A Different Chaos

Well, the new school year has begun and with it, comes more chaos.  The thing I love most about the school year is the routine that is established in order for everything to run smoothly.  We now have bedtimes, wakeup times, homework times, eating times, you get the drift.  The thing I hate the most about the school year is the homework and the fighting that comes along with it.  I am hoping that we can establish a very set routine when it comes to doing homework. 

We always say that the kids should do their homework as soon as they come home to get it done and over with.  That wasn't always easy for Chuckie when he was in the elementary buildings because he would get home around 4pm and had to get ready and eat before heading off to football practice.  This year, he is in the middle school so he is home before 3pm everyday.  That gives him three hours before practice to do the things that need done. 

Lincoln is not really used to having too much homework since he was in kindergarten and I'm not really sure if he will have a lot of homework this year in first grade but if he does, I want to get him in the habit of doing it at a set time and make that something he gets used to for the remainder of his school career! 

We have a desk for Jada in her room and we have an old antique desk for Lincoln so we need to get a desk or study area for Chuckie.  Although that may be coming soon since we are thinking of converting the loft area into his own bedroom.

The beginning of the school year is so crazy though with the forms I need to fill out and sign, orientations, curriculum nights, etc.  I feel like I am running a lot lately but it will slow down and soon enough we will be in the school year rhythm of it.  We will move  as if we've been doing it all along. 

The kids' first day of school went well.  They all liked their teachers and didn't complain about a single thing.  I was kind of surprised.  The biggest shock was Lincoln who didn't want to go to school, getting excited to go back again today.  He kept asking me if it was time to go yet so he could get on the bus to go to school!! 

His teacher seems to be a great lady and several people have said how great she is.  I had one first grade teacher tell me that if she had a first grader, that is the teacher she would want for her own child so I don't think you could earn a higher praise than that!!

I am excited to see what the school year brings.  I am hoping for only the best for my kids and I want to see them excel at their classes and do well.  I am going to push them to do their best because I really lacked at that last year and it was reflected in their grades.  I am pushing for all A's and B's this year!  I may have to motivate them with something good. ;)

28 Day ProSkins Challenge: Week 4 Results

I have worn the ProSkins Anti-Cellulite leggings for 28 days and I have really enjoyed the experience.  I have seen results and I have felt softer, smoother skin on my legs than some lotions can even provide! 

I plan on continuing to wear my leggings, maybe not everyday but most nights.  They will probably become a staple to my winter wardrobe as I can wear them under pants when I am freezing!  They are keeping their shape and they are just so very comfortable!

Here are my results in the last week, in inches:

Hips: -.25
Top of Thigh: -.5
Thigh: -0
Above Knee: -.25
Below Knee: -0
Calf: -0

So, even at the end of the challenge, when I thought there wouldn't be much of a change, there is change! 

I do have to say that I have been running three days a week with some cross training as I am training for a half marathon so the results may also be, in part, due to the running and exercise but I do believe that the leggings helped. 

I would recommend anyone to go and check out the ProSkins leggings, shorts, capris, etc. to find out for yourself just how comfortable and beneficial they are.

*I was provided a pair of ProSkins leggings in exchange for participating in the 28-day bloggers challenge.  All opinions are my own and I was not scripted in any way.

Routine, organization and Figuring It All Out

As the school year gets closer, I am trying to think of ways to make things run a little smoother, more organized and more efficient.  With three kids, it gets pretty hectic.  The older kids are pretty self-sufficient so it isn't as hard with them but they take on more personal responsibility and that means that I need to give them the space and opportunity to flourish.  Jada has her own desk in her room where she can study and do her homework.  The boys don't have a desk so homework is usually done at the kitchen table or on the coffee table in the living room. 

We have a loft upstairs that I think I am going to make into a homework/study area for the kids.  We have been thinking of moving the computer up there anyway so it would make for a great centralized location for all of that. 

The family calendar is in the kitchen but I feel like I need a nook or wall station where they can put papers, reminders, permission slips, etc.  I tried doing corkboards last year and it just wasn't what I envisioned so those are gone now. 

