Long Weekends Are My Favorite

I was one of those moms absolutely not ready to send the boys back to school when the end of Christmas break happened. I loved our break. I love having them all home all day. I love the relaxed days, no real set schedule and just being able to hug on them anytime I want.

Which is why I made sure I was well aware of all the long weekends that were coming up that we could all look forward to until Summer break. We were all pretty happy to see that school would only be in session for one full week before having our first three day weekend of 2017.

Friday after Hudson got home from school we loaded up for haircuts. Andrew had been meaning to take the big boys for awhile and something always came up. I was going to just take them but he insisted. Well, by Friday, it HAD to happen. And after a busy week we all loaded up for the outing. While Beau was getting his haircut, Andrew and Hudson decided that leftover chicken taco soup wasn't going to cut it for dinner and suggested picking up a movie and eating out. I was going to protest but since their plan still left me out of cooking up something on Friday night, I gladly went along.

We took the boys to barbeque and picked up Storks to watch together. While the kiddos took a bath before movies, I whipped up some Rice Krispie Treats and Oreo balls per the kiddos request earlier this week. (We were SUPPOSED to get a terrible ice storm all weekend and so I had asked for some snacks/treats they'd like to have if we were going to be stuck all weekend. The storm never happened here, thankfully!)

There is nothing better than being all snuggled up watching a movie together with your freshly bathed littles. And the movie was pretty cute too!

Saturday morning the boys requested pancakes before running errands. Andrew had some returns to make from our entryway project and I needed to exchange a Christmas gift for Gabe.

After our errands we headed to Grandma Jo's.

Andrew and I are both pretty blessed to have our grandparents still healthy and close by. On mornings when I need to volunteer at the boys' schools or have something come up, they are my go-to sitters and my boys LOVE it! Andrew and I both have some amazing memories with our great grandparents and love that our boys are creating memories with theirs.

Grandma Jo is Andrew's grandma and she is simply a gem. She and Andrew's grandpa are just the sweetest and going over there is always so nice. She is a hostess through and through and she loves through acts of service--mainly cooking and sewing. She has sewed up lovies for my boys and nieces more times than I can count. Her desserts are divine. And I feel like she has a wealth of knowledge that I just try to chip away at because, I am not even close to her domestication level!!

Andrew had some fish he wanted fried up and Grandma Jo is always happy to do that for us. Andrew's parents joined in and we spent a big chunk of our day around Don and Jo's kitchen table, our boys being doted on and spoiled and our bellies being filled! Definitely a reminder to slow down and enjoy the simple times.

We went to church Saturday evening since we could and after putting the boys to bed Andrew and I had our first date night of 2017. One of our goals this year was to be more intentional with our time together. When we first started talking about adopting, one of the reservations Andrew had was that having four littles would make making time for our marriage more difficult. One thing I believe strongly in is that my marriage comes first, before our children. That can never suffer just because we are in the throes of child-rearing. That being said, getting OUT of the house often can be hard to juggle and can get expensive. (We love our sitters and want them to keep coming back so we pay them WELL! At least, I hope they think we do! Ha!!)

We decided to have two official date nights a month. One date IN and one date OUT of the house. We took time to plan them, what we do, and even set the dates on the calendar for the first three months. (I'll be sharing more of our date ideas soon!)

Saturday our planned date was homemade margaritas and doing a puzzle. It may seem lame but it was seriously one of the best nights we've had in awhile. Our margs were SUPERB and the quiet activity of the puzzle let us relax and talk and just "be" together.

I seriously recommend this date night AND this recipe for margaritas. (The original version can be found on the Pioneer Woman blog. I tweaked this version for our needs...halved and a little less tequila)

Homemade Margaritas
6-7 fresh limes squeezed (should make about 7 ounces of juice)
1/2 cup of water
1 cup of silver 100% Agave tequila
6 ounces of Cointreau
Simple Syrup
Lime Wedges
Rim Salt
Ice

Juice your limes. Mix your juice, water, tequila and cointreau into a pitcher.
Using a lime wedge, "wet" the rim of your glass and dip it into the rim salt. This step makes it. Pour your mixture into your glass over ice. Add a little simple syrup to sweeten it up a bit (not much is needed) and give it a stir. And for an extra little kick, go ahead and squeeze a lime wedge into the glass.

