Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Farrel-McWhirter Farm and Park

Hi Friends!

I heard about this local park from my Hairdresser and when she mentioned how cool it was and that it was in Redmond I was surprised we hadn't been there or even heard of it-- considering we are pretty much park connoisseurs at this point! If you're local- it's just off Novelty Hill Rd before you get to Redmond Ridge. The park is similar to Kelsey Creek with it's little farm and old barn but it has a handful of nice shaded hiking trails, numerous picnic areas and a large barn area to see animals. We will definitely be back to hike around and explore the creek. Check this one out Eastsiders!





Even Hubby was into it :) 

 "Hiiiiiii COWWWWWWW" 




Bring water shoes- this little creek is just perfect for kiddos to walk around in and explore. The bugs weren't terrible but I'd grab bug spray if you go later in the Summer. 






Monday, June 29, 2015

Things in my brain

Hi Friends!

My brain: It's a jumble today--- buckle up.

1. My good pal, Lace told us girls about this dip from Costco and we were like, 'oh yah, L- ok' but seriously, it's SO GOOD - I adore this stuff. (I ate it for lunch 2 days last week-- #embarrassing)


2. That Minnie Mouse looks like she has post-facelift bloat going on. I need to work on my Disney sketching skills.


3. This throwback of our sweet little girls. THEY WERE SUCH BABIES *SOB!!*


4. This photo of my feet in action at QFC courtesy of Isla.


5. We pre-potty training around here and L&Gemma loaned us their potty training books. This Panties one for girls is such a crack up--everytime I get to this page I laugh (a lot- especially since that really looks like Erin and Min- ha!)


6. The most annoying: "wake-up DADDEEEEEE!"


7. Dinner's READY!!!! She does this at least once a day and started handing out paper towels last week- she's very formal this one.


8. Packed and ready to go.

9. Me: "Oh you want to take Mom's picture?!!"
    Isla: "Nope, doz muffinz Mama"
    #rude.


10. This kid: 87 degrees and she demanded a knit hat and a blanket- seriously?! (She looks like a 'snowbird' back in Seattle for the first time since leaving her Arizona 'Winter house.')


11. I need a new light moisturizer with SPF that doesn't cost 1.1 Million dollars. Anyone tried this one?


12. This one is a total snuggle-bunny post nap and I adore it.


13. So....I saw this gorgeous old barn on Sunday and said, "Hey B, can you get a pic of Isla and with the barn in the pic"

Insert: His confident response.


Now this is what I got. 


 WTH?! 

14. Daddy is the king-dog of Mickey Mouse pancakes. Isla has started requesting pancakes that require a more artistic skillset-- her current requests are: Goofy, Captain Pete, Paddington and a flamingo....so....get on that B.


15. She's going places (and Elmo is too apparently) ..... 


16. My mini-mallwalker this morning. The ultimate doddler-- but she's too cute to rush along :)


17. ' Mama, wuz dis?!!!' - Isla
      'A man with tape on his face'- Me
      'Isla no ike dis' - Isla
      #ditto.

18. This guy. Hammering. One.nail.at.a.time. outside our condo during nap time. I literally could have put him in a choke hold. Thankfully Isla slept through it!


Happy Monday Everyone! 

xo. 
S


Friday, June 19, 2015

Products: Our Summer TEN!

Hi Friends! 

I decided today was the day I needed to share our top 10 Summer must-have products. Isla and I are out and about A LOT-- we are constantly finding a new park or picnicking and these products help me stay organized and get the job done pretty seamlessly. Good stuff here friends-- Happy shopping :) 



1- Deuter Kikki Kids Backpack- I scored Isla's at REI for $32 but you can find them online and at outdoors stores. I love the size of this pack, the top loader with side pockets and Isla loves carrying it--what's better than your toddler carrying their own crap. NOTHING! 

2- Natives- I scored Isla's at Nordstrom but they run everywhere for about the same price (around $32). These shoes are literally the BEST SUMMER SHOE EVER! This was a recc from our good friends, L and Gem and I'm SO GLAD I bought them! You can wash them in the sink or dishwasher-they're rubber and really well made. Perfect for Toddlers! 

