Tot School: Colors

I am not sure that you'll ever be able to take the "teacher" out of me.  Ever since I can remember, I have played school, loved pens, books, paper, and this back to school time of year. I used to make my little sisters play schools with me, which I think my mom loved for many reasons.  Now that I have my own kids, I am super excited to instill the love of learning in them.

Brooke is a little over 2.5 years old and I was on the fence about whether or not to send her off to "pre-school" but after discussing with Joe, we decided to hold off another year.  She will have to be 5 1/2 to even start Kindergarten, so she has plenty of time.  I was searching around online, instagram etc. and I stumbled upon "Tot School" on insta.  She has come up with 52 weeks of themes etc. for toddlers!  Now, I am not sure I will do every week nor will I follow each and every theme, but it was a perfect place to start!

She begins 8/31 and there is plenty of time to get situated.  Check out her blog here: Let's Tot School

I hit up the dollar section in Target and found a few silly songs on you tube.  I also just grabbed a bin and went around the house collecting toys, books and anything to put into this category.  She knows her colors fairly well, but I thought it'd be a good way to start "School".  She even picked out an Olaf Frozen binder that she was really excited about. I figured we'll keep some paper in there and try to use it as we go.



Color Songs/videos:

The hardest part for me is that there is SO much out there and I was having trouble deciding where to start.  I also have trouble simplifying "School" since I taught 7th grade and above, English.  This is waaaay different and at 2, it's more about hands on playing and learning at the same time.  I think it's kind of cool that Bradley will be exposed to everything as well.  He loves colorful things and he's always with us, so win/win!  I will try to modify some things so he can do some sensory things too, but as we know at 7 months, EVERYTHING goes in the mouth.

I also found this Minnie Domino game she loves and a floor puzzle.

Are you doing anything "school related" with your toddlers?

Phone Dump {random thoughts}

So, I know this about myself. I get into an idea and become, um…obsessed.   My newest obsession is how I want to set up our "new" playroom! We are having carpets measured today and I just am SO excited to have a place to play/learn with the kids that is NOT our living room.  I think this will be very important for several reasons…one being that I can't hang stuff on our living room walls for "tot school" and two, so that hubby and I don't feel like we are relaxing in a day care center.

I saw this on insta and love the simplicity and colors!

I am also still daydreaming about our home building.  I am IN LOVE with this.  Maybe down the road…

I want to try this…sounds evil, and delicious.

Can I just tell ya how much I needed my "5 hours away" last Friday? It was just long enough to pick out carpet, grab sushi and get my hairs did…but it was so so so worth it.  I may be a tad excited that we now have 2 more little dates on the calendar for August. I just can't get enough of this one-on-one time with my man!

I'm super happy with the color and the length I'm at.  #awkwardselfie

I'm trying to focus on positives, so I'm gonna do just that.  I am not working out as much as I like, but chasing after/walking with and playing with Brooke and the baby certainly burn some cals.  I am 7 months postpartum and so happy with how I'm feeling and looking. I know I still have a way to go, but considering all that I am doing, I had to just give myself a round of applause.

The stretch marks aren't going anywhere, but they are fading, and my 'muffin top' is certainly shrinking.   I swear by my Advo supplements and trying to eat fairly healthy.

Current products:

-MNS E
-Catalyst 3, 3x a day
-Thermoplus
-Crave Check
-Rehydrate
-Spark
-Meal Replacement Shakes

I eat 5-6 small meals, mostly protein/veggies/fruits and complex carbs.  Like I said the other day though, I have my moments where lunch has been a glass of wine and a brownie.  (When Joe is here, not when I'm alone with the kids! ha) but really, I don't suggest that as an every day thing.  But I am just trying to keep it real and be honest.

And Monday?  Yesterday? It was a downright doozie.  It was super hot and the kids were just off.  I think it's hard because we come off Sunday of family time and then Joe's out the door at 8:10…and not home last night until 10.  It. Was. Long.

We went grocery shopping in the am, and then tried to stay inside and play, but after dinner I had to breathe some fresh air.  Brooke and her wild and crazy curly blonde hair...

So many mixed emotions with two littles.  I just want to give them the best of me, all the time, and I know that is just not possible. I am human and they are needy, so I really just need to learn to breathe and be content with what I can do for them.  I can't physically rock the baby to sleep and put Brooke down at the same time, shocking right?? Bed time is the hardest…they both crash around the same time and I'm trying different things like Brooke first, then Bradley or Bradley first then Brookie….but I just haven't quite figured out that piece of our daily puzzle yet.