On Sunday we got to have an awesome lazy day since we did Saturday night church. We slept in, had a yummy breakfast, Andrew and I both got a run in and some errands done plus our food prep for the week! And the boys got to stay in the jammies and play all day. It was glorious!!

After the boys woke up from nap, we changed them into real clothes and loaded them up for some family fun. Just a short drive away is a pizza place and bowling alley that our kids love. It was so much fun watching them play the game and just having a ball.

On Monday we didn't get to sleep in too much. Gabe has speech therapy on Monday's in the morning. His SLP is wonderful and we just love her to bits! After his session we loaded up and headed to my parent's house to meet my nephews. On Andrew's side, we have two nieces and a nephew. On my side, we have 4 nephews (and another niece or nephew on the way). Needless to say, there is always a lot of activity when we get together. The boys (all under the age of 5) definitely wore each other out playing! We headed home for late naps before I had a meeting with a client.

Today was back to business as usual. Until the next long weekend!

Easter

How was Easter already weeks ago??

The days seem to be flying by and I can't keep up with it all. But I want to remember it all. Every day my older two are saying the funniest things.  Their relationship becoming stronger.  Gabe growing and changing each day, still my baby, but getting so big. He watches Hudson and Beau and I know it won't be long before he is in on the action.

This Easter was such a fun time. It was jam packed with family and friends but I am realizing that I love it that way. That I relish the days filled to the brim with because I know my kids will only be little so long; that these activities will only make their eyes light up this way for a period of time.

Andrew had Good Friday off.  That day we headed to a nearby outlet mall to pick up some spring clothes for our boys, some Easter attire for Mom and Dad, and just get out of the  house.  It was a dreary day but we made the best of it.  We stopped to have lunch at an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop.  The boys thought it was cool and each picked out a goodie before we headed home.

That night I got to meet up with three of my best friends.  Between us we have eleven kids and my sweet friend is expecting twins due September so there will be lucky 13 soon enough! It isn't easy always trying to find a time to get together but a few years ago we started getting pedicures before Easter together.  This year, in the hustle of life and schedules, we carved out some much needed time.  It was so great to catch up, have some wine and laugh while we got cute toes ready for Sunday!

Saturday our crew headed over to my brother-in-law's. He and his family moved at the beginning of the year and we were so excited to see their new home.  And, we were celebrating my niece's 4th birthday! I don't think there is anything better than seeing your kids' faces light up when they see their cousins!! My boys may have been surrounded by girl toys but give them a party and they are in heaven!

Right after the party, my nieces (also 4 and 2) my boys, and my sister-in-law's younger sisters all gathered up to dye about 8 dozen eggs! There were only two minor spills and it wasn't even from the two-year olds!! They were way more into it this year than last!!

Later that night, we had what might be my new favorite Easter tradition.  Our good friends, who live just streets over, came down with their kids.  When it got dark, we had a glow in the dark Easter egg hunt for them and then made peep s'mores.  I wish I would have thought to take pictures but the sound of their laughter and their sweet faces eating s'mores--oh my gosh! Heaven!  It was definitely a late night but completely worth it!

The next morning our boys opened their Easter baskets.  They know they are from Andrew and I.  We have never done the Easter Bunny and don't plan to. It is something we feel like isn't necessary and we love that our boys are really understanding the meaning of Easter.

(That's a basket of clean, folded laundry, y'all. Don't judge!)

We got ready for church after that and headed out.  We had to get to church early.  It was my first week as the preschool leader.  Our church actually was  holding one service at a larger venue.  It was an amazing service (from what I was told) and we filled the place to capacity. Praise Jesus! It was a really amazing day.  I got to share the Resurrection story with 17 sweet hearts and that made my heart want to bust!!

After church we headed to Grandma Martha's for lunch and an egg hunt! My boys got gobs of eggs! Their sweet little outfits picking up eggs was just too cute!!

We headed across town (and got in quick cat naps) to my grandma's house for another egg hunt with my side of the family! (With a dead camera)

To say we were tuckered out as we headed home at six that evening would be an understatement! But like I said, I couldn't imagine a better weekend!

