I Can't Be Good at Everything

Note: That is to be read 'I CAN'T be good at everything' ... NOT 'I can't be good at everything.' There is no sarcasm in this statement. There is no pride. There is no comparison. This is my new mantra. I CAN'T be good at everything.

Heaven knows I try though.

I want to be the best mom and wife I can be. I want to save loads of money by using coupons and a meal plan when I grocery shop. I want to have healthy (not packaged) snacks for my kids. I want to blog daily. I want to teach my kids things that I'm not even sure they're ready for. I want to decorate my home with skill and creativity. I want to get a good night of sleep. I want to keep the house clean. I want to read books that aren't made of cardboard. I want to be better at not caving in at 5pm and going out to dinner instead of planning ahead and actually cooking something. I want to keep up with all my friends. I want to be patient all day long. I want to be more willing to 'pretend play' with the boys. I want to teach them (age appropriate) scripture memory verses. I want to exercise (and shower, for that matter!) everyday. I want to stop wasting time watching mindless tv. I want to have loads of blog followers who leave comments all the time about my ideas.

The list could, literally, go on forever. To do most of those things well requires sacrificing several other equally worthy goals because there isn't enough time in the day for all of them. If I know that, then why is it so hard to accept? Because I want to have it all together. I want to be strong. I want to be supermom, with my three kids under three and a well oiled machine of a family life.

The problem with supermom is that she doesn't leave room for God to work through weaknesses.

'"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.' (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Since I CAN'T be good at everything... maybe now is a good time to stop trying.

Inspiration for the Moms Out There

Have you ever caught yourself responding "I'm just a stay at home mom" when someone asks you what you do for a living? JUST?! Seriously?! This is the hardest, most exhausting, most time consuming, most important, (most rewarding!) job available - raising the next generation to be thoughtful, considerate, contributing and intelligent members of society. When you're tempted to feel like you're *only* a stay at home mom, think about this quote and realize that we have the only job out there where we get to be everything to someone (or multiple someone's!)

To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, banquets, labors and holidays; to be Whitely within a certain area, providing toys, boots, cakes and books; to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be a large career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone and narrow to be everything to someone? No, a woman's function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. (Excerpt from What's Wrong with the World by G. K. Chesterton in Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge)

Stand proud moms - you're indispensable!

Book Review: Bringing Up Girls

I have three boys and no girls, so why would I read a book subtitled "Practical advice and encouragement for those shaping the next generation of women"? I have to admit that I only read Bringing Up Girls because it was this month's book club book, but I never expected to love it. While the whole point of this book was to advise parents on how to raise their girls, I couldn't help but feel a huge responsibility in how I raise my boys because of it.

Some of the chapters discuss the desire of little girls to feel like princesses: valued, beautiful and pursued. Some of the chapters discuss purity (and the extremely dangerous repercussions of sexual promiscuity). Some of the chapters talked about the importance of a father's role in his daughter's life (and the unhealthy fillers she can turn to when that relationship isn't quite right). Some of the chapters talked about the brutality of girls towards each other (especially in middle and high school) and the hit their self-esteem takes when they are at the brunt of others' ridicule. It was hard being a teenage girl... I can only image how hard it would be to raise a teenage girl!

In reading about purity especially, I felt a huge calling to train my boys in how to treat women well. How to treat them like ladies and how to care for them as they would a little sister. Obviously Charlie's example to them will be of utmost importance as they grow into young men. With a culture today that emphasizes peer relationships over parental relationships, technology over talking and promiscuity over purity, our kids are in for a world of hurt if we aren't helping them navigate the rapids.

There was so much I could relate to in what Dr. Dobson described. I think today's culture wants to ignore the fact that women are different than men and that we have different needs, insecurities and hormones. It doesn't make us weaker, but it does make us different. Knowing how to raise our sons to care for these girls and women won't only make them better husbands, it will make them better people. I don't know about the other mothers of sons, but I'm all for training them to be understanding, protective, respectful and loving men and husbands. I think their future wives will thank us : )

In summary, whether or not you have a daughter, read this book. I can't wait to read the predecessor of it, Bringing Up Boys.

