Getting strong

As I've mentioned before,  my girls are only nineteen months apart.  I lost most of my baby weight with Maggie but then I got pregnant with Lucy right away so it didn't matter.
Lucy is currently 25 months old.  I am not pregnant (although I hope to be pregnant soon) and I need to get rid of this baby weight before she starts preschool.
A few months ago,  we bought a treadmill and stuck it in our bedroom.  I bought a couch to 5k app on my phone and started running.  I was running five days a week but then I sprained my ankle and took three weeks off. I have five more runs until I finish my program.  I think my belly is a little flatter but mostly I love how good I feel after I run.
As the mother of two young girls,  I worry about how my body image will rub off on them. Instead of focusing on the fact that I'm running to lose weight,  I tell the girls that I am running to get stronger. This is not untrue but I think it's important to focus on strength over weight.  My girls are young and they would probably not pay a lot of attention if I said I hated my stomach or that I'd love to lose 20 pounds.  But eventually they would hear and parrot those things and I never want them to feel too fat or not pretty.
Today when I was finished running,  Maggie asked to walk on the treadmill.  I turned it on the slowest speed and encouraged her to go at it.  She kept telling me how strong she felt and I was so happy.  I want to bottle this feeling for her for when she's fifteen and feels inadequate.
I want to raise strong, smart, caring women and I'm starting with strong,  smart,  caring girls.

Kfest

Every year during the last weekend in August,  my parents' church hosts an epic party called  Kirchenfest, which supposedly means church fest in German. In the 25 years that my parents have lived in their town, I've missed it only twice.  The girls have gone every year since they were born. 
The whole town gets together to eat, drink, dance and get together.  There are games for the kids, a raffle,  and an auction.  It's huge!
Every year,  my mom has shirts made for the girls and my nephews that say "Kirchenfest Kutie" or "my first Kirchenfest" for the newest babies.  Lucy turned one month old at her first Kirchenfest.
The highlights this year were meeting "Mickey", "Minnie" & "Cinderella". Maggie was finally old enough to enjoy playing the games and won a fabulous inflatable horse that she named Thomas.  Lucy played some games too but only liked the ones where she got to throw things.
It's so fun to watch the girls enjoy something that was loved so much as a kid and I love watching my friends' kids run around together just like we did at that age.

Kfest

Every year during the last weekend in August,  my parents' church hosts an epic party called  Kirchenfest, which supposedly means church fest in German. In the 25 years that my parents have lived in their town, I've missed it only twice.  The girls have gone every year since they were born. 
The whole town gets together to eat, drink, dance and get together.  There are games for the kids, a raffle,  and an auction.  It's huge!
Every year,  my mom has shirts made for the girls and my nephews that say "Kirchenfest Kutie" or "my first Kirchenfest" for the newest babies.  Lucy turned one month old at her first Kirchenfest.
The highlights this year were meeting "Mickey", "Minnie" & "Cinderella". Maggie was finally old enough to enjoy playing the games and won a fabulous inflatable horse that she named Thomas.  Lucy played some games too but only liked the ones where she got to throw things.
It's so fun to watch the girls enjoy something that was loved so much as a kid and I love watching my friends' kids run around together just like we did at that age.

School days

Maggie had her first day of school this past week.  She's going to a three morning a week program and could not be more delighted. 
As I expected,  she was shy around the other kids but she never cried so I'll call it a win.  I can't wait for her to make friends and have play dates (even though I'll have to clean the house more often). I'm also excited to make friends with the other parents in the class, especially since we don't have a lot of friends with kids.
Monday is the first day where we drop her off. 
I hope this class brings her out of her shell a bit and helps her to blossom. 

Back when I wrote on this little blog...

I haven't written anything on here forever,  obviously.  So much is happening in our lives and it's so hard to find time for anything extra.
But I miss having a record to look back on of the changes our little family goes through on a daily basis.
Today the girls and I met up with a good friend and her son at the park.  The kids ran around for three solid hours (and I was so busy visiting that I didn't take any pictures! )
The girls had a great time and passed out on the couch during our "sleepover" movie so it was a great day for everyone!
Before Lucy fell asleep,  she decided to sit in her princess chair to have a better view of Merida.