Park Days

This week we were indeed "park junkies"
We were there 3 days in a row, and would have been there today too, but the rain kept us indoors.
I love packing cute little snack lunches.
I got to use my new LunchBots containers and I was very excited.

 



 This little thing knows just what to do at the park now, he knows what areas he likes, and enjoys the sandbox, and slides, he tries to climb everything and has no fear whatsoever... oh, asometimes he just wanders off and I have to sprint after him.. ahh my Andrew...

 

 

Little Miss Fearless... you wouldn't catch her doing this last year.. She's met a few new friends at the park, one whom is going to be 6 .. and she really gravitates towards the older kids.. and I think they make her more adventurous and brave.. which is good for her.. since she's cautious, which I like, but sometimes a little too cautious.

 

For a few days it was party of my routine, fixing cute bento lunches, and packing our swim gear, or extra clothes, diaper bag.. etc

 

She was insistent on wearing my headband like this.. and why not? She looks too damn cute to say no! ha!

 

We met a few friends at a new park on Wednesday.. and it was a steamy one..

This little guy gave me the signal when it was naptime.

 

We played for a little while at least!

 

It was good to see Miss Lucy, and new baby James too!

Lori, it was indeed TOO SHORT.. but hey.. that's how we have to roll with kids these days, right?

 

The next day we kept close to home, but went for a walk.. 

Always following his big sis...

 

While brother naps. She reads... she's trying SO SO hard to read.

She will be so proud of herself when she figures out what letter begins with a word.. and she'll run in and tell me.. MOMMA!!!... P starts with PIG!..haha.. and she says it just like that.



I've been having a lot of fun so far this summer with these kiddos..

We're knee deep in playdates, park dates, and being outside every day (when we can)

Im soaking it all in..

Happy Summer!

Park Day!

I can't remember the last time I was outside for more than 2 hours with the kids... Maybe because it was in 2012.... and that whole year is kind of a blur. I could have never successfully taken them multiple places or walked as far as we did this day.

 

It was about 65 and sunny.

We left the house at 10:15 and didn't return back until 1:30.

 



I packed some lunches.. which I love making little bento & fun lunches with cute shapes, packaging & containers.. I wanted an excuse to use my very cute new sandwich pouch from Target.. I think I need more.. they are too adorable and had more colors/designs.. ahhh I digress...

In the pouch: Peanut Butter & Honey on Wheat for Mama...

Apple for everyone to take bites

Ziploc "Bento": Hard Boiled Eggs, Carrot Sticks, Olive Oil Popcorn, Cheese Stick, cut up, and Cinnamon Schoolbook ABC cookies in the Glassine bag.

 

In the Dr Sears Pineapple Tray: Organic Pumpkin Snacks, Pretzel Chips, Grapes, PB Chips, Annie's Bunny Snacks, and Mini Nilla Wafers

 

If it looks pretty.. my kids eat better.. that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

First stop was Starbucks... I had promised a certain little lady last week that we'd rollerblade/stroller there for a Chocolate Milk... and we did... but Mama got all the way there and forgot her wallet...Mama brain.. SJ put the wallet in my purse this time before we left the house.. Glad she is thinking for me.. cause I clearly cannot !

 

Mr. Mr. fell asleep as we headed towards the park 

 

Lunch was a hit!

 

Swings

Slides

Bouncers

Sandbox... We made new friends, and played until we had to use the bathroom.. 

Headed home for Naps...

It was a fun long awaited outing.. the first of many

Busy Week!

Its been a busy summer of course.. but last week was a BUSY week for us!

We had new all new windows put in our house so there were workers/trucks/banging loud noises/drills.. not so ideal for naptime. But she did sleep most of the days..

We hung around with Aunt Shauna, and one day we went to Panera for breakfast.. ok AND lunch!

SJ was very well behaved while Momma and Sissy got their Bagels and Iced Mocha Drinks...mmmm.

After that we headed to a park where they had "craft time" from 10-12

They had all sorts of fun stuff for the kids, coloring, necklace making, playdough, and the best part was, Momma didnt have to clean it!

