Our first trip to the desert.


I took this picture just as Brian was accelerating and Jack's head is thrown back and the helmet is totally obscuring his vision.

Jack wore Coleman's clothes to be cool. It was a really nice day at 70 degrees. Jack rode with Brian a couple of times and I even took a turn riding all by myself... like a big girl. I think Brian was more nervous than I was that I would crash.


I feel bad that I didn't take any pictures of Tristan riding. He did really well. He even rode his bike in this dirt bike riding track. We had a good time. I think by the time we get to Idaho, Tristan will be an expert.

Last Month we went to the La Habra Children's Museum. The traveling exhibit was on public works jobs. The kids dressed up as a firefighter, mail carrier, mayor and garbage collector.

Bootcamp Days 3-5

By the 4th day I was walking a little easier and by the 5th day I was no longer in pain. That's not to say I wasn't still sore, it just wasn't debilitating and painful. It really has opened my eyes to people with chronic pain problems. I didn't want to do anything! Cleaning was hard, cooking was hard.

On day 4 she set up rotation stations. At one station we would shuffle through a cone maze on a basketball court and then sprint back to the start and go again. At another station we would throw a medicine ball up against a wall as high as we could. Another was pulling apart these big resistance bands, another was doing 1 minute of squat thrusts (where you bend down, put your hands on the ground and jump your legs out and back), another station we bent down low, like downhill skiers with our arms out back and then jumped in the air. We did all of the stations for a minute and then jogged to the next station.
Most of the days we have some sort of circuit to do. It will be really hard and long and as soon as you're back she makes you do it again.

Day 5- Friday

I had to be timed in the mile. First we jogged for a quarter mile to "warm-up" then we were all timed in the mile run. I'm proud of myself on several accounts. The first is I ran the WHOLE MILE and didn't stop one time to walk... not once. I think I've only done that one other time and it was a long time ago. I wanted to run it in under 12 minutes and I ran it in 10:49. The only reason I post my score here, is so that we can all see the improvement when I have to be tested again in 3 weeks. I also had to do as many push-ups as I could without stopping. If you have to stop and rest, you're done. You could do them on your knees. I did 24 before I had to rest. They do the push-ups test again in 3 weeks too. I'm not as starving as I was at first. I'm eating something small every 2 hours and it seems to be keeping the hunger monster at bay.

My Adventures at Bootcamp

Yesterday I started a 4-week exercise bootcamp. I've decided to share the experience through a journal. The bootcamp goes from 5:30am to 6:30 am., Monday-Friday. I have to bring a thick mat, 5 lb weights, water and a towel everyday. It's dark when we get there, but light when we're finished.

Day 1

We started by running for 5-7 minutes around the school for a warm-up. I was dying during the warm-up! I knew it didn't bode well for me. We did A LOT of squats and lunges...every variety you can think of. There was jump roping, sit-ups, push-ups, etc. You're supposed to eat something small before you come. They suggested to eat half of a zone bar. I did and the whole time it threatened to revisit me. Ick! I was ok right after the workout, but by about 10:30 am I was kind of walking funny. I tried to drink a lot of water to help flush the lactic acid build up. I also tried to eat as they told me.... tried. I was STARVING! They want you to eat 6-7 small meals being sure to get enough protein to repair the muscles we're tearing down. I couldn't seem to get enough to eat. I'd eat, feel full, and an hour later be starving. We went to dad's house last night so I could sit in the jacuzzi, to relieve some of my stiffness.

Day 2

I woke up VERY sore. The instructor really pushes you to come, especially if you're sore. In theory it's supposed to help relieve some of the soreness. Ummm... not so. I didn't poop out during the warm-up today and I didn't eat the zone bar before. It was better. I still can't keep my weights in my hands the whole time. I have to drop them about half-way through. We did... MORE LUNGES AND SQUATS! We did the exercise where you keep your legs together, pretend to sit down and then JUMP UP. She takes you through this insane routine and then when you think you are going to die... she says, "Ok, do that routine three more times. Then we'll do abs." AAAaaaaaaahhhhh. I'm very, very, very sore. I can't emphasize that enough. I can hardly move. My visiting teachers are coming over today and I was trying to clean. Ha! Reaching the ground is so difficult. I also have to run to the bathroom every 5 minutes because of all the water I'm drinking. I'm supposed to drink half of my body weight in oz. of water.

They measured my body fat and measured every part of my body. The idea is that you'll be able to see the results at the end.

More Dirt Bikes

Tristan in his gear


Jack in Coleman's gear


Tristan Practicing

Dirt Bikes

Brian has been buying dirt bikes for the boys. So far we've acquired one for Coleman and one for Tristan. Jack will not be riding his own bike... obviously. As part of the dirt bike riding, we've been collecting the dirt bike riding clothes, pads and protective gear. Yesterday Tristan was in the garage with Brian trying on his stuff. I was in the house. He got all suited up and I hear him say, "Dad, I can't move my arms very well." Brian says, "Oh, that's not important. You really don't have to move your arms." Sheesh... moving arms... soooo overrated. Of course Tristan had to keep his gear on for the rest of the day. I mean... he might see someone and they would probably want to see him in his outfit.
I'll post pictures of the bikes later. Don't worry, I get that it's all a big ploy on Brian's part to get the kids bikes because HE really wants a dirt bike. I caught on to that right away.