Hooray for Headbands!

When I found out we were having a girl, I was giddy with excitement thinking of all the cute ribbons, flower bands and barrettes she would wear in her hair. However, Berlin had other plans. From the get-go she really HATED anything that was around her head. Barettes she would tolerate, but all the cute headbands she hated! It was a sad day when I had to resign myself to her never wearing them.

Yet, the other day I was putting her too-small clothes away and came across some of her headbands and tempted fate by putting them on her head. She freaked out at first trying to get it off, but after putting it back on a couple times and telling her "Don't touch," then quickly distracting her, she actually left it on. I was so happy to see it last most of the day. All I can say is that I can't wait to make some more.

Here she is going about her day with the cutest little flower band.

Our 4th of July

yeah, so I'm not really on the ball and it's now the 9th and I'm just barely posting about the 4th.

We aren't really parade people so we avoided anything and everything downtown and instead went to the zoo with the kids per Finn's request. It was actually the perfect day to go. The animals were great, the weather decent (hot, but partly cloudy), and there weren't any crowds. It was actually quite barren compared to the crowds during the week. The zoo just opened their new Conservation Carousel and so we took the kids on it. Finley went first and was a bit nervous about the animals so he made Ryan sit on the bench with him. After his turn I took Berlin on and she chose the giraffe. Giraffes are her favorite animal at the zoo these days. She was a bit concerned at first, but once the wheel started she said, "Weeeee" the whole time. And of course after Finley saw Berlin go around on an animal he wanted to go again, and shed some tears when we said that he'd have to wait until next time because he'd already had his turn.

After the zoo we came home ate lunch, took naps, then walked to the Gelatto shop just up the street, then over to the little park across the street from our house and ate the gelatto while the kids played on the playground. Finley was very excited to see the fireworks so he and Ryan walked up to our church and watched the Sugarhouse Park fireworks show from the lawn while I stayed home and put Berlin to bed.

All-in-all it was super low-key. Just the way I like it. In fact it was perfect.

Bag Tag

So I thought that I had posted this last week when I actually took the picture of my purse/diaper bag, but apparently I only saved it and just noticed it's been sitting patiently - waiting to be published. So, this is my bag as of last week:

I do not have a separate "going out" purse. For me, it's just the diaper bag. That said, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my bag. It's a Mia Bossi diaper bag that I saw on the Ellen DeGeneres Baby Shower show right after Berlin was born and knew I had to have it. So I scoured eBay (thanks to my sister Shauna for that tip since she found one in the red/black combo there) for 4 MONTHS before I found one at a steal of a price (It has an X on the tag because it has little blemishes on one of the leather straps and can't be returned to any store). But I don't care cause you'd never know by looking at it.


So what's in the bag ???

1. pair of pj's that needed to be returned to Ryan's step-sister after borrowing them when Berlin leaked thru her Sunday dress on Father's Day while celebrating with his dad.

2. Some bills to drop in the mail, wallet and a checkbook holder

3. Gum (Ryan's) & breath mints (Mine) ... I HATE gum because I think it's a gross & dirty American habit. And noone ever puts it in the trash and I always seem to be the one to step in it. But Ryan likes it so I have it in the bag as backup for him.

4. Vanilla Mint Chapstick (my all-time fave must-have), baby kisses lip-balm (for Finns dry lips), hand sanitizer and 50+ SPF sunscreen for the kids.

5. Crayons, notepad with receipts all shoved in it, pen, Diaper, Pull-up, Wipes, changing pad

6. Sunglasses and bobby pins, a ribbon headband (Berlin's), and a cute little Russian doll zip case with feminine needs.

7. Snacks: Dried Strawberries and Bananas, Fiber One bar (mine), Honey wheat pretzels, and Fruit loop cereal, Japanese Hi-Chew candy.

So what's missing from my bag???
Usually I have my cell phone and camera in there but who knows where those are when I took the pic. I'm sure Berlin or Finley had been playing with them earlier. And sippy cups. I always have to carry sippy cups with me because my kids without fail ALWAYS ask for a drink 5 minutes after getting in the car and on the road. I'm going to bet that they are probably in the fridge when I took the pic cause really, warm milk? Gross.

I tag anyone who has the time and isn't embarrassed by what's in their bag.

Rub a dub dub

there's an artist in my tub!

Finley recently received some bathtub paints from his cousins in Baltimore and he LOVES them. And once he realized that he could get paint on himself without me freaking out, well, let's just say they have become the favorite bath-time activity. Here's a pic of his body & tub art - don't you just love the murky bathwater?

It's Coming!!!

Our 100th post will soon be here! In anticipation of that I am going to be offering some blog candy. Why you might ask? Cause it's the thing to do apparently and honestly, who doesn't love to give away (and get) free stuff!

So, keep checking our blog for our 100th post. When you see it (it will be obvious folks) be sure to leave me a comment and you'll be entered into the totally random drawing. You could be one of 2 lucky people to win something from my growing arsenal of recent crafts, quilting, or sewing projects. And trust me, I have some pretty dang cute stuff these days :)

On a totally different note, here are pics of the kids at the playground:

(Finn LOVES the tunnel)