Friday, May 31, 2019

Strawberry Picking


Last Friday to start off Memorial Day weekend we went strawberry picking.  Derek and I have one before but not in a couple years and today was the perfect day for it - the temperatures were in the low 70's, the sun was out and being outside got me excited and ready for a weekend filled of outside activities.  

We weren't sure if Tatum would know what to do or not but Derek and I both wanted to go anyway - turns out he liked it too - mostly he liked running up and down the fields but he managed to pick a couple strawberries to.  We enjoyed having our fresh fruit last weekend into the week.

Afterwards we let him run around at the playground there at the farm for a little bit too.

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Memorial Day Weekend Scenes

Friday morning the three of us started our day with strawberry picking - it was a gorgeous day and nice to be outside - we let Tatum play at the playground there afterwards which he loved - more from this next week... 


Tatum and I went to my parents afterwards for some time to play as well as lunch since Derek was heading off to golf.  It was fun family time that we all enjoyed.  We jumped right into naps when we got home.


Derek didn't get home until later in the evening but luckily I'd picked up our favorite salads for us and a pizza for Tatum so dinner was ready when he got back.  Tatum and I played inside and on the deck and then Derek put him to bed while I had a glass of wine on the deck.


Saturday Derek went to the lake to help put the dock in so it was another day of fun for Tatum and I - after the gym I took him to get his haircut and then we did a few things around the house until nap time.


I got out a bunch of miscellaneous little outside toys while he was napping so he was in complete heaven playing on the deck for the rest of the afternoon - I enjoyed it too.. the weather was wonderful.


Once Derek got back the three of us went out for pizza al fresco as well as some ice cream for Tatum - we haven't been out the three of us in a while so it was nice!


On Sunday I took Stella and Tatum for a nice long walk and then we all did some yard work for a little while too.


Around lunch time we decided to go over to our country club for lunch outside and then let Tatum swim for a little bit - the pool was freezing so we didn't last too long.


That night we decided to have a little steak night - it rained right as we were getting things ready to go but luckily it was a quick rain then done so we watched from under cover on our front porch and by the time the steaks were ready it was dry and sunny to eat outside.


On Memorial Day it was the same as the day before playing on the deck and swimming!  We picked up sandwiches to pack and take to our neighborhood pool and spent the afternoon there before taking a quick break and going over to my parent's house for a family bbq.  We had some great family time and a classic barbecue for the holiday - my mom had a delicious strawberry pie for a special treat for dessert.

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

This & That

It feels like summer hit about a week early here - we've had the best weather since last weekend and are totally getting into the summer mindset.  We spent last weekend with friends at the mountains and enjoyed the first of many days just watching the kids swim in the pool - Tatum finally got down how to swim with his swimmies on, which I'm SO glad he learned before summer!


Just this week we've gotten back into our routine of after dinner walks during the week and I love this activity each day - they're never super long but just a little fun outside to pass the time before bedtime.


We've been having fun doing different activities outside before nap time too to help tire out our little guy which Tatum, Stella and I love.  He's got a bunch of fun new toys to play with and is at such a fun and active age this summer.


Entering the toddler phase, Tatum's been working on learning new skills and having some different activities each day - he enjoys coloring (making his mother's day cards for his grandmothers here), building things to knock over, pointing to what he wants, etc.

Friday, May 17, 2019

Friday Picks: Vineyard Vines for Target


Tomorrow Vineyard Vines for Target launches and will be available until Mid July (if supplies last). Given the hype/sell out of the Lilly Pulitzer for Target launch I am not super into trying to get a lot and wonder how long it will last - I do hope to maybe pickup a few inexpensive items for Tatum to wear this summer (prices range from $2-$120 but most under $35 which is a far cry from VV's usual prices).  A big reason I'd like to grab some pieces for him is because Vineyard Vines has a handful of items for 18 months and under but once he can fit into a 2T - there are SO many more options and he's still too small for that!

I always have mixed emotions about these fun collaborations because I love the brand's as they are and wonder how the items will be since they won't be quite the "same."

If things are still available by the time I get around to shopping tomorrow, here are some favorites from a quick browse on Target's website...


Happy Weekend! 

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

A Day in the Life (18 months)

I love these toddler days at home with Tatum and while they may just be boring week days, I love looking back on them.  I picked this past Monday, May 13th - which was a rare cold and rainy day around here.  Tatum slept until 7:45 this morning which is a full hour behind his usual 6:45/7 wakeup (on occasion even earlier).  Since it was dreary out and the day after Mother's Day I brought him into bed with us, which I usually only do if he's up early.  Typically we're at the gym extra early on Mondays so I can work out and he can play before his swim lesson but today we decide to do that after so have a little bit more time.


By about 8:30 we're all downstairs for breakfast, again behind our usual but oh well!  Tatum screams if he doesn't get to take Stella out so we both take her, I start him on breakfast (yogurt, banana, hard boiled egg and muffins) then get Stella's food, run the dishwasher and check the gym/swim bag that everything's ready to go and take a quick peek at my to do list for the day.


10-10:30 Tatum has his swim lesson which usually Derek is able to come do with him so I sit, watch and catchup on things on my phone.  Usually we leave right after but since we're doing the gym afterwards today I drop him off at child watch to play for the next hour and around 11:30 we head home for lunch.


Noon - lunch time!  Tatum has a cheese sandwich, cheese puffs, strawberries and I have some leftover broccoli salads from Mother's Day.  12:30 it's up to nap time for Tatum and to do all the things for me - take a shower and get changed from the gym, a little work doing miscellaneous things in the office and an online order or two with some reality tv in the background.

Tatum's naps are usually always right around 2 hours give or take a little bit but he got to stay up late for Mother's Day, was up overnight because of teeth coming in and he had a busy morning so he spoiled me with a three hour nap - it was so nice!  I had just enough time to get chicken spaghetti prepped and ready to drop off for a friend and keep some for us before he woke up.


3:15 - We cuddle a little then he's right back into playing with his toys and having a snack.  I clean up the kitchen and then sit with him until about 4:30 when it's time to drop off the dinner; when we get home I get the oven heating to make ours which of course, we play until it's ready.


5:30 - Tatum and I have a dinner date and each watch a show since Derek had to run to the office for some late in the day meetings (usually he works from home on Mondays) then we get the food heated back up for him while Tatum enjoys his dessert and I clean up.


After dinner is always a mix of things - if it was nice we'd be on the deck or take a walk but today we just have some family time inside.  Derek and I also go over paint colors as we're finally getting around to paining our house two years later, ha!  


7:15 - it's up to bath time, story time and bedtime for Tatum which Derek does each night so I do a quick cleanup before heading into my office for a little bit to work on some plans for an upcoming trip.  I love having all the fresh flowers from Mother's Day all over.

The Bachelorette is on and it's time to relax!  I watch this while Derek watches something else and we both head up to bed right around 10.  After a little bit of reading I'm asleep pretty quickly (which is good because yesterday Tatum was back to his early wakeup call)... so there you have it, a very low key day but I'll miss these toddler days as they seem to be flying by.