March Goals

It is still pretty cold, but the sun is shining and I can hear birds chirping, so lets do this spring!!  

Review on the February Goals: 

1. Read 5 books.  Short month so I can't go crazy, but this is my favorite thing to do!  Did it.. even read more that 5!  My reviews will be up tomorrow! 

2. Host Valentines Get Together.  I am thinking of having a little family party with fun decorations and heart shaped pizzas? We sure did!  We had the pizzas and too much boxed wine and it was a success!! 

3. Paint bathroom- I mean for the love of God.   Yes my friends.  YES.  We finally painted the bathroom and I LOVE it.  

4. Eat in the dining room- We finally got our new light in the dining room, so I need to celebrate by eating in there! Yes!  We had my parents over for their joint birthday celebration and we ate under our new light.  And then had a dance party to Taylor Swift.  And my dad danced on the couch.  With his shoes on.  My boys are still talking about it.  

5. Try a new class at the gym- Ryan and I joined Lifetime and we really like it so far but I haven't tried any of their fitness classes besides yoga.  Want to try something new!- And not so much.  Ugh! 

6. Don't eat out for the entire month.  This one is going to be so hard and we picked a short month for a reason.  But on the weekends we spend so much $$ on dumb food like Chipotle and Panera.  So for 28 days we are going to eat at home.  We mostly did this and I am REALLY proud of us.  We spent some Valentines' day money my mom sent us on some take-out and my parents took us out to eat because my brother was in town.. and we cheated ONE day early with Chick Fil-a, but it was really cold and we needed these crazy people that live with us to play in the play area and get some energy out.  So sue us! :) But overall, this was really hard but really good! 

Here is what is in store for March: 

1. Go to a new class at the gym- just do it Elaine. 

2. Read 6 books- my goal is to read 90 books this year.  I am on Goodreads and it keeps track of my progress and lets me know if I am ahead or behind my overall goal.  Don't worry... I am right on point! 

3. Check on passports- or find passports.  I can't remember when they expire and it would be a real bummer to pack for Ireland only to find the passport situation is a no go! :) 

4. Paint the dining room- I mean supervise Ryan painting the dining room.  I love you Ryan.  Spring break is at the end of this month, so I am thinking this can happen then... but it is possible it sneaks into our April goals! 

5. Host a dinner party- I love a party with good food and good wine and I know just the crew to come over.  Already excited! 

6. Renew my teaching license.  This is the most time sucking task of my life, but it will feel good to get it off my list! 

What are your March Goals??

Traveling With Kids

Since I have travelled on an airplane with children TWICE now, I am not an expert.  Actually three times, but the first time was when Paul was only 2 months old, so that probably doesn't count. However, I have learned a few things that have helped us.  

#1) Bring a stroller for the little guy.  Paul is fine walking, prefers to walk, and it wears him out.  Win, win.  Charlie would also prefer to walk (or run) to keep up with Paul.  However, the kid is slow.  And the Denver airport is huge so it is a lot easier to just plop him in the umbrella stroller, take it all the way to the gate and then pick it up when you get off the plane!  We never used it once when we were in California but it was nice to have as an option. 

#2) Drink Beer.  Before you get on a flight with children you might feel nervous.  What if they scream?  Or fight?  Or won't sit still?  What if they lick the floor and get Ebola?  Beer will help simmer down these fears.  

#3) Pray for sleep.  No matter what time the flight is or what good intentions you have about scheduling around naptime, this is a hit or miss situation.  It is better to just pray or cross your fingers or bargain to give your left arm if your baby will just sleep for one hour of the flight. 

#4) Bring Toys.  Paul is in school now so is all about a backpack.  We let him fill his pack up with the toys of this choosing and he could entertain himself on the plane.  This is also nice because if the older one is preoccupied then you have two hands to deal with the younger one or drink another beer on the plane.  

#5) Technology is the shit.  We let Paul pick a movie, put it on the ipad and got ourselves some earphones.  DONE.  My friend mentioned this summer that the earphones are key because the plane gets really loud and they can't hear the beloved Disney movie and then everyone is pissed.  The earphones help with this scenario.  

#6) Food, food and more food.  This is especially true with child #2.  His attention span is a whopping 1-3 minutes.  So you have to be ready.  I brought suckers, cookies, crackers, bananas, applesauce, and more.  I would bring an entire apple pie if I thought it would help.  The sucker kept him occupied for about 6 minutes.  That was huge. 

There you are!  My very informative list about travelling with children.  Any tips you would like to share?

Fall Break California Style Part 2

I think I love Santa Barbara so much because it reminds me of my childhood.  Of spending plenty of hours at the beach, playing in the ocean, building intricate sandcastles and feeling that California sun on my back!  

Sunday morning we woke up and had breakfast.  My grandma came to the hotel to join.  It was this morning that Paul declared to me, "Mom?  The truth is, I have to poop."  Well isn't that nice.  After we got all our bathroom problems worked out, we headed to the beach! 

Charlie hated it.  

This one LOVED to be chased by the waves! 

