For Entertainment Purposes

If you know me, I'm about as OCD with cleanliness as it may get, my car would disagree at the moment, but hey I didn't say I was perfect. I'm just one of those moms that likes to feed the baby/toddler to avoid any messes. And by messes I mean applesauce on the floor, walls, windows, and under the booster seat that's hidden for weeks until you decide "oh hey maybe I should check under there" ...I would just rather avoid "those messes". But against - what I like to think is - my better judgement, I decided to let my 16 month old feed himself these last few days for the sake of, well, being a kid! Ha. It was surprisingly less messy than I expected, but then again he just kept the mess all in one place... his face/body. 

Photos to elaborate...

Day 1: Applesauce. I was sadly unprepared for this new "wear my food" stage. So this is all I was able to capture.

Day 2: Yogurt. Lucked out on this one! I just so happened to catch almost every second of his experiment with this new freedom. 

Who needs a spoon?

Well that was fun.

Day 3: Mac & Cheese. I'm still a little confused by this one. But it still made the cut, because really? How does one manage this?

And then that "let's wear the placemat on my face until that gets boring, and just throw it on the floor" moment. 

My anxiety may have been on hiatus during each one of these moments, but I shall learn to just let my kids be kids because every moment of this was hilarious and priceless.

#toddlermom

Planes & Trains

Oh hey there! Life continues to have its way and consume every ounce of energy in this body of mine... and although I'm surviving, I'm clearly slacking in a couple departments. {{This}} being one of them.

But! A few exciting things have prompted me to jump back into my bloggy world, so here we are.

My best friend is due to have TWINS {yes, twins!} in March, thus beginning one of many celebrations. Yesterday was her first baby shower and it was precious! As I've shared once before, this household is never short of supplies when it comes to entertainment, and they always deliver. The food was amazing and the creations were beyond adorable.

I couldn't be happier for my sister-friend. I love her to pieces. These babies are going to be spoiled rotten!!!! Congrats again, Jess! 

{side note: she's 24+ weeks with twins, could she look more amazing!?!}

.......next on the list.......

My little family went on our first adventure to the North Pole on The Polar Express!!! 

Holy moly! This was so much fun. The weather wasn't too cold, but the wind kept it chilly enough for layers. Nonetheless, they kept you warm (while waiting) with indoor heaters and activities for the kids.

Oh my heart... {insert tears, really} it was a sweet moment.

But of course we couldn't leave out the other half of our family... so this was Chris and little B. 

Our family.

Then onto one of the most important parts... Writing our letter to Santa!

Signed, dated, and shipped! Off to the North Pole! All aboard!!!

... a quick glimpse into the first couple minutes of me and these two lovelies.

But then we got settled and enjoyed some of the best, most precious, timeless, unforgettable moments... 

They were very dedicated to reenacting special parts of the storyline.

Ticket punching...

Hot chocolate...

Dancing... lots of dancing... 

Driving into the North Pole...

And then waiting...

And waiting... 

..... for Santa!!!!

And he gave each of them their first gift of Christmas... their very own bell!! *if you know the story, it's kind of big deal. ;)

Of course it took all of two seconds for this to happen...

But nonetheless, they were happy and WE were happy to have made it through with all smiles and zero meltdowns! Woo hoo!!!! .... before exiting we also snagged a photo with the cute little elves. 

Such a busy, but blessed day!! We ended the night with a sleepy baby (straight-to-bed-from-car seat) and a happy little girl with her new toy train.....