3- Babyganics Mineral Spray Sunscreen- We love this sunscreen from Target. It runs between $9-13 but I don't worry about what's in it or the overspray of the aerosol stuff. This sunscreen is perfect!

4- Thermos Foogo Insulated Cup- I love this cup and have bought 3 over the last 2 years because they're so reliable. Any of the insulated versions are wonderful and the 'dwell' styles are really cute!

5- Roxy Toddler Rashguard- I snagged this Roxy Rashgaurd at the Rack for a $16 steal but you can find these many places. Boden also carries popular styles. 

6- Bubble Wand- These things are everywhere. I grab mine at Michael's for $1 but you can get them at the grocery store, mini mart...your favorite Pho place probably has them. Isla LOVES this thing and it keeps her attention for a good 20 minutes. These also make great party favors for $1/piece! 

7- Baby Powder- In all of my years of beach combing and laying around in the sun/sand I had zero clue that baby powder removes wet sand. A friend passed on that little gem of information and it has changed my beaching life with a toddler forever. I carry 1 powder in my beach bag and stash one in the back of the car with the emergency diapers. Such a lifesaver! 

8- Beach/Picnic Blanket- My Sis got me a beach/picnic blanket for my birthday and I am so in love with it! The one above isn't the one she got me but I thought you'd get the idea. It's been on my list forever and I'm already putting it to good use. If you buy from Amazon read the reviews first- many reviews said the blanket smelled strongly like plastic, if you have littles crawling around on it you mat want to watch that....that said, all of my friends who have these LOVE them!

9- Goodbyn Bento Lunch Box- We got this lunch box in a Citrus Lane box and I adore it! Isla used it for Toddler group and we probably use it 3x a week and it gets a dishwasher washing once or twice a week and still looks great! This is a great investment in not losing your sanity with picnic lunches!

10- Radio Flyer Ultimate Comfort Wagon- Ah yes, Isla's soon to be Birthday present! I can't switch up my kid's birthday party from January to July and not get her a very SUMMERY gift :) She loves wagon rides so this will be perfect for her for now and a good investment for the future when she has siblings someday or wants to rally around the neighborhood with her pals :) 

Happy Summer!
xo.
S

Thursday, June 18, 2015

The Jumbled Pretty

Hi Friends,

It's been a pretty crazy two weeks- ever since Isla started deciding to nap in the afternoons I have felt like a different Mom and she's been a different kiddo. My patience by 4pm have quadrupled and I am literally taking on the WORLD- I planned 3 birthday parties this week and already ordered gifts for all birthdays through October. I mean, can I get a very real round of applause?!!

Isla is literally a different kid with a two hour nap under her belt. She is more engaged, more creative, more well behaved and a lot more FUN. She now says, "Mama Isla do ART!" in the afternoons and will color, stamp, paint or draw for literally 45mins-1hour. It's such a miracle. I have noticed a lot more creative playtime - she sets up her little stuffed animals for meals, has little conversations with them, 'calls' people on her phone (yesterday in the middle of a 'conversation' she turned the phone around to take a selfie and turned it back around to keep chatting- OMG, are you kidding me?!) and has started making up little stories. Her imagination is starting to get really fun now that she can vocalize it more and use more detail ('not a dinosaur, a PURPLE dinosaur Mama!') She still has her moments and is really intense with her demands to be entertained all the time (thankfully she does entertain herself a lot more during the day) but napping is changing our lives. I mean- it's about time right?!

One of the other benefits of napping is the later bedtime....no more rushing around to get her to bed early (7pm) - we can now eat a meal together and relax before bedtime or take a little stroll. I have also discovered, there's nothing better than having the Hubby call at 6pm and say, "Babe, I'm on my way...will you put on Isla's Converse." That's always my cue that he's going to take her to the park for their "soccer time" which is really more of a menagerie of activities- made 1000x more intense by Isla's manic energy. They usually walk run across the street- each carrying a soccer ball. They kick it around a bit *for like 1 minute total* before Isla loses interest and runs to the toys, then sees the tennis courts where she plays 'tennis' (i.e.: kicking or throwing the soccer ball) and occasionally she demands a trip to QFC to look around or Starbucks to sit at the tables with the umbrellas. The park is literally her backyard- what a city kid! There is nothing cuter than seeing them hold hands across the street and when she comes back and tells me everything they did she looks up at him with a little smile that I swear is only his. I know all of her little grins and that one--she reserves just for Daddy and their sweet little moments. It literally melts my heart.

