Friday Favorites!

WHOO HOO!!! It's FRIDAY folks, and HOW LONG has it been since I've done Friday Favorites?! 

I'm going to milk my energy and good health for all it's worth right now....because I feel like I was in a long season of just YUCK, and I know the newborn stage is just 3 months around the corner....so the blog will yet again, likely take the back seat....

But for now, let's chat about my favorites this week! 

1) I am LOVING some Emily Ley right now.  She is the designer behind The Simplified Planner, which I do not have (they are sold out), but I just finished her book Grace over Perfection.  It was a breath of fresh air.  She talks about all the aspects of mommyhood and the challenges that come with it, but combats it with how to give yourself grace in all the seasons. It's not over complicated or super-theological, just good ole fashioned godly encouragement.  This week, I received her second book, A Simplified Life.  This is more of a logistical book about how to purge and declutter...from your mind, to your schedule, to your kitchen cabinets.  I'm in full nesting mode right now, so I'm super eager to purge and organize. This book is a great is a great guide on how to make that happen.  Even better, I got an alert on Facebook that Emily herself is coming to Dallas next week for a book signing! So I'll be there with bells on! You can find her books on Amazon here. 

2) Speaking of purging, I had a Come To Jesus meeting with all of Greyson's toys while he was at Mother's Day Out on Tuesday. After his birthday in October and then Christmas, it was OUT OF CONTROL. This place looked like Toys 'R Us had thrown up.  I just couldn't take it anymore. I ended up with a bag of trash toys (like JUNK), and two boxes and a bag of giveaway toys.  I reallocated the several of the favorites to the new upstairs playroom.  And it was so freeing.  We ended up with ONE basket on the floor that is not overflowing with mountains of toys.  

                                            

The playroom is starting to take shape.  I still have lots of fun decorative details to add, but at least we have storage space where all toys can be tucked away.  This sight just makes me take a deep breath.  WHEW. It took several trips to multiple Ross stores, but I managed to end up with all matching bins.  They were just such a good deal that it was worth the hunt.  (Cute storage stuff is SO expensive if you need a lot of it!) 

                                

3) Another victory this week was in the closet under the stairs.  As you recall, THIS used to my "baby jail"....

Once Greyson got old enough to conquer the baby gate, it ended up being a toy closet.  And you know how that goes.  After a brief attempt to keep it organized and straight, it ended up being a  dumping ground for EVERYTHING.  ALL THE THINGS.  Toys, gloves, hats, jackets, swim bag, balls, and costumes, which are IN ABUNDANCE right now.  Everything just ended up on the floor in a panic-attack-inducing pile. So after my toy purge, I hung hooks on the walls and now everything is off the floor ! I realize this would be much more effective with a "Before" picture, but I was pretty much too embarrassed to take one.  So here's the end product, everything has a home and is easy to get to.  And all the mamas said....#AMEN.

 4) Another thing that is making my life easier is my new Apple Watch.  I have been "watching" : )  these for a LOOOOONG time and couldn't WAIT to get one.  I'm typically not the techy-new product guru, but this thing has changed my life.  With a two story house, I no longer need to carry my phone around with me every time I switch floors.  I can read text messages on my arm without going around to look for my dinging phone.  (This is especially handy for the ones that don't need to be responded to right away.) I can even take/make calls on it and continue doing what I'm doing! Since I DON'T have my phone near me as much, I tend to look at it so much less, and therefore, not waste time sitting there scrolling/trolling while G is wanting me to be "involved".  And when I DO start working out again, it'll track my heart rate, Fitness goals, etc.  I"m totally a fan.

