Happy 7th Birthday Gianni

For some reason he looks so much older today. I know that sounds silly but he was like a little man today! We started the morning with a scavenger hunt. He had to read 5 clues and after each clue he had to find a present. The presents were little things to put in his brand new fish tank! He has been asking for fish for a while. He was so excited as he found presents around the house, but at the same time you could tell by the look on his face that he was confused. He wasn't quite sure why we would give him a pirate ship and plastic plants in a bag. 

Finally the big moment...the TANK. We spent the morning preparing the water, checking the temperature, running the filter, and making sure that everything was quite right before we went to purchase our fish. 

In the afternoon we went to Gianni's bowling birthday party. We had soda, popcorn, and cake. The kids bowled for two hours with a break to open presents and receive their thank you goodie bags. 

Shot a little bit of video of hte boys getting crazy! Who knew that there would be dancing at this party!

Video Links Below:

http://youtu.be/-APUCVpptGg

http://youtu.be/y-6taXtD9ls

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Kyan, Gianni, and Jonah snuggle in for a cute pic!

 The girl lane consisted of Jordyn, Sydney, Lola, Sophia, and Carmen

After the party we went to the pet store to pick up our three new Glofish. They are tropical community fish and if we can keep these 3 alive, there is plenty of room in the tank for more. Gianni named them very scientifically based on his observations. Tiny, Yellow, and Smooth are now swimming around their new home in Gianni's room. 

Tonight he came out of his room twice after he had been tucked in to tell me how happy he was with his day. He actually said, "I can't sleep because I am just still so happy. This was a great birthday. Thanks mom!" Man I love this kid! Happy Birthday Gianni. 

Boo Hoo Whaa Whaa

Ok, if you read my previous post (which most of you probably haven't because I posted it like an hour ago) I was sounding a little down and defeated when talking about my Summer Slim Down. Boo Hoo Whaa Whaa! Look at what I have accomplished. I have managed to stay in charge of my body for almost three years now. The battle will never be over but I am on top! I am winning the war on my weight.

So, I got up off my A*#, and went for a 3.4 mile run in the hot Arizona morning sun before Abel went to work. Ok, it was maybe 80 something out, but it felt hot. I ran that whole thing in 34 minutes. As I ran I reflected about what it is that I am doing, why I am doing it, and how far I have come. 

There are two songs in particular (the first two links below) that I recently downloaded to my MP3 player that I kept repeating while I was running. Most of you probably know these songs but to me, they represent that war against my weight and my past habits. Here are the links to the lyrics and then you can listen to the song by hitting the orange triangle or play button at the top next to the artists name. Those directions were mostly for you MOM. You probably are the only person who may have never heard a few of these.....hehe! I am sure that these artists intended their songs to be about other things, but for me they fire me up in this fight that I am winning. 

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/davidguetta/titanium.html

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/kellyclarkson/whatdoesntkillyoustronger.html

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/katyperry/firework.html

You know I want to quote two people that help keep things in perspective for me. Last night Michelle my kickboxing teacher and mentor, got out an old picture of me that I gave her a while back and complimented me on my accomplishments. She keeps the picture in her music case and said, "you are my inspiration". More like the other way around. I could not have done any of this without her!

The second person is Holly. She is always telling me, "working out this much can't be a bad thing! The numbers may not do what we want, but how could working out this much and eating better ever be a bad thing. It can't hurt!" She is right. Things could be shifting, changing, tightening, or maybe even flattening. My insides must be healthier. Thanks girls for keeping it in perspective for me.

Our Weekend in Cali and Friday Weigh In Results

Week #3 Results

Muscles: ok today

Body: tired, working out intensely 5 times a week (training with Travis which is high intensity, total body circuit training, kickboxing, and running)

Weight: up 1.6 lbs... total down since starting -.6???

I keep trying to tell myself that the entire reason I am killing myself is so that I can TONE, So, I hope that is what I am doing. I know that muscle weighs more than fat. I guess we will see when we do measurements at the end of these sessions. Might take today off from the gym. I am frustrated. Oh...did I mention, it is DAY 2 of my period! Hope that's not too much information for ya people but that could be affecting things as well. 

