Necessary Items for the Beach as a Sorority Girl vs. Necessary Items for the Beach With 2 Small Kids

A few weeks ago, before my kids got sick (Kenley got sick, then Eleanor and I, then Eleanor again), we went the beach. I am ashamed to say that it was our first beach day in 2016. But now that we've gone, we've got the fever! Eleanor asks EVERY day if we can go to the beach, "Me, El-nor, beach, go!".

As much as we love the beach though, it can kind of be the hardest. It was clear on this particular trip when John (he was actually able to come and help this time!) and I were dragging our kids and all their "stuff" while a group of USC sorority girls casually strolled in with the tiniest of beach bags. Oh, to to be young!

Necessary Items for the Beach as a Sorority Girl vs. 

Necessary Items for the Beach With 2 Small Kids

Necessary Items for the Beach as a Sorority Girl:

1. One Towel
2. Sunscreen
3. Water (or beer)
4. Magazine or book
5. Sunglasses
6. Phone

Necessary Items for the Beach With 2 Small Kids:

1. Four towels
2. Two or three types of sunscreen (parents', child's, baby's)
3. Water - 4 separate bottles because kids refuse to share
4. Sunglasses - 4 pairs
5. Phone - to capture all of the cute photos to post on instagram, snapchat, etc.
6. Camera - to capture all of the cute photos to potentially frame
7. Hats - to cover bald baby heads
8. Beach buckets, shovels, castle sculptures, animal sculptures, barbies, etc.
9. Puddle Jumper(s) or arm bands
10. Diapers - swim and regular
11. Baby powder - to easily get sand off of wet bodies
12. Snacks - EVERY possible snack because you have no idea what they will actually want
13. Cash - to get ice cream on the way home (how I bribe my kids to leave)
14. Beach blanket or sheet - for an extra sitting area
15. Beach Chairs (we actually don't bring this but some parents do) 
16. Beach tent or umbrella - gotta keep the kids in the shade when possible
17. COURAGE 

Maybe it gets better when they're older? But then again, we'll be bringing surfboards, wetsuits, and even more courage. 'Cause teenage beach boys terrifying me.

First Beach Trip Photos

beach babe and beach barbie

E with sand toys, USC sorority girls with phones (in the background)

burying my big

baywatch. this kid is NOT afraid of the water. a pro and a con

extra set of hands to collect water

e's turn for water!

posing with daddy under our tent

posing with mommy

veggie chip snacks - the one thing I thought they wouldn't eat

attempted simpson beach selfie!

see ya later beach

ice cream bribe

e's first ice cream cone

"is there something on my face?"

will rodgers - our go to

mommy/daddy car date in the driveway while the babes nap in the back

Happy Father's Day! We Got You Vomit

I wish I could report back about John having the best Father's Day ever but...that might be a bit of a stretch. Sometimes kids get sick, toddler's throw tantrums all day, and mommy doesn't get daddy's gift ordered in time. 

John is the absolute best dad to our kids! I see it every day but it was even more clear this Father's Day. His day was pretty much a bummer. But somehow, he didn't seem to mind much that everything turned out absolutely nothing like we had planned. He cleaned up vomit with a smile, dealt with cranky Eleanor most of the day, and even made his own breakfast. Reason 845,621 why he is the best!

I hope he knows how much we love and appreciate him because we do. A lot! Even if we are sick and cranky.

Happy Father's Day John! We own you one!

Monster card that DID get here in time.

Toddler tantrum JUST for daddy.

Daddy/Daughter Father's Day picture! The other daughter was sick with zero interest.

24 Things I Learned From My Dad

Everyone that knows my dad, knows how awesome he is. He's a pretty likable character and I have learned a lot from him. Some lessons intentional, some not. I mean, look at that crazy, short shorts, Hawaiian shirt wearing man below. He just screams knowledge!

24 Things I Learned From My Dad:

1. Have Fun - Did you know that my dad used to be a clown? No, for reals. He also knows how to balance things (chairs, wine bottles, mops, etc.) on his toes, chin, nose, tongue, etc. I mean, I can't do any of those things, but I think I got my fun gene from him. 

2. Punctuality - I'm going to blame it on my kids and LA traffic but....I'm not always on time. I'm never TOO late though. It's because of my dad. 

3. Family First - My dad is a family guy. Period. He was always the driving force making sure we were getting to family reunions in Texas when possible and family events in California at least twice a year. Also, did you know he is one of 11 children?! My grandmother was a hero.

