Our Week

Happy Friday, guys!  Man has this week has flown by...I am exhausted.  I knew school was going to be difficult and time-consuming, but I didn't know that it would be this bad.  I'm regularly up until 1:30 a.m. or 2:00 a.m., and back up at 3 and 5 to feed Miss Emerson.  Watching the kids, homework, going to class, housework...there just isn't enough time in a day.  I'm sure all you working mama's out there can relate.

This week was Bryce's first week of ECFE.  I was so nervous for this, because my toddler is crazy.  When I had him in ECFE the first time around, he was the only kid who wouldn't sit with me during circle time, and was constantly on the move, escaping the classroom, eating the teacher's paperwork, etc.  The other moms in that class constantly commented on his activity level.  Was he always this active?  Wow, he's so active! Which led me to believe that there IS a slower version to toddlerhood, but just not with my toddler. 

I went into that classroom on Tuesday expecting to be embarrassed and flustered, trying to get Bryce to do what everyone else was doing.  Instead, I walked into a room full of crazy toddlers and frazzled looking parents.  I could not have been happier.

No one sat still during circle time.

No one stayed on the activity that was scheduled.

Meltdowns over who-knows-what abound.

It was amazing.  I finally didn't feel like I was the only mother in the world with a crazy little person. Even better--one of the other kids still only had two words!  Bryce, at almost 17 months, has no words.  And by no, I mean zero.  He grunts.  Growls.  Points.  No talking.

The first thing Bryce did when we walked in was grab three toys and hand them off to three different kids, like a politician handing out campaign buttons.  Adorable.  He also picked up and hulk-slammed a little girl to the floor over a stolen baby stroller (she survived), but ya know...gotta balance a good deed with a bad one, I guess.  Overall, we both had a great time and can't wait for next class.

In Emma news:

She is already two months old!!  Where the hell did the time go?!  She has her well check next week, so I will end up posting more about her big 8 week b-day with a  post after that.  I'll warn you all ahead of time...those of you who could care less can skip it, but I need to document these things since I suck at keeping up with the baby book.  And, it's my blog so I'll do whatever the hell I want.

Kidding.

I hope everyone had a fantastic week!  Anyone have exciting plans over the weekend?

Fall Wish Lists // Littles & Mama

Fall will be here this week in Minnesota (60's already, really?!) which means it's time to get some cool weather clothes.  It really is my favorite season to dress and shop for...the fact that I get to do it for THREE of us is a total bonus :)

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Many of the picks for the littles are from Carters or Old Navy, which means they are super affordable.  For my own wish list, I'm really trying to actually invest in my clothing.  I get rid of so much because the pieces are poorly made, and end up falling apart...it's worth it to spend a little bit more for a higher quality item, especially if you're like me and wear certain items on the reg. 

I see some weekend {online} shopping happening sooner than later.

While I'm on the topic of shopping, hurry up and go check out the Etsy shop KellandKate.  They have the most adorable headbands and bows for those of you with little ladies.  Even better?  Check them out NOW on Instagram...they, along with TWELVE other shops, are doing a giveaway!  Follow their instructions to be entered.

Happy fall shopping everyone!

Our Weekend

This weekend was pretty low key, since we are STILL unpacking.  Bryce is great at the unpacking part, but not so great at the putting away part.  At least he helps :)

Friday night we decided to go out to eat, since we were sick of take out and still didn't have kitchen utensils unpacked.  Bryce sat in a booster for the first time, and my god.  He looked like a bonafide kid.  Quit growing up so fast!!

My and Bryce's meal was cut short due to a total toddler meltdown, which happened because we wouldn't allow him to eat the tail off the fried shrimp.  We spent the rest of the meal in the car, while Dad and Grandma not only finished their meals, but had dessert too.  Little shits.

On Saturday, we decided to go for a short walk and check out the new park.  Bryce is in LOVE with it.  We plan on going as often as we can before the brutal Minnesota winter is upon us.

And last, but not least, on Sunday I was able to cross off a fall bucket list item.  Pumpkin pancakes were indeed made, and indeed enjoyed.  This  recipe was oh so easy, and I totally plan on making these bad boys a ton this fall.

Sorry for the poor picture...still working on that.

Sunday also means football, and because my Packers lost on Thursday, I was all too excited that the Bears got the beat down too.  Brian totally wants Bryce to be the biggest Bears fan ever, but judging by this picture of Bryce in a Forte jersey, he has some work to do.

And what weekend post isn't complete without at least one smiling Emma picture?!

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  Happy Monday!

Pinning Now

Unpacking and toddler tantrums galore means a little break to look at some pretty and inspiring things to recharge for a few minutes.

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Colorful Sugar Cookies because why not.

Pink Pretty Flowers to mourn the ending of summer.

Lemond Bread and the prettiest of packaging.

