28/53

This week:

• I learned that I certainly get angry when finding out than someone (a grown adult) dissed my child behind my back. Thankfully I took some time to cool off and didn't do any of the things that were going through my mind after I found out. But it also was a reminder how much gossip hurts people. 

• Parks with water play areas are the best. But when adults are playing in them without children, it's kind of weird. 

• No matter what you do, you literally can't control where toddler vomit goes in a car. 

• Hanging out with a friend and drinking a glass of wine can relieve almost any tension from the day. 

• Isla now tries to get out of her car seat. I don't ever remember Connor tinkering with his buckles this young. 

• I had an unexpected three day break from cell phone and internet service. I literally thought I wouldn't survive. It was a tad bit pathetic. 

Life has been busy the past couple weeks, but things should be slowing down again here shortly. So I am sorry if you have to be reading up on my old news in upcoming posts, but this is the place where I document things I don't want to forget and well, it is life as I know it, so yeah. But, here's to life getting back into a routine again!

Step-Up Stool {nuby product review}

I have to say, the Nuby step-up stool has quickly become one of the most used toddler products in my home. It mostly stays in the bathroom and is used for turning on the light, going to the bathroom and washing hands. It's so light that both Connor and Isla can pick it up and take it where they need it...though sometimes this works to my disadvantage!

With grippy surface not only on all the feet, but on the top of the stool as well, it makes it amazing for kids to use. This bad boy has been used a gillion times in our house already and not once has it slid out from under the little person (or mama) using it. Also, it is easy to clean. And we would know given it has taken a direct hit from some well, uh, pee a couple times now. Cleans right off, no fuss. Here's the crazy part, this stool is rated for up to 800 pounds...yes, you did read that correctly. So it is certainly able to handle more than one set of feet at a time.

The Nuby step-up stool is available for purchase at BuyBabyDirect, echildstore.com, and Kid's Land.

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. 



You can stay up to date on all things Nuby by liking the Nuby Facebook Page, following Nuby on Twitter, following Nuby on Pinterest, and watching for Nuby Photos on Instagram.

Neverland Ranch

Almost four years ago, when I was 8 months pregnant with Connor, Ian and I were supposed to go see Michael Jackson in London at the concert that ended up leading to his demise. I was never a huge Michael Jackson fan, but was super excited about the concert. I knew it would be a great show and due to hotel points, we were booked at an amazing hotel in London. Alas, Michael Jackson went and died on me. I still remember getting a text from Ian when I was on my way to dinner with a friend, I was totally bummed. Of course, as opposed to those close to MJ, things turned out well for me. We transferred our hotel arrangements to Amsterdam and enjoyed some time there instead.

On our way home from Santa Barbara today, I asked Ian to drive us by Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. I didn't know what the state of it would be and if I could see anything from the gates. I have to admit, I was shocked that it is literally in the middle of nowhere. You drive down this tiny little desolate road for SIX MILES before you get to it. And you know when you arrive. Everything, I mean everything, around it was brown and dead, then we arrived at this grand entrance covered in lush green grass and beautiful flowers. I totally wasn't expecting it to still be all kept up. There were even a few cars inside the gates, so people obviously are still on the property. I was unable to see anything else from outside the gates, or from driving along side the property. Then I did a little googling and found out Neverland Ranch is more than 3000 acres. Dang!

Though we never saw anyone else while traipsing about, I did notice tons of handwritten notes on the stones in front of the property, so knew other's had been there as well. It's just weird how it is out in the middle of nowhere. And it's kind of weird how well the property is kept up when no one even lives there. But hey, I am kind of weird for driving into the middle of nowhere just to look at a gate!

Cousins

Whenever my nephew is in town, I feel like it is important for my kids to spend time with him. At this point, he is Connor and Isla's only chance at having a relationship with a cousin. And given that I had such an amazing time with my cousins growing up (and still do today), I want my kids to have that as well.

With temperatures in the triple digits on the 4th of July and some time to spare before fireworks, I thought it would be fun for the kids to play in some water. Apparently the kiddy pool my parents had didn't last through the winter, so my dad improvised and pulled this into the front yard:

I'm told it is a "cowboy bathtub" that my parents currently use as backyard art. But after a quick rinse, it worked perfectly as a little pool for the kids. They had so much fun.

