Fun in the Sun with Fitness

Between a conference, the end of the year insanity that happens to all teachers and graduation, I'm just now sitting down at my computer after three weeks away. Thanks for the emails asking about how I was doing, and I promise to be back to normal now!

Summer is my favorite season. I adore the beach, the sand and especially the time off from work! Another thing I love about summer are all of the outdoor activities available to me.

One suggestion I always make to my friends is to try something new every summer. While you don't have to become a pro, with the extra time you have on hand you can learn a new skill, take up a new sport or get involved in a new volunteer activity.

This summer two of my children (the oldest) are getting involved in a Tai Chi class. I've taken Yoga and Pilates for some time, so I'm really hoping they love Tai Chi. My youngest is focusing on volunteering at our local hospital two mornings a week. He'll be unloading boxes from delivery trucks. It's not the most glamorous of volunteer obs, but for a young man who has always wanted to go to medical school, it will give him a new perspective in the inner workings of hospitals. (and it's the only volunteer job they let 15-year-olds do!)

According to this article in New Horizons for Learning and this article on Succesful Aging of the Healthy Brain, we need to constantly teach our brain new tricks. Both articles support that our brain needs to stimuli during our entire life to help it stay healthy.

... we need NEWNESS, new pursuits, new ideas, new activities in our life.

For me this summer, I'm taking up knitting. While I know it's going to be hard to sit still for the 30 minutes a night I've committed to this new skill, I think it will be a great way to help keep my brain fresh while I'm learning the valuable skill of relaxation.

How can one more kid eat so much food?

It amazes me how the addition of one family member can upset the homeostasis of my home.

This week the oldest of my three boys came home from Texas A&M Univeristy. His sophomore year over, he's now entering the last two years of his college career knowing that it's all downhill. He's 20, he's voted for the president AND he's hungry. ALL OF THE TIME!

He's not just hungry, he doesn't sleep. As a baby my son slept soundly almost from day one. He'd sleep all night, wake up and eat, then sleep some more. It was heaven, so WHY does he suddenly have to stay awake 'till 4am and sleep 'till 4pm?

*Sigh* Maybe he's turned into a vampire, I'll check for fangs later.

I just finished reading this book about teenagers and brain development. Secrets of the Teenage Brain is a great resource for parents and teachers. Knowing that his brain is still forming helps me appreciate the odd sleep cycles and understand the never ending appetite. It's filled with tips on helping to assure the brain develops the right way, (can you say nutrition?) and how to encourage problem solving.

It also helps me understand why my youngest son (who is 15) gets so upset when I show people this picture. (He wants to make sure everyone knows this image is one year old and he's now 2 inches taller then his oldest brother)

Tonight I'm making a meatloaf (only grass fed, organic beef for my guys of course) using 5 pounds of beef. Between the three of them it will all be gone before the night is over. Then while I try to sleep knowing I've got to hit the gym at 4am, my oldest will be up, talking on the phone, lifting weights and driving me insane.

Thank God he's home!

Mother's Day

Of everything I've done over the past 40 years, nothing has compared to the joy of becoming a mom. It's hard to believe that my babies are now taller then I am, weigh more then I do and all have valid state driver's licenses. (It gives me nightmares) Yet they are still my little boys, and bring me more joy and happiness then I'd ever imagined possible 21 years ago.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone, and please remember to give a little extra hug to that special mom in your life. (Even if that special mom is you!)

If you'd like to do something really special for your mom, you can donate in her honor to the Avon Breast Cancer Society.

Awards

I've been off at an educator's conference for a few days, and when I return I'm lucky enough to have received two awesome awards from some very special friends.





The adorable award is from Healthy Moms.

This incredible award is for

I'd like to pass this award onto Laura at Junk-Foodaholic's Journal. I adore her blog and I love hearing about her family.





I received the Over the Top award from Mommy's Little Corner.



To receive this award your blog must be exceptional in design and content; presenting us with new knowledge, a sense of style, or at times just giving us a smile!

I'd like to pass this award over to the excellent blog at The Modern Mom. She goes over the top every day, covering everything from removing ants to losing weight.


Have an awesome Mother's Day this weekend.