Family Kingdom

One of the perks of our new hometown is an amusement park 10 minutes away.  And not just any theme park, an oceanfront park with local discounts.  Plus funnel cakes.  What more can you ask for?

We decided to take the kiddos one evening to see how they could handle it.   I'm sure it will be tourist central in a matter of weeks and I'm not the type to wait in lines with impatient kiddos and sweaty strangers.

Princess nearly had a meltdown before we even made it in.  She saw too many things she wanted and became overwhelmed.  She is definitely struggling with learning patience and delayed gratification.  We finally convinced her the fun stuff was at the back (kiddie rides) while walking swiftly, dragging her behind me.

Handsome was too small to ride the first one, however,  Princess couldn't wait to sit in the ladybug.  As it started to spin, she was a bit unsure, but once it was over she wanted to go again!  That's my girl!

Flowers and Cars

Princess loves to water flowers.  She also likes to pick flowers and trim the leaves with scissors.  I am encouraging her to pursue her love of watering flowers and we having been making it a habit every morning.  Sometimes, we water toes as well.

That is black sharpie on her big toes.  They are not bruised or broken.

Memorial Day

We took a quick trip to my parents house for Memorial Day.  With our hectic work schedules, we realized it would be a month or more before we could enjoy a whole weekend, so we decided to squeeze in a visit now.

As an impromptu visit, we didn't have much planned.  No plan often equals lazy time around the house, which usually isn't a bad thing.  We did make time to take the kiddos to a playground.  It. was. hot.  But I did get a few pictures.

Aren't these two adorable?

Operation Vacation

OK, so my idea of a vacation is probably not normal.  I actually made several lists of projects I wanted to accomplish around the house.  Projects like, weeding, mulching, painting, and the like.  Hubby wasn't really amused, his idea of vacation is spending an afternoon at the pool or beach.  I can't relax when I know there is a project to be done!

Painting our bedroom has been at the top of my list for some time.  I just wasn't sure what color.  Finally, I decided I wanted some sort of gray.  After a few weeks of picking up paint chips, reading design blogs, and pinning gray rooms on Pinterest, I had three samples mixed and painted stripes on my wall.

I waited a day or two before deciding.  I wanted the end result to be gray, not blue.  My vision is to have a moody, cozy, cool, relaxing bedroom.  I love sleeping in on cloudy, rainy days.  I love thunderstorms and find them relaxing. 

#1 gray horse, #2 moonshine, #3 gray owl, all by benjamin moore

And as luck would have it, it was a cloudy afternoon when I took these pictures, so the room was a bit dark.  I think all these colors actually photograph darker than in person.  So what do you think?  Which option would you choose?

Staycation 2012

I've been on vacation this week and its been glorious.  We've done a lot, but yet we haven't done anything.  I'll try to share more later, but I'm on vacation after all.  For now, I'm soaking up my time with the kiddos and trying to find balance between house projects and afternoons in the sun.  Hubby and I take turns sleeping in/lounging in bed until 10am, cleaning up kid messes, and making coffee runs the afternoon.  At this point, I think I could be on vacation forever.  How many days off does it take before you miss work?  Or maybe it's better measured in how many messes your kiddos make.  Either way, I still have time.

via pinterest

Plus, I am very thankful I get to sleep in my own, sweet bed, with delicious blankets, and a breezy fan.  Camping in a tent, without running water, rocks in your back, and bugs in your shoes will never compare.

Down Time

Warning: long weekend ahead.  My family and I are going to enjoy some much need time away.  I'm looking forward to a quiet escape with hubby while the kiddos get spoiled by Mimi.  Everyone needs some time away now and then.  Needless to say, I won't be posting while we're gone.  Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!