facebook google twitter tumblr instagram linkedin
Blog design by This Gal Designs. Powered by Blogger.

Pages

  • Home
  • Life
  • The Story of Our Girls
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Perfectly Imperfect Mom

  Hello Spring! I love this time of year. It hasn't hit that sweltering heat that Florida gets in the Summer so we really try to get outside as much as possible. 
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase an item from one of the links you click on from my site I will receive a small portion of that sale. This in no way affects you. 
 
Some of my favorite items for Spring (and Summer for those who haven't gotten a break from the cold yet) usually have to do with being outside. We spent majority of our time in the pool or running around the neighborhood till dinner time when I was a child. Since times have changed we really can't expect our kids to be outside alone for hours on end. Here are some fun must haves to make hanging with your kids outside a little easier and a whole lot of fun.
Water Balloons. Yep, I said it, water balloons are so much fun. I love getting into this with the kids. Last Summer my best friend introduced me to these easy to fill water balloons and we have been hooked ever since. Just make sure to clean up the balloon debri afterwards. We told the kids prior to playing that if they wanted to play they had to clean up the water balloon pieces and they were good with it. We made that into a game of who could clean up the fastest, whatever works, right? Follow it up with a popsicle and it makes for the perfect cool off activity. 
 
 
Bubble Machine. Just turn it on and they will run around chasing bubbles till you are ready for them to stop. I bought this one because it had great reviews and I must say I am impressed with it. Even I was mesmerized by the amount of bubbles that come out at a time. We had this Gazillion Bubble Hurricane Machine one awhile back and it works great, similar style to the other one but the piece that holds the bubble liquid comes off to make it easier to refill, which is nice, but made is easily breakable. Both work great though. If you get the second one just make sure you have kids old enough to not take it off and accidentally break it.
 
Slip N' Slide. One of my favorite activities from childhood. If you want a good old fashion one you can get it here but now they have so many fun ones you really can't go wrong with any option you pick. This one might looks super fun. Kids love being able to slide down these slippery slides that you might actually get a little time to sit back and relax. 
 
 
Sidewalk Chalk. This is the one thing that is a staple in our house year round. The minute I am running low I go buy more. My kids are obsessed and I love that it is a creative outlet as well. The girls got these awesome Walkie Chalk "Stand Up" Sidewalk Chalk Holders for their birthdays and they love them. We also love these sidewalk holders to make them a bit less messy. 
 
Sidewalk Chalk Paint. So this one is a favorite but not something we take out often. I love this because the kids have so much fun with it but it is messy. This is a good one to take out when you are doing something with water right after. Have them play with this in their bathing suits as well. It's definitely a must have though because it is so fun. 
 
And I highly suggest becoming an Amazon Prime (try if for 30 days free!) Member. We have it and ordering all of these items is super easy and inexpensive. Free 2 day shipping isn't bad either! 
What are some of your Spring or Summer must haves for playing outdoors? We love getting new ideas. 
 
facebook ♥ instagram ♥ twitter ♥ pinterest ♥ bloglovin
April 12, 2017 No comments
Better late than never right? We did a joint party again for the girls this year. Originally I thought I wouldn't get around to doing one because things had been so crazy but Ashlyn kept talking about having a birthday party so I threw one together last minute. I called my best friend Kat and told her to come help me (because I don't do parties without her) and she was more than happy to help with the festivities. I planned it during her girls Spring Break and St. Patrick's Day. So perfect! 
 
I wanted to do an early party because that is when my kids are at their best. This also made food easier and more difficult because it wasn't really breakfast or lunch time. We decided on donuts, muffins, cupcakes, confetti popcorn and fruit. Drinks we easy since we had water and juice. 
  
 Since we have a large front yard on a cul de sac we put everything out front for the kids. 
I wanted to have a bunch of activities for them to do so I knew for sure we would have our Little Tikes bounce house out (seriously best purchase we ever made when Ace was a toddler). I also bought a bunch of crayons from Amazon, this bubble machine, sidewalk chalk and a big unicorn coloring poster. 
  