4. Sacrifice for Family - I would have loved to have had my dad at all my sports events growing up, but sometimes, he had to work. And I knew that. I knew he had to work to help financially support my extracurriculars. When he was able to be there though, he was in full force cheering in those, as Roberta B. would call them, "pecker peekers". 

5. How to Iron - Sometimes I iron my husbands shirts. It was my father who taught me how. 

6. How to Drive - When it was time for me to drive, I was forced to learn how to drive a stick shift. It was miserable. But thanks to him, I was able to drive many a drunken friends cars home for them. 

7. Never to Late to Start - There are still a lot of things I want to do/try/experience in my life. My dad proves that that is possible no matter what your age. My dad acted for the first time with me when I was 16 (he stole the show), and now (as a grandfather to 6) he is training to hike the Appalachian trail!

8. Clean Windows - I'm like REALLY good at using a squeegee you guys. No, for reals, there is a technique. My dad is the master. 

9. Never Yell - Okay, I've yelled at my kids. But I am getting increasingly better with those adorable little monsters. I don't remember my dad EVER yelling. That doesn't mean he didn't get angry. He just kept his cool by whistling. 

10. Admit Mistakes - Along with the fun gene I inherited from him, I also inherited the stubborn gene. But when he knows he is in the wrong, he'll admit it. He won't let stubbornness get in the way of truth. 

11. Breakfast Skills - I probably sound like a broken record with the amount of times I've said that I'm a bad cook. I can, however, cook a mean breakfast and know the value of salt and pepper on eggs. 

12. Importance of Snacks - I'm not a big meal eater but I love snacks. I remember many nights snacking on popcorn and bugles with my dad, laying on his belly, watching TGIF and chatting. With snacks, comes bonding. 

13. Tipping - My dad always tipped well. Even with the worst service, he tipped high. He taught me that everyone has a bad day, still tip them. We don't know their story. 

14. Kindness to All - My dad is one of the nicest guys around. He doesn't care about your economic status, race, religion, etc. He will have something wonderful to stay about you and will love chatting with you. 

15. Always Check the Oil in Your Car - In college, I killed my car. Eek! I fully expected angry whistles from my dad but nope! He just showed me how to do it for the future. 

16. Real Men Like Romantic Comedies - He won't admit it but...my dad likes girly movies. 

17. "Y'all" - Sometimes there just isn't a better pronoun to use! I've lived out west my entire life but, I've also been saying "y'all" and "all y'all" my entire life thanks to my southern dad. 

18. The Art of Storytelling - Sometimes my dad tells the longest, most vivid stories. We tease him a lot about it actually. They are usually wonderful and crazy though. Did you know my dad accidentally derailed a train when he was a kid?!

19. Importance of Friends - Most of my time is spent with my kids. But I know the importance of having adult friends as well. My parents spent a lot of weekends (kids welcome) at game nights, camping, karaoke get togethers, etc. with their friends. 

20. Stop, Drop, and Roll - All children are taught how to "stop, drop, and roll" when on fire. Or has that changed? My dad had to do it first hand. I also learned not to put gasoline on a BBQ. Hence WHY he had to stop, drop and roll. 

21. Importance of Sleep - I have two small kids. I don't sleep. My dad had a job that often required him to wake up extremely early. I know he probably would have preferred to stay up and watch Gilmore Girls with me (you know you would dad) but he also knew the importance of sleep. 

22. Vacations Don't Have to Be Expensive - A lot of my friends growing up went to Europe or Hawaii for their vacations. We went camping! It was a blast hiking, kayaking, making s'mores, etc. I never felt like I was missing out.

23. Tetris - I've never played video games with my dad but he is INCREDIBLE at Tetris-ing a car full of suitcases and suitcases full of clothes. Even now, my husband hands me the bags to fit into the car. 

24. Have an Opinion - I don't see eye to eye with everything my dad says or believes, but I respect him. He's taught me to have an opinion and to be educated with the opinion. 

And now some photos of this rad dad who taught me 24 things. 24 things off the top of my head. I know he's taught me many more than that!

No this isn't Eleanor...it's me with my rad mustache dad.

3rd Birthday!

Wishing I could shave my face too.

Curly Sue and a tiny comb over.

My dad with all of his offspring.

Theme parking.

Theme parking again! At Universal

"Bye Bye Birdie" My dad's first show. He played Mr. MacAfee and I Ursula Merkle

After the Miss Nevada pageant.

Geocaching in the middle of nowhere California.

Right after I moved to Los Angeles

Taho(m)e

Happy Father's Day Dad!

