What's it all about, anyway?

Right now, I'm preparing to take the STOTT Pilates training and certification.

I've been teaching Pilates for a little over a year now, loving it, and feel ready to make a bigger commitment and take my training to the next level.

The training is pretty intense. And expensive.

I've been studying like crazy and the classes haven't even started yet.

I hope to be finished by the end of the summer.

Sometimes I look down at my spread of textbooks, flashcards, and anatomy diagrams and ask myself, Melissa, for Pete's sake, what are you doing? 


Am I crazy?

I have a great job as a nurse, why am I chasing this Pilates thing? Why am I already planning on a certification in Yoga next year?

Whee!

Why? Because for some reason I think that's what life's all about.

Chasing what you love.

Even if sometimes I look around and get cold feet.

Anyone else chasing a dream out there?

Weekend

Memorial Day weekend was filled with BBQ's, family, friends, a parade, a campfire and ice cream.

So much goodness.

Unfortunately I didn't document nearly any of it.

Sometimes, I'm good about taking my camera everywhere - and sometimes I need a break from documenting the fun so that I can actually enjoy it.

But, thanks to beloved Miss Kristin and Hubs - we do have a few pictures to share.

I promise for the next weekend-o-goodness, I'll be back in paparazzi mode.

Oh the cuteness

Prepare yourself for cuteness overload.

We were visited by our favorite wee little angel pixies last week, and I have the photographic evidence to prove it.

Sigh. 

Our big boy tried to teach Big Sister how to make his patented "angry face".

She was an attentive pupil.

"Wike dis." he says. 

Unfortunately it is near impossible for a pixie-angel hybrid to pull of "Angry face".

Hope you had a great long weekend!

Holiday weekend!

Always best to start with a cuddle.

Family

The boys got to play with their cousins this weekend.

Seeing cousins together brings back such happy memories for me.

Good stuff. 

Happy Wednesday!

Not quite sure about him

When it comes to my youngest child, I gotta admit, sometimes I wonder about him.

Take, for example, his opinion regarding ice cream cones:

Eat the side first!

Ah, Bud? This method may impact the structural integrity of the cone. 

If not the side first, then I chose the bottom!

Fine Bro, whatever floats your boat. 

Touche Monday

I don't know about you, but our weekend included ice cream.

That is all.

Friday!!

It's FRIDAY!

Hooray!

I hope my weekend sort of feels like this

All credit for this adorable dog goes to beloved Miss Kristin.

Have a great weekend!

Got nuthin'

Hey gang,

I'm kind of tapped out today, so here's a cute pic of the Wee One.

Better post tomorrow perhaps.

You can always find this boy digging in the dirt.

Future as a construction worker, I think.

Questions

A conversation between myself and the Big Boy on the way to the gym yesterday.

BB: "Where are we going?"
Me: "Miss Kelly's gym."
BB: "Are you going to leave your car there? And stay there?"
Me: "Yes, Bud. I'm going to take a class, but I'm not leaving the building. Miss Kelly can always come get me if you need me."
BB: "What is upstairs at Miss Kelly's gym?"
Me: "It's the same as downstairs; there's more exercise equipment."
BB: "What's exercise equipment?"
Me: "Well, like bikes, treadmills, weights..."
BB: "There's bikes upstairs? Can I ride a bike upstairs?"
Me: "Sorry, Bud, they're not bikes like yours. They don't go anywhere."
BB: "They don't go anywhere?"
Me: "Yeah." Pause. "People ride them for exercise.You get on the bike and pedal, but you don't. Ahh. Go. Anywhere."
BB: Thoughtful pause. "What else is up there?"
Me: "Treadmills, weights..."
BB: "What's a treadmill?"
Me: "Umm." Pause. "It's sort of like that thing at the grocery store; where we put our groceries and they slide up so we can pay for them. It's like that, except really big so people can walk or run on it, while not." Pause.  "Going. Anywhere."
BB: Pause.
Me: Pause.
BB: "Can I play with the cars at Miss Kelly's gym?"
Me: "Sure, Bud."

Next time I hop on the treadmill I'm going to feel really lame, thanks to my beloved son.

