keeping the weekend vibe going

Ryan left this past weekend, which kind of threw the latter half of the weekend for a loop, but we did our best to have fun and get some quality time before he left. On Friday, we visited Ryan's cousins at their new home in Olympia, and we blew the boys' bedtime. It was well worth the quality family and couple time, the boys had so much fun playing with family, and we enjoyed soaking up our last few moments of togetherness while we good. Then, on Saturday, we visited Sequalitchew Creek again as a family on Saturday, and we had a good time soaking up the sun, catching little crabs, and just playing together. Yesterday, we had to take Ryan to the airport, so we got up bright and early, and we did it before we had too much time to think about. I swear...it never gets easier, but it's getting normal, and I have mixed feelings about that. 

Right now, I'm feeling exhausted and drained, and I'm desperate to make that weekend vibe last a little longer. I figured that might be a common thing though, so today I'm offering up my four favorite tips to keep that weekend vibe going.

// Opt for Spontaneity

As you all well know, I am a big supporter of all things spontaneous and fun. Even when the whole brood was sick, we made a point of still getting outside and doing something fun while we could. Although it’s true that most of the spontaneity in my life is contained to the weekends, one of the things that keeps it going just a little longer is including some of those spontaneous, fun activities in the work week. Go for a bike ride with your kiddos to a local ice cream shop after dinner, or better yet, ditch the planned dinner at home and find some new restaurants to add to the Yelped list. Right now, my go-to is just taking the boys to the rocky beach to search for crabs - it doesn't get better than that!

// Get Comfortable

The worst part about Monday coming around is the need to bring back to boob jail contraptions we call bras. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love when the girls look good, but it would be nice if they could look good while also not feeling completely suffocated. One of the things I’ve done lately is search for a truly comfortable, well-fitted bra, like the ones from True & Co. that basically feel like clouds. Wearing a bra that doesn’t dig in or make me uncomfortable from the minute I put it on has made me more optimistic and much less irritable, a definite perk when spending so much time with my two little boys. It seems like such an unimportant thing but being uncomfortable is a one-way ticket to grumpy town for me. So finding a something that can keep me from hopping on that train, is key for enjoying my week - and any places we go.

// Consider Dinner

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely live by meal-planning. Taking an hour or so on the weekends to sit down and plan out our lunches and dinners for the week makes a huge difference in my stress levels Monday through Friday. There are even meal planning apps out there right now that make the whole process even quicker, which is so nice! Having meals taken care of ahead of time and not having to agonize or argue over the “what’s for dinner tonight” conversation or scour the cupboards for something I can put together is a game changer. It allows me to get the decisions out of the way and make sure I get everything stocked in my Saturday or Sunday grocery run. Once I have it all on hand, I can make my favorite keto shakes and dinners much easier.

// Get that Workout In

Okay, so I know this one is not the most fun thing for everyone but for me, it is totally necessary. For those of you who know me, you know that I love getting outside and being active in general. For the most part though, and for most people, it seems that weekends are the only time our schedules allow for time to get in a real workout. Try to find some time during your week to fit in a lunch break yoga session with a YouTube video or class at a local studio. Maybe you could join a weeknight kickball or soccer league. Even just add a block of time to your schedule dedicated strictly to the gym and go then. It’s crazy how different your energy levels and mood can be after adding a couple of workouts into your week.

I feel like life just keeps getting busier and busier, and I'm sure it's not going to slow down anytime soon. These are just four of the ways that I keep that weekend feel going, and I find little of pockets of relaxation along the way. Are there different ways you keep your weekends going a little longer?

I'm linking up today with B Loved Boston for Weekending.

the joy of indoor snowball fights

It was another wintry weekend here in the North Country this past weekend. As much as we loved that taste of spring we had last week, we knew it wouldn't last. Ryan and I have been working to be more intentional about our time since he got home, which has led us to making a list of to-dos and hope-to-dos for the weekend. We do it on Friday night, and it's actually been a huge help. With our move coming up quickly, we know we're on borrowed time, so we jot down everything that has to be done, and we build fun into the mix, as well. It really helps keep us sane. 

