Hi everyone! Thanks for your comments on my last post. The summer to-do list was so much fun to make. My girls loved helping me come up with our summer plans. I’ve seen such a variety of fun summer lists in blog land so it was fun to finally make our own. When we were brainstorming ideas Addison told me that all she wanted to do this summer was to “play with mommy.” Then she said she wished it could be like it used to be before Kole when I would play with her and not just take care of Kole all day. Ouch. Dagger to the heart! She has really been struggling with that lately. And it’s true. Kole occupies so much of my time – as most one year olds do – and I’ve felt stretched a bit thin lately. So, after feeling some major mom guilt in that little moment, we wrote “play with mommy” on our summer to-do list and I vowed to myself to focus on spending some one on one time with each of my girls each day this summer. Even it it’s just for twenty minutes.
Yesterday during Kole’s nap Addison and I played soccer together in the back yard and today we did some puzzles.
Guilt is slowly melting…
In other news – Kole has learned how to do laundry. He is incredibly helpful as you can imagine.
This first picture is blurry but the expression on his face is one of my favorites. He sits in the hallway and anxiously waits for me to take the warm clothes out of the dryer and throw them on him. A fun little routine I’ve done with all three of my kids. My girls still love it and come running whenever they hear the dryer stop. Oh the anticipation! Who knew a load of darks could be so much fun!!
Wheee!!! Do it again mom!
Then we sort together. Kole is a master sorter.
Dad’s socks? Not so much. I’ll save those for my sisters.
Ellie has completely taken over our guest room and decided to spruce it up and make it her own. I went to wake her up for school one morning and found the walls covered in her artwork.
Hmm… maybe I’m putting her to bed just a tad too early? My favorite is the bumpy picture of her and her friend on the left which she clearly drew and colored AFTER it was taped to the wall. Classic!
I also get a kick out the way she neatly places her little house shoes to the side of the bed so they are ready to slip on each morning when she wakes up. Little things like this always make me smile.
And as for me, I’ve become even more lazy with food preparation – if that was at all possible. Lately I’ve been buying a Spring Mix of lettuce already washed…
and just tossing a few things right in the plastic container to make
my summer salad. That’s right. I don’t even take the lettuce out and put it in a bowl. I can just see my grandma (who was an amazing cook) up in heaven shaking her head at me. This pre-washed lettuce is as cool as pre-cooked chicken. I’m a fan.
Following Ellie’s lead, I too have decided to do some sprucing up. Last week I took down most of our living room decor. I want to move the clock too, but I need to glance at it each morning when I come down the stairs to see how late we’re running this time.
Ahhh. Nice and empty. My neighbor stopped by and thought we were moving. Nope. Just ready for out with the old – in with the new.
And until I find “the new” I just want to keep things a bit bare for a while.
Think I’ll keep this picture up though. It’s a favorite.
BTW – is it so weird to see ads on my blog!? It’s weird to me. I have to say that when I started this blog I never intended to monetize it. (I am more than content to let Kenny take full responsibility for bringing in the bucks!) I started this blog thinking it would be read only by close friends and family. Hopefully my mom and sister would check in each day. Maybe my dad and brother once in a while? A friend or two would certainly check in once a week. Maybe a total of eight people? I feel honored (and a bit surprised!) every day when I see how many people are reading. I feel even more honored when I hear from some of you. I get the sweetest e-mails and comments that truly do make my day. I love blogging. I love everything about it. The pictures, the journaling, creating friendships. I got a sweet e-mail today from a friend who I knew in High School. We danced together on the drill team and spent hours together in practice every day. Now we live in different states and never see each other. But we read each others blogs and because of this we know each other so much better than we ever did in High School! And it’s so true. People who read my blog know me better than people I see and talk to every day. I kind of put it all out there. It’s exciting and to be honest, sometimes it’s a little scary! And intimidating. Sometimes I think about the fact that more than eight people are reading this blog and I feel pressure to post something amazing! But all I have to post is a cleaned out cupboard, a scrapbook page, or maybe just Kole folding my laundry. Nothing amazing. Just my life. I’ve had several opportunities lately to monetize this blog and to be honest, nothing has felt right. I don’t ever want to change this blog into something it isn’t and I don’t ever want blogging to stop being fun for me. When I was given the opportunity to join the Blogher Publishing Network, it just felt like a good fit. I like Blogher ads. I use a lot of the stuff they advertise! (Hello 2011 Honda Odyssey) And a lot of great bloggers who I admire have chosen to go with Blogher. But the best part is that my blog doesn’t have to change. I can keep posting pictures of a cleaned out cupboard, a scrapbook page, or just Kole sorting my laundry. So I went for it! And it’s exciting to think I could make a little money doing something I love so much and will always do regardless. Maybe just enough money to support my weekly Container Store shopping sprees, but still, I’ll take it! :) Kenny loves to tease me about it. He’ll say at night “hey – get a post up! I’m ready to retire.” And then we laugh. Because there is NO WAY that’s happening anytime soon. :) So I know I’m TOTALLY rambling right now but I guess I just feel a connection with you – my readers – and wanted to well, be an open book again and share why I now have ads on my blog. And to also say, thanks for reading.
