Balance

Life is all about balance, or so they say.

Lately I've been in a pretty scheduled workout routine.  I've been doing the 80 Day Obsession and I really like it.  I feel better than I have in years and also think I look much better than I have in years.

Even better than that though, I am inspiring Ollie.  Not that he has weight to lose (in fact he's probably the other way around and needs to gain and grow), but he is seeing that a healthy lifestyle is important.

I have my workout space set up in the basement and during the week I workout at 5 AM before anybody else gets up, but the weekends are a different story.  Lately I've had a little guy joining me in the mornings.  He loves to be right alongside me trying to do what I'm doing.  And I'll have to say it really inspires me to know that I'm providing him with a good role model.

He loves to get on the treadmill and walk.  Almost any time I am heading to the basement, even if it is not to workout, he is asking if he can go down and exercise.

Diet is of course an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but as I said before it is all about balance.  This kid has always been a good fruit and veggie eater, but he is his father's son and he loves donuts!

Daddy sure has been working a lot of Saturdays so sometimes we just have to pick up donuts and surprise him with them at his office. 

After this particular donut visit, we went on a walk and to the park.  As we were walking Ollie announced from the sit-and-stand stroller that he needed to get out and "get some good exercise."  Balance.

Visit with Grammy

We love visits to Grammy's, especially surprise ones when Grammy isn't expecting us!

Kaylee's Birthday

This sweet girl hit double digits!  Happy Birthday, Kaylee!

Big Girl Carseat

Paisley absolutely despises her infant carrier car seat.  The minute we put her in it she starts screaming.  Typically it only last a few minutes, but it is painful for all who are involved.  After riding in Ollie's car seat due to the mix up (and her loving it), I figured it was time to get her a big girl car seat.  She probably won't like it as much as the time she rode in Ollie's since we will still have her rear-facing, but I think she will be much happier.  At least that is what I am hoping for!

Here she is sporting her new seat:

Today was her first day in it and it was a much, much enjoyable car ride!

Carseat Switchup

Last week daddy had to take Paisley to the doctor first thing in the morning (She had an abscess on her little bottom that she had to have drained - lucky daddy) and when I went to pick her up from daycare he forgot to leave the car seat.  She is still in her infant carrier and at her current rate of growth she could probably continue in it until she is three!

Riley wasn't anywhere nearby so luckily Teresa had an extra seat.  We put Ollie in the extra (pink) seat and let Paisley ride in his seat.  It was only a short drive and we were going straight home.  I was, of course, so nervous, but Pais was having the time of her life!

She loved sitting up higher, being next to her brother, and being able to see things facing forward.  Sorry little girl, it was a one time thing... you've got a lot of growing to do before you'll be riding this way again.

Fun Day Out

Riley had to work at the state fair yesterday so the kids and I conquered Manhattan.  We had some places that we had to go to and some places that we wanted to go to.  It was a fun, but long all-day outing.

First up was Ollie's very first store-bought hair cut.  Before this, he had received all his haircuts from Uncle Goosie or from Teresa at daycare.  He handled it like a champ.

Our next stop was the bank.  Paisley had birthday money to deposit, Ollie cleaned out his piggy bank, and Riley and I also had money to deposit.  It was a bit of a lengthy visit (complete with K-State Game Day parking madness), but Oliver thought it was great.  He was given water, popcorn, and candy -- to him the bank was one of the best stops of the day.

We stopped at the Farmer's Market before heading to the mall.

Taking a break to play was a top priority of his.

After the mall we grabbed lunch nearby at Qdoba (as Ollie wasn't a fan of as he said it was too spicy) followed by our old trusty Orange Leaf.

Our final stop was at Widgets.  Oliver was most impressed with toilets that were just his size.

By the time we made it to Widgets it was mid afternoon and Paisley was down for the count.  Oliver enjoyed playing on the 4-story play structure they called Ballocity while I hung out with my sleeping girl.

By the time we left I had two tired kiddos!

Ice Cream Lovers

As if you couldn't tell from our visits to Orange Leaf, we love our ice cream around the Richling household.  The other day at the grocery store Ollie talked me into buying some cones and let me tell you, the kiddos were in heaven.

Labor Day Weekend

One last dip in the pool to finish out summer 2018.