And throw rocks.  Duh

Charlie had a layer of sand on his scalp when we returned.  Beach baby. 

Beautiful weather in Santa Barbara this time of year! 

Sweet Gaz

Gaz and my crew- couldn't convince Paul to stop playing.  Fair enough.

The "kids."  Why am I so short???

My sweet Ry Guy.  Someday I am going to realize that taking a shower before these photo shoots is a good idea.  

Yep.

Oh and I held handstand on the beach for literally POINT 8 seconds.  Ryan would like everyone to know he should actually get credit for this because he was such an advanced photographer.  

After the beach, we swam around in the hotel pool and had some lunch.  We put the boys down for a MUCH needed nap and my mom and I went on a little driving adventure.  We went to my Grandma Elaine's old house and my Gaz's old house and stopped by the cemetery.  

Ryan called and said we needed to make a beer run so we stopped by Trader Joes and with my beer I accidentally picked up these gems.  TROUBLE.  

After naps we got ourselves together so we could EAT more (is it possible to gain 23 pounds in 48 hours?)!  We went to Beach Side because Ryan LOVES their halibut.  The setting was beautiful

As was this little guy! 

We woke up Monday and had a lazy morning! 

And then had a little more beach time! 

Our flight didn't leave until 4 but we thought the boys would do better if they had a little nap, so we strapped them in and drove around for .4 seconds before they fell asleep. 

I put them in their pjs thinking they could fall asleep on the plane or on the way home since it was very close to bedtime.  Wishful thinking.  We arrived at the airport and had a little movie time and stuffing a banana down our throat time.  

We arrived home and went straight to bed.  Everyone slept in until 8 which is a downright miracle.  A whirlwind of a trip but so fun!!  

It's almost Friday y'all!  I would be happy about that but I am still on fall break so that is mostly sad for this lady! 

Fall Break California Style Part One

I am not sure Ryan and I travelled anywhere for fall break?  Usually we are at home doing lots of projects or a whole bunch of nothing, which is always nice and important.  But this year my mom found some really cheap tickets to Santa Barbara, CA (where her and my dad grew up and where plenty of my extended family lives) and we decided to do a very small trip over break.  We only travelled Saturday to Monday but it was so nice to get out of dodge and play at the beach with my favorite little dudes!  

Our flight didn't leave until Saturday afternoon so I went to yoga and we had plenty of time to pack, write the instructions for the dog sitter and get ready!  

Paul insisted on bringing his hat.  This is the only time he wore it. #ofcourse

We arrived just a touch early, so Ryan and I indulged in some red beer (it's healthy because it involved tomato juice, yes?) 

The kids were excited to be at the airport and were being super cute: 

Luckily the plane ride was uneventful.  Charlie fell asleep.  Paul looked out the window, played with his cars, and watched a show on the ipad.  

We arrived and were only a few minutes away from our hotel. The boys ran around like crazy people and checked everything out.  

We then had a dinner with all our aunts/uncles/cousins and grandparents that were in town.  It was crazy and loud but fun to see people we haven't seen in awhile.  I realized I had not been to Santa Barabra since Paul was 2 months old.  He is now 4 1/2.  Oops.  

All the grandkids and great grandkids that were in town!

I love how Paul is looking at Grandma Zena! 

We came back to the hotel and had some more wine with Buck and Kascie!  The kids did great in the hotel room and were PUMPED for the beach the next day!  Come back tomorrow for LOTS more pictures! 

Today for fall break adventures I am going to clean out our playroom and THROW some stuff away!!  

How is it February?

January was perhaps the fastest month ever.  EVER. But that it is fine because it is one month closer to warmer weather and the ability to send my kids outside without spending 30 minutes bundling them up.  Is it even worth it at that point?

On another note, how in the hell do people blog everyday?  Where is the time?  I guess if I stopped watching Vanderpump Rules I would have an extra hour. 

Anyway, here is what we've been up to!  I got to go to Texas and meet sweet baby Vivian.  If possible, she is cuter in person than she is on social media, and my iphone now has 800 pictures of her.  And now I will share an inapporpriate amount. 

We obviously started the trip with Bloody Marys.  I was a little sick and vodka helped.  Then I managed to get everyone sick including the baby.  I'm a gift that keeps on giving. 

At the nail salon

 

I mean... 

 Ready to tell me all her secrets

 

She loves to talk.  Just like her mom and Aunties!

 

Strong babysitting going on here

 It was 70 degrees in Austin.  I got sunburned for goodness sake.  Then we came home to snow.  Lots of snow.  We took the boys sledding and Paul loved it.  Charlie was so bundled up he couldn't walk, which was hilarious to me but not so much him. 

 
It was also Grandmas birthday so we sent her a singing video.  I love Paul's impression of Charlie!

And then last night was the Superbowl.  If you know us in real life, you know that Ryan is a true Bronco fan.  He didn't want to have a party because what if someone was talking and he missed a play????  So, his depression is real.  This little dude didn't care about the game, but loved eating dip. 

  

Welcome February!