Friday, May 31, 2013

Insta-Friday Capricious Style

Friday to Friday.

Here we go! From Memorial Day weekend to the start of summer break.

One adventure after another.

Because everything you do with 3 kids is an adventure.

We started Memorial Day weekend driving up to the mountains,

and going for a little hike with another fam.

That poor other family.

We have been wanting to get the kids Camel Baks for awhile, and they were on sale...so Ab got a pink one and AJ a blue one.

We were pumped for this hike.

And well hydrated.

A little too well hydrated.

Each kid stopped 5 times to pee.

And then someone had to poop.

On a hike in the mountains...with another family.

It was lovely.

Damn Camel Baks.

After our hike, we met up with two other families.

9 kids, 2 condos.

One big party for 3 days.

We went paddle boating and fed the fish and ducks.

We drank margaritas, ate candy, watched 80's movies, climbed on rocks, held hands with BFF's, ate ice cream, celebrated a bday with delicious coconut cake, and had s'mores pancakes with marshmallow syrup for breakfast.

It was awesome.

Random rainbow picnic bench in the mountains.
Made me happy.

AJ had his Park Day to celebrate the end of the school year.

Bubbles, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, water guns, friends and push pops.

Good times.

Random happy rainbow umbrella at Home Depot.

My BFF gifted me with this super cute, perfect for summer bracelet.

So in love with it.

Like plan my outfits around it and want to wear it everyday.

I worked on a custom order.

So fun for a family photoshoot on the beach!

Loving the color orange lately.

We made our summer bucket list.

I got the best birthday box ever.
And opened it early.
I have no will power.
Zero.
But I have fake eye lashes now!

We made our traditional friendship bracelets we wear every summer.

I started VBS prep.

It's going to be over the top cool.

Because VBS should be over the top cool.

We made pictures with wet chalk.
The picture appears as the chalk dries.
Magical.
This little guy is sporting a farmer's tan already.
So funny.
Love it.

And now summer break is in full swing.

Bring.it.on.

We are going to rock this.

 

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Littleton Historical Museum

We had a fun morning going back in time.

I had to keep a close eye on this little guy cause he wanted in there with the animals bad.

Brotherly love.

 

Brody looked in every pin.

And conspired to break in.

 

 

 

 

 

If you are local, it's a great way to spend a day.

And it's free!

We packed a picnic and ate lunch at a park within walking distance.

A perfect way to start summer break.

 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Kindergarten Graduation

Today AJ graduated Kindergarten.
I can hardly comprehend that the school year is over.
He went from this little guy on the first day of school...
to this big first grader today...

He's growing up right before our eyes.

Yet it's not something you see shift or notice.

It just happens.

Like an optical illusion.

It's a sneaky process, a child growing up.

It's a subtle shift that happens and goes unseen in the day to day grind.

Some parts are so hard and seem like eternity in that moment.

Then you wake up and months have gone by and your Kindergartener is a first grader.

Just like that.

Even though you can so clearly remember the first day of school that was ten months ago like it was yesterday.

I never fully understood it would go this fast.

In fact, it really annoyed me when older people would try and warn me by saying things like, "Cherish them now because you will blink, and they will be grown."

It's a phenomenon that I'm convinced can't be understood till you experience it.

Today when the video was titled

The Class of 2025

I felt my heart hit the floor, and blinked back tears.

Because I knew I would be experiencing this same phenomenon with a greater magnitude in 12 years.

And I wanted to stop time.

I wanted to play Crazy 8's and hear AJ laugh forever.

I wanted AJ to show me his newest Lego masterpiece forever and always.

I wanted him stay my baby boy.

It's bittersweet.

Exciting to see him get to experience the world, yet so hard to let go.

I'm so proud of the gentleman AJ is becoming, but it's still gut wrenching to let the world have him.

Every part of parenting is hard.

The tantrums and potty training when they are toddlers...

The handling the curve balls life throws at you in the moment...

The spectacular diaper blowouts at the park...

The holding a crying son when his feelings are hurt because a kid made fun of his training wheels...

All the way to the letting them go when you have been working up to that exact moment of letting them go.

It's a beautiful, hard, fulfilling journey.

So what can I say?

I say go to every event you can.

Even if it's exhausting to get everyone ready and haul them around.

And take pictures, so you can relive those fleeting moments.

Because that's what they are...

Fleeting.

 
 

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Insta-Friday Summer Edition

What a fun, happy week!

The rest of my girls weekend was so perfect.

More movies, games, good food, girl talk and a hike.

Good for the soul.

These ladies are some of the strongest mothers/wives/women I know.

Good people to the core, and I am so blessed to have them as friends.

When I got home, we headed to Nana and Papa's to plant flowers and have dinner.

I love that the kids light up and squeal with excitement at the thought of spending time with their Nana and Papa.

We love Chick-Fil-A.
We go there a lot.
It's kinda ridiculous, but so fabulous at the same time.
They have good Dr. Pepper.
Not everywhere has the right syrup/carbonated water ratio.
But Chick-Fil-A doesn't disappoint.
I love looking at my flowers every time we come and go...
and watering/dead heading them everyday.
It's one of my favorite parts of the summer.