Christmas Traditions

One thing I always looked forward to when thinking about having my own little family were the traditions we would begin.  I have so many fond memories of traditions that my parents did with my brothers and I that I knew I wanted to make sure to instill traditions into our family also.  Some traditions are ones I grew up with and some are ones Andrew and I are creating with our boys.

Here are some of my favorite holiday traditions:

1. Elf Breakfast
This is one of our first traditions during the holiday season.  The weekend after Thanksgiving, our  boys wake up to our elf's, Jack's, arrival with a special breakfast.  Jack is always center focus on our table and he has brought the boys a little something.

This year I purchased chair backs from Pottery Barn to house the gifts from Jack.  He brought our boys Christmas pjs and a new holiday movie.

2. Christmas Lights

Every year we like to load up and go look at lights.  There are so many neighborhoods that decorate beautifully.  Andrew and I used to be the only ones that would swing through Starbucks and get a hot beverage but this year I *think* we are bumping up the big two to get their own special drinks as we drive around and look.  

3. Christmas Eve Gift

Our boys get to open one present from under our tree on Christmas Eve.  And that gift is new Christmas pajamas to wear as they wait for Santa.  My parents had this tradition when we were younger.  It was something I made Andrew participate in when we got married and we continue it on with our boys!

Is there anything sweeter?

Hudson's pjs via

4. Baking Day

The year I was pregnant with Hudson, my mom, sister-in-law and I began baking Christmas goodies together.  We would spend the day making some of our favorites and then divide up the batches between our families.  It has always been so much fun.  Sometimes we can't all get together with our schedules but on the years it works it is always fun.  And now, I have helpers all my own that are more than happy to mix and taste-test with me in the kitchen!

2010

2010

2011

2011

5. Happy Birthday, Jesus

On Christmas Eve, after celebrating with Andrew's side, that evening we read the Christmas story and celebrate Jesus' birthday.  Before Hudson was born, my mom and I found this wonderful pop-up book that told the story of Jesus' birth in a kid-friendly manner.  After we read the story, we sing happy birthday to Jesus and the boys blow out a candle on a birthday cake we had made. Of all the traditions, I think this one is the most important.  I love the lights and Santa and all the fun, but I want our boys to understand that Jesus is the reason for the season.  That we celebrate his birth all year long because without his birth, we would be without a Savior.  

Halloween Fun

I love Halloween.  Which is crazy because my family never really participated in Halloween when I was younger.  But I knew that when I had kids I wanted this little holiday to be full of fun, traditions, and just making memories.  I adore fall and think that Halloween is one of the best parts.  I HATE anything scary so we don't focus on that part..again, just the fun!

We are moving the weekend of Halloween this year so our entire house will be packed up.  But, Andrew and I will still be doing trick or treating and as much festive things that day. We won't be able to do everything but we will sure get in an activity, a treat, and a flick!

Here are some really fun ways to make Halloween special for your little:

{O N E | Themed Lunch}
I love making my kids meals special on holidays.  And thanks to Pinterest the ideas are endless! Here are just a few.

source: mummies/brooms/

{T W O | Craft}

We like to do lots of crafts at our house.  There are so many fun things to do with your kids no matter the age.  A few years ago we did the foot-print craft below.  But you paint pumpkins, make a stained glass pumpkin, create a candy corn man (I did this with my firsties when I taught).  I good craft is a really fun part of our day.

source via

{T H R E E | Activity}

Now that Hudson and Beau are older, I like to do activities with them to facilitate listening and learning.  This can be really simple.  The idea below can be tailored to your kids ages.  For example, I might make a pattern using candy and have Hudson re-create it, or take pieces away in the AB pattern and see if he can fill them in correctly. Then, with Beau, we may just sort the candies into like groups.   

{F O U R | Treat}

Themed treats are some of my favorite things to make.  The boys get so excited to get in the kitchen and bake with me (or really anyone who will have them!). So for the holidays I like to choose something we can make and share throughout the week.  This is a favorite of ours for sure!

{F I V E | Movie}

Every year, ABC plays It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  I am a sucker for Charlie Brown.  I just love the whole gang! After trick or treating, checking out their loot and choosing a piece, we change the boys into their Halloween pj's and sit down to watch this together.  

