love, us

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

2017 is SO Last Year, Also, Resolutions!

Happy New Year!

It's the that time of year again when the moms vow to finally lose that baby weight (I've been working on this for 6 years), vow to cut our kid's screen time (but how will I do dishes or laundry without Evie and Mal?), and vow to yell less (despite our kids literally pulling chunks of hair out of eachother's heads). It's that time of year when we make our New Year's resolutions!

Do you make resolutions? Do you write them down? Do you publicly share them on social media like me? Do you think they are silly and pointless? Personally, I love 'em! A fresh start, a new year! Whether I make it 365 days or just 5 days, at least I gave it a go! And hey, I can always start over. 365 days means 365 fresh starts, right?

In no particular order, my 2018 New Year's Resolutions:

1. Blog - This past fall, I had a hard time getting blogs posted. I was basically tired all the freaking time because Kenley's new schedule was more exhausting than I thought. But hey, I have a keurig, a coffee pot, and a Starbucks next door! I'm gonna drink all the caffeine and get back at it! I like it and it's an outlet so I'm gonna make time for it. One blog a week plus THREE published articles. Did you see my Scary Mommy article that was published last year?! It was pretty exciting.

2. Social Media Shutdown Sundays - I spend more time on social media than I'd like to admit. And not just when my kids are sleeping or occupied. It's not fair to my kids or my husband that I'm watching SPIL rant about Prius' on Snapchat, or taking some pointless quiz to find out which Stranger Things character I am. So in addition to less social media in general, I'm completely shutting it down on Sundays. ALL social media accounts. Family day, Jesus day, rest day!

3. Let's Get Physical - For the first 6 months of 2017, I was pretty excellent when it came to eating semi healthy and working out. Let's be honest, I did it so I could fit into a bridesmaid dress for my friend's wedding. But then, the wedding was over, summer was over, and I ate all the things! But this year y'all, I'm doing it for me. I'm gonna eat the good stuff and move my body at least 3-4 times a week. I mean, The Bachelor is usually 2 hours long. That is 2 hours where I can at least stretch or do a few push-ups!

4. Eat the Fruits and Vegetables - Moms, I don't know about you, but I am so concerned with my kids eating enough fruits and vegetables that I'm not eating them myself. I focus on having a full fridge of apples, peppers, carrots, etc. that I don't eat them, fearing that I won't have any for lunches or snacks for the kids. But that's not fair to me, or my body. So sorry kids, you may have to eat a few extra goldfish if I eat the last banana. I doubt they will fight me if that happens.

5. Perfect the "Mom Look" - My kids are monsters. Adorable monsters, but still monsters. People scoff when I say that though because they usually behave abnormally well in public. Instead, they save it for me at home. And holy smokes you guys, so much naughty! So much talking back! So much slamming of doors and kicking faces! So basically, I yell. My voice goes up, up, up and I'm not proud of it. But the days when I whip out that "mom look", instant angels. Especially Kenley, who absolutely hates that look.

And that's it! The short list. There are at least 50 more things I could add, but let's not get crazy. I'm just hoping I fit in 3 push-ups and eat a carrot today.

Some photos from our New Year's Eve

Beginning of the night. You know, in case we only make it 'til 8pm.

Boston Market NYE traditions. I know, we fancy.

I can't. Also, I hope they always spend New Year's Eve together.

Balloon countdown! Each hour they popped one to reveal a fun surprise treat!

Games - Don't Wake Daddy, their MOST often played with Christmas gift.

Lego sets - this chunked out a good 2 hours.

Movie - Boss Baby! This movie was shockingly LOL funny.

Face Masks - Going into the New Year so fresh! Also, I look ridiculous, I know.

Pop that thang E!

Fancy paper hat crafts.

New Years Bingo aka Cheerios snack time for E.

Woke Daddy from his long winter nap because...almost midnight!

Delirium sets in.

Happy New Year! Love, Us - The Simpsons

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

42 Things I'm Thankful For In 2017

In no particular order...

42 Things I'm Thankful For In 2017

1. I'm thankful for Disney Jr.'s incredible programming so I can have 30 minutes to myself.

2. I'm thankful for my big kid's teacher, Mrs. G, who has taught my kid more than I ever could. Arachnids and counter weights and Wampanoag children, oh my!

3. I'm thankful for a kid who LOVES school and...quick brag: is referred to as "the model student teachers want to clone".

4. I'm thankful for the inventor of headphones so I don't have to listen to Justin Beiber's "Baby" 43 times on repeat.

5. I'm thankful that although my kids are punk nuggets, they are generally really good kids who get along and keep their shiz together in public. Which, if there is one place I want them to keep their shiz together, it's in public.