We needed to do a few mundane things this weekend. I had my WW meeting at 9 on Saturday, I needed to pick up some fabric to make baby shower gifts, and we needed to pick up some boxes to start the moving process. We conquered all those tasks (plus church!!!), and we even had time for a trip to Target - because why not - and an indoor snowball fight.

bunny ears: target (available here)

My little men are doing so well learning to play with one another. It was rough-going there for a while. Boy mamas - is that normal? Now, however, Spencer likes to guide their play, Porter likes to antagonize, and they have a silly little dynamic going with all their activities. They really love sharing their Manatiles together, and it's so fun to watch them think and build things together. They also love to take their tubs together, and they really enjoyed riding together in the cart at Target.

It's the little things like this that make my mama heart smile. I knew we were in for a challenge having two little guys 18 months apart, but watching them find comfort and fun in each other is basically the best thing ever.

Also, in regards to this indoor snowball fight...it's probably the best $28 we've spent this winter. It's called Snowtime Anytime, and it comes with 40 "snow"balls. They're soft enough to chuck at one another, but they're firm enough that they fly well. PSA - dogs love them. The kit comes with 40 snowballs...we're down to 37.

snowtime anytime indoor snowball fight (sold out - similar available here)

Also, it's next to impossible to get pictures of these boys on-the-go, but I'll never stop trying. I've been solely sticking to my iPhone right now, but once we move, I'll get back to the DLSR. It's laziness, friends, pure and simple. 

I hope you all had wonderful weekends and have a great week ahead! This is my last week prior to surgery, which takes place next Monday, so I'm soaking up my last few days of mobility while I can. It's going to be an adventure!

I'm linking up today with B Loved Boston for Weekending

spring is in the air

tricycle - schwinn by ll bean (available here) // toddler racoon hat - cat & jack by target (similar here)

You know it's been a long winter when a 39-degree morning feels like springtime. It's sunny this morning though, and the wind feels positively balmy compared to the cold temperatures we've been wrestling with the past few months. It was a fun weekend here with the Moore's - a weekend that started with my 32nd birthday. It's funny. Once you have children, your birthday isn't so important anymore, and that's a good thing. Nevertheless, my boys spoiled me and loved on me, and we had a great time.

Saturday was spent relaxing with my men. We went to the mall to run around for a little bit and burn off some steam because it was freezing outside, then we came home for naptime. Another sign of being an adult? It's exciting when a property manager comes to see your home on your birthday. But truly, it was such a good experience. We'll be renting our house when we move this summer, and she confirmed a high rent, which is great for us. She also helped us find some much-needed contractors for a few projects, which helps a ton. It was a huge relief. 

After she came, my boys took me out to dinner, where my little men indulged in some super-creamy mac 'n cheese, which they call "monkey monkey," and they were happy as can be. We capped off the evening with some great wine and snuggles on the couch. Who can complain about a birthday like that?! Oh, Ryan spoiled me. He framed some of my absolute favorite pictures from our trip to South Africa, and I can't wait to hang them in our new home. He also bought me a Tyme iron, which I've been coveting for a while. Do any of you have one? Would love to hear your thoughts!

We actually went to church on Sunday...I know, shocking. I didn't really go while Ryan was deployed because it was too hard between Porter's GI issues and Spencer not wanting to go to nursery. But, we went, the boys did great in nursery, and it was so wonderful to see friends and fellowship again. After naptime, it was nearly 50 degrees, so we enjoyed the sunshine outside and walked to the river!

toddler oversized pom-pom beanie - made by molly morehouse (sold out - shop here)

Spencer is getting so big for his bike. He hasn't quite figured out the pedals, but we're getting close, and he feels so big. Mamas, is there anything better than watching your little ones learn and grow?

There is something so special about the first touches of spring in the North Country. It's been so dang cold this year, and getting outside, breathing fresh air, and walking as a family is one of those simple pleasures we love so much. We're excited for all the changes coming. We can't wait to explore our new area, visit the cities, and take the boys to experience a lot more. But, for now, these springtime vibes make my heart so happy.

I'm linking up today with B Loved Boston for Weekending.

outdoor adventure days

Seriously, this was probably one of our busiest weekends on record since the start of this deployment. I knew I'd be putting the boys through their paces from the start, but I was still somewhat hopeful that we'd have a good weekend - and we did - it just wasn't relaxing at all. On Saturday, we spent the entire day at Outdoor Adventure Days on Fort Drum for an FRG fundraiser. We had the opportunity to host a food booth to raise funds, and we did great, raising over $500!