Virtual Book Club, 'Meeting' #2

Back in November, before all the craziness of Christmas, travelling, sicknesses and transitioning to big boy beds, I started reading A Mother's Heart by Jean Fleming and thought it would be an interesting idea to start a virtual book club. Sorry to keep those of you hanging who participated last time!

To get you up to speed, the first chapter was about God's calling in the lives of women to be mothers. To be active mothers who help to form and create the people our children will grow up to be. The discussion question was 'What is one decision you can make to be more of the mother you want to be?'

The second chapter is called 'A Vision for the Task' and was challenging to say the least. I think the temptation in today's society is to feel that we're *just* stay at home moms. Our degrees are going to waste and our skills and talents are backburnered until the kids grow up and go to school. I love what this chapter has to say about that type of thinking.

I am making a permanent difference in my children's lives. I am a woman of influence. I impart values, stimulate creativity, develop compassion, modify weaknesses, and nurture strengths. I can open life up to another individual. And I can open an individual up to life.

I don't know about you, but that sounds a lot more challenging than most 9 to 5s that I'm aware of! The job of being a mom is hard... a lot harder than being a mother. Anyone who births a child is automatically a mother, but being a mom requires the time, energy and love devoted to our kids to teach, discipline, encourage and comfort our kids. We should have a vision for our time at home with our kids so we don't look back 20 years from now at our grown children and regret not spending more time with them. I don't mean more time around them, but more time with them. If we are feeling like our role as a mom is too small or unchallenging, maybe it's because our vision for this time in our lives is too small. 'We will touch few lives with more intensity than the children God has placed in our homes.'

Here's the question for Chapter 2:
Create a vision for your time at home with your kids. Write out a specific plan for application to one (or more) of the following:
a) teaching your children what is good
b) enriching their lives with beauty
c) training them in obedience and respect
d) stimulating their interests
e) encouraging them to attempt new things
f) praying with them

Don't miss the higher calling on your life by focusing on the day-to-day tasks of caring for kids and a home. We only have a handful of years to be the primary influence in our kid's lives... let's make the most of them!

Virtual Book Club

I just started reading a book called A Mother's Heart by Jean Fleming. The first chapter is called A Call to Mothers and I love what Fleming says about motherhood:

"If you are a mother, you have a call from God. God entrusts into your care a life, a future, a piece of what the world will become."

The problem with that statement is that it's A LOT of pressure! In a perfect world, we're providing a secure and loving framework in which to nourish our kids - emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually.

In order to be better moms, we need to seek the support of others who have gone before us, or who are currently treading in the same water. I think that groups for moms like playdates or MOPS are extremely valuable, but I think that doing a little self-reflecting is important too. The chapters end with questions for reflection and discussion, and I would love it if the readers of this blog would participate in a virtual book club of sorts.

So here's the first question:
What one decision might you make to be more of the mother you want to be?

Oh gosh, my list could go on and on, but I'll list the two that came to mind first. I want to be more active in playing with my kids, not just directing them to the next activity. They love it when I play cars or built train tracks with them, but I'm too often content to let them play alone. Ialso want to pray specifically for their character traits more often - for confidence and boldness, for gentleness and compassion for others, for integrity and courage and discernment.

Will you participate in my virtual book club? I'd love it if you did!

How Do You Tuck in a Superhero?

Charlie bought me a book for Mother's Day/our anniversary written by a mom of five boys. The book is divided into chapters (Proper Care and Feeding, You Know You're with Boys When..., Family Togetherness, etc) and each chapter is full of short stories related to each topic. They range from hilarious to heartwarming, but regardless, I'm realizing that each story is a glimpse into my future as a mom of three boys of my own.

From the vast quantities of groceries downed every week to the 'house rules' she never thought she'd actually have to say out loud ("We use doors to enter the house, not air-conditioner vents or second story windows"; "We never close our brother into a large appliance, no matter how much he begs you to do it"), from the camaraderie of brotherhood to the challenges of grooming, trimming and styling boys, I'm both excited and slightly terrified of the years ahead of us.

I LOVE what she says about motherhood:

The journey of motherhood centers on being the person God has chosen out of all humanity and space and time to care for these souls, these beings who will exist for all eternity. The thought of that incredible task, that humbling honor, is more than enough to direct my focus back to an overwhelming gratitude for the gift of my children, my incredible sons, in my life.

