Beaching It!

We are still at the beach. It took us a few days to get in the groove but we have had a terrific trip. See y'all soon!

Five on Friday!

Another week come and gone . . . this one was a doozie for us but today is going to be a great day!

Batique: Evie is quite imaginative these days. Sometimes she plays factory. Other days she opens a bakery during her rest time. Yesterday, she worked in her "batique." It was adorable and I gladly "batiqued" with her. She kept saying "batique" this and "batique" that turning a noun into a verb. Evie is really good at turning nouns into verbs! Her "batiquing" makes quite the mess!

 

Pizza: Henry has begun a love affair with pizza. He eats it all the time and I am just glad to find something that he really likes to eat that has a high calorie base. Henry had his 2 year old check up this week and I was startled to find out that he is in the 3-5% for his height and the 20% for his weight. I was so shocked that I just started laughing - it seemed so crazy. Our pediatrician is very down to earth and immediately reminded me that at 25 pounds Henry is at the 20th percentile but if we was 28 pounds then he would immediately move to the 50th percentile. 

Lost Keys: One of the crazy things of the week is that I lost my keys at Costco crossing the path to get in the store. Henry kicked off his shoe - I bent down to pick it up and my keys fell. UGH! It was not fun trying to find them in the heat with two kiddos. They still have not been turned in and new keys with all their magic are quite expensive. Evie has been telling everyone that I am using my "ballet key." Love that girl! Courtney came to rescue us from Costco - thank the Lord for good friends like her!

Waking Up is Hard to Do: I have been feeling completely frazzled this summer and not getting much done. I miss the schedule of school! Someone suggested that I try waking up 1-2 hours before my kids to get my quiet time and exercise done plus mark a few household duties off my list. I woke up at 5:45 without an alarm clock and have accomplished more before 9 than I do in an entire day when I wake up at 7 with my kids. It's worth a try anyway! Do you wake up before your kids? School starts one month from today so my routine will be back soon!!!

Tracy Anderson: You either love her or hate her. Maybe you do not even know who she is but I am loving her these days! Her exercise videos are so hard but results are visible quickly. It's harder for me to get to the YMCA in the summer because it is a workout just to drop off the kids. I love getting my exercise done right here in the comfort of my living room. There are lots of her videos on YouTube to get you started. Taking care of this at home leaves more time for trips to the pool! That's way more fun.

Henry's Choo Choo Party!

Henry is enthralled with trains so it was fitting to have a choo choo birthday party for him. He had a ball and thought it was super cool to wake up from a nap to see a train in the driveway.

It was a monsoon for several days before the party but the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day for a party. Party planning is fun for me but then the details get lost as the event looms. I quickly began crossing ideas off my list without implementing them.  We had popcorn, "rail mix" and punch outside. Healthy options were inside and I brought them out as people did not even come in the house.It was the easiest birthday party that I have ever hosted! We are so fortunate to have such sweet friends to celebrate special occasions with. Henry loved having his friend Abigail from school and all of his regular playgroup friends. He's always happy to play!

Cupcakes were from Harris Teeter and they were delicious. Henry even had two. His little friend, Mahalee snuck him an extra one. 

The train was from D&H Railroad in Mt. Juliet. Howard was so easy to work with and did a fantastic job with the kids. 

Invitations were from Sweet Birdie's Nest. Decorations and paper products were from Shop Sweet LuLu. Both companies are amazing and have excellent customer service. Favors were little train shaped soaps from Etsy. I cannot remember her information right now but I really liked her and she was quick and a perfectionist. I will use her again!

It was a fun afternoon celebrating our sweet boy! Can't believe that he is 2 and wish that I had more pictures to share from his party. We were too busy living in the moment to capture the moment.

I told Carl right before the party began that next year - his party is going to be at Chuckie Cheese but already the wheels are turning. Red and blue decor is just so easy for a July birthday. Luckily, I have some time to think on it!

Choo Choo Henry is 2!

Dear Henry,

    You are 2 years old! How did this happen so quickly? It feels like just yesterday - you looked like this.

Now, you are 25 pounds of giggles and fun. You keep us laughing and on our toes. Everything is an adventure with you! You say every.single.word that we say. Often picking up on the last word that comes out. Conversations go like this.

Mommy: It's breakfast time. Let's have waffles.
Henry: waffles.
Mommy: Henry, do you want syrup?
Henry: syrup
Mommy: Sit down at the table and I will bring you breakfast.
Henry: breakfast.
Mommy: Henry, you are so messy!
Henry: messy

It's so cute to hear you mimic the last word that you hear. You are putting two words together more and more - "my drink", "more please", "choo choo show." We adore hearing your sweet little voice.

You love books, doughnuts, mickey mouse and trains. Everyday those items are your main concerns.

TV has become much more popular too. You will sit and watch a show without moving. That's a nice change for Mama!

Getting you dressed is always amusing. I'll ask you if you'd like a suit or shorts. Usually, you say suit - I am so glad you like those little jon jons and bubbles because they look adorable on your sweet little legs.

