Weekend Wrap Up

I don't usually do weekend wrap ups or blog on the weekend but there's a time for everything right?

My husband has been getting the weekends off which has been fabulous. He works so many hours and it's so nice to have him home for those two days! 

On Saturday my genius husband suggested we go to the river. The Kern river is right near us so it was a quick easy drive. It was a brutal 110 degrees so it was the perfect day to go swimming and try something new. We packed up a picnic, brought our towels, and headed out. 

James LOVED it. I LOVED it. I'll be honest, I can be kind of uptight as in "no, don't splash me, I just did my hair".. You know, that kind of uptight. But I'm learning (with the help of my husband) to be more laid back and let loose. I let loose and I had so much fun! 

Here are a few photos I snapped- 

Saturday night after we got home the power went out in our entire complex. It was over 100 degrees and we had no air, no TV, no lights, no Internet, and no way to keep the food fresh in our fridge. It was not fun. Luckily it only lasted two hours but It really made me think what the heck people did before they had power. I mean, we rely on it so much!!

It was pretty funny because we went out walking and EVERYONE was out. We met so many neighbors we had never seen before. I'm actually out running every single day but it goes to show how many people sit in their house in front of their tvs and computers all day. Pretty sad.

We decided to go to target because TARGET. My husband said: "Let's go to target and look at stuff." This is why I married him. We needed a place to cool off and target was perfect. I even picked up a cute swim suit while we were there and James got to look at all the toys and run wild. 

We hit Starbucks on our way out and when we got back home our power was on.

Today we will basically just be lounging and spending the day at the pool. 

I love the weekends for so many reasons, another one being that I get as much gym time as I want. I've been running 5 miles a day and I'm so hooked. 

We also were kind of movie junkies and watched the new Die Hard movie, Identity Thief, and Warm Bodies. The Die Hard movie was the worst of all the movies but still ok. All I know is, if I'm ever in a sticky situation, I'm calling Bruce Willis. Identity Thief was hilarious and I LOVED LOVED it. Warm Bodies was really good, too!

My husband and I used to watch movies all the time before we were married. We would see every new movie that came out in the theater and would constantly rent movies. It was just our thing. I love when we get the chance to watch movies together now. Makes me so happy. 

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Tomorrow will be hard once my husband is back at work but next weekend is Father's Day and I can't wait to celebrate him!

Important Life Lessons Learned At The Playground

As I've confessed already, James and I are total playground junkies. It's free, it's fun, and James loves meeting new kids.

On one of our recent trips to the playground, the meanest little boy was there. He was kicking and hitting, throwing sand, and yelling "I DON'T LIKE YOU!" and "I DON'T WANT TO PLAY WITH YOU" to the few other kids there, including James. His mom was there and did nothing. I was the one telling him to be nice and to keep his hands to himself. 

It totally hit me that this is a reason kids grow up to be bullies- because their parents aren't involved, don't care, and/or do nothing. 

Nothing gets me more than bullying and it broke my heart for a kid to yell- I don't like you! To James. (Luckily he had no clue what the kid was saying really). But his mom should have stepped in right there and made that a lesson- play nice, don't yell, be friendly- BE KIND. 

I am so proud to be James' mother. I really, truly am. He has his moments (they all do) but he goes to the playground with love in his heart and smiles, waves hi, gives hugs, and blows kisses to all the kids. He is the friendliest boy and he is SO kind. 

There's a lot of lessons that can be learned at the playground and they aren't all about how to swing or ride a bike. Deeper lessons can be learned at the playground, too. Like how to play nice with others, wait your turn, and share. How to include everyone and make everyone feel welcome, how to be a good friend, and how to be kind. 

That mother I saw missed out on a key teaching moment and that's sad.  I'm happy I'm not that mother, I'm happy I'm involved and hands on, and I'm happy that I'm raising a sweetheart for a son who knows he should love others because Jesus loves him. 

As James grows older I know he will encounter mean people, people he doesn't get along with, and bullies. But I am teaching him from a young age to pour out love to all, and I will always be his advocate and cheerleader and momma wolf and make sure no one messes with him. 

I know there are lots of amazing and godly mothers in the world who are raising their children similar and I hope James will encounter many more of those mom's children rather than the mean kids. 

So here's to teaching your kids lessons, loving them, raising them right, and playing nice on the playground. 

Outfit details- 

Tee- Currently at Target

Shorts- Currently at Target

Shoes- Salt Water Sandals

**And for good measure, some of my recent posts on Baby Gizmo**

Smart and sneaky ways to get your kids to eat their fruits and vegetables

A look at unusual celebrity baby names

10 tips on healthy living

A look at Petunia Pickle Bottom's new line of handbags

Grad gift ideas for kids

Grad gift ideas for high school

A close look at homeschooling

And a happy weekend to everyone! What are your plans? My husband has the weekend off so we've got some fun stuff in store! I'll be back tomorrow to share. 

Summer Uniform

So we are back in Bakersfield after an awesome trip visiting my fam. It's 100 degrees and Summer is officially upon us. I'm kind of iffy on Summer. I mean, I loved it when I was a kid because it meant no school but now it just means more crowds of kids everywhere plus it's hot.

I do like swimming, ice cream, and bbqs.. But I'm not a fan of summer attire for myself or the wicked heat we get here. 

