That Time I Took Isla to Disneyland

Originally for Isla's birthday, I asked her if she would rather have a party or go do something fun as a family and she was torn. I loved how much thought she put into it, making pros and cons lists. Then I found out her best friend was going to Disneyland the week after Isla's birthday. It was a girls trip, so I decided to ask if Isla and I could tag along and see if Isla would be interested in doing that for her birthday. It was a yes for both. 

Meeting friends and having just Isla at Disneyland was such a different experience. It was so relaxing and fun and we managed to go on so many rides and do so many things. It was quite the stress free and fulfilled day. And it really was something special, getting to just focus on Isla. 

^^ I rode on the tea cups and it was literally the worst decision of my life. I probably looked like a nut, but I was trying so hard not to throw up. NEVER again, never again.

Isla and I left about 6pm, so we could drive home that night. Isla didn't want to miss school the next day. And honestly, getting at the park right when it opened and staying until 6pm was just perfect. We got to go on so many rides in the first couple hours before the park got too busy. And leaving at 6pm was leaving on a high, rather that a tired low. It was just the perfect day that I hope Isla will be able to remember.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Celebrating Isla

Isla turned eight on Sunday and we had a fun weekend celebrating her. On Saturday, I took Isla and her best friend Amelie shopping at the mall. That was quite the experience! The girls enjoyed themselves and definitely enjoyed looking at EVERYTHING. They ended up getting matching dresses and sweaters, matching dangly earrings and matching necklaces. Now they are all set for their upcoming twins day at school. 

On Sunday, Isla's actual birthday, we had out families over to celebrate. Isla said it was the best birthday ever because she had two cakes. I had let her pick one out at the store on Saturday, then her and my dad made one together. Isla was also pretty jazzed because she got a lot of cash for her birthday from her grandparents and aunts and uncles. It was burning a hole in her pocket and she immediately wanted to go to Target to spend her money, but so far, I have held her off. 

Now this coming weekend, Isla gets to go to Disneyland with Amelie. She gets to do that instead of a birthday party this year. It should be fun because it's just me and Isla tagging along with Amelie, her sister and her mom. A fun girls day! 

Eight years sure did go by fast!!! In case you too want to walk down memory lane, here is Isla's birth day in photos. And her first birthday, third birthday and fifth. I have a picture of her blowing out her candles at her fifth birthday party hanging in our house and it always makes me smile. It's just one of those pictures that is so Isla. Time, man. It really is a thief.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

Connor's birthday party

We had Connor's birthday party on his birthday at Rockin Jump. It was his choice. And I have to admit, walking away from the mess made me feel like it was a good choice! It really was a good party and a good group of kids and Connor said it was the best night of his life, so I would call that a huge win. We practically had the place to ourselves. No joke, there were only three other people there and they were only there for part of the party. It made it perfect for the kids to be able to run and do what they wanted. It also made it perfect that we could let Callum jump without really having to supervise him (I mean right on the trampolines with him, obviously we were standing close watching), since it was so empty. 

After an hour of jumping and playing, we headed to the party room. Everyone ate pizza, then finished off with cupcakes. Just like myself, Connor doesn't exactly like being sung happy birthday to, but he handled it like a champ. When it came time to presents, all the kids were literally huddled around Connor. Like huddled so tight the parents couldn't even watch. It was the year of the nerf gun and Connor got six. He was thrilled and proceeded to test them all out in our backyard the next day. 

After presents, it was time to pack up and head home. Of course, by this time, it was bath time for all three of my sweaty tired children! It was a really good time celebrating Connor. 

^^ His party doing a dodgeball game together

^^ All the kids from the party. Notice Callum over on the side. He couldn't be bothered to stop jumping for a photo! 

And just like that, the boy who made me a mom is eight. He was celebrated at school with doughnuts on his birthday and his party was that evening. So his birthday was definitely one jam packed with celebration.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

Isla's Birthday Party

After going to a main-pedi party for a girl in her preschool class last year, Isla chose to have a mani-pedi party herself. It was a really sweet time, and was super simple for me, given I didn't have to decorate at all or even do any games! I brought doughnuts for the girls to enjoy while the others were getting pampered, as two girls went at a time. Then, when the last two girls were being done, Isla opened her presents.I started to say super simple again, but have you ever seen six little girls pick out a color for their nails? It's serious business, I tell you. One that involves a lot of mind changing, a lot of looking and perhaps even some dropping of bottles on the ground. Isla ended up going with pink sparkles, which most of the girls ended up getting sparkles of some sort. It's popular, I tell ya! The girls laughed, they giggled, they bounced around and talked about crazy things. Isla really enjoyed herself, and for that, I am thankful.

