Being a Mom to Littles

It hit me last night, like a ton of bricks.  As I lay in bed, thinking about the day's activities and such, my mind began to wander.  I started to brainstorm ideas for my Christmas gifts; ones that would be fun to play with the kids like a silly board game.  I thought how Bradley is getting old enough to listen and possibly take direction.  I weighed the logistics of how often we'd play the game during the week, since Brooke is in school 3 days a week---and my mind went there.

It went to September 2018, where our little girl will be getting on a school bus and riding off to Kindergarten.  It seemed so far off up until this moment in my mind and I burst into tears.

Babies don't keep, this I know.

My littlest just transitioned from his crib to a toddler bed.  {Joe removed the big rail and replaced it with the small.} In an instant, it feels like my days of being a mom to littles is nearing an end.

I know I still have two full years of Bradley in preschool and the rest of this year, but wow---what a shot to the heart!  In the trenches, I always say, sometimes it is super hard.  The days where Joe works long hours and I felt like I never talked to anyone other than baby babble?  Gone.

I have two blonde cuties who can both talk my ears right off any given day!

I have an almost 5 year old who dresses herself.

Brushes her teeth.

Helps with chores.

Buckles herself up in the car.

Helps herself to water if she's thirsty.



But as much as I get choked up at thinking of how all the "babyness" is gone from my house, my heart lights up as I began talking about Christmas cookies and all the cut-outs we wanted to make.  And in those moments I saw her eyes light up so big, and I realize that this too is a gift, this time of innocence, curiosity and wonder.

I suppose this is all normal, just the typical feeling mommas get as their babies grow into toddlers, into preschoolers, and into kids.

I'm savoring each sweet step and just wishing I could bottle the feelings and emotions right up!  In a sense however, I feel as if I already do.

This time of year I reflect on when I was pregnant, preparing for my January babies.  All it takes is a scent, or a sight and I am taken right back to when it was all so new and strange.

That's the thing about memories, they can creep right up when you least expect them.  They can bring tears of joy or a twinge of sadness.

Did I spend enough time loving on them? Teaching them? Holding them? Kissing their little heads? Letting them "help" me, even when I know it will be a bigger mess?


I vow to myself to soak up every last moment of these days with Brooke until we set her free in the land of full day school.  I know she'll thrive and flourish.  She's so eager to learn, to play, to become more.



But for now, I'll let her play and cuddle and be that little skunk or cat that she wishes to be.

Motherhood is such a beautifully strange journey and sometimes there are no words to truly describe how I feel.  I just know that I love these two little souls that the love of my life and I created, more than anything in the world.  Although it is not easy at times, it certainly deserves my time and attention.

They won't be little for long, and I already miss it.  I know that I will miss this stage too.

Farewell Summer

Here we are, start of the school year.  Today our 4.5 year old starts Pre-K.  She's attending the same school she went to last year, just an extra day and a little longer.  Mama wasn't ready to send her off every day quite yet.

She is so full of promise, hope, innocence and love.  She has little fear when it comes to climbing rocks, trees, and other high places.  (She gets that from her Daddy!)

The sky is the limit my sweet girl, and I cannot wait to see you grow, blossom and flourish this year.

This one still gets mama time 24/7, although we have joined the Y and he loves the play area.  He's not quite as adventurous as big sis, but he's getting there.  He's still little.

I am pretty sure he'll miss her a little more than she'll miss him, for a few reasons.  One, she's all he's ever known.  She had 2 years on this earth without a buddy, and he has had her since day one.  Two, she'll be off and learning new things and he'll (sort of) be doing the same daily routine, now adding in the gym time.

Sure they bicker, but the love on one another even more.  Hug Time.

Pre-K Ice cream social....yes, our daughter is the one with a scarf tied around her back.  She is not Brooke when she is wearing it, please call her Meadow.

Cheesy grin.  "Where Brookie go?" was heard quite a bit this night.

August felt a lot like September...lots of pants and fleeces.  We still got outside as much as possible, unless it was storming.

My little buddies helping out as we work. (Again, look at the jackets! Craziness)

They like to pretend they're sleeping in the most random spots.  This is what happens when you turn off TVs and don't let them play on the iPad, phones or computers much.  C-R-E-A-T-I-V-T-Y #balance

His goofy personality is really starting to shine through.

She has begged me to let her drive the tiny carts for a very long time.  They keep them by the checkout area, so this time she remembered to ask as soon as we pulled in and my type A personality took a backseat and I let them be little.

They actually did quite well! I didn't need much, so I didn't grab a large cart, so we filled up theirs.  They made sure to evenly split everything so they both had the same amounts in their carts.

