Popping in to share a few recent pics! I am SO behind. So so behind on documenting our day to day. This week (when I have time to post) will be a lot of catching up on some of our latest – even if it’s not the greatest. :)
Not so long ago I shared a picture of Kole “painting the wall” with water and said it was such a great toddler activity. Turns out it’s not just for toddlers. :) I peeked out my kitchen window last week to find this scene. Looks like El isn’t painting, but scrubbing the wall down instead? Whatever works! And keeps them entertained long enough for me to cook dinner. (BTW – so happy to hear that some of you tried this activity and it was a success. YEA! I’ll have to think of more outside activities my kids like. We have had to get pretty creative over the last nine years with our with our small back yard!)
Since home cooked dinners are hit and miss around here this is my latest trick to ease some of my guilt and make sure the kids are eating enough fruit/veggies. I have this veggie tray (bought it for 5 bucks at the grocery store) sitting out on the table each day after school when the kids come home. They always come home STARVING and start immediately raiding the pantry. The new rule is that this platter of food has to be eaten before anything else (most of it anyway). The cool thing is that they are usually full by the time it’s gone and then I can hold them off until dinner. I change the fruits and vegetables out each day and sometimes there are leftovers so I’m not constantly restocking everything. I also give them long tooth picks to eat with because for some reason that just makes it more fun. Except when they start having sword fights. Then as Kole would say “we are all done toothpicks!” Yup buddy. We are. :)
Speaking of my little buddy… apple doesn’t fall too far.
I was adjusting a camera lens last week and snapped the next two pics randomly. Then when I went through my photos that night I had to laugh at what I caught on camera. This is Ad trying to make Ellie fancy…
You can see how well that went over.
And here is our spring mantel in its latest state. El did a report on Wood Ducks last week and let me tell you – we all know more about Wood Ducks than we ever cared to. :) She loves animals and got really into this little project. We were proud of her work so the Wood Duck poster is displayed on the mantel. With Addison’s clay fish. At least they are keeping things aqua and working with my color scheme. :)
Peppa Pig. It’s such a part of our day to day that I had to share this photo from the weekend.
And we have a visitor this week sharing in the Peppa Pig love. When the going gets tough, the tough call grandma! :) This next week is so busy for me that I knew I would need some reinforcement! I sent out an SOS to my cute mom and she hopped on a plane. LOVE her so much. She is saving me this week. Now someone will be home to do therapy each day with Kole and take care of him (full time job) while I tackle all of the girls’ last week of school parties/activities/projects. And deal with the new house stuff I need to take care of right now like pick out paint colors for the whole interior. And start packing our current house to get ready for a move. My to-do list has its own to-do list this week. It’s an exciting time around here. :)
xoxo, Erin
The pictures are so sweet. I remember when my mom was always there to save me. Now she is in the hospital and will be coming home on Hospice. I do have all the sweet memories of my mom and dad with my kids. My kids are pretty lucky to have such great grandparents.
So exiting to hear that you have moved into the interior. So close Erin.
Enjoy the time with your mom!
Much love,
Cathy
Love seeing everyday life! I hope this week goes fairly smoothly. It’s great to have back up :) ~gina
Love this post! Think I’ll try the veggie/friut tray with my toddlers to keep them from asking for snacks all day long!
Its great looking at your everyday life! Excited for you that you’re going to interior Hanna
As a Grandma myself, I know that your Mom was ticked pink to fly there and help you out! There’s nothing better than grandbabies!!
I love your after-school fruit & veggie tray! It takes a little bit of work to get it ready, but kids will eat healthy things like that if they are available! It’s a great idea.
Looking forward to the interior of your house now! Can’t wait!
Thank you so much everyone!
Cathy – I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. Thinking of you. xx
Grandma Bonnie is my favorite person in the whole wide world ( shhh is a secret)
Yea for grandmas!! Great idea with the fruits and veggies.
Sweet post and pics. Sorry about your Mom Cathy – this made me tear up.
I have yet to try the water painting, must get on that. We are on day 2 of summer vacation and honestly, we are all going a little crazy. That hour at the park didn’t do much. : )
I know from experience it will get better, but we are all adjusting to being together ALL DAY for the time being.
love your veggie tray idea because snack time is getting way out of control here. can you give more idea what do you fill it with everyday?
Hi Erin,
I’m new to your blog and i gotta tell you i love it!
thanks!
so happy i came across it
Hey Erin! Thinking of you. This week is soo crazy. It’s only Monday, and I’m exhausted from just today!:). Glad to see your mom is here. Hope you get some time with her between all the end of year and house stuff. Enjoy! xoxo
oh man, I think the comment I just typed, didn’t make it in:)! It’s fun to “see” you on here. Thinking of you. And yes this week is already exhausting me!! Hope you get some time to enjoy your MOm!
xoxo
That is a fabulous idea on the fruit and veggies at any age! Ah, moms and grandmas to save the day … the best!! Good luck with it all :)!
Hi Erin, you are a star for doing a new post in such a busy week! Gorgeous pics, especially Kole with his grandmother :) My mum is a flight away too – it really makes us treasure her visits. Enjoy your time together xx
Love the fruit/veggie tray! This will be on my todo list for tomorrow! My kiddos love eating with toothpicks too:) Where did you find that tray for only $5????
So, I used your painting with water idea today and all four of my boys loved it. (Ages 7, 5, 3, 1.) It kept them busy for a while. When it was time for them to stop and come inside, my five year old said “Remind us to do this tomorrow, Mommy” :) Thanks so much, Erin!
-Erin
What an awesome idea with the snacks! This would be great just to keep on hand in the fridge even without kids!!
Hopefully this week goes smoothly with your Mum there to help! Soundsd like things are crazy busy for you :)
I love the veggie tray idea! My daughter is constantly bugging me for snacks while I am cooking dinner! Thanks for the idea! I pinned it with your blog info!
Thanks for the fun comments everyone!
Dina – Just mostly fruits/veggies – broccoli, celery, peaches, pears, apples, cherries, grapes, watermelon, carrots… pretty much anything in the produce department!
Lori – I found that at my local grocery store! It was on sale too. And I had been looking for something like that so I was thrilled (and a little surprised) to see it on isle 9!
SO happy to hear from some of you that your kids are having fun “painting!” Love it! :)
As always, I love your pictures. Love them!!! :)