Kat and her oldest daughter made the cupcakes. I bought little unicorns from Target's dollar spot. They worked out perfect as little toppers.  I also got the favors from there too. They had wood unicorn and robot painting kits. Seriously, I love Target's dollar spot. I also got unicorn stamps and sunglasses for the girls there. 
I picked out these dresses in purple and aqua for the girls to wear for the party. Then she put on this dress and then Everly decided it wasn't happening so she wear some random pair of shorts and t-shirt. I finally got her to agree to put her dress on for cake pictures and she put a Mickey zip up on over it. Such a stinker. I also realized I didn't get any great pictures of the girls together but I did at school for Everly's actual birthday so you get what you get, right? 

Everly's Dress



Cart





!
This picture cracks me up. They were waiting for us to sing to them and were like hurry up!


Bubble Machine / Ashlyn's Dress

Bounce House

 


facebook ♥ instagram ♥ twitter ♥ pinterest ♥ bloglovin
April 06, 2017 No comments
Bedtime is one of those times you want to make peaceful and sweet. You want your child to go off to dreamland feeling cozy and calm. One way to do that is creating a bedtime routine and finishing it off with a book or two (or three or four). My children look forward to that bedtime story every single night. Here are some of our all time favorites. 
1. Goodnight Moon. This is probably not a shocker for most parents but I have to put it out there for any new or expecting Moms. This is a book I began reading when Ace was a baby and my kids still love it to this day. The rhyming, repetitive nature is reassuring and calming for them. I always end it with a whisper "Goodnight noises everywhere." to help keep the mood calm and peaceful. 
2. Little Blue Truck. This has got to be one of the cutest books with a great message. We are huge fans of all the Little Blue Truck books (my favorite is Little Blue Truck in the city). This is a story about a truck who helps a rude dump truck and sets an example everyone begins to follow. 
3. That's Not My Bunny. Short, cute and colorful. These books are always fun to read because my kids can easily remember the words, they are textured so they love feeling the animals and they are short. If you have a night where you need to get through a book quickly this is a must. 
4. Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You. This is probably my all time favorite book for my children to listen to before bedtime. This is actually a book we got from Ashlyn's biological mother and she recorded her voice reading it. It is a very sweet reminder that a Mother's love is always there no matter what. If you are an adoptive Mom and have an open relationship with your child's biological mother I highly recommend this book. It ends with I love and I think that is a great way to end a book. 
5. Pajama Time. Fun and silly! This book is another one I have been reading to my kids since Ace was a baby. It's just such a fun read and it's silly too. I love books that send my children to bed with a smile. 
 
What are your favorite bedtime stories for your little ones? 
Want to save these book titles for later? Pin this image to make it easier to find!
 
facebook ♥ instagram ♥ twitter ♥ pinterest ♥ bloglovin
April 04, 2017 No comments
Happy Birthday my little Gertie Trudie! We love you so so much. 
 
Outfit
You are our spunky, goofy, raspy voiced sweet pea. 
You are the girl who makes everyone laugh by making goofy faces and being super silly and cute. You have no shame. You finally love the water, thank God! You are obsessed with "baby shorts" which are just shorts but for some reason you like anything to do with babies. You are hardcore in love with babies and baby dolls and being a mommy. You often carry around two dolls or stuffed animals on your hips. It reminds me of the good old (crazy) days when I was carrying around you and your sister all the time. 
  
You absolutely love school. Your teacher Miss Monique is probably one of your most favorite people. You also gravitate to guys, always have. I think because you are such a spunky, crazy girl you love the energy guys put out. You are very similar to Ace and you two are very wild together and will wrestle. 
  
My favorite thing you say is "I love you so much!" it's not just I love you but you always add that last part. It's precious. You also say "I swear to God!" Which you really shouldn't but it's funny and you know it. Your goal in life is to make people laugh. 
 
