Effects of Exercise on the Brain

Having trouble focusing at work? How about the kids? Are they struggling in school? Perhaps it's just a little exercise that you and your family need.

Research is showing that exercise not only plays a big role in our general health but it also plays a big role in our brian strength. It's not just muscle building, toning and fat burning that we're doing at the gym we're also building stronger connections between brain cells, increasing our focus and improving our efficiency.

After a good run I feel much more focused, I get more done around the house and I am overall more motivated to take on the day. So when I received this infographic from Online College Courses it made complete sense to me. If you follow the graph down to the bottom you can also see that exercise appears to have a big impact on our future success in regard to college and job placement. Just another good reason to stay motivated when it comes to being healthy for yourself and for your family.

Please take a look at the graph and pass it on. I think I'll be hanging it up on our fridge as a good reminder for those tough days when I don't feel like getting out for a run or some outdoor playtime with the little ones.

Happy Exercising!


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I was not paid to promote this infographic. The opinions are strictly my own. All research (including the infographic) was taken from OnlineCollegeCourses.com

First Day of School!

Today was bear's first day of school and she had a wonderful time! I was only able to observe her for a few moments but we talked a while afterwards about her day and it is clear that she is absolutely 100% happy to be there!

My favorite thing she said at the end of school:

"Somebody else had the same shoes as me! She was nice to me!"

My heart immediately relaxed with ease when I heard this. A small part of me can't help but worry how she will get along with the other kiddos - Will they like her? Will she like them? Will they be mean to her? Will she be mean to them? - Our conversation instantly reminded me that she is just in preschool; baby steps momma, baby steps! 

And though I've been a little nervous, bear has been absolutely ecstatic about school starting for a some time now. Everyday for the past few weeks she has asked me if it was time to go to school. My little social butterfly, she just couldn't wait to get out there and meet new people! 

With all the constant chatter about school starting, I knew she would be incredibly excited today but I am still a little surprised that I didn't get even the smallest goodbye wave when she entered the classroom. Not even a simple look or one single blown kiss. Nadda! Nothing!

Well, if that wasn't enough of a surprise, I was in for even more of a shock when I returned because she was extremely upset with me for thinking that I could just return to school and pick her up at the end of the day. She clearly would have been much happier if I had somehow forgotten her, left her to go home with the teachers I presume. How dare I be such an awful mother and actually consider coming back to get her? 

I say this all in good fun though, I didn't pay it much attention, and when bear was done huffing and puffing about my horrible decision to pick her up, she decided to tell me everything that she had done while I was gone.

A part of me was certainly a little upset that she didn't miss me at all but I'm also just as happy that she wasn't sad or uncomfortable to be there. She is a sociable girl, she said hello to every kid we passed on the way into the building. She is not like me one bit; I was the shy, timid kid hiding behind her mom on the first day. I'm glad she's so confident and excited to meet new friends, a skill that will serve her well in the future, I'm sure.

So good luck to my bear though I know you won't need it! 

You're as sharp as a whistle!

You're as bright as a star!

And I love you in absolutely every way that you are!

Can't wait to see all the wonderful things you learn this year!

Sisters Who Laugh Together...

This picture cracks me up. I don't want it to get lost in the random shuffle of photos we have loaded on to our computer so I thought I'd post it.

This sums up roo pretty well: energetic, feisty, silly, giggly and quite the squealer.

Roo is screaming here, if you can't tell...

Bear and roo like to go back and forth with their screams and then they laugh and giggle at each other; some of the loudest and happiest laughs i've ever heard!

Normally the screaming would put me over the edge, but when it ends with sisters giggling together, how can I tell them to stop? My heart immediately expands and I can't help but laugh along with them.

I'm sure I will regret this someday. But for now, scream away my little ones!

xo
bear's mom 

Cinderella paints; Roo watches