summer fun

With Ryann starting back to school today (last year of preschool!) it seemed fitting to recap a little bit of our summer that I hadn't gotten to.  Because I'm a blogging failure these days, not the point.  Truthfully this is the first time in a while that I've actually been sad summer was coming to a close.  We've had such a great time with our friends, and while I'm glad to gain a little bit of free time, I'm sad that our play date opportunities have become less and less.

But then again... free time...

Anyway!  So here is a quick photo recap of our summer before I move on to trying to accomplish all the things while Elsie naps.  Did I mention how much I missed nap time?  I pretty much sat here in silence for 20 minutes doing absolutely NOTHING just because I could.  But summer!

Before the mosquitos were out in full force we spent a lot of time outside, playing with chalk and running through the sprinkler.  But then there were mosquitoes and mosquito bites and being outside at our house wasn't really an option.  The girls and I attract them like it's our job.  We still had plenty of fun visiting parks and pools.

And the instagram overview.  Pool trips, zoo trips and lunch outside.  A visit to the arboretum and an open gym.  Picnic play dates and splash park adventures.  An adorable baby-q, and even an attempt at bowling (which I don't plan on doing again any time in the near future, thank you very much Elsie).  We were busy busy busy, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Next summer, well, we will be moving.  It will be a lot different.  I'm very grateful for the fun we've had this summer, and I hope we can keep some of it rolling throughout the school year!

georgia snippets (the phone version)

I'm determined to get some of the pictures off my phone and onto the blog dangit.

Oh Georgia.  I know we are there pretty often, but it is absolutely glorious when my dad and my husband can be there too.  And my sister.  And my brother too I suppose.  We all had a good time.  I wish Chris could swing a vacation down there more than once a year.  And that plane tickets were free?  Hmmm...  Georgia is extra amazing now that my parent's pool is done.  They have a 'deck' or ledge in the pool that is only 18 inches deep, and I think Ryann would live in that little area if she could.  She was happy as could be to just bee bop and splash around and play with her toys.  It was great.  I highly recommend something like it should any of you be thinking of putting a pool in your yard.

Proceed with caution.  Far too many photos that many of you have already seen ahead (@thedomesticwannabe on instagram).  But I can't get over how cute my girls are in their swimsuits or how amazing Ryann's curls are in the humidity so I thought I'd plaster it on the internet for all to see.  And memory keeping purposes of course.

Thursday, May 16:  The girls, my mom and I spent the day traveling to Georgia.  So did my dad, but from another state.  We were on the same plane for five hours, but we survived.  Ryann was thrilled to see the beach.  Elsie was a bit less amused by the whole situation.  As she tends to be with most situations.

Friday, May 17th:  Started my day off right with a morning run featuring a beautiful view.  I've yet to attempt an actual run on the beach, but maybe someday.  It was a pretty low key day of running errands.  The girls looked adorable in their coordinating neon (hair clip and headband from here).  And surprise surprise, Ry spent the evening in the pool.

Saturday, May 18th:  I think the majority of the day revolved around the pool and eating.  As it did most days.  Elsie rocked her sunning activities (in the shade) and Ry and I had fun swimming together.  Daddy made it in around bedtime!

Sunday, May 19th:  Seriously.  The curls.  The slay me.  As does an infant in a swimsuit.  Even though Elsie had been on the beach before, this was the first time we took her in a suit and tried to really hang out at the beach.  She does not yet share her sister's enthusiasm for the beach, and shortly conned Grammy into taking her back to the house.

Monday, May 20th:  While Elsie was taking her morning nap, Christopher and I took Ryann for a walk on the beach.  We had a lot of fun exploring and finding millions of tiny sea snails and other wildlife.  Chris and I slipped away for lunch by ourselves, and I had my first ever fried pickle (so good).  Elsie did her thing looking cute.  Ryann did her thing looking cute (and awkward) on the beach.  We all got dolled up for family pictures (which don't look so hot thanks to long hair and the wind).  And after getting Ry and Elsie in bed at 9:50PM, Chris and I raced to Moo Cow Creamery for ice cream before they closed at 10.  Pistachio ice cream, so good.

Tuesday, May 21st:  Another morning nap = another adventure for Ry.  She'd been asking to go to the top of the lighthouse for quite some time, and we finally thought she might be able to make it to the top without being carried.  She made it up all 129 steps, unfortunately she said she was scared while we were up there though.  And Chris ended up carrying her the whole way back down.  More beach time.  More pool time.  Cute dinner dress.  And more ice cream.

Wednesday, May 22nd:  Another beach exploration adventure led to the discovery of some little horseshoe crabs.  Ry was pissed that Chris put them in her sea shell bucket :o).  No worries, we let them go.  For lunch we headed to Bubba Garcia's for some Mexcian.  Ryann discovered the joy of the salt grinder, and now wants to put salt on everything.  I enjoyed a mango margarita.  And Elsie just looked cute as always.

Thursday, May 23rd:  My last run of the week didn't go very well, but I made it five miles and my view wasn't terrible, so I guess I won't complain.  All the girls went to have our nails done.  Ryann didn't get a real manicure, but he did buff and paint her nails which she absolutely loved.  She was just pissed that she didn't get her toes done too.  Then there was some more beach exploring.  And more adorable swimsuit wearing.  And probably more eating somewhere in there too.  Notice a theme?  Not too shabby, not too shabby at all.

