VALENTINE TEA.

As I'm rounding the bend on this pregnancy, most days I feel as if my mind is working at a significantly different pace than my body. There are so many things I want to accomplish before baby arrives, but when it comes down to it, I am so stinking exhausted. I usually opt for a midday nap rather than crossing things off my to do list,which I then feel guilty for getting nothing accomplished that day. Other than growing a human being inside my body.

But I knew Valentine's Day was one day where I was going to have to pull my crap together, because my girl was counting on me. She still vividly remembers our tea party from the last love day, and without a doubt in her mind, it was tradition and we were surely doing it again. Which I was all for. I just needed to stay awake for it somehow.

First things first, we had a busy morning of school for her, ECFE for Dude and I, then a stop at the gymnastics center for some open gym. Oh, how my kids love open gym. Such a good winter outlet. Our day got a jump start with a little love filled breakfast and goodies.

After our run around morning, we made it through lunch, then started carrying out our preparations for afternoon tea.

Turns out, if you don't stop moving it is much easier to carry on through the day. Although you're bound to crash at bedtime.

We waited for Dude to wake up from his nap, then the party was on. It was quite simple really. Warm tea doctored up with sugar and honey, and anything fun and bite sized that we had on hand that seemed tea party appropriate. Crackers and cheese, grapes, mini cupcakes, a few marshmallows...

The kids ate and drank merrily while I snapped photos and cleaned up spills. Nugget and I have spent the last year slowly adding to our mismatched tea set, and we had enough for each of us this time. How fancy for them to use real china. It was totally worth every bit of energy and effort I could muster. Always.

The day was made even sweeter by a special delivery sent from Daddy and Brother. I got the bouquet on the left, Nugget got the one on the right. Gorgeous.

My valentine to him was a few little love notes placed around the house, and a plate of homemade cupcakes.

And we had a date night this weekend which was amazing.

I'm so glad I take the time to do the little things for them, for him. They are my whole world and I surely love them to pieces.

xo.

DUDE TURNS TWO.

I know, I know. I've already written about his birthday here and here . But I have one more post about his actual birthday, then I'm done. I swear.

I was a little torn about how to spend his special day, which happened to land on a Tuesday. It was the last day that I knew I'd be able to volunteer in Nugget's preschool class before baby arrives (and let's face it, I'm not sure I'll get there after baby comes), but I also wanted the focus to be on Dude. After a little hum and hawing, I decided to just go for it. After all, he loves going to her school, and I knew it wouldn't make a difference to him how we spent those two hours.

So, after a yummy birthday breakfast of pancakes, we headed to school. The pancakes were a hit, as is anything that involves "dip", as you can see by the syrup running down his chin :)

Nugget's teachers are awesome, and totally don't mind that Dude tags along when I volunteer. They even include him in all activities, which makes my heart smile.

 Playing Playdough

 

 Sister got to lead the class in practicing the alphabet! Surely an important job.

 

Play time!

 

He also got to enjoy snack time and going to the gym to play Duck, Duck, Gray Duck and kick/throw around a ball. Big shot stuff, you know.

 

After school, Daddy was able to sneak away from work and meet us for lunch at Etlin's Cafe. Anytime we get to see Daddy in the middle of the day is exciting.

 





 

After our busy morning, we came home for naps, then spent the afternoon just lounging at home (other than running to Sister's dance class!). He enjoyed playing with his new birthday toys, especially some Duplos that came in the mail that day (Thanks Uncle Chad and family!).

 

This picture about sums up turning two. My big boy, looking all studly, drinking his beloved orange juice from a real glass. How did he grow up so fast?!

 



 

We concluded the day with a yummy dinner of homemade chicken nuggets, and of course, cake and singing!

 

 

I'd say we spent the day just right...a nice pace of partying and down time.

 

Cheers to you and turning two, my little stud muffin!

 

xoxo





TWO: A TRUCK PARTY.

I originally set out to throw Dude a tractor themed birthday party, but it easily slid into a construction/truck/whatever party. I knew I was pressing my luck throwing this party so close to my due date, so we opted for simple yet fun. I wanted enough details to say "Mommy loves you" but not so many that it stressed me out. It ended up being the perfect combination of the two, and Dude was pleased as punch.

My favorite part was the cake. This is where I usually stress the most, but I found this simple yet adorable idea on Pinterest and it was perfect.

I justify its simplicity with the fact that I still went to the effort of making it from scratch. Homemade banana cake (Dude's choice) and chocolate butter cream frosting. It was heavenly.

A few weeks back, the kids and I hit the "big" dollar store, and found some great, inexpensive decorations.

Scored this balloon for $1, only for our local grocery store to charge $4 to fill it. What a rip. Stupid helium shortage.

I did manage to make this with some basic scrapbook paper, washi tape, baker's twine and rubber stamps.

Dude got some fun new toys, but seriously, they ALL make noise. Don't these people know we're going to have a newborn in the house soon? Needless to say, some got tucked away for a rainy day ;)

 Thanking Great Grandma Mary. Melts my heart.

Teamwork. Sister was just as excited for the new toys as he was.

 

While I am in charge of the invites, cake, and decorations, Nick is in charge of the food. This year we accepted the offers for help with a few side dishes, and Nick made a triple batch of homemade broccoli cheese soup. It was a hit.

 

 



And then of course, every one's favorite part. Cake. And singing.

 

Doodey smiled the whole time and kept looking around at everyone. He couldn't believe we were all there, singing just for him.