Spencer and Porter had a blast, too, and they got to play with everything from bait fish, to snakes, to turtles and beyond. Plus, they had a rock-climbing wall, "mining" where the kids could dig up fake diamonds and gems, archery and so much more. It's a neat event, and I'm glad we were able to experience it, even if the boys are a little young to appreciate it.

Sunday was spent at the beach. We've been to Southwick once already this summer, but I know that summer is wrapping up far too quickly, and I decided we should have another day playing in the water and really just soaking up the last sun of the season. Last time we went, Porter wasn't walking yet, so this was a totally different ballgame.

He had a blast carrying his own bucket to the water (which was just about as big as he is), and Spencer loved playing with the big kids. I had to drag his silly bum out of the water so he wouldn't get too cold, and once I did, he spent the rest of the afternoon having a blast on the playground. I thought they'd nap once we got in the car to head home, but both boys were on strike, so they had another early bed time.

Every time I turn around, another day is gone, and we're just that little bit closer to Ryan coming home. We're busy with all the homecoming prep already, as well as searching for a dining out venue, so I'm loving the fact that I really don't have time to dwell on the countdown anymore. The distractions are a dime a dozen, and I'll take it!

We have a fun week ahead, and Oma will be coming to town on Friday just in time for 18.12 next weekend, so it's sure to be a busy next few days. I hope you all had wonderful weekends!

I'm linking up today with B Loved Boston for Weekending.

5 on friday - the happy edition

It is, for all intents and purposes, a swampy and disgusting day here in NNY. I'm seriously hoping this humidity breaks this weekend because it feels like I'm stepping into a sauna every time I open the back door. But, it's Friday, and for that I'll be eternally grateful. Today, I'm linking up with Meet at the Barre for  Friday Favorites.  

1 // GoFundMe...I'm shamelessly putting this out to the world. As you probably already know, I'm running the Chicago Marathon on October 8. This is my first marathon, and I'm running in honor and support of Fort Drum's homecoming troops. As such, I started a GoFundMe, and I've been so touched by everyone's generosity thus far. There's still a little time to raise funds, all of which will go welcome home baskets for our single soldiers, a celebration of their service overseas and refreshments for the various homecoming events. If you have it in your heart to share this little campaign or donate, it would be SO appreciated!

2 // Hand Lettering - I've been working on some hand-lettering lately because I needed some sort of stress-reliever, and this is a little bit of all of that for me. Plus, it really helps with the whole slightly-OCD thing, and I get to be creative on the side. If you haven't tried it, it's worth a shot! I bought this book to learn more, and I use a few online tutorials.

3 // Beach days - As summer winds down, I find myself craving more and more sunshine - probably because I know this has the chance of being an epic North Country winter. We're heading back to Southwick Beach on Sunday, and I can't wait to spend the day in the sun and the water with my little men. 

4 // Riley Grace Boutique - My sisters found this gem on Facebook. It's a closed group where they sell some of the cutest clothes at cheaper-than-boutique prices. Since I've lost a bunch of weight through running this summer, I've required pretty much an entirely new wardrobe. Needless to say, you know you've bought a few things when your deployed husband asks what the heck Riley Grace is.

5 // Bondi Band - I'm so excited to announce that I'm Bondi Band's newest brand ambassador! I discovered their products about 8 months ago when I was looking for a moisture-wicking headband for running. Since then, I've been happily obsessed with their products and never run without them.  They reached out after seeing my share their goods for months, and they asked if I was interested. I'll have more details on this soon (including a discount code!), but check them out...they're amazing!

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

in which we wandered

My friend Loralee came to town this past weekend to help me organize Ryan's unit's Dining Out and homecoming. She works in the hotel industry, and after the craziness that was planning the event last year, I called upon her expertise early on. We made a plan to visit about 5 venues this weekend, which we knew would be tricky with the boys, but we were optimistic. And so, Saturday was spent venturing from Alexandria Bay, to Clayton, to Watertown, and Sunday was spent visiting Tug Hill Vineyards.

We did lunch in Clayton at the ChannelSide Restaurant, and it was amazing. We shared poutine, and I had their Yum, Yum, Yum salad. The boys enjoyed food from their large kids' menu, which was actually reasonably priced, and we enjoyed a sunny afternoon by the water. It was supposed to rain all weekend, so the sunshine was enjoyed by all.

