Back to Schoooooool

We've been back to school for a week now...its been a great first week back.  This is Essie's last year as a preschooler and it makes me sad! 

Branson Vacation

Right before school started back, we went on a mini-vacation to Branson.  It was so much fun to spend 5 days there...relaxing, swimming, and shopping!  To make it even better our best friends Julie, Daniel, Jadie, and Madie were there at the same time too.  It rained like crazy the entire trip but we did get to swim in the indoor waterpark, ride the ducks, tour a winery, and do lots and lots of shopping.  Essie LOVED the funspot and the midnight party for kids.  Unfortunately, Travis got food poisoning and was sick as a dog our last night there so we had to cut our last day short.

3 Month Update....Losing

Well we've almost hit the 3 month mark...it's definitely been a much different summer than we are used to.  Our focus has shifted to getting healthy and being active.  We've experienced new things and exercise and eating healthy has fallen into our "normal" routine. 

So...here are the numbers.  I've lost 42 pounds so far.  Hubs has lost 35 pounds.  Together that would make 77 pounds together in 3 months.  The numbers on the scale are going down much slower than they were at first.  We are having to push ourselves harder, try new things, and really watch what and when we eat.  I'm not super impressed with my progress pic for this month...my shirt has definitely gotten longer as I've come along but this will be the last time I take my monthly pic in my purple shirt and jean capris.  They no longer fit and I don't think they exhibit the true results.  The HUBS progress pic, however is AMAZING, right? Wowzers!  He can barely keep those pants up!

We also took our body measurements not long after we started our journey (I did not write the exact date but I think it was close to early June).  Since then I have lost 4 inches off my waist, 3 inches off my chest, and 3 off my hips.  Hubs has lost 2.5 inches off his waist, 1 inch off his chest, and 2 off his neck! Ha!

Okay so here are some new things going on that are directly related to our weight loss:

• I can pull off every single pair of pants I own without unbuttoning or unzipping them. 
• I have moved down 2 sizes in pants and 2 sizes in shirts (for the most part).
• I participated in a Zumbathon and did Zumba for almost 2 hours...something I would have NEVER EVER even considered before....and to top that off...afterwards we went and climbed Pinnacle Mountain (also would have NEVER done).  I didn't make it to the top but I will someday.
• I have started going to PiYo class after Zumba on Monday nights...it's like a pilates/yoga class that focuses on strength training with your own body weight and then stretching with yoga.  It kicks my butt every Monday and I am usually sore until Thursday.  It's hard and I cannot do everything but I will get there.  I'm trying at least. 
• I have spent more time doing Zumba at the gym rather than the elliptical...and I have moved my "spot" in the Zumba class.  I used to hang out on the very back row...hidden.  I realized I needed to challenge myself so I took a leap and moved alllllllll the way to the front of the class.  I am now on the very front row...directly behind the instructor.  This motivates me to push myself harder and I cannot ignore seeing my jiggles and bounces in the wall o' mirrors...total motivation. 
• I am still a horrible runner.  I want to run...I just really stink at it.  My goal is to get better and be able to run for distances longer than an inch.
• On the other hand...the Hubs has become a fantastic runner.  He can run a 10 minutes mile and runs several miles at a time...he runs our neighborhood streets ragged.
• Hubs has also re-discovered his old "football" muscles from his high school days.  He's been enjoying being able to go to the gym with me now that KidCare is open.  He loves the weights.

We do see progress...it's slow and steady.  We do get discouraged and its not been a stress free journey.  I will say, however, that this is the longest we have ever stuck to something and it's been easier than I expected overall.  We still have a long road ahead and are trying to figure out the best way to get there!  I imagine that our next month is going to be super challenging with school starting back.  I will no longer get to work out during the day...I will be extra exhausted from those kindergarteners each day, and our weekly schedule will get busier again.  We are determined and I hope that we can both hit that 50 mark soon! 

The Little Mermaid 4th Birthday

Essie is totally obsessed with Ariel right now.  I can't blame her...Ariel is my favorite Disney princess too!  She dressed as Ariel for Halloween this year and has told us a loooong time ago that she wanted her party to be Ariel themed.   She also insisted on it being at JumpZone...thankfully they had an "under the sea" themed room for us to use.  Since the entertainment and decorations parts were covered we just had to come up with food and favors! I bought Essie's dress at Target and had a friend monogram it.  I found my Ariel shirt just days before her party on DisneyStore online.  I HAD to get it and Disney.com is soooo amazing that I got it in time for her party.

Our party room was already decorated so cute for us! We just added a few banners!

The room had sparkly blue tablecloths that we topped with Ariel plates and napkins.  We also laid out her Ariel Golden Book for the guests to sign.  We've done this every year and it's one of my favorite traditions!

 Our menu was simple this year but we wanted to offer a variety of things.  We had Ariel "what's the word" cupcakes in homemade strawberry with strawberry cream cheese frosting and chocolate with buttercream.  I made the cupcake toppers with my favorite sparkle paper for the strawberry ones and decorated the chocolate cupcakes with candied pearls and white chocolate sea shells.

The hubs made her awesome little cake this year.  She insisted on having a cake in addition to her cupcakes.  We love using these little toys from the Disney store.  We of course, cut the cake with her special cake server that her YaYa gave her.  She is supposed to cut every birthday cake with it and then her wedding cake when she gets married.  It's my favorite birthday tradition we have.  

We also made "Under Da Sea" sushi....I made the food tags by scanning a drawing Essie made of Ariel.  I loved that the decorations included her own part!

 One of my favorite things were these Ursula "pops" (because Ursula is popped by Prince Eric at the end of the movie).  I dipped marshmallows into chocolate, added chocolate legs and candy eyes!

We also had "Dinglehopper" cheese (I found the cute little plastic forks at Target) and Flounder's "fish 'n' chips".

We made "mermaid wands" by threading grapes and watermelon stars onto wooden skewers.  

Essie loved this mermaid throne...she did not leave it the whole time!

She got waaay too many presents and had a blast opening each one.  She was beyond excited to play with everything.

I loved that the kids got to play and run around before the party began.  Essie was beyond blessed by so many people show up to show love for her.