We squeezed in one more family fun day, and hit up Sea Breeze.

The airplane that goes, "up and down and round and round."

Daddy pulled out all the stops from pizza to Dip and Dots and even some fried dough.

I think it's safe to say they had a ball.

I had to distract him so Joe & Brooke could go on the bumper cars (he's not quite tall enough yet) so slushies it was.

I see a future man in these photos and it's crazy.  I just love him at this age!

Summer 2017 was a mix of lots of work and play.   I've mentioned before how I'll always miss the baby stages, but these ages 2-4 are priceless.  Not quite big enough to do everything, but big enough to do and understand most! 

As always the Summer slipped by in a blink of an eye and there will always be more on my bucket list.  It was a cooler and rainy Summer than most, and it makes me think that this Winter will be one for the books.  

Fall is around the corner and back to school is here, another season fleeting by.  My hope is to continue to stop and enjoy these small moments and breathe in all of their goodness.  

Road Trip Snacks/Foods

We are getting excited about an upcoming vacation to Lake George.  I've been starting to prepare a bit of snacks for our trip.  While I have every intention of enjoying delicious and maybe not so nutritious meals out from time to time, I know our bodies and they crave good for us foods.

First up?  These bad boys!  I remember years ago Joe meeting a guy who had his hands in on the actual making of these.  We had a taste and they were SO good.  Had to grab them when I saw them!

I'm in an amazing accountability group where the girls share food and recipe ideas. I totally hit up Amazon for these!  Brooke likes the fruit bars and Bradley loves the sqaure bars.  I haven't tried the power snacks yet, but I love me some Justin's maple almond butter!

I'm on that mom who believes in eating as healthy as possible, but real life and simple snacks that kids will eat happen too.  Bradley loves these tomato basil lentil bean snacks, the mac and cheese is an SOS meal if the kids don't eat their dinner or are starving.  Quick oatmeal in case of breakfast meltdowns before we leave the hotel.  Brooke loves the chocolate organic pop tarts.  PBJ --because, peanut butter and jelly is always an easy go to.   Rice cakes and quest bars for me.

Apples, mint milanos & graham crackers.

My friend Ann told me about these delicious waters!

We are bringing our Ninja and going to make these happen and sip them by the pool one day. #vacay

Can't leave without this yummy drink!

My sweet friend Shelby gifted me this adorable cooler bag with my monogram.

It will be perfect to keep my cans of rose cold!

I'll also throw in deli meat, cheese sticks & yogurt tubes.  I may be overpacking but I'd rather have too much than not enough.  Been there done that before and it's no fun!!  

Bring on the loose schedule, family time, beach and poolside fun!

What healthy-ish snacks do you bring on road trips?

Mother's Day 2017

I hope that everyone had a nice day yesterday!  Hubby was so sweet and made 'my breakfast' of spinach, eggs, tomatoes & feta. I even had a little mimosa to start the day!

We relaxed and took it easy; Joe decided it was time for the kids to have a Power Wheels.  We hit up the sidewalks and headed out to the back parking lot.  Maiden Voyage!

Here he tried to make it go faster, aka 5 miles an hour. Neither kid liked it!

They love 'balancing' on this log.

He's getting so big.

Behind the scenes, #momlife

I wanted to get a few photos of just the kids and I...

I just love her little grin.

Thanks for the photobomb dad!

"Girls Rule, Boys Drool."

I think I got a few good ones for my mother in law to print off for me haha!

Of course I may have ended with one more little glass of bubbly.

Cheers to all of you who work your tail off each and every day.  You put everyone else before yourself, take pride in washing, folding, putting away little pajamas. You clean up countless crumbs and wash off never-ending sticky surfaces.  You still find time to love your husband and be a good friend.  You shower at 4pm and sometimes forget how nice jeans feel. Cheers to being awesome; no matter what season you're in, I am sure that #momlife is no easy task, but once you're living it, you'd never go back.  I'm not going to lie; I got quite emotional looking back at newborn photos wondering where on earth these last 2 & 4 years have gone.  Being a mother has certainly challenged me, changed me and for sure has made me a better human being.  Such a special task that should never be taken too lightly.

We ended the day with Joe's ribs & grilled asparagus. I also had him grill me up some chicken breasts to eat for lunch all week!

For dessert I made this Tastefully Simple sugar cookie wafter thing---I dont know but it was SO GOOD.  Joe wanted to put ice cream & fruit in it.

I was "SORT OF" healthy with some greek yogurt and fruit...omg. Addicting!

How did you celebrate Mother's Day?