Weigh In Wednesday #22

So one of my 2017 goals is to lose 40 pounds by the end of the year. This is a necessity for me, as in the last few months I have gained 15 pounds. That is not good. I want to be healthier and feel better about myself. 

In order to keep me accountable, I am hoping to come back each Wednesday to share my weigh in and my successes and failures from the previous week. So let's hop to it and see how I did this past week, shall we?

SO HOW DID THIS WEEK GO??? 

My official starting weight (on 1/1/2017) was: 242.0 pounds!

My weight last week was: 229.0 pounds.

My weight this week is: 231.0 pounds. 

So a gain of 2 pounds! :-( 
Total loss from 1/1/17: 11.0 pounds 

So I am up 2 pounds!  

I think it is a combination of summer break started so schedules are thrown way out of whack. I also haven't been able to walk regularly. I have been super stressed out with the lack of schedule (among other reasons) and so have resorted to stress eating. The holiday weekend didn't help either and throw in a birthday for hubby and my eating just plain sucked. So that is the excuse that I am giving for today. Hopefully, I can right things up this week and see a better number next week.

Have a great Wednesday night everyone!

If you are trying to lose weight in 2017, how is your progress going?

Ben graduated preschool!

Last Wednesday evening, we got to see Ben graduate preschool! It seems like just yesterday he was starting school!


His teachers held a picnic graduation ceremony at a local park. They provided hot dogs and drinks for everyone and you were asked to bring a side to share (we brought chips). The weather was rainy off and on all day, but it was just a couple light showers during the picnic and the storms stayed away.

It started with the kids being able to play a little on the playground equipment and then eating their hot dog dinner.

After dinner, they held the graduation ceremony. First they gave certificates to the kids who would be returning next year to preschool. Then they called the graduates up one by one to receive their certificates. Ben was so excited!

We were so very blessed to have Liz and Cindy as Ben's teachers the last 2 years. When he started preschool, we were not sure if he would be able to transition into a traditional kindergarten when the time came. Well, he has had some amazing therapists and teachers and he is more than capable of moving on to a traditional kindergarten (in fact he will be going to the same school as Rebecca and Jacob and will not need an aide!).

It was bittersweet to see him graduate and I did shed a few tears, but I am so proud of how much he has grown up and I can't wait to see what his Kindergarten year will bring!

Visiting the Farm at Walnut Creek

Last Tuesday was Ben's last day of preschool and they ended with an all day field trip to the Farm at Walnut Creek in Sugarcreek, Ohio.
(They went on this field trip last year at the end of the year as well, and I blogged about that trip here.) This year not only did I get to go on the trip with Ben, but so did Bill and my mom! My brother and sister-in-law also came as my nephew Ethan is in the afternoon preschool class and was also on the field trip. We had beautiful weather and the trip was wonderful!

Our day started out with exploring the farm, including the barns and the Amish house. There were so many baby animals on the farm this year, including a baby cow, a baby horse born just that morning, a baby zebra which was only 3 days old, and a baby giraffe that was born in late March.

After we explored the grounds for a couple hours, it was time for our group wagon ride. The wagon ride is the true highlight of the visit as you get to feed the animals and it is just amazing. Ben loved all of it and said that his favorite animals were the llamas. He also loved the giraffes, and one even licked him (kissed him) on the head!

After the wagon ride, we went back to the Amish home as they had warm cookies for everyone. They were delicious. We then explored some more including going to feed the camels and goats.

We left the farm around 1:45 or so to head back to town. I drove everyone back (Bill and Ben and my sister-in-law and nephew had ridden the bus to the farm with their classes and teacher) as we had to get back to get Rebecca and Jacob from school at 3:30.

I would HIGHLY recommend that if you are ever in Holmes County and needing something to do, definitely check this place out. It was a definite wonderful trip and we are making plans to return this summer and take Rebecca and Jacob!

When I Grow Up Kidfest, library, making slime and a movie

Last Saturday morning the kids and I headed out on a little adventure. The school associated with our church was hosting a free community event for kids called "When I Grow Up Kids Fest." This was a gathering of a lot of businesses representing a lot of different career options for the kids to explore.

The kids got to talk to a baker (and decorate a cupcake!),

a scientist from Battelle,

a NASA scientist from the John Glenn Center in Cleveland,

representatives from our local theater company (and Rebecca got to be part of an improv skit),

veterinary techs,

a local dentist,

and a local farmer.

They also got to explore a police car,

a fire truck,

a tractor,

and a semi truck.

After they went through the different stations, they got a free t-shirt that they could color in. I let them color some of the shirts, then told them I would get fabric markers so they could finish them at home. We then got to have a free lunch of pizza, chips, dessert and drink.

After we left the kids fest, we headed to the library to return books and get new ones. The kids love creating at their S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) table.

After we left the library, we headed to Pat Catan's to pick up some fabric markers. While there, they were having a free make your own slime event, so the kids got to make their own slime to bring home, which they all loved.

Later that night, after all the fun stuff with the kids, I took them out to my parents' house and then took Bill out to see the new "Guardians of the Galaxy Volume II" movie.

It was okay-- a little long and drawn out, but overall an okay movie. Hubby loved it, so it made it worth it!  

It was a fun day to spend with the family!