Hello Spring!

We welcomed spring into our 'hood yesterday with some rain. Unfortunately that rain only happened at night...such a disappointment. I was looking forward to taking the kids out and dancing in it. sigh.

Fortunately, we have been taking advantage of the springish weather the past couple weeks and spending time outside everyday has become a part of our routine. It happens in the afternoon, after nap time, in case you care to know. And it has been happening in the front yard. Connor refuses to go into our backyard (or playroom, for that matter) because of our neighbor's dogs. But that deserves, and will get, a post of its own at some point.

Where was I? Oh yeah, spring, outdoor time, playing in the front yard...

Basically how things have been going down is I take the kids outside to play. Connor stalks spots one of our neighbor's out playing, either the kids across the street or the jr. higher next door and is off the play with them. That leaves me and Isla playing in the front yard all by our lonesome. I know she would rather be playing with the big kids. She lets me know by pointing and squawking. She's not big enough for that freedom yet. So she is stuck playing with her 'ole mom.

I swear, the sun on your face can fix just about any problem...at least until I go back inside and see my sink full of dishes.

Today I noticed one of our blueberry plants have blooms. So excited for the blueberries in our yard and the ones we will go out and pick.

Aww, spring...I am pretty sure you are my favorite season.

Just Sayin'

"I don't know why I have trouble falling asleep at night", says the girl sipping on a trenta iced coffee at 9:30pm. 

Motherhood

from Pinterest

One thing I have had to do over the years is learn not to compare. It's easy to look at people, especially the persona people put on, and compare lives. And this never leaves me feeling great. Or, if it does leave me feeling great, that greatness would come with guilt because really is it ever good to feel better about yourself at the expense of someone else?

As I learned not to compare and care more about myself and how I was doing, rather than what people were thinking, a game changer happened. I became a mother. In motherhood, absolutely every-single-freaking-thing seems like a comparison and it gets old. Real old, real fast.

I'll let you in on a little secret. Most of us moms out there are doing what we find best for our children. But for some reason, we also think what is best for our children and our families is best for everyone else too. That is where the problems come in. The comparisons. Oh, your 17 month old isn't sleeping through the night?! Mine has been sleeping through the night since 6 days old. Um, well good for you.

When these conversations happen (which, um, is quite frequent on the mom circuit) I try to remind myself, and other moms who I can tell are feeling beat up by it all, every kid has their strengths and their weaknesses. And except for those moms out there that are lying even to themselves, raising kids be hard ya'll...for every single stinkin last one of us.  

Since I have been around the block a time or two, I am realistic. Women are never going to just level the playing field and be honest all the time. We all want people to think we have it all together...or at least to not think we are completely falling apart. My advice? Find a posse. A group of gals you can be real with. The ones who won't judge when your kid is throwing bark at their kid and you are just too tired to do anything about it. The ones who won't judge when you open your car door to pull out your kids and it looks like you dumped a weeks worth of trash all over your car. The ones who won't judge when you are scrounging through the cupboards trying to make up a recipe for dinner because you just don't feel like dragging your kids to the grocery store. 

I'm so thankful for my posse. And anytime any of you want to just let it all hang out (literally), give me a call. I'd be happy to hang out while our kids beat up on each other...um, I mean, I would be happy to chat it up at a nice restaurant while our kids sit quiet and still.

Connor Got In!

We found out last week that Connor got into the preschool we wanted him to go to. This is pretty exciting. I know he is excited about it. He even talked to me about it today. It's a whole new adventure for all of us.

I haven't consistently gotten up in the mornings (like haven't set an alarm) in almost 4 years. All that will change come September. I have these grand ideas that I will get so much done while Connor is in school...all two days a week, for 3 hours a day. I know, not quite realistic. I also have some fears and sadness about letting go and letting Connor go to school. Again, I know, only two days a week. I am excited though. This kid is social and I can't provide for him all the socialization he craves right now, so I know this will be good. There is just something a little sad about thinking of my little man going to preschool. Then I think about how adorable he will look with a backpack on and smile. 