This past weekend we went to California to see Abel's family and celebrate Gianni's birthday. Carmen is really struggling with the fact that brother is getting two parties! Poor girl! They do usually come here for her birthday though so I tried to explain...it's not like extra presents! We drove up into the mountains towards San Diego to walk around an outlet mall and get out of the heat. The temperature was 77 which was a nice break! The kids stopped to take a photo with their cousins Destiny and India. 

The mall had a miniature golf course so of course we had to play!

This is the newest cousin Jada! She is almost two. The kids loved taking care of her. Her new baby brother is on the way and should be arriving in late July by c-section. 

Look at my beautiful kiddos! I can't believe Gianni is going to be 7 on Saturday. He is growing up so fast and turning into such a big boy. 

Carmen is so proud that she can swing all by herself. She mastered that way before brother did! You go girl!

Before Gianni's party it was time to nap. My two biggest babies decided to snuggle together and for whatever reason she was daddy's girl this weekend!

The family went all out for Gianni's California party. Look at this cake!

The kids had a great time and we are safe and sound back in Arizona. We are gearing up to do the whole birthday thing again this Saturday, his actual birthday, with his school friends and baseball friends. 

Tennis and Week Two Summer Slim Down Report

Summer Slim Down Report is as follows: 

Energy Level is up!

Endurance is up!

Weight is: down 2.0 lbs since last Friday

The kids started tennis lessons this week. They both did great! One better than the other of course but there is an age difference and I believe that plays a role. She tried so hard though : ) Mr. Gianni has a hard time waking up for tennis because we have to leave by 6:40 or 6:45. He is my sleeper!

We cooled off at the splash park and Gianni saw some friends from his class. These girls chased him all over that splash pad. 

"Mommy...I love Souffle!"

That's right.... the incredible Souffle. We've heard the word SOUFFLE. We have an idea of what the process may involve or what is in a Souffle, but we have never attempted it and I will be the first to say that I have never really tasted one before. Souffle is one of those complicated dishes that people learn how to make in culinary school and then never make again. I attempted and I conquered! It actually puffed up! And....the kids devoured the entire thing. It is so light and fluffy, and even though I served it with a spinach salad, my poor husband was still hungry after because it was so light! Mine was very simple and flavored with cream cheese and fresh dill but next time I might get more adventurous. I used like 6 different pans or bowls to make the darn thing but it was worth it. Low in calories too. The kids can now say, "mommy we love Souffle" and they did!

 Carmen's dance recital was last night. Everything went perfectly, other then the agony of being stage mom. We are so proud of our dancing girl. Here are a few pictures from the evening. Gianni did great in the audience according to Abel. 

 Almost to the school. The excitement is building!

She remembered the dance and smiled big the entire time. Mommy got to see it from backstage which was interesting. After the performances were all over the girls came back on stage to wave goodbye. 

Flowers from her daddy are the usual ritual that she looks forward to after every show. In addition she gets to pick dinner which was pizza this night! Great job Carmen. 

Slim-down Update (not good). Little Gym and Dance Recital Practice

Well, I wish I had a fabulous week #1 Summer Slim-down number to report on this Friday. I had a feeling this would happen because of the weights and resistance training that this program involves. I dropped .2 lbs this week! Not good. I do feel stronger and I do feel like my upper body is getting the most of it right now. He said this would happen, and that we would feel the changes in our clothing first and that things would shift, but it is still hard to except when you work that hard. Holly unfortunately is basically seeing the same thing. We both ate pretty good and I worked out 5 days in a row this week mixing up Cardio and my sessions. I did take today off from working out because my stomach is acting funny.  Oh well!

On to better things. The kids started Little Gym Camp this week with Sydney. They have so much fun there and it is 3 hours, so mommy can go run errands! They have a theme, do gymnastics activities, they do some free play, arts and crafts, and they even give them a snack. The kids love it!

This morning I took Sophia and Carmen to their dress rehearsal. It appears that I am going to be the "stage mom" during the recital tomorrow so I snapped pictures today and took video because I was able to get closer than Abel will probably be able to get tomorrow with all of the people. The girls did fantastic. They do better and better each time with remembering the dance. Look at how beautiful they look!

Carmen's Dance Video

Click below:

http://youtu.be/tYPYLydHeC4

After the dance recital practice I took my two goofballs to Chick Fila for lunch. With matching colors on their nicely tanned skin.....I had to snap this picture. Week #1 of Summer Vacation has come and gone. More fun to report next week!