I'm already looking forward to next summer's vacation.  It will be so fun when Elsie is a little bit older and can really enjoy the beach and the pool with us too!

summer bucket list

Last year I made a little summer bucket list, and even though we didn't finish everything on it, it was nice to have a round up of fun things we wanted to do.  Being the first day of June, which in my head marks the start of summer, I thought I'd share our new list.  This year I was able to ask Ryann's input on making our list, and I was surprised with the few things she added.  She told me she wanted to decorate a bird house, and it was her idea to add snocones to the list.  She also told me she wanted to sleep outside in her tent, but I told her she'd have to convince Daddy on that one.

I also came across this list of fun activities on pinterest, so hopefully that will give me some inspiration of things I can do with Ry to keep her busy this summer.  We also hope to spend some time at my parents house in the pool, and I want to enroll Ry in a dance camp at the studio I used to attend.  The goal is to just have some fun.

week in iphone pics

Weeks, actually.  I didn't realized I missed one, but I suppose that isn't surprising since the blog has been sort of at the bottom of the totem pole lately.  Oh well.

July 8th - July 14th

enjoying the 90 degree weather (gag).  loving the swings.  sticker attack.  good morning.  long time no see, chalk.  blueberries!  happy little picker.  time to go.  goobers.  goobers part two.  stepping stone love.  snack time at the gym.  fort loving girl.  what happens when you shop with daddy.  my attention whore of a cat.

July 15th - July 21st

outfit of choice.  little owl craft.  doc mcRyann.  shopping entertainment.  looking like a pro.  FRENCH BRAIDS.  my favorite workout top.  coloring.  bath time cutie.  jewelry like grandma 'nita.  splash park.  catching the water.  lunch time.  stencils.  silly princess.  little miss preppy.  ryann and daddy.  goofy kisses.

Despite all the triple digit heat lately, we are still managing to have some fun.  But I'd be lying if I said I was enjoying it.  I'm dreaming of 60 degree fall days and hours at the park in a light jacket.  I thought I loved summer, but, well, this kind of blows.  Thankfully Ry loves to color, because we do a LOT of it lately.  But she is getting stir crazy, and I'm getting stir crazy and tired of thinking of ways to entertain ourselves indoors.  Relief is coming soon, right?  Right...

Linking up with Amy!

splash park

Check me out.  Another thing checked off our summer to-do list.  Only, you know, sixteen more items to do, an like um, six weeks to go?  Hmph.  Part of the problem is it is a million degrees all the time.  We pretty much have to be inside by 11am, or we have to be wet.  And that kind of sucks.  Also?  I need to clean out my freezer so that I can stick our popsicle maker or ice cream maker in there.  Jotting that down...

Anyway, yes, today we trekked out to the splash park to try and beat the heat.  Too bad the kiddos were a little aprehensive about getting in the middle of things.  There were a lot of older kids, who didn't quite understand that no, my two year old does not want to be blasted in the face by the giant water gun.  But I think they still had a good time.  We really need to find a spray/splash park on the Kansas side though, this one is in Missouri nearly 30 minutes from our house.  Anyone know of a spray park on the Kansas side we might be able to visit?

 See that little girl back there?  Totally just blasted Ryann.

Where'd the water go?

I love these little guys so much.  I'm so glad that even though they aren't all the best at playing together, Ryann has had some steady 'friends'.  Our time with the twins is coming to an end, Sarah won't be taking care of them anymore come the end of August.  But it has been fun while it's lasted.  Seriously, how cute are they?

compared to last year...

happy thursday.

embrace the camera - the berry patch

Woot!  Finally checked something off my summer list!  Sad, I know...  Anyway, on Tuesday my bestie and I took Ryann to The Berry Patch to pick blueberries.  I figured Ryann would find it fun because she really likes blueberries, and I was right.  I couldn't get that kid to put the berries in the bucket for the life of me.  All the blueberries went straight from the bush to her mouth. 

We (well me and Meg) didn't last too long because it was HOT.  I only took home just over half a pound of blueberries.  I think Ryann would have stayed a while longer just eating berries.  We had a good time, and will definitely be back again next year when it isn't quite so warm.

Linking up with Emily!

poolside, here i come

Some of my friends jokingly refer to my parents house as a resort. I must say, they have a pretty nice set up. Pool, lake, hot tubs, boats... yep, pretty nice. Now that the weather is warming up I hope that Ry and I can spend a good deal of time soaking up some rays.

The thought of wearing a swimsuit has presented a dilemma for me though... even though they are nothing horrible, carrying a baby has left me with a few stretch marks. The darkest ones are on my hips, 3 one inch long lines on the side of each hip. I also have two lighter ones on my stomach, a few inches long each on either side of my belly button. The hole from my belly button also developed a small scar by it (I actually cut it while shaving my pregnant stomach, but that is a whole different story). So although I really can't complain about what I've been left with, I wouldn't say it is something I really want to share with the world.

So my first thought? Bring on the tankini. BUT, I hate when things ride up, and I feel like a tankini would ride up on me. So my only other option is a one piece. I found a few online that I think are pretty cute, and not too 'momish' (I'm only 24, I still have to try and look somewhat hip, right). Unfortunately most of the ones I like are upwards of $150. One can dream right?





For now, seeing as it is my parents backyard, I might just be brave and wear one of the about a dozen bikinis I have in my drawer. But if you are one of my friends and joining me by the pool, don't judge. Ok? Thanks.