Strawberry Picking | Making Memories with my Toddler

Strawberry Picking | Making Memories with my Toddler

Monday, August 1, 2016

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I absolutely love spending time with my girls and making memories that we can share for a lifetime.  It's amazing how much Emma has grown in these last few months. I feel like she learns something new everyday or she's teaching me something new!  We have our good days and bad, but it's so special that I get to be a part of that. I honestly wouldn't trade any of it.

Now that Emma is two (going on 12), I love finding new things for us to do together.  It should be easy, but sometimes I need help finding things for a toddler to do.  Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be sharing some of our favorite ways to make memories together.

Emma and I both experienced strawberry picking for the first time and had a blast.  To see the joy and excitement on Emma's face was more than enough for me and definitely worth the hour and a half drive we made to pick them.  She is so full of life and personality!

This is definitely a must-do with kids of all ages, but it was especially fun for my toddler.   The farm we went to does strawberry, blueberry and blackberry picking!  Not to mention, this is an activity that doesn't cost a lot either.  The experience was completely free and we paid under $5 for a huge bucket of strawberries that we got to pick ourselves!  They were big, red and juicy!  Clearly, Emma enjoyed them :)  It was hard to get her to stop eating them and put them in the bucket!
 

My husband and I have friends whose boys' are around the same age as Emma (just a few years difference).  She loves spending time with them and I enjoy spending time with their sweet mommy.  The strawberry farm is near them and it couldn't have been a more gorgeous day to be outside.  

Afterwards, we took the kids to a nearby park and had a picnic!  It was so much fun and it made for a full day with no very little toddler tantrums.  This is something we will never forget and can't wait to do again!

{Picture overload because it was too much fun not to share them all!} 

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES WITH YOUR TODDLER?

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Firetrucks and Paramedics | An Unexpected Experience

Firetrucks and Paramedics | An Unexpected Experience

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

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About a month ago, Michael, the girls and I experienced something that I pray will never happen again.  We are so fortunate that it not only happened the way that it did, but that our amazing firefighters and paramedics acted quickly.  We are so thankful for them and for all first responders.

It's not often that we are all up early on a Saturday morning and actually ready to start the day.  When it wasn't even 8am and we were showered and dressed, we thought we would take advantage of that and go out for breakfast.  We had company over the night before and I still had not finished cleaning the kitchen, the girls were in really good moods too, so it made sense to get out and enjoy the morning.  I. Was. So. Wrong.

Michael and I have a routine when we are getting the girls ready to head out.  It is very chaotic and needs some work, but we manage.  Typically, I run around like a chicken with my head cut off while shouting at Michael to make sure we have everything and Michael gets the girls in the car.  On any other day, they would be waiting for me in the car while I finish grabbing our things.  This day was a little different.

This day, I actually wasn't rushed and had what we needed ready to go.  I had just put Charlotte in the car and Michael was buckling Emma up and had asked for the keys.  I handed them to Emma, which I told Michael it was ok.  It wasn't.  When it's just the girls and I going somewhere, I put Charlotte in first and then I let Emma hold the keys while I buckle her in.  I always grab the keys from her and then we leave.  It never crossed my mind that Michael would do something completely different.

I shut Charlotte's door, put their backpack and my purse in the passenger seat, shut that door and then went to walk back inside because I forgot to grab my water.  As all of that is happening, I hear Emma lock the door, watched Michael grab the keys from her, toss them in the front seat and at the same time I shut the passenger door, he shuts Emma's door.  We immediately both look at each other as he tried to open the driver's door.
   

We had just locked our 6 month old and toddler in our SUV!

I am so thankful that I am not someone who panics in most situations and I married someone who is the same.  Of course, we are both freaking out in our heads, but as calm as we could be, we acted appropriately to get our girls out as soon as possible.  Michael got on the phone with AAA and after walking over to my neighbors house, I called 911.  AAA tells Michael that it could be 45 minutes before someone could get there.  Are you kidding me?!  Who in their right mind would make someone wait 45 minutes to get their children out of a locked vehicle.  We were so shocked by this!  So, if you are ever in an emergency situation, I would not recommend calling AAA.

Of course, we are doing everything we can to keep our girls calm through all of this.  Emma thinks it's a game, but Charlotte (who hates being in her car seat) starts to get upset after a few minutes. 

After (maybe) 5 minutes, we hear sirens and know they are meant for us.  The firefighters show up first, ask us what happened and get to work right away.  Shortly after, paramedics show up so they can check on the girls once we are able to get them out.  Both teams stayed calm, did not judge us for what happened, stayed positive and were just as concerned for the girls as we were.

OK...Let's rewind about 10 minutes to right after we locked the keys in the car.  I asked Michael where the spare keys are...he says, "the middle console".  I ask him what the code to unlock the door is...he can't remember.  This is a situation we never would have thought we would ever be in.  No, it doesn't make sense to have spare keys INSIDE the car, but they were and at that moment, there was nothing we could do to change that.  We have never used the door code and I've honestly never thought to ask about it.  It's not something that I've ever had on a vehicle and we just got our SUV back in December.  Are you judging us yet?  Maybe, maybe not.  Fortunately for us, we are human and we learned a HUGE lesson in all of this.  I now know the code and the spare keys are in a safe place.  Oh-Emma will not have the keys again either.

It took a total of 20 minutes for the Saint Petersburg Fire Department to get our doors open.  It was a very long 20 minutes!  There were a few times we thought we would have to break a window.  Charlotte was still crying and starting to sweat.  Emma no longer thought this was fun either and starting to get a little annoyed.  For a two year old, I will say she did amazing through this ordeal.  Anyhow, one of the paramedics helping actually starting putting in codes and got it unlocked after his third try.  Can you believe that?!  Everyone came inside afterwards to cool down and check the girls out.  We were a little shaken up after it was all said and done, but the girls were safe and happy when we got them out.

