Wordless Wednesday~ fun with bubble wrap!

Adventures in Potty Training

I thought this post would never come.

Oh I know, I know...you're shaking your head at me. Each child is different... they will know when they're ready...they're on their own schedule.  I get that. I really do.  It's just that...

I am SO glad it finally happened!

I want to remember this day. The day that Rea went on the big girl potty for the very first time. And no, not just squattin. Actually went potty! 

Thanks to her daycare provider, I got a fun call at work from a very excited toddler all ready to tell mom the story.  Then we took a trip to the store to buy MnM's- her choice of treat.  Then we got home, pulled out the lil potty and it worked like charm thanks to Nick Jr. on the TV to distract her.

She then had the great idea to put on 'underwear' (No mom! Not panties...underwear!).  At this point, we're going with it!  We laid out underwear for tomorrow. Safely packed some spares to travel to daycare and we're keeping our fingers crossed.

Hold on....

Because the weekend will fly by!  Especially when there are plans to be had....

Friday night:

Oh the best laid plans.... Rea and I met up with our friends, Jen & Jacque, Jackson, Klara, Karly and Keefer.  If you do the math, that's 3 adults and 5 kids.  The plan was to check out the new cupcake place in town. 

Little did we know, said-cupcake joint no longer sells cupcakes after 5 p.m. and instead, turns into a trendy, savvy, date night dessert lounge.  See us exiting stage left with cupcakes to go. Oh and did I mention Rea got a raging bloody nose while I was paying for the cupcakes?  I love when parenthood throws you a curve ball. 

But we survived and Rea loved being with her friends for the night...

Saturday:

My parents came to help us a with a home remodel project in the garage (pics to come later).  Due to the rain, my mom, Rea and I hit up the mall.  As soon as Rea got in this little red car, she exclaimed, "I'm going to go pick up my cousins!" 

Sunday:

The weather cleared up so we headed outside for a morning stroll... (thanks for the baby stroller Gramma K.!).  The sun was actually way too hot for this boycotter of summer so....

We headed to the furniture store.  I got caught up in the moment (and the deals!!!) and purchased the leather furniture for our family room that I have been coveting for some time.  Dark chocolate sofa, love seat and a custom ordered LaZboy rocker/recliner, note fabric swatch below.  You like?

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday~ Pondering...

Kind of a big deal.

Our toddler (finally!) mastered the slide at day care....

'Look mom, no hands!'

Sunday Funday

Let's play ball!

Saturday Sweets

A new cupcake joint opened up on the outskirts of downtown (Creme' Cupcakes) and my sweet tooth was begging to go visit. 

Well this week they added 'topped donuts.' Um... yes please I'll take four.  I honestly would have ordered one of each but the skinny girl behind the counter would have judged me fo sho'.  So I stuck with four. 

Four of the most amazing topped donuts this sweet tooth has ever experienced!  We tried lemon, maple bacon, s'mores, and cookies n cream.  And if you're wondering, yes I heard the angels sing upon first bite.

It was the perfect mommy/daughter breakfast date.  And in true guilt-fashion, we ended our breakfast date with a walk around Grey's lake.  So take that scale.

Happy Saturday!


Someone got a little sassy with her donut. Fancy schmancy topped donuts will do that to a girl.

Love at first bite:

Let's roll:

Wordless Wednesday~ Just boatin around...

You've got the moves like....

Firsts

My mom started the tradition of buying each granddaughter their first American Girl doll.  With Rea quickly approaching 3 (insert heart palpitations here)  we thought it would be the perfect time for a girl's trip to the Mall of America to experience the American Girl store.

This trip would entail Rea's first trip to the Mall of America, first time at the American Girl store and first night staying in a hotel!  Not to mention lots of travel time in the car- not something on any toddler's must-do list.

Despite a few bumps in the road, (literally, can you have any more construction Minnesota?!)  we had fun at the Sea Aquarium experience at the mall, picking out her Itty Bitty twins at the American Girl store and swimming in the pool at the hotel!  Rea's favorite part though was being with her gramma and cousins.  Nothing beats family time!

We did manage a little retail therapy at the outlet mall and lots of good eating out ensued... but I think this will be Rea's last road trip for awhile. 

A few pics from the trip:

Getting ready to head out!

At the Sea Aquarium Experience:

Sting rays!

Jelly fish!

A 3 hour car ride plus no nap equals heavy eyes.  Thankfully this was after the Itty Bitty twins were decided on.  As soon as this pic was taken, Armageddon began because someone was very very tired.  If you happened to hear the screams of a toddler tantrum, I apologize now.

At the pool!  Poolside room:

Let's swim!

We survived peanut's first night in a hotel!

Let's drive!

Thanks to Gramma K. for such a fun trip! xoxo

Wordless Wednesday~ Adventure Bay!

And they lived happily ever after...

Congrats Nina and Chris!

On Friday, we traveled north to begin the wedding festivities of my step-sister and her fiancee.  Friday night was the rehearsal dinner and Saturday was the big day!  I was honored to be an Usherette and it was so exciting to watch these two share their vows and see how it all came together after months of planning.

I didn't pull out my phone until the reception so I just have a few pics... enjoy!

And to Nina and Chris- it was a wonderful day! Thank you for letting us share in it! xo


The happy couple:

With G&G K.:

Rea loved her cousin time!

Cupcake tower (handcrafted by my step-dad) that began with my wedding, then was in Erin's wedding and now Nina's...

Cake table:

Strutting her stuff on the dance floor to 'Moves like Jagger'....

Ready to crash...

Great memories!