I had a major, massive, incredible workout today.  I broke some rules at the Y by hogging a machine for an hour and a half (and before you get all “HEY DUDE, 45 minutes is the time limit” on me, I got permission from one of the trainers).  I’ve been trying to complete a 20 mile ride on the Expresso bikes.  20 miles isn’t all that bad, but the first 12 are uphill - gahhhhh.  Anyway, after 90 minutes I made it!  I was literally soaking wet and barely able to walk, but I still felt pretty good.  I picked up the girls, silently praying they’d be nice and not have a fight because I had zero energy with which to deal (that’s what happens when you burn 880 calories). 

We got into the car, and Lily asked me, “Mommy, why do you have to work out?”  A million sarcastic responses flitted through my mind, but thankfully my mouth filter was engaged and I said none of them.

“Because it’s healthy for me, just like you work out at Little Gym and on the playground.  Also, I’m trying to lose a little weight.”

A millisecond later, Lily started to make the weird sniffling/snorting noise she makes before she fake-cries.  “But Mommy!!!  I don’t want you to be thin!  I want you to stay exactly the way you are, RIGHT NOW!!!”  Arden joined in the conversation with this little ditty: “Yeah, Mommy, I would not like to hug you if you were thin.”

So all I need to do, really, is fill the world with clones of my children, and stay just the way I am.  Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream from Gelati Celesti, here I come.