When I say that I am thankful that this experience happened the way it did, I mean it.  It could have been so much worse.  We live in Florida and it's Summer.  It could have happened mid-day with 90+ degree temps in the middle of a parking lot, but it didn't.  We were still parked in our garage and it was still early enough in the morning that it hadn't started getting too hot.

We recently (after this experience) decided to take the girls to our local fire station to meet a few firefighters and learn a little more about what they do!  Sonny and Jimmy were so wonderful with them and Emma loved getting to check it all out!


My hope in sharing this, is that you will double check that you have what you need in case of an emergency like this one.  Again, we never thought something like this would happen and pray it never happens to you!

Here are a few pictures from our trip :)
    

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An Open Letter to my Toddler | Part 1

An Open Letter to my Toddler | Part 1

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

6 comments

Dear Emma (the toddler I'm referring about),

Please quit sitting on your sister.  She is not a chair and she can't breathe.  As much as you would like to think this is quality play time with your little sister; it isn't, so please stop.

On that note, please quit trying to feed your sister.  It's very nice of you, but she can't always have what you're having and probably doesn't appreciate you trying to shove 6 pretzel sticks in her mouth at once.

As cute as it is when you say "ease" (please), you cannot have "andy" (candy) for breakfast.  Even if you ask 55 million times in a row, wait a few minutes and then ask again.  The answer is still no.

My sweet, dear child, for the love, please put on clothes.  We cannot leave the house unless you wear them and if you don't want your mother (me) to lose her mind, we HAVE to occasionally leave the house.  Also, the USPS and UPS workers don't appreciate me slamming the door in their faces when you bolt towards the door naked.   

You, are not a dog.  Please quit chewing on the furniture...and with that being said, quit licking the furniture...and the windows...and your sister.

I know you were breastfed, but you haven't nursed in almost a year; quit trying to grab my boobs (and sometimes nipple) every time I nurse your sister.  Also, quit trying to shove my boob in her mouth.  I know you're just trying to help, but it's kind of weird and I think you're creeping your father out.

It would be really nice of you to quit deciding you want to play with every loud toy you own and run up and down the hallway as soon I put your sister down for a nap.  I'm sure she would appreciate you not doing that as well.

My fearless child, I love that nothing scares you and that you love to be independent, but climbing and jumping off of everthing (including the pool) and trying to do front flips is not my idea of fun.  You're going to give me a heart attack and I'm pretty sure you're the one giving your daddy gray hair, not me. 

I know that you are super excited about being potty trained now, but there is no need to scream like a teenage girl at a Taylor Swift concert every single time you poop (which happens to conveniently be while your little sister is napping).  Also, try not to get excited until after you finish peeing in the potty.  Getting excited midway through is getting pee all over the floor.

 Lastly, you really are such a joy and as crazy as most of our days seem to go, I wouldn't change the personality you have been given for anything in the world.  You doing these ridiculous and funny things are what make you who you are and I can't wait to see what else you throw at us.  I never imagined your daddy-0 and I would be in for such an adventure with you!  We love you silly girl!

(For the last month, we are mommy-o, daddy-o and Charle-o)  Haha!

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Emma Turns One | Pink Lemonade Party

Emma Turns One | Pink Lemonade Party

Monday, May 23, 2016

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Clearly, I am a procrastinator.  I just realized (as I was getting Emma's 2nd birthday post ready) that I never talked about her 1st birthday!  It was so much fun and Emma had such a great time!  

We had originally planned on going with a fun, girly, pink and gold theme BUT I am so glad we (I) changed my mind and went with a Pink Lemonade Party.  The colors were bright and it was perfect for a hot, May birthday in Florida.  Emma had such a great turn out from her friends and family and I hope she can look back on this and know just how much she is loved!

Headband :: BirdieBabyBoutique / Monogrammed Shirt :: Chaney & Company / Tutu :: Mommy's Little Sunshine

Here are some photos from her party, where to get supplies and a few DIYs :)

Popcorn Boxes :: Hobby Lobby / Gold Cake Stand :: Home Goods / Pink and Yellow Treat Pails :: Amazon / Striped and Polka Dot Treat Bags :: The Party Fairy

Lemonade Stand built by my amazing neighbor! / Banner :: BirdieBabyBoutique / Drink Dispenser :: Walmart / Chalkboard tags :: Jane / Straws :: Hobby Lobby

Water Bounce House was an amazing idea!

Vintage High Chair found at a local thrift shop for $20-Chose not to paint it, but still loved the way it looked!

Vanilla cupcakes with Lemon Curd center and Strawberry icing-YUM! (We had chocolate and buttercream for the kids ;)

DIY Backdrop:: I took pink plastic tablecloths and used a rotary cutter to cut 2-inches strips about 2-3 feet long.  We took string and tied it from one end of the room to the other and just folded to tablecloth over to have a "decorative" background. You can find another way to do this here. (and probably a better explanation!)

 DIY One Banner:: This one is so easy!  As you can see, I'm not the most creative or very good at decorating.  This party is not exactly what you see on Pinterest, but I loved the way it looked and Emma will never know the difference!  Haha!  Anyhow, I just took card-stock purchased from Joann's, cut out the letters and glued them onto the back pieces, punched holes and tied them onto the high chair.  Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, EMMA GRACE!

Thanks for stopping by...  I'm out!

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