Trip to San Antonio

We spent a fun filled extended weekend in San Antonio.  We stayed at the Hill Country Hyatt for the first time.  It was just as family friendly as Hyatt resort at Bastrop we have visited before but this time decided to include a trip to Sea World so we headed a little further west.  

The kids had a great time playing in the park and pools at the resort.  They chased ducks and searched for rolly polies (spellcheck isn't helping me on that one) and caterpillars.  Andrew especially liked the "lazy liver" (river) while Lila preferred the "kitty cat" (kiddie) pool.  

Both liked watching "Shampoo" the whale at Sea World.  I swear the kids renamed everything on the trip which gave us lots of laughs.

We had a blast and were sad that it rained our last morning...made us wish for another day.  We really enjoy these Hyatt resorts and plan to look out for another one to try on our next vacation.

Travel tips:  Become a Hyatt Gold Pass member!  They upgraded our rooms at no charge and you are also given priority for late check outs.

On weekends and during peak season, kids 4 and under eat and drink free with adult buffet in the cafe.  This was a great deal for us since both of our kids fell within the age range.

Dress the kids in swim clothes for Sea World.  Lila was not old enough for any of the rides and would have been much happier if she'd gotten to play in the splash pad.  

It takes a full day to see all the shows/feedings at Sea World.  We got to see many things, but really could have used another couple of hours.  

Rent/bring a stroller!  Because the shows were back to back and had limited showing (not yet peak time) we were hurrying from one stage to the next...not great for little feet.

If you like Diet Coke, pack it!  Everywhere we went only offered Pepsi products (not a fan!).

The Original Mexican Restaurant on the Riverwalk received 2 thumbs down from our group.  It really tasted like Taco Cabana but cost quite a bit more. 

The Riverwalk boat tour was okay, but honestly next time, I'd just spend the time back at the resort letting the kids run and play.

 

What's up

Summer is here!  We've been enjoying waking up to bunnies in the back yard and bluejays on the fence at dinnertime. 

The kids wrapped up their last days of preschool this week.  I could not have picked better teachers for them this year.  Many mornings I'd even have to ask them to tell me "bye" because they were so excited to be at school!

Yesterday we had our first "big" pool day.  After 4 hours of playing, I felt very confident that Andrew remembers most of what he learned last year in swim lessons.  Both kids will start a 2 week session of swim lessons in June.  They are really enjoying playing together --- much of the time --- so I am really excited about a fun summer.  

I wrapped up my second year of Community Bible Study in April.  I cannot even begin to explain all I learned about God -- his infinite love & desire that no man perish, his sovereignty, our stupidity, his forgiveness, provision, protection, anger, wrath, his desire for humble hearts, his ultimate purpose for us to know him -- from the Old Testament study of the Divided Kingdom.  I look forward to leading a small group again in the fall as we study Daniel, Colossians, and 1 & 2 Peter.  In the meantime, I am reading Prayer: Does it make any difference? by Philip Yancy.

Drew just wrapped up his 6th of *hopefully* 12 semesters of law school.  We are so proud of him and just cannot comprehend how he can work so hard at a career, school, family, and fitness.

Drew and I have been competing in some local Crossfit competitions and having a blast.  We are heading to San Antonio in June to complete our Crossfit Level 1 Certifications. 

Andrew's birthday plans were rained out so we had a very simple cupcake celebration at home.  I'm not sure I've seen a happier child.  Lesson learned -- it's ok to keep things simple.

Andrew is 4

Stats - 41 inches, 43 pounds

This smile melts my heart every single day.  Andrew is now 4 years old!  Over the past year he has changed so much...leaving behind his baby face I can see the little boy he is becoming.  He is affectionate and tender hearted.  He wants to be brave but doesn't like to be the center of attention.  He loves to dance and sing...as long as no one is watching.  Andrew loves to play (and exercise like Dad)!  He has had a great year in preschool...making lots of friends with girls and boys, learning lots of letters and numbers and ideas.  One of his favorite things was the volcano unit.  He is still obsessed with Legos.  We took him to the Lego store for his birthday and he picked out the packages with Star Wars characters.  Andrew is a great big brother and I've had so much joy watching as he and Lila grow closer and learn to play with each other more and more.  Andrew thrives on routine.  If we get too busy, he will ask, "can we stay home today?"  He says he wants to be a police man when he grows up.  He loves the "battle" stories from the Bible.  He is now 41 inches tall and 42 pounds.  I wonder....will he be bigger than his daddy?  when will he think he's too old for his Lamby?  when will he begin his personal walk with Jesus?  will he always be tender and affectionate?  how will God use his life?

