THE WEEKLY

THE WEEKLY

February 28, 2014

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Happy Friday, friends! It's been a productive day and my belly is happily full of stromboli that M cooked up for us.

This week was pretty ordinary.  There were a few cold days and a rainy one, but the weather has been pretty enough for flowers to start blooming! L learned how to slide down stairs in a sleeping bag. My back is healing. Better enough, at least, to get the house scrubbed clean and the laundry mountain knocked down to a small hill.

Lia's been saying the funniest/oddest things. Like, "you startled me papi". And, "I'm totally fine mom". Kids are the best!

And the highlight of the week... we told L that she could ride her tricycle in the house. It was a rainy night and we were trying to keep L out of the kitchen so we could clean. Now, she won't stop! We've got little tire tracks through the kitchen...

We're all excited for the weekend. L was invited to a birthday party and the daffodil fields finally opened and I can't wait to pick some fresh flowers for the house. Enjoy your weekend, xo!

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AROUND THE WEB | 02

AROUND THE WEB | 02

February 27, 2014

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There's so many smart and funny and good things on the Internet. Here's just a few!

Not only do I think these hashtag skits are hilarious, L created a hashtag game from them! Basically, she'll just yell hashtag and call out anything she sees while we're driving. Like, hashtag red light! Or hashtag horse. And honestly, it beats trying to create new knock-knock jokes every day.

And speaking of funny things, Jimmy Fallon took over The Tonight Show last week. Have you guys been watching? We're big fans!

Loving this small bathroom! Our toilet is in a separate closet-sized room within our bathroom and I'm never sure what to do with it.

Homemade Kit-Kat bars!

Getting kids to talk at the dinner table. We struggle with getting L to talk about her day. Maybe this will help!

Some tips to care for houseplants.

Love the idea of this birthday list of sorts.

And, a treasure map would be so fun to add to L's dress-up collection.

Enjoy, xo!

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LIA'S ROOM

LIA'S ROOM

February 25, 2014

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We're just shy of a month since upgrading L to a full-size bed. And honestly, it's still one of the best things we've done this year. She still wakes up between 6 & 7 AM, which isn't my favorite, but one of us can easily crawl back into her bed on those early mornings or late-night wake-ups! 

My favorite part is crawling into bed with her to read books. It's always a good chance for us slow down and have a moment thats just about the two of us.

She's got a playroom that's all hers, so her room is mostly full of books and a dollhouse. And of course, her dress-up basket! The colors and patterns are so much fun and easily grown into. But I couldn't resist my signature black and white touch in there. I feel like a room in our house can't possibly be ours unless there's something black and white striped going on. 

Also, did you check out our moose? He's a rescue. Pulled from an Ikea As-Is shelf and now he happily lives on L's bed. He's slightly ridiculous and has no posture at all, but we love him so.

Bedding and rug from Target. Bed frame and book ledges from Ikea. Art wall is mostly thrifted frames, handmade hoops and free printables. Hello My Darling print from this lovely shop.

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CURRENTLY | FEBRUARY

CURRENTLY | FEBRUARY

February 24, 2014

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Excited... for soccer season to start. We signed L up last week!

Reading... Insurgent.

Pinning... this sweet swimsuit for L, a good reminder, and this market tote.

Watching... The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Every night, M and I catch up on the previous nights episode!

Waking... up to birds chirping.

Loving... the warm weather we've been blessed with.

Waiting... for Spring to officially arrive!

Celebrating... a healthy four year old.
 

Working... on keeping a blog calendar.
 

Laughing... at the hashtag game my girl has come up with.
 

Please feel free to link up any of your "currently" posts in the comments, xo!
 

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EIGHT | FIFTY-TWO

EIGHT | FIFTY-TWO

February 23, 2014

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Taking photos without a huge glare on the babe's glasses is not my forte. But, she looked so grown up in this maxi dress that I had to use this photo! I mean, she's four. But she looks grown, right? 

I'm doing this series - a portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2014. Follow along, link up & find more from this project here.

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THE WEEKLY

THE WEEKLY

February 21, 2014

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Anyone else really excited the weekend is here? We had a big week!

