The Best Workout EVER!

Last Thursday I went to spinning class at Desert Sports and Fitness while my mom took care of Shyla! I hadn't been to spinning since before getting pregnant with Shyla. I used to go to LA Fitness and the class at Desert was much better.

It was a great workout. I sweated. I was tired. I felt energized.

That is not what this post is about.

Friday evening, Chelsea and I took the three kids to get their pictures taken. Together.

Three Kids (ages 3 years, 19 months, and 14 months) + Photo Shoot = Best Workout EVER!

We were relying (probably too much) on 3 year old Lilly to keep the babies in check. Here she is with Shyla is a choke-hold. Where is Zac? He would not let Chelsea put him down. I would call him a "big-baby" here, but I am fairly certain that when I was a baby I wouldn't let my mom put me down either and our professional photos always had Chelsea holding me down. I love Zac! He looks just like Chelsea but he acts like me!
And then we tried to have a dance-party in front of the camera. The result: well, you see.
And then it was tumble-time! If you look to the left of the above picture you can see Chelsea. That is about as far away as Zac would let her go. And he doesn't look too thrilled about being that far!
And, finally, the shot we love. They are all looking at the camera. And they are all smiling (well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad). Oh, and yes, you can still see Chelsea.

So for about 45 minutes we ran, danced, yelled, jumped, chased, frolicked, comforted, laughed, and sighed.

It was well worth it.

Shyla in 11 years...

It is hard to believe, but one day this cutie-pie that is the reason for my heart beating, will be 11 years old and in middle school.

For those of you who don't know, I teach 6th grade.

Today, looking around at my sixth graders I had to wonder...what will Shyla be like when she is eleven years old?

• Will she be the girl who has to have everything exactly right, and neat, and perfect?
• Will she be the girl who sits silently in her chair and is too shy to share answers or ideas with the class?
• Will she be the girl who jumps out of her seat with her hand in the air because she knows the answer?
• Will she be the girl who struggles academically but tries?
• Will she not try?
• Will she be a good friend?
• Will her teachers be able to count on her to help other out?
• Or will she be the one who needs help?
• Will she have lots of friends on the playground?
• Or will she be the one wandering alone?
• Will she say "please" and "thank you" and "hello" and "good bye?"

It reminds me of an episode of Friends as Ross and Rachel and talking about their unborn daughter who they hope will be cute, and smart, and pretty, and popular, with an aptitude for science (to which another friend wonders if they are talking about the same kid).

We can't plan how she's going to be but I pray that she will be comfortable in her own skin, will always want to talk to me about anything, and who will make all other people feel loved and welcomed.

Oh, and I hope that at parent-teacher conferences we aren't told that she "is very energetic" because we all know what that means....

What a Week!

I had quite a week and am looking forward to a new one and starting fresh today!

You are cordially invited to my pity party for a few minutes as I explain:

MONDAY, 4:30 PM:

Shyla sees a new pediatric ENT. Her ears look good but based on her ear infection history he recommends tubes. We take his first available appointment which is September 2nd.

TUESDAY, 9:30 PM:

Shyla wakes up screaming. She is up screaming until 3:00 AM. I have written sub-plans and called in sick, suspecting an ear infection.

WEDNESDAY, 8:30 AM:

Stevie leaves for Indianapolis for work, leaving me with a screaming baby.

WEDNESDAY, 10:15 AM:

Dr. Vondrak confirms by suspicions and diagnoses Shyla right ear as "badly infected; looking like a blister that is about to pop." He puts her back on antibiotics (Augmentin).

(Thankfully, I was able to contact the ENT office and they have made special arrangements to get her in before September.)

THURSDAY, 4:00 PM

Shyla had a good day back at daycare. I picked her up at 3:45 and we hustled home. The plan was for Grandma Palmer to come over and babysit Shyla so I could go to spin class (this was set to be the first of a Thursday evening routine).

Upon arriving home, we discover that Pancake is missing!! She has chewed a hole in the gate and is no where to be found. We run around the neighborhood screaming for her like crazy people. Grandma Palmer leaves work early and drives the neighborhood looking for her. I am hysterical. I can barely talk to the dispatcher at Animal Control. And, remember, Stevie is out of town on business. I call him, screaming and crying, knowing full-well that there is nothing he can do.

About an hour later, thankfully, Pancake showed back up with her tail between her legs. Scared. And thirsty.

We will never know where she went or what she did that day, but I love that damn dog.

THURSDAY, 6:00 PM

Grandpa Palmer comes over and fixes the gate so she won't escape again. I pop a gourmet pizza in the oven and instead of burning 600 calories, I ate that many.

FRIDAY, 4:30 PM

Ahhh, the week has ended. Stevie is home. I am ready to relax with my family and rest. Except as I walk into the house I am hit by a wave of hot air. Yep, Friday afternoon and our A/C unit is not working. I start sweating immediately.

FRIDAY, 7:00 PM

We head over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to spend the night with the A/C. Stevie gets us settled then goes back home (to the sweatbox) to spend the night with Pancake. We love that damn dog.
Thankfully, the A/C unit was fixed on Saturday. $120 is a small price to pay for serve on a Saturday.

Oh, and a big Happy Birthday to Grandma Palmer. Thank you for spending your birthday weekend taking care of us!

Here's to a great week ahead!