I read that page last night after a difficult few days when I was thinking of my boys as a challenge instead of a blessing. What an awesome reminder of the task that God has laid in front of me: to raise these boys, these blessings, remembering that He has chosen ME out of all the women in the world, to be the one that they call Mom. What an honor.

Passion: Born With or Blessed With?

Make Your Mark. That's the theme of the sermons right now at the church we're attending here in Alpharetta. Make your mark, impact something, make a difference, find your passion and pursue it. The challenge, of course, is figuring out what your passion in life really is. It's not the same as finding things you really like to do, or finding things you're good at, though those are usually good indicators of what your passion might be... but your passion in life is the thing(s) that give you energy, that make you who you are, and that you can't imagine yourself not doing. I struggled with this for what felt like weeks. I wasn't sure if everyone was born with a passion or if only certain people were blessed with a passion. Am I really passionless?! I don't have time to be passionate about anything - I have kids to take care of! I used to be passionate about teaching, but I'm not a teacher anymore, so what does that mean? I thought and thought and thought about what my passion could be. My sister, half-jokingly, said that my passion was blogging. I just thought, 'I hope not! That's a pathetic passion!'... but the more I thought about it, blogging is just one way that my passion plays out. You see, YOU are my passion. MOMS are my passion. I feel strongly about making connections with other moms so that none of us feel alone in parenting. I want to bring resources and ideas to you so you don't feel isolated during this time when it's easier to stay at home, alone, with your kids than bundle them up for the cold and drive somewhere that they can potentially get sick for the next two weeks. I love playgroups and Mops and blogs and meeting other moms because I love the feeling of community and feeling connected when there are so many days that I just need someone to talk to. My goal is to stay connected to other people, moms in particular, while my kids are growing up so they don't leave me one day and I realize that my whole life just left for college at the same time. It's important to stay connected, feel supported and reach out to other moms, so they don't feel alone too. The more I thought about it, people are born with a passion. The trouble lies in discovering what your passion is, especially as you go through different phases of life. How can you use your gifts to help others, help your family, or help the world? And to end, here's a quote from Dear John by Nicholas Sparks: "It can be coins or sports or politics or horses or music or faith... the saddest people I've ever met in life are the ones who don't care deeply about anything at all. Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because there is nothing to make it last. I'd love to hear your dad talk about coins, because that's when you see a person at his best, and I've found that someone else's happiness is usually infectious." Have you figured out yet what your passion is? Have you ever even thought about it before? What is it, and how can you apply your passion to your life right now? Leave a comment, I would love to hear what really charges you with energy - even if it's hard to apply right now! (If you've noticed the changes along the right hand side of my blog, you're probably wondering what all the home school info is about. Well... you're just going to have to wait until my next post!)

Before I Was a Mom...

How many times have you caught yourself doing something that pre-child-you wouldn't have been caught dead doing? I had all sorts of lofty aspirations for the type of mom I wanted to be (and didn't want to be) and I am realizing that all of my pre-child-judging of other moms was completely unwarranted, unfair and unrealistic.

For example, I thought I would never let my child sleep in my bed. But then, before you know it, you're travelling for the holidays and wake up at 1:00am to a screaming, terrified child in a new room in a new bed and you quickly pull that child into bed with you. We travelled for almost a month over Christmas with the boys and I think I had a child-free bed for 2 nights total. It was comforting to them and quiet for everyone else... so why not?

Also, I thought I would have never put my child on a leash. I was given two leashes as a shower present and thought that they would make a good re-gift for some other mom who couldn't control their kids in public. Thank heavens I kept them!! After struggling with stroller buckles and squirmy toddlers who just want to walk, the leash is the perfect solution. They think they are completely independent, yet you don't ever find yourself in the position of choosing who to chase when they run in two different directions. After Eli was lost in the Atlanta Children's Museum for a few minutes, I decided then and there that the leash was a must for us. I realized that it has nothing to do with controlling your kids - after all, they can't ride in a stroller forever and need to learn to walk with you - and it makes them happier and more cooperative. Our first outing to the mall with them was a complete success!

As a mom of twins, I thought I'd never dress them identically... but I do it all the time and think it's completely adorable!

I thought I'd never let them watch TV, but find their joy in Curious George contagious and love to see them dance to songs on Super Why.

