One step back...

Two steps forward, right?

Lately, I can't shake this feeling that I'm stretched a bit too thin. They are all good things - more projects for work, summer fun with Punkito, trying to keep my house clean (why do dishes and laundry never cease?), planning an upcoming trip, and a million and one other things that keep cropping up.

I'm trying to prioritize. And let go of things that don't really matter (I really CAN do the dishes tomorrow, but today we have sunshine for the first time in weeks, so we MUST go to the park).

One of the things that I decided wasn't a huge priority right now is this blog. I love it and it's a great outlet for me, but it was also becoming a source of stress trying to keep up with a self-imposed schedule. And for what? It's not like I have a huge following or am sharing vitally important information. So it's going in the backseat. And if there happens to be a day like today where I feel totally not up for anything but sitting on the couch puttering on my computer (and letting that MOUND of clothes on my bed wait another day), then I'll blog. But no stress.

Here's a little catch up in pictures. Em and I went to Houston for a week a while back because our HVAC unit kicked the bucket in a bad way. There was water all over our upstairs and leaking through the floor into the garage. It had to be completely replaced which was (expensive) and time consuming. The carpet had to be pulled up and industrial fans run under it to prevent mold. All of this in the hall right outside Em's bedroom. It just seemed like a better idea to take her away for a while until it could be brought under control.

Despite the inauspicious circumstances, we ended up having a pretty great time. Thanks to my sweet family for the last-minute hosting us!

This fun little splash pad is right next to the elementary school where i started kindergarten. Weird.

It was a cute splash pad, but wish it had more shade!

He loves sharks. She does not. She kept handing them to me and saying "don't like it." Turns out there is something my fearless girl is afraid of.

Don't you love it when Aaron takes video without your knowledge?

Uncle Aaron does a great job with the bedtime story... he does all the voices!

All that playing and being away from home really wore her out. I love watching her sleep. 

After she woke up, she just wanted to take selfies. It scares me how she's already the selfie queen.

Dancing is probably their favorite thing to do together.

Ry just got his big boy bed set up and they climbed in together. She surprised me with how much she liked it. 

She kinda took over and made herself right at home.

She also took over his dinner. He's not gonna eat it? She will. All at once.

It rained a lot but we still managed to get in a little park visit! 

Why does she always want to play with the big kid toys?

Oh, the hats!

This is summer! Fun in the beautiful backyard.

My sweet godmother created a "grandchildren bedroom" at her house. It has two sets of bunk beds with matching bedding and pillows with their names on it. It was too cute to handle.

It turned out so dark, but it was the sweetest picture of them reading together. We love mimi!

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!