Judging by the pictures we post on social media, you might think the day would include laying on the beach on some remote tropical island with the kids splashing in the water close by. But in reality, my Ideal Day is any day I’m with the ones I love—Chris and our four incredible kiddos—doing the things I love, just like many other families do every single day.
6 A.M.: The alarm goes off, and it’s time to rise and shine and jump in the shower. Thankfully, my hair is still good to go from yesterday’s hair appointment at Bespoke Salon in Scottsdale.
6:10 A.M.: Time to wake up Matix and Marley for school. While they’re getting dressed and ready to go, I quickly check my e-mails and texts to see what’s happened overnight.
6:30 A.M.: Matix and Marley eat breakfast. This morning, it’s cereal with unsweetened almond milk and fruit for Matix, and scrambled eggs and fruit for Marley.
6:50 A.M.: I grab a protein shake—we’re pretty partial to our Vemma Powell Perfect Protein Shakes. Chris and I drive Matix and Marley to school. Cash and Ruby stay behind with our nanny.
7:07 A.M.: We realize we’re actually early for school, so we make our daily Starbucks run before dropping them off. Roc, the barista, has my order down by now: a morning bun and iced coffee (one pump of mocha, no sweetener).
7:25 A.M.: Chris and I head to the AZ Channel 3 studio to tape a segment for “Good Morning Arizona.” While Chris drives, I finish my makeup, and then make some calls to the season 5 cast to talk about weigh-ins and goals for the upcoming week.
8 A.M.: We arrive at the station and get ready for our interview with Scott Pasmore. During our segment we talk about one of our babies, our nonprofit organization, Be Your BEST AZ.
8:40 A.M.: Chris and I drive back home, and Cash is up, enjoying a family breakfast favorite: oatmeal. I build Legos with Cash and grab a quick snuggle with little Ruby and her favorite pink giraffe.
10:00 A.M.: Morning snack time! Today, it’s plain nonfat Greek yogurt, a handful of mini peppers, and a banana. Then we are out the door to the pediatrician’s office for Ruby’s nine-month checkup. Chris and I troubleshoot some current business situations, and talk about future business ideas.
11:33 A.M.: We leave the pediatrician’s office and swing home to meet with the contractor. There’s a lot to catch up on since we’ve been in Denver for several weeks for season 5 “Extreme Weight Loss” boot camp, and we’ve got to fit in everything we can while we’re home for a few days. The little ones eat lunch, and we read stories before naps.
12:30 P.M.: Chris and I head over to True Food Kitchen for a lunch meeting with our blog team.
1:55 P.M.: After lunch, Chris and I head to pick up Matix and Marley from school. Chris and I discuss details about our new book (on shelves summer 2015) while we’re driving.
2:45 P.M.: We all get home, the kids start their homework and piano practicing, and I talk to one of our teammates, Richard, on the phone about a potential “EWL” Arizona boot camp house.
3:30 P.M.: The awesome people from “The List” arrive at our home and start setting up the garage for an interview we are doing. I help Marley get ready for gymnastics and continue to supervise Matix’s piano practice.
3:45 P.M.: Chris and I do our interview with “The List,” and our nanny drives Marley to gymnastics.
4:30 P.M.: Our interview is over, and I grab a quick snack (low-sodium deli turkey, an Ezekiel tortilla and some spinach, all rolled up together) to eat on the way to meet Richard.
4:40 P.M.: I arrive at the potential Arizona bootcamp house and love it! Fingers crossed we can secure it.
5:20 P.M.: Marley and I get home from gymnastics, and Chris and I play with the kids outside on the trampoline.
5:45 P.M.: Our awesome neighbors arrive—with dinner!
6:15 P.M.: Play time! While the kids are playing, we adults try to catch up on the happenings of life.
7:15 P.M.: Our neighbors head home to get their kids showered, Chris bathes Cash, and Matix and Marley take their showers. I get to bathe and put Ruby to bed—I snuggle her up, give her her pacifier and her little giraffe blanky, and she goes right to sleep.
7:30 P.M.: The neighbors come back over and we all crash on the couches to watch the movie “Heaven Is For Real.” I must admit, I shed a few tears.
8:15 P.M.: I put Cash to bed with Gray, his blanky, and his Angry Birds. He will not go to bed without them!
9:15 P.M.: We tuck the big kids in bed. They got to stay up late tonight since the neighbors were over. Chris and I head to the garage for a quick workout before it’s time for us to hit the hay. Ten rounds of: five pull-ups, 10 situps, 15 air squats—as fast as possible.
10 P.M.: We grab post-workout grub, take some quick showers, and pack overnight bags for a staycation at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North.
10:30 P.M.: I answer some last-minute e-mails, do one last text check, and then do one of my favorite things in the world—“attitude of gratitude” check with Chris. We
each say one thing in particular we are grateful for from that day. Puts things in perspective.
