Happy Halloween from My Baby Bumblebees

We went to no less than 4 Halloween celebrations this year.  On Friday, we went to one at Mack's school and then left there and headed to one at the NiNa's school.  So much more to do at the one for the twins.  It was loads of fun and the girls loved collecting candy in their baskets.  Yep...they were all bumblebees this year.  I found Mack's at the last minute, but I know she was happy to be like the littles.  Nia loves her costume and slept in it one night.  On Friday at school she had an accident at naptime and was super disappointed in herself and upset about getting her costume wet.  Thankfully, her daddy had it washed and cleaned in time for the parties that night.  We went to a church even on Sunday and then tonight we went to a Trunk or Treat at a neighborhood church.  We've done that the last three years.  It's super convenient and that is one of my top requirements!

They have enough candy to last us through Valentines Day at least, if  not Easter...

Happy Halloween!

Ten on Tuesday

1) Yikes!  It's been forever since I blogged anything of substance...life has been busy...crazy busy...for me and seriously just about everyone else I know.  It's just been weird.  The truth is...I've been stressed but I'm hopeful that all will level out soon. Well...it has to.

2) The twins have been giving me a run for the money (is that how that saying goes?).  They have had a 7 p.m. bed time since they were 2 mos old.  For the last two weeks, they have stayed up as late as 8:30...jumping out of their beds, getting into each other's beds, turning on lights, opening doors...wait... opening doors??? I didn't know 2 yr olds did that.  I never had this drama with MacKenzie.  She was in her crib until she was about 3.5.  Yep...and I LOVED it.    We may have to convert the girls beds soon though...ugh!  I hate when I don't win.  Oh yeah...and they nearly flooded the bathroom last night...ok...so that's an exxageration...but there was a  LOT of water on the floor.

3) I'm now considering hosting a giveaway to the Bloom Forum.  I kinda LOVE Bloom.  Through Bloom, I experienced my first inperson photography workshop and made some great friendships.  Bloom is a nice, small, giving community.  Anyway, if anyone would be interested in a membership, let me know and if so, I'll host the giveaway.

4)Speaking of workshops...I'm going to another workshop in less than two weeks.  I'm sooooooooo excited!  I think it will be lots of fun and I'm hopeful that I'll learn some great tips to be possibly be ready to set up shop early next year.  I love that two of my photogs friends will be there and it's a small group of 8 girls over 2 full days.

5) I've been doing some portfolio building.  Maternity/Family, Family, Newborn, and I have a Senior Girl and Boy lined up over the next two months.  Also in the pipeline, I'll be shooting my friend's 6 month old.  I think that's a tough age, so it should be interesting...If you have tips...let me know!  Interested in what I've shot so far???  See them here!

6) If you follow me on Pinterest...I'm sorry for always blowing up your page.  I'm kinda addicted.  This is my fave pin that I repinned tonight:

Source: None via Hope on Pinterest

7) I have training tomorrow so I need to get my butt in the bed.  I think my body is starting to say NO to all this staying up late business.

8) Yikes!  My knees are still achy from 30 Day Shred?? For real??? I'm too young for this!

9) MacKenzie signed up for Mathcounts this year.   They let advanced 5th graders sign up that are enrolled in Pre-Algebra and higher Math.  Oh my word.  Why is the work so hard??  I seriously cannot help her.  And then there is her Kumon.  She is 75% through Level J.  Just know that that means hard...j/k (kinda)...I just looked it up...Level J is Advanced Algebra.  She is in 5th grade, so I just seriously don't know what we will do going forward because she is pretty much beyond my math recollection level.  I wish I'd been disciplined enough to work through everything with her so I could have (re)learned along with her...but alas...not so much.  It's funny though because she has always done so well in Math we were pretty shocked by  how difficult she and we have found the Mathcounts to be...seriously...even the warmups...but my hope is that if she gets this, she should do very well going forward. It makes my heart happy that she is getting some great college prep opportunities.

10) I miss my blogger friends.  I'm excited to get a moment to breathe and catch up with everyone!  Very soon!

Have a great week!!! 

30 Day Shred | Mission Failed

Tonight is the night that I admit defeat and that I just couldn't keep up with everything going on.  I'm disappointed that I didn't take 20 min.  On top of that, I'm pretty darn sure I've had dessert everyday since last Tuesday.  I think that's called an addiction...

I'm hoping life settles over the next couple of weeks and that I can I try again.  Maybe in a quieter manner where I just report back here that finally I suceeded.  But for now...that's not the case.

Head over to Brandy's blog and read how she rocked 30 Day Shred...I just know she did...I'm telling you I saw her...she looks GOOD!

Can You Tilt Your Head ? | Twins Fight

No one believes me when I say that the girls fight a LOT...

Here is today's example...so busy fighting that they fail to count properly in English. I do think Nia managed to count to ten once in Spanish without messing up or stopping to spit at Nala...


Sorry. I always forget to turn my phone landscape when I record...

30 Day Shred | Week 4

Ok...I'm a big ol failure. Failure I tell you. Here is the thing. I spoke to soon. I thought I had this...I thought I was ready to go. I wasn't. Life got busy busy this week...and I failed. I don't even want to talk about. I saw Brandy this weekend and failed to even comment on how good she looked because I didn't want her to ask me how I was doing. Not good. I failed. I'll try again tonight. And let's just say...I'll have to add a week to my journey...

