Weekend Wrap Up

Oh another one is over, and it's with a mixture of relief and regret. Regret because I had such a lovely time, and wish that it would keep going. Relief because I'm very glad to get back to routine.

Friday night was a very restless sleep, but after taking the kids to swimming on Saturday morning, I rode my bike to the gym and worked out regardless (523 cals). And I rode home. Definitely felt much better for going though, and am glad I worked through my mopeyness to go! I then did a little baking for the evening, when we were expecting some guests after our dinner out. And tidied the house.

It was so fantastic getting all dressed up for Saturday night!!! I got the clothes out for the kids, and hubby took care of getting them ready, and I took my time with a shower, shaving, make-up and actually deciding for 15 minutes which shoes to wear! I had a lovely dinner, and ended up choosing chicken risotto for dinner, which was delicious.

My IL's, my folks and sister came back to my house, though my folks and sister left after 30 minutes (at least they came back though, they normally wouldn't have). And just spent til 2am drinking, singing and eating! It was a beautiful night, just what I wanted. Though I'm sure I've probably put on 3kg just over the weekend!

Sunday we took the kids out for breakfast to McDonalds. I know, not fabulous, but the kids could play and I was able to relax, drink coffee and read the paper. The kids had a lovely nap, and hubby and I watched "Duplicity" which we both really enjoyed. Then headed out in the afternoon for a walk. Simple scrambled eggs for dinner, watched part 1 of Wuthering Heights on the ABC, and headed to bed early.

Woken early this morning by extremely heavy rain and couldn't get back to sleep, but thankfully the kids didn't wake up too. Headed to the gym and have to start making some headway on all the food I ate over the weekend!!!

My BIL and his family gave me the extension for the WiiFit - the Aerobic step-up, so it'll make doing "freestep" on the Wii a little harder, and much more of a workout, so I'm looking forward to using it this week. Have to admit though, I was still a little "what the?!" when I got it though - I know I'll use it, but thought it was an odd present for my 30th! LOL. My other BIL, however, has left me with a much lower opinion than I already had of him. Despite plenty of notice, they still couldn't come to celebrate for my birthday, and didn't even bother with a phone call or card. Pretty low - I've known him for as long as hubby (obviously!) and my opinion of him continues to get lower. He used to at least phone! Can't win 'em all though, and I know that's just how self-centered he (and his family) have become. Any other birthday, I've learnt not to let it bother me, I just would have thought for a milestone, he might actually be bothered making an effort.

As I said, relieved that we're back to routine this week, but it's looking to be a wet one, which means cabin fever with the kids! Argh.

Am feeling desperate to have some alone time with hubby. The kids were so very full-on these past few days, and I'm feeling very... crowded. Love 'em to bit, wouldn't trade them (despite last weeks incident) but I really need just a little bit of space. Will just have to push through it though, have no one to take them for even an hour anyway.

Last weeks incident has also left me feeling rather defeated with regards to the kids, and I'm usually pretty confident taking them out, but just don't have the fight left in me at the moment.

Beautiful birthday and Weigh in

I got through yesterday just fine! I'm finally 30, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated. I had a beautiful day with my family - hubby decided spur of the moment to take a day off - and I didn't want the day to be over.

In the morning, I got up as normal and went for my 60 minute walk, and walked back in the house to a chorus of "happy birthday Mum!!" from the kids. Hubby made me breakfast and did my morning chores while I had a shower, and then we headed out to the Garden Nursery to get a few seedlings for a small hedge under our new trellis, and for out in our side garden. We went to Muffin Break for a lovely morning tea, then packed up to head to the beach.

We decided to go to Terrigal, and also stayed to have chicken sandwiches for lunch, and the kids had a lovely play in the sand and Lego Boy played in the water.

Home, and hubby planted our new plants and baked some cupcakes :)

I still headed out to my WW meeting! I lost 1.9kg this week - which is a fabulous result for the 18 point days I stuck to (bar one 21 point day) and the 5 or so hours of exercise I clocked up over the week. I hope to maintain that loss this week, with a few challenges this week.

I got home around 7:45pm, and my SIL and my nieces popped over to say happy birthday, we had cupcakes, and they left about 9:30. By which time I was past hungry, so didn't thoroughly enjoy the Thai takeaway I picked up on the way home from my meeting! But it was still absolutely delicious (I ordered chicken pad thai, with chilli), but it was far too late to eat.

Also had a few little chocolate covered Macadamia's for dessert, which were also delicious. All up about 31 points for the day, which I'm pretty pleased about, certainly not the blow-out I had expected it to be!

Hubby and the kids made me a beautiful card - all the kids helped to decorate, and Lego Boy wrote the card. My iPod Nano is my present, and also have another wonderful surprise - a Hot Air Balloon flight around the end of November!!! :D :D I'm extremely excited!!!!

Also, my girlfriends who are supporting me on a forum in our Weight Loss thread, have been thoroughly spoiling me with birthday cards, flowers and I also received another surprise yesterday of a voucher to a Day Spa!! They've thoroughly spoilt me and made me feel so very special.

