Living room design board

Happy Thursday! We had a special treat over here this week - we got a new couch! I am so stoked I can't begin to say.

But it's made me super itchy to complete the rest of the room. We've been busy doing a little home shopping all week. Em is getting quite comfortable nestled in a bunch of pillows in a shopping cart at Home Goods and Target.

Here's a little sneak peak at my inspiration board... I can't wait until it's finished and I can reveal the whole thing!

Macy's Radley Sectional in Mocha, Pottery Barn lamp, Target Threshold hammered silver drum, Rugs USA ikat rug, Pottery Barn end table, Amazon ottoman, pillows from all over :)

Mother's Day 2015

I had in my head that I was going to write this extremely poignant, sweet post about Mother's Day and how much I love being a mom. But all those thoughts in my head just aren't coming out right. Maybe next year :) I will say that it is the hardest, strangest, most wonderful job I've ever had. The range of emotions each day is enough to qualify me for institutionalization. I may not love every minute, but I wouldn't trade any of them for anything. 

My dad got us these cute matching bracelets for Christmas. She was super stoked to be rocking them at church. 

She makes the funniest faces at me!

She always makes me laugh.

We make stupid faces together

But we still cute.

She is so sweet.

Shout out to my sweet husband who gave me pretty much the best Mother's Day ever. All I wanted was to do nothing. He made me pancakes, taught our primary class so I didn't have to deal with it, let me take a nap, and surprised me with takeout from PF Changs that he had snuck out and gotten the night before.

They went shopping together at Book People Saturday. Clearly she's helping pick out my gift.

Hans got me the cute cake stands and let me pick out the darling cups and bowls from Anthropologie.

And just to keep things really real, here's the a look at what being mommy looks like for me. Hair up, no makeup, my husband's sweats and shirt, potty training.

This is mommy napping and Emma jumping in bed and pretending to sleep with me.

We haven't started potty training en force, but on rare occasion she comes to us and says "Emma potty!" and wants to try. She kept saying she had to "poo poo" and we sat forever and a day, but she just can't bring herself to go.

She sure likes this book about going on the big kid potty, though.

After we gave up, I was, of course, posting the picture to Instagram while she sat on the rug and continued reading the potty book to herself. Then she started freaking out a little and I ran to see what was going on and...

At least it was solid?

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, godmothers, and women out there. Thank you for all you do.

In summer!

Well, hey there!

We have been busy playing and not blogging. I can't believe it's already May and the days are getting warmer and we can finally play in the sun and in the water. So we have been taking great advantage.

First stop: The Austin Nature & Science Center. I've heard so many good things about it, but have never visited. We really liked it!

We looked at bugs, fish, and small animals

We dug for dinosaur bones in the Dino Pit

And then ran through the tunnel of bones (over and over and over...)

And played in the stream that ran through it

Saturday was a friend's Frozen themed birthday! Complete with fun water toys in the backyard.

They couldn't quite figure out the slip n slide, but they had a lot of fun trying!

Sweet baby friends

What would we do without these little friends??

Am I doing it right?

Daddy tried to show her how.

But then they gave up. And laid in the hammock together.

First ever pinata!

"I'm ALLOWED to hit this thing??"

We had so much fun Saturday, a bunch of mamas got together this week for round 2.

This play pool is legit.

Em loooooved the slide!

And no fun in the sun would be complete without ice cream. Lots of ice cream.

Bring on summer!!

Mama Monday: Send me your best Disney tips!

Guys. GUYS! This is big. My baby brother is getting MARRIED!!!

Aren't they the stinking cutest? And they have the most adorable story. These kids have literally known each other their whole lives. Our mothers were college roommates and best friends. We have been visiting J's family and doing things with them for years and years. And then last year, these two decided to start dating! And now they are getting married. And we couldn't be more thrilled. Not only is she darling, sweet, and smart, but she and my brother are just so well matched. They balance each other very well and I know they will be equal partners in all things.

They have chosen to be married in the San Diego temple in August and we are stoked to be making another trip out there!

Since we will be in SoCal again, it seems like a crime to not take Em to Disneyland again. We feel like it's the perfect time - at 2.5, she is old enough that she's really into Disney (especially Mickey Mouse. We watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse every day!), but still young enough that her park entrance is free :)

I'm trying to do a better job planning our trip this time. Last year, we made the decision to go to Disney just a few days before and we kinda winged it. We didn't see any parades or shows or meet any characters or see fireworks or anything. We drove up and back to San Diego in the same day, making for a looooooong day for Miss Em.

I've been trying to get started, but I'm a little overwhelmed, so I'm hoping you Disney fans out there can help me out. Here's what I'm looking for:

• Where should we stay? We were debating one of the three Disney resorts, specifically Paradise Pier, just for the whole Disney experience and for the proximity to the park. But it is so.dang.expensive. I have heard good things about Candy Cane Inn across the street, but don't know if we will be missing out on anything by staying off site. Anyone that can weigh in on this?
• Character dining. Has anyone does this? Which one do you recommend?
• What are your favorite places to eat in the park?
• What are your favorite rides for toddlers? (nothing scary!)
• What is your non-ride favorite thing to do at Disney?

Thanks for the advice, mamas! I appreciate the planning help.

Cute little "cousins"

To distract Em from the fact that Bapa left, we made a quick trip to the Woodlands to visit Mimi and PaPaw! It was too short, but Em got to have fun with her little "cousin" Ryan.

We visited the splash pad at Market Street because it was a HOT day! Em was a little hesitant at first, but her natural bravery eventually came out.

Loved seeing these two play together

Look at that smile!!

She stayed like this for a while, but the water never came out! The 'rents were all very disappointed.

Didn't stop her from finding a different one and sticking her head in it.

After we dried up, she was uninterested in Z Gallerie. But she found a way to keep entertained.

They found pulling leaves off this bush so amusing. And you may notice she's got a bit of a bossy streak these days...

After church I got some sweet baby kisses. Totally makes my life.

It was a fun little weekend and now that we are home (and Bapa's no longer here) we are sure missing all our family!

Bapa visits!

One of the bad parts of my dad's job is that it requires him to travel a lot. I know he misses my mom and has a hard time sleeping in hotels. One of the good parts of his job is that it requires him to travel a lot - and a lot of time that travel brings him through Texas. Em has been so lucky to get to see her best friend about every other month.

This time we got him for almost a week! Em was in heaven.

Pinkies up!

Real men spend Friday nights having tea parties. With a baby who doesn't want to put on pants.

My dad renewed Em's thinkery membership for her birthday, so of course we had to go with him. We are loving all the new exhibits they have added lately!

You put pieces of pool noodle with paper propellors in this wind tunnel and it shoots them up. We spent a loooot of time at this one.

A rocket launcher!! This thing was cool.

Daddy liked it as much as Em did.

More fun with wind - ping pong balls in twisty wind tubess 

The giant lite bright room is always a success

Kid, I don't care where we are. I WILL put you in time out when you thump other kids.

Playing with shadows.

A little dinner on SoCo... didn't know there was a car show that evening and it was sooo packed.

Clowning around at lunch

She loves painting, and she loved it even more with Bapa

My dad taught her how to wear her baby hahaha

We went to Toys R Us and I thought I would never tear them out of this car.

Em has been asking for Bapa every morning. Can't wait for him to come back.