Tonight, I had one of those bittersweet moments when I realized just how much my girl is growing. At bedtime we usually do PJ's, books, milk if she wants it and then I sing 'you are my sunshine' and rock for a bit before putting her in her crib. Tonight she turned down the majority of her milk, wanted 2 books and requested that I pet her while she laid in her bed (without rocking) and then she went to sleep. She just burrowed under her big blanket and nodded off. It was just one of the many bittersweet times when I can literally feel my sweet baby growing up- literally right before my eyes. It's so good but so hard. Can time just stand still- please. Just for a moment.

I know this post is all over the place and it doesn't do the 'things it should' but it's where my brain is at and sometimes that's more real than making 'it pretty.' Happy Friday Eve Friends-

xo- 
S

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Splash Park: Grasslawn, Redmond

Hi Friends! 

We are on the hunt to try out the splash parks in our area- I was completely out of touch with how many of them there are close by. This Summer has been HOT already and not having a yard with a sprinkler or kid pool makes us extra motivated to get out and find some WATER! 

We headed to Grasslawn splash park (if you're a local it's in Redmond) with L, Gem and some buddies and the kids had a BALL! It was so nice to sit and watch them without having to hover constantly. The park is fully gated with easy parking and a big toy area next to the water pad. Fun times for everyone! Check it out :) 








 These two really do love each other :) 

The kiddos (big personalities in such little packages! :) 

xo. 
S


Friday, June 12, 2015

Early Bird Ink

Hi Friends!

A quick post to tell you about a great little shop I found on Etsy called Early Bird Ink that sells prints. I was looking for a unique first anniversary present for my Brother and Sister-in-law and found a state print of Hawaii with a heart over the Big Island where they held their ceremony with their wedding date and names.

Ali, the shop owner had to deal with emailing me when we were in France so the messages were delayed but she was really professional and so speedy with her delivery. I put the print in a simple white frame and it went perfectly on their gallery wall. I was so impressed with this product and Ali's quick service! Check them out!


Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Need a Good Read?

Hi Friends!

I found this post started in my drafts folder and thought I'd finally get it up in time for choosing Summer books to enjoy by the pool (or in my case.. squeezed in if I'm early to swim lessons or my kid naps in the car :)

These reviews are from Fall to current so there are lots of good ones and some mediocre ones worth the review in here too. Please note- I'm not a serious reviewer.  I read for fun and fun alone! If it's not entertaining or interesting I scrap it.

I put the titles as a links to Amazon if you're interested in picking up the book. Feel free to comment or message me with questions!

What should I add to my 'Must-Read' list for the Summer?


My Life in France: Julia Child 
Julia Child

I liked this memoir about Julia's life in France, what she calls her 'spiritual homeland.' I have read other books about Paris in the 20's regarding the lives of Hemingway, Zelda Fitzgerald's and now Julia Child in the 50's in Paris. It was pretty interesting how the social circles connected--Julia and her Husband, Paul were close friends with Hemingway's first wife, Hadley Mowrer and her Husband. Some of the intricate cooking bits were too much for me- I either didn't care or was just grossed out on the intricacies of making sausage or carving a duck (which probably won't matter if you aren't Vegetarian :) I did find it interesting how thorough and truly genuine in her personality and work Julia was. I can imagine she was one of a kind.

The Aviator's Wife
Melanie Benjamin

In all honesty, I didn't finish the book. It was just so depressing and the main character (Lindberg's Wife, Ann) was so unlikeable. I have read other books where the main character is weak and pushes her life aside for her Husband but the character always had some redeeming characteristic and I just couldn't find it with Ann. I'm hoping it shows up at the end of the book and maybe I just didn't read far enough. I also was coming up on the tragedy with their 18 month old son and I disliked the book so much at that point I couldn't venture further and take it on. Did anyone read this and enjoy it?

