Death Becomes Us

Life lately.

This last week has been absolutely crazy. I think I want a Mulligan on it. Please. lol

It started with last Friday. I went out to dinner with some girl friends to celebrate Jenni's birthday.  I was really tired the whole time, and thank goodness my friend drove me, because I almost didn't make it home...and it wasn't because of the margarita! haha

Saturday, I promised the girls I'd take them to get them some Valentine's earrings, so we headed to the mall. I totally need to go back to grab this hat...

and by the way, when your husband has an engraving machine, you never know what's going to show up engraved, or attached to something that's engraved. lol

We got home, and Caroline boycotted naptime, so my workout was accompanied by a little giggly ham. lol. I had to really modify my workout, I could feel the sickness coming at me.

And then the little one and I hung out on the back porch and enjoyed the wonderful weather. 

annnnnnd, then that night, it hit me....hard.

and Sunday... this is all I was doing....

Monday, I wasn't feeling as bad as Sunday, and thought I could handle the day, so I went to work, and sent all the girls to their school too...

Brooklynn was celebrating her 100th day on Monday. 

I, on the other hand, came home from work on Monday and slept the rest of the day away....again.

Tuesday, I had a field trip and was feeling 50% better, so off I went to work.  However, while I was on the field trip, I got a few phone calls about C being sick. Oh. joy.  Ron went to get her (he had to leave work...), and I rushed home early from work and took over. Sick...and field trip tired. 

But man, with a dose of medicine in her, she was all giggles. 

Wednesday, I started feeling human again.

A full day at work and then off to a birthday party....

and when I got home, I discovered yet another thing was engraved. lol...the girls now have their own stools so they can stop arguing about which stool is theirs. Oh boy. 

Thursday....

Brooklynn's turn. She was hit with the sickness bug that I started with. 

Thursday was also Autumn's field trip.... and my conference night. 

Man. I'm exhausted. 

So, here I sit. 

My Wild Friday night.  

Catching up on blogging, binge watching Alley McBeal, and finally enjoying my weekend drink.. a week latter. lol

Happy weekend, friends!

Last few days of 2016

Well, another year has come and gone. I can't believe it.

It's true what they say.

"The days are long, but the years are short."

I'm not sure who "they" is, but "they" are right!!

The 28th was Brooklynn's birthday.  I have decided that from now on, I'm going to take birthdays down... A LOT of notches. They're just a lot of work. So we had a few fun things planned for Brooklynn, and called it "done."

She woke up that morning and got her birthday present... she adores Caroline's Baby Stella, so I got her one, but the "older" version. 

Then we headed to the library... because I have decided that I am GETTING back into reading! I LOVE reading. I MISS reading. I'm going to make a goal of at least 2 books a month. I've even set up a Goodreads account, you can check it out HERE.

Later that day, we took the big girls to see a movie... Moana. Oh. My. Lanta. I LOVED it. I probably cried a few times.

We always take the girls' measurements on their birthday... I just can't get over how much older she looks here. For goodness sake.

The next day, the big girls and I went to the beach. It was such a GLORIOUS day. I brought my book I started the night before. 

You guys... I finished the book in TWO days! It was SO good. You must read it! 

It was so nice, relaxing at the beach with a book in hand, the waves crashing on the shore, the girls giggling and running around, the sun shining on me. I will spend my entire life never getting enough of this. 

Being on break, I have really set aside time for me. Making myself better - in my mind and my body. 

Friday, my parents took the girls and me ice skating. My dad got to try out his go pro for the first time. hehehe

Brooklynn absolutely LOVED it. She started off with the walker.

..and ended up being able to do it on her own!

Autumn did pretty well too. 

These Florida girls... a little weary of this solid white stuff. haha

Sweet little Caroline just watched from the sidelines. She was so good! I couldn't believe it, honestly.

After a few hours, we had a few more birthday items and a giant cupcake for Brooklynn. If you know my B, you know she is obsessed with Peppa. I don't know why, but she was so excited to get this. lol

And then today.... the last day of 2016.

I am ending the year off on the right foot....

I took an hour long walk today. Not a run. A walk. Listening to my audiobook and just taking in the beauty of the morning. I mean, look at that sky and lake and beauty.  

I also did my Core de Force workout today. I'm NOT skipping on this one. I'm finishing this one out! lol

What is it with kids and still going in the pool when it's winter? I mean, I know it's winter in FL, but still. the water is pretty cold!

They ended up all taking their clothes off and going swimming... because kids can never just put their feet in the water. ha!

After C's nap, we went for a walk. This girl is SO independent... her wanting to hold hands just melts my heart. I will take it as long as I can get it. 

and we came home and she started doing my hair..ha!

That's the end of the year.... I'm not sure I'll make it to midnight, I rarely do...but we will be home, staying safe and cozy....

Oh, I'm ordering a pair of house slippers - now if that doesn't say "adult-ing" then I don't know what does! haha!

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve - 2016

Well, it's Christmas Eve and the sun is shining... Time to head to the beach for our Christmas Eve tradition!

You know the saying, "You can complain about it, change it, or embrace it??"

Well, I am embracing!!!

I would LOVE to have a white Christmas, I'm not going to lie. But since I'm not going to change where I live, and I don't like complaining over and over about something, I choose to embrace it!

This has been our Christmas tradition ever since Autumn was born...the actual day we go varies, based on Ron's schedule.

I mean, I feel pretty lucky that we live in such a gorgeous place.

Today, ALL the birds were here. They must have just arrived from the north - ha!!

Autumn and Caroline were busy digging a giant hole. 

Daddy and Brooklynn were starting the sandman...

Then, all the kids migrated to towards the water, like I knew they would. 

Was the water cold?? Yep. But the kind of cold where, if you stayed in it long enough (and were a kid), it wasn't so bad after a while. haha

Me and C just chillin' while the big girls played in the waves....

Florida beach snow! haha!

Finally, the sandman was finished. Ron has so much talent, doesn't he?? lol

Merry Christmas!!

Hahaha! This girl. She's such a ham.

Bye-bye Mr. Sandman. 'Til we meet again next year!

Time to clean off and head over to get pizza (the best pizza in town!

nomnomnom.

The perfect little Christmas tradition. 

Then, once C was napping, it was time to bake some cookies for Santa!

No, the cookies we made for our {cookie delivery} were NOT for Santa. lol

After C woke up, we spent some time watching some of the Santa Claus movies (with Tim Allen - they're some of my favorites!), whilst Caroline was protecting her snack container of apples from her sisters! lol

Then, it was time to make dinner!

They love when I make their pancakes into shapes. lol 

Caroline figured out what the Rudolph nose was and promptly started eating everyone's noses. haha!

Time for the next round of Christmas eve joy - hot cocoa by the fire!

We don't have a fireplace in the house, so we did a fire in our firepit out back. Just as good. The girls love doing it.

We happened to have some sparklers left over from July 4th, so we used those tonight too. 

Just an added bonus. 

 

As the big girls were finishing up outside, I took the little one in for a shower and bed. 

So, here's where the best Christmas present ever comes in.  

Caroline was IN the shower and kept telling me "potty!"  Now, she has been wanting to sit on the potty for the last 6 months, but all she does is just sit. But whatever - we indulged her. Well, tonight when I put her on the potty, SHE DID IT!!!  I was so excited. I am ONE step closer to getting out of diapers, my friends!!

Last step of the night - getting everything read for Santa.  Cookies, milk, making sure he's got the list.

We have 2 very excited girls - and 3rd one who WILL be excited once she sees presents in the morning. haha.