Good morning and happy Labor Day to my fellow US residents! Although, in all honesty, my family & I never really celebrated or did much for Labor Day. It was just “the end of summer” and an extra day. I even just had to look up the reasoning behind the holiday. It’s a “day to celebrate workers” and started as something to appease labor unions, if you’re wondering. No matter what, though, it gives a good enough reason to gather together in Peter’s family.

We had a large group of family and family friends gather for a pot luck style meal late yesterday afternoon as our Labor Day celebrations. Before leaving for the fun, I whipped up a quick Three Bean & Feta Salad to contribute to the spread.

His sister’s face when I whipped that out was pretty priceless.  

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We spent a good chunk of the day (aka the few hours before the kids would crash hard from not getting full naps), sharing a meal and talking around the table while the group of wee ones tried to keep from causing too much mayhem.

Braedon wanted to join the fun in a bad way. Why do I feel like the kid will be walking at 10 months old? Yeesh!

The family buffet focused on hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, grilled vegetables, a few casseroles, and my lonely bean salad down at the end of the table. Don’t worry – I gave it some love. Although, I did realize I used the wrong stevia and it left a bitter taste in this blend. Oops! Never stray from the recipe you know works, folks!

My plate consisted of Honey Dijon kettle chips (normally not a chips fan but these were addicting), macaroni and cheese, potato salad, grilled squash and zucchini, and the bean salad. Thank goodness for hefty sides so I can fill up a plate! And for Instagram when I forget my camera’s memory card and to charge the batteries. Ain’t no big thing. It was a chill night and I did just that – chilled.

I also plan to do that today. Normally on three day weekends we do our gatherings and celebrations the Sunday before the holiday. This usually means I treat the actually holiday day as any other Monday and busy myself catching up on work or things around the house or running errands. Well, not today, folks!

There is rain rolling in and I’m forcing myself to take a mental health day and relax. I’m not very good at relaxing, but I know I need it, and so that’s what I plan for today. I will see you all tomorrow! And working or not, I hope you find some time to sit back and relax too. Or at least have a glass of iced coffee or cozy cup of tea.  

• What do you like to do to relax?
• Do you normally have big plans for “three day weekend” holidays? Or is just another regular day normally to you too?

Yet another day has just whizzed right on by in a whirlwind. I guess that happens when you hit the ground running every day. I woke up around 6 am as usual to have a bit of time to myself before the kids awoke. I got them all fed, cared for, and loved on before nabbing a quick snack for myself as I headed out the door to the gym.

I usually do my own weights routine on Thursday mornings, but today I wasn’t feeling it. I still wanted a challenging workout, but without having to think. Group Power class stepped in for me nicely.

Group Power is basically the same thing as Bodypump, but under a different training program. It goes through different music tracks that work each body part for a few minutes each in an endurance style weight lifting program.

After not visiting the class for months, the endurance style lifting came as quite a shock to the body. I’m used to doing 10-15 reps and moving to another exercise. Five minutes straight each of squats, shoulder exercises, push-ups, and bicep curls will get you good. I left with my upper body feeling like jelly! I always forget the challenge the class can give me. A great way to add a little variety and to take a break from my own plans.

Later in the day I excitedly met Peter for a mid-week lunch and play date.

Every Thursday Peter’s work provides a different lunch available to workers and their visitors. When Peter asked if I wanted to join him for the sandwiches and wraps on the menu today I looked at him like he had five heads. Does he not know me and my obsession with sandwiches and wraps? Sigh.  

Obviously I said yes so he got a couple plates to go for us to make a family date of it at a park just a few minutes from where he works. The weather was perfect to sit in the shade for our lunch and then to spend some time playing.

I had one half of a turkey, tomato, and lettuce spinach wrap as well as a half of a chicken salad and spinach sun-dried tomato wrap. With some Garden Salsa flavored Sun Chips – best flavor of them all! I also delighted in a bit of post-lunch dessert.

The brownie ended up being dry so I only ate the cookie. The heavenly, ooey-gooey cookie. All before hitting the playground for some fun!

I think this may have to become a new weekly tradition! We had such a great time and it was the perfect way to break up the week a bit.  

I got right back down to business when I got home and put the kids down for their naps. Then those two hours somehow passed in the blink of an eye. Yeesh. Story of my life these days. Blink. Blink. Blink. Oh…its 2189. What it feels like at least.

Now, I have to clean up dinner dishes before settling in for the night. Only to welcome the non-stop hectic again tomorrow! Good thing I thrive in that environment…and have God to help me through. But before I go – the Love Grown giveaway winner!

Carissa – Please email me with your full name and shipping information before Sunday at 6 PM EST to claim the prize pack! Congrats!  

• How do you like to break up the work week in a fun or relaxing way?
• If you didn’t win the Love Grown giveaway – stay tuned for more giveaway fun on the blog tomorrow!