We dealt with some not so pretty house issues but we're working on scheduling the last of our warranty appointments which means pretty soon, we can paint our walls and do whatever we'd like!

The dog decided he'd just randomly start chewing carpet while we're out of the house. Then he chewed up my favorite baskets. Then he pulled some Houdini moves and escaped from his locked dog house a few times. That dog...

But in other non-chewing related news, L had her four year well visit yesterday. I'm still shocked at how she handled the appointment. She was brave and patient and she really showed us how much she's grown in the past year. She's a very healthy little girl. She's a little short, but she's perfect. And, we finally got out of the house for some fun and she was reunited with one of her best friends.

We signed her up for soccer yesterday and we got a sneak peak of her Spring recital costume and she'll be playing a part in the dance of the Queen's Rose Garden from Alice in Wonderland. And we're signing her up for Pre-K soon. The only way I forget that time flies is by keeping us busy!

Also, Target, for the win this week. I snagged some black and white napkins for our new napkin holder that brightens up the breakfast nook and this perfectly striped calendar. I'm planning to use it for keeping up with blog things. It was blank for a few days and there's just something inviting about a empty calendar, no? Also, I may be addicted to stripes...

And, oh, the weather. The sun came out and it's been in the 70s for a few days. We've been sleeping with the windows open and waking up to birds chirping. And every morning, L asks me "did Spring come yet, mama?" She's excited to fix up her little garden and plant some things. I thought I missed Winter, and while I sort of do, days like yesterday remind me why we were happy to move back to the South.

I'm ready for a productive weekend. My back is out of sorts again and the effects of a muscle-relaxer taken last night are making me feel like my head is in the clouds. So, here's to a good Friday where I can maybe get some work done. Happy weekending, xo!

PS. If you put your four-year old in a maxi dress, be prepared for her to age another four years in an instant. Why do our babes grow so fast?!

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BIG JUMPS

BIG JUMPS

February 19, 2014

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Last night, we took L to a bedtime stories event our local library hosts. It's been a while since a library event has fit in our schedule and we didn't really know the other kids there. But there was another little girl around her age and she wanted to sit beside us. I helped the girls introduce themselves and that was that. At some point the little girl wandered to another spot and L seemed pretty bummed. But then something happened and my mama heart pretty much exploded. With some coaxing, L walked across the room to the girl and asked her if she wanted to sit together. And then, for the rest of the time, my girl sang songs and popped bubbles and sat down without me at her side.

L rarely goes somewhere without me if she has the option to be glued to my side. And she's never walked up to a kid to ask them anything. We're talking about my incredibly shy girl. The one who's growing by leaps and bounds lately.

She earned a big-kid patch last night, for sure. I'm so proud of you babe, xo!

"Oh make some big jumps, big jumps. You afraid to break some bones? Come on make some big jumps, big jumps. Life is yours alone. You hold your head up, your head up high. Like you think I do."  

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MY FUNNY VALENTINES

MY FUNNY VALENTINES

February 17, 2014

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So, my sweet guy woke up really early and pretended to go to work on Valentine's just so he could sneak out for flowers and gifts and come back home to surprise us gals.

I mean, really? I got lucky with him. I've got fresh flowers on the table and a box of chocolates to share. And leftover dinner from the first time in a very long time that we've sat down in a restaurant on Valentine's.We did stick with our tradition of Italian food and a movie at home though.

And for the first time ever, my girl and I made Valentine's for her friends and I sent her off to school in a new, red dress for her very first Valentine party. She was all smiles when she came home with her paper bag full of cards and treats. 

Celebrating with these two is my favorite!

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SEVEN | FIFTY-TWO

SEVEN | FIFTY-TWO

February 16, 2014

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She's forcing herself to smile for me but really she was itching to get back to playing with my phone!

I'm doing this series - a portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2014. Follow along, link up & find more from this project here.

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HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

February 15, 2014

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Here's to celebrating love, xo!

You can see our past cards here | 2011, 2012, 2013!

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THE WEEKLY

THE WEEKLY

February 14, 2014

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It's Friday, I'm in love...

