AFAA Certification

Today I spend 9 hours at the gym. I finally got my Primary Group Exercise Certification test done. Technically, in order to teach, you need to be certified. I am certified in Turbokick, but not through a more general certification. AFAA stands for Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. It is quite thorough. A lot more so than I thought. First of all, you have to study and do a mean study guide that is like 37 pages or something and memorize proper muscle names and places. Then you go to the certification and you have to do both a written test (100 questions, multiple choice and matching) and also a practical (showing that you know how to work all the different muscle groups and stretch them out and basically that you know how to teach and cue correctly). To be honest, I didn't read all the chapters, I more just went through and found the answers and didn't study too hard until last night and then I only studied for an hour or two. Then you do a practical which is you do a warm-up, a cardio section, a cool-down section, go through every muscle group in the body and show at least 2 strengthening exercises per muscle and 1 stretching exercise. On top of this, you also have to teach an individual presentation in front of everyone showing 1 move and 2 harder modifications.
I was really worried about it because the lady that originally does it is an older "really anal" lady. She is all professionalism and having everything correct down to the last hair on your head. Which I think everything does need to be proper, but group exercise is all about fun too! Anyways I have been way stressed, then when I got to the gym, come to find out she is not the one who was doing it that day!! YAY! She was supposed to go out of town but ended up not but someone else was already flown in. The girl who did my certification was way cute and fun and it helped to ease the tension. She was more in the style of helping everyone out and making sure everyone passed. (I didn't get that impression from the original lady). I hope this is making sense.
Anyways, it is finally over. This has been hanging over my head for quite some time and it feels nice to finally have it over. And not just over, but I feel good about it. I am positive I passed. It really wasn't that bad. In 4 to 6 weeks I should be recieving my results and certificate showing I passed. So not only can I kick your butt in Turbo, I can now kick it in any class!! Watch out world! Here I come! :)

Bed Head

After Owen woke from his nap, I found his wispy little hairs going in every direction.I love him.

2 More Aprons

Ok so I am like obsessed now with sewing. I love it. Seriously, it is so fun. I just wish I had more money so I could go buy fabric. I love fabric by Heather Bailey, Moda, and Buggy Barn. Anyways, so my friend is getting married and is having a shower on Thursday so I decided to make her an apron. Also, my niece Cambry turned 3 and so I made one for her too. I used Heather Bailey fabric and it turned out so so so cute! I LOVE them! So without furtho ado...here they are....The top one is for my friend, I also put some chocolate chips and kitchen shears in the pocket. The bottom is the one for my niece. I used the same fabric but used different accent pieces. Fun, fun fun!

Susie Homemaker!

I have been hankering for a while to make aprons but I never got around to it or had fabric or a pattern for that matter. We went up to Lee's on Saturday and his mom had some patterns and had fabric too. So I brought them home and on Sunday I made this really cute reversible apron! It really is so cute, especially on. The pictures don't do it justice. It took me all day and I know I did some things wrong (I won't point them out). But I did it the way I felt was right. The directions were actually pretty unclear so that was the most frustrating part. Maybe I am just new to sewing but it would say "turn out and press" ok, so press down on which side? The right side or wrong side of fabric? After I finished I understood what they were trying to say, however the directions didn't make it obvious so some things were done my way! And I actually think I like it better anyways. So I pretty much finished the reversible apron on Sunday. Took me quite some time. Probably like 4 or 5 hours total. On Monday I just had to do some quick finishing touches. Then after I put Owen down for his nap, I was browsing online and found another cute apron pattern. It is supposed to be made with old jeans, but I had old khaki's instead and decided to try it out. It doesn't require much fabric so I had some old scraps from Sarah's quilt so I decided to make it using that fabric. Once again, I didn't do it exactly like she said. The directions were very clear and obvious. The bottom of the skirt is supposed to be pleated and I tried, but I didn't cut long enough fabric so the ruffle at the bottom is smaller than the website. But it is still cute. Once again, I won't point out all my little flaws, but if I do say so myself, these two aprons are so cute! The second apron (half apron) was really quick and easy and I think I will use the other leg to make another for my friend who is getting married. It took me like 2 hours to make total, but now that I have done it, I think it would be even quicker. Well enough, here are the pics...I am thinking I may add some yellow rick-rack on the pockets and up by the neck on the purple reversible apron. I don't know, maybe I will just get a yellow button to add some detail. Pretty cute anyways though! Anyone wants to make one I am totally down, we could have an apron makin party!

Fall and Halloween!

It's been a while so here are some pics....first of all, Owen and I have really been enjoying the nice fall weather and going on lots of walks! Owen loves it outside!We also went to the Barnyard Boo at Thanksgiving point and Owen rode a horse and played around. He is standing up so much and wanted to stand up on the hay, but every time he touched it, he would get a gross look on his face. I don't think he liked the feel of it!The night before Halloween we decided to carve pumpkins and let Owen touch the slime. He didn't really get too messy, but it was still fun. We carved the cutest pumpkins ever!Finally time for Halloween! Funnest ever! We dressed Owen up as the cutest little tiger ever! He was so cute and so happy! We took him trick-or-treating with his cousins Keaton and Cambry. He got quite a bit of candy (I mean Lee got a lot of candy) Then we went over to my friends house and she was having a halloween party. I must say that my costume got quite a bit of attention. I looked HOT! I was an 80's aerobic instructor. I had turquoise leggins and legwarmers and side ponytail...the whole she-bang. The best part was the leapard underwear! Lee was his usual...a wierd gothic freak. Next year, he is not allowed to be that though. He has been that every Halloween since I have known him. Anyways, Halloween was a good time!