This is going to be a big year for you, Henry! You will grow and change into a big boy. You will learn to use the potty, go to a big boy preschool and you will begin to make your own friends. Evie became a Big Sister when she was 2.5. Don't worry you are not getting a baby this year. 

I remember thinking that Evie was such a BIG girl at this age but I think of you as a baby. You will always be my baby even when you really are a BIG boy. Perspective in parenting changes everything.

Can't wait to celebrate you turning 2! Happy Birthday, Henry.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Goodness Gracious Goats

We went to Noble Goat Farm this morning and had a blast! It's a beautiful drive out in the country and it is so important to show our kids early how food gets on the table. I found out about the farm from a friend and immediately thought it would be a fun trip for the Moms Club.

We were fortunate to have a cool, beautiful morning! Evie and Henry were thrilled to meet the goats that produce the goat cheese that we purchase from the Farmer's Market.

Evie really enjoyed herself while Henry preferred to spend the morning on my hip as we made our way down muddy paths to see the horses. We even met a brand new baby goat that was just born yesterday afternoon. How's that for a newbie?

My favorite part was the tasting time and Evie really liked the cherry berry goat cheese. We bought a few cheeses for the house, washed our grimy hands, enjoyed some snacks and headed back to the suburbs. Not much better than a morning at the farm!

Weekend Wrap-up

Well, it was not our best weekend. Henry has impetigo and has been extremely fussy. Evie screams out every time he coughs, "Henry, please do not throw up." Then, she asks us if we think he is going to throw up. It's been wild! Hopefully, with some new antibiotic cream Henry is on his way to feeling better again.

We started our weekend out with a Friday night swim so Evie could show Carl all her new swimming skills. It's amazing how much she has learned in just 4 weeks of intensive swim lessons. We whipped up some shrimp pasta for dinner and called it an early night.

Saturday seems like a long time ago now but I am pretty sure we just stayed home venturing out with just Evie. Carl took Evie to the pool again - that's her new Happy Place. We had a little slip and slide action in the backyard. Henry was not so sure about this but Evie was all for flopping down on her belly racing into the water.

Another day at home for  Henry! Evie and I headed out to get Henry a birthday present. She chose a mister for him that connects to the garden hose. Pretty good present for a July birthday boy. We hit the library next and took a little side trip to the mall. Evie is infatuated with escalator and thinks it would be fabulous to have one in our home.

I decided to take him to the doctor late in the afternoon and he perked up right after that. Naturally, that would happen after a $20 co-pay. We deiced to venture out to the Sunday Night Concert at the park fully expecting not to make it more than one song with Henry. Of course, our little buddy surprised us and was as happy as a clam eating cookies and dancing to the music. I even spotted him dancing with a Big Girl - it was so funny and I wish that I had snapped a picture. Henry and Evie both love meeting new kids. We enjoyed hanging out with Stephanie and Jason and their boys eating yummy desserts. Carl loved the ban - Bicho Brothers - they were really good. I had fun dancing with Evie to Mustang Sally. Evie is just at the perfect age for fun! I remind myself all day that Henry will be 4 one day too. 

It was a late night but a fun night. Hope everyone had a terrific weekend.

Five on Friday!

 

I think we might have over done it this week! Just a tad too busy. Even Carl commented that we were too busy. None of us can decide what to cut though. VBS, camp, swimming lessons and just general life have been more than enough for one week. Next week, will feel like a cinch and a certain little boy will turn 2!

Feet Treat: Have you tried this amazing feet treat? Mix 1/2 cup of warm water, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup of Listerine  - the blue kind. A concoction likes this will give you soft feet that feel amazing! Of course, I found this on Pinterest and it's one of my favorite pins.

 

VBS: Evie has loved Vacation Bible School! It's been a great way to get to know people but it's been a major commitment since our church is not nearby. VBS is not like it used to be. Evie had colored hair, tattoos and a food truck served snacks. Lydia, is Evie's new best friend and she has even requested that Lydia be her new Mommy. YIKES! I was not expecting that at age 4. Our VBS theme was "Fun Fair" - another church along the way has the same theme and Evie suggested that she attend that VBS next. Environmental print is working it's magic on Evie.

Sciatica: I am having some trouble with my sciatic nerve and went to the chiropractor twice this week. Ouch, it really hurts. I am still not convinced of my treatment plan but completely convinced that it will not include a $4,000 treatment plan suggested my the chiropractor. 

Momastery: I have been thinking about meeting Glennon Doyle all week! Still cannot believe that I had the chance to hug her, praise her work and listen to her speak. What an experience! It's amazing the power that a mom can have on other moms. Glennon is really using her life to make a difference! It makes me wonder what I am doing to make a difference.

 

Swimming Lessons: We have a new swimmer in our family! Evie is swimming. We are so proud of her hard work and look forward to lots of swimming adventures. Hard-core lessons are what she needed - no coddling, rewards or fun games. Just basic skills to move from one end of the pool to another! Henry is thrilled that swimming lessons are not going to occur every.single.afternoon.