All three of the kids fought for control of the hose. And Isla seemed to have the most fun just climbing in and out of the tub. And whenever I got too hot, I just walked close enough to get spayed with the hose and was fine again. It was a good time had by all.

As for fireworks, Isla loved 'em. The girl is fearless. We definitely need to be careful about that. She even held sparklers on her own. Connor, on the other hand, wouldn't hold a sparkler and spent pretty much the entire time we were lighting fireworks in the car. He said the noise bothered him (which it's also the barking noise from dogs that bothers him). I must say, the people in my parents neighborhood get way more into 4th of July than my neighborhood and it was really fun. Everyone in their court was out doing fireworks together. So fun.

What Isla Wore {five}

I know this may sound weird, but I feel like it has taken me a while to find my footing in the crazy world of dressing a girl. There is just so much over the top froo-froo stuff and that is totally not me. I, in a sense, have had to find what I am comfortable with for Isla.

Besides the generous helping of hand-me-downs we get, I buy almost all of Isla's clothes second hand. You blink and kids have grown out of their clothes. It isn't worth it to me to throw tons of money at those clothes. Not to mention, one good butt scoot across the driveway and a pair of leggings are ruined.

Shirt: Gymboree (thrifted)

Shorts: Old navy (thrifted)

Sandals: Rainbow

As for my go-to items for Isla, I definitely prefer trapeze/flowy tops for her paired with shorts or leggings. She says it works for her ;) I also like throwing in a dress here or there, but it has to be one she can easily play in...and can easily be washed. I am so not a more than one outfit a day mom! 

I also would like to point out these amazingly adorable shoes we just got for Isla, baby Rainbows. If you grew up or went to college anywhere in any sort of beachy place in California, chances are you have or currently own a pair of Rainbows. They are comfortable and last practically forever. Generally I am cheap and don't buy my kids more than one pair of shoes a season (hey, at least that one pair of shoes is good quality!) but when I saw these I couldn't resist. Now Isla is all ready to hit the beach...or just be one of the cool kids in the central valley.

6 Pictures, 6 Things {Lawrence Hall of Science}

1. Ian and I were blown away by the views this place had of San Francisco. If you go there for no other reason go for this. 

2. One of the lower levels of this building was stuck in a 1960's time warp. It totally reminded me of the ghetto buildings I had most of my classes at in college. 

3. There was a room with small animals and every 15 minutes they got out a different animal for the  kids to touch. They got out a rabbit and after Connor, Isla and another toddler were done with it, they put it away because they said it had been "overstimulated"...I know the feeling mr. rabbit.

4. The kids weren't much into the science exhibits, but they sure had fun playing in the kid zone.

5. Though cute in the picture, that telescope did not work at all. 

6. There was a water feature that you could play with and change the flow of the water by damming up various water flows. I had fun playing with it. Connor had fun playing in the water...and pulling out my dams. 

26/53

We went to the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley yesterday to escape the heat of the valley. Ian and I were blown away with the view. And had my dad been there, he certainly wouldn't have allowed me to be on a tiny (like 5 feet by 5 feet) piece of concrete with both my kids when there was a drop off on three sides. But hey, I wanted a picture ;)

Connor and Isla have gotten to that point in their relationship that Isla wants to do everything Connor does and copies him. In the first picture they are both playing peek-a-poo. Though this is one of her favorite games, rarely does she actually manage to cover her eyes.

^^ That's the bay bridge in the background. Amazing right?! You can't see it in the pictures, but you could see the Golden Gate bridge as well.


This (past) week:

• I did a zumba class for the first time. Never in my whole life have I felt so uncoordinated...and rather humiliated. But I am going to try again, so we'll see if I improve. 

• Weeds are overtaking my backyard, but with temps in the triple digits all week, it is unlikely they will get taken care of this week. 

• When Connor wants to do something without Isla, he tells me to put her down for a nap. 

• Isla grabs her diaper and says "poo-poo" when she poops. The problem is she also does it when she doesn't poop, so you never really know! 

• Isla now knows what otter pops are. She stands at the freezer and cries "ot-pop, ot-pop". 

• Isla seems to enjoy climbing on the dining room table numerous times a day lately. It's her new party trick. 

• While in Berkeley, we waited in line over a half an hour for ice cream from Cream. Good thing it wasn't super hot out!

And I am officially half way through my photo challenge! Woo, hoo! Now if only I could come up with some creative photos...