Recently...

we managed to sneak in that anniversary date.  We left the girls with a sitter and headed down the canyon.  Since we knew we were behind schedule we actually called ahead to Chili's to put in our order and then reveled in the brilliance of our idea.  Our table was ready and waiting with drinks and appetizer and within five minutes later, our dinner arrived.  It wasn't exactly leisurely and luxurious but tasted great and allowed us time for a temple session before we had to relieve the babysitter.  Life is a little crazy right now concerning details that haven't and probably won't be discussed here but it was good to attend the temple and look for some reassurance and guidance.

potty training continues with mostly success but I suspect it will be a while before I'm completely confident. 

Last weekend we took the girls for a quick over nighter in the mountains.  We loaded up the trailer and drove up to a beautiful spot not too far from home.  We made dinner (Butterfly loves grilled zucchini and Ladybug kept calling the grilled pineapple her "apple pie") and took a walk.  We built a fire and roasted s'mores (this truly is one of my favorite desserts).  After that, the girls were eager to play in the trailer so our campfire was short lived and we eventually wound down for bed.  Me and Lovely cuddled in one of the beds while Daddy wrangled the other two.  After a surprisingly restful night (our first camping attempt was a train wreck.  subsequent trips in the trailer were better but still exhausting.), we had a quick breakfast and packed up for home.

We joined some friends for bowling night and Butterfly and Ladybug had a blast.  They bounced around excitedly, rolled their balls off the ramp and waited with great anticipation as it inched it's way to the pins.  Daddy elected to hang out with friends and play with Lovely while I supervised the big girls.  But I chose not to play because my ego is fragile and my children are shockingly good, scoring 88 and 98.

Sunday was chaos.  not restful.  as usual.

We got a visit from a favorite auntie.  My cousintwin came over for dinner and the girls fawned over her for her attention and were delighted by the gifts she brought them (I'd chastise her for spoiling them but I'm pretty sure it's a right of the auntie to do so.)

Lovely can pull herself up to stand and it's heart breaking adorable as she slowly grows into toddlerhood.  We've been able to have some family movie nights and cuddle our big girls while Lovely crawls around exploring the toys.  She knows exactly where her box of toys are and plods over to it, uses the box to pull herself up to stand and then makes me melt as she giggles and pushes herself up onto her toes over and over.  Eventually she will meander around the back of the couches and sit herself in front of the play kitchen.  Then she can pull the unnecessarily large amount of play food and dishes from the shelves and scatter them in every direction.

We've been enjoying going to the local elementary school for lunch lately.  The girls love getting to visit the "big kid" school and I love that they get a healthy lunch that they find so apparently fascinating.  We always see friends from the neighborhood and love to play on the playground before we go.

I took a week off from the gym while I was sick.  Even once I felt better, we stayed home to potty train.  So it's been awhile since I got a good work out and now that I'm back, I'm sore.  But in a good way.  :)  The deadline I set for myself has arrived and I'm only two pounds away.  But I'm pleased my my progress and will continue just because I've enjoyed it so much.  I'm addicted to the classes and the satisfaction I get from a healthy workout.  And since I'm registered for a certification course already, I think it's safe to announce I will be starting as a fitness instructor this fall.  I'm really excited for the course I will be teaching, called Group Kick, which will be launched at our gym in October.  I love getting to know the other instructors and feeling like I'm part of that team.  I love that being an instructor further motivates me in my own fitness goals and I'm so excited to be teaching again.  It's been awhile since my days as a dancer and choreographer and this will be the perfect combination of choreography, cardio, music and energy.

And now it's time to get packed for our next weekend mini-adventure.  Stay tuned...