5) This week I also simplified our meal planning and signed up for the Six Sister's Meal Plan service. I don't mind cooking but I'm in a menu rut so I tend to procrastinate meal planning, which leaves us eventually coming full circle and eating the same thing every week because then I'm just trying to get food on the table.  I always thought-if someone would just tell me what to make, I'd do it! Well, this service is exactly that.  It's $10 a month and sends you 6 main dishes, two sides, and a snack recipe each week.  (I signed up for the Healthy Plan option which is all 500 calories or less per serving.)  They send you the menus on Friday, so I was able to order all the necessary groceries/make my list at the beginning of the week.  I was scanning through all the ingredients and making my list, when I finally scrolled down to the bottom....and found a pre-made grocery list already there!!!! I could have literally taken it to the grocery store OR just gone straight to it to start adding those items to my cart.  The recipes were simple ingredients and instructions. Our first few meals have been really good, so I am certainly a fan so far! It really was a relief for me this week, and come on..I'd spend more than $10 on one trip to Chick-Fil-A! Can't wait to see next week's menu! 

So that is my week of favorites.  Clearly there is a "simplify" theme here, and I sure hope it keeps up! Well....until Baby Taylor gets here...and then I KNOW our lives will be turned upside down! 

I hope you had an amazing week, and I'd love to hear some of YOUR favorites! 

Friday Favorites!

Well HELLO AGAIN and Happy Friday! I'm already patting myself on the back for attempting to post 2 days in a row! Fingers crossed that I actually finish this post, because it's nap time and Mama needs a minute.... ; ) 

As Greyson says (well, he copies this phrase from me) "BUT FIRST" (with the #1 finger by his mouth), let me give you my Friday Favorites....linking up with Erika today!

This week seemed to fly by and we had a good one.  I always count it as a WIN when Greyson is healthy enough to make it to both days of MDO AND Bible Study! Here are some fav moments from this week:

1) Football Saturday: After traveling for the first TWO weeks of football season, this was the first weekend we got to be HOME and do our classic tailgate spread and watch the game together at home.  It was GLORIOUS. 

Even little G fired up his grill ; ) 

Our spread included our favorites: Sausage balls, "MSU Sin" Cheese Dip, Bacon -wrapped jalapeños, and fruit and veggie platter!

But EVEN MORE GLORIOUS than this spread was the fact that WE KICKED LSU'S TIGER TAIL. Listen.  I DESPISE the LSU game, because they ALWAYS seem to come back from the grave and whoop us.  But there was not field-goal decider.....no last minute plays....no over our double-over time.  It was a good-ole fashion whoopin'.  And hey-I'm sorry LSU, but this has only happened twice in the last 16 years, so lemme just dwell in this, and I'll celebrate again next decade. 

2) Chuckie Cheese Birthday Party: Ok, so I Chuckie Cheese is a LOT rowdy, but oh my goodness, Greyson had THE BEST time at a birthday party here on Saturday morning.  I have never taken him to CC...(was kinda avoiding it), but the kid was enamored with everything from the games to rides to the light up dance floor to Chuckie himself.  It is always a favorite to see my little guy enjoy himself. 

Just look at that face of wonder.....

3) Sweet reminders: I bought this print a while back that says "Love Your Season".  This reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:11, which has always been a very special verse to me.  In what we consider "chaos", I often have to remind myself to "Love Your Season".  I finally got it framed this week and love passing by it each day! (I also love that it was designed by Emily Ley, who has great planners and I'm loving her book, Grace Not Perfection.)

4) Preacher Man: In other deep thoughts, Greyson has been ALL ABOUT the B-I-B-L-E this week, which is adorable.  Between our little chat, MDO, and Bible Study on Wednesday, he is REALLY soaking some things up.  He carried it around with him all week and would sit down and say: "This is the Bible, God's TRUE WORD. Everything in it is TRUE."  And then when I'd ask him to tell me a story from the Bible, he'd open it up and say: "David fought the giant.  But what did he do BEFORE he fought the giant?".....PAUSE....."Pray to God".  And yes, I melted over and over and over again. The fact that he is actually absorbing this is mind-blowing. 

