Read more about the article SUMMER CRAFTS with KID MADE MODERN

SUMMER CRAFTS with KID MADE MODERN

My girls have figured me out. They no longer ask for toys when we’re at Target. Instead, they ask for cheese sticks (completely necessary to get us through the store)… and “crafts for projects.” Because give me the craft aisle over toy aisles any day of the week. And I’ll always say yes. Target may only have a couple bays of crafts, but they also have it figured out. They only carry the best. And that’s how we discovered Kid Made Modern’s craft supplies and kits. Everything we’ve purchased from Kid Made Modern has been so much fun to make. And as we delved in further, we found their complete product line online. We picked out some items and wanted to share our Wooden Robots with you guys… and also a story told by Mya.

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Read more about the article Baby Boy’s Room and Organizing with IKEA

Baby Boy’s Room and Organizing with IKEA

If there’s one thing that calms my mind, it’s an organized space. But if you walk into our house at any given moment, you are likely to find toy cars scattered across the floor and stacked on top of blocks, dress-up clothes trailing down the stairs, and a couch covered in stuffed animals. That’s pretty much our every day scene on our main floor living space. And as long as there is a narrow path for me to walk safely through while holding a baby, I’m okay with that for now. Because that’s life. If you then venture upstairs to the bedrooms, there is a bit more order. Mainly because we play up there only a fraction of the time as we do downstairs. But I do love playing and just being in our kids’ bedrooms. The girls are proud of their rooms and what they’ve helped them become and I hope Guyguy feels the same one day too.

We already had most of the big items (dresser, glider, and crib) as they’ve been passed down from the girls. Instead, we were only left to find the fun stuff for Guy’s room– items for a gallery wall, some room accents, and tools to organize all the little things. Here are three IKEA finds we used to give us some order:

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Read more about the article SUMMER BALANCE

SUMMER BALANCE

I had a quinoa salad for dinner. Followed by some boxed brownies and a pint of ice cream. It’s all about balance. 😉 And that’s basically how our summer is going. Some days we’re racing around town to drop off/ pick up Mya from camp. But then most other days we’re in our pjs until 2 PM because it’s too damn hot outside and basement hangs are our jam. Our plans are tentative at best and it’s a pretty awesome way to live. I know these days won’t last forever; and I’m soaking them up while I get to have all three babes home with me. Also embracing the fact that I can easily buy their love with bomb pops.

These pics were taken after some sweaty backyard playing and they’re some of my all-time faves. Turns out if you throw some overheated kids on a beanbag in front of a window, it’s a foolproof way to get some great shots. Who knew. So here’s some documentation of how these three are growing, their current moods, and why I’m one lucky Mamacita.

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Read more about the article 5 WAYS WE USE THE DOCKATOT

5 WAYS WE USE THE DOCKATOT

Most baby Mamas have heard of the DockATot. It was the most registered baby product in 2017 and pictures of kids enjoying their “docks” are scattered all over Instagram. After all, a product approved by so many Moms must be a winner, right? While pregnant with Guy, I became more and more intrigued of this seemingly magical infant sleeping tool known as the DockATot. But news to me: the DockATot wasn’t originally intended for a sleeping aid. It was designed as an alternative to the baby lounger, cot, or blanket– while also being more versatile and snug, mimicking the mother’s womb.

Seemed legit.

And since I wasn’t going to be able to hold Guy nonstop (unlike I pretty much did with the girls), I liked the idea of a comforting, secure spot for him to be around us. But a couple things had me questioning the necessity of the DockATot: the size and the cost.

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Read more about the article GUY STEVEN

GUY STEVEN

Oh hey. Still here. Just with one more kiddo added to our mix and I’ve been choosing to stare at him or sleep when I can over anything else. We’re a little late to this birth post since Guy is almost 3 months old, but I still wanted to get it up here! And having now loaded three kids in a car numerous times, I’ve come to terms with probably never being on time to anything… or hitting a deadline. Ever Again. We are all so in love with our baby “Guyguy,” so here he is in all his hairy glory:

Thursday, March 8th
5:48 AM
8 lbs 11 oz
21 in

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Read more about the article CUSTOM APPLE WATCH BAND with CASE STATION

CUSTOM APPLE WATCH BAND with CASE STATION

You guys. Case Station. We’ve mentioned their custom phone cases before with the “Perfect Mothers’ Day Gift.” And now we’re bringing them back because we just can’t get enough. But this time, they stepped it up even more. Case Station now offers custom Apple watch bands. Yes, please. Because if I can have my phone match my watch and have my kid’s art splattered all over both of them, then I’m all in.