16 Things to Know Before Going to a Fuller House Taping

Oh my lanta you guys, last week I went to a live taping of Fuller House! I know, super jealous. I'm not afraid to admit that not only did I love Full House as a child but I now love Fuller House as an adult. Is it the best show on TV (well, Netflix)? No. But it's the silliest, sometimes cheesiest, heartwarming show that the entire family can enjoy. And for us TGIF 90's kids who grew up wanting a golden retriever so we could name him Comet, this is the perfect show to relive some of those nostalgic memories.

And...not only was I able to go to a taping, but I was able to go to the Halloween episode taping! I won't spill any beans but I will say it's filled with zombies, brains, and bears, oh my! A tiny bit of me is sad my Halloween-aholic husband didn't get to see it live but...he was the one who got me the ticket! 

Wanna hear all about my experience at the taping? You got it dude!

16 Things to Know Before Going to a Fuller House Taping:

1. No phones in the studio. How rude. You have to bring a friend, a book, or socialize with strangers (*gasp*). Tip: You CAN bring it with you in the audience holding area and when walking through the WB lot. They won't tell you that though.

2. You will not have an opportunity to pee for hours. If you are lucky enough, you will be provided craft services during the middle of taping. Eat the food, not the water. No joke, I pee'd my pants a little. 

3. Ladies, I know you are going to want to wear a cute halter and mini skirt in hopes that John Stamos will ask you out after the taping (have mercy), but don't. Wear warm, comfy clothes. The studio is freezing. And the hair you will grow on your legs because it's so cold, is not cute. John Stamos doesn't want that. 

4. Practice your laugh. They record the audience for the laugh track and the best, most genuine laughs get prizes! They gave out Coldstone, Netflix, and Starbucks gift cards. Plus candy and a Halloween bucket signed by the cast! I didn't win anything. I don't know why. My laugh is a winner. Maybe too good.

5. Expect to be star struck...or not. Mostly, I was not. The cast were the most normal people ever. Hanging out with the audience between takes, taking selfies and uploading them to instragram mid taping, having Justin Timberlake dance parties before the show, etc. I was, however, star struck by Jeff Franklin (Full House and Fuller House creator) Marsh McCall (producer, also directed this episode) and Joanna Kerns (best known for Growing Pains - she was observing the taping). 

6. Stars, they're just like us! Even these actors who have been performing since they were in diapers forget lines. Did you know I kind of love when actors forget their lines? Forgetting lines = normal. Michael Campion (plays Jackson Fuller) was the most "normal". 

7. Prepare to die over Elias Harger (plays Max Fuller) and his cuteness. This kid was BORN to do what he does. His comedic timing and energy is contagious. He's got more wiggles than any kid I've seen though and getting him in place was a group effort by the entire cast and crew. 

8. Holy chalupas it takes takes a village to put together a 30 minute sitcom! I've been to a few sets but there were at least 50 visible crew members on this one (makeup, hair, directors, writers, production assistants, etc.). 

9. Before the taping begins, the audience, cast, and crew watch an episode from the first season. I absolutely loved that they did this. It got you excited and set the mood for the rest of the day. It also kept you occupied while some of the crew were still setting up scenes/finding Elias Harger.

10. Think sitting in the audience for 4+ hours for a 30 minute show with 3-4 takes for each scene is boring? No worries, it's not! Audience performer Ron Pearson is incredible! I do not exaggerate when I say you will pee your pants watching him. This guy is a master at what he does. Even the cast and crew would often stop what they were doing to watch him perform.

11. Expect twins Dashiell and Fox Messitt (both play Tommy Fuller) to climb out of their stroller while Candance  struggles to buckle them in. Also expect the dog that plays the role of Cosmo to run off the stage toward the food. Working with babies and dogs...real life. 

12. To get to Stage 24 (where they film) you will walk through a large portion of the WB lot. You will walk by Conan's stage, Big Bang Theory's stage, and Pretty Little Liar's stage. It's a long walk to get to Fuller House's stage, don't wear your stilettos. Even though you may want to for Juan Pablo Di Pace (plays Fernando). 

13. Half of the audience thinks they are comedians. Some not funny at all, some hilarious! I'm pretty sure singer Josh Olsen had proposals after the show after singing the National Anthem and 10 year old child actor (I'm assuming she was an actor), will tell you Trump jokes. They were goodies.