As the kids get involved in activities and more sports, we need to have our lives work as a well-oiled machine and that means we all need to work together to make it work for all of us. 

I think I will head on over to Pinterest to check out some ideas!  What do you do to make things run smoothly for your family during the school year?!

ProSkins 28-Day Slim Leggings Challenge: Week 3 Results

I am officially done with week 3 of my challenge and I have to say that I am still very satisfied with my results and with the quality of the leggings.  My legs still feel soft and moisturized, they are still comfortable and they have not lost any of their elasticity. 

I was a bit wary of how they would hold up during the challenge, I mean, I am wearing them every night and I am washing them and I thought that maybe their ability to soften my skin and keep the compression would lose effect but they haven't.  When they are freshly laundered, they are back to where they were when I first got them. 

I haven't seen such dramatic results this week as I did last week but I am still happy with the results.  I would recommend these leggings to anyone wanting to try them to find the positive results I have found. 

This week's results, in loss of inches is as follows:
Hips: -0
Top of Thigh: -0
Thigh: -0
Above Knee: -0
Below Knee: -.25
Calf: -0

So there wasn't much of a loss at all but there was still a loss! 

Reaching For A Goal

Many times and many days, my running has been therapeutic.  I can get outside or go downstairs to the treadmill, turn on my music and just go.  I think about a lot of things and I've let go of a lot of things while running.  I have motivated myself, pushed myself and I've even cried a bit on the runs thinking about life, my family and tons of other things.

There is a sense of pride every time I reach my running goal.  Every mile is a victory for me.  I celebrate every single mile I achieve.  The time came for me a set myself a goal. 

I am currently training for my first half marathon!  I know a few people who have done them and they followed the 12 week training program that I am following now.  Hal Higdon has come up with these programs for all levels of ability. You can adjust them a bit to better suite your weekly schedule but I feel like his program isn't too daunting or scary.

I completed my first week of training on Sunday as the weeks run Monday through Sunday.  I did well and I was able to complete all my workouts.  There are three days of running, one day of rest, two days of cross training and one day of stretch and strengthening. 

I am planning on doing my first half marathon in October and the course is said to be mostly downhill and perfect for those doing their first half.  I don't know if I will make it to the race.....meaning if my body will be able to handle all the training but I am willing to give it my all in an effort to make it. 

I am not going to give up without a fight though.  I want to prove to myself and others that I can do this.  At this point, I do not have any timing goals or anything like that.  I am just plugging along the training schedule and taking it one day at a time.  I know it's not going to be easy but I am going to give it my all.

The Proskins Blogger Challenge: Week 2 Results and Notes

It has been a few weeks since I began my 28-day ProSkins Bloggers Challenge of wearing these Slim Anti-Cellulite leggings daily to test the benefits of the product.  They are black, full length leggings that fit nicely and compress my legs in a great way.

Here is what ProSkins says about the slim leggings:

 The Slim leggings utilize our compression technology along with anti-cellulite emollients that condition your skin. These leggings have been tested in clinical trials in Europe and proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

It is true what they say.  I wear my leggings at night when I go to bed.  I wake up and my legs are smooth, moisturized to the point that I don't even need to apply lotion to them.  That is a time saver for me in my morning routine. 

The leggings are so comfortable and I could wear them under a skirt, dress or a long tunic....I just don't wear those things to work since the guys I work with don't appreciate cute fashion and I wear jeans or shorts to work. 

Here are my results for Week 2, this is the loss in inches from week 1 to week 2.

Hips: -.25
Top of Thighs: -.50
Thighs: -.25
Above Knee: -1
Below Knee: -0
Calf: -0

So the loss isn't a huge amount but there is definitely a loss.

So far, I am happy with the results that I am seeing and I will continue to monitor the future results and report them here. 

*I received the Proskins leggings in exchange for my posting of the results and my opinions on their product.  I did not receive any monetary compensation.  The opinions are my own.  I was not scripted in my postings.