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Read more about the article CREATING a FAIRY GARDEN

CREATING a FAIRY GARDEN

Here’s the beauty of a fairy garden: You really can’t mess it up. (Leah’s tried.) Your toddler can basically be in charge of what they do with it and there’s minimal maintenance. We threw two fairy pots together in the Spring and the girls still get enjoyment out of them. I didn’t anticipate the girls to voluntarily nurture and tend to them as they do, but it’s been a pleasant surprise on our many backyard days. Even if they’re just rearranging rocks, trading items from pot to pot, watering, or making mounds of mulch– it’s an activity that is easy, interactive, and keeps them somewhat stationary. Which translates to me sitting nearby, watching them create something they believe to be so magical.

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Read more about the article SUMMER BUCKET LIST for KIDS

SUMMER BUCKET LIST for KIDS

Mya’s final day of 3’s Preschool was last week and we’re officially having those summer vibes. After our vacation to Estes and the girls’ and my trip up to Omaha, it’s been kind of a struggle to get back in the swing of things at home. I think Mya is expecting a road trip every week, which is definitely not the case. So in an effort not to bore her out of her mind and always strive to be more fun-loving parents, we came up with a list of things we want to do with the girls this summer. Hoping that you guys send us some of your summer plans too, so we can add them to our list!

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Read more about the article ESTES PARK 2017

ESTES PARK 2017

Last week we went to Estes Park– the first time flying with both girls– and it was beautiful. Exhausting, but oh so beautiful. The weather was a perfect high of 70 degrees, Leah only had 8 full-on tantrums– nothing makes Derek sweat more than a crying baby in the wilderness–, and the girls were both angels on the plane (thanks to endless snacks and iPad movies.) Compared to all past travels, I would have to say that I planned the very least for this little getaway. Perhaps because Derek took care of the hiking logistics/ rental car/ driving, or maybe just because I was already in the vacation, laid-back Colorado mindset and figured things would just unfold. And they totally did. Some of our favorite stops were planned, some were just by chance (cue bathroom emergency at a local coffee shop.) But whether or not things happened on purpose, I was so happy just being us four, showing the girls a new place, and having them remind us that the best world is outdoors. Here are a few of our favorite findings (and a whole lot of pictures) from our little trip:

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Read more about the article MOTHERS’ DAY GIFT GUIDE: for the PRACTICAL MAMA

MOTHERS’ DAY GIFT GUIDE: for the PRACTICAL MAMA

Being a “Mom” doesn’t totally define me, but let’s be real: I’m drawn to things that label me as a Mom because it’s what I live for. I swoon over pretty, yet practical products, entertainment is centered around watching my kids dance in the living room, and I wear a backpack for a purse. So yeah. The mom game is strong over here. Moms’ Day is just around the corner and I wanted to throw another gift guide together of some current functional faves:

Grateful sweatshirt | Floral picnic blanket | Gardening tools | Phone case | Kitchen shears | Lip treatment | LOVE tote | Foam curlers | Swaddle blanket

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Read more about the article THE PERFECT MOTHERS’ DAY GIFT with CASE STATION

THE PERFECT MOTHERS’ DAY GIFT with CASE STATION

Thanks for everyone’s input on the last post regarding our family travels. Since then, we decided that the trip to Estes next month seemed more appealing to fly 1 hr as opposed to a 10 hr drive. Duh, right? So the flights are booked and the VRBO is reserved. We’re basically already there. 😉 The thought of minimal cleaning (oh, and quality time with my loves, of course) has me counting down the days. But now let’s talk about something else I’ve been pretty giddy about: my new phone case from Case Station.

I’m not a techie person, seldom wear a watch, and lose my phone daily. So getting me a tech-related gift for Mothers’ Day wouldn’t normally score the hubby many points. Until now. Recently, we each got a phone case from Case Station and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the design, quality and durability. In the world of a billion different phone cases, I wanted something personal and practical. “Personal” meaning I wanted the imagery to mean something to me. “Practical” meaning “when the girls I (who am I kidding?) drop it daily, it will hold up and prevent injury to my phone.” Here is why we think Case Station is a step above the rest in creating the perfect personalized phone case:

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Read more about the article DAYS AT HOME with BANNOR TOYS

DAYS AT HOME with BANNOR TOYS

You know how sometimes you have a plan for the day… and then you remember you have kids… and whatever vision you had was just a joke really? Pile up Mya getting sick, some gloomy weather, and post breastfeeding hormones and the past week was pretty thrown. But rainy walks around the block, lots of pajama days, and a daily dose of Moana seemed to do the trick. Last weekend, that’s exactly what happened– we stayed home to get well and recharge for the week. All the bins and baskets of playthings were thrown on the living room floor and we all just camped out by the fire. Most of the time, I have the girls pick up things as we are done playing with them because it leaves less of a mess for me after bedtime. And because #mamatired. But last weekend we just let it happen and looked past the mess to find two happy girls, perfectly content with being together at home with just us parents. Which I’m going to pretend will always be the case. Because this is my heaven.

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