This short week was a packed one and it culminated with Gipper’s favorite day of the entire year:  Wagging at the Waterpark.  At the end of the season, Greenville Rec hosts a doggie play date at two of their water parks, Discovery Island and Otter Creek.  These pictures do not even begin to convey the pure joy and sheer excitement of these pups as they get to run and swim and play off leash with dozens of other doggies.  It’s hilarious and my kids and I enjoy it as much as Gipper.  Greenville Rec requires your dog’s shot record before they are allowed inside the park and vets are on hand should any pups need medical assistance.  The times are divided up based on the size of the dogs, so no worries about a little Pomeranian getting trampled by a Great Dane.  It’s a well organized event and one we look forward to all year.  I saw this quote by Barbara Bush a few days ago and it really resonated.  We are always on the go and do not always have a lot of time to spend together as our little family of four.  I’ve been trying really hard since school started to have more family dinners.  No devices, proper table manners and balanced meals.  It’s so important for kids to eat as a family when they can.  This is how they learn how to behave and also when they tend to share information.  I’m also trying to spend more time with the hubs, just the two of us.  Booking a sitter and finding a night that works for both of us to grab dinner is not always easy, but I know our marriage is stronger when we make that effort. 

This is a quote that also jumped out at me this week.  Connie Podesta happens to be my aunt, but she’s also a brilliant motivational speaker.  She occasionally posts snippets on Facebook and they ALWAYS make me stop and think.  I particularly love this one.  I’ve always got “what if EmeryBodie LLC flops?” running through the back of my mind every time I spend money on my business.  Well, one way to make sure it flops is to focus on my fears.  I keep repeating Connie’s words to myself as I’m working on my little business.

For dinner one night last week I made a crock pot recipe that could not have been simpler and it was well received by kids and hubs, which is rare.  I put four boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the crockpot with a bottle of Heinz 57 and a blob of honey.  I cooked on low for about ten hours and served with green beans and mashed potatoes.  The chicken was delicious shredded.  Well, let me tell you, it was even better the next afternoon for lunch.  I made a sandwich with it, topped with Wickles Pickles and served with Lay’s plain chips.  And a cherry Coke Zero.  Can’t beat that with a stick!Emery joined me at the gym one evening last week.  Having her as my little workout buddy was so fun!  She did a little run/walk on the treadmill and then a few minutes on the stair machine.  We ended the workout with some sit ups and pushups.  Nothing too crazy as she’s only ten, but for a high energy kid who has been sitting at a desk most of the day, an evening workout is a great way to burn off some steam.Bodie is playing fall ball again this year and practices started last week.  His team is full of his buddies and he’s loving the opportunity to hang out with these cute kids a few nights per week.  Games start Tuesday!I’ll be back tomorrow with a long overdue Monogram Monday post!