On Sunday, we ventured back to Tug Hill Vineyards - you may remember that we went blueberry-picking the other day and missed their brunch - and we decided to sample brunch before meeting with the event planner. Guys, this brunch was perfection. It's a bit on the pricier side at $21 a person, but they do offer a military discount, and the boys ate free. We each had a Bloody Mary, and it was pretty much the best thing I've indulged in in a long time.

After exploring the venue, which we are totally sold on, Loralee had to head back to Nashville, so the boys and I went to the splash pad on post after nap time. Both boys were mostly terrified of the splash pad, but they loved the playground on the side, so it was worth it!

Weekends like this are so fun for me because the boys get out to play and explore, I get to see the sights around us (and yes, there really are things to see up here, as much as people may say otherwise), and we get to enjoy this summer that is flying by. Little by little, our time here is winding down, so I want to enjoy it while it lasts! I hope you all had wonderful weekends, as well!

I'm linking up today with B Loved Boston for Weekending.

a good one

My last post was really a bit of a downer, but I won't apologize for it because, honestly, that's where my head's been lately. I've been struggling, but I feel like I turned yet another corner yesterday. The weather is slowly turning towards spring, I was able to get outside, and the Vitamin D was like medicine for my soul. My friend, Mareike, and I took the kids to the Thompson Park Zoo, and it was a blast. Spencer's been a few times before, but this was Porter's first visit, and we had so much fun!

The zoo features all indigenous animals, so I don't feel too guilty about paying to see some exotic creatures in captivity. Spencer was fascinated by the Mountain Lion and the Canadian Lynxes, and he really loved the river otters - as did I! We watched the wolves have an Easter egg hunt, which was hilarious and funny, and we had a lunch date outside, which made for some happy boys. 

During naptime, my neighbor's husband watched the boys so Emily and I could get our long run of the week in - 60 minutes. I wasn't expecting much, but I was hoping to get about 6 miles in. I figured I could do a 10-minute pace, and I crushed my goal. I went 6.46 miles in 60 minutes, an average of 9:17 pace, and I held tight splits the entire time. I also PRed my 10k by a whole minute, which was a huge ego boost after how awful I've felt lately about life in general.

I also made a decision last night with my mom, who came to visit (yet again) to help me for a couple days. I'm going to brave the trip to NH to see them in a couple weeks, and I'll stay with my parents for a week before we head to South Carolina for a week for my mom's birthday. On the way back up, we'll be stopping in NJ for the NJ marathon. I'm doing my first half of the year, and I'm hopeful for a good time. I also signed up to do Lake Placid in June with Emily, so I'm pretty excited about that!

Deployment life is hard. I won't sugarcoat it at all. I've really struggled a lot lately, but I'm working hard to keep positive and remember all the good stuff. I think that as the weather turns, so does my psyche, and I'm so glad for that.

weekending

It was a beautiful weekend here in northern NY! As always, it seems like our weekends are absurdly fast though, and we never really have a moment to spare. We got a lot done though, and that's what's most important right now. First things first, we savored the beautiful snow, and we remembered why we decided Drum was the right station for us, at least for now.

Then it was full-speed ahead. Ryan's unit ball was on Friday night, and we had so much fun! I was really worried about what to wear for a while, but I settled on a black ball skirt, and I sewed a lacy top on and made it a dress. It was a bit tighter than I'd anticipated, but I loved it, and I got a lot of compliments. I made the whole thing for less than $50, so I decided to get my hair done, and called it a night.

On Saturday, after enjoying the snow, I took the boys to the Sensory Nook in Watertown, and they had a blast. It's Montessori-based, so the kiddos can basically do whatever they want. They're allowed to play entirely hands-on, and there is everything from a water table, to a balance beam, guitar and beyond.

After nap time, we got our Christmas tree, decorated it once the boys went to bed and called it a night. It was a fun, very productive and busy day. 

It was basically a perfect weekend. Busy, hectic, crazy, maddening, hilarious - all of it - because I got to spend it with my favorite people. I also managed to do the boys' Christmas photos on Sunday, so I can't wait to show how that went. I'll be sharing those pictures, along with our finished Christmas cards, this week. I'm pretty proud.

