Workouts You Look Forward to with Kids

Happy Monday!!! I hope that your 4th of July weekend was splendid! Ours was absolutely fantastic. We started things with a trip to one of Michigan's lakes with the campers where we had canoeing, swimming, and nature hikes. Then, the hubs put together a complete fireworks show that would put many a small town to shame. Thank you to Michigan for changing their firework laws so now we can have the real stuff! And yes, these pictures are just a few of the ones him and two other trusted companions set off. Surprisingly, no one got burnt! 

The following Saturday we had a wonderful camp fire with s'mores and singing. Michigan summer nights seem to be made for camp fires. The air is cool, the stars are out, and the smell of roasting marshmallows seems to drift along everywhere. I am proud to say that there was only one s'more consumed by this one. 

As you may have noticed, there was no This Week in Workouts yesterday. Although the week was filled with incredible workouts, I cannot remember which one was done when. Memory fail. So, this week's goal is to write down and take one picture of every workout. Hopefully, that will help me jog that memory by the time the week is over. For now though I will say that last week had one of my favorite runs ever and I officially have the outdoor running bug- you will hear more about that later in the week! Also, the 1776 workout is super effective and one of my new favorites- abs and legs so sore!!

This yoga workout and this one were also done back-to-back, although I have absolutely no idea what day that was on. Both are part of a 30-day yoga challenge that seems quite great! These are great for people who are new to yoga or those who want to refine their skills. I seriously enjoyed doing each and am considering making the 30-day challenge something us P+Ker's do in August!

I also found this dance workout that I cannot get enough of. We currently have the young camp session and these are the exercises I love picking for them to do. The dance workout is fun, the leader is hilarious, those pants are a show of their own, and kids are able to get a great workout. All the little kiddo's have loved doing this workout... even the boys!

Helping these young campers see working out as fun and productive is super important to me and these videos are perfect! I would totally recommend getting your kiddos together are giving this video a test run! Be warned though, you may have sore abs in the morning from all that hysterical laughing! 

How is your squat challenge going? I am definitely noticing some stronger glutes when running!

Happy 4th of July and a 1776 Workout!

Happy 4th of July! Today we celebrate the 238th birthday of the United States of America. To celebrate, we have completely bought into Michigan's new firework laws by purchasing dozens of real, giant fireworks! Oh boy am I excited!!! Fireworks are one of the many things that turn me into a giddy four year-old girl who has had waaayy too much candy. It will be great! 

Before fireworks we will have a camp-wide cookout followed by a camp fire with singing and s'mores. Then, comes the firework display that the hubs has headed up. Hehe, I think he saw a new side of me yesterday when we went to purchase said fireworks. Usually when shopping I am the voice of reason; yesterday I was ready to buy all the biggest fireworks with an excitement that is usually reserved for Disney or Maru. We (and by "we" I mean "he") then made a "no picking products up until we are sure we want them" rule and I no longer looked like a crazy lady on a mission to explode her own home. It is also wise to say I will be standing far away from the production when fuses get lit and things go boom. 

For this special Friday I thought that a special workout was in order. Of course, today we will be resting from in the squat challenge that I am so excited to be doing with you! If you are still hoping to get a workout, try this interval workout that also celebrates the birth year of this country. 

Fun Things to Check Out at Disney World This Summer

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Gaahh!! I knew that looking at Disney things over the summer would be bad. My obsessive personality and inability to understand anything but [nearly] instant gratification is not a good combination when we are away from things I love/want/do not know how to live without. Yes, Disney World would be one of those things and, yes, I am ready to hop on a plane for a quick trip and Disney fix. Really, we could be back in two days and in the scheme of things what is two days?! Thankfully, I have not looked at any of the info for the Harry Potter expansion at Universal Studios. That could lead to some very impulsive buying and some pretty guild ridden buyer's remorse. 

Ok, get it together Jenni. We can go more than two months without visiting Disney or Universal Studios. For any of you who are able to visit Disney World over summer vacations, these are some little extras that I would not pass up doing

Fast Pass+ for Anna and Elsa 

If you have children YOU MUST DO THIS. Anna and Elsa are a pretty big deal right now and lines to meet them range from 2-4 hours at both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. Fast Passes for this means that you will be able to meet them with only waiting 20 minutes. Then, you meet them, your children talk with them, pictures are taken, and you may even cry with happiness at seeing how in awe your kiddos are of these characters. Don't laugh, it has happen many a time before.