^^ The salon brought out Isla a little cupcake and everyone sang her happy birthday while she was getting her toes done. 

I leave you with what may be the cutest video of all time...Isla squealing with laughter as her feet are being scrubbed because it tickles. 

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

Connor's Half Birthday

Besides Sunday being mother's day, it was another big (cough, cough) day in our house...Connor's half birthday. Remember, it was my brother that so kindly introduced my children to half birthdays, a detail I won't soon forget!

For Connor's half birthday, I went along with the same thing I did for Isla - one small toy and one fun candy. I got Connor a kit that you break apart and look for stones in. It was cool and the kids really liked it, but I think all three of us were a bit disappointed that there was only one stone in the whole bar. The packaging makes it seem like there are three. Oh well, I was duped. Connor loved his candy. Isla cried the whole time he was eating it because he wasn't sharing with her and it wasn't "fair". The whole thing was rather entertaining.

I also gave Connor half of a birthday card. Since last time Isla didn't realize I cut the card in half, this time I cut the card in half lengthwise, making it more obvious. When Connor realized the card was cut in half, he got a kick out of it. It was cute seeing his reaction.

All day long, Connor reminded people it was his half birthday. These little things like this really are fun to celebrate.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest 

A Weekend in San Francisco

 

Ian and I just got back from spending the weekend in San Francisco. We practically ate our way through the city, fully enjoying being kid free. We stayed at a pretty dang awesome airbnb in the heart of the city (complete with a rooftop patio!) and managed to score street parking right in front of the building...which is pretty much unheard of for San Francisco and saved us major money in parking fees. Not ones to plan anything in advance, we pretty much planned our adventure as we went along.

We hit the road close to lunch time on Saturday and stopped for lunch on the way. We got settled into our airbnb and figured out our next move...which was shopping for the birthday girl! Ian got to be the guy sitting on the couch in the changing room of anthropologie, while I tried on far too many pieces of clothing...which I never do, so totally loved. It's amazing how much more pleasurable experiences like trying on clothes can be when you don't have kids screaming at you and places to be.

Knowing we had a late dinner reservation, we decided to grab some coffee at Blue Bottle, then eat ice cream before dinner. I would like to note that at coffee a random stranger made my day when she stopped to tell me how much she liked my hair. And it was sort of ironic because I just read about how we all need to complement people more because everyone likes a compliment. And I can say from personal experience, it's so true!

Then we decided to walk the mile + to our next destination, Steep Creamery. On the walk, Ian brought up the time I was huge and pregnant with Isla and he wanted to go to a coffee shop "just up the street" in San Francisco and we walked and walked and walked some more and never found the coffee shop. And I was exhausted and huge and pregnant. Anyway, we walked down that very street.

After ice cream, we decided to take uber back to our apartment. We had never taken uber before and were ridiculously excited about it. We did a "pool" ride and I was completely entertained by the people that got in and out on our two mile journey, not to mention that the ride was cheaper than taking the bus. 

Then we hung out for a bit before heading to an upscale pizza place around the corner from our apartment. Which, can I say that the pizza literally had the best tasting crust I've ever had, and I'm not normally a crust gal. 

Sunday morning, we went to Mr. Holmes Bakehouse which just happened to be right around the corner from where we were staying...we seriously stayed in the best spot ever. They are apparently known for their "cruffin", but neither Ian or I were impressed by it. But the churro croissant, I would wait in that long line for that thing any day! It was amazing. And the California croissant was basically sushi for breakfast and mighty tasty. 

Anyway, we got our pastries to go and took them back to the rooftop patio of the apartment we were staying at. It was super quiet and had beautiful views. It kind of felt like a dream, or being in a movie, being up there. 

Then we packed up and headed to Treasure Island Flea. I was excited about this because I've always wanted to go on Treasure Island and because I heard the flea was fun. It was an enjoyable time, that included me drinking coconut milk right out of a coconut and picking up some random goodies. On our way out, we stopped to enjoy the breathtaking and windy view of the city. Then it was back to home and real life. 

Now, I'm going to warn you, there are a lot of pictures. But I like pictures. I think they do a good job of telling a story. 

^^ My cappuccino was so freaking hot and I kept burning my lips every time I tried drinking it for a picture, which ended up with this picture that Ian posted on instagram. 

^^ The view from our apartment...which basically was all windows on the front. I totally dug it. And I may have gotten more enjoyment than one should watching people look our their windows of the hotel in the distance.

^^ On the roof of our airbnb

^^ Every single picture I took at the Treasure Island Flea was of succulents. I guess it's where I'm at right now ;) I did buy myself some natural deodorant from one of the vendors to try, so there's that too.

If you made it all the way through, well done. Aren't pictures fun, though?!

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest