Friday Randomness

It's rainy and cool here today, which is so rare for Texas. Actually, this entire summer has been super mild so far. We've reached high 90's for several days, but haven't seen 100 yet--what's up with that?! And the night's have still been gorgeous--as in, you could actually take a walk or sit outside and feel a beautiful breeze. Normally, it's 97 degrees and humid still at 8:00pm, so this has been such a nice, refreshing break!

A little Friday randomness for you...

Is it normal to find your 2 year old like this? Sitting in your sink, pumping the soap bottle and happily saying "bubbles! bubbles!"? Do all 2 year olds behave like this?

Brooke and I started a fun little project that is teaching her how to sew by hand. I am the worst seamstress ever, but I do know basic skills and want her to learn. A while ago, one of my sisters got her a kit to make a little princess doll. We started on it and it will be fun for her to have the finished product with the satisfaction that she made it!

We have not been to the library enough this year, but we finally went the other day. I can't believe I have a child going into second grade that is loving the books I did when I was that age! She's started into the American Girl series and reads a little at night before bed, just like her Mommy used to do.

Books are too boring for him when you can climb and stand on windowsills. Have I mentioned this child climbs on  everything and jumps off of everything?! He has no fear whatsoever, something he did not get from me. I'm a scaredy cat.

I love finding my childhood classics to read to my kids! Do you guys remember any of these?

Someone started sleeping in a big boy bed this week, but it didn't go over too well at first. At not even 2.5, he's my youngest by far to be in a bed. I usually don't let them out of the crib until after 3, but it just felt like it was time. Not to mention the small fact that he was taking off his diaper in his crib and peeing out through the slats. So yeah, there was that.

After hugs and snuggles from daddy...

...All was well! His little feet did come pattering down the stairs at about 4am yelling "GUYS! IT'S DARK! GUYS! IT'S DARK!" A few snuggles later, he was tucked back in by daddy and has done great ever since.

Speaking of books, remember Corduroy? That was a favorite for sure. The corduroy bear that quotes the whole story in the cutest voice ever has resurfaced recently and they will sit and play it over and over. Quiet time abounds.

 And speaking of quiet time, them laying there together, her reading to him, amidst their toy "House" (because obviously that's not a mess) was the sweetest thing ever. 

Have you seen the newest style? Diaper and a blow up Dollar Tree lifejacket. You're welcome. When you catch on, you have Nathan to thank for setting the newest trend.

Happy Friday!

The Joy of Reading

It's been way, way too long since I've gone to the library. As in, my almost 2 year old has never stepped foot in one. I finally took the kids last weekend and we had a great time. Other than the fact that Joey is way to LOUD to behave how you are supposed to in a library, which is pretty much how you should act at a catholic funeral. Yeah, that wasn't happening. 

Brooklynne, however, was the perfect little library poster child.

Then the train came by outside, which was quite a highlight of the day!

See? Sweet Girl.

Believe it or not, he sat for 3 seconds to read "Skippy Jon Jones." 

I love them. The little joys of my life!

I plan on making library trips a tradition--the way I grew up. It's great that I can get books too-- I love to read and haven't done it much in the last few years. I am excited about that changing now. :) Who are some of your favorite authors?

Sub's, Swimming and Sunset's

I may start to make it a tradition to spend a lot of my summer's up north. The weather is gorgeous, I have my own apartment at my parents, I get free babysitting and tons of fun with my family. Only one monumental part of my life is missing when I'm here--my husband--which makes it bitter-sweet. Sweet because I did get to spend almost 2 weeks with him here, and sweet because when he leaves I'm almost too busy to focus on how much I miss him. Bitter because I do miss him. A lot. And thus is the life of a girl living 2000 miles away from family.

Anyway, this month has been filled with lots of fun memories, like orange popsicle's dripping down chubby cheeks and a chubby belly... 

My daughter, playing all day long with her aunts who are 3 and 5 years older than her. They are inseparable and best friends. 

A trip to my favorite grocery store, Wegmans, for fresh fruit and snacks. Because I miss it and because I must show my children what they are missing out on life. Texas grocery stores just do not compare.

While I was at Wegman's I bought a sub, because they are really the best around. Here was the end of mine before I thought to get a picture. When I go home I will mourn that I can no longer shop at Wegman's and no longer get good subs.

What would summer memories be without swimming? We look like Indians, all brown from the sun, our skin is dry from chlorine and our hair is suffering...but that is what summer is all about.

I think the best memory of him from this summer will be him in his diaper all day long. Between being in and out of the pool all day and the heat, it's easier to keep him this way. And little babies in diapers are just plain adorable, if I do say so myself!

Crispy, delicious green apples are my best friend these days. Pregnancy is making me crave cold and fruity things and these apples are perfect. Yum.

Brooklynne has loved the huge trampoline and jumps and jumps and jumps on it when she's not in the pool. I have been banned from jumping with her because I bounce her too high, thus creating meltdowns, complete with tears and genuine sadness. So I snap pictures instead, and when she's not on, I jump and laugh and squeal like a little girl. ;)

And meals like this...plums, strawberries, pita chips with roasted red pepper hummus and a boiled egg? This makes a pregnant lady very happy. That meal was a beautiful memory right there.

Ahh....reading! I've actually had time to read this summer! It's been wonderful. Soaking up the sun on the deck while reading a really good book...Heaven. My Mom is the one who gets some awesome books from the library and my sisters and I all fight over them. And talk about the characters as if they were our long lost friends.

This summer has been full of breezy nights on the deck, talking and snacking and hoping against hope that the mosquito's would stay away.

And this one is probably my best memory of this summer--my adorable little nephew. He is so calm and chill and let's me take lots of pictures of him.

Sisters and summer. Is there anything better?

The sunset's here are phenomenal. I have a lot of pictures on my camera of them, because almost every day ends with a gorgeous view like this one. 

Happy Summer.

My Favorite Time of Day

Mornings can be pretty crazy. Breakfast, devotions, cleaning, laundry, breaking up 1 and 4 year old's arguments, lunch prep--normal daily Mommy stuff. Naps are usually around 1, so after we have lunch and clean up we head  upstairs to read before I lay them down. It is one of my favorite times of the day. We lay on my bed and the kids bring in the stack of books and we choose a few to read. Joe Joe doesn't stay still for very long--he climbs all over, reads books to himself and throws them on the floor. Brookie is calm and quiet and lays very still, listening to every word. They are so different from each other but I love them for their differences. It's a few minutes out of the day that I get to relax, unwind a little and enjoy my sweet babies.

 I've tried a few times to take self-portraits with my phone and this is about the best I got.I love it and I'll cherish this memory of us reading together forever.