Fresh mint and basil.

Mmmmm.

Big plans for Caprese appetizers and dinners...

and fresh fruit salad and mojitos with mint.

Love water days in the back yard...

Reading on my old lady glider with the sound of the kids splashing and giggling in the background...icy drink in the cup holder.

So perfect.

I love ridiculous sun glasses.

And I love red and white gingham.

I think I need to own these.

Don't you?

There are so many happy things about this picture.

Fresh cut grass.

Bare feet.

Pink nail polish.

The seasonal flip flop tan.

I love summer.

This week I met up with a friend I haven't seen in awhile.

We caught up on life, good books, movies, and TV series for 4 hours over dinner and chocolate coconut cheesecake.

It was divine.

Every part of the evening was simply delightful.

Ab, Brody and I snuck in a trip to the library the other day while AJ was at school.
It's much more enjoyable to split the kids up to go to the library.
Otherwise it's like Bop The Mole.
Abby got the coolest Princess Primer book with lots of little envelopes that hold letters and cards to pull out and read.
It is written by a Fairy Godmother on how to be a princess.
Abby was in awe as we read the first letter.
She gasped and said, "So Fairy Godmothers DO exist!"
If I could just bottle up the wonder and excitement in her little voice.
This little guy is loving the warm weather and cool treats that come with it.
AJ had his Field Day on Friday.
He smiled the entire time.
It was a good day.
And now we are headed up to the mountains to spend the weekend with friends.
One is turning 40 while we are up there.
I was in charge of 40 of her fave drink.
That is one heavy Diet Coke cake.

Have a great holiday weekend.

What are you up to?

Friday, May 17, 2013

Insta-Friday

Hi friends!

Whew. What a week.

Last Friday we went to a fun filled birthday party for a couple buddies.

The kids went nuts running from thing to thing, climbing and jumping.

It's so crazy to see Brody go from a baby to a little boy

right before our eyes.

He is such an amazing combination of his brother and sister.

Kind and sensitive like AJ, yet passionate and spirited like Abby.

These beauties are from our front yard. The only two that survived the Colorado battle between winter and spring. Such happy, bright colors.

We loaded up in the van last Saturday and headed to Home Depot.

Then we spent the day planting flowers and veggies and herbs and strawberries.

It was a good afternoon.

The kids each picked out and planted flowers to go around the front tree.
Then they searched for roly poly bugs and created little habitats for them. Poor little bugs.
That night we made s'mores around the fire pit.
AJ loves to help build a fire, Abby loves the chocolate, and we have to hide the bag of marshmallows from Brody.
It's always fun dodging Abby's flaming marshmallows and Brody's sticky hands.

AJ was so excited for Mother's Day this year. It was so cute to see how much thought and pride he put into making it a special day. He came into my room Sunday morning showing me the shirt he had been saving to wear all week. I love that he even thought out the little details like what shirt to wear.

He's my sensitive boy. So full of love and character.

Andy got me crazy daisies for Mother's Day.

Such a happy greeting every time I walk in the room.

Seriously, if you ever need a pick-me-up, get yourself some crazy daisies.

AJ made me all kinds of stuff including this picture.

His little drawings and writing warms my heart.

Abby gave me two sunflowers she planted from seed
and AJ made me a pinch pot.

After being spoiled by the kiddos gifts, we went to mass.

They did pretty good.

Andy made breakfast after church and we ate on the patio.

So delicious and refreshing.

I was spoiled with clothes and a new sundress that I wore to dinner.

We met Andy's parents, grandparents, aunts, and brother for a fancy dinner.
Abby ordered and ate duck.
I tried caviar for the first time.
Brody put his napkin on his head...
It was a good Mother's Day.

Random Latte pic.

Love that dog.

The cousins Face Timed.

So funny to see how they react to each other.

I saw this on Pinterest and was like what the heck I'll try it...because what else do you do with baby oil.

I love it! Never shaving my legs with soap or shaving cream again.

I love a boy in his footsie pj's with his blankies.

Melts my heart.

Good morning hugs.
Best part of the day ever.
Love that crinkle nose smile.
She adamantly requested a sideways, braided bun,
up front, with the rest of her hair down.
Where does she come up with this stuff?

We switched dentists for the kids this week after a pretty yucky, negative experience.

Long story short, Girlfriend needs oral surgery and I bawled in front of the dentist and his dental assistant. It was a rough couple of days, but the good thing is that she will now be getting the care she needs.

And I have a truly incredible support network of friends and family that have cheered me up and helped me see the positive in all of this.

After such an emotional roller coaster of a week, I was SO ready for my girls weekend in the mountains with good friends.

We watch movies, read, sit in the hot tub, talk, hike, play games...
And eat fabulous food like Nutella, strawberry, banana crepes with the most delicious homemade coconut syrup on this Earth.

Seriously, make it.

It will make all your problems go away.