If, you are not able to log on to your Disney experience and get Fast Pass+ for this event (they sell out like months in advance), my best advice would either be to not tell your kids they could meet these characters, or, bring an iPad with some movies and games pre-loaded. Perhaps Frozen for some pre-meet and greet fun! 

Downtown Disney Co-Op

Go here, go here, go here. This new Downtown Disney store is one of the first stores to open under the new Disney Springs reconstruction. I have not yet been here, but from everything I have been hearing, we will be going when we get back, for sure. 

The store is separated into multiple mini stores that change depending on what is popular at that time. Right now there is a tech area with self customized phone covers called D-tech (I need this), accessories at Cherry Tree Lane, (I need this), a clothing area focusing on cute clothing for teen girls called Zoe and Pickles, Beautiful Disney with exclusive Disney make-up, sports memorabilia at The Trophy Room, and theme park themed kitchenware in the center. A family could easily spend all night here or just long enough for your table to be ready at a nearby restaurant. 

LeFou's Brew

Let's face it, Orlando gets H-O-T over the summer, it also has torrential downpours that can last anywhere for 2-minutes to 45+. If you are stuck at Magic Kingdom during this time and are either too hot to bear it or ducking from rain drops as big as your fist, stop by Gaston's Tavern in New Fantasyland. LeFou's brew can be found here and is, pretty much, an iced apple cider with mango frosting on the top. I am not personally a fan of the mango bit, but the iced cider is fantastic! 

The tavern is also a great place to sit and relax, cool down, and enjoy some off time before hitting the parks all over again. 

EPCOT Late Nights

Why EPCOT did not think of this sooner, I simply do not know. Now, instead of heading home promptly at 9:00 PM when the park closes, you can pay a little extra and stay in the parks visiting the different restaurants in the World Showcase. There will be four lounges open in the World Showcase for this Late Night Wind Down. The cost is $35 per person and can be reserved in advance by calling the Disney reservations line.

If you are wanting to go to this, I would highly recommend getting reservations ahead. This EPCOT addition is not super popular yet, but chances are that it will start selling out quite soon. Those who are not crazy interested in alcoholic beverages would probably not get too much out of the extra price since most lounges are catered around drinks. That being said, having the kiddos along would not be super advisable either. 

Festival of The Lion King

The Festival of The Lion King show was recently closed down so it could move from the Camp Minnie Mickey location to it's new spot in Animal Kingdom's Africa. Although the show is the same, the theater is different and the setting seems much more fitting. This is also a free show that is ridiculously fun for every age range. Really, what those acrobats do will leave more than your two-year-old awe struck. Be sure to watch the monkeys a bit extra during this show, they are my favorite! 

3 Drink Mixes to Try This Summer

First, today is the second day of our squat challenge! I am so happy to be doing this with you! Yesterday's was quite wonderful, so let's kick it up a bit on the second day of the challenge :)

Summer is here, summer is here! When I think summer I think sipping drinks poolside or lounging at the beach. It makes perfect sense then to be seeing so many fantastic drinks that are perfect for poolside sipping, picnics, and tanning by the beach.  

Since we are up at camp and working super hard 12+ hours of the day, these drinks will have to be put on hold for the time being. But you just wait, August, I guarantee that one or two of these goodies will be in your future! 

Rose Sangria

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There is a very abrupt split in our family between those who love sangria and those who hate it. I am on the side of loving it; I mean, it is wine and juice with fruit, how could someone not?! This Rose Sangria was first discovered on Cup of Jo from Kimberley Hasselbrink's new book, Vibrant Food, and I have been thinking of it ever since. Ingredients include Rose, watermelon, lime, raspberries and more. Drink this and think of me... then tell me how it is! 

Blueberry and Basil Smoothie

This goodie is something that everyone in the family can enjoy and is even a bit healthy! Honestly though, I would be just as happy looking at this beauty as I would be eating it. The blue coloring and green leaves just makes is so appealing. Then you add in the cool smoothie after a hot day and it just might be heaven! This could be one I will be trying before summer is fading away! 

Tom Terrific

Don't you just love this name? What you may love even more is the mix of Indian Pale Ale with gin. I could totally see this drink being sipped at an uber lush backyard barbecue where everyone has perfect smiles and are nonchalantly laughing with one another. Adorable children with perfect manners, hair, and clothing would be playing with perfect puppies and all the adults would have impeccable taste in fashion. Of course, Tom would be there, he is so terrific.