Tomorrow is Ellie’s last day of school and our summer officially begins! I love summer in San Diego! Even though the weather doesn’t change much, I can just smell summer time. It’s a mix of the Jasmine vines in my yard and the neighbors BBQ. Love it!
I received a phone call and some text messages today from parents of friends in Ellie’s class wondering about the end of the year party I was having at my house tomorrow after school? According to Ellie, it’s going to be quite the par-tay! Only problem is that she forgot to tell mom about it. HA! Our summer is off to a great start! :)
Hope yours is too!
xoxo, Erin
I love your home – I just went back and read the two posts and everything is just so beautiful, organised and uncluttered.
And yes, your little girl’s comment is like a little dagger but you’re doing great. Is she a quality time child (5 love languages)?
PS about the blog ads, I have about 1000 ppl through feedburner and made a PITTANCE – I am actually considering cancelling mine because it’s taking up real estate for literally pennies!
you always make me laugh! mom guilt…ah, its a big one! so hard to juggle all that we do eachday, I just keep praying for grace! happy summer erin! (ps – miss your Tuesday posts on PL – no pressure;)
i take it back….ha, guess I should of read back to see your last post a PL post!!! :)
You had me at Kole helping you with your laundry. THEN you had to throw in your daughter’s guest room decor! That is so precious!
One of these days I’m going to San Diego. My SIL has been there numerous times for weekend getaways/vacations and has nothing but great things to say about it. I think it’s one of her favorite places on earth. :-)
Is 7a.m. too early to have your summer salad? Looks yummy and can’t wait to try it!
I love your blog – thank you for not changing. Reading your blog and seeing things like an organized cupboard or Kole sorting laundry reminds me that you are a fabulous organized Mama, and that I too can be like you ;) But for real, keep doing what you are doing. I was telling the truth when I said, I leave your blog for last because it’s my favorite. Take care. :)
Could say so much … the laundry memory is such a fun/sweet thing to do. Love it. Love your blog. You. Your kids. Keep it up and cool that something you love it monetizing (is that the right word?)! Have a great weekend. Hope your par-tay goes well!
Erin I have followed you for over a year now and your blog is one of the first blogs of the day that I take a look at and sometimes during the day I come back to reread and see what I missed the first time. I love to see your family and your home and all your decorating Ideas, you inspire me and make me smile. I even love your recipes, I made the chicken one with the chinese sauce, LOVED IT..Keep blogging cuz I for sure will keep reading. Donna in Minot ND
Love the laundry game, that is adorable! I would have never noticed that the ads were a new addition. I assume that most of the blogs I read are going to have them. You put a lot of time into a blog, why not make a little pin money off it :)
Can totally relate to the mom guilt–I try for ten minutes because sometimes even that is difficult. My last day of school is today and I’m so excited to hang out with the kids and play: )
I love your blog!! You keep it real and that’s nice to see. I am cracking up at your new guest room decor and the summer party was pretty funny too. They certainly keep us laughing!
