A Little Here and There

Last week went by too fast and now we are in July! Is it me or is this summer flying by?

Nolan went to three days of Little Gym Camp and loved it. His theme was Green Beard's Pirate Ship, so what boy wouldn't love it?

I also hosted our KMB DIY Playgroup at The Home Depot. The moms loved it, and The Home Depot put on a wonderful class with food and teaching us how to build a raised garden bed. We had so many giveaways and almost everyone went home with a prize!

I finally gave in and went to a minute clinic for this ongoing cold turned sinus infection from the month of May. I'm not one to go to the doctor but I'm DONE feeling bad. Hoping these antibiotics help me kick this yuckiness!

I know I always say this...BUT I can't believe tomorrow is July. A few fun things planned this week...a girl's night in with some friends tonight, on Wednesday I have to get a babysitter for going to the dentist so I figured the husband and I could hit up an early dinner and happy hour, and then of course the 4th of July on Friday. We'll be attending a local parade that we've taken the boys too the past few years.

What do you have planned for July?

Natalie

Summer is Here!

I don't know about you, but even though the official start of summer is not until tomorrow...it's seriously summer here. The thunderstorms and temps in the 90's tell me so.

The boys and I held down the fort this week while my husband was out of town. But we managed to have some fun and make some simple summertime memories!

One of my KMB contributors, Christie, who is an amazing writing share on KMB about having a simple summer. That those are the memories our children remember. Her post resonated with me, and I hope to not over-schedule the boys. Have fun, do new activities, but also be flexible. That's what summer is all about right?

(My wonderful KMB crew, Christie is third from left)

Nolan started Little Gym camp this week and had a blast. We had some late night ice cream, bubbles, a little art, and my first adventure with both boys to the pool.

Today we're having a home day because sometimes it's nice to be home and play without a schedule.

What are you doing fun this summer?

Natalie

This Week-Friday 5!

This week was a fast one but slow at the same time. Can that even be possible?

I am super excited to be co-hosting Friday 5 with the fabulous Emmy! We've been bloggy friends for maybe three years? I really consider a friend and love keeping up with her family. She's funny and doesn't take herself too seriously while still having great family values. So be sure to check her out, and now on to the Friday 5!

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5 Thoughts

1) We are adjusting back from the beach life. It's nice to be away from home, but it's also nice to have a sense of normalcy and routine.

2) We have what I call a "soft" summer bucket list. It's not a "must do", but I am trying to do some fun activities with the kids this summer.

3) Last week, I took the boys to Chuck E. Cheese, worked out at the barre gym, celebrated National Donut Day with a visit to Krispy Kreme, and we went to JumpJam a trampoline park. The boys loved it, and we went at the smaller children time, so they wouldn't get trampled on.

4) This week we visited with some friends since she's a teacher and off for the summer. The boys had a blast with the older boys!

5) This week we had a KMB playgroup, and the boys got to make their own pizza. Well Nolan did, Conley was too busy looking through the windows at the pizza makers.

5 Pictures

Conley having fun at Chuck E. Cheese!

Boys being boys at JumpJam! 

Krispy Kreme donut time!

Getting fitted for jeans for a review on KMB!

Pizza makin' fun with KMB!

A little preview of our family photos, more to come soon!

And one more just for fun!

Have a great weekend friends and link up with us! 

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Natalie

Confidence As We Age

After having two kids and aging, I find new thoughts running through my head.

For instance, I've recently started attending a local barre studio that has mirrors. I realize that I don't look in the mirror CLOSELY that often. So here I am with a well lit room staring at my reflection.

"Wow do I usually look this tired? I really should do something about those black circles."
"I really wish I had a stronger chin..seriously."
"I probably should have worn makeup if I knew I was going to stare at myself."
"Does everyone look as awkward as I do attempting this pose?"
"I wish I could look more natural doing these moves, you know why couldn't I have been more cheerleader like?"

These are just of a few thoughts that run though my mind. Don't get me wrong, it's a great workout, and I'm getting good results. I'm still working on the dreaded "mom tummy area" (thanks Conley for that one!) but it's definitely looking better to me.

I think as I age I have confidence in other things such as raising my kids and my opinions on certain matters. But when it comes to my appearance and how I see myself, I feel that confidence as lessened.

What about you? Do you feel less or more confidence as you age?

Natalie

Back from the Beach

It's been a whirlwind of a May, as we traveled (the husband and I) to Chicago and then to the beaches of Tybee Island. Throw in a week before with the husband being in Germany for work the week before and you have a big traveling month!

We stayed five nights at the beach and had a great time. I never went to the beach as a little girl, so I love that I get to take the boys at this age. Nolan has been four times, and this is Conley's second time.

They really did so well and had a blast. There were moments of the waves being "scary" but that soon dissipated, and they were full on water boys!

At one point, Nolan was laying on his belly in the waves so Conley had to do the same and copy big brother. It was funny to watch and as one big one came their way, Conley used his surf like reflexes to pop back up. That boy could really be a surfer because he can pop up with the best of them!

We had some great food and of course ICE CREAM. Who doesn't love a night stroll with their favorite flavor? The great thing about where we stayed is we were on the third floor with a view and an elevator. So we literally took the stroller in the condo, and then drove right out into town with it. It was nice not to pile the boys in the car and just be able to walk everywhere.

On Wednesday night, we did drive to The Crab Shack. The boys loved looking and feeding the alligators! They then decided to sit on and check out the "fake" alligator. These boys got up close and personal!

We also visited the Tybee Island Lighthouse. It's 178 stairs, so I wondered if Nolan would go up and down all by himself. (I decided that I didn't want to carry Conley to the top or have my husband so we watched older brother!) I am happy to report that Nolan made it all the way to the top and all the way by himself!

This year we used a beach cart, and I'm SO GLAD we did. It made life so much easier. I highly recommend one if you drive to the beach and have room. Ours folded all the way down and took up no room at all!

The boys were really amazing, and I have to say it was our easiest beach trip yet with the boys. I even got a little bit of sun time in.

Are you planning on a beach trip this summer?

Natalie