AMERICANS ARE “MOSTLY” FAT AND I KNOW WHY!

Posted by Lori~

OK, I think it is safe to say that Steve and I could fall somewhat into the above title’s category.  We don’t help the American fat stereotype at all, but we are working on it!

Since we have been in France we have discovered a majorly walk-able city.  Like, Steve and I are logging over 15,000 steps most days (and some days we are hitting more like 24,000 steps). 

You can walk everywhere in Nice (and Paris) along with the required public transportation here and there.  There is a café, bar (restaurant with beverages), grocery store, fruit stand, and gelato shop on every corner.  Everything is in walking distance. 

Our one travel mistake we immediately discovered was not packing a stroller for Mur-Man (or push-ette in French (sp?!?)).  I am sorry, but a 4-year-old can’t handle 24,000 steps/day, so thankfully we tracked down a stroller and have been using it since our first week in France.

In addition, my one splurge (my purchase) will be one of these grocery/shopping carts on wheels.  All the French women have them.  I am sure I could find them in most major US cities, but in big city, ND, you just don’t see them.  I live two blocks from the grocery store (and I drive)!  It’s a crime!  I am going to get on my walking shoes, strap on my fit bit, and load up my new French investment. 

It’s on WOMS!

I met my famous relative, Tippi Hedren!

Posted by Ethne~

So remember when I told you I was related to actress Tippi Hedren?  And remember when Lori dressed like her for Halloween?

Well, we met her in May!  She came home to Minnesota to speak at her hometown (New Ulm, MN) library and so we went down to have a mini family reunion with her the evening after.

Blonde city.  (That's my sister, Whit, on the left, to refresh your memories)

Let me tell you that we should all be so lucky to look like her when we're octogenarians.  Her older sister, Patty, was with her, and they were both whippersnappers!

Tippi is passionate about her big cat preserve, Shambala, where she rescues large cats which are mostly bred privately and then cannot be contained as adults in the individual's or breeder's home (despite what they may think when they're little).  She was adamant that there needs to be stricter legislation to regulate the breeding of wild animals.  Tell your legislators!  She also said that anytime a person has the chance, they should adopt a whole litter of kittens.  "Best thing I ever did," she said.  Shaun loved this notion.  As to her sister, Patty, she wasn't in the movies, but she was just as lovely.  She and Shaun got on like two peas in a pod.

Hey Dudes! Guess who's here?!

Posted by Ethne~

I know you won't even believe it, guys, but I'm back!

Darn right!

Lori, Steve and Mur-Man are off in France and from the first pictures I've seen, it's been AMAZING so far.  She'll check in with us, probably on Fridays.  From France.  Ah...alliteration.

The girls, Shaun and I are doing pretty well.  You remember, maybe, from this post, that I had to take a little time-out from the blog so I could focus on the kiddos.  They didn't have an illness or anything, but we were having some struggles adjusting to life in school and I needed to get that figured out.  Academically, they're doing awesome.  I'd say on a scale of success, they're healthy as horses and I've lost considerable hair.  Fingers crossed that the adjustment to first grade is on pace with how far we've come.

Kindergarten graduation!

Shaun and I still have the girls following a gluten-free diet, but not for health reasons.  At this point, I'd say that using the removal of gluten to help kids (mine anyway) with focus or attention is a total bust.  But I found that removing gluten is a way to be very strict about the things we're putting in our (their) bodies.  So, keeping in mind that the GF trend doesn't mean just buying anything at the store marked GF, I've kept us on this meal plan as a way to eat as much clean food as possible.  It's kind of paleo (not all) and kind of organic (not all) and kind of closer-to-the-source/minimal-processing/natural ingredients as I can make it.  I have also recently removed artificial dyes from their diet.  That one did have a study attached to it that made lots of sense to me, in the latest Parent magazine or so.

Theodore, our cat, is still rocking around the joint.  I've had him for 12 years, and he was an adult when my sister found him.  I tell Shaun he will probably live till age 42, the oldest known cat, according to My Cat From Hell on Animal Planet.  Shaun loves this suggestion.

My sister got married and is expecting a baby, too!  We find out the gender of the baby soon and I cannot WAIT.  Lori and I are feeling PINK.

So that's the short of it.  I'll fill you in some more in future posts!  Thanks a million to Lori for keeping this blog going while I tended to my flock.