This one is still spitting up a ton…all day long.  Happy chucker I guess is what you'd call it, but it's still a lot of puke for anyone to deal with and a lot, and I mean A LOT of laundry.  Since he's trying to crawl, he seems to be spitting up more and more.  But he's a happy dude, so I hope it'll pass…I read maybe by the time he is 1 and walking??  But it's super frustrating to give him a bath, have him nice and clean, feed him a bottle, have him almost asleep and then puke all over himself.  Doesn't make for a fun evening.

I was for sure in a straight up mommy funk yesterday and didn't like myself very much.  I feel a lot better today and tried to set my intentions for the day and count all my blessings when I went on a small walk with Holly.  I try to focus on the fact that nothing is terribly wrong and that a lot of mommas are waaaaay to hard ourselves and we just need to remember we are doing the best we can.  I have two healthy beautiful children, and my husband and I are in good health *knock on wood* and we have a lot to be grateful for.  Sometimes in the 4 walls of your home, I think you can become a little stir crazy and I know that I start to compare myself to all the pinterest perfections out there and the reality is, life is never picture perfect…there are times it is messy and we are vulnerable and it's OKAY!! We need to just recognize our inner voices and let that come out in some form.  For me it's writing, so I even put pen to paper yesterday and poured my thoughts out…something I had not done in awhile. Things I don't really want to share with anyone, other than my husband, but sometimes they need to be voiced.  

I am so grateful for friends too…other mommas who just get it.  The day in and day out of mom life isn't always sunshine and roses, and if you're doing a good job, you probably think you aren't.   I found this article and shared it with a friend who is toddler/baby mom…I thought maybe others would maybe find it useful too.  <here>

What do you do when you feel like you're in a funk? How do you snap yourself out of it?

"I Write, therefore I am"

I just needed to feel my fingers bang out some words on this here, old keyboard.  It has been far too long and I may not be able to "physically escape" my surroundings, as the kids nap, but I can at least escape with my mind!!

It is an absolutely gorgeous day here in the 585. I am hanging ever so tightly to these high 80 degree days as I know that the "S" word is right around the corner.  In fact, Fall is trying to make its entrance as I type because a mum is side eyeing me as I sit and type this!! Life is good around these parts.  Nothing terribly awesome or terrible happening.  We are BUSY in the season of baby and toddler--I won't go into too much detail but potty training is not easy folks, and well, baby brother is teething. So my lunch today revolves around a cup of vino and brownie.  Judge me, I dare!!  I keep taking deep breaths and reminding myself "it's only a season" but some of these seasons are far more challenging than others.

I get these grandeur ideas of what I want to accomplish in my 24 hours in a day and well, let's just say by the time I get Brookie into bed, I become a couch zombie and am lucky to have a halfway decent conversation with the hubs.  It's all good though, as I know that we'll get back into another routine (read solid naps/sleep) and then I'm sure something else will happen.  Because you see, when you have two littles, one won't really sleep well, unless the other is..um, asleep. Shocking?

Baby boy will be 7 months tomorrow and I am so behind on his updates, but I do hope to share all that he is up to.  He has a tooth.  ONE TOOTH already.  Gosh, I am really not ready for all this yet but at the same time, I am.

Holly spent the week at my sister's which was actually really nice.  I wasn't yelling at her to not lick the baby (or his spit up) and yes, I know that gross, which is why I yell!  Or worry about someone walking by and her barking/waking them up.

Today was a simple Sunday and yet special because Joe is OFF all day and we went out to breakfast. We NEVER go out to breakfast, mainly because I make really great meals and because who wants to get out of the house early? But we did and baby boy slept, so we ended up driving around and checking out our new land again.  Breakfast was amazing and I definitely will want to do that again.  The kids were pretty good considering their ages.

