Leaving on a Jet Plane

We are headed to Paris, Edinburgh and London. A little adventure with the kids. Everything's booked. Everything's packed...two bags for two weeks, not too shabby if I say so myself. The kids are excited. I'm excited. Ian's excited. 

By the time you are reading this, Isla's first plane experience will be over. Yep, her first plane ride will be an 11 hour one. Go big or go home, right?! Or maybe we are just really stupid. The way I figure, it can really only go one of two ways, incredibly good or incredibly bad. And, well, I have had both those experiences flying with Connor. So, there you have it.  

I will probably be popping in on here and instagram from time to time. But, with the crazy data roaming charges and me being super cheap and not liking to pay for internet, who know's how often you will hear from me. 

Until next time...when hopefully I can make you insanely jealous with my amazing pictures from Paris...or maybe I will make you insanely glad you didn't take your kids on a long haul flight with my scary flight stories. Who knows how it will go?! That's why it's an adventure, right?!

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Three Cheers for Pumpkin Patch Season!

I get so excited for pumpkin patch season, it is almost like I was deprived as a kid or something. I certainly don't remember cool pumpkin patches when I was growing up. Either way, I love 'em now. I always go so much the workers remember me...that's either super embarrassing or super cool, depending how you look at it. I tend to say super cool ;)

My favorite local pumpkin patch (Dutch Hollow Farms) opened on Friday. With us heading out on vacation for two weeks, I knew I was going to miss some valuable pumpkin patch time, so was excited that they opened before we left. We were pretty much the only people there, so it was fun to run around and have the place to ourselves. 

The dried corn pit has always been a big hit with Connor and Isla and still is this year. But, Connor was super excited about the hay bale maze. It really is for young kids since you can see through it. But, I couldn't believe how much fun he had in it. He was running every which way and as soon as he would find his way out, he would run back in again.

^^ Connor fake eating the dried corn

But, the best part was the animals. A baby horse took a liking to Isla and had a staring competition with her. Isla put her face right up to the fence and the horse did it right back. It was super cute. Then, Isla picked up some hay and fed it to the horse. I couldn't believe it ate it right out of her hand! Or, maybe I couldn't believe that she was so calm about it. Either way, both kids stood there feeding the horse until I made them move on. 

 

^^ Look at Connor's face, as he is talking to the horse! 

^^ This is Isla's new cheese face

^^ Isla carrying some of our spoils. 

One of the best parts about our pumpkin patch visit is my porch is now all decorated for fall. So, it's a win, win for everyone. The kids had fun (of course, so did I!) and in turn, my porch is all decorated.

How about you, do you like going to the pumpkin patch?

 

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

39/52

Connor: Oh this kid! He has such a sweet, sweet smile...but makes you work for it. He loves school and being around other kids, but is starting to get a little shy, or as he would put it, "I shy when I want to be."

 Isla: My girly girl. She convinced my mom to buy her flowers. She looked at a bunch of different ones before deciding on the brightest pink ones there were. 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Isla Said What?!? {one}

Isla is talking so well now and is at the point that she is constantly saying funny things. Sure, she doesn't mean them to be funny. But the things kids say when they are just observing life are pretty dang funny. So here you go, the first installment of Isla said what?!?


I don't have a big nose, I have a tiny nose. 


Throwing her head and ponytail from side to side, "That make me so happy."


That is what I am talking about. 


The sun was in her eyes, "Stop, sun, stop!!!.....The sun is burning my eyes."


You have big boobies. I have little boobies. 


We don't want to sleep mama, we just want to little relax. 


Isla: "Where are my tap shoes mama?"
Me: You don't have any
Isla: "Awwww"


Oh no! Our car is all wet. We need to clean it. We need to clean it Mama. 

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Preschool Open House

We had both kids classroom open house on Monday evening. Not only do I do the drop off/pick up shuffle every day, but we also had the opportunity to do the open house shuffle as well, as both theirs were at the same time. Lucky for us, with the classrooms jam packed with other families, it isn't exactly a place that you want to hang out for a while anyway.

