Disneyland

So on the kids first* trip to Disneyland, I totally forgot to take a proper family photo. All we have is this one instagram photo of the four of us. Oops!

We had a great time. I was totally wiped by the end of the day. I'm sure some of that was due to the fact that I wore a 27lb toddler for the last 2 hours, but whatever.

We started out the day in California Adventure at Cars land. I loved how much it actually looked like Radiator Springs. Of course, we never watch that movie, so the kids weren't super impressed. But anytime they got to play with any of the characters, there were super into it. Both of them would walk around the cars and check them out. Mater even wished Connor a happy birthday!

 ^^ This tractor ride was so much fun. Both kids enjoyed themselves. This is Isla was her grandpa.

Another good stop was A Bugs Life. Again, the kids don't know the characters from the movie, but they enjoyed the rides. And it worked out well because Isla could actually go on most of the rides.

 ^^ Connor and his uncle Trevor

^^ We got a good laugh because the kids loved these tractor seat benches so much and I literally had to drag them away from them crying. It's always the simple things in life for the kiddos!

 ^^ Though smiling in this picture, on every ride both kids would get super serious for the whole ride.

^^ Donald Duck was the only character the kids met. Isla wouldn't even get close. Connor wouldn't leave poor Donald alone. He was very curious.


I really couldn't have asked for a better day at Disneyland. The weather was perfect and the kids did great. While everyone else went on a bigger ride, I plopped Isla in her stroller and she fell asleep within a couple minutes of me walking around...and she took a two hour nap! And she woke up in a good mood! Connor went and went all day. He was happy and enjoying himself. Of course, we were always having to drag him to the next thing because he didn't want to leave the last. At the end of the night, we put him in the stroller to walk over to go see the fireworks. On the 5 minute walk there, he fell asleep. He slept through the noisy fireworks, through being transferred to the car, then carried in the house and proceeded to sleep all night long. He was one tired boy!

When my mom asked Connor about Disneyland, he said, "I rode on the monorail and saw McDonalds." Apparently that was the best part of Disneyland! Again, it's always the small things!




* I consider this both kids first trip to Disneyland even though Connor got to go to Disneyland Paris when he was 5 months old.

Going Out with the Girls

A few days ago I had the privilege of going out with a few of my friends. It isn't often that I get to go out (I sound like such a shut in) and was pretty excited. I knew I wanted to get out of my momiforn and feel good. And, well, I had an itch to try out a new top I recently got. So, here is what I ended up with...

I had an idea in my head of what I wanted to wear and ended up tweaking it a bit. I thought about wearing a longer necklace, but ended up with a short one instead. And I tried on three different blazers before deciding on this one. I actually haven't worn this blazer in a couple years, but enjoyed wearing it again so good thing I discovered it just as the season is changing!

After getting all ready, I decided I needed to wear some bracelets. I don't have much in terms of jewelry these days, but thankfully Isla stole some of my aunt's bracelets a couple weeks ago and they looked great with my outfit (so thanks for that Aunt Willa!). I added two bracelets I owned with color and viola, I felt all put together.

Oh, and I think I should go ahead and add that I WORE MAKEUP! For most this wouldn't be something out of the ordinary. For me, this is a big deal. Thankfully I didn't butcher it too much. And now for the complete look...

Shirt: Anthropologie

Blazer: Ben Sherman

Jeans: Madewell

Boots: from Scotland

Necklace: from a street vendor in San Francisco

I think I need to get out of my comfort zone and dress up more often. I think I need to have girls nights more often too!!!

Child's Play

I love watching my kids get lost in play. You know, those times when they lose sight of everything around them. They are in the zone. They don't even realize how much time has gone by. They just play.

I feel like I constantly have to direct my kids away from electronics. And the funny part is, once they begin to play, they completely forget about said electronics. But trying to get them to play is a whole other story! And this is the reason I have limits set about electronics in our home. 

Connor loves his legos. He especially loves the whole "good guy/bad guy" thing. And the little lego money. He really likes that too. Isla really likes Foofa, which is funny given that we never watch Yo Gabba Gabba. While we were on vacation earlier this year, we took the kids to a toy store and let them each pick out a toy. Isla chose Foofa and they have been friends ever since...and Foofa is totally all stained and gross, but such is life. 

We have been playing out on our front porch this fall. The afternoon sun on us is a welcome relief to the chill in the air. And I will take whatever fresh air we can get because I know soon enough we will be more limited in our outdoor play*. And sometimes that slight change of scenery is all the kids need to get their wiggles out. 

*We all know playing in the rain is like my all time favorite, so I can't wait for a good rain to come along! 

Halloween 2013

Given that celebrating halloween with kids is still relatively new to us, I still feel like we are finding what works for our family. And I personally think this year was a win. We took the kids to the church where Connor goes to preschool. They have a fall fair and it totally made me nostalgic because it was how my church did things when I was growing up. After that, we headed over to Ian's parents so they could see the kids and to eat dinner. Then back home for bed. 

 ^^ Believe it or not, this is the best picture I have of the kids together on halloween. Good thing it is pretty funny...and at least Isla is visible and smiling.

^^ Connor minion. He went back and forth throughout the evening with wearing and not wearing his mask.

^^ I decided to go with my idea of turning Isla's hat into her candy bag. It was easy and resulted in no meltdowns from anyone...though I still wish I could have gotten a picture of her wearing the hat.

At the fall fair there were all sorts of games, a hay ride, cookie decorating, face painting, a bounce house and a bounce obstacle course. Connor wanted to spend his time at the bounce obstacle course. Isla did as well, but there was no way it was age appropriate so I directed her toward the bounce house and she had a grand ole time.