More

More pictures of the boys playing with beloved Miss Kristin's dog.

Sorry, I can't help it.

Jump!

Check out sly grin on little bro's face. 

Two dimples.

I don't really have to say much.

These pictures don't require anything additional.

Good stuff.

Good Boy!

Oh there is nothing that embodies joy and love of life like a good dog, yes?

Can we have a dog?

Mother's Day

I'm sure you're well aware it's Mother's Day this weekend.

Unless you have a Y chromosome and are thinking, "Oh crap!"

Here's a hint.

Oh Motherhood.

Not gonna lie, it's a kick in the butt.

Humbling, humbling, humbling.

Transforming.

To my sister: who is a motherhood role model for me. I strive to be more like you, every day. You taught me to educate myself. But to discard what's crap  what doesn't work. You taught me to stop comparing myself and my children to everyone else, and to those horribly lofty standards we both hold so close to our hearts.
The Universe thinks you are very strong. It has asked more of you than I could handle, but you, my dear friend, have handled it. Continue to handle it. And while you're doing it - you're still managing to be pretty freakin' awesome. A friend to me. Quieting my neuroses. Inspiring me with the way you are in the world.

To my mother: Sorry. Sorry for all those times I interrupted your sleep. Sorry for that time I threw up in your purse, in the car, in those boots, in that envelope. Sorry for 1993-1997.
Thank you. Thank you for that brown leather jacket you bought me, which I was fairly certain would make or break my junior high career. Thank you for paying for those exorbitantly priced cheerleading sneakers, pointe shoes, and other ludicrous paraphernalia, for which I was entirely ungrateful at the time. Thank you for visiting me at PC - taking me to lunch at the mall. Thank you for supporting me when I opted to transfer out. Thank you for driving us to Disney World. Those memories are so close to my  heart. Thank you for instilling my love of camping, hanging by the fire, laughing, and staying close with family. Thank you for the way you continue to support me, in all my crazy endeavors. Thank you.

To all those other mother's out there - Happy Mother's Day. You rock, sister friend.

Today

5:51am

"Kin I have a pancake?"

"Kin I have a waffle?"

Freezer status: empty.

"Sure guys, hold on just a sec."

Rainy day

Oh it was gorgeous yesterday.

Unfortunately, today is rainy.

I imagine we'll be outside anyway - there are puddles to stomp and (as always) dirt to be shoveled.

Raincoats at the ready.

Happy Tuesday :)

Trucks!

This weekend we took the kiddos to "Touch a Truck" - which is basically a bunch of police cars, firetrucks, and construction vehicles parked in a parking lot.

The reviews were mixed - the cars and trucks were cool, but the horns and sirens were scary and loud.

Please note the wee bulldozer in the Wee One's hand.

Since the trucks were kind of scary we took the kiddos over to the track.

Sorry for this next picture, Hubs (no head), but the Big Boy's face is priceless

Winner!

Really the highlight of the morning was this little meeting-of-the-minds between the Wee One and our neighbor-friend. Priceless.

Showing off his six-pack.

How was your weekend?

Choirs of Angels Part Deux

Oh I do hope I can continue to post movies of the boys singing along with Jimmy Buffett, I'm not sure anything in the world makes me happier than this.

Happy Friday!

Fight

The boys do nothing but fight.

I swear to God they fight over the air.

It's endless, relentless and so freakin irritating.

And then they do this:

And it's so cute I feel like the Grinch with my heart growing three whole sizes.

Ouch.

Boys

If you give one of my boys a screwdriver

Expect him to know how to use it.

Don't let him out of your sight

Unless you want a call from Comcast or our utilities provider.

I don't recommend providing them with a hammer.

Happy May Day

Growing up, May 1st was a Holiday: "May Day"and we used to sneakily leave a basket of flowers at my grandmother's front door.

Today my mother, sister and grandmother will be on my mind.

It's looking pretty rainy and dreary out there at the moment, but we won't let that get us down.

It's spring, dammit. The calendar says so.

I wish my Nana was here to see these two. Well, I know she sees them, I guess I wish I could see her seeing them.

I have a feeling she'll be close by today - we'll have to be on our best behavior.