A Star Wars Kind of Father's Day

When my girls and I were deciding what to do for my hubby for Father's Day, we tried to think of things that HE would enjoy.

Besides Phish, (and if you don't know who Phish is, then good for you!  Some day, I'll write about how this band has made it's way into my life, and into the lives of my children.  Until then...), my hubby has one lifelong love.

Star Wars.

It started when he first saw the movie at age 3, and has continued ever since.

I'm sure if he thought I would allow it, he would be one of those guys that dresses up in authentic Stormtrooper gear and parades himself around at various Star Wars conventions.

But he doesn't think I would allow it.

He may or may not be right.

BUT, on Father's Day, it's all about him!

We started our day by waking him up with the hugs, cards, and the Best Donuts EVER!

The girls has even made him a sign earlier in the week that said, "We Love You More Than You Love Donuts!"

After daddy ate his donuts and watched a little ESPN,  it was movie time!  We all settled in for a viewing of The Empire Strikes Back!

When it was time for lunch, we had some Hans Solo Sandwiches, Skywalker Watermelon, Princess Leia Pretzels, Wookie Cookies, and Jedi Juice.  All on Star Wars plates, of course :)

Daddy even got a special cup!

The girls and I had even made Lightsabor's out of pool noodles and Duct Tape earlier in the week.  After the movie, an EPIC battles ensued!

The girls decorated these mugs for his desk at work.  We used Sharpies and baked them, according to the instructions on this post I got from Pinterest.

After all of our Star Wars themed activities, daddy watched the Cubs game, I got a nap (yep...best husband EVER!), and then we had daddy's favorite dinner: Chipotle!  And of course, I made him key lime pie for dessert, which is also one of his faves!

We also celebrated my father-in-law earlier in the weekend.  As his gift, the girls and I picked strawberries from a nearby field, washed and chopped them, and then used this recipe to make Strawberry Jam.

Faith loved being able to pick the berries right off the vine!

Addy was impressed that we could get as many as we wanted!

We not only gave him a bottle to take home, but we invited him over to enjoy some with us for a Father's Day breakfast!

YUM!

He really is a wonderful Grandad to my girls, and a great Father to my husband and I!

Grandparent love!

Here's hoping that you all enjoyed Father's Day as much as we did here!

The First Sleepover Of Summer

What girl doesn't love a sleepover?

My girls ask for them just about every week.

And just about every week, I say no.

Because while all girls love sleepovers, moms do not.

But since school was out for the summer, and because I have to earn some 'fun mom' points right out of the gate, this time, I said YES!

Here are some highlights:

Before their friends arrived, my girls helped me make double doozie cookies for an after dinner treat.

Addy and her friend, Rachel, being silly...which is mostly what they do all the time.

We did 'make-your-own-pizza' for dinner and the girls loved it!

Super Girl really enjoyed the cookies for dessert!

Faith and her friend, Annie, watched a little Pocahontas.

All of the girls played Sorry Sliders, which is always a hit!

In the morning, the girls requested cereal and homemade breakfast smoothies.  How can a mom say no??

What are some of your favorite Sleepover Activities to keep the kids entertained??

Last Day Of School Fun

Ummm, so it's been a while.

... like forever.

Actually, it's a long story, but the short version is, I wanted to write about my kids on my blog today.

So I am.

Wednesday was the last day of school for my girls.

Faith is going to be a second grader, and Addy is going to be a fourth grader.

YIKES!

Each year seems shorter and shorter.

#panickymomhere

We started our day off with Thank You notes and Gift Cards for the Teachers and Bus Drivers.

The Teachers got Target Gift Cards that said, 'Thank You For Keeping Us On TARGET This year'.

The Bus Drivers got Subway Gift Cards.  They didn't say anything clever.

Because ALL of my clever ideas come from Pinterest, and I couldn't find a cute bus driver/subway phrase.

Oh well...hope they enjoy the gift cards anyway :)


Anyhow, here are a few pics from our 'Last-Day-Of-School' Fun!

I got this idea from Pinterest and I did it last year, too.  It is the 'OFFICIAL' summer celebration sign :)

I always get some 'welcome to summer' gifts as well.  They love the surprises when they come home.  (Can you tell my girls might be a little Hello Kitty obsessed?)

This year, I decided to create a Summer Scrapbook for them.  They can add pages throughout the summer , detailing the fun things we do.

Addy loved all of her surprises

I also got each girl a Summer writing book.  They can write stories, they can write about their day,  they can write what they want to do...basically, they can write anything they want :)

Faith was happy to be home on her last day, and ready for summer to start!

She also loved all of her surprises!  I love seeing their faces when they see all the goodies :)

This is another idea I got from Pinterest.  I have a plan for each morning to start our day off right!  This way, there isn't a lot of sitting around, watching TV or being bored.  It keeps their brain active, and we get stuff accomplished!  More about this another time...

Later in the evening, we let the girls choose dinner, (They chose Beef O'Brady's because of the game room), and then we went to SOYO for some yummy frozen yogurt!

It was a fun last day, and a great kick-off to a spectacular summer!

Real Weight Loss for Real People

I want to share with you a journey that I have been on!

Some of you have been reading this blog a while, so you know the struggles I have had with my weight.

For those who don't know, here's a short recap:

Been fat all my life.

Seriously.

All.  My.  Life.

Chubby baby, chubby kid, fat teenager, and obese adult.

I had tried every diet available.  Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, counting calories, Dr. Phil diet, liquid diet...you name it!

And finally, this past September, I realized I needed to change my life.

Not another diet, but a life change.

And I did.

Here are my before and after pics:

This is what real weight loss does.

It changes your body.  Inside and out!

I have learned to eat food that is good for my body.

I have overcome my addiction to soda, sugar and processed foods.  And if you had told me that was even a remote possibility a year ago, I would have politely called you crazy.  And then eaten a cookie.

And I know that if I could do this, so can you!

So can anyone!

I will help you!

I lost my weight by using Advocare products.  I started with a 24 day challenge bundle.

And if you want to know more about that, I would love to share it with you.

But if you can't or don't want to do Advocare, you can STILL do it!!!

It's about committing to a life change.  And deciding that no matter what, you won't turn back.  Mistakes will happen.  You'll give into cravings.  You'll eat chicken wings and onion rings.

BUT DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!

Dust yourself off and get back at it the next day.

Be intentional and don't make excuses!  Decide that instead of coming up with a million reasons that you can't do it or why it won't work, you'll figure out a  way to make it work!!

Because you deserve it!

I feel better than I have in 20 years.

And I'm not being dramatic....for realz!

Let's do this!