This was my last session of the year, and it sure was a spec ial one!  One of my very best friends from high school, Stephanie, and her beautiful family were in town all the way from California and asked me to take their family portraits.  I could not have been more thrilled!  Between the two of us we have three more kids than since the last time we saw each other, so we had lots of fun goofing off and catching up.  It was a little colder than we would have liked (especially right by the lake, brrrr!), so it was a little harder to keep everyone happy and smiling, but we still managed to get some really great shots.  I’ve also been experimenting some more with textures and decided to show some here.  Let me know what you think!   Thanks for being so patient Steph and Matt, and I hope you enjoy your sneak peek!  I so enjoyed spending time with you guys in person, and I hope we can make it out to CA soon!

Sometime yesterday, a third tooth popped out just a touch in Molly’s mouth, this time on top. It’s now a little painful to let her bite your finger, so we advise against it.

I have a gentleman’s agreement with a dear friend not to ever attempt to learn to play the accordion. Molly, however, is not bound by this. First lesson was all about keeping your fingers out of the ribs of the air chamber:

She’s a natural.

(I keep meaning to start a list of things I never thought I’d say to my wife, such as “I think the baby needs an accordion.” One from a few weeks back still sticks with me: “You know, Molly’s dinosaur has his own theme song. I wrote it myself.”)

We had some decent weather today, so I got it together and managed to get Molly’s new swing set up on the patio out back — with one hand, no less. She loved it, we probably spent an hour swinging this afternoon. By the end I had pulled up a chair, and it was exceedingly pleasant. Molly still likes to taste the wind, which I’m loving.

In other news, Krishna from time to time horns in on Rojo’s Molly action. Molly thinks she’s pretty neat, too.

So yesterday my mum and I were talking about babies. Specifically me as a baby. And at one point, she was telling me how when I was a baby I used to have this swing. This is basically how the conversation went:

Mum: When you were very young, I used to just put you in this little swing. It was nice because you’d fall asleep right away!

Me: Oh my gosh, I LOVE those little baby swings. You know what? I think they should make ones for adults.

Mum: … They do. They’re called regular swings.

Me: Oh.

Sorry folks I don’t have time right now to write anything really amazing, as it is OFFICALLY exam week. But, I hope this story at least brought a smile to your face. I’ll see you after exams! xx

Leave a comment!

Workout

15 KB Swing @ 28 kg
Row 3:00 @ >750m pace
Rest 90 sec
x3 rounds

Rest 5 min, then:

20 Slam ball @ 6 kg
Weighted bench step-up for 3:00 @ 2 x 10 kg DBs
Rest 90 sec
x3 rounds

Notes

Neil and I had discussed what this would be like a few weeks ago, after seeing it in the GJ schedule.

The row was hard, but not nearly “desperate”. Our gym needs heavier and deader medicine balls. The original called for a 32 kg KB and 3:00 on an AirDyne bike instead of the step-ups. Grip was the limiting factor on the step-ups… Who’da thunk it?

When was the last time you went on the swings…?

I found this picture I took of a family member on the swings. Graham’s clearly loving it and it reminded me that there is no such thing as a grown-up.

This image instills such a sense of freedom and of childishness that it makes me want to hit the swings at lunchtime.

Do you remember going out in the morning on your bike and not coming home until the street lights came on? Remember going on the swings as high as you could and leaning back?

We’re all kids but sometimes we forget to play.

Let’s be Kidults.

Back Squat 5 or 3RM

9 – 15 – 21
Dumbell Swings
Overhead Walking Lunges
Row (calories)

Well these last two days gave me a bit of Down time to take a few more photos before we all get ready to pack up and head back to the UK, Only 6 days remain!

The Swings at the local Golf Club, not sure if these are that safe, kinda looked more like something from a nuclear holocaust

The Bar in the secure compound, just like being back in the UK

As we all know, kettlebells are starting to gain popularity in the fitness industry as a great tool. Alot of trainers out there also incorporate them into their clients training regime and also their own. From my experience, I use alot of kettlebells in my own training and also my clients. Many of them are amazed from the results they get from training with kettlebells, and when I say training with kettlebells, I mean doing Kettlebell lifts and not using them for lateral raises or bicep curls. You can do those  with machines or  dumbells. Kettlebells lifts are ballistic and compound moves which strengthens tendons and ligaments and has many more other benefits( Refer to the post on “Its all about the Kettlebells”). 

Just like bench pressing is in the technique or even a golf swing, Kettlebell lifts are also technique which needs to be mastered before they can be taught to another person or client. If you are picking up  kettlebells or if your trainer is using them with you, ensure your own safety by checking if they are a certified kettlebell coach. If the lifts are performed wrongly, it can result in severe injuries. Kettlebell coaches are usually certified with RKC ( Russian Kettlebell Certification), IKFF ( International Kettlebell Fitness Federation), RMAX International or WKC ( World Kettlebell Club). If the moves are just swings and your trainer wants to try them out with your consent, then its alright. Moves like clean, snatches and jerks are very technical and require alot of technique. Even tougher technical move would be double kettlebell lifts. So, if you are really into kettlebell lifts, ensure that the person who is teaching you has enough skills,experience and coaching under his belt or at least perform his own kettlebell lifts confidently.  Always ensure your own saftey..

Still in the morning, awaiting the midday rush.

Pentax ME

www.christopherjonesphotography.co.uk

Partners, Eastbourne, UK

From my tipster Ericthefez, with this note: “Sorry the photo is such poor quality.  I found this ‘ride concept’ at San Jose’s Christmas in the Park kind of creepy.  I let <my only daughter, name redacted> go on the swings, but you better believe I kept a close eye on her.”

In related Xmas news, I heard my first “Last Christmas” song over the weekend, so yes, holiday madness is upon Japan. Fortunately, what Japan lacks in memory-crushing medicinal meds, they make up for in memory-suppressing booze, love for drinking, and end of year “forgetting” parties (bounenkai, perfect for work or friends).

BTW, which do you find more insipid, the George Michael’s original 1980s version of “Last Christmas” or Exile’s more recent cover? What would the Japanese royal family prefer? Please feel free to comment (without defaming our majesties).

Okay Halle—all done with your wonderful first photo shoot. I am so proud of you. I hope you will look back on these photos some day with many fond memories of your childhood.

Deadlift 3RM
       12 – 9 – 6 with 1 minute rest between sets

5 Rounds
7   Thrusters
14 Swings

Submitted through the FAIL Uploader

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Even Dark Lords have to have a day off from doing evil deeds and trying to take over the world!