Since I'm not big on summer attire for myself that just means I have to have more fun with it for James. I think this outfit and ones similar to it will be James' summer uniform this year. 

Comfy. Casual. Cool. 

^^ Check out James' tattoo! It's of a pirate ship and he's pretty into it. Bad to the bone this kid is!!

^^Bringing the beach to our beach-less city. 

^^ Stick = Sword. 

^^ We love it when day care groups come to the playground because they share their sand toys with us and sometimes the teacher blows massive bubbles that are super cool and fun to chase and pop (you can see her in the back)

^^ My little monkey. Maybe one of my favorite shots ever. 

Outfit details-

Tank- American Apparel Tri Blend

Shorts- Hello Apparel

Sandals- Salt Waters

Until August, Disneyland

We have the California Disneyland passes that let you go any day except Saturday, big holidays, and most of the summer is blocked, too. In all honesty, this is fine by me because I can't stand crowds or Disney in the heat so I would avoid the summers like the plague even if I had the premium pass. So with that being said, this will be the last Disney post you see until August or September. I know, I know.. What are you going to do with yourselves?!! 

I'm going to have to get creative with new places to take James for pictures this summer. 

We did CA Adventure on Tuesday with my family and had a blast. No crowds, no heat, perfect. We even saw some new characters this time around. 

^^ We MUST see Jake when he's there. 

So I don't know if I've mentioned it before but James is obsessed with the movie Up now. It's his absolute favorite! It was SO cool that he got to meet Russell and Dug !! He was thrilled. 

^^ We watched a little wilderness explorer show with Russell and at the beginning the kids have to learn a little walk in thing and James insisted on doing it. Obviously he didn't know what he was doing because he was way too little but it was the cutest thing ever. When they walked in front of everyone James had his back turned to the audience. I was crying with laughter and I so wish I had filmed it! 

Ps check out the cute kid dressed like Russell!! I think James was pretty taken with that kid. 

In CA Adventure they have a whole area with slides and ropes and all kinds of fun things for little ones. Instead of doing rides we usually end up spending most our time here per James' request. I feel so lucky that I get to take James to such fun places all the time. There's never a dull moment. 

^^ here's James dragging his auntie all over the place. She's a good sport and were blessed to have her and the rest of my family, too!

Until next time, Disneyland! We will miss you! 

Outfit Details- 

Shirt- Currently at Target

Jean short suspenders- H&M 

Hat- H&M (James picked it out himself. Already so fashion minded. I'm so proud!)

Moccasins- C/O Freshly Picked

Zoo Fun

On Sunday we went to the Orange County Zoo. I had never been so we thought we'd check it out. 

It was a fairly small zoo but really fun! James' favorite animal was the big black bear. 

^^ We got to see the lions being fed and that was just plain bad ass. We got to get so close! 

^^ They also had a petting zoo and as you can see from James' face, he was straight giddy about getting to pet and feed the goats. 

I was not thrilled when I noticed a goat was eating my very expensive Free People dress but luckily I noticed quickly enough to stop it! 

^^ James and his sweet auntie. 

^^ Me and my sister!

^^ Isn't this kid of mine cute?! I can't stand it.. He's such a little ham now, too and it's adorable. 

Outfit details- 

Tank- Hello Apparel

Shorts- Currently at Target

Moccs- Freshly Picked

Fun Stuff

So the real reason James and I came down to see my fam these past few days was because there were two special things happening around these parts.

On Saturday my sister had her PROM! I was so excited that I got to be here to help her get ready and see her off on her big night. She was such a knock out, oh my gosh!!!

^^ Of course we had to get a shot of the pretty lady with James. James was all smiles for the camera. He loved aunties dress. 

The OTHER reason we came down was because my BEST BEST BESTIE came down to visit from Portland! We have been best friends since kindergarten. She moved to Oregon in 5th grade and we have stayed best friends ever since. Most friendships don't last, and add to that ALL the distance and only seeing each other once a year.... Well, I think it's pretty freaking amazing that we are still best friends. I love this girl more than anything and I know we will be best friends til the day we die! Lots of Katie's relatives still live in the same city that my folks live in (where were both from) so she was in town and obviously I made the trip so we could spend some time together!! 

^^ Me 

^^ Bestie. 

We went out to lunch and it was so nice. Every time I see Katie I remember why we're best friends and I wish we lived closer because I just love her so much!!

We came back to my parents house after so Katie could see James and Lou.. James was sleeping but mister Lou was wide awake and ready to love on Katie for hours. 

We had the best afternoon. I wish we lived closer but I am so grateful for our friendship and the time we DO get to spend together!

Love you girl!!

Kicking Off Summer

So like I mentioned in my last post, James and I are down visiting my family right now. On Saturday I went and picked up a cool new pool for James and boy was it a hit! We have a few pools at our place in Bakersfield but no backyard so no space for a blow up one. I thought it would be fun to get a blow up pool for James to have in my parents backyard this summer. 

A blow up pool is an awesome alternative because James can just go in it alone vs me having to get in and swim with him in a 5 foot deep pool. Not that I don't like doing that, but now when we visit my family I have the option of lounging outside while James splashes around and has a blast! 

This pool has the works- a slide, a water fall, and a palm tree that sprays out water. It also comes with a Dino that you can throw balls into.. Perfect for any toddler basically! 

Summer, we are ready for you!!