Operation Gratitude Candy Buyback

I haven't mentioned it here but I'm the sister of a deployed soldier. My brother who is deployed is 14 years younger than me, so unfortunately for him I've often thought of myself as second -in-command #2 Mom Figure rather than a sister to him. So when he decided to enlist it was very bittersweet for me. Be happy for the man who makes his own decisions while I still think of him as the sweet, crazy toddler with the kissing spot cowlick on the back of his head. 

Can't you tell, this kid wants CANDY!!

Halloween will be here before you know it and our kids will have oodles of candy to spare. Since I know first hand that my brother and his fellow soldiers LOVE sweet treats mailed to them please think about donating some of your extra candy to Operation Gratitude Candy Buyback. Here's a link to find a participating dentist near you. 

Summer vacay is here

The kids are home....all day. It's summer vacation. (Cue scary, foreboding music). The first day of summer vacation was um, interesting. We shall see how the summer progresses with two crazy boys. None of the activities we have signed up for have started yet so we are just hanging out, unscheduled for now.

{We could try this while eating these. There's #1.}

I think I need to cook up some activities for when there's the lull and the "I'm bored" rears it's head. Actually it's usually just Little who's saying it. He's used to having his twin cousin with him most days and when his brother is doing his own I hear it often. So tell me what are you all doing this summer? Ideas, kids' activities?It doesn't at all have to be kid related I mean come on, we all want to live vicariously through someones fabulous plans.

{images via Pink Wallpaper and Country Living}

Congrats my dear sis!

OK so she might kill me for doing this but today my sister has her White Coat Ceremony from Pharmacy School. I'm thinking this is like their last big hurrah before they go out into the world as real pharmacists to do their rotations. I'm eleven years older than her so I'm excited and proud of her and this is pretty much how I think of her sometimes.

{Ems on her birthday and that's me behind her in my bitchin' Guess overalls dress, funny}

Actually not too often anymore thankfully. During her freshman year of college she went to the Bay area to play soccer.I went out to visit her for a long weekend and when she could drive around San Francisco all by herself with no trouble I stopped thinking of her like a sweet little baby at her first birthday. Now she's almost a Doctor of Pharmacy which I like to tease her about endlessly, because I'm that annoying sister that teases her and still calls her Little Ems or Little Cutie. Anyways congratulations my dearest darling! 

Entries and a game

Ahh, the glorious weather! Yes it's the time of year that all you cold weather peeps are jealous of. We have bright, sunny gorgeous days that people come from all over to partake in. (Now their driving...that's a topic for another day.) Anyhow my sister and her husband flew in to go to a few Spring Training games so we're headed out for a day at the ballpark. (Total side note but I don't think I ever shared mys sister's wedding pics on this blog. I know I did at The Invitation Lady but in case you were wondering THIS is where we went in November. She was such a gorgeous bride!)

So to continue with the total randomness of this post here's a couple of entries that I've had socked away in my picture files. Love them.

{images via Desire to Inspire, Southern Accents & Style at Home}

Brothers

I know it looks like all Big does is play his DS but we're pretty strict about when he can use it. He is limited to weekends so when he's able to play he does and Little hangs out and acts as his cheering section. I couldn't help but snap a pic of them yesterday afternoon. Little sometimes takes any opportunity for a nap pretty darn seriously and Big well he didn't move a muscle as to not wake him.

They are typical brothers who tease, play and laugh with each other. They genuinely seem to like each other too which thrills me to no end. Before I know it they'll be speaking in their secret code, laughing at their dad or I because we do something adult and lame. But that's ok because we all know there's nothing funnier than inside sibling jokes. When you think back are some of your most hilarious moments with your sibs?

Whatcha been doing?

If you're like me there's been a lot of eating and decorating going on. But it all started Tuesday with Big's Thanksgiving Feast and him starring as Safe Boy in an original first grade fire safety play.

{Big brushing up on his lines for the play}

Followed up with Wednesday cooking and Thursday's traditional family and turkey eating day. The big day of course has no pictures, oops.

{Insert photo here: Pretend it's me eating a gigantic plate of starchy food}

Then there's Friday's ASU game. Dad took both Big and Little to the game and I went home and started the decorations. Seriously how lucky am I? I almost felt guilty going home from tailgating all alone.

{The fab four, Littles with their cousins}

{Oh and yes if you're wondering Little beats to his own drummer. He's sporting the Eminem look}

Then there was the Friday night tree decorating, (as you can see most of the ornaments are concentrated at the bottom), Christmas song singing, hot chocolate drinking extravaganza. Whew, I was tired after all of that but it's a four day marathon people, we have lots to do!

