Fitness Friday: Extreme Family Workout!

Last week, with the sun shining (at last) and the pollen count at 8,000+ (no joke), I had some rare one-on-one time with Moose.  In our pre-Mouse (and pre foot injury) days, we used to love running together (him in stroller, me doing all the hard work) three times a week, so I offered him a run.

No, he informed me, he did not want to go in the jogging stroller.  "I'm fast.  I want to run with you."

So we did.  We started at a nearby park and ran into a large adjacent subdivision (no big streets to cross on that route).  We did about a half-mile before he wanted to turn back and he got to play at the park afterward.  Win-win.

We tried again over the weekend, with the addition of Mouse in the jogging stroller.  Other than some logistical kinks as Moose learned to share the sidewalk, we had a great time.  However, our second outing as a threesome did not go as smoothly, and leads to my innovative idea for a new fitness challenge (or, me making lemonade out of what was, to be honest, a very frustrating outing).

Friends, are you ready for the next fitness challenge? Tired of paying for CrossFit and boot camp classes, or registration fees for extreme races?

Introducing the Moose & Mouse Survival Run!

Don't be fooled by the short, 1.2-mile course! This run includes the following:

• HIIT/interval training of at least 1/2 mile (Moose doesn't know what pacing means; also you will be running full-out and come to a screeching halt so he can wave at garbage trucks, school buses, etc.)

• Agility training (Moose cannot run in a straight line)

• Resistance training (not only will you be pushing 18-pound Mouse in a 25 pound jogging stroller at the start, but after you cross the half-mile mark, Moose will throw a fit because you won't let him go in the creek and will sit down on the sidewalk and refuse to move; in order to complete the course, you will need to carry Mouse the rest of the way and wrangle 38-pound Moose into the stroller and simultaneously push him and carry her for the remaining 1/2 mile; on yeah, the last 1/2 mile is all uphill)

Best of all, it is FREE! Comment below to reserve your time! 

How does working out with others (friends, kids, spouse) challenge you?  Is it worth it?

Music for Your Morning

Nope, its not the new Mumford and Sons, but press play anyway!

This song is the first thing I heard over Moose's audio monitor this morning.

One of my favorite things about Moose is how much he loves music.  Even before he had words, he would wake up singing.  Back then, he sounded a LOT like Aerosmith's Steven Tyler (if you don't know what I'm talking about, check out this Two and a Half Men clip of Steven Tyler singing scales).  And it was a lot less cute at 2:00 and 3:00 in the morning.

Mumford and Sons at 7:30 a.m. is a delightful improvement!

To anyone reading this, I wish you a beautiful day filled with music!

Picnic {Mindful Mothering Mondays}

In case you hadn't noticed, life with the Moose has not exactly been a picnic of late.  And, in truth, I've had more than a few moments where I wondered what the heck we were doing starting the process to adopt again when I can't even get through grocery shopping with the Moose without a screaming fit.  He's even taken to spitting when he is mad (gee, thanks, little-girl-in-daycare-class for that gem).

The only thing that keeps me from going crazy is being mindful and receptive of the little moments when the Moose is in just the right mood.  And then it is bliss.  Maybe only 30 seconds of bliss.  But bliss, in any quantity, is most welcome!

And lately, breakfast has been bliss. 

Typically, Moose doesn't have time for breakfast.  Even on non-schooldays, there is invariably some hammering that needs to be done.  Something outside he needs to "check on".   The cat always needs to be tortured pet/tickled/hugged (yes, he really does try to hug the cat).

But recently he's asking for breakfast.  Nothing fancy.  A cereal bar or toast satisfies.  And it must be eaten picnic-style.  

I am happy to oblige!  I get to sit down and sit still with him.  (And my sadly neglected tea towel collection has been delighted to have a purpose, too!) And, at least for a few minutes, life is a picnic.

Happy to be linking up today with Lydia's Mindful Mothering Mondays.

The Moose's Speech

The King's Speech ranks among my favorite movies of all times.  Colin Firth's portrayal of King George VI's struggle with to overcome a lifelong speech impediment is singularly sympathetic, humorous, touching, and regal.

The final scenes see the King preparing for, and then making, a live radio address following the declaration of World War II in 1939. 

We see him practicing with his elocution coach, Lionel Logue (played wonderfully by Geoffrey Rush) 

" 'I send to every household of my . . .' You see, P is always difficult, even when I am singing."

"Bounce onto it.  A-peoples," Logue advises him.

The technique works, and the King's speech is a success.

It seems that the Moose has been taking Logue's advice, despite never having seen the film - to my knowledge.

Moose was whining Saturday night (not unexpected after spending Friday and Saturday convalescing).  He had gotten up from the dinner table and then come back to hover at my feet. 

"Blap," said Moose.


"What is he asking for?" Daddy Moose asked.


I couldn't help but laugh as I explained, "He wants my 'lap' but still has trouble with some words starting with a soft 'L'." 

"He's bouncing on to it."