I see some of my family tonight, and more at a birthday dinner on Saturday night.

xo

Last weeks (and this weeks!) Menu plan

I'm back. The past week has been rather hectic between organising DS#1's birthday picnic, Mums visit and my new KA arrival! The last half of our pay month is going to be a tight one, with the birthday party eating a fair chunk out of our budget. Feeding 12 adults and 12 kids isn't easy or cheap. Especially when you like to over-cater. I hate sending people home hungry, and I detest going to parties where I'm not fed enough! LOL. I'm sorry, but two pieces of fairy bread per person, is NOT a sufficient amount of party food.

Party Menu
Starters
- chips, crackers, cheese and dips (mum)
- raspberry and coconut slice
- chocolate slice (WW - 1.5 points per slice)
- chocolate spiders
- dinosaur egg cupcakes
- lollies (you have to have them at a 5 year party, right!)

Lunch
- creamy pasta salad (homemade, will share this recipe, it was delicious)
- green salad
- snags (vege, low fat and beef)
- onions
- rolls

Dessert
- dinosaur cake
- no mix slice
- rockmelon and grapes
- rocky road


Friday - fish, homemade wedges and vegies

Saturday - homemade pizza bases (KA!) and toppings

Sunday - party leftovers

Monday - dinner out for the birthday boy

Tuesday - marinated chicken chops with potato bake and vegies

Wednesday - steak and mushroom pot pies and steamed vegies

Thursday - pumpkin risotto

Friday - fish with wedges and steamed vegies

Saturday - homemade spaghetti and meatballs with salad

Sunday - steak and vegies

And hopefully that means I can do a tiny top-up shop next Monday to get us through to pay day.

I've broken my rule of tracking our expenditure daily - just have gotten too busy, so I'll get on top of that today.

Happy Birthday my big boy!

Just a quick update today. Had a wonderful, wonderful party yesterday. The weather was perfect, the cake turned out (mostly!), and everyone had fun. DS#1 turns 5 today, and we've spent the day at Terrigal on the beach, with a picnic, and we're going out for dinner with my BIL and his family for dinner.

Today's exercise... Gym, 30 minutes, 571 calories.

Dinosaur Party @ short notice

Oh dear, DS#1 (about to turn 5) has decide he would like a dinosaur cake for his birthday get-together. That's relatively easy. I've found brilliant instructions at Betty Crocker. I just have to panic about finding decent chocolate decorations. Oh, and that DS#1 would like a blue dino, not a green one.

But what are some other cheap ideas to incorporate the theme into an outdoor picnic? I'm sure I can find "dino eggs" at a lolly store. I don't want to spend a fortune, though.

Today my baby boy turns 2

I can hardly believe that my little baby boy turns 2 today!! He has a special place in my heart - being the baby of the family, and likely being our last child. He truly does make my heart sing. I absolutely love this age in my little boys. They haven't gotten a real temper yet, they laugh so easily, and they are easily amused.

We had a little birthday party with family a couple of weeks ago with DD, and he was able to blow out his own birthday candles. He had a little farmyard birthday cake, reason being he can say "tractor" and "cow" and it just seemed to fit, without being overly difficult to make.

He has such an amiable nature - he is so easy going and is extremely inquisitive. Rather like his Daddy in that respect! I call him my little sunshine, and that's exactly what he is. He brings me warmth like the biggest cuddle, and light into my life. Love you baby boy.

Birthday Party - preparation task list

Monday
Clean house TICK
Wash darks, lights and delicates TICK

Tuesday
Grocery shop TICK
Sheets TICK

Wednesday
Tomato relish TICK
First layer ice-cream cake TICK

Thursday
Shop for fresh F&V for party (and a large coffee!) TICK
Mini-sausage rolls TICK
Spinach and cheese triangles TICK
Mini-quiches TICK

Friday
Bake banana cake (DD cake)
Bake vanilla cake (DS#2 cake) TICK
Final layer on ice-cream cake TICK
Beef & Mushroom casserole TICK
Vegetable pie TICK
Lemon Tart x 2 TICK
Boil rice for fried rice TICK
Cupcakes TICK
Cut up crudetes TICK
Tidy house TICK
Choc chip cookies TICK
Paint stars for DD cake

Saturday
Bake bread
Put korma curry into slow cooker
Prep chocolate pudding
Decorate cakes

FRIDAY UPDATE - baking all done by 12pm!!! Casserole in the oven and making the house smell devine. Have even managed 2 loads of washing. Phew. And my cinnamon cookies don't look substantial enough, so I've added choc-chip cookies to the list too.

Birthday party preparation - the Menu

On Saturday we are hosting a small birthday party for DD and DS#2 (3 and turning 2). And hubby, whose birthday is in there somewhere too :)

We've decided to combine them for the convenience of guests having to travel to see us, and there is a financial benefit too. We're expecting 12 adults and 8 children for afternoon tea and dinner.

I would love some opinions. Too much food? Different type of (easy to prepare ahead) desserts?