14. You won't be confused. They shoot in chronological order. Unlike most shows where scenes are shot out of order. Also, the set is exactly as it seems. Tanner/Fuller living room > kitchen > backyard. The Katsopolis/Gibbler attic is in another area of the stage though. 

15. The Tanner couch is the smallest couch in the world. No really. The actors must be the skinniest most tiny humans ever to fit on it.

16. Want to get things signed afterword? No problemo! The pages will tell you it's not allowed but...the entire cast will come out after bows for you. Even Jodi Sweetin, despite being covered in zombie makeup (spoiler!)

Doesn't this make you want to go to a taping like now?! It makes me want to go again, and again. Thank you to my husband for getting the tickets, watching the babies, and letting me have an amazing me day to re-charge. 

Adios Tanneritos!

First Pool Day of the Summer!

Hey, you guys, it's summer! Most of the schools are out, it's hotter than blazes, my kids are pasty white with sunscreen, and my car is full of sand...I LOVE IT! Well, sort of. Part of me hates summer in Los Angles. It's obnoxiously crowded everywhere and it's too hot to be anywhere between 7am and 9pm. That's A LOT of hours in between to entertain two littles. Fortunately, we are only 30 minutes from the beach, we have one million splashpads, and...my aunt has a pool! She's the sweetest to let us crash when it's hot...or cold. Which is exactly what we did a few weeks ago.

Two blurry and impatient children trying to get to the pool.

Quick...sit over there so we can get a picture of you two in your suits!

It's not even me that matches them anymore, THEY insist. 

Enough of this nonsense mom, I'm outta here - K

She's outta here too.

Pool Crew! I mean hot tub crew 'cause...cold. (note: Kelsey has a sweatshirt on) Also, even in a hot tub, Kenley insists putting her hand on her hip for photos.

Hot tub smoochies from Granny.

2/3 my world. Eleanor "talks" about this day EVERY day.

Growing their prince. My aunt always has little activities for them too.

Post pool popcorn.

Dress up all day at home, dress up all day at aunt Sheryl's.

Should probably start a photo series of Kenley in this costume. It's the cutest watching her slowly grow into it.

Closing out the day by also PLAYING pool!

Thanks for the fun pool day aunt Sheryl (and Kelsey, Jay, uncle Ken, & Granny)!

Simpson's Six Stages of Sick

Much of last week, actually ALL of last week, was spent sick. For eight days at least one Simpson was sick and man, it was the worst. It always follows the same pattern though. So silver lining is...I know what's coming? 

Simpson's Six Stages of Sick:

Stage 1 - Kid A (in our case usually Kenley) wakes up looking extra tired. Note: this is conveniently on a Monday when Daddy is at work. Her tired eyes are accompanied by a couple of coughs and sneezes. She states "I'm feeling sick". Mom panics, heads to the store for sick day activities (magic markers, new coloring books, a couple of quiet toys, etc.), and braces herself for what's to come.

Sick little Simpson

My non-napper takes ALL the naps sick.

Stage 2 - Nightime nightmare. Sick child wakes up every 20 minutes coughing, sneezing, and crying. Sick child wakes healthy child and nobody sleeps.

Stage 3 - Sick child is lethargic, wants to watch television all day, doesn't have enough energy for mom's sick day activities, and vomits. Mommy spends all day cleaning up vomit, doing laundry, and trying to balance her attention on both children. This stage lasts a few days and occasionally ends up at a doctor's office if Kid A starts losing too much weight. 

At the doctor's office in our pjs because zero energy to get "real clothes" on.

Sketch helicopter at the doctor's office.

Stage 4 - Kid B (in our case usually Eleanor) starts to feel sick. She is too little to rest and watch television. Kid A starts to feel better. Kid A and B play and overexert themselves and Kid A gets sick again.

We played "Halloween" a lot while sick.

Stage 5 - Kid A is FINALLY better. Kid B is now vomiting (at night in our bed *gasp*). Mom starts to feel sick but there is no such thing as a sick day for her. She wobbles around lightheaded trying to care for Kid B and play with Kid A who is SO over being stuck inside and has watched ALL the TV. This results in a lot of meltdowns and everyone is crying.

Stage 6 - Kid A, Kid B, and Mommy all feel better. Daddy starts getting sick. Daddy usually gets sick on the weekends. Perfect timing for us to take care of him. *wink* Love you babe.

Memorial Day - we finally had some energy to go on  family walk and get ice cream. Because ain't nobody too sick for ice cream!

Here's to hoping it was the final dose of the season because guys...it's summer! We've got pools, beaches, and splash pads calling our name!