You are also my helper and cleaner upper. You take after your Dad a lot in this way. You take after me with your tantrums and dramatics. Very similar to me as a little girl, whoops. 
  
You are very quick and athletic still. You pick things up quickly and are very physical. You love running around, riding bikes and playing outside. 
 
You color inside the lines which I find so cool for a child under 3. You were never taught or told to do this by us you just did it. 
 
You are also so generous. You don't mind sharing (unless it's one of your babies) and often will bend to Ashlyn because she is much more stubborn than you. Your best friend is your sister. I didn't realize how connected you two really were till I saw another child try to come play with you two and you two just had this way with one another that no one else really got till a set of twins came along and for some reason the 4 of you worked. It was super cool to see. 
  
My sweet girl you have grown into such a magnificent person. Whenever I look at you I think of the song "Here Comes the Sun" because your smile is so bright and beautiful. Your eyes shine. You just have this way about you that can make anyone smile. I love you so much my little Gert Gert. 
 Love, 
Mommy
 
facebook ♥ instagram ♥ twitter ♥ pinterest ♥ bloglovin
March 25, 2017 No comments
Newer Posts
Older Posts

About me

About Me


Aenean sollicitudin, lorem quis bibendum auctor, nisi elit consequat ipsum, nec sagittis sem nibh id elit. Duis sed odio sit amet nibh vulputate.

Follow Us

recent posts

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2020 (1)
    • ▼  August (1)
      • I remember sitting on my parents patio on the anni...
  • ►  2017 (21)
    • ►  June (4)
    • ►  May (2)
    • ►  April (5)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (3)
    • ►  January (6)
  • ►  2016 (39)
    • ►  December (6)
    • ►  November (3)
    • ►  October (4)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (3)
    • ►  July (6)
    • ►  June (2)
    • ►  May (3)
    • ►  March (3)
    • ►  February (3)
    • ►  January (3)
  • ►  2015 (87)
    • ►  December (9)
    • ►  November (8)
    • ►  October (9)
    • ►  September (14)
    • ►  August (6)
    • ►  July (8)
    • ►  June (10)
    • ►  May (5)
    • ►  April (9)
    • ►  March (4)
    • ►  February (4)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2014 (79)
    • ►  December (5)
    • ►  November (9)
    • ►  October (7)
    • ►  September (12)
    • ►  August (12)
    • ►  July (7)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  May (6)
    • ►  April (6)
    • ►  March (5)
    • ►  February (4)
    • ►  January (5)
  • ►  2013 (151)
    • ►  December (5)
    • ►  November (2)
    • ►  October (9)
    • ►  September (8)
    • ►  August (5)
    • ►  July (19)
    • ►  June (18)
    • ►  May (19)
    • ►  April (18)
    • ►  March (14)
    • ►  February (18)
    • ►  January (16)
  • ►  2012 (277)
    • ►  December (19)
    • ►  November (30)
    • ►  October (34)
    • ►  September (25)
    • ►  August (37)
    • ►  July (44)
    • ►  June (40)
    • ►  May (16)
    • ►  April (11)
    • ►  March (7)
    • ►  February (5)
    • ►  January (9)
  • ►  2011 (93)
    • ►  December (3)
    • ►  November (6)
    • ►  October (11)
    • ►  September (4)
    • ►  August (6)
    • ►  July (7)
    • ►  June (14)
    • ►  May (8)
    • ►  April (4)
    • ►  March (8)
    • ►  February (9)
    • ►  January (13)
  • ►  2010 (84)
    • ►  December (13)
    • ►  November (21)
    • ►  October (16)
    • ►  September (21)
    • ►  August (12)
    • ►  March (1)

Pinterest

FOLLOW ME @INSTAGRAM

Created with by ThemeXpose | Distributed By Gooyaabi Templates