I could go on... and I'm sure you could too! What have you found yourself doing as a mom that pre-parenthood you swore you'd never do?

Does GPS Have a 'Motherhood Add-In'?...

... Because some days, quite frankly, I feel lost and could use some help. How nice would it be if there was a little voice that came through loud and clear stating what to feed your kids for optimum nutritional value, what activities you should engage your kids in to give them the best head start in life, what you should teach your kids to guarantee that they'll be at the head of their class in school, and what attitudes to focus on to eliminate those undesirable traits that we see in so many teenagers today. I mean, wouldn't that be amazing?! Our sermon today at church was on the Parable of the Talents and I feel that right now, my boys are my 'talents.' If my life was over tomorrow, I feel that I would have to give an account for how I raised them. They are, after all, the most important things that I've ever been entrusted with and I want God to say 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' Did I talk about Jesus enough? Did I pray with them enough? Did I show them a strong example of how to put your faith in the Lord with every aspect of your life? Did I show them patience and love and compassion and joy and gentleness? Will I ever come to the point where I would say 'yes,' I did all those things enough... or is that the point: To never really feel like you've arrived at enough so you keep pressing on towards more often? Can you ever really share the love of Jesus enough... especially with your kids?! What do you do when you catch yourself in the middle of one of those days that you're demonstrating impatience and frustration and annoyance and harshness instead of the Fruits of the Spirit? How do you get through those moments? We're not alone, even on the worst of days. At the very least, we have other moms who have all been through it... but at the very best, we have Jesus with us. Amen and amen. Tell me, are there 'Motherhood Add-Ins' that you wish came with GPS?! What directions would you ask for if you could?

Kate's Cup Reflection - 9.10.09

Kate's Cup is a mom's group at one of the churches that Charlie and I have tried in Arizona. The basic idea behind the name is that, though we may be cracked, chipped and imperfect cups, we all need to be 'filled up' from being in community with other women and moms. Since today was the first meeting, I left this morning feeling like it was my first day of school. I didn't know anyone, I wasn't sure what to expect and I didn't quite feel like I belonged in a group of women (who I was telling myself) already all knew each other. It turned out that 'newcomers' were the majority of the women there! I was at a table with 8 other women who were awesome and I can't wait to go back next week. Did I mention it's WEEKLY! Yes - outside contact with other women! The speaker today emphasized the power of having a positive influence over your family. The point that struck me the most was that as moms, our job is to be the thermostat in the home. Not the thermometer, the thermostat. "What's the difference?" you ask. The difference is that a thermometer tells you the temperature of the home. A thermostat sets the temperature of the home. Is it too hot inside? Are tempers erupting? Are kids fighting over toys? Are you arguing with your husband? Is the general feeling one of crankiness and irritability? Or is it too cold inside? Are siblings ignoring each other or being mean? Or worse - are you doing the same to your husband? Decide what you want your home to feel like inside. Create an environment of warmth - one that is inviting and comfortable to live in, one where your family wants to live and enjoy life together. As moms, we need to take the responsibility upon ourselves to set the mood and temperature of our home. How does your home feel? Are you comfortable with the temperature?

Should the Punishment Fit the Crime?

I would like to preface this post by saying that, though almost half of you checked the 'discipline' box in the poll, my kids are still young enough that I haven't necessarily had to test out any of my discipline theories. That being said, I was a teacher for 3.5 years and used a number of discipline tactics on high school aged kids that worked. Three year olds are probably another story. So with that, please understand that my Discipline posts will be ideas to try - but not necessarily road tested by me with my kids.

You've heard it said: "the punishment should fit the crime," but as I thought about that saying, I started to wonder if "the punishment should fit the 'criminal'" instead. If you have more than one child, you inevitably know that they are inherently different. They have different temperaments. They have different attitudes, different interests, different soft spots. Knowing this, you can probably guess that a punishment to one of your kids is not necessarily a punishment to the other.

For example, let's say you have an extrovert and an introvert on your hands. If they both throw a toy, and you tell them both to go to their room, the extrovert might be in agony while the introvert is in heaven. You see, sending an introvert into a secluded environment isn't punishment, it's exactly what they prefer. Maybe a better punishment for the introvert is that they aren't allowed to *fill in the blank* (do puzzles, read books, listen to their iPod...) for a certain amount of time instead.

