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

Petting Zoo 2013

Today was the annual petting zoo at Emma's school and while Austin was a bit under the weather, both kids had so much fun. Austin was tagging along with a few of the older preschool boys (male bonding! so cute!) and Emma was never without at least two darling girls in her posse. The girls held hands, danced, sang and twirled until it was time for their class to line up for lunch. Then four of them walked, in one big giggly embrace, back into the school. It was so perfectly girly I couldn't even stand it! If there is one thing I know we are doing right with that girl it's that she knows how to have a good time. Such a class clown! Both of my kids have this incredible funny bone and I can't help but take full credit for it. Just kidding!

Yup, we're nothing but a bunch of jokers over here.

on the list

sunnies // bag // toy // art //stamp // juicer

 

After Thanksgiving I sat down with Emma and explained to her that she was not going to get any toys until Christmas. If Santa were to find out that she was already getting all the toys she wanted he wouldn't bring her any for Christmas. So we worked long and hard on making the longest list ever to email to St. Nick. (Yes, email. I know, I know. Next year we will send an actual letter on cute holiday stationary and everything.) Well, this really worked like a charm and every time she saw something that she would have normally whined for she simply said, "add it to the list, Mom!" There was also an adorable flick of her wrist and head tilt that went along with it. Seriously so cute.

 

In the spirit of not being hasty and really being thoughtful about our purchases I've decided to start little lists of my own. Now I would never in a million years actually buy all of the things on this list (a girl can dream, right?) but I will most definitely be saving my pennies for that juicer. I can't wait to experiment and fill the kids up with all of those fruits and veggies!

 

(juicing inspiration seen here).

Kiddos

Love these two.

Hey, Cupid...

I just found Emma's outfit for Valentines Day (so cute and sparkly!) and I can't help but keep my fingers crossed that cupid drops off this dress (in a medium, ahem). I am really hoping to look a little more put together while I'm running around with the kids and I think this is a great step in the right direction. I also want some tall black Hunter rain boots (in a size 7, ahem) and a coffee table/side table/dining table with chairs, and a couple of baseball caps (Astros, Longhorn, etc...).

I try to keep my lists short, sweet and completely ridiculous. But really, I love that dress.

(and the boots)

Casey and Evan's Wedding

We popped into Austin Flower Company to pick up some blooms for our hair. Swoooooooon.

Well they did it! Casey and Evan are officially married! Being a part of this special weekend meant so much to me and my little Emma because not only did I get to show my girl off, but I got to introduce her to so many of my long-lost friends. We think she is pretty awesome (obviously) but it was so heartwarming to have so many people tell us what a special little girl she is. I was brimming with pride and holding back tears all weekend when I thought about how madly in love I am with my girl.

Speaking of being madly in love, Casey and Evan and perfect for each other. I could not have imagined anyone who could make my dear friend light up more than Evan does and I am so happy that they found each other. The ceremony was lovely and the reception was more fun than I have had in a really long time. I wish I had taken more pictures, but we were just kind of all really in-the-moment and I was soaking up every second I could spend with my friends. I can't wait to see the photographer's pictures and if you are ready for a laugh, check out my girl dancing in the video below!

Congrats, Casey and Evan! Love you both!