That Old Cape Magic
Richard Russo

I loved Empire Falls (even though it took me several times to get through it) and I liked this shorter novel by Richard Russo (which I picked up at Half Price Books for $1). The pacing in both books is very 'everyday'- at some point in his books I always wonder 'where is this going?' and then I find that the character's everyday interactions and choices--struggles really... lead to much wiser plot lines and lessons. I liked this one and it was a quickie- always nice!

Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty

I had seen the cover of this one everywhere from Costco to Amazon and when my good friend, L recommended it I had to jump in. I loved this book- it was the easiest 458 pages I've taken on in a long time. I unfortunately can't read any other time than before bedtime and I love when books have short chapters so I can read one or many at night. I loved the way this was written- a steady, fun, sometimes suspenseful storyline and pace. I guessed one of the 'twists' at the end but didn't guess another and I LOVED it for that reason even more. As soon as I finished this one I went on Amazon and ordered her other best seller, The Husband's Secret which also has great reviews.

Me Before You
Jojo Moyes

My Sister recommended this book and I grabbed it on a whim when were in line at Half Price Books- I'm SO glad I did. It's so original and lovely--and uplifting and sad...it just sends you through a roller coaster of emotions and the connections the author helps you establish with the characters is really special. I loved it and highly recommend it! Has anyone read any of the Jojo Moyes other books?

Brain on Fire
Susannah Cahalan

I have had this one on my list for quiet awhile so when my Sis and I picked it as our first book club read I was thrilled! I loved this story - it was intriguing, unbelievable and REAL. Amazing! This book has done so much good for so many people and has helped diagnose a real medical problem- which still is incredible to me. It was inspiring and shined a light on a problem I knew little about. A great read!

The Husband's Secret
Liane Moriarty

I bought this book after reading Big Little Lies. I didn't love it the same way that I loved the other book but it was still good and a great read for travelling- easy, fun, more predictable (which was my issue with it) but I loved the short chapters and easy reading. Worth it if you're looking for a quick and easy Summer read.

All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr

A friend, whom I trust for her solid book reviews, recommended this one and it was the second choice for my Sister and my new bookclub (that really just entails us getting together for a 'date' over a meal once a month to talk about books and gossip :) This book is so lovely, heartwarming, heartbreaking--wrenching at times. It's set in WWII occupied France and switches back and forth through the last several years of the war and the years following. It is not just another WWII book but a really beautifully written story intertwining characters who have nothing in common until you discover the common thread. My Sis and I both loved it and highly recommend! I already predict this will eventually be a movie.

I'm currently reading We Are Water by Wally Lamb that's really good but I think you have to read his work to appreciate his writing and his 'slow simmering' approach. His books always seem to start off a bit slow and thoughtful with the guarantee of a beautiful finish. I'm never not satisfied with his novels- lets hope this one holds up.  After this one we're reading Still Alice by Lisa Genova. Anyone read it? I held off on seeing the movie to read the book.

Happy Reading!

Sandi

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Summer Bucket List

Hi Friends!

Are you all planning out your Summer Bucket Lists too? We did this last year and it helped organize the big&small of our Summer plans. We don't have any big trips planned this season so I'm excited to get this Summer going! Lets do this thing!

1. Wagon rides into Kirkland for Isla (First: We need to buy a wagon- minor detail :)

2. Swim at Kirkland's Pool (Plans in the works!)

3. Hit up Library Storytime

4. Northwest Trek

5. Visit the Seattle Farmer's Market (and if I'm really brave...bus down there with Isla!)

6. Plan an 'off the grid' weekend day where we all put our devices and TV (that's Frozen for you Miss Isla) away.

7. Make popsicles!

8. Pick Berries (why do I have a feeling Isla will eat more than she picks?)

9. Tent 'camp' in the living room (during the day- don't get crazy! Isla's been begging to 'ride a tent' which we assume means she wants to hang out in one so we'll have having dinner and watching a movie in our tent in the living room)

10. Buy Isla goggles and continue swim lessons (DONE! and DONE!)

What's on your list?