Her Finished Pretty Necklace!

On to the playdough. She has been really loving playdough lately.
Yesterday I gave her a little knife from her kitchen set, and she sat there for 25 minutes "cutting" playdough in her highchair.

And... last week we also walked to the park by our house after dinner.

SJ loves parks.. and that night she mastered the BIG slide by herself.. She was so proud.. must have gone up and down 15 times...

And the weather was awesome.. had to be mid 60's and it was around 7pm.. Its a nice break from the humid temps we've been having.

So thats what our week was like last week, parks, playdates, pool parties at the country club with cousins and aunts.. and a few stops at Panera in between.

I had to have her out of the house while work was being done, so we ate out quite a bit last week. Tonight Im making a home cooked meal and Im so excited!

Stay tuned for recipe!

Weekend In Pictures

I’ll sum up our weekend in my phone pictures!

We’ve been having a lot of tea parties.

Samantha asks “tea?” .. then tells Daddy and I to “Sit?”

She also enjoys having her 2 big frogs join the party too.

This big guy also goes in her crib every night.. they’re buddies.

We made a few trips to the park last week. She was loving the sandbox. It was a little chilly.. so I was glad she had her gloves on.. easy cleanup!

And I got her to go up on the big slides too (with momma holding of course)

I don’t remember the last time I was on a kiddie slide, but this one seemed really high! Even for Momma! Geesh!

Target Runs (almost a weekly thing.. I know I have a problem)

We bought some new pillows as part of spring cleaning.. and….. Tada!!

A new jogging stroller!

I’ve been wanting one for a while now… And it worked like a charm this weekend when it was time for a nap!

SJ’s first Chipotle Experience She enjoyed the guac and chips And shoving cheese in her mouth

A little chocolate ( I made a regular Fudge Brownie Mix) But the best part was when I made the homemade frosting..

Its right on the back of the Hershey’s Cocoa container.. and it is THE BEST… just makes the whole brownie experience complete.. oh, and a TALL glass of ice cold milk.. mmmm…

And to end a great weekend she was my Sunday Snuggle Bunny after she woke up from a good long nap. Now that she’s a toddler, there are not too many of these moments anymore. She does sit still and watch tv or color, play etc..

She is a BIG time cuddler... We sit on the couch and cuddle and watch tv or puzzles, or read books.. she LOVES to cuddle up with us.

But she hasn’t cuddled laying down with me in a long long time!

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Today its in the 60's

Windows are open, and I am loving this day!

A Walk in the Park

Earlier this week, Samantha and I had a little nature date at one of our pretty local parks here in our village. There is a waterfall and rushing stream, ponds, ducks, very very pretty.

It was such a nice day, breezy and maybe 65ish.. I love fall.

She enjoyed walking on the stone path, and picking up the rocks/stones.



She walks pretty fast now, so I said to her…”bye”… and she waved and said “bye” and just kept walking.. haha.. scary huh?


It just reminds me of how innocent and precious she is… and I ran up to her and squeezed her so tight (which she loves by the way)..

We had some crackers, apples and juice by one of the ponds.



It must have looked pretty appealing, because this little guy got pretty close to us!


Scary how friendly they are when you have food. I had to hold Samantha back, otherwise she would have let him take her little finger off!

Yesterday, I got a lot of work done, so I made some dinner while Sam took her nap. I made Chicken Florentine,


...Rolls and


Herb Compound Butter…so delish!



Momma’s escaping this weekend to be in one of my dearest friends’ wedding! Leslie! … So Daddy’s on duty.. So now he’ll have some leftovers, ha!



For Dessert, Grammy and Uncle came over and we had Carrot Cake and Vanilla Ice Cream. Uncle’s Birthday is TODAY!! Happy Birthday Uncle!!
So tomorrow Grammy is my date for the wedding weekend in Pittsburgh! Momma deserves a weekend away…. All it has been lately is “momma .. .momma… momma” … Samantha cannot get enough of me, and wants to love and cuddle all day long.. which is fine.. but no laundry, work or anything would ever get done.. hah!