And if you haven't already entered, my giveaway for a Nuby tickle toes ends tomorrow. 

11/52

I tried taking some artsy pictures of me and the kids in a field this week with my new toy...lets just say there was nothing artsy about them. And I have discovered the problem with a wireless shutter remote is without someone behind the camera looking at the picture, it is incredibly hard to make what I want to happen in the picture, happen. Make sense? But I am acquiring quite the collection of outtakes and am thinking I just may need to share them soon. All of us could get a good laugh out of them.


This week:

• Though ants have taken over my house, I refuse to allow them to get comfortable. 

• Afternoon outdoor play sessions with the sun on our faces have been happening daily and is just pure bliss.

• Since the time change, both kids have been sleeping in until 9:30. Be jealous because it is amazing. 

• Isla's new favorite word is "puppy" and she repeats it over and over and over and over...

• I put Isla in sandals that squeak every time she takes a step. After a day, I removed the squeakers.

• Connor took one of Isla's hair clips and told me it was a "teeny, tiny phone", then proceeded to hold it up to his ear and have a conversation. 

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a Nuby tickle toes!


Also, it looks like google reader is going away...what's that about?! Anyway, if you want to keep following along, you can find me at bloglovin - Follow my blog with Bloglovin

What Isla Wore {four}

Isla told me she isn't super comfortable being a model, so we came to a compromise and I allowed her to sit for the photos.

Shirt: Baby Gap - hand-me-down

Leggings: Baby Gap 

Shoes: Toms - an amazing craigslist find

I bought those leggings Isla is wearing on clearance the week after I had her. Please hold while I wipe my tears and remember a tiny Isla...and that shirt was a hand-me-down. I like texting my friend pictures of Isla wearing her daughters clothes and make her remember when they were little. Me and babies, I am such a sap. 

The older Isla gets, the more fun I have dressing her. I think because it is less cumbersome to put things on a bigger human. Tiny babies are just hard to layer clothes on. Then a blow out happens and you have to change all those layers. It just doesn't seem worth it. Plus, when they can stand, they just look cuter in clothes. 

Oh, and even though Isla didn't cooperate with her little photo shoot, I did get a cute picture of her playing in the yard. She was wearing Connor's sunglasses. Every time they came off, she brought them to me to put back on. I hope this means she will actually wear sunglasses. Connor has never been a fan and I think little kids in sunglasses look adorable. 

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a Nuby tickle toes! 

Tickle Toes Hippo {Nuby Product Review & Giveaway}

It's hard to describe the tickle toes hippo without you being able to hear it laugh. Because it makes about the funniest (and creepiest) noise known to man. This said noise has certainly sucked my kids in. They think it is amazingly hilarious. 

Though I am not normally a fan of plush toys, especially the talking variety, I have to admit I was instantly won over by the tickle toes hippo. I think it has something to do with the amazing color of pink that it is. That and the laugh. The laugh actually sucked me in as well. 

After showing Isla once where to push to get the hippo to laugh, she had it down. Smart kid, right?! I produce geniuses, I tell you. But the hippo...this hippo has already saved a couple walks we were on and even came out at the park. Isla has become very fond of it. She likes to cuddle with it a lot. 

Don't want your son caring around a pink hippo? Nuby has you covered. They have several animals to choose from in their tickle toes line. In fact, they are giving one away to one of you! You are that special. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway



And in case you don't win your very own tickle toes, they are available for purchase at BuyBabyDirect, K-Mart, CookiesKids, Diapers.com and Amazon.

I did not receive any compensation for this post, although as part of the Nuby Mommy Blogger program I may receive items to sample or review. All opinions are my own and 100% honest. 

Connect with Nuby

www.facebook.com/nubyusa

www.twitter.com/nubyusa

www.pinterest.com/nubyusa

www.instagram.com/nubyusa