Life with Two Y'all

Life with two little ones, oh my - it is for real! Oy vey - notice how I have had next to no blog post? You've seen the scrambled egg meme on Facebook, right?? Where there is an egg and it says this is your brain without kids and the next is an imploded egg with the all too accurate description that this is now your brain with two kids - ha! I know people with multiples can blog -- and blog well -- but apparently on my ever lengthening list of priorities blogging took a temporary back burner position.

Lots of things have occurred in the course of a year since my off and on again hiatus, becoming a work at home mom - working with an amazing team and company - so nice to be able to say that and mean it, taking more freelance design and photography work, and pursuing a Young Living business as well as trying to find a balance work at home life with two littles. Just a little over a year I can finally say I can see a light at the end of the tunnel - or more importantly that I feel like I am officially on the other side.

Back to Back Birthdays!

It's that time again! Why did I have my babies back to back October and November?? I have spent the better half of this week in my car or in the store, lugging tiny, slightly grouchy children in and out of car seats and into shopping carts and playing a scary type of russian roulette in each store as the nearly two year old insists on walking like big sister and not sitting in the seat. All while trying to keep track of what is on my list and what I need for the upcoming second birthday bash! How can it be - TWO?! Going by much too fast! :(

For Ainsley we knew a "Puppy and Kitty" theme was central - her love for animals is huge - but the details did not all come together until I was shepherding the soon to be birthday girl down the aisles and came across gold sparkly gift bags and scrapbook paper which thrown into the cart looked ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE next to the soft pink plates I already had grabbed. Pink and gold -- gorgeous! Perfect for a pretty kitty-loving princess on her second birthday! Balances out the kitty and puppy craziness with a touch of elegance. Hobby Lobby to the rescue! Like an in-person pinterest! Pinterest has its time and place - but it when it comes to getting it done you have to find the actual items you need in real life.

My typical event planning circuit is not complete with at least one trip to the local Joann Fabric for all things Wilton (cupcake liners, all colors of melting wafers, and more!), Hobby Lobby and Michael's, Aldi's, Party City and Target. Too bad everything can't be found in one store - but alas it is cannot be done - ever.

Eva Korr, Holocaust Survivor Lecture at Franklin College Campus

Thankful for Matt watching a house full of giggling girls for me so I could go out and listen to an amazing woman speak out about forgiveness and hope.

Can't wait to visit her CANDLES museum in Terre Haute, IN one day here hopefully soon.

Thursday Family Nights In November at Noodles & Company

Gotta love a good family night! Always looking for restaurants with family friendly menus, budget, and atmosphere and so glad to have seen a sign for Thursdays in November family nights at Noodles & Company.

We enjoyed discounted kids meals and a great noodle art activity.

Great quick night out and mama can enjoy her favorite Japanese Pan Noodles and also snag a bite or two of the kiddos yummy mac and cheese!

Kroger Marketplace Visit

Was a little surprised that my doctor insisted on switching my script to the new Kroger Marketplace so I could have the excuse to check it out finally. But three hours later, I now know why. Ha! It is like Meijer crossed with Target crossed with AMAZING - unlike any Kroger I have ever been to. It was honestly fun to go to - granted I didn't have the kiddos with me that afternoon, but still toys, CLOTHES, a bistro with a sushi bar, a STARBUCKS and pizza and a specialty cheese counter and a grilling experience booth....yum!!

Kroger Marketplace

8745 S Emerson Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46237
(317) 884-3320

Happy Merry Un-Birthday To You, To Me!

Matt and the girls made a cake -- too cute!

Introducing the Newest Quasebarth: Cuddlefluff

I think kitten saving is in our blood.

Never fails.

He grew on me.

Where We Play: University Park Trails

University Park is a great place to visit when you just need to get the kiddos to run their energy out!

Also has a park, picnic tables and bathroom facilities and is a great spot for family pictures.