6. I'm thankful for a husband who helps get the kids ready each morning. Without him, we would never make it out the door.

7. I'm thankful for very patient dance teachers who keep both of my kids focused, interested, and truly help them become better dancers.

8. I'm thankful for dance moms that aren't "dance moms".

9. I'm thankful for Ranger Jeff, Kenley's gardening teacher. He miraculously has gotten my kid to eat, and enjoy, some vegetables. Also, the rule is that every kid must try it and they aren't allowed to say, "Ew", only "That's interesting".

10. I'm thankful that the majority of the moms at my kids school are super awesome and down to earth. I was scared these bazillionaire parents would have no chill.

11. I'm thankful for T-Ball and Soccer coaches. How all of these dads manage such wild 5 year olds, is beyond me.

12. I'm thankful that my big kid loves sports and dance and art and school and life. She truly is the most excited about experiencing all the things.

13. I'm thankful for friends, all over the country, who I am able to chat with any time, as if no time has passed.

14. I'm thankful for my friends who also have punk nugget children. Love empathizing with them how hard parenting can be.

15. I'm thankful for behavior charts. Oh my gosh, what a difference our chart has made!

16. I'm thankful for all of the neighbors that gave out really delicious Halloween candy this year. I love enjoying it after my kids have gone to bed.

17. I'm thankful for noodles. They are super easy and fast to make, and both of my kids will eat them.

18. I'm thankful for face time so I can chat with far away relatives.

19. I'm thankful for family that lives close by so John and I can have hot dates to IKEA.

20. I'm thankful for all of my friends who are currently having babies so I can die over their cuteness without getting knocked up myself.

21. I'm thankful for my new flat iron that works well and fast and makes me look semi put together for school drop off.

22. I'm thankful for coffee. All the coffee, all the time.

23. I'm thankful for snapchat filters because they provide my kids with endless entertainment and make me look like a cute deer on even the ratcheted of days.

24. I'm thankful for Los Angeles as a whole and for it's endless entertainment and opportunities. For reals though, what do people do in other towns?

25. I'm thankful for Siri. All the USC museums can be tricky to get to.

26. I'm thankful for my little kid that actually likes doing chores.

27. I'm thankful for the game Bamboozled. All the belly laughs for our family when played.

28. I'm thankful that I have kids who are incredibly confident in their fashion choices.

29. I'm thankful for Chipotle and Bob's Big Boy. Two of only four places my kids will eat at.

30. I'm thankful for amoxicillin. Remember Kenley's pneumonia?

31. I'm thankful for Vacation Bible School and it's incredible teachers that lit a religious interest in my kid.

32. I'm thankful for a papa who is retired and likes playing the grandmother in "Little Red Riding Hood."

33. I'm thankful for Shaun T. and his Cize workouts for helping me fit into my bridesmaid dress this summer.

34. I'm thankful for The Red Hut Cafe. Without it, my kids would have starved on our Reno/Carson/Tahoe summer vacation.

35. I'm thankful for the food in our bellies and the roof over our heads. It breaks my heart how many people live without. Especially knowing there are families at my kid's school that don't have enough to eat.

36. I'm thankful that my kid's school's PTA does everything they can to get the kids what they need to excel. Also, coffee and donuts at every meeting.

37. I'm thankful for the donut shop next to the kids' dance studio.

38. I'm thankful I have a kid who still takes naps so I can watch the final season of Scandal. Oh my gosh, who even is Olivia Pope this season?!

39. I'm thankful for my husband who works hard to provide for our family. La Croix doesn't grow on trees.

40. I'm thankful that I don't have to change any more poopy diapers. Potty training done forever!

41. I'm thankful my family doesn't have lice.

42. I'm thankful you are still reading this. It was a long one.

Happy (early) Thanksgiving! I hope it's filled with delicious things like yams! But not pureed ones, those are gross.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Hourly Photo Challenge

If you've been on any social media site in the past two weeks, you've probably seen the latest photo challenge project. It's a challenge asking people to post one photo a day for seven days. All photos must be in black and white, and no people or explanations of photos are allowed.

Since I'm a rebel, I modified the challenge and created my own challenge. I call it the "Hourly Photo Challenge". For this challenge, I took one photo per HOUR (as close to on the hour as possible) for one day. Photos had to be in black and white, but people and explanations were okay.

It's a challenge that will give you a glimpse into what an average day looks like for our family. A challenge that gives you a glimpse into what a stay-at-home mom with one school aged child looks like.

I chose a Wednesday because, well, it's just a middle of the week average day. Not the hustle and bustle of a Monday, not the fun outings of a weekend. Just a normal day for our family.