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

WILW - Last Wed in Aug!!

I'll start out with a sweet...

 

Reese's PB Pudding Cookies

If you like cookies that taste 1/2 done and really gooey.. and you love Peanut Butter.. then hurry up and make these!

 

 

 

Sister helped me make them while brother took a solid 2.5 hour nap..

 Yes yes it does happen every now and then!

 We shared with Gram too...

They are soo good.. I keep sneaking them as I walk through the kitchen..

 Speaking of walks..

This is what we do now.. we walk/rollerblade to Starbucks lately.. Sissy gets her "cow milk" Horizon Vanilla milk... and/or water..

 and sometimes a little treat.

 I was also loving that we found a new park this week.

The good old parks we visit needed a break...

And it was a super toddler friendly park with small slides, baby swings.. yeay!!

 And I was loving that it was a little cooler this week so I busted out the slow cooker and we had burrito bowls with honey cornbread one night... so good. We eat this meal at least once a week around here..



Monday Morning @ Grammy's {RC Cupcakes}

Yesterday Grammy was off work, and Aunt Shauna is still on town from Washington, so we headed over really early for a morning of fun !

Gram and Auntie took SJ for a walk and boy did she find some fun!

They took a walk to the state park down the street from the house..

Found a "yellow brick road"...

 And she saw a "boo" as she calls any type of construciton vehicle, or vacuum, ... she's been saying "boo" since she could talk, so I try to tell her what the correct object is, but I still think its so cute.. "boo"... I will forget these things, thus, I blog about it..

 The construction worker even lifted her up ON to the tractor!

 She love love loved it my mom said.

Grammy and Samantha!

And Andrew took a great nap at Grammy's house.

I put him in the crib, and took a relaxing break

Starbucks

Breakfast Pizza

Country Living Mag...

It was a fabulous hour to myself!

Then he was up!

This boy has mass amounts of energy... all ... day... long..

Now I see what people mean when they say boys are SO different than girls

Im learning...

 We had ordered breakfast pizza, and I made cupcakes because our cousins were supposed to join us, but little Lucas was sick, so we just hung around Grammy's anyways.. and had so much fun

I was so excited for my Rice Krispie Treat Cupcakes!

They were amazing... and had I known how good they would have been, I would have made these for SJ's birthday instead of baking in 90 degree heat...

 I made them for Meredith's birthday which is today..

I topped some with just sprinkles, and some buttercream, pink sugar, and pearl decorations.

I got the idea from Pinterest of course.

I will try and post a tutorial when I make them again.. they were so good.

We had a great Monday at Grammy's !!



Its been a hot summer.. and some days... SJ's hair looks like this.. so curly and full of body if I do say so myself. I think she's gonna have her Momma's horse hair... sorry Bubba!. Its a good thing but it can be hot in the summer for sure.




Then she started getting silly.. climbing in and out of her Bumbo chair.. which she didnt like so much when she was suposed to use it.. now she's too big but loves it for some reason..


and she started being silly with her milk..

all down her face...


And Grammy has been helping us out .. watching SJ on many many nights and days - because we are STILL getting things done and house organized...She clearly loves her grammy.. Here she is putting a muffin, yes I said a muffin, in Grammy's eye..



then grammy gave her a scarf and she wasnt too crazy about it.
She is a very strong willed child these days. She certainly knows what she wants and does NOT want, and is embracing her independent self all the time. She wont even hold
my hand anymore when we walk... no no .. she wants to do it by herself!

She's Walking!!!...

Today was get ready for Samanthapalooza day. Jillian came over to help me with Sam, but Sam was SOOOO incredibly cranky, that I got very little accomplished.. So I threw in the towel and we went for a walk with Jillian, and by the end Samantha was out like a light. Ahhhh. I worked for a bit, then continued the partY prep!

As you can see.. things are coming along. I set the table and have some of the decor out now. I made all the cupcakes and tomorrow Im a frostin' fool!



After her nap, she started letting go of things in the house, and just began walking all over the place.. it was amazing. She suddenly had no fear! SHe's been walking here and there across the grass and rooms, but today she took off and totally did it on her own! So proud of her!!

After the walking adventures.., we got the mail and this adorable outfit was in it .. COULD THIS BE ANY CUTER? Its from Julie, Adam and Baby Joey in Cleveland.. Thank you SO much Julie!! Samantha Jane will for SURE be sportin' this on her bday!! And ruffly socks to match.. Julie knows Samantha's style.. She is a girly girl Julie.. Thank you so much again!



Samantha and Grammy hung out today as well. Grammy had a 1/2 day which Momma was very greatful for. She's even keeping her shades on now!