Woo hoo for the weekend! Interestingly enough, I didn’t pine away for the weekend this past week and it ended up getting here much faster than it normally feels like it does. Funny how that happens, huh?

Last night, I got some time with two of my favorite ladies in the world.

 

My mom and my sister came up for us to have an early Mother’s Day celebration for my mom. We kept things very low-key, which is just what my mom wanted after a tiring week of work. Simple always sounds good to me, so I happily obliged.

We picked up some Subway subs for dinner because not having to cook makes all us ladies happy. Let’s just say, that none of us were made for the kitchen.

 

After our “five-star” dinner, we showered gifts on the guest of honor. First, my mom opened her special treats from Makenzie. A homemade card (which had to be on “Ariel paper”) and some simple Nutella brownies Makenzie helped me whip up.

 

Check those babies out, people! Only THREE ingredients! Nutella, flour, and eggs. And those three ingredients = rich decadence.

  

All for the momma. At least I know her loving nature will lead her to share. 😉

Finally, came time to pass along the gift my sister and I got her. We decided to give her a more notable present this year since it has presented so many challenges. We wanted to give her a special token of our appreciation, love, and admiration for her.

 

She loved it! And cried. Not surprising. Motherhood will make a person emotional. Believe me. I know full well how crazy emotions get as a mom.

To tone down the tears, we took a light-hearted approach for the remainder of the evening. We chilled and sat back to watch Dear John, since my mom had not seen it and always wanted to as a Nicholas Sparks fan. Hmmm….maybe that movie choice wasn’t the best to stop the tears. 😉

It certainly wasn’t the most extravagant of celebrations, but simple really is best sometimes. It allowed us to focus on what really mattered most – our time together. Now time for the FFF Features of the week? 

Featured Personal Post – My Ideal Day

Featured Moment: Fun Financial Seminar

Featured Meal: Grilled Chicken Salad

It didn’t appear on the blog this week, but it should have! Grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, goat cheese crumbles, cucumber, avocado, and tomato. Delish! And for the record – the black spot is some random thing that appears in all my pictures lately. I need to take care of that.

Featured Workout: Cardio + Weights Hodge Podge

This workout kept me going even when I didn’t have the initial desire/energy to work out.

Featured Cuteness: Baby B at the Zoo

His little face just screams “WHERE have you brought me? And WHY am I NOT in your arms right now?!” 

Featured Reading: New Blog & Recipe To Check Out

Katie @ Dashing Dish makes unbelievable creations, that are usually lighter versions of favorites. I want to dive in to these Lemon Drop Cupcakes sooooo badly!

image from Dashing Dish

I hope you all have a love-filled weekend!!

• What is one thing you always try to keep simple? Mine is cooking. It won’t happen if it isn’t simple. Even then, it sometimes doesn’t happen. 😉

Before I begin – please stop on over to Teri’s fabulous blog to check out a guest post I wrote for her. I kind of love the post, so would love for you to read it! And if you’re HERE for the first time, coming over from Teri’s site, HI!! Say hello and let’s be friends, huh? 😉

Yesterday I lived the quintessential life of a mother. I had a day fully devoted to fun activity with the kiddos. First, it started with a playgroup field trip. All of us moms packed up the kids and headed somewhere special for the kids this week.

 

The zoo!!! Makenzie loved playing with her friends and visiting with all the animals.

    

That happy face made going home with a headache that rivals Charlie Sheen’s withdrawal symptoms worthwhile. After the zoo, both Makenzie & B pooped out in time to come home and get in some nap time. Thank goodness for nap time! I needed a break before Miss M woke up with a gleam in her eyes for me to read her some books.

 

Did I say “some”? Some. A lot. A ton. Same difference to her. When we went to the library earlier in the week, that child picked out thirty-six (36!!!!) books to bring home. I can’t say no to books. I commend her love of reading…but good gracious is that a lot of books for mommy to have to read. Over. And over. And over. It’s love, I tell ya.

Once we conquered the leaning tower of “Monster Munchies” literature, we took on some more adventurous play.

 

What did you say? Having M pound into my stomach won’t help flatten it? Dang. I guess I have to hit the gym still. Which I did, despite not really feeling it. I knew I wouldn’t be up for my standard Thursday afternoon run, so I ventured to the gym for a variety workout. I did 15 minutes each

• Stepmill – Fat Burner Mode – Level 10
• Elliptical – Resistance 8
• Sprint on Treadmill – 9.0 speed – 40 sec on / 20 sec rest

Move	Body Part	Sets x Reps
Front Barbell Squat	quads	3 x 12
Incline Dumbbell Bench	chest	3 x 10
Plie Squat	legs	3 x 15
Incline Dumbbell Flyes	chest	3 x 12
Front Raise	shoulders	3 x 12
Barbell Lying Extension	triceps	3 x 15

The workout felt a bit tougher than normal, but it made for some quality “me time”. I have to say - as much as I value “me time”, I wouldn’t give up motherhood for anything.

Ah, motherhood. The never ending job that somehow doesn’t phase you with 4 am wake-up calls and blesses you with stinky, but somehow cute, “scenarios”. The job that will push your limits further than you can imagine, while somehow creating a love that knows no bounds in the process.

Mother’s Day comes this weekend. While I would love to receive something like a massage or new workout clothes for myself, I instead hope to focus on my own mother. I wish to celebrate the fabulous job she has done, and continues to do, as my mom. As one of the strongest women I know, she deserves the world after the things she has recently faced in adjusting to her MS diagnosis. I cannot wait for tonight to relax with my mom and my sister and celebrate the best mom out there. I know my own experience as a mom has given me a new appreciation. It has also proved to me just how dearly moms hold Mother’s Day. So please, show your own mom some love this weekend if possible. It would mean more to her than you can know.

• What is one thing you admire about your mom?
• What was your favorite animal at the zoo?