Author: Christine

I'm a wife and mother to 3 kids living in Denver. I'm a Vacation Planning Specialist and love to travel with my family.
Health

January 2020

Christine

The New Year has come, there has been a lot about this being the new decade, a fresh start etc.

I have fallen prey to that as well. Not so much as a New Years Resolution but more changing things in my life.

I’ve kinda started with my 100 days to my birthday challenge. I have changed my mindset with my weight loss/lifestyle change.

I started a gratitude journal each day.

I’ve incorporated daily exercise, since my surgery it’s really been only walking but I can do it from home on my treadmill whilst I watch some reality TV. It’s a win-win.

I’ve been doing daily training for my travel business, whether it’s destination training, resort training or listening to a Podcast on sales.

I’ve been reading 15 pages of a self-development book daily.

So January as come and gone and I’m still implementing my daily healthy habits, professionally and personally.

The older I get, the easier I think it is to just keep the status quo. But I know my dreams and goals are bigger than that and I need to dream big which entails pushing me out of my comfort zone.

To quote the book I’m reading “Chase the Lion” if your dream doesn’t scare you, it’s not big enough.

2020 mantra perhaps?

The Macaroni Mama Blog

Mondays

Christine

I don’t know about you but a Monday after a school break is rough. We have gotten into a lazy, sleeping in routine. Not so much sleeping in but just stay in bed and rest since we don’t have to get up mode.

I woke up dreading what lies ahead, waking up cranky, tired kids, thinking of something to make them for lunch, do we have matching socks today?

On the bright side, only 3 weeks until Christmas vacation.

Health

WW

Christine

I’ve been on this health journey for a few months now and I feel like I was back and forth and back and forth. If I wasn’t seeing “fast” results I would jump over to a very restrictive yet “fast losing” program. After a few days of deprivation, I would totally fall off the wagon which would lead to guilt and more eating.

I was in this cycle for a long time, probably the last 12 years. I’ve always felt that Weight Watchers was more of a lifestyle change that I could do forever. I always had it in the back of my head that this would do that program after I lost all my weight from one of these quick programs.

Well, friends that have not worked and I go into this deprive/binge cycle. I have recommitted to Weight Watchers, now WW. No matter how slow or fast the weight comes off, it will come off and I am learning how to live my life.

This week I was tempted to return to this quick fix program after I had not lost any weight this week. But I held strong and said no, keep with it, you will lose those pounds. You will see this through.

Every time I go back to WW, I feel a sense of calm, a sense of peace. My family eats healthier with more fruits and veggies in the house and my kids are learning healthy eating habits.

Join me on WW’s Freestyle program. With WW Freestyle,  It’s easier than ever to eat what you love & lose weight. Here’s one month free to explore!

https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/invite-friends

Around Town, The Macaroni Mama Blog

The Best Laid Plans

Christine
Image result for best laid plans meme

Fall break didn’t go as planned, I got a terrible sinus infection and ended up on the couch basically the entire time. Two rounds of antibiotics,, and two weeks of rest, finally did the trick.

The kids slept over my mom’s house one day and had a fun day of shopping with her.

Towards the end of the week I had to work at church and the kids came with me and hung out for most of the time and played with friends. I’m so thankful my job allows that.

I had serious momguilt so I took them to Sky Zone on Friday so they could burn off some energy. It was crazy busy during Fall break but they jumped for 2 hours and had a blast.

And Sunday after church, we went to the Museum of Nature and Science. We closed it down at 5PM and my oldest was in such a hurry to leave, she was terrified we would be locked inside the museum, like in the movie Night in the Museum, so funny!

Overall, not what I had planned but sometime, slowing down and resting is what you need.

And guess what, the kids enjoyed their break. I need to remind myself that sometimes, its OK to not be going here and there and just being together is enough.

The Macaroni Mama Blog

Pajama Day

Christine

With three kids and all their activities, school work, church, etc. we are super busy.

Some days it’s just go, go, go.

But every once in awhile, we STOP, stay in our pajamas, play games, watch a movie, maybe even bake something. And we don’t leave the house, just relax and spend time together.

It’s much needed and the kids love it. And I think I love it even more.

Of course you need some cute jammies, like these cute ones from Kohls.

The Macaroni Mama Blog

Fall Break

Christine

I can’t believe that next week is the kids Fall Break.

I usually get a calendar out and plan out each day with crafts and/or outings.

This year it’s a museum day, pumpkin patch day, maybe even do some baking another day. Our local library is doing a Fall Fest that week too so that will be another outing.

We’ll try to get a Pajama Day in as well.

As they get older we have to schedule around team practices and some appointments.

I will be thrilled to have a week of no homework and not having to pack school lunches.

Around Town

Family Hike

Christine

With the cooler temperatures hitting Denver and the fall colors in full force we decided to hit up some local trails.

We headed to Golden and walked about 2 miles on one of their family friendly trails.

It was the perfect length for our family. We made sure to hit the restroom before we started.

The perfect fall Saturday outing, nature, exercise and family bonding.

The girls on the trail
The Macaroni Mama Blog

Who is The Macaroni Mama?

Christine

I’m Christine, a wife and mother to 3 children. As a Denver area stay at home mom for over 12 years, I started this blog as an outlet to write about mom life, family travel ideas, local fun activities to do with your family, living a healthful lifestyle and more.

My love for travel and planning exciting adventures for my own family brought me to my lifelong dream of becoming a Travel Agent for Paradise Travel.

My vision for this website is to be a place to see fun family experiences, get ideas on travel, learn about exciting destinations, near and far and check out all the awesome things my vacation planning services can do.

I’m also a work in progress on my journey of living my best life so you’ll see victories and struggles as I try to take care of myself.

And why Macaroni Mama? I grew up in an Italian American family who had Sunday Sauce every week. So naturally, I’m now the Macaroni Mama of my own family.