Physical Address
200 Legacy Blvd
Greenwood, IN 46143

#savethebats Event at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

Made a playdate with a friend to visit the Indianapolis Children's Museum and attended an awesome presentation at the Lilly Theater. Author Janell Cannon read her book Stella Luna and bat conservationist David Mies introduced us to their many awesome bats and spoke about how we can help.

#savethebats
https://batconservation.org/

Cute Counting Game: Shelby's Snack Shack

Cute counting game Delaney received from her Grandma Sue for her birthday!

Fun and educational!

We've seen this at Target, Meijer and Amazon!

https://www.educationalinsights.com/product/shelbys-snack-shack-game.do

Woah

Have I really not published anything since January -- oh my, blogger fail! :) Hoping to catch up again here soon.

Summer Loving's Throw Back: Canary Creek Drive Thru

We made our first visit this summer to Canary Creek Drive-In. Piled the whole family in the car, stocked up with yummy snacks - a big bag of white cheddar popcorn and other yummies and settled in for the night in the car to watch Inside Out and even stayed for the next movie since the kiddos fell asleep - watched Cinderella again. :)

Super fun and will for sure do again. A lot of families watched the movie tail gate style - but with our littles it did not seem feasible to open the hatch and let them walk around more freely. Safe and snuggled in the car is more our style right now.

Summer of the Sno-cone: My Short-Lived Obsession with Awsum Snowballs

This summer was definitely the summer of snowcone for our family. It all started when I finally made a trip in to Awsum Snoballs when it used to be located inside the same space as the tanning place off 31. It has since changed owners and moved out of the location into a mobile facility - food truck type set up - but I cannot keep up with where they are ever so I haven't had any since they left.

When we were there we loved the "Barbie" snoball and any of them with the added ice cream scoop! Yum!

But as luck would have it, I stumbled upon a garage sale this summer without the kiddos and they had a snocone machine for $3 -- and yup I bought it along with a trip to Kroger that gained me some yummy Jelly Bean Snocone syrup flavors - our favorite being the Cotton Candy one. Yum!

Franklin Fun: Strawberries on the Square

One of our favorite places to visit is historic downtown Franklin. We especially love their Strawberries on the Square event. Facepainting, yummy food and summer sunshine!

Flower Girl Fun

Miss Delaney had the honor of being a flower girl this summer - she wasn't too thrilled at the toilet paper dress game at the bridal shower - but soaked up the moment on the big day.

Growing up so fast!

The Zoo in Bloom

Spring isn't complete without a romp through the Botanical Gardens at the Indianapolis Zoo.

Learning to Slow Down

One of the biggest lessons I am learning from working from home is how to truly slow down and enjoy the moments.

Watching snails after a spring shower.

Dairy Queen Family Nights

Somehow managed to come on the wrong night but all enjoyed a cone all the same.

Swim Lessons at the Y

We joined the YMCA this year and have been nothing but happy with the facility and the many offerings include dance and swim lessons, the prime time play area, free member child watch so mama can manage to work out and so much more!

Adventures in Cosleeping: Side Car Solutions

Granted this rubbermaid tote side car idea doesn't actually get used a whole heck of a lot. But at least it is there and does expand our bed another couple feet. Either way both girls prefer to be snuggled up close but on certain nights this make-shift side car toddler bed has come in quite handy.

We tried a couple of different ideas before this one. First we tried just the pack n play pulled up close since our youngest naps in it anyways. But no that didn't work for bedtime. Then I took apart and hauled in the crib frame with the front open and pulled next to the bed...and that probably would have worked if not for the style of crib frame that curves out at the sides creating a good 3-4 inch gap instead if being able to be flush against our mattress.

So it was on to plan c or d at this point. Ainsley was transitioning from sleeping in a cosleeper to next to me and big sis in the middle of the bed. This was no Bueno in big sis's mind so the sidecar was a way for her to still be able to cuddle up to me...little sis on the left big sis on the right. 

And at the time I was finally packing away tubs of maternity clothes and winter clothes. The two tasks sort of came together! Tote platform! Perfect height!

We have three equal height tubs holding up a crib mattress so it sits flush against our king sized bed. Family bed at its finest! :)