Saturday morning my sweet sister came over and kindly offered (well I pushed her out the door) to take the kids to the park so Mr. SFD and I could get all of the Christmas boxes back up in storage. In honor of Christmas being out and boxes put away Mr. made some Merry Christmas Margaritas. After a little afternoon lie in watching a movie we decided to go head to downtown Tempe to go to their local light parade. Thankfully we got there early to snag some front row seats.

{Me and my sweet sister who will put up with me and my shrimps}

To round out the weekend on Sunday we went to church, we had a family birthday party, a holiday decorating pit stop at my sister-in-law's and then we went to my parents to decorate gingerbread boys and their tree. Whew. You tired yet?

{Their masterpieces}

{Big is quite the helper this year}

{Little decided that his Aunt's phone is far more fun than decorating}

I know it sounds like a lot but I have to tell you I (almost) enjoyed every minute of it. I don't know about you but my kids are ba-nanas right now with their excitement over the holidays. Even though I may get a little testy I just try to remember how exciting this time is for them. Right? I just need to keep repeating this mantra. Anyways I've really just come away from this family weekend, super thankful and happy. I hope yours was just as good!

Happy Monday

Hi friends, Monday morning has rolled around quickly. Yikes! My sister and her peeps flew in from Kansas City for a Bachelorette weekend on Friday and left yesterday. Because we did this

{My cute sister Abby wearing her party favor from Dressing on the Side}

I now need to do this and maybe take a nap later today.

We might go camping

Are you all campers? Big is in Scouts and they are having their first camp out and it's kind of killing me to think about going. I know he will love it, the outdoors with his school pals will be his personal nirvana. But when I think about it I start to get itchy with anxiety. I'll start out with a few facts about me. 1. I don't camp. 2. Neither does my husband, so we have no camping gear. 3. It's camping!!??

So please be honest should I be scared, because I feel really scared. Planning it out, putting up a tent, bringing the kids, it's like planning a trip into space as far as I'm concerned. Maybe I should take a deep breath and visualize an unplugged, relaxing time. Help me am I getting warm?

{image via Martha}

A new Sun Devil fan

We got him! ASU's newest official fan. Saturday night wasn't Big's first football game but it was the first one that he really enjoyed. I was so glad that I got to be there while he cheered on his team.

He tried his best to get on the big screen at the game. So camera crew if you're reading this maybe next time?

Happy eating...oh yeah I mean Labor Day

Hope your Labor Day is labor free! I've just been coasting through the weekend or actually eating my way through it. It all started with a Wednesday lunch at Nobuo with the darling Jaimee.

If you're a Phoenix local you must go there! I had the tofu salad and we shared the short rib steamed buns which were deee-licious! We ate them so fast there was no time to snap a picture. Oh and I can't forget dessert because it's not a girly lunch without dessert.

Friday, The Coffee Shop with Little, Mom, my brother and my sweet nephew B. Their scones are to-die. Seriously. (You can also see The Coffee Shop ladies on Cupcake Wars.)

Saturday after pilates I had to go to Essence Bakery for an almond croissant with a side of caramel macaron. Bad, bad bad.

Last night we had my parents over for dinner and my mom brought the stuff for Iceberg-Blue Cheese Salad and Creamless Creamed Corn (recipes from this month's Elle Decor)and we grilled chicken. The salad and the corn, YUM.

I haven't checked the menu for tonight I'm crossing my fingers that it includes a grilled burger, preferably with grilled onions and blue cheese. So now you know what I've been doing (stuffing my face), what's up with you?

This is why kids are hilarious

{Kids in the "We love each other and we're both so happy about this picture" Let me tell you this doesn't happen too often.}

Big: Mom you look 38.
Me: Feeling puzzled because no I'm not yet 38.
Big: You look really tall in those shoes.
Me: Love that tall = old.

Early morning activities in the SFD house.
Big standing on the sofa, Little running around crazy.
Realize that the game is Big throwing the football at Little's head.
Hmmm...this could get ugly but it doesn't matter because apparently Little digs getting beaned in the head. This explains a lot.

Little running ahead.
Little: First one there is a rotten egg!
Me thinking, you got that right kiddo. I can't bear to correct him, it's funny shiz my friends. {This one has gotten even better because I realized today that he was saying, "first one gets a rotten egg". Hahaha, I love them.}

It's a big day today

Just in case you were wondering we have a first grader here.