Happy birthday, Andrew!  You are my sunshine :)  

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Lila's backyard performance

Where do you workout?

Crossfit Katy!

Since high school I have enjoyed working out...sometimes (ha).  I would go to the gym for a few months with fervor and then miss a couple times for some reason and have a hard time getting back.  Mostly I just stayed on a cardio machine...occasionally some weights.  Before I got pregnant with Andrew, I spent a few months working one on one with a trainer.  Then the babies came back to back and I had no consistent activity (exercise that is). When Lila was just under a year old, I was tired of the baby fat and ready to make a change.  I signed up at the YMCA for a few months of a fitness bootcamp.  Through major calorie restriction and 3 full hour workouts a week, I surpassed my goals and felt fairly fit.  This was a great program because I felt accountable to my trainers and the other (mostly) ladies in my group.  But I was totally bored with the predictable workouts after about 6 weeks.  I continued my fitness journey by running and attending a few classes a week at the Y.  One of the major stumbling blocks for me again was boredom.  Nothing could hold my interest for more than a few months.  I was maintaining my weight and had no other quantifiable fitness goals.

The following March, Drew began working out with Neal at Crossfit Katy.  To say that I was reluctant to give it a try would be an understatement.  I honestly had doubts about how effective it could be since the hour classes were not 60 solid minutes of constant movement.  Also every person is individually timed for each workout, I just wasn't sure I was up for the competition.  I finally gave it a try in June.  Drew was very persistent about my giving it a real shot because he was seeing GREAT results and really enjoying his time in the box.  His improvement has been remarkable!  I went a few more times in July and was hooked.  I found that I loved the competition and I had a goal (other than burning 500 calories an hour) with each workout (to finish each workout as quickly as I possibly could).

Now I can't get into The Box enough!  Over the past few months, my goals have evolved.  It feels great to be the first to yell "DONE!" but it feels even better to finish in the middle of the pack or even dead last but know that I've conquered a new skill or max weight for myself.  I've started looking less at my times compared to others and more at my own new weight/time compared to previous similar workouts.  When I started, I couldn't do 10 pushups on my toes.  Monday I did 100!  Last week I got 4 unbroken pull-ups (chin-ups)!  I really didn't think 1 was possible. I can't pretend that I don't still get on the scale.  I don't like that the pull up bar can give me calluses (many Crossfitters see this as a badge) or that my collar bone gets bruised when I do front squats (I just ordered a bar pad).  But I do like that I feel strong.  I don't love getting out of the bed before 5 am to make a few of my workouts, but I do love feeling accomplished when it is done (a feeling I'm often lacking as a stay at home mom).  I love that it gives me just one more thing to thank God for - motivation, healthy body, strong mind.

In case you are interested in giving it a try, here are a few other things I believe make Crossfit Katy well worth your investment.

• Each class is limited to 12 so that the trainers can correct form & monitor your progress.  Also if you have an injury, the trainers are able to give you attention to modify the workouts so that you can continue
• The first workout is free.  I even paid per class my first month when I wasn't sure if I would stick with it.
• Each workout is different and you don't know what you'll be doing until you get there.
• No one is yelling at you, forcing you go harder or faster.  It is a very encouraging atmosphere (but don't get me wrong, it's not hugs and warm fuzzies either).
• There is a mix of male/females.  But there are also a few classes that are female only.
• There is a wealth of fitness knowledge to tap into when you are part of the Crossfit community.  Crossfit.com is a great start.  Each gym is individually owned and operated as an affiliate so each gym runs a little differently.  There are gyms located all over the world or you can follow the workouts from the main website at home.
• Each member keeps a log of your workouts to track your own progress.  It's awesome to compete with yourself!
• Working this hard to make and maintain healthy bodies has made us much more aware of what we are putting in our bodies.  We are taking steps to keep our bodies and our children's bodies healthy for the future.
• Crossfit Katy recently became a delivery location for Yonder Way Farms a wonderful local producer of meat products and milk. 

I could really keep writing for a while, but if you are still reading, I'm sure it's not for long.  Check out the website and give it a try!