5) Happy Fall Y'all: And finally, TODAY is the first day of Fall, despite the fact that our temps still begin with a "9".  It is supposed to cool down next week, but I just couldn't wait to get started on the Fall cooking and decor.  So last week, I whipped up the Sausage balls, taco soup, pumpkin bread, and wassail! (This is actually a sneak peek of my upcoming Collin County Blogpost too!) 

Okay!!! It's official! I officially made it through this post and blogged 2 days in a row....I think it's Gecko's expression from yesterday's PJ Mask episode is fitting for how I'm feeling.....

Hope you had a great weekend and here's to a wonderful weekend!!!!

Friday Favorites: Summer Shenanigans (At Home)

WHOO HOO and HAPPY FRIDAY Y'ALL! We officially wrapped up the "Summer 'O Fun" this week as Greyson started Mother's Day Out.  And the all the Mama said...AAAAMMMMMEEENNN!!!!  I have had the best time with that little stinker, but even he was ready to go back to school! 

Today, I'm linking up with Narci, who is sharing some darling "transition" pieces, as we are about to move into that very awkward time where it'll soon be Fall, but still be blazing hot. Not summer enough to sport the Lily Pulitzer, but not Fall enough to wear a sweater. 

Since we are wrapping up The Summer 'O Fun this week, I'll share some of the fun "at home" activities that have been most popular in the Wells household this summer.  Even though I've mainly been posting about our big outings and activities, we actually DID have a lot of time at home together  which has been so much fun! Even though I would LOVE to get out and about every day, this little cherub does ask to "stay at home" often.  And I'm always glad when we do. Here were some of our shenanigans around the house...

1) Firefighter Play: If this child doesn't grow up to be a firefighter, I don't know what he'll be.  He's obsessed.  So EVERY DAY, we MUST do something firefighter related....respond to emergencies, rescue cats out of trees, and on this particular day, the solo cups were our "masks".  He ALWAYS gives me the cheapo flimsy hat and says: "Here, you get to wear the SPECIAL hat" 

Nice try buddy... but I wasn't born yesterday...you ain't foolin' me...

2) The Chore Chart: I decided that if G was smart enough to remember what a "hydraulic boom arm" is in a Blaze episode, he's smart enough to get the concept of chores and allowance. So I purchased this very fancy chart with stickers from the Dollar Tree at the beginning of the summer, and every time he'd help me with something, I'd let him put a sticker on the chart and I'd give him a little money. (We started out doing following the days of the week, but I'll be honest, fell off of that! ) We kept his money in a little monkey coin pouch and at the end of the week, I'd take it with us to a store and let him pick out and "pay" for a toy.  Normally, he would spot something in Wal-Mart or wherever we were at the beginning of the week and remember it! He'd talk about all the way until we broke down and went back for it on Friday! The Chore Chart was really surprisingly successful and one of my favorite things we did this summer.  He grasped the concept much more than I really anticipated and when he really had his heart set on something, he'd say: Let's do some chores and get some money!" 

FYI-The "chores" I asked him to do were very simple.  Like taking a few boxes to the recycling bin, throwing clothes into the washing machine, wiping the banister with a wet rag, etc. We will certainly keep the Chore Chart alive.  

3) Bear Hunts: Greyson's little cards from MDO used to say that "Today we went on a Bear Hunt!" I never knew what exactly that meant, but sounded super fun! So one raining day, we got a flashlight and went up to Greyson's room, which is dark because of the blackout curtains.  I would gather all his stuffed bears and hide them around the room while he waited outside the door.  Then I'd let him in and he'd search for the bears with his flashlight.  I started simple with my hiding, and then would get more advanced, like putting one in the dresser drawer with just the foot hanging out.  

It was SO much fun that we would do all kinds of groupings of animals he had....Monkey Hunt, Doggie Hunt, Turtle Hunt...(he has a LOT of stuffed animals.) This activity kept us occupied MANY a day. 

It's hard to get a picture in the dark...this is the best I could do! 

