Monday, February 25, 2013

Home Gym

For the last two years, our "formal living room" has been an empty room. Over the years, Tal and I have considered turning it into a 5th bedroom or a playroom for Savannah:


Two weeks ago, we converted our 
"formal living room" into a home gym:

Tal put together the elliptical and weight machine 
(with some help from Savannah):



Tal and I canceled our Y membership, which we haven't used much since last summer. Over the last few years, Tal and I have really struggled with how to exercise AND maximize our time with Savannah. I've always felt guilty about leaving Savannah in daycare for an extra hour each day while I exercised.  Tal gets home late from work and has 2-3 hours with Savannah before she goes to bed. He felt torn between spending his precious time with Savannah and going to the gym. 



With our home gym, Tal and I can work out AND spend time with Savannah. Now that Savannah is semi-independent, she is perfectly happy to sit in her chair in the gym, eat a snack, and watch Barney on the iPad while Tal and I exercise. Plus,  there's no driving time to and from the gym, no waiting for machines, and no feelings of self-consciousness. It's a win-win situation.


Since our gym is one of the first rooms that guests see when they enter our home, it should make a good first impression. Tal and I intend to keep our gym simple and uncluttered but decorate it with coordinating paint, curtains, and artwork, so that it flows with the rest of our home.


Here's what Tal and I plan to do in the coming months to make our gym more functional and attractive:  

  • paint the room a brighter color
  • install TV above elliptical
  • remove the hanging light
  • install a ceiling fan to circulate air and keep the room cool
  • add a floor lamp that provides more lighting
  • create a spot for Savannah (with a bean bag and/or table and chairs) to play while Mommy and Daddy exercise
  • add artwork or mirrors
  • hang curtains?   
Tal and I are excited about the possibilities!



Sunday, February 17, 2013

4 Years Old!

I turned 4 years old on February 12!

I can read all 26 letters and say many of the letter sounds.
I'm looking forward to going to kindergarten at 
Mommy's school in 1.5 years:


Mommy has been teaching me to spell my name "Savannah," 
but I usually spell it "Savnnh:" 

When I've been a good girl at school, I love to watch 
Barney, Doc McStuffins, or Princess Sofia on the iPad, 
as well as play educational games and read e-books:

My favorite activities are:
 coloring and drawing
stickers
Play-doh
dressing up like a princess
playing doctor
singing
talking nonstop :)
playing my piano
watching movies
taking care of my baby dolls:


Mommy and Daddy call me "Banna Banna" or "Banna Girl"
and say that I'm a happy girl with a big personality 
who brings them so much joy!

Happy Birthday, Savannah!

Savannah's Artwork





Snowy Day

It was a snowy day in NC yesterday:

Big, fat snowflakes fell steadily for about 10 hours...

...but only about an inch accumulated on the ground:

It was a perfect day to stay inside and cook, watch movies...

...and spend time as a family.  

Thursday, February 14, 2013

My Valentine

Four years ago today, Tal and I brought Savannah 
home from the hospital on Valentine's Day:

Today I had fun attending Savannah's Valentine's Day 
party at her preschool:

Red party food:
punch, jello, apples, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, 
raspberries, watermelon:


Funny Face

Eating Jello

After eating, Savannah and her friends took 
turns passing out their Valentines:


Savannah passing out her Disney Princess Valentines

Savannah thanking another friend for the 
Valentine he gave her

Sign in Savannah's Classroom 


Savannah's seat on the carpet during Circle Time



After the party, Savannah and I ate a free heart-shaped 
chocolate doughnut at Krispy Kreme:

 Savannah loved watching the doughnuts getting 
glazed on the conveyor belt:

I loved spending the afternoon with my best girl!

It's Official

Look what came in the mail this week...

...my certificate of National Board certification!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Princess for the Day

Our sweet Savannah is 4 years old today!  


Our birthday princess requested to eat dinner at 
Chick-fil-a on her special day:

Tal and Savannah

Playing at Chick-fil-a

 

After dinner, we ate a piece of the Chocolate Xtreme
 ice cream cake from Dairy Queen that Savannah requested: 

Happy Birthday, Savannah!