Menu

Afternoon tea
A selection of:
* mini homemade sausage rolls
* mini-quiches (but what types?)
* spinach & cheese triangles
* fruit
* mushroom/celery/carrot sticks + dip + crackers
* cinnamon biscuits
* mini cup cakes
* a few lollies (smarties? chips?)

Dinner
A selection of:
* beef and mushroom casserole
* beef korma curry
* fried rice (corn, peas, grated carrot, bacon, egg)
* homemade bread (x 3)
* large vegetable pie (x 2)
* salad
* baked potatoes?
* baked risotto?


Dessert
* lemon tart
* chocolate pudding and ice-cream (or sticky date pudding?)
* birthday cakes (star for DD, farmyard for DS#2 and homemade ice-cream cake for hubby)

Happy Birthday my beautiful girl

Today my DD turns 3. How fast has the past 3 years gone? She is finally stringing sentences together, she can recognise her colours, she loves to stir up trouble, but she has the best smile in the world. Her present is a big bike - a purple and pink "Barbie" bike, with a little seat on the back for her "bubba". She's also getting tickets to go and see the Wiggles Go Banana's next week, and two "Daisy" books. I would say thoroughly spoilt!

We've having a small celebration tonight, but her party will be at the end of the month, that we are combining with her brother, who turns 2 in June.

Happy birthday hubby!

It's hubby's birthday today! He has requested a pasta maker for his birthday - I'm rather looking forward to giving it a whirl myself - I have wanted one since I was a teenager.

Lets hope it is a success! Wholemeal pasta is ridiculously expensive to buy, so I'd like to try and make our own.

I've also made some patty cakes for dessert - 1.5 points each.

I also need to make (by request!) spinach and ricotta canneloni for dinner tonight, so I'd better get cracking, as the in-laws are also coming over to have cake.

I'm an 80's girl!!! And my weekend report

My big news, cause I'm pretending to be such an extrovert - I'M AN 80'S GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't been an 80's girl since having DS1!!!!!!!! Possibly before getting pregnant with him... Not sure, so at least 5-ish years. Woohoo!!! I lost 800g last night, putting my total loss to 17.2kg. Must have been the last chance training ;) But I must say even though we had our 'weekend' away, I didn't totally overindulge in a way that couldn't be recovered from. I was off to the gym again this morning, frightfully early as hubby had to leave for work at 6:30.

Our weekend was absolutely wonderful - I ordered a grilled chicken burger with salad for lunch - it was very lean, no sauces or butter. For dinner we went out for Italian at Olivo's and it was just amazing. I ordered the veal, and it was so tender, wrapped in proscuito and served with spinach and roasted potatoes. I also ordered the chocolate hazelnut pudding, which was also delicious, and I shared that with hubby. After the show (we watched The Buddy Holly story at the Star City Casino) we indulged in some ice-cream at Darling Harbour while we just sat on the steps and enjoyed the lights, watching the world go past. I also had about half a bottle of champagne, which I washed down with lots of water in the days past.

For breakfast, we walked about 5 blocks down to Circular Key to CQ Cafe and enjoyed 2 eggs, tomato, mushrooms, toast and a hash brown. The Crystal Serenity was docked at Circular Key and it was enourmous! We then walked back to our room. I have to say, I was extremely impressed! It was a 'cheapie' booked through LastMinute, but it was still a fabulous room and I felt very pampered. The Westin was definitey 5*!!

I'm trying to gradually reduce my carb consumption at night, but it might take a while. It's such a habit, especially when I'm craving pasta!

Yesterday I did my new exercise DVD - I bought TBL Fit and Firm. OMG my arms are KILLING ME!!!!!!!!!!!! But feel so much better!! So I'll try and get that in once or twice a week too. My motivation is slowly returning, and I feel I've lost a lot of the water I might have been retaining due to TTOM and alcohol!

It's 33 weeks until I turn 30, so I'm going to start tracking in a proper tracking book, rather than just the sheets I get in my meeting. I should be able to fill almost 3 of them before it's my birthday, and I'm aiming fot them to get me very close to my goal weight! I'm almost at the half way mark now.

Birthday!

I tracked fine all last week, and Saturday and Sunday were blow-outs. It’s my birthday today, and I spent Saturday shopping and going to a movie with my Mum, and Sunday was a picnic with a totally decadent chocolate cake. I’m struggling to stick to my points today, but know I have to so I can have some form of a loss tomorrow night! I’m very much -- this close to “splurging”. I hate that I am associating my birthday with the attitude that it’s OK to have anything that I want. We were going to go out for dinner tonight for my birthday, but after my completely uncontrolled eating on the weekend, I just know I won’t be able to order a good choice. So I’m going to push it to next weekend or next week to even me out a little bit. So I’m quite satisfied that I have spoken up and made that decision. I’ve also said “no” to a special birthday cake today that my husband would love me to have – but he’s supporting me and saying “I would like to, but it’s not supportive”. So I’ll have a special glass of champers tonight and that will do me just fine.

In fact, rather than splurge, I have watched 2 episodes of SATC, done the ironing and folded some clothes, tidied up 2 shelves in my pantry and I’m just sitting down having some yoghurt now waiting for the children to wake up.