4) Bunny Hunts: Our Bear Hunts then inspired Bunny hunts outside since our neighborhood is OVERRUN with little Peter Cottontails.  We have had some pretty hot weather at the end of the summer, but honestly, the larger portion of it wasn't terrible. I really like to get out of the house, so this made a normal walk around the neighborhood much more enticing to G! Greyson asks to go on a "Bunny Hunt" almost every day! And now that I think about it, we could apply this to anything and all seasons....Bird Hunt, Flower Hunt, Acorn Hunt, etc....

Despite this picture, Greyson really enjoyed riding on his bike this summer while we'd walk and count bunnies. 

5) Home Playdates: And finally, I feel like we just had friends over to play at home a lot this summer, which I loved. While I intentionally planned a lot of outings, I also left a lot of space free to say YES to last minute playdates or spur of the moment get togethers. I feel like those are sometimes the most fun because everybody's sort of in a natural element..the kids just get to play with toys and I actually get to chat with my friends without watching G like a hawk. 

The sandbox and ice cream for the win.....

So that was our "Summer in the Meantime", if you will.  It's not far from me that our summers together are precious, valuable, and limited.  Once camps, tournaments, and other summer activities start, our long days together will dwindle. So I'm glad I was able to have this time with G this summer and I know I'll look back on our shenanigans (event the tacky fireman hat) and cherish these times!

Friday Favorites

HAPPY FRIDAY! I'm a little late posting, but better late than never, right?! 

OH, Friday, how I love thee.  The moment that Jeremie's truck rolls up on a Friday afternoon is about my favorite thing in the world. Of course, I'm always excited to see that handsome face, and Friday means a weekend of family time together, but let's be real, it also means two extra hands.  Because this week, the little bandit has turned into a "Threenager", as they say.  

Regardless, we've had some good moments, so let's recap them, shall, we? Today I'm linking up with Erika, who is recapping her fab trip to L.A., and reviewing her trip to Warner Bros. Studios, which looks SO FUN, and something I'd love to do one day! 

1) Last Friday, I said PEACE OUT to the fam and headed downtown to our Dallas/Collin County Moms Blog Executive retreat.  I felt like I had gone through a time-warp when I arrived at the swanky W Hotel.  Hours before I was at the splash pad full of toddlers, and now I was standing in the lobby with the Harlem Globetrotters. (No kidding. I did not go fan-crazy though and get pictures.) 

Our suite literally overlooked Victory Park! 

I had the best time working, planning, and chatting with these ladies and eating multiple meals with two hands! 

2) Meanwhile, Jeremie FULLY REVELED of being the FUN PARENT. 

I was getting pictures like this....

Building a truck ramp complete with a loop-de-loop...

And this...

Beignets and bacon for breakfast.

And this...

J took him to buy the Paw Patrol gloves and the Rocky toy he's been eyeing....

So it's safe to say that Greyson was probably a little disappointed when I walked in the door on Sunday afternoon.  I did notice that he seemed to have been in the SAME outfit ALL weekend (based on FaceTime and pictures), and Jeremie confessed that he TOTALLY FORGOT to put him in his pajamas on Saturday night.  Like it didn't even hit him until the next morning when he woke him up and G was still in his play clothes! I laughed SO HARD.

3) This week G and I took a trip to Costco for a few items (I bribe him by telling him they'll be samples.) Costco typically overwhelms me because nothing is ever the same OR in the same place.  But we got what we needed and I seriously could have bought my entire Fall wardrobe there.  Just look at this long sleeve tunic top and puffer vest.  You can't see the vest well, but it's a soft cotton fabric and is actually flattering for a vest, because its kinda rouched. (Spelling?) Anyway, I'm pretty sure this will be my fall/winter uniform. 

Greyson picked out a little fishing hat. And ate 7 samples of the smoked sausage. 

