I'm Giddy

Tomorrow I leave for FIVE nights to see my best girlfriends. We lived together all through college and last year we started an annual summer girl's trip. For every phone call that was cut short by a screaming toddler, we always would end it with 'see you soon,' and now it's finally here. This year we are going to Hillary, who lives near Seattle. We've been looking forward to this weekend since last year's visit. I am giddy with excitement.

 And...it just so happens that my family lives around the area as well. So tomorrow I get to spend the day/night with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. Mike and the kids are going camping for the weekend. They are heading in to the beach in the RV and the kids can't believe they finally get to spend the night in it. It's been almost a year since we did an overnight in the motor home. So everyone here is excited. I'll be back next week with too many pictures.

xoxo.

 

Ella

Ella,

Maxwell went golfing with Daddy and we spent the afternoon together, just us girls. We spread out our big towel and played in our driveway until the sun went down. You played dollhouse, drew with chalk, and showed me tricks on your bike. Watching you play 'pretend' is my favorite.

I'm so, so, happy God gave you to me. I love being your Mommy and I love spending time with you, my sweet girl.

 Love, Your Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something's Missing...

...can you tell what it is? It's my boys hair. Mike took the kids to run errands one day this weekend.  Maxwell came back with a buzz. It wasn't a big shock, Mike's been saying he's going to take him for a couple months and I really didn't care either way. I actually love a shaved head on guys. And Maxwell has thick hair that goes into a crazy wave if I don't wet it every morning. But when he ran into the house to show me his new do, I couldn't help but frown a little inside because he looks so old.

Parents say it all the time, but they are growing too fast. Their little bodies are lean and strong. Their minds are independent and clever. And I can't help feeling a smidge of sadness that I only got to do it once. I wouldn't trade twins for the world, but the baby phase goes so fast, and now it's done. Of course there are great things to come. But that part is done.

So this afternoon I watch my big boy chase bugs with his bow and arrow and my girl flip through magazines.

 

This is not posed. Ella loves getting the mail. If anything comes that will remotely pass as kid mail, I tell her it was meant for her. Today it's Pottery Barn Kids. One of her favorites. She spent at least a half hour in her lawn chair, flipping through various rooms and paint colors. 

"Which one do you like Mom?" 

I point to the cream room with vibrant blue accents.

"Hmmm. Me too," she says. 

 Girl's got good taste. 

 I can't mourn their growing up, or I'll miss what's happening now. And this is pretty amazing too. 

 

 

Dress Up

A couple months ago we were at my friend Amy's house and the kids played dress up. Amy started getting into photography this year, and I love when she asks if she can use my kids for shoots...ummmm...yes! She was taking a few shots for this etsy shop. She dolled Ella up in fun head pieces, then Maxwell looked like he wanted in too. He was wearing random plaid shorts and she dug out a tie and suspenders. I was standing behind her making 'smile big' faces, a few times I got way to into it and had to remind myself this is not Toddlers and Tiaras. Anyway, I couldn't just pick one or two. Here was our day of dress up. Thanks Amy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Trip = Success

Last week my Mom and I drove with Maxwell and Ella to visit my grandma, Blano, in New Mexico. We drove pretty much straight through from California, about 15 hours each way. And the kids did AMAZING. No joke, they barely made a peep on the drive. No meltdowns, no accidents, no tears. They were so, so, good. If you are considering buying a DVD player for a long trip...my vote is YES.

We had such a special time. Maxwell and Ella loved being with their great grandma. I loved being with my Mom and my grandma. It was smiles all around. Thank you Mom and Blano for the special week. I will remember it always. And of course, a video to remind the kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Trip!

What's been happening around here...we had a great last weekend. Mike and I had a much needed date afternoon/night at the golf course, then we spend Saturday at the lake. Sunday we finally celebrated little Maegann's 21 birthday (she may be getting older, but she'll always be Lil Maeg).

Then came this week, nothing out of the ordinary until- A SPUR OF THE MOMENT TRIP was planned! My Mom and I are driving to New Mexico to visit my grandma (who I call Blano). We are leaving Sunday and will be back Friday. Mike and I have been trying to make this trip happen for about a year, but he can't take the time off work to come too. On top of this trip, I am going on my annual trip with my best friends to Seattle in only a couple of weeks. AND, Mike is trying to plan a trip to take Maegann to visit Michael in New York. That's why he works all the time, to make this happen for us. Just wish one of our trips was us together :(

So, in three days we set off on a 14ish hour trip with two three year olds. That's with no stops. I got on Pinterest this morning and started looking at ideas for road trips with toddlers. There were lots of good ones. Like making felt boards and I SPY books. But honestly? I'm pretty sure I'm banking 90% of our success on the DVD player and the 20 movies I'm going to rent from the library.

Last night we watched fireworks at the beach. I stole Maeg's pictures of Facebook.

And...I've been a little blue. And I hate it. And I don't want to talk about it. Just send a happy prayer my way. I believe they work.

For The Maxwells

This post is dedicated to the Maxwell family. (For those of you who don't know, Maxwell is my maiden name...hence, our son's awesome name). 

Fellow family members,

Have you been up to Nana and Papa's house lately and felt like something was...different? Like something, or rather, someone was missing? Let me enlighten you. If you've been around the family for any amount of time you'll know just who I'm talking about. (Unless it's just the cousins that remember her?)

She's clothed in red velvet. You can see your reflection in her patient leather shoes. Her eyes follow you from the garage door to Nana's chair...she sees EVERYTHING. Yep, I'm talking about the doll that looks real. Nana gave her to Ella on our last visit and now she lives in my house. Following my EVERY MOVE. Cue creepy laugh...Bahahaha.

At first Ella didn't think much of her, but now that she stripped off that formal attire and Ella carries the doll everywhere. Though, she does tell me, "She's very heavy Mama." She is different from Ella's fisher price dolls that don't weigh 15 pounds. Anyway, I thought you'd get a kick out of the latest addition to our family.

It's actually very special, because she's from Nana. I've asked Ella a few times what the baby's name is and every time she tells me, "She's the Nana baby," Which makes me smile to know that Ella knows her great Grandma, Nana.

 But make no mistake, I sleep with one eye open.

Clearly the baby is in good hands.

 

 

 

p.s. Aunt Sue, do you see the rocking chair in the background? That was mine, and I'm told that you painted it for me :)

Weekend

Our weekend in photos...

My lovely cousin Sandra and her husband Rusty were in California, so we met them at my parents house for lunch. Rusty is charming and smart and Sandra is as engaging as I remembered.  Love you cousin~

 

 

Sunday we spent the day on the lake. My mother in law, Grandma Judie, came with us and we all had a great time.

Something about twins: every time I think I have one of them figured out, they switch on me. Ella has been our 'water bug.' She's usually the one you have to drag out of the water. But they did a swap and now he's the fish. They both love swimming, but Maxwell is the first one in and the last one out. They tried tubing for the first time! Mind you, we were going 5 mph, but they each did it. Look at my brave girl, all on her own.

Judie took the wheel, proving once again that this woman can do anything. 

Boys behind the boat. 

We spent most of the day swimming in the lake. There were very few boats out and we found a couple coves to play in. The lake felt like a big swimming pool. 

 

Ella swam too, but she liked her 'step' the best.

Wearing Grandma's hat. 

Awkward family portrait. 

Me and my boy. And my new favorite hat.