 

He got one candle out, then kept trying and trying for the others. Sissy stepped in to help, and together they knocked those bad boys out.

 

 

Thanks to all our family and friends who helped us celebrate two years with this sweet little man. He surely felt the love. 



TWO: A BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW.

As I sit here on the brink of bringing another baby into this world, I am grateful that God has given me this day to remain a family of four. As much as I am over this pregnancy, wishing to get back the ability to breath and have energy to do anything, I was nervous that baby would come and I would spend Doodey's birthday in the hospital loving up someone new, instead of him.

But alas, I'm still here! We checked his party and two year photo shoot off the list this weekend, and are spending this day celebrating him. He is such a stud. I love him so much it hurts. It's wild to think that two years of his precious life have ticked by somehow. I don't know how we got so lucky and got such a cool kid, but I'm sure glad we did. He's a lover and funny and pretty chill, which helps balance out our family pretty nicely.

So, in honor of his second birthday today, I asked him a few questions over breakfast. Although his language is blossoming everyday, I'm adding in my two cents where he gave me blank stares :) My answers are in (parenthesis).

Q: How old are you today?
A: (2)

Q: What do you like to play?
A: Book. (Cars, Little People, Duplos, color, look at books)

Q: What do you like to do with Mommy?
A: Book. (Snuggle, read stories)

Q: What do you like to do with Daddy?
A: Book. (Wrestle, play Hide and Seek, race cars)

Q: What do you like to play with Sissy?
A: My-o (Milo) book. (Little People and Dora house, babies, kitchen, color)

Q: What do you like to eat?
A: Juice. (also yogurt, oatmeal, hummus, any kind of dip, and anything sweet)

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Purple. (also orange)

Q: What do you like to watch on TV or what is your favorite movie?
A: Doy-ah (Dora), Art-er (Arthur), RuRu Map (Max and Ruby)

Q: What is your favorite store?
A: (Technically it's not a store, but I'd say the library)

Q: What makes you happy?
A: (Blankie and nuk)

Q: What makes you sad?
A: (When Sissy takes my toys away.)

Q: What is your favorite animal?
A: Dog, mew! (Dog, cat)

***

He makes my heart smile a million times a day, and I can't wait to see how he grows and blossoms even more in the next year.

Happy second birthday,  my sweet little lover man! xoxo

LET'S GET SWANKY!

This is new for me y'all, and I'm SO excited! I would like for you to meet my first ever blog sponsor, Swanky Shank! Jen is just the sweetest thing ever and is the creative mind behind Swanky Shank designs on Etsy.

Photo source, here.

When I'm shopping for my kids, I always consider a few things. One, I like to be original. I like to find new and different things that not everybody has. Two, I watch my budget. Let's be honest, kids can either outgrow or trash clothes pretty quickly so I like to be conservative with the amount I spend on them. And three, homemade is best! I love supporting small business owners, so it's no surprise that Etsy is usually my first stop when searching for great products. Jen totally meets my needs in all three categories.

The two of us crossed paths through a mutual friend, and I am so glad we did! I am constantly ogling over her new designs and dressing up my little man in her duds. Here's a peek at a current favorite of mine from her spring collection, The Spring Swagger Set:

You can get yours here.

 

And the coolest part? You can order your set in two different sizes! Get some for now and some for later! Or split them between two little men in your life! Or just plain spoil your little man with all five!

I got these two for Doodey and I can't wait until he wears them (which will be like, tomorrow!).

Speaking of Doodey, he is turning two next week (can you believe it?!), which means we have a photo shoot coming up. You better bet your britches that he'll be sporting some swank in them! Like this for example:

Get your NERD onesie here.

 

And don't let me fool you, Swanky Shank has oodles of cuteness for the little girls in your life too. In fact, when I opened my latest package, Nugget said "Mom, you should get some swank for me too!" And you know what? She's right!

 

How cute would this be?

 

Photo source here.

 

Or this? Ooh, yes, this one.

Photo source here.

 

Okay, enough of my ramblings. You need to go check her out for yourself! And guess what? If you spy anything you adore, which trust me, you will, use the code littlewhile to save 10% on your order! How sweet is that?!

 

But don't wait, the code is only good through Saturday. So if you spy something you love (which you will, remember?) snatch it up right away!

 

Then come leave me a comment and tell me what you got! I'll totally be jealous, because I want it all!

 

***

Find Jen on Etsy, here.

 

Like her and follow her latest creations on Facebook, here.

 

Follow her on Instagram at jennycakeslane.

 

And read her blog, here!

 

***

Can't wait to see how swanky y'all get! Happy shopping!

SALLY SUCKER AND DEBBIE DECOY.

Sometime earlier this winter, we took the kids out ice fishing at Daddy's spear house. There surely isn't enough room for all four of us in there, but not to worry, the kids mostly want to run around outside and play in the snow anyway.

But nonetheless, we try to get them out there at least once a winter, just for fun.

It was a fairly decent day out, temp wise. Nugget didn't come in the house once to get warm, and Doodey was in and out the whole time :)

I spent my good share outside, but also enjoyed the quiet of the fish house...chilling with Sally Sucker and Debbie Decoy (named by Daddy and Nugget long ago!), and spying on my peeps who were out setting tip ups.

We didn't catch anything that day, or even see any fish for that matter, but the kids could have cared less! They just enjoyed the fresh air and time spent with Daddy.

Doodey fell asleep on the way home, so while I headed inside the house with him, Nugget and Daddy got to go out to lunch, just the two of them.

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.