You need to be fair in your punishments, but fairly punishing two kids is not the same as identically punishing them.

The catch is that 'fairly punishing' your kids takes a lot more work! It's easier to tell them to go to their room or put them in time-out or spank them, but to fairly punish your kids, you have to know what makes them tick. You have to really know your kids.

A friend of mine has a three year old that she calls 'particular about cleanliness.' She went in to check on him only to discover that he had used his new birthday markers to color all over the paper, the table, and himself in the process. For him, the perfect punishment for 'the crime' was to not let him wash his hands for five whole minutes. You might as well have been torturing him! In her words, "he must have apologized 12 times that night; it was easy." He'll think twice about coloring on himself next time, whereas if she would have cleaned him up and tossed him in his room for a time out, it wouldn't have been nearly as effective.

My challenge to you is to get to know your kids. Know them well enough to reward them in ways that they would truly appreciate and punish them in ways that would be truly effective to them as individuals.

Workout Wednesday

How did you the past two weeks? Sorry I didn't post a new exercise last week, I was at the beach. Try setting a goal for this week - even if it's just 3 of the 7 days. Get up and do it! For this week, there are three no-props-needed exercises. Though they don't take very long, they are working and they will make a difference! The focus this week is going to be yoga and strength. Don't scoff, just try it : ) First, the order of operations, then the explanations and pictures, just in case!

ORDER OF OPERATIONS

• The Plank for 6 counts


• Crisscrosses for 8 reps on each side


• The Swim for 10 reps on each side


• Crisscrosses for 8 reps on each side


• The Plank for 6 counts

If you need to rest your abs or back at any point during these, feel free. And make sure to drink water when you're finished - they are harder than they sound! By the end of the week, if you've done these consistently, feel free to increase the reps/counts.

EXPLANATIONS #1 - THE PLANK: This one is going to work your abs, lower back, shoulders and glutes. The key is to make sure your body is held in a straight line - don't stick your butt up in the air. You'll know you have the right position when you feel the tightening in your back. Keep your abs engaged (try to pull your belly button towards your spine) and hold for six counts (1-1000, 2-1000...). Eventually we'll work all the way up to counts of 30! #2 - CRISSCROSSES This one will work your abs, obliques (side muscles) and quads (front of thighs). The goal of this one is not to touch your elbow to your knee, the goal is to engage your abs. Focus on bringing your shoulder blades off the ground, but keep your elbows fanned out (like the picture). Hover your left foot above the ground (by about 3 inches) while you bring your right knee towards your chest. Your left elbow/shoulder blade should start pulling in towards your right knee. Hold for two counts. Twist to the other side and hold for two more counts. Aim for 8 reps. (Sorry if that was confusing, it's hard to describe! Just use the picture for clarification!) #3 - THE SWIM This one will work your core, lower back, shoulders, glutes and quads. Lie face down on the floor and extend your arms overhead. Lift your head, hands and feet off the ground, keeping your arms and legs straight. Pulse your arms and legs in a swimming motion, holding each pulse for one count. Aim for 10 reps on each side. These exercises were originally shown in the July 2009 issue of Parenting magazine.

Taking a Vow of Yellibacy

Are you a yeller? Do you think you will be when your kids are old enough to really push your buttons? Do you hate it when you realize that you're letting a three year old ruin your attitude for the whole day?

Do you want to turn into one of those crazy 'Walmart moms' who yells and swats at her kids for the smallest infractions because she's at her whits end? I doubt it.

The good news is that you don't have to be a lifelong yeller... and the better news is that you can break the patterns of your own childhood. Just because your mom was a yeller doesn't mean you have to be. Just because you've been a yeller to date, doesn't mean you have to continue. Here are a few tips and tricks - the first five are from the article, the last three are mine - to put you back on the path to sanity and sanctuary:

1. Recognize your child's limits. Are you getting upset at something that is developmentally normal, like pulling all the books off the shelf or dropping their sippy cup off the side of the highchair 15 times in a row? Take a breath and realize that this is normal for their age and stage, but celebrate when they grow out of the phase! Patience can really pay off with this one, and there will be hundreds of teachable moments in the process.