We started with Isla's class. We were given a list of things in her class she was supposed to show us. She did, but was more excited about taking home her art work than showing us the classroom. Whereas, Connor wanted to show us all the toys he got to play with last year in that class!

^^ Isla's beautiful creation is the bottom jellyfish. The girl loves to do arts and crafts and is always so proud of her creations. 

Next we hit up Connor's classroom which seemed really busy and chaotic. And, on top of that, Connor became super hyper as soon as we got to his class. He was running around, jumping all over the place and we couldn't keep up. After he showed us a list of things, he got to get a sticker from one of his teachers. That was literally the only time he calmed down and got serious. Apparently the kid likes rewards ;)

I am a sucker for all the art the kids come home with. I love having it adorn my walls. And it's fun to see the kids in their element for a bit. Of course, their favorite part was the cookies afterward and chasing their friends around all sugared up from the cookies!

I totally didn't plan it, but Connor was wearing the exact same shirt as he did to his open house last year! And we took separate pictures with the kids because they will have separate photo books of their year at preschool...and I totally planned ahead and thought of separate pictures. Kind of anal, I know.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Putt Putt Golf

We have been cooped up the last few days due to croup and just needed out of the house. While out running errands yesterday, I said to Ian "Lets do something fun" so to putt putt golf we went. We had never taken the kids before. It certainly was entertaining and chaotic. Isla was way more into it than Connor, which I thought it would be the opposite.

Both kids were not really wanting help from mom and dad. They preferred trying on their own, which included swinging the club around like a baseball bat and kicking other people's balls. Isla also liked putting her ball about an inch from the hole, then hitting it in. Then she would get really excited and cheer for herself.

Connor didn't even bother playing at most holes. But, he loved running around on the course, blocking Ian's ball from going in the hole and pushing his sister around. Such a good big brother.

^^ Look at that form! Ha, ha

And because you won't be able to resist the adorableness either, here is a little video of Isla golfing. 

I think I may wait a while before taking the kids putt putt golfing again. Or, maybe if we took them one at a time...you know, so then there aren't two clubs flying in the air at the same time! Who knew putt putt could be so dangerous! 

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

38/52

Connor: The baseball playing pirate! 

Isla: This girl just might end up being accident prone, like her mama. She got two bloody noses in less than a week! She was spinning around and fell flat on her face for one of them and tripped and hit her nose on a step for the other one. This is after all the tears and most of the blood were gone.  

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

One Room

The internet, especially pinterest, seems to be full of advice on how to keep your house clean. From cleaning schedules, to ways to fake a clean house. I have read it all. My favorite is the suggestion that it only takes 15 minutes a day to keep a house clean. Yeah, whoever wrote that must not have toddlers. I realize it's a season I am in. I clean and clean, then clean some more and by the time the kids are in bed, the house is still in disarray. Though, I promise you it truly is different messes than the ones I started the day with. But I have learned a way to keep my sanity with the mess still all there.

One room.

I make sure one room is clean in the evening for me to relax in. Generally, I focus on the living room. That way if the sink is full of dishes and the laundry (clean or dirty) is piled up, I can't see it from where I am sitting. All I see is a clean room that I get to relax in and not have to worry about the mess. It's a win in my book.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Fashion on the Fifteenth

While I keep hearing of people outside of California talking about it cooling off, I can't even fake that it is cool outside. The temps have been hitting triple digits. Thankfully, we will be getting some "cooler" (though still summer temps) weather by the end of the week. But, I guess it is still technically the end of summer, so sporting shorts still is allowed. I have to admit though, I am looking forward to wearing something besides shorts every day!

Shirt: Topshop

Shorts: Old Navy

Necklace: PacSun

Shoes: Target

Two things about this outfit are staples to how I dress. I like flowy tops. Especially with shorts. I feel like I am less uncovered or something. Also, I prefer long necklaces to short ones. I just think long ones look better on me and can dress up practically any outfit a bit. 

