aloha friday!

Happy Shaloha Friday!

We're very busy right now at this early hour... watching PAW Patrol. And that makes me quite happy because it's not Tom & Jerry. I do like Tom & Jerry, despite it's "violent" content, but enough is enough. Time to regulate.

We've officially been home for a week and I think we're mostly back on Hawaiian time, which I realize has two meanings. But I mean operating on the correct hour... not being indifferent to the start time of our activities. I've still been going to bed relatively early (around the 8-9pm hour) but I also had to wake up super early for Kaia a few mornings. So, works out I guess. Heh.

Speaking of working out. Kaia, Stroller Strides, and half-marathon training. I'm trying to find my balance in this because I know it's a lot. Unfortunately, I can't go to Kaia every class this time because of Rob's schedule, so that actually may work to my advantage a little bit in terms of my half-marathon training. Running. Lots of running. Truly, the only way to be prepared to run 13.1 miles, is to run. Most running plans are approximately 12-weeks long, like the one I'm doing. BUT I'm about 5 weeks behind! Yikes! So yes, I'm a little stressed out about being prepared for the race, but I'm also just trying to go with it. If I have to walk during the race, then I have to walk. So be it.

This week we've also been in the throws of Potty Training. Yes, capital letters. It's that big of a damn deal. And truth be told, I'm a little too lazy for it, so that's why I've been dragging my feet on it. Christian seems mostly ready, so I've just been going with it and following his lead. Enough about that.

AND THE BEST OF ALL!? One of my good friends from high school, and her hubby, are currently en route to Hawaii! They'll be staying with us for a night or two or however long they want before they move into a nice hotel in Waikiki. I'm super stoked to hang with them because they are basically the funniest people on this earth and like good beer, so I know I'll be laughing a lot this weekend.

Oh, and in case you were wondering...

Have a great air-conditioned weekend!! 

mama's going back to work!

Well, kind of. Does it count if I get to take Christian with me each time?

I'm so so so SO excited about our next big adventure. Most of you know how much I adore Stroller Strides, and how much it has been a part of my life for the past year or so. The only thing I'm bummed about is that I didn't discover it sooner, when Christian was younger. But we can't dwell in the past, can we? I don't even know if I would have found Stroller Strides if it wasn't for the bravery of our good friend, Jelani, or as Christian affectionately calls him, Uncle J. Why was he so brave, you ask? He, a young male out by himself, approached a group of exercising moms pushing strollers with their kids, to find out the name of the group. For me. Intimidating much? Because he thought it would be something I would be interested in. He may or may not have gotten a strange look, but I am forever grateful. Because yes, I was VERY interested. I immediately Googled this group "Stroller Strides," emailed the owner, went to my first class, and became HOOKED.

Let me tell you about this group of women. They are amazing. Strong. Supportive. Encouraging. Dedicated. And they are working hard to be great examples for their children, showing them what it means to be healthy and active. These women are just plain awesome and they are some of my best friends here in Hawaii. And obviously, Christian loves it. The kiddos are his friends. He asks about them, and if he's going to see them. All the time. He knows exactly what Stroller Strides is and calls them "the mommies."

So naturally I am SO STOKED to become a Stroller Strides instructor.

Currently I'm in the beginning stages of everything. Next month I head to San Diego for a weekend to  officially become certified to teach through FIT4MOM. There were a few ways I could have become certified... but honestly, this way sounded the most fun. Although I'm going to be pretty busy while in San Diego, and it's a super short trip, my awesome/hilarious/wonderful friend Suzi is going to let me crash at her place.

This coming up Sunday I get to do a mini "audition" for our franchise owner, and a few other instructors. I'm nervous, but I'm excited. And guess who gets to be my guinea pig for my "audition" workout I'm putting together? That'd be Rob. Love that man because he would literally do ANYTHING for me.

However, before I go to San Diego I have to take an online test based on a few videos I've watched. I've already watched through them once, and have started to make notecards, but I still have more to make and study before I'm comfortable. And if you know me, you know I go full bore when it comes to something I'm passionate about.

I don't know all of the logistics of how much I'll be teaching, or when I'll be teaching just yet, but I know those things will fall into place. We're trying to build up enough interest to restart a Hawaii Kai class, but currently we have classes at Kapiolani Park, Hunakai Park, and at the Honolulu Zoo on Saturdays.

So there it is. I'm pumped. Rob is excited for me and is so supportive! I can't wait to get started, and not be a nervous wreck leading such an amazing group of women. I really really don't want to disappoint them. I'm giving this my all, because I believe in this wonderful program, and most importantly all the moms!

we're home!

Well, alooooooha! It's super early. Like, "the-sun-is-not-awake-yet-Christian" early.

Christian and I arrived safely back in Hawaii yesterday afternoon after a few non-eventful flights. We had a successful time flying stand-by on Delta from RIC to JFK, making our trip back home a whopping $30. I know. I know. We "paid" for it in our journey from T2 to T5 in JFK. And I do mean journey, similar to what I imagine the Oregon Trail would have been like.

Christian did great on the plane, and we were showered with compliments from surrounding passengers once we landed. Thankyouverymuch. I really have to give my sincerest thanks to God, Apple for inventing the iPad, and the dollar bin at Target where we picked up several packs of stickers.

We left Mom's house at 5am to head to the airport and we pulled up in our driveway at about 3:30pm (Hawaii time), so after traveling approximately 16 hours, I was exhausted. Christian was stoked on life that Rob met us at the gate. (He flew in from SFO about an hour before us.) Rob then so so so graciously took Christian to the park, fed him dinner, gave him a bath, put him to bed, while I was dead to the world for a good long time.