4) So my little cherub has been giving me a really hard time with his nap this week.  Like, it's been miserable. One day he just didn't nap at all.  Another day he SCREAMED like a banshee.  I tried all the things to help comfort him and realized none of it was working.  So he screamed until he gave up.  And another day he took to gymnastics in his crib.  Like he was trying out for Team USA. 

SIGH. It's an understatement to say that a difficult nap time makes for a difficult mama. Apparently it's something in the moon (or the upcoming solstice everybody's all talking about), because apparently several of my friends with similar ages kids were doing the exact same thing this week! Heaven help. 

5) And today, my child truly AMAZED me.  We've been keeping a "Chore Chart" this summer, and Greyson has legitimately been helping me with simple tasks like taking the recycling to the bin, throwing the clothes in the wash, or wiping down the banister, etc.  He gets a little "chore money" each time, and at the end of the week, we take it to a store and I let him pick out a toy.  (Usually, he's been eyeing a certain one he's seen before.). Sure enough, ALL week, he's been talking about this "Ambulance" that he saw "at Superhero Story Time."  We DID go to Superhero Story Time at Barnes and Noble TWO WEEKS AGO, and I had NO RECOLLECTION of any ambulance. But I decided to trust his iron-sharp memory, and today, we trotted into the book store and sure enough, he walked straight to the kids area to a display of toys from the Cars 3 movie.  And there it was, plan as day....the Ambulance.  He said "That's It!" and I seriously had to pick up my jaw as it had dropped to the floor.  He has been happy as a lark with his new purchase today.  

That's all I've got today! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Friday Favorites: {Extra}Ordinary Moments...

HAPPY FRIDAY LADIES!!!! Whoo hoo!!! We made it! I'm headed to Downtown Dallas all weekend for a Dallas/Collin County Moms Blog Executive Retreat! I'm super excited, and my boys are actually equally excited to commence what they are calling the "Manly Man Weekend." Apparently there's gonna be lots of pizza, donuts, and I'm guessing camouflage will be worn at some point.

But first, I'm linking up with Erika today for the usual Friday Favorites! She's sharing some adorable back-to-school kids fashions today! 

                             

We've had a fairly "low key" week, and now are just ONE week away from "school" starting back up!  I was telling a friend that as busy as we've been this summer, we've had equal amounts of time at home just hanging out.  The transformation from 2 year to 3 years has been astounding and fun and hilarious, (and all the other emotions you can think of.) 

But when I was looking through our pictures this week, and I'm just loving the regular, every day moments we are having.  The thing about parenthood though is that there really AREN'T an regular, ordinary days.  There are no days that look exactly like the one before, or just run of the mill. You can run on a routine, but 99% of the time, kids do something totally unexpected. They are doing new things, remembering things, and using that wild imagination to come up with the most hilarious conversations. Every day, there is something brand new and unexpected and well, ANYTHING but ordinary. And that's actually my favorite part of parenthood! 

On Sunday, we were hanging around at the house and me and Jeremie were just kinda running on empty tanks. G though, was full of energy and enthuse, so Jeremie got creative and made a "racing ramp" out of his truck ramps and some wood planks. That lead to building balance beams and forts and all sorts of fun.  These wooden beams lasted us the entire afternoon.  

Greyson is in FULL FORM in the mornings.  He often wants to bring a new "friend" downstairs for breakfast, and on this day, "Lion" (very original) ate with him in the chair.  

"Look at me, Mom! A hat!"

This week, Greyson has also been REALLY into turning on Pandora and playing "Cowboy music".  BUT, we also have to both put on our cowboy boots AND HATS. So we've had a few dance parties in our pj's this week. 

Most mornings, I TRY to have like 10 minutes of "Learning Time" where we got through the Alphabet and read a Bible Story.  (Listen, that's about all his attention span and my patience can handle.) Greyson is taking one from his school days and likes to tell me where to sit, and then he sits on the couch and is the "Teacher".  He says "We're going to to a story now. You ready?" And proceeds to teach and preach. I hear a lot of mumbling and then a random "Jesus" sprinkled throughout.  It's adorable. 