2. Bite your tongue. Are you yelling requests (and answering requests) through rooms or floors of your house? Are you calling them for dinner by yelling up the stairs? Are they shouting back that they want "5 more minutes Mom!"? Break the cycle and institute a new rule: If I can't see you, I can't hear you. Make sure that you follow the rule too, even when it's easier and faster to yell.


3. Devise a battle plan. Are they same things enraging you every day? Fighting over toys? Getting out of bed at nap/bedtime? Pulling the dog's tail? Think through the things that really irritate you during the day (decide whether or not you're overreacting!) then decide on a consequence specific to the problem. Telling the kids that you'll take the toy away if they can't play nicely together with it might work. The author of the article took all the stuffed animals but one away from her son the first time he got out of bed, and took the last one if he got out again. She says that there's rarely a time that she has to take the last one. Thinking of consequences that fit the action will also teach your kids (and you!) about cause and effect, communication and self-control.


4. Make a chore chart. Many times, morning routines can leave a mom at the end of her rope. No one is moving fast enough, something is always missing, everyone is running late. Can you wake up sooner to give more breathing room? What about a sticker chart that tells kids everything they need to do in the morning? What about having bins for each child to contain everything necessary to leave the house with (hat, mittens, shoes, pacis, blankies, etc). Make one for yourself too so you don't get frazzled with the kids when you can't find your keys, cell phone, purse or diaper bag.


5. Drop a decibel. Whisper when you're mad. "Not that quiet hissing/Vulcan death-stare thing," but just speak calmly through a whisper. Kids will be curious enough to lean in and listen when you whisper.


6. Make it a game. Kids love competition. If you challenge your kids to see who can get ready the fastest, clean up the most toys, (be quietest the longest!), you'll be amazed at how few complaints you get in the process. When my mom used to tell us to clean up our toys, she would time us for 15 seconds at a time and we would guess how many times it would take for all the toys to be cleaned up. Can they beat their own record? Try it!


7. Feed them (or yourself!). It's amazing how your attitude can change when you need a snack. You're cranky, your patience is low and you feel out of sorts. Your kids are the same way. If you notice that they are always acting up (and causing you to yell out!) at the same time each day, try giving them a little snack 15 minutes beforehand. And the same goes for you. You can't get through the morning on just coffee and expect to have a full cup of patience too. This goes for interacting with your hubby too - have a snack before he comes home and you'll be surprised at how much more sociable and friendly you become.


8. Realize that kids can become too accustomed to yelling. This is probably the most important tip to keep in mind. You want your kids to stop and notice when you're yelling, so save it for the important reasons to yell: to stop them from touching the hot stove or running into the street, for example. If you're always yelling at your kids, they won't realize a 'danger yell' from an 'everyday yell.' Save it for the big stuff.

Who is with me in taking a Vow of Yellibacy?!

This post is a summary and review of the article "You Make Me Want to Shout" in the December 2008 issue of Parents Magazine

Workout Wednesday

The mummy-tummy isn't going anywhere unless you kick it to the curb. Neither are those arms that swing as you teach your baby how to wave. Or those thighs that need their own zip code. The time is now. I'm not claiming to be an expert. Or a fitness trainer. Or even disciplined at exercising myself. But what I am claiming is that if we put the excuses aside and just do it, that the results will show for themselves. I'm sure that most of you aren't living in a rental community with its own swimming pool and fitness center (like me, and I still don't take advantage of it!), so the suggestions I provide on Workout Wednesdays are going to be simple, easy and fun - because why would you do them if they were hard, boring and complicated?! The catch though, is that you have to do them. Not just read them. So get up off that chair, right now before you forget, and do: 50 jumping jacks Pyramid 4** (see below for instructions) 50 more jumping jacks That's it for today. But I want us all to do this every day until next Wednesday when I give a few more suggestions. Did you do it? What are you waiting for?! ** A Pyramid is a combination of pushups and crunches. Start with 1 crunch, roll over and do 1 pushup. Then 2 crunches, 2 pushups. 3 crunches, 3 pushups. 4 crunches, 4 pushups. The reason it's a Pyramid is because then you go back down to 1 of each. From 4 each, do 3 crunches, 3 pushups, 2 crunches, 2 pushups, 1 crunch, 1 pushup. So if I said Pyramid 5 next time, go up to 5 of each and back down to 1.