Hello green mountains, I've missed you!

At this early hour, I am sitting on the sofa watching Tom & Jerry (what else) with a toddler that had a very very early morning diaper situation and was never able to go back to sleep... naturally, drinking coffee, and listening to the birds wake up. But I love it.

What I am NOT loving is the smell of cat pee. Yep. For the first time EVER, Baxter sprayed/peed... in Christian's room. So yeah, had to take care of that situation this morning as well. I guess we made him good and mad for being gone for so long, even though he received the MOST EXCELLENT care from our landlord's daughter. Oh, I mean it. Baxter ran out of wet food (which I knew he would be without wet food for a few days... oh the horror) and they went and bought him CANNED SALMON. Spoiled much? Anyway...payback.

I am ready to get back in a routine. So ready. Especially Kaia and Stroller Strides. My sources of sanity. My eating habits have been less than stellar for the past two weeks, so I'm also ready to clean my diet back up. And oh yeah, that little half-marathon I decided to signup for. So I guess I need to start training for that too.

But I do think this was one of our best trips out east, EVER. We did SO much and saw so many people, and had a blast. Christian said yesterday when I was getting him dressed (at the wee hour of 4:30am) to go to the airport, "maybe Nannie can come to our house tomorrow?" Christian had so much fun spending lots of quality time with Nannie. She showers him with attention and affection, and basically whatever he wants. (More pictures from our actual trip later.)

Now that the sun is actually awake, Tom & Jerry is over, and my coffee cup is empty, I guess that means... I need to refill my coffee.

Have a wonderful weekend!

virginia happenings

As it typically goes while we're visiting Virginia, we've kept a pretty full schedule. I guess that's how it goes any given day of the week, to be honest. Most of our days are filled with visits to the park, but we never last too long because it has been HOT HOT HOT.

Right now it isn't so bad because it's still early, but take a look at the high for today and tomorrow... and basically the rest of the week. Coupled with 209384% humidity, we feel like we've been living in Antarctica for the past 10 years and are melting snowmen. Those evening temps are a nice reprieve from the day's heat, even if they're a bit on the chilly side. Hah. Oh, Virginia. Update: as per usual, this post has taken me approximately 234 hours to write and we're now in the heat of the day, and we're nothing but complaints round here. 

Belle Isle is a great place to cool off. Even if the James River still scares me. Not the fact that it's water, but the fact that anyone from Richmond knows exactly what I'm talking about. Let's just say it's known for being the cleanest river in the land. But still, a great place to play on the rocks. 

On Saturday we had a little cookout with some family, which was a ton of fun, as always. Rob grilled some hamburgers, and Mom made her usual delicious dishes (baked beans, crockpot mac & cheese, deviled eggs). This is the south, y'all. I'm sure Christian had the best time since he got to run around with his cousins! And I always have the best talks with his cousins' mama, my cousin, Megan! And as Megan so truthfully pointed out, "it's not a party until you're running around in your underwear with your cousins." Which eventually did happen. Amongst the 4 and under crowd only, to be clear. #redneckfun

"This is my princess pose," said the very serious Julianna. She's one of those toddlers (are 4 year olds toddlers?) that says THE BEST/funniest things, and cracks me up every time.

Last night we went for a walk around the hood. The fun never stops. 

Rob and I also got to go on a date. What the whaaaa?! It was wonderful. We went to a newish Mexican restaurant we checked out last year called En Su Boca. I won't tell you what that place was before it became a Mexican restaurant. Rob and I may even get so lucky that we can squeak out another date night before we leave for the farm on Friday. Janis (see below) was telling me about this cool new brewery in Richmond called Triple Crossing Brewery. The name. Really cool story. Richmond is the only place in the US where three railroads cross at the same spot on three different levels. 

This afternoon I got my hair cut by Janis, whom (who?) I ALWAYS see when I'm in town. If I could move this girl (and her husband and her dog) out to Hawaii to be my personal stylist, I WOULD. So if you're in Richmond and looking for someone ahhhhmazing to do your hair (cut, color, you name it), she is your girl. Janis at Karina's in Carytown. Love Carytown. Rob dropped me off a little early and I decided to walk down Cary Street for a cup of (iced) coffee. Sweet mercy, it was hot. The temperature outside, not the coffee. Still complaining. 

Speaking of Carytown, in the picture above, you can see The Byrd down the street. It's one of those super cool old theaters that plays just-out-of-the-theaters movies. Cost is only two bucks. Hoping mom and I will get to go see a movie tonight. Options are: Divergent and The Other Woman. I've seen them both and would love to see either again, especially with my mama! I know that you are suuuuuuper curious, so I'll be sure to let you know what we end up seeing. Stay tuned on Facebook. Or Instagram, for all my non-Facebook using friends. Val. 

As for exercise while I've been here, I've been using a combo of Kaia Vacation workouts, going for walks/runs around the neighborhood to get my 10,000/day steps in (still rocking my Fitbit), and Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Last night I did the level 3 workout. Good grief. That is a solid 20-minute workout. I am however happy to report that I can do (real) traveling pushups. 

My eating hasn't been QUITE as clean as it has been the past few weeks, but it's been wayyy better than it is any other time I come here. Still making green smoothies, eating eggs with lots of veggies and fruit, and big salads with lean protein. I'm feeling pretty good. ZZZzzzzzZZZZzzz... I know I know.

We're pretty much adjusted to east coast time. Christian's bedtime is a bit later, but it's also daylight at 9pm, and well... we have a hard time going to bed when "the sun is still awake." But it's all good. It's summer, we're on vacation, let the good times roll. 

The End.