Work it

I have a super cute high school aged cousin who has to wear "professional" clothing once a week. She asked me if I could come up with some outfits for her that she could wear for these days. I of course was delighted to help her but honestly I was thinking to myself, can I find something appropriate for a high school student that looks young but polished? So last night I came up with a few things. I tried to go for pieces that could be used interchangeably, were affordable and she could find at any local retailer. Here's what I came up with.

blackpants by sarahsfabday featuring GAP

classics by sarahsfabday featuring GAP tops

Casual Friday by sarahsfabday featuring GAP


Now I know I could have gone super professional with a suit and hose but the only people that I know that have to wear that get up are attorneys or peeps with a presentation. So I decided to go for a more business casual look. I'll cross my fingers this was the direction she was hoping to go in. Click the links for details.

At the beach

So far a little cloudy, but that's ok because Big and Little have been busy.

Big's been busy with Lacrosse and Little is doing his usual thing, snacking. And yes Little is wearing a character swimsuit and for the record if he could wear that outfit every single day he could. We all deserve to rock something that you think makes you look like the shiz don't you think?

(Sorry about the picture quality it's camera phone so I can quickly email them to the blog but the editing leaves a little to be desired.)

Aim to Miss

Have I told you all that my little sister started blogging? For now it's only a couple of posts about her summer pharmacy internship in Brno, but who knows maybe she'll get hooked.

The pharm where she's currently living the dream.

Book List

I love it when things happen organically like tonight with Big and book reading. I'll give you a little back story, I love to read. I've always loved to read, I remember in first grade learning in the little reading groups starting with Rockets, moving to Surprises then the third one Footprints, it was like finally! Amazing what you can remember when you really enjoy something. Big had a book fair at his school a couple of weeks ago and I picked up a few new chapter books. He isn't reading chapter books yet but since I read aloud to the kids I decided that from time to time I needed stories with a little more meat than picture books. I usually stick to the classics, stories I enjoyed as a child that I think he would like too. We've read Stuart Little, some of Henry and Ribsy, a few Junie B's and The Magic Tree House series. This time I picked up Mouse and the Motorcycle and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We started with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and I think we've both fallen completely in love (well me again) with it. Oh Roald Dahl, you are so good with words and imagery, I've forgotten and it's been a joy.

Last night we read two chapters and tonight since the story was so good we read seven. And I'll try to do my best not to cheat and read ahead so it's a juicy surprise for both of us. After every couple of chapters I would stop and we would chat a little bit about the story, like how some of the kids that got the Golden Tickets didn't seem very nice and how it was sad that Charlie was so poor and how fortunate we are, I loved that the lessons happened naturally and Big was excited to read more of the story. At the end of our reading session he was sad that we were done so I mentioned that there we movies too and it might be fun to watch them and then compare how the movies were different than the book. Then we decided that Big would write a little about the book and do some illustrations of the story (his idea, well the drawing part). It made my heart swell just knowing that hopefully the kids will share my love of books and reading. Now I just need to compile a list of those books that I think they will love. I already know he'll get a kick out of Ramona, the rest of Roald Dahl and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle any other suggestions?

Whew!

If you've been wondering, "what is her deal with the posting?" lately here's why.

Here's mid-April through May in a nutshell.

School Golf Tournament/Auction/Dinner Fundraiser which turned out to be a lovely evening.

A Mother's Day Tea

Of course there was the getaway to Cabo.

Family Birthday parties

End of the year Kindy Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Luau.

Ending up with today, the last day of school. I'm relieved that things are slowing down around here but also shocked that my Big is a 1st grader and Little is starting Pre-K. The past month has been a whirlwind of fun but I'm glad to be back to the good ole' blog. Crossing fingers that June is full of goodies for you because I've missed you lots.

Cheese? Really?

How do you get your kid to stop saying cheese? Because this is what happens.

It photographs more like, "Arrgh, I'm a pirate" wouldn't you say? No matter how many times I just tell him to do his thing so I can take a candid he just can't help it. It's the say cheese compulsion.

It's too nice out to blog

The kids are on different spring break schedules so Little is rubbing it in that he doesn't have school while Big will have to wait for April. (Which by the way is crazy because Little loves his school, it's just play, play, play but what he does love is bugging his brother.) Since we have some time on our hands we met some friends here today. There's plenty of room to run and play and really yummy food for moms so really it's win-win all the way around. So while we were there we did some digging, played, saw some chickens, made some wishes and I got to chit-chat with friends (for almost 3 hours). I feel like I got away with something...