What are some ways you make Halloween fun for your little ones?

Weekend Recap: State Fair

Hello, Monday! I don't think I have ever been so excited to see a Monday roll around in all my life....well, at least not in the past 10 months! It is BABY WEEK, y'all! This little guy can come anytime he wants this week because we have officially checked everything off our summer bucket list with our trip to the State Fair this past weekend.

We have gone to the fair every summer since we had Hudson.  And every year I get more and more excited to go because the boys are older and can do more, take more in and get excited about different things.  I think every time we asked Hudson what his favorite part of the fair was he changed it to something else. So sweet!

Last year, we went right when the fair opened and loved that timing.  It was late morning so we lunched our way around the fair and planned to do the same this year.  Well, no such luck.  We live about an hour from the fair location and when we woke up Saturday, it was POURING! Beau kept saying, "It rain. Hard!" over and over as he looked out the window.  Andrew, being diligent as ever, checked the Doppler repeatedly, trying to figure out our best window to go.

So the morning was a bit lazy.  I did laundry and cleaned (shocking since that is all I feel like I've done this past week #nester) and we played and introduced our boys to Aladdin (woohoo) since it was showing on TV and, ummm, rain--what else were we going to do? We left a little after noon.  The boys slept on our drive over and we killed some time at Scheels before heading over to the fair grounds. It was raining but not too much and we waited in the car for about ten minutes before venturing out.  My mom, who met us at Scheels, had an umbrella and the boys' stroller had a covering but it was honestly just a sprinkle (and it ended about 10 minutes into our time at the fair).  We went to the Little Ag area first.  Our boys are such wanna-be farmers; I love it! They looked at the chicks and the farm tables.  Had it been nicer we would have done the Little Farmer walk-through but it was still raining so we stayed under the tent area and let them play a bit.

We left there and went to our first food stop: corn dogs, fries and lemon shake-ups! Our boys CHOWED (and so did the adults!).  Is there anything better than fair food? #idontthinkso

After our little "snack" we went to the rides area.  The big slide was closed due to the rain (really sad) but most of the other rides were all open.  I didn't have any thought that Beau would be hesitant.  He is our little daredevil.  He has no regard that he could get hurt or is high or anything like that.  Hudson on the other hand gave me a moments pause.  He is our boy, that when climbing at the park and realizing how high he is, freezes and doesn't go up or down, just calls for help.  Well, surprise, surprise, both boys loved doing everything! Hudson even rode this "octopus" ride with Andrew that tilted up and back down and their seat spun around the whole time.  He had the biggest smile on his face!

We walked to look at all the animals.  My boys thought that was great.  They loved them all and couldn't get sit still in the stroller, wanting closer, or out! It is in those moments that farm life appeals so much to me.  But then I remember all the work it takes to run a farm like that and I am not sure I am cut out for that.  Maybe when my three boys are older! ;)  We went to the area where you can milk a cow.  We tried this last year with Hudson and he wouldn't even go near the cow.  (I mean, honestly, those animals are HUGE!) This year, he went up to the cow, petted the cow, got really close to milking her, but then backed away. Bless the young boy's heart that was helping out at the time.  He was probably in high school but was so patient with Hudson, showing him how.  So sweet.  Beau petted the cow too but didn't get much past that! They sure enjoyed their free milk afterwards though!

Then we trekked it on over to Andrew's favorite part, Conservation World, but not before grabbing a funnel cake and mini donuts. I am not a fan of this part of the fair.  Our boys are a little small for the activities in this area and honestly, it is deer and fish.  Do you know my husband? We get a lot of that already.  But nonetheless, we made the journey and walked around.

Our last stop was of course, the dairy building with the famous "Butter Cow".  The boys got some ice cream there.  It was already almost 5:30 and this mama was winding down! So we headed back to our car and made the trek home. But first..pony rides.  Because you can't not do the pony rides!

We got back home, got baths and put our kiddos down around 8.  They were so tired! And so were Andrew and I! It was beautiful or sunny this year but it was cool and the rain held off! I am so glad we got to go and make some more memories with our boys before fall and all this change!

Happy Monday!