It's been a short, sweet week. It's Valentines! So, you know, Happy Valentine's Day and all that jazz. It's been a perfect day and I'm excited that I get to share a four-day weekend with my loves!

Honestly, I can hardly remember what we've done this week short of cleaning and making Valentine's. I did treat myself to a quiet breakfast at Dunkin Donuts and some window shopping at Target. The babe learned to skip at ballet and I just love it when she's asks if she can skip while we're walking. The husband has been home more this week and every time he comes home, L asks "Want to play with me?" and I'm pretty sure his heart melts into a puddle. And, I've been devouring this book series.

I think my favorite part of this week has been reading books to L in her bed. I absolutely love her bed and so does she. Sometimes, when I am laying there reading books or rubbing her back while she drifts off to sleep, I imagine the days when she lives her teen years out in that room. I'm sure the bed will still never be made and I hope books still crowd her shelves but the dolls and toys will be long gone and will I still be as welcome there as I am now? For now, it's my favorite room in the house. For now, I will embrace the days and nights where we share the bed reading stories and talking about our days before she falls asleep.

Other than that, life is flowing. I hope your week was full of good, xo!

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LITTLE STYLE

LITTLE STYLE

February 13, 2014

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Four is a fickle stage for clothes around here. She's in between sizes in mostly everything and that leaves me scratching my head most mornings when it's time to get her dressed. I'm kind of ready for Summer just so we can fill her closet with soft dresses, easy basics and a pair of saltwater's.

A funny story about her New York shirt. She didn't like it in the store until we told her it said New York. She wanted it then and if you ask her now what her shirt says, she'll tell you "I love Abuela and Abuelo. And Beto.". Her paternal grandparents and one of her uncles.  From New York, of course!

Outfit details | coat and tee, Old Navy || cardigan, H&M || skirt, thrifted Baby Gap || tights, Baby Gap

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LIFE WITH LIA

LIFE WITH LIA

February 12, 2014

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Lately our life with Lia looks like...

Barbie movies. We're watching them faster than the library can get them in stock.
Hello Kitty, animals and all things pink.
Toys strewn around the house and tantrums when we ask her to clean them up.
Big-girl board games.
Songs and made-up stories.
Peanut butter sandwiches. All day, every day.
Chalkboard drawings and watercolors.
Princess dress-up. Pirate dress-up. Dinosaur dress-up. Her costume basket is stuffed!
Snacks around the clock and a picky dinner-eater.
A tiny helper who puts away her clean underwear, helps unload the dishwasher and wants to stir everything up in the kitchen.
And, a big imagination in a tiny body.

If I don't stop and look around, this season of life will go by in the blink of an eye. Lia isn't a toddler anymore but she's not quite a big kid. We've had our challenges and a lot of days leave me feeling emotional and vulnerable but every day with her is still the best day of my life.

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A FAMILY PHOTO | 01

A FAMILY PHOTO | 01

February 11, 2014

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I didn't make any big goals this year because I knew I would stumble over them and feel badly about them. I do have small goals and ideas I want to try out and one of those is to take a family photo once every month.

We fit in this mini shoot on the last day of the month about 20 minutes before we were out the door to ballet. I balanced a lot of books on top of a bar stool in the backyard and we made it work! It definitely felt like the situation fit in with how our January had been going!

Do you share a similar idea? I love the Project 52 I've been working on and I'm excited to have a stack of family photos to look back on through the year.

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THE WEEKEND

THE WEEKEND

February 10, 2014

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M gave notice to his second job and we are all happy to say he's only working one job with a side of full-time schooling! It was our first weekend to have him all to ourselves and we lived it up.

We celebrated with dinner on Friday night and a trip to Target. I was out on Saturday night enjoying dinner with friends while my loves had some one-on-one time. We all woke up tired and a little icky on Sunday so we headed to the beach for some diner grub and sand. I'm pretty sea salty air and bacon can work a little magic.

There were naps all around, many rounds of Monoply Jr, a little thrifting and a stock up at the grocery store.

PS. My blog reflects the ebb and flow of my life. Some weeks will have many posts and my regular line-up will be on key and some weeks things don't fall into place. For now, this weekend post has filled in nicely in lieu of my usual weekly post!

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