Baby it's cold outside!

About a year ago we started applying for kindergarten for Baby Chang.  I say that like we were trying to get into some fancy private school.  No just trying to pick the best public school option.  In Houston there are magnet schools within the public school system that you can apply to go to even if it is not your neighborhood school.  After much debate and fingernail biting we decided on the school that was in fact our neighborhood school.  Top on my list of reasons was that we could walk to school.  This has quickly become the best part of my day.  Baby Chang and I spend the 15 minute walk talking, singing, making up games.  It is quality time for just the two of us.  Some days it's the only time we have together because of my work schedule.

Today however it was 37 degrees outside when we woke up.  I decided that perhaps it would be a good day to drive, yes I have become a wuss when it comes to the cold.  As we drove to school it hit me that because of how school drop-off works we wouldn't get our usual hug and kiss goodbye.  When I mentioned that to Baby Change she decided that walking to school was way better than driving, even when it's cold.  So even though the trip to school was considerably shorter today I already know it was the best part of my day!

New Year Resolutions

Ok so it isn't January 1st but it is the start of the school year.  My entire life I've lived by the academic schedule.  Both of my parents were teachers (otherwise known as saints) so when I was little their work schedule was the same as our school schedule.  As an adult I have always worked for a Performing Arts Organization whose schedule also followed the time frame of an academic schedule.  The season typically runs September to May with the summer months off or at least different employment for June, July and August.  So September always feels more like a new year and time for fresh starts.

Thus this time of year always leads to a few personal and sometimes professional resolutions.  Many of which I fail to complete just like the average New Year's Resolution.  Research has shown that telling people about your resolutions will help you keep them so I'm sharing them all with you (in no particular order).

1.  Workout during the season:  Usually once work ramps up my workouts become non-existent.  Well now that Baby Chang has to be at school at 7:45 a.m. (yep Baby Chang is in Pre-School don't' ask me how that's possible I DON'T KNOW) it means I can be to the gym by 8:00 and to work by 9:15.  This summer I have been averaging 4 workouts a week right now my goal is to just maintain that...

2.  Cut back the amount of Diet Soda I drink:  I don't drink coffee and I'm not a huge fan of tea so soda is my go to caffeine source.  I'm not ready to completely cut out caffeine but I wouldn't mind giving up the chemicals in diet soda.  Over the last couple months I have cut back but not nearly as much as I'd like.

3.  Find Me Time:  As a working Mom I often have guilt about taking me time when I have so few hours with Baby Chang.  However, I know I'm a better parent and a better partner when I make time for myself.

4.  Create a Realistic Budget:  Having and following a budget are things I've attempted multiple times but I don't think it's ever been realistic.  So I'm working to find a balance.

6.  Nurture Friendships:  Like my workouts, friendships get a little left behind during the season.  I have been lucky to make new friends this summer which I don't want to see fade because of my work schedule.  It makes it easier that they all have daughters Baby Chang's age, that allows me to combine time with Baby Chang and time with my friends.

7.  Blog More:  Enough said!

This should be enough until the New Year at least.  How about you does your New Year begin with the start of Fall?  Have you ever had any success with resolutions?