, complete with menus. They ate their dinner at their own girls' table, and paid their bill from the duct tape wallet we gave to Sydney. ;)Caroline, Sydney and Evan also performed a puppet show for Dave and I. They even made tickets for the performance. The show was excellent. Dave showed his gratitude by performing his own puppet show for the kids.
Untitled from Sarah Nosek on Vimeo.
You know, there are many reasons that I love my husband, but topping that list has to be that he really has a most excellent "Miss Muffet" voice. ;)But also, just look at how sweet he is reading to the girls!
Caroline and Sydney were thrilled to discover that they both had Disney Princess nightgowns! Think they'll ever go to bed tonight?!
The older boys each went to a friend's house for a sleepover as well. Evan was a little despondent that he couldn't have his buddies Connor and Ryan for a sleepover too. Poor kid has mean parents that are going to make him wait until he's six.
A little bit ago, I received a Facebook update from my friend, Julie. (Her son, Will, is having Seth and their friend, Matthew, for a sleepover.) Here's what she said:
"Just called Will and his friends to dinner. They came down and found their plates filled with mushrooms and broccoli. They were never so happy to hear the words April Fools in all their lives. Pizza is now in the oven!"Mwua-ha-ha-ha-ha...that was brilliant!
On that note, I'm heading to bed. Good night, all!
Ha, ha, Mother Nature.
If this is your idea of a good April Fool's joke, it's so not funny. A spring snow? Nuh-uh. We are soooo done with that stuff.
In other news, Henry and his friend, Grant are rapidly clearing me out of any and all duct tape that I have in the house. They are a duct tape wallet factory.
We are giving one of the wallets (filled with a gift card and some cash) to their friend, Alex, for his birthday party tonight.
Hope he likes it!
In other news, Henry and his friend, Grant are rapidly clearing me out of any and all duct tape that I have in the house. They are a duct tape wallet factory.
We are giving one of the wallets (filled with a gift card and some cash) to their friend, Alex, for his birthday party tonight.
Hope he likes it!
A Day at the Zoo
Yesterday we went to the zoo with my dear friend, April, and her two boys. I've known April FOREVER (since middle school), and it's been so much fun to share motherhood with her!
Here the kids are at the beginning of our zoo day. I thought it was so sweet that Henry and Caroline grabbed Evan's hands to walk with him. If Evan would have had a third hand, Seth would have been right there with them too. :)
My pack of wolves!
I don't know why, but these shots from behind of the kids at the zoo always tickle me!
Seeing the world from a giraffe's point of view
And seeing an actual giraffe. With his head so low, it looks like the giraffe was trying to see things from the kids' point of view! :)
A trip to the zoo would not be complete in my kids' book without visiting the bat house. This time they were lucky enough to see a bat up close and personal. They even got to see the trainer feed him!
Caroline riding a wolf!
Caroline and Evan peeking at the penguins
Look at what they found! A real, live alligator!
A fun silhouette of the kids
Caroline captaining a trip down the Amazon!
Henry and Luke were thrilled to find a Black Widow Spider!
This "pond" is only filled with water during the summer months, thank God!
Last, but not least, we went into the petting zoo. Unfortunately, it was feeding time, so the kids didn't get to do too much petting. Evan and his buddy, Drew, tried, but that last goat was all about eating too.
It was a full day, and the first time in YEARS that we covered the whole zoo. Amazing! The two youngest fell asleep within minutes of getting in the car!
Here the kids are at the beginning of our zoo day. I thought it was so sweet that Henry and Caroline grabbed Evan's hands to walk with him. If Evan would have had a third hand, Seth would have been right there with them too. :)
My pack of wolves!
I don't know why, but these shots from behind of the kids at the zoo always tickle me!
Seeing the world from a giraffe's point of view
And seeing an actual giraffe. With his head so low, it looks like the giraffe was trying to see things from the kids' point of view! :)
A trip to the zoo would not be complete in my kids' book without visiting the bat house. This time they were lucky enough to see a bat up close and personal. They even got to see the trainer feed him!
Caroline riding a wolf!
Caroline and Evan peeking at the penguins
Look at what they found! A real, live alligator!
A fun silhouette of the kids
Caroline captaining a trip down the Amazon!
Henry and Luke were thrilled to find a Black Widow Spider!
This "pond" is only filled with water during the summer months, thank God!
Last, but not least, we went into the petting zoo. Unfortunately, it was feeding time, so the kids didn't get to do too much petting. Evan and his buddy, Drew, tried, but that last goat was all about eating too.
It was a full day, and the first time in YEARS that we covered the whole zoo. Amazing! The two youngest fell asleep within minutes of getting in the car!
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