Lots and Lots of Pictures: Cinco de Mayo 2013

I told you there were lots of pictures. Some are overexposed and out of focus, but I love them all the same. I was so glad that we were all able to be together and partake in festive shenanigans on one of my favorite days of the year. What's better than ringing in the beginning of summer with family and loads of Mexican food? Nothing! I even got around to doing some of the things that I pinned this week. That has never happened! Needless to say I was pretty proud of myself. Amazing what a little tissue paper crafting at 5 a.m. will do for this Mom's self-esteem :)

The kids really had lots of fun getting in the spirit and Emma even referred to herself as the Mexican Princess of Cinco de Mayo all day. It was just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. And Bro in that sombrero? Too much, I tell ya. I love this big crazy family of mine and I'm so happy we all got to spend the day together. Adios, amigos!

fiesta inspiration here

A Quick Hello!

It's been a little quiet on the blog because we have been a little busy and crazy these last few weeks. I finally uploaded some pictures from the small party we had for my sister's 21st birthday and I fell in love with this one. So sweet it makes my heart melt. Hope you have a good weekend!

Ikea Office Chair Hack

Maybe it's that wannabe architect that stays buried deep down inside me, but I naturally gravitate towards a very modern aesthetic. While I am always trying to stay true to my traditional suburban home, I definitely want to sprinkle in lots of clean-lined, modern goodness. When I came across this Ikea hack I immediately decided that it was just what our desk was needing. While it's still pretty expensive (for Ikea) I will be saving up and will hopefully be adding it to our home sometime this summer. Seriously, I'm obsessed!

I also just rediscovered Hither and Thither and am as hooked as ever. Such a cute family!

Summer Sandals

If I could in any way, shape or form justify spending $285 on sandals I would buy these in a heartbeat. Are they not the cutest? I think they would go perfect with the dream I had last night about losing 45 pounds and spending a summer traveling along the Mediterranean :)

a trip to the beach

Last weekend we decided to take advantage of the long weekend and spend a night in Galveston. We went to Moody Gardens, played at the beach and ate fried seafood. Good times! Brandon and I felt like the best parents in the world as we watched our little ones have so much fun. Now that Austin is getting older we are trying to be more spontaneous and this was a great place to start. As soon as it warms up a bit we will have to make another trip just to let Emma take her shoes off at the beach. She was freaking out that I wouldn't let her take off her shoes and she still hasn't let me forget it. The other morning she woke up and said, "Mommy remember when we were at the beach? And you wouldn't let me take off my shoes? And I was crying and you still said no?"

 You see what I'm working with? Yup, as soon as it warms up we are going to have to let this girl feel the good old Galveston sand between her toes! Or we could just bite the bullet and make that trip to California already...

Happy Weekend!

It's finally the weekend and we are having the best weather. It's 75 degrees and breezy right now and it made unloading groceries with two little ones feel downright amazing this morning. We are taking full advantage of this beautiful sunshine and plan on spending as much time outside as possible. We're hoping a little dirt and fresh air will finally cure that nagging cough that the babes can't quite get rid of. Or it will make it worse. Either way this cabin fever thing is coming to an end today! I mean, if this gorgeous Mommy in the pictures above can look like a million bucks with an infant and burp cloth on her shoulder then so can we. And hello, braids! I'm going to figure you out this weekend if it kills me!

Happy Weekend!

On a side note: Just so we're clear, this week has been exhausting. My head has been somewhere way up in the clouds and I'm feeling completely worn down. In between botched meals, failed attempts at discipline and letting the laundry just pile up, I've started to lose it entirely. Sometimes when I feel like I'm about to break down I'll initiate these conversations with Emma that I assume are way over her head just so I can vent a little. Early this morning while Austin was wailing about something or other, I told her, "You know, I'm just trying to be a good Mommy so that you will be a great adult. It's a lot of pressure, you know?" Thinking that she was completely absorbed in her play-doh she surprised me by looking up and saying, "Thanks, Mommy. I'm going to be a great Mommy one day because I'm going to remember how you are. The best Mommy in the whole wide world! I'm still little right now. Just wait until I'm five tomorrow (her birthday is in September), I'm going to listen so good when I'm five! But not Bro, he's a wild man"

 

How freakishly insightful is that? Love that girl.

 

pictures from here