It’s Friday… and I am in love… with life! I am up earlier than usual today sharing my favorite from the week. I have a busy weekend ahead and wanted to get my Friday post out before we begin the awesome weekend. It is going to be a hot one here this weekend and we fully intend on soaking up every last minute of summer with some time both at the pool and on the lake.
Before the munchkins and I head off to our usual morning trip the the gym, I am here to share with you some of favorites from the week. This week it has been especially beneficial for me to share my favorites because it always makes me remember the good in the week. C has decided to enter the terrible twos… just one month away from turning three and this week has been a roller coaster with her. One minute she is happy and the next minute she is hitting her brother on the head with a pen and then screaming because she earned time out. Despite her tantrums there have been some wonderful moments with her. And as for that cute little guy of mine… well he can’t yell and scream at me yet- thank goodness! Read on to find out my favorite moments with them and the other things I have loved this week.
My Five Favorites from the week!
Favorite Munchkin Moment
It is rare that I get one-on-one time with both of my kiddos and this week I did! I enjoy them so much and love watching and playing with them together, but being able to give 100% of my attention to just them for even a few minutes was wonderful.
C had an absolute meltdown when it was time to go down for a nap on Wednesday. After screaming bloody murder for a few minutes I went in there and she said, “Just sleep with me Mommy.” I couldn’t resist that sweet voice so I got in bed with her and we just chatted for a few minutes before she finally fell asleep on me. This never happens anymore. I couldn’t bring myself to move so I fell asleep right next to her. I love the little conversations we have and her awesome imagination when we storyteller together.
On Monday my mother-in-law took C for the afternoon to just hang out which meant I got the whole afternoon with just M. Wow, what a lucky Mommy- my youngest all to myself with no distractions for the whole day! We went on a run just the two of us and stopped at the park to play. I am not sure he knew what to do with all of my attention. We did a lot of rolling the ball back and forth, him pushing his push toys up and down the sidewalk and too many games of patty cake because that boy loves to clap his hands. He is just a ham and I love every minute of being his Mommy.
Favorite Workout
I haven’t stuck to my running plans at all this week because I have been teaching so much. I missed running with a friend on Monday and decided to do some speed work and a lift on my own in the driveway. I did a 400 repeat workout some heavy weight lifting in between. It was an awesome workout and I loved doing it in my driveway.
Favorite Eat
Summertime is not usually the time I use the crockpot too much… unless I am making some pulled pork! I used to make pulled pork with root beer in the crockpot and have gotten away with that because it is not the best for my family and me. Instead I found this paleo pulled pork recipe and it is outstanding. And let’s be honest here, I do not follow this recipe verbatim. I never remember to do something that far ahead like rub the spices in, wrap it, refrigerate it and then cook it. Instead, I just throw it all in the crockpot together- it takes 5 minutes. I cook the pork loin on low with the spices all day.
When finished I pull it a part with a fork and top with my favorite Stubbs barbecue sauce. Everyone loves it… even M! We ate it alongside roasted broccoli and corn on the cob. Yum!
Favorite Read
I have been enjoying reading the blogs of my fellow Blends (blog friends- get it?) a lot this week. Check out Tara and her post on the perfect smoothie. I love Katie’s letter to her kids and her view on giving them experiences- J and I have really been all about this since C was born. In general, I absolutely adore Katie’s blog and she is pretty awesome and real.
Favorite Item
Okay so this is not an item I actually have… yet. It is however the best gadget I have used all week. When J and I ran on Sunday I used my mom’s Garmin and am in love. I mean I used to have an old school Garmin and it does not work anymore so I always use Map My Run on my phone instead, but not for long. I will be buying a Garmin soon; soon as in the next couple of hours probably. I just have a hard time making large purchases and actually biting the bullet. I am going back and forth between the Forerunner 15 and Forerunner 220. Then the next thing I have to decide is if I get the 220 do I get it with or without the Heart Rate Monitor. Decisions, decisions… #firstworldproblem, right?
There you have it, fit friends: one-on-one time with my kids, a speed workout, some pulled pork, reading blogs and a garmin- that is what I am loving this week. And now we are off to have a weekend full of summer fun… I hope you do too!
Your turn- tell me!
I’d love to hear a favorite of yours from this week!
If you are a runner, what do you recommend?
I”m a big fan of my basic, no frills Garmin Forerunner 10. It gives me pace, miles, and time, which is all I need.
That pulled pork is a great idea! I may have to make that this week.
So nice to have the opportunity to have one on one time with each kiddo. That was always so important to me and still is now that they are teens. I don’t use my crock pot too much in the summer either. Have a great weekend!
Like Wendy I have the no frills model. That’s all I need anymore. I just want to know how far I go and how long it took me.
Love the photos of your kids. Your daughter may be challenging right now but she sure is adorable.
You may want to look at the 225 because I hear it has a HR monitor built in. Of course they bring it out after i already have the 220 lol–which I love, but I can’t wear the strap due to skin irritation. That pulled pork looks yummy! Such cute photos of your kiddies!
I have the Garmin 225 which is the one with the HRM and LOVE it!!
Pulled pork is about the only thing I make in the crockpot during the summer. Otherwise, its reserved for my fall and winter eats.
The kiddo is so cute.
Oh no – the terrible twos! I hope it gets better! I’ve also been loving pulled pork – so much yum. As for the Garmin, I have a 610 and love it, but the 220 is so pretty. I always oogle it but can’t bring myself to buy it when my 610 works perfectly fine.
Ahhh I went for the 220! Ordered this this morning!
Thankfully, the terrible twos pass along before things get truly hairy. Your kids are adorable and I was just thinking that they keep you very active too; call it Indirect exercise, all in a day’s work!
Oh I love that “indirect exercise”… and yes, all in a day’s work. My hubby wonders why I ready for bed shortly after I put them down each night.
Oo a running watch has been on my bucket list or maybe a fitbit. How awesome that you got 1-1 time with your kiddos this week and workouts in the garage are the best!
I think I say this every week but your kiddos are adorable. My Garmin has been a long time running must have.
I too love those magical conversations and moments I have with my toddler before bed time. Absolutely special.
I adore both of my children, but they are much more fun apart than together. I love it when I can spend time with just one of them.
I have the Garmin 220 and love it. I’ve had a few different GPS watches and it’s my favorite. I don’t have the heart rate monitor because I never used the one I had with my older watch. Good luck with your choices.