So, with a sliver of summer left, I am hoping to knock a few more things off my unofficial bucket list:

• Splash pad with the kids at least one more time
• S'mores in the backyard fire pit
• Beach
• Museum of play (because I bought the membership---I want to use it!)
• Grill on the charcoal
• Host a little party
• Just be outside as much as possible

For myself, personally, I need to get back into working out again. I did SO well before my birthday but I just can't find a rhythm.  I am actually feeling really great in my skin, eating mostly healthy but enjoying life and food because, summer.  I am SOOOO happy I have AdvoCare products to help me just enjoy small indulgences, and not ever feel super guilty about those choices.  Seriously, I think I am smaller now that I was in 2009 when we went to Vegas the first time (the photos popped up on my TimeHop) and back then I was most likely trying to "diet"….I guess that the 80/20 really does work and everything in moderation.  

And since it's summer, just say YES to wine.  I will love all that Fall will bring but for now, let the sun shine and the cold drinks pour!   {and then we can move to reds at a room temperature haha!}

I hope that if you are reading this, you are living in the moment, loving on yourself, and focusing on all that is good and well.  Life will never be perfect, but it's how we enjoy each moment that matters.

xo

Cheers!

Banana Blueberry Bread and Randoms!

Yup. I still have to finish documenting our vacation, but life just keeps happening. Crazy how that works out?!  I was looking through my photos and decided I needed to break down "what's going on in ma life" currently.

I've been wanting to share this yummy Giada recipe--it's one of my faves and seriously is so good with a cup of tea, or coffee, or just by its lonesome.

Banana Blueberry Bread 

Brooke approved!

My little man.  He has my heart and boy, has he been a little tricky lately!  Waking up randomly, crying a bit more…not sure if it's the teeth or what, but boy is not always a happy dude.  So we snuggle and take selfies.

Legit, this is how I get him to sleep sometimes. It's like he wants to stay awake and hang out but he is SO overtired he has a hard time falling asleep. I *think* we are getting back on track, but man last week was a rough one with his routine!



Dream homes.  Hubby and I have a new hobby: it's collecting ideas for our new home.  Sure we have a few years before anything really starts being built, but it is SO fun to toss around ideas and really look at architecture.  I've never really took notice of things before, and now we can go on drives and really look for details we love.

Joe was sick with Crohn's last Mon/Tues so that meant he lost his day off. :(  He had to work Friday because it was the last day of the month, and it's hard always doing stuff by myself, but I just made it happen and took the kids to the zoo.  Brooke had a ball, and although we didn't stay too long, it was something to get out of the house and see what's out there.

We came home and had a picnic on the front yard. You would think I let her eat candy; she was jumping up and down and all excited to have a picnic.  You forget how much the little things mean to them.

My husband does a lot of business with a certain bank through work, so we were so fortunate to get to go to a baseball game Saturday night! We got to sit in the box and Brooke had a ball.

She even got to go down to the field and switch out a plate with one of the other little girls. So much fun!  I can't wait til baby boy is bigger and he can come along and they'll be running around together.

Today was Brooke's first day of "mini camp" at the Y.  She just goes MWF from 9:30-11:30 and it's Zoo week! (Good timing!)

She made a Cheetah, zebra and tiger.

I think this has got to be my favorite.  It's a simple collage, but the picture of the bacon and chicken wings cracks me right up! We may have a mild bacon and chicken wing obsession over here. Joe grills the wings and they're so good! Brooke can eat a ton.  And bacon? Well, who doesn't love bacon??

I am proud to announce that THIS will not be happening this month.  I am on day 4 of no online shopping in August.  It may sound silly, but really…it's all too easy to enter in the credit card and click purchase. With the new house on our horizon, I really want to be more mindful of our spending.  It's so tricky to shop with kids, so I know that real life shopping is not a concern, virtual shopping however?  Yeah.  I love a good challenge!

And that, my friends, is all that I've got!! How is your August so far?

Glasses

Whether you're looking for prescription glasses or even some fun sunglasses, Firmoo has something for you!  As per their website, "World's Most Popular Online Eyeglass Store - VISION & FASHION THE FRUGAL WAY."



I received my glasses in a timely manner, in this sturdy little case and was pleasantly surprised at how light, yet durable these are!

I was able to pick out something with a little design on the side, which gives it a little pop of something extra!  They have so many different styles to choose from, there is certainly something for everybody's style.

I am currently lusting after a pair of their fun and trendy sunglasses.   The fun blue ones? Yes please!! The price won't break the bank, I am sure they will last through all my fun summer adventures.  Check out their site for some great deals!

*All of these opinions are my own.  I was sent a pair of glasses to review.