Blue Floral Wall Art that I'm eyeing for the bedroom from West Elm.

Freedom and the perfect typography to go along with it.

A Jacket that is seriously everything...someone find this for me!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic Saturday!

Our Weekend

Heyyy there everyone...if there is anyone still reading!  Getting last weekend's "Our Weekend" post out on a Thursday at 10 p.m. is not exactly my idea of prompt, but ya know.  Moving is a bitch and takes up 1,000% of your time.  Avoid at all costs.

Over the weekend we obviously packed.  Clearly we didn't do enough of it, because come Tuesday (aka MOVING DAY) I felt like I still had a ton of last minute stuff to do.  Regardless, it got done.  Bryce was having a hell of a time with all those boxes.

Monday was when I realized I was actually severely sleep deprived.  I was in the parking lot of CVS, trying to get into my car.  No matter how many times I pushed the "unlock" button on my key fab, the car would not unlock.  I tried jamming my key into the lock to unlock the car manually (cars still do that?) and still, could not get it unlocked.  I was about to start crying out of frustration and just smash the driver side window and call it a day, when a nice lady tapped me on my shoulder.

"Um...why are you trying to get into my car?"

I glanced in the driver side window and realized that no, this is most definitely not my car.  I apologized to the poor woman and blamed it on kids and sleep deprivation, and embarrassingly went looking for my car, which was about four cars away.  

So that happened.  

Actual moving day was stressful, as it usually is, but the only two things that were compromised were my cell phone and my sanity.  New phone coming tomorrow and I can't wait.  So sad that I am so reliant on it, but it is what it is.

I'm told I'll have my sanity back when I die, so I've got that going for me.  I'll miss it until then though.

In Emma news, she is now officially using the Bumbo seat!  I seriously cannot believe that she is old enough and strong enough to do this.  Bryce was super cute when we first put her in there too...pretending to help hold her up so she wouldn't fall.  Seriously melted my heart.

 I was also able to snap a couple pictures of Bryce's last night in his room. 

On deck for the weekend is more unpacking, and hopefully getting the kids out of the house for some kind of fun activity.  Although, with our new yard being so much bigger than the old one, Bryce has an amazing time running around outside.  My sister made the observation that he runs like an angry goose, and she couldn't be more spot on, so funny!

I hope everyone's week was fantastic and much less chaotic than mine!  What fun plans does everyone have cookin' for the weekend?

Create Your Own Adventure

Thanks to Bloglovin, I happened to come across Stephanie's fantastic blog, Not Entirely Perfect.  I could not have found it at a better time!  Stephanie along with Steph (Life According to Steph) and Ashley (Keeping Up with Ashley and Cody) have joined up to host a goal setting link up, Create Your Own Adventure.  Each month there will be a different category, and you choose a personal goal to accomplish related to that month's category.  At the end of the month, you write a post about your goal and how you did.  Such a great idea ladies!

For the month of September it's a fitness related goal--perfect, because I just got my gym membership back.  After having two kids in two years, and a spring break trip scheduled, it's time to get my child-rearing...well, rear, back into shape.

September's goal:  Workout 2x/week

While I'd love to workout more, between the family, keeping house, and school, I think its best that I keep it to a doable amount.  Can't wait to start out on this adventure, see and encourage everyone else's goals, and to meet some new friends along the way!

Interested in joining in?  Read more about it here.

Hope everyone is having a safe and fun Labor Day!!

Fall Bucket List

Seriously, where did August go??  I want to totally disbelieve that September starts tomorrow, but I can't, because, ya know, calendars exist.  Damnit.

While most summers seem to go fast, I swear this one went at hyper-speed.  Being pregnant for half of it, and adjusting to a new baby for the other half, we didn't end up doing a whole lot of summer activities.  Bryce is in that toddler stage where an outing or activity will either be a total hit, or a total fail (story time at the library will never be attempted again--lesson learned).  Fall is probably my favorite season, assuming mother nature lets us Minnesotans have one :)  To make up for the lack of fun activities over the summer, a fall bucket list is in order.  I'd love to be able to mark these all off the list by December 1st, although I'm not sure how realistic that is.  Regardless, here she be--my very first bucket list!

Go to the apple orchard

Make a leaf pile

Go to the pumpkin patch

Hit up Teddy Bear park

Go on a hayride

Make an appearance at Pumpkin Mania

Try a Starbucks Pumpkin Latte (I have never had one!)

Make pumpkin pancakes

Try a new fall recipe (suggestions anyone?!)

Bundle up for a bonfire and make s'mores

Go trick-or-treating (obvi)

Carve/paint pumpkins

Go to the zoo

Go to a football game

My goal is to do one every other weekend or so, take lots of pictures, and of course--to share it with all of you!

What are some of your favorite fall activities?