Erin,
Ever since I found your blog a few months ago I have loved it! I always check yours first. You are so honest, sweet and you seem like a really fun person…and Mom! Don’t let that mommy guilt get ya too much! It’s a killer :)
Ha!! That is hilarious that she has told people about a party!! Rob and I have just casually been looking at homes in Salt Lake…so I’ve had several people in our area asking about us moving!! The girls have been telling people that we are moving!! Ha!! And no, we’ve decided it’s not in our best interests to have to pay a LOT of money just to sell our house. (Gotta love this economy!!)
I say you might as well make all the money you can on the blog…because it takes a lot of time!!
Yay! For Summertime!! We’ve already had 3 weeks of it….and my girls were outside in their winter coats yesterday! Pitiful!!
I haven’t even noticed the ads until you mentioned them!! Guess I am focused on your posts!! Is that a good thing? LOL.
Oh my goodness, thats hilarious that she planned a party without mentioning it to you. Ofcorse, it’s (sweet) funny to me, because it’s not a spontaneous party at MY house! good luck!!!!!!
I bet you found those text messages quite humorous haha! That’s so sweet! I was just wondering when your girls start school. They seem to get out late! We had a full week of snow days to make up and still got out before memorial weekend! Just a curious teacher:) I am sure you will enjoy your summer with your girls! And I look for your blog posts everyday! They are always so sweet, cute and fun to read!
Just love how your daughter decorated the walls with her artwork! Priceless!
Have a wonderful weekend!
blessings,
Jill
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for your blog. Your organization — with small kids around — is so inspiring. Really enjoy your tips and photos showing before and after. Love it!!! And I only wish I was half as good as you are about keeping up with my scrapbooking… I love your commitment to it.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading your posts and hope my regular hits to your blog earn you big bucks! Thanks again from a mom of 2 little ones in Texas! You’re a true inspiration!
Can we be neighbors? I’m not a weird stalker, just Kathleen Allen’s sister :)
Don’t you just love those kind of surprises from your kids? I am sure, knowing you, that it will be a great party!!! I love reading your blog and glad we can still have a little connection that way.
Ha! Ellie! So did, she cracks me up! So did you quickly throw together a party for her or what?! Love the art on the wall too, and I am impressed that while coloring the bumpy one she didn’t get any crayon on the wall! Loving the pics of Kole with the laundry, I can’t believe how grown up he is looking! And I was surprised to see you decided to go with the adds, but I think it’s great, I even clicked on one for a coupon- I had just bought Madi the spinbrush toothbrush you can decorate yourself, she loves it, so I’ll be buying another in 3 months and now I’ll have a coupon!
Tell Kenny not to worry! I’ll keep reading, and I’m sure retirement is just around the corner:)) LOVE your blog Erin. I always tell my husband “you know my friend Erin?” He says “you mean the one in blog land?” “whatever, she’s still my friend! :))
Bet it was a GREAT party!
I didnt even notice the ads! When I read you post I was like, “What is she talking about?” : ) They dont bother me at all, I come here for my daily dose of happiness reguardless!
Erin, I love your blog. I’ve been following it for a year now and you inspire me (a grandmother) to be creative and to try some new things (like dumping warm laundry on the grandchildren if they’re visiting) LOL! I’m in GA but love seeing your beautiful California pics and I think your children are too adorable. You know moms are always the last to find out about the parties their children plan:)
I can so relate to the fact that people who read your blog know you better than people in your real life. It’s kind of a weird life we bloggers live isn’t it? I LOVE your blog!!
I think that’s great that you are now using BlogHer ads. Hey…why not?! :)
Your house is looking sparse…big changes coming?! :)
ahhh love the clean slate! can’t wait to see the new decor.
i too covet your organizational skills. i’m hoping when the boys start kinder this fall i can spend time using some of your tips and tricks to organize my scrapbook/sewing stuff & room. and the boys clothes and toys. :)