Berry Picking, Fair, and Mom Issues

 We went raspberry picking a few days ago at a place a little south of Orem, Around Mapleton I think? anyway- the weather was SO nice and the raspberries- though we had to forage a bit for them- tasted heavenly.

 There was a bit of a snaffeau with poison ivy... I was holding Lucy as we were walking through an overgrown path and I saw the ivy- and i thought NOOOOOO. So I wiped down the girls with baby wipes on the drive home and prayed.

Thankfully, only Eleanor has had a few spots- and they have hardly been itchy. Thank you thank you thank you. Can you imagine a toddler and a baby with poison ivy? yiiikes.

 The raspberries were lovely, but I don't know if I"ll ever go back.

 Sham and Joel invited us to the state Fair. It was pretty nice- I especially liked all the cows and sheep- though I didn't take any pictures of those... you know what they look like.

Sometimes I struggle between the spectrums of motherhood. I feel internal pressure to be a "playful mom" and a "living in the present soaking up every moment with my kids mom." But I also don't want to be a helicopter parent (for both selfish and non selfish reasons) and not let them have free time where they have to think of their own stuff to do. I read stuff online about kids not being bored enough now with tv and phones. Like an empty mind allows space for creativity and independence. Also, I don't want to play prince and princess, and the bed is a boat, and store every hour. Get away from me, kids. Let me do my thing. It's a struggle.

Sometimes when Ella comes home from preschool and I'm peppering her with questions, she'll say something like, I don't want to talk any more about school. I'm at home now. Or I'll ask her what sound an A makes- cause that's what she's learning- and she's like, No, I already did that with Ms Brit. Ha! Alright threenager.

Hopefully you can see this video- Lucy is getting better and better every day with walking. She's eating a coconut almond protein bar if you're curious... I'm not sure if I should be embarrassed by that. I don't think so? lots of protein...

Also, lately, I've had Ella "Practice" wearing pants. She hates them- something about the fabric between her legs bugs her. Ever since potty training back in March- ONLY DRESSES. which is fabulous. but now that its starting to get cold- and her preschool will go on nature walks even in the snow- I need to get her sensitive little legs prepped so I don't feel like the worst mom in school when Ella walks around in a dress and bare legs in the snow. We're up to about an hour of wearage and she's like, can i take off my pants now?????

Summer and Pre-School

Eleanor likes playing with the hose, but does NOT like her dress getting wet. Therefore, a lot of nakedness happens outside. and well, inside as well, but I don't have too much a reason for that.

I had to set the rule that she doesn't have to wear clothes in our backyard, but she must wear underwear.

This summer has been nice. We went and got snow cones yesterday- it just felt so... summertime. and it makes me feel like im giving my kids a good childhood when I see Ella eating her red (always red) snow cone at the picnic table with the sun going behind the clouds. And, its not the end of summer yet- itll be hot for a while yet- but I am excited for next summer when Lucy will be almost 2- Im hoping I'll go the pool more as Lucy won't be as much of a baby. ? Maybe.

Today was the first day of Ella's preschool- well really it was a practice day as me and the other moms stayed the whole time. it's Called Wasatch Nature School. It's run out of a neighbors home. 8 kids. Miss Brit has a bunny, tarantula, and lizard. Ella loves this. It went really well and I was so pleased. Ella's little meltdown at her first dance class made me a little nervous. But she did so well. Its exciting to see her grow into her own person. The class requires fanny packs instead of backpacks (ha!) so that when the class goes on their daily walks they can collect rocks and other stuff toddlers like to pick up. But Ella insisted on carrying hers like a purse- the lady. i said fine as long as you hold it and not me. and she did.

This was her response to, "Give me your ready-for-school face." She looks ready.

Late Night Ramble

It is 1am. I have stayed up painting my garage - be it noted that painting white paint over white primer feels like the most redundant and worthless task ever- washing my 6786474 dishes and watching the trashy reality television series Bachelor in Paradise. I will regret this, I'm sure.

Ella started her first dance class today. It was darling. Until she fell down and started crying uncontrollably, the sweet sensitive little doll. I had to take her out (thankfully it was right near the end) and it took a long time for her to calm down, maybe 45 min, poor thing. Emotionally charged event I guess? First ballet class at a new place? I dunno.

This is a horrible photo behind the shaded window, but there you go. It was funny to see how she reacted to the teachers- she's never been in a formal class setting before. Sometimes the teacher would tell her to do something and I could see she would kinda talk back to the teacher in what I assume was a made up reason not to do what she was being asked (she does that to me. saying like, "but my tiger doesn't want me to put my shoes on. she's scared and wants me to stay with her." adorable, but, eye roll.) But then, after a few min, she would do it.

