A lot of what I plan to talk about in this post is soooo cliché but I just don’t care. I will happily be a cliché if it means having a perfect afternoon like I did.

Both the wee ones napped long and hard this afternoon. Which only meant that I worked long and hard too. I got some writing and things done for some sites I’m contributing to next month, shared some good laughs with my top secret weapon for staying in shape, and became a cleaning/laundry folding machine. Once they both woke up (after three hours!!), I was itching to head outdoors to partake in the beautiful weather.

Yes, it’s cliché but I am SO excited for fall type weather!!!! It allows me to get outdoors even more to revel in God's natural beauty.

Although it was a little warmer than fall this afternoon, hitting the low-80s. Still anywhere from mid 70s to low 80s is my perfect temperature and makes me want to sit outside all day.

Wait. Did I say sit? I meant tag around after Makenzie as she runs from one side of the playground to the other more times than I can count.

And the kid has suddenly developed this new sense of adventure. Even a few months ago, she would freak out climbing up the stairs of a playground or going down the slide. Now, I have to make sure she doesn’t fall through the holes of rope ladders. It would inevitably happen. Kid has my klutzo genes.

Makenzie had the time of her life, while poor little B had to munch on some stroller strap for entertainment.

Kidding! He did chill in the stroller for a bit, but I’m not about to keep him from his love of the swing! I could swing him all day to hear his little giggles.

Once they burned off over an hour of energy on the playground, we took a brief stroll over to the pond at this particular park to check out the ducks and geese.

Makenzie is obsessed with ducks. It’s kind of insane. Ducks. Ducks. Ducks!

If you’re a friend or family member reading right now and wondering what to get her for her birthday next month…get her some of these little rubber ducks. She will love you forever.

And if you want me to love you forever, bring me a Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee.

I told you. Cliché.

While hanging out at the park, I spied with my little eye a fellow mom sipping on a Starbucks iced coffee. I immediately felt gripped with a craving. Normally I can tune those types of cravings out, but then I remember the benefits of coffee as part of my healthy motherhood. And after playing for two hours at the park, I needed some coffee in a bad way.

Starbucks decaf iced coffee with two pumps pumpkin spice and non-fat milk. Just how I like love it! Call me a cliché all you want. I’m a proud “pumpkin loving healthy living blogger”,“spend the day at the park stay at home mom”, and "find the joy in everything because God is awesome chick".

• Do you fit into any clichés? Does it bother you or do you rock it?
• What is your ideal temperatures?

Seems you all are just as amped as I am to see FFF hit 1000 posts. Or you want to get your grubby little hands on some NuNaturals Stevia. Have you entered the giveaway yet?

Besides getting pumped for such a fabulous giveaway for all of you, today has been a pretty good one. I’ve been quick and effective today. Just how I like it.

I started my day off at the gym because it always gets my day going on a positive note. Lately, I have been splitting up my Thursday run and full body weights workout by doing a Group Power class in the morning and heading out for a run in the afternoon. But that had to change for today. Peter wouldn’t be able to watch the kids for me to run outdoors this afternoon, so that meant some quality time with the dreadmill treadmill.

I couldn’t swing having Braedon and Makenzie in the gym childcare for long enough to do my 3 miles on the treadmill and hit up Group Power class. I had to make a game time decision on which workout to do at the gym. With half marathon training, the run won out. I reasoned that I would do a Physique 57 DVD during their naps this afternoon to get in some weights instead.

In my gut, though, I knew the DVD wouldn’t happen. It’s hard for me to stay motivated for afternoon workouts enough as it is. But to have to stay motivated for a workout and give up quality productivity time during their naps? That was a recipe for workout skippage no doubt!

Good thing I stumbled across this gem in the September issue of Fitness magazine I flipped through during my cool down on the treadmill.

Sweat drops on the page = sign of a GREAT workout!

It must have been fate! An express workout with “kettlebell blasters” for the lower body and abs sounded like the perfect fix to get in my strength training for the day.

It did just as promised. In 15 minutes I felt like I had worked every inch of my body for twice as long. Kettlebells really are so awesome for a quick and effective total body workout. And now I have a few more moves to tuck away for future workouts.

Thanks, Fitness Magazine for keeping me from skipping out on my weights today!

You can check out the full Kettlebell Express Workout on Fitness’ website too!

The quick and effective trend of the day kept on going with lunch. I had no desire to put much thought into making anything, so I turned to the trusty snack plate again.

Thank goodness I think to pre-chop some raw veggies for easy grab and go options during the week. It really does get me to eat so many more vegetables.

Today’s snack plate featured carrot sticks, “cucumber moons” (as M calls them), apple slices, a slice of nutty whole wheat bread with peanut butter, and a container of pineapple Chobani.

You know what just hit me. I cut up veggies for the week but I never pre-chop my fruit. Which is odd because I hate taking the time to slice things but a lot of my fruit I much prefer sliced over whole (apples and strawberries for example). I guess I just love fruit enough to give it that extra tender loving care chopping. Plus, fruit gets a blah texture really fast in my opinion if you don’t chop it just before eating. No room for mushy brown apples here!

And in the name of being quick and effective, I will leave you all here. See you in the morning! When it’s FRIIIDAAAAYYYY!!!

• What things add up to a recipe for skipping out on your workouts?
• Do you pre-chop your veggies? Any fruits?