Where does your city rank?

Believe it or not, this is downtown Houston!

The results are in...Houston is not the fittest city in America! Like I didn't know that! Houston actually came in at #41 on the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) American Fitness Index (AFI). Considering that Houston was named America's Fattest City a few years ago, I'd say that is a jump in fitness rank! Hmmm...I wonder if a few fit mamas (wink, wink) helped to raise our stats! We still have long way to go though!

I knew when I started Stroller Strides that our city's lack of fitness motivation might be a factor in my success. I have to admit that it has been more difficult that I orginally expected. Lots of people like the idea of Stroller Strides and fitness in general...as long as it remains an idea! I am still happy to have started it up and feel very blessed for the many friendships and partnerships I have made, not to mention the 20+ lbs that I lost! ...plus time well spent with my kids "priceless"!

Where does your city rank? If you are low in the ranks like Houston maybe you and some fellow friends/moms can set the example by starting a workout group! You'll be amazed at what us moms can accomplish when we work together!

Check out your city's rank here!

For all the bloggie nerds out there...like me!

JVC is offering a sweepstakes to win a trip to the BlogHer conference in July. I have been drooling over this conference for two years now, but have not had a chance to go.

JVC, Pick Me!

Click on the banner above to enter!

PS, less than 24 hrs till my daughter's end of year party and 1st grade graduation! I'll be back to blogging about fitness soon...I promise!

Win a Stroller Strides BOB Stroller

BOB Strollers is hosting a photo contest for new moms and moms to be sporting their workout "duds" (aka outfit)! The winner will receive a brand new Stroller Strides BOB Revolution Stroller complete with fitness kit!

From the BOB website:

Hey new moms and moms-to-be, are you ready to get your workout on? Well here's your chance to win a brand new Stroller Strides Fitness Stroller that's going to get you rolling and encourage your health and wellness goals, big or small! Based on the BOB Revolution, this stroller comes with a Stroller Strides Fitness Kit and is a perfect companion for Stroller Strides class.

To enter, send us a photo of you in your super sweet workout duds, the most creative submission will win! So, are you a spandex queen? Do you and baby match outfits? Show BOB your funky fashion, custom creation, or silly stylings when you're getting fit!

This is a great stroller and if a picture is the only thing between you and free one, get the camera!

He Shoots, We Score!

This was just too cool not post! WATCH THE VIDEO! Even if you are not a golf fan, you will find this impressive!

From the P.F. Chang's Website

To celebrate the chipping skills of PGA tour pro Briny Baird, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro will offer everyone in America a free order of the restaurant’s signature lettuce wraps with the purchase of an entrée.

Baird teed off this morning from 375 feet in the air atop the Omni Hotel and landed a golf ball inside a bulls-eye 230 yards below in the outfield of PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres. His accuracy was also celebrated with a $25,000 donation to the San Diego Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society.

Go to the P.F. Chang's Website and register your email address to get free lettuce wraps with your entree!

Interesting...

...and slightly disturbing!

I was checking at my statcounter and one of the stats I can look up is the keyword analysis which shows me keyword searches that have lead readers to the blog. One of the recent searches..."poop filled undies".

I was disturbed both by the fact that that is something someone is googling and also that I have that phrase somewhere on my blog. I did the same search to see where exactly this phrase pops up!

It is here in my 1/2 Day in the Life post...in case you were wondering!

Also strange and somewhat disturbing to me is that after finding the phrase and context I am OK with it being there. Is that weird?!

Oh how motherhood makes ya crazy!

Great Giveaway at Diapers to Dates

One of the blogs I follow is doing a great giveaway for a Kodak printer and a paid trip the Blog Her Conference! I have been drooling over both! Click here if you are interested!

No Classes...

...for the remainder of May. We will start back up in June in an indoor location! In the meantime, stay cool (it is hot outside these days) and stay healthy! We will still meet every Tuesday for playgroup!

For New Moms

This was sent to me by one of our moms...

Sling and Swaddle is looking for 30 moms to tweet about their daily adventures on Twitter. Each of the 30 moms will receive 2 free Miracle Blankets & a Hotslings Baby Carrier to aide them in their 30 day journey.
Once you're in... our 30 moms will be competing throughout June for a grand prize valued at more than $2000 worth of all the best mom & baby necessities!

There are actually only 5 days left to enter so if you have a newborn 16 weeks and younger and love to Tweet this could be for you! Go to Sling and Swaddle to enter at slingandswadlejourney.com

A little mom humor for you!

I saw this a year ago on Mother's Day at our church while we were using the gym for 6 months and loved it. Found it again today! Watch it! It is hilarious!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day where you are spoiled with love!

♥ Valerie

Every Mom Could Use Some M.E. Time!

ONE HOUR MASSAGE…Just meditate on that for a second! Sound good? Believe me it was!

Today me and my good preggie friend Paige were treated to free massages at Massage Envy (aka M.E.)! They were awesome! AWESOME!!! All of the staff members were amazing and welcoming! I think it was 2002 the last time I had a professional massage…seriously. This massage was worth the wait! In fact, Paige and I are going back next week! After our massages we stayed around for a few laughs with the staff. Talk about good times!

Being on the Houston Mom Squad has been awesome! I still have to pinch myself when I open the door and see a brand new Traverse in my driveway! OK, I know and respect that in the grand scheme of things it is just a car. But it is also a reward of sorts for my nerdy obsession with blogging! For the longest time I thought it was just me and space having a one way conversation. I know that there are blogs out there that get literally thousands of visitors every day. This is not one of them so to be asked to participate with CBS Radio and Chevrolet...and Mom Central...and Got Milk to name a few is mind blowing to me! I give 100% of the credit to God! There is no way that my little blogs could win the attention of these companies on their own! He is so good!

Thank you, thank you to the Massage Envy staff, Chevrolet...and Lord! We definitely enjoyed our M.E. time!

Don’t forget to vote! Wouldn’t it be great to get a free massage AND and free getaway weekend?!

Your very relaxed mommy blogger,

Valerie

Bubbles Playday

Today was a great day for playtime outside! There was a lot more humidity than we've been used to but there was also a nice breeze. The kids loved all of the bubbles...of course! When you're a kid you just can't go wrong with balloons or bubbles!

Do as I say and not as I do!

I say blog and blog often!

Lately you can hear the crickets chirping on the blog! I've been stuck in mommy limbo these past few weeks! First it was a torrential downpour that flooded a lot of the city and then swine flu. I am one that cannot stay put so staying indoors for days on end is not for me! We have to get out, but where and for how long are tricky!

Believe it or not when I am at home, I am completely distracted and have a hard time crossing off things on my to do list...such as blog! When I'm out my brain is free to think (at least for a few minutes) and I can come home spend a few minutes writing and then be "normal" until the next time I get jittery and have to leave think, write, and repeat!

All this to say, I haven't forgotten about my beloved blog and readers! More writings coming soon!

Lastly, one last call for baby blankets for a mission trip. If you have a few to spare, please contact me!