And...on top of that...I'm late posting. Let's just say...I could use a break.

Soon...

Hop over to Kensya's Blog...she had to have done better.

30 Day Shred | Week 3 Complete

So, there is good and bad news.  I'm still in this and this week I solely worked Level 2.  I feel great and more mentally motivated than I was in the first two weeks.  BUT, I only worked out five days.  That may be what I need to have success...not sure. I'll try again this week and see.  I'll be working Level 2 for this entire week since I'm only 5 days in.

The two moves that I hate the most are

1) Pendulum Lunges -- I have to really watch my form on these because my  knees can get achy.
2) The Squat with V-flys -- ouch...but when I finish, I feel super strong.  AND I love the new definition in my shoulders!

So this week, I'm happy to say I feel STRONGER and I think I'm having pretty good results.

I'm in this through the end.  Halfway there!

I have a feeling Brandy is too...but go check her out and see how her week went...

Team Davis United

30 Day Shred | Week 2 Complete

So wow!  We are headed into week 3 and I wish I could say I felt like I'd been more successful with this.  Last time when Gerri and I were at it, I felt great.  My energy level was great and I felt fabulous.  Fast forward to this time when life's pressures have gotten in the way, that energy/motivation is just lacking...
So, I kinda failed this week...just kinda...

I worked out Tues, Wed, Sat, and Sun...yeah...not quite six days.

Confession/Excuses:  I don't know how to put the DVD on by myself.  Our normal dvr pooped out on us so we use KT's playstation as a DVD/Blu Ray player.  I recently learned how to turn it off after the workout, but don't know how to set it up...babysteps people.

Now for my sucesses: 
In past weeks, I've done one set of real push ups and the second set modified (my only modification) ...Saturday and Sunday of this week, I did full pushups for both sets :)

I used my 8 lb weights for my back and chest exercises...

All in all...I'm 10 days in as of today (I haven't yet worked out tonight) and I'm scheduled to start Level 2 tonight.  YIKES.  I don't feel mentally or physically ready...but I'm going to give it a go.  If I never post again, you'll know that I passed out...

Very much looking forward to reading how my blog buddy Kensya did.  Hopefully much better than me!  Go check her out here and then continue reading to check in on Brandy and Gerri as well.

30 Day Shred | Week 1 Complete

So a full week has gone by and I'm happy to say I completed my six days. I won't lie and say that it was joyful, but I did it. For me, having accountability partners makes all the difference in the world. If I were in this alone, I'm pretty sure I would have stopped on Day 3.

Most of my workouts have  been completed after 11 p.m.,  once I am already super tired.

I worked out Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (looking back on that sentence, I could have just said that I skipped Wednesday).

Now that I am at Day 7, I'd say I am slightly more motivated.  Brandy will definitely laugh and probably say "I knew it"...but I feel like I can already see a modest difference.   When we used to workout at OU, I'd always say I could feel and see a difference, literally right after a good workout.

Because I've been just a bit lazy about it, my current favorite moves in Level 1 are the boxing (almost zero effort) and  I like the butt kicks.   Hands down my least favorite moves are the shoulder raises and the second set of pushups. 

This week I used 3 lbs weights throughout.  I have short muscles and can tend to bulk up quickly, so I prefer lighter weights 3 - 8 lbs.  I may move up to 5lbs as I head into Week 2. 

Before the week is out, I'll be attempting to move on to Level 2 on Day 11.  Mentally, I do not feel prepared, but I will give it a go.

I think my lack of motivation is a combination of things, but largely due to the fact that I'm waiting so late and also I'm eating terribly.  I must do better about that.  Last time, I did a bit better with regards to food and that really helped.

Anyway, I am pumped to see how well my girls did.  I'm hopeful that everyone was able to complete their six workouts inspite of busy schedules!  Interetested as well?  First check out Brandy's update here!

Until next Monday...

Flashback Friday

I realized when I was looking for a flashback friday shot that I do not have very many images showing connection between MacKenzie and Nala.  Hmmm...motivating me to think about this more intentionally...here are a couple of shots from February 2010...  my girls have both grown so much, right?

I wanna see your flashbacks -  link up with Jen!

Life in Lee Jeans

I am participating in the “My Life in Lee” blogger contest where bloggers from all over the country submit unique and creative interpretations of the life they lead in Lee Jeans products.

I was sent a pair of size 2 jeans and went on a Cinderella chase to find the perfect model.  I found her at my office!  I enlisted beautiful Mandi to  show off  Lee's Gold Label Black Skinny Jeans.  I wanted to show the fun and sexy way to rock these affordable jeans (retail $44.00) in an urban setting.    The jeans are a nice medium weight and look so awesome on her.  

There is a similar contest going on right now on Facebook for non-bloggers.   In both contest, the winner wins a trip to NYC for Fashion Week (didn't I just mention yesterday how much I love fashion ;)

Now to decide which image to submit.  I only have two more days.  Help!!!

Thanks in advance!