Also, I've been wearing my glasses, no contacts at all, since Friday. It's been rough. Lucy thinks shes so hilarious when she pulls em off all the time and does a little giggle. Anyway, I'm having an eye assessment done on Wednesday to see if I can get lasik. !!! the lasik surgery scares me, but waking up to clear vision?!? sounds like a crystal clear dream. Brent had it done about 2 years ago and I've been jealous.

also i have a cavity being filled tomorrow. bummer.

I haven't taken a photo of these girls together for a while. Lately, they've been acting more like sisters- Lucy will giggle endlessly at Ella's bath time splashing, and it really is so heart warming.

My dad so sweetly took us out on this fishing boat he's fixing up for a neighbor. I posted some of these on instagram so I'm sorry if this is repeat... but it was funny to me Eleanor requested no waves and no spashing and don't go fast! Grandpa and I were happy to oblige. And you can see her haircut that she gave herself. It's a bit crazy.

um, how cute are they! ps i didn't realize how big of a soft spot my dad has for kids and babies- it is precious. Also, if something is broken at our house Eleanor always says, Papa can fix it. She knows.

She always calls him papa, which is sweet because I always have, and still do, call him Grandpa, never papa, so she came up with that on her own- not that its real original- but it is for her! ha.

I saw this cool girls hiking trip in alaska online. how cool would that be?! I always think that's something I would love... but when actually hiking... would I love it? I don't know.

I am really excited for Brent and my Hawaii vacation in November.
xo

Parenting differences, Lake-ing

Brent and I are an amazing couple, obviously. ;) We were friends for ages before dating, and when we did date, we got along wonderfully. Yet, we fought a lot when we were engaged, somehow. I think its because he had a big family, and I wanted a smaller wedding, and those things just can't go together while making everyone feel included.

I don't think we ever fought the first 2 years of marriage. People say the first year of marriage is hard, but it wasn't at all. It was awesome.

But after having kids? ...

Eleanor's 3rd Birthday, Chicago Girls Weekend

Ella turned 3 on May 19th. I was pretty nervous for the party because Ella kept mentioning how she was excited for her party and her red birthday cake (which I'm happy to say was a success- not that I made it- I bought it, but still). A lot of pressure to live up to! Which is dumb, because she's 3, so it doesn't really matter. Anyhow, It was really sweet to have our family come down that evening for cake cutting. In the morning, I invited Ella's friends (mostly from her nursery at church) to The Bounce House- a kids heaven with blow up slides and foam pits and a balloon cage where a few high powered fans blow balloons every which way and you can dance around in them. Even I like it.

It was quite fun. I didn't have to worry too much about being a host or entertaining anyone- the Bounce House did that beautifully. I was on the fence about paying for the guests... but it got a little complicated when everyone arrived, so I didn't. (faux pas?) But I did give all the kids a Trolls Pez dispenser, which seemed like a hit. We had just got Phoebe's birthday card and gift the day before in the mail, perfect timing! so Ella opened that on her birthday. She was quite pleased at the family picture inside. We hung that on the wall at her eye level and she would point out the people in it for the next few days. Thank you Granny and Thellie.

Eleanor seemed to have a great day- so success! Though she keeps saying she wants to be 2. Ah well. Don't we all.

Sweet Brent planned a girls weekend for me in Chicago, with my best friend, Kelly! We roomed together for a few years in college. It was so nice. To walk around late at night, sans babies. To eat wherever and whenever we pleased, and to navigate ourselves around the city without our husbands getting bothered and taking over when we accidentally take a wrong turn.

We waited an hour to have deep dish pizza at Giordano's. Which was quite good- though we took a lot of leftovers home and the leftover pizza was better! The cheese had, like, time to set, or something. The restaurant was super touristy. didn't love that.

 I really loved the architecture boat tour on First Lady Cruises. It was about an hour and half, the boat going up and down the 'Y' shape river and the tour guide giving us all the details. The tall buildings were beautiful and it was nice with the wind in our hair! Chicago really lived up to its name as the windy city. It's nice to have a river in a city. I liked it a lot in San Antonio too (when we went there for my brother John's wedding). Like a bit of nature to soften up all the concrete.

These are just apartment buildings, I was surprised to find out. I thought they would be some important offices. Something real design-y and pretty to have 2 copy cat buildings right by each other. I remember getting a brochure in high school for the University of Chicago, and it having a picture of the skyline with these beauties on it. I wasn't at all interested in the school, but the picture hung up in my room for a long time. It was fun to see them in person.

Also, I got my hair cut around shoulder length in Chicago. I regret it. :( I remind myself of this 90's boy band, all the rage when I was in 5th grade, the Hanson Brothers. Bummer.


But still, I had such a lovely time.