This week, we headed over to "Aunt Jorie's" after our morning playdate for lunch.  G needed little nap though and I totally forgot she has transitioned Preston to a toddler bed.  I was pretty sure G wouldn't know what the heck do and wouldn't nap.  But he totally cuddled up in that little bed and napped like a champ.  I thought he looked like SUCH a big boy in that bed! Made Mama so sad! I had to get a picture! Preston wanted in with his darlin' little Marshall robe! 

Speaking of Marshall, Greyson picked out some Marshall slippers yesterday and is OBSESSED.  (He's had a pair before and REALLY likes slippers.) We had a playdate that afternoon, and he WOULD NOT take them off, so I said what the heck. He's only young enough once to be out in public wearing slippers and people think it's adorable. 

So those are a few of my favorite and {extra}ordinary moments from this week! Hope you have a wonderful weekend and please link up and share YOUR Friday Favorites!

Friday Favorites

HAPPY FRIDAY! I feel like I'm a little late to the Friday Favorites party, but we were up earlier than usual this morning and jetted out to Sandy Lake Amusement park first thing for some Friday Fun! And although it's supposed to be a "cool front in Texas" this week (highs in mid-90's instead of triple digits), the sweat and the sun and the toddler chasing has left me exhausted! 

So this will be be short and sweet!  I'm linking up with Erika today, because she's sharing some super cute pics of the Donut Themed birthday party she just threw for her newest addition! 

1) Y'all know how I feel about going out to eat on Friday night with my fam.  It's my favorite time of the week! No cooking, no kitchen, no dirty dishes! Of course we have our favorite spots, but we try to take advantage of the sheer mass of restaurants at our fingertips and try something new often.  Well, I stumbled on Cuellar's Fajita Ranch in a newspaper article, and we tried it that night.  They are THE BEST fajitas I've ever eaten.  Even 'Lil G was a fan.  

If you're local, you must try it.  When we walked out, they had a cute little and playing outside and Greyson became the tiniest little groupie.  He loved it! If it hadn't had been 799 degrees and almost bedtime, we would've stayed longer. #weturnintopumpkins #at8:00

2) Speaking of local favorites, we hit up another favorite the next day, Henry's Ice Cream. Henry's is well known in the area and their Cinnamon ice cream is TO DIE FOR. It felt so summery to go on a little ice cream date with my fam.  (If this isn't on your Summer Bucket List, it should be!) They clearly gave me MORE THAN ENOUGH. But hey-I've never met a scoop I couldn't finish. 

3) And speaking of ice cream, our buddy Preston came over to play on Monday and they enough some cones while watching Blaze. Look at how they are sitting just alike.  Melts my heart. They are 5 days apart, and looking at them in this picture just makes me wonder how they got to be so big.  

For comparison's sake...here's their first photo together...

ALL THE TEARS.....

4) And speaking of Birthday buddies.....these two were actually born on the same day..just down the hall from each other.  And this week during lunch, Greyson shared one of his FAVORITE Monster trucks with Ford.  Actually seeing my son SHARE was certainly a favorite moment this week.  It's a struggle folks. Maybe the "Llama Llama Time to Share" book is actually having some impact.  ; ) 

5) And speaking of buddies, I had the best time at Mash'd last night in Frisco for Girls Night Out.  This was a Collin County Moms Blog meet up , and I love how Mama's from all different places and seasons can just come together. After another BUSY week of summer activities, this mama needed a night out!  (P.S.-If you're local, you should definitely join this group...click here!) 

And just for a little extra......here's another FAVORITE of mine.... ; ) Even though Summer is a bit crazy and lots of long days, I seriously treasure them. I feel like I've only got him all to myself for a very short time....

My whole heart. 

That's all I've got folks! I hope your Friday is full of fun and fajitas!