I hope all your weekends were as wonderful and productive as ours! Here's to the last couple weeks before Christmas!

four-day wedding weekends with kids

I disappeared on your guys (intentionally) the past few days, as my little family headed down to Carlisle, PA to see my baby sister get married! She married the love of her life, Josh, and I gained a new brother (who is fantastic, by the way), and it was a whirlwind of a time. Traveling with children is so hard. I'm not going to lie. There were tears. Lots of tears. But it was a wonderful time, and I'm glad that Ryan and I are able to do such trips together with our little kids! 

Spencer has become a great traveler, and so long as we turn on Color Crew or some nursery rhymes, he's entertained for hours (and naps like a boss, too). Porter isn't the best traveler. While he's a very easy-going baby, he hates his carseat, hates not being held and just wants to survey the scene the whole time, which he can't do in his baby bucket seat. I have hope though, that he will become a better traveler over time.

BUT - exciting things happened this weekend! Spencer decided it was a good weekend to really embrace potty-training! During our morning 5k the day of the wedding, Spencer and Porter spent time with Oma and Opa, and he decided it was time to learn to go both pee and poo on the potty! He's had a few accidents since then (we expect it), but he's done so remarkably well! I'm thrilled to see this going in the right direction.

The wedding was perfect, and the weather was beautiful. There were a couple little hiccups at the reception including two pretty significant medical emergencies, but we'd joked earlier about the number of doctors in the room - 26, mind you - so everyone was in really good hands. Regardless of it all - everyone had a blast, and it was fun to be a part of it.

I'll do a full recap of the wedding and bridal shower in pictures, as well as what we've learned so far potty-training this week, but I wanted to gather my thoughts now that we're home and getting back into our routine. Happy Monday, friends!

quiet weekends are the best

^^^ Old post at Fort Huachuca

We didn't have big plans this past weekend. 

We knew that we needed to do a pretty significant cleaning on Sunday,

and we knew we needed to head up to Tucson for some cruise essentials on Saturday...

and to see the Veronica Mars movie, of course.

Well, let's be honest here.

I kind of dragged the husband to the movie, but he did enjoy it!

On Saturday morning, my calves were still absolutely dying from the running I did last week,

so we decided to go for a long walk/hike instead,

while Ryan rucked alongside me, since he's preparing for WOCs.

We ended up hiking about 5 miles around post, exploring old post and getting to soak in some of the history.

It was so quiet, so relaxed and so fun.

If you'd asked me a few months ago what I liked to do on weekends,

I probably would have said that I'd do anything to stay busy.

These days, I'm all about the little, quiet, simple weekends with him...

and it's great.

In other news though, it's just 6 more days until Ryan and I head off on our cruise!

We booked some shore excursions through my company this weekend (great deals, I tell you),

and we're so excited to explore another country and get some stamps on our passports this year.

We'll be swimming with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta, learning to make salsa in Cabo and ziplining in Mazatlan.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't get much better than that.

what's in a weekend

Those of you who follow me on Twitter probably saw there was a bit of drama this weekend

on the wedding dress front.

I went for my final dress fitting, and let me just tell you that it was hell on wheels.

The dress had been altered in such a way that the top was misshapen,

there were loose black threads (on a white dress?!), the lace was torn and there were stains.

I was in shock, really. 

I put on the dress, and I wasn't even feeling it anymore.

I was assured that it could be fixed, but I don't trust it anymore, so I bid that dress adieu. 

I cried about it to my older sister over the phone for a few minutes, 

then I took a deep breath and got it together.

It's just a dress.

It could've been so much worse, and heck, I'll wear anything just to marry my man.

My momma and I did, however, find a replacement dress this weekend, and I couldn't be happier.

It's not a traditional wedding dress, but it's perfect for our day.

Despite that drama, it really was a great weekend full of Christmas decorations,

apple crisp, stuffed Santas and children's ice skating shows.

My mother is a figure skating coach, and I announced their skating show on Saturday.

It was pretty much the cutest thing ever. 

^^^ my sisters' dog, our wreath, a random house that totally wins christmas, a skating show and apple crisp

Oh yeah, and it's totally supposed to snow (!!!) and ice tonight into tomorrow,

so I'll probably be all cuddled in bed working from home for the day.

I don't commute in snow…that's for the crazies.

Here's hoping the snowy season is here to stay, 

and that you all had the loveliest of weekends, too!