The real win of the night was face painting. I didn't know if the kids would go for it, but decided to try. After selecting a flower, Isla refused to allow the girl close to her face, but held out her hand. And after getting one hand painted, then held out her other hand. It was pretty cute. She then proceeded to lick, yes LICK, the paint off her hands in the following few minutes.

Connor selected a cupcake and asked that the frosting be purple. He was very serious while the girl painted his face. He stayed still the whole time, which I wasn't sure he would. But the true joy came when Connor saw the cupcake in the mirror. He didn't want to stop looking at it. He was so excited. Even when we got to Ian's parents, Connor wanted to look at the cupcake in the mirror. And he proceeded to talk about that cupcake for days. That little cupcake on his face was definitely the highlight of his halloween.

If it's up to me, we will definitely be going back to the fall fair next year. The kids had so much fun and I enjoyed reliving my childhood a little.

Oh, and because I want to remember this, while we were at Ian's parents house, every time someone came to the door, Connor would run up to them and yell "trick or treat". It was uber adorable and showed that he still doesn't quite get the whole trick or treat concept. Maybe next year.

Car Travel with Toddlers

We have done a lot of car trips with our kids. Both kids have been on countless "little" (3 hours or less) trips and both have been on a couple "big" (1000 miles or more) trips. Along the way, we have learned a thing or two about traveling with toddlers. 

My number one rule is NO middle of the night travel. It has just never turned out well for us. Our kids don't sleep, they are tired, we are tired and everyone is downright miserable. For some reason, my kids will nap in the car but will not "go to bed" sleep in the car. So for us, if we are arriving anywhere later than 10pm, things start going down hill. 

The best way to make a trip go well is to be prepared with both entertainment and snacks. Let's talk snacks first. Since I have traveled with the kids (or in the case of this past trip, kid) alone a decent amount, I have discovered for snacks, it is best to have things that can easily be handed to the kids with one hand and don't make a big mess. 

Things like fruit snacks, apple slices, crackers and fruit pouches work well. And I always make sure to bring a lot of food for the car. Sometimes stopping right at a meal time doesn't work out and those snacks become a lifeline, literally. 

Now for entertainment. I either put a basket in between the kids and fill it with toys or pack each of them a backpack with toys. I always try to select things I know they are into and that will keep them entertained more than a moment. 

Books are the number one thing I pack because both kids enjoy looking at them. Then I usually bring other small toys I know they will like and can play with in the car. And let us not forget my secret weapon...the iphone. Hand either of my kids an iPhone and they are happy as can be. Unless it dies or it's past their bedtime (hence rule number one). But the iphone generally doesn't come out until I have exhausted all my other options...like singing loudly or starting a dance party. 

It's also important to bring something that makes the kids feel comfortable, like a blanket or stuffed animal. 

Once you hit the road, it's key to just go with the flow. If the kids are sleeping, we try not to stop because without fail, they will wake up. When traveling alone with kids, it's best to know of easy places to stop that are easy to navigate by yourself. Because there was this one time...think two kids, a mom with two hands and one hot cup of coffee. It didn't go well. Anyway, when we do stop, I try to give the kids a little time to stretch their legs and get some wiggles out before hitting the road again. 

I don't know if it is the luck of the draw or because we have traveled so much with our kids, but they really are good car travelers and for that I am thankful...because, well, my parents live 300 miles away! 

44/52

I swear these kids were in no way threatened or anything. They just chose not to smile for any picture I took with them. Their choice. Maybe, actually hopefully, next time they will crack a smile.


This week:

• Connor left the toilet seat up and I sat down without looking. It seems I need to train him a little...and double check before sitting down! 

• I love this video making its way around the internet. It's good for moms to know how much they are loved and appreciated. And this makes me realize I need to tell my own mom that more often. 

• After a busy week, the kids and I spent about half the day in our pjs on Friday and it felt amazing. 

• Isla has been obsessed with wearing both her hat (beanie) and jacket no matter the temperature outside. But she throws a fit if I don't let her and really, it just isn't a battle I feel is worth fighting. 

• There was an awkward moment at Starbucks with a man waving at me that was then followed by my friend showing her "beat down stick" and discussing using it if he got any closer. My friends are the best...and so entertaining. 

• I was once again reminded today that I hate daylight savings time. Early evenings suck. 

A Glimpse into the Life of Connor

I interrupt regularly scheduled halloween posts, to go a different direction...don't worry, you know pictures of my kids on halloween will be blowing up your bloglovin' feed before you know it!

At 10pm the other night, Connor was still up perusing his Lego catalog. 

Notice the smoke detector on his headboard. It is broken. But he is obsessed with it and every smoke detector he ever sees. 

Then there are the two little ceramic houses my grandma gave Connor. He likes her fancy ones, so she got him these ones. "See the little tiny door mama?" is what I hear in my head when I think about those. 

And the milk that MUST be in a sippy cup. The kid gave up drinking milk before bed years ago, then picked it back up about two months ago. 

Oh, and the light hanging above him? That's totally a camping light. Whatever works! 

I love this little boy of mine so much. When I cuddle with him, I realize how he is getting bigger and bigger. I also realize there will come a day that he no longer wants to cuddle with me. He already thinks it's funny to refuse my kisses. He is like a sponge. When we drive around town, he never ceases to ask questions. When he asks something he knows and I tell him so, he responds with "But I want to hear you say it mama." He never wants to be alone. Doesn't even want to be in the bathroom alone, but he certainly doesn't like Isla coming into the bathroom with him. "Leave me alone sissy! I'm trying to poop!" He enjoys being with his friends so much and has taken to always crying when his friend time is over. When we drove by a park today he said "That is a nice park. We should meet Nixon and Liam there one day." He loves his friends. He is certainly a social guy.

I seriously can't believe how quickly the past (almost) 4 years have gone by. I call it a privilege to watch this little man grow up.