Isla wanted to have her picture taken as well, so I obliged. Her go-to fashion look is the layered look. Often times, she leaves the house with shorts topped with a skirt and a tutu or two on top of that. She also is very daring about the colors she mixes. For jewelry and shoes, she tends to go by the philosophy "the bigger, the better". Even with warm temps, she has been sporting boots a lot lately. 

Shirt: Carters

Dress: Target

Jewelry: 99 cent store...we are high class around here!

Shoes: Saltwater

Don't forget to head over to Two Cent Sparrow to check out Anna's cute outfit. I am always jealous of her Patagonia gear and her new vest does not disappoint! Even better yet, why not play along and post your own outfit post?!

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

From the Mouth of Connor {eight}

This kid! I tell you, he always has something to say. Then, there are the things he asks questions about. Sometimes they are so in-depth, or just things I don't ever think about, and they leave me stumped. Some of the things he says, I wonder where he picked it up. Other times, I guiltily know right where he learned it. That Connor, he is a cute kid with A LOT to say. Here are some of his recent funnies.


Are you kidding me?!


Cause that's how the cookie crumbles. 


That will take forever...that will take until I die. 


Stop playing with me sissy! I want to be lonely. 


Don't make Connor sad. 


Looking at Isla's poop, "Wow! She must have ate a ginormous food to make that big of a poop."


I have 10,000 energy. I'm never going to calm down until I get to Jesus. 


I not kidding. 


Why does McDonald's make food that is bad for you?

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

37/52

Connor: He is loving being back in school so much. He looks forward to going and loves being around other kids. And, he is learning stuff and full of questions at the end of the day, which I love.  

Isla: This sassy girl. She loves all things girly and being as messy as possible all at the same time.  

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Princess Isla

I've always been shocked at just how girly Isla can be. But recently, princess Isla has been born. I don't even know where she learned about princesses, as she has never seen any sort of princess movie. Maybe it is just in her dna. But, she saw a dress up dress and said "Mama, dress me like a princess." Boy are we in trouble!!!

The other day, we took the kids shoe shopping and it was quite the interesting experience. Connor wanted nothing to do with the experience. Isla, on the other hand, was living it up. As soon as we walked in the store, Isla made a bee line for the most ridiculous sparkly light up shoe on display. She grabbed it, went to a worker and said "I want this one." Yeah, it was cute and ridiculous all at the same time. But, she got her way and walked out with the most ridiculous sparkly light up shoes. We went into a couple more stores, then went to leave the mall. Isla started crying and fell to the floor. I picked her up and asked her what was wrong. She cried, "I WANT TO SHOP! I WANT TO SHOP!" Princess Isla indeed!

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

They CAN Play Together!

My kids have never been exactly what you would describe as loving siblings. And usually when I hear other moms bragging about how their kids are best friends or how loving and kind the older sibling is toward the younger, it elicits one of two responses - me wanting to vomit in the corner (because we all know those statements aren't true) or me wanting to lie to the other moms face and act as if my two sweet angels are also best friends that never fight.

Now I am all for talking my kids up. The thing is, sometimes we talk our kids up so much, it is as if we are trying to convince ourselves of the very thing we are saying. That is why I am all for the moms that will just be honest and admit that their kids fight. And, if yours don't, maybe you are just better than me (because God knows my brothers and I beat the crap out of each other growing up) and my kids. Unless you had a girl first. Girls are lovers and helpers, not the fighters that I have discovered boys to be...but sisters still fight, just not the same as a brother.

But, a corner has turned. My kids can now play together for like 10 minutes without fighting. Those 10 minutes are literally like slices of heaven to my mama heart. Watching them play, interact and even make each other laugh is just oh-so-amazing...even if it does end in a fight.

Hopefully this budding relationship will continue and by their teen years, they will be conspiring with each other, trying to hide things from mom and dad...or threatening each other for silence. Aww, siblings. They are the best, aren't they?!

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest