Have you heard?

New things are going on around this casa, Mama's got a new job. I'm back at with a big girl grown up job that requires regular hours. I have to say so far I'm liking it. The kids seem good with it and the Mr., I'm sure he loves it. So maybe this little creative outlet of mine will start to serve a purpose again. Having something new in my life has made me feel refreshed in other ways. So no I won't be whipping out the sewing machine or baking cookies for everyone in the neighborhood but I will be more thoughtful with my time. I've found when I have less time, I'm more creative. So hopefully I'll be checking in here a little more often. 

For now I'm feeling nesty and ready for fall so let's bring on the brown butter cinnamon rice krispy treats and hot cider! I'll just  pretend it wasn't 97 yesterday.

(PS - I used this picture before however it was perfect for today's post. A little recycle, no big. )

Boy Speak

Being the mom of boys has given me tons of moments that make me laugh. As a kid I was a major doll lover, house player, dress up queen, I did have a brother but I guess his lingo didn't rub off on me. So I'm surprised quite often and the colorful descriptive language that boys use. Here are a few examples of what's going down at our house.

• "It's Sunday and we're kids, we're doomed!!"
• Using the word archenemy in a sentence in a way that isn't supposed to be funny or ironic.
• There is always a lot of  "versing" going on. For example, "we versed that team last week". Hilarious makes me laugh every time and I can't correct them because I love it too much.

Snakes, snails and puppy dog tails? I'll take comic book speak any day over that!

My fall baking plan

Being a mom is not for wimps. I'm sure everyone on the planet knows this but it's worth saying just one more time. The tedium of naps and diapers evolves into homework, sports and trying to help these small humans grow into a decent adults. Trying to keep them on track with homework and helping them navigate life without overstepping; letting them find their own way is a job in itself. It's like a giant act sometimes when you try to stay cool while inside you're cringing, steaming or laughing. The laughing is the best part so it takes the sting away from the moments that are not so hot. 

The kids have been in school for a month and thankfully life is settling into a routine. Routine I like, routine the kids like. So the ripping out my hair crazy person last week has morphed into "let's do this" mom. I like her much better, she's definitely much nicer.So when life settles and I feel nice I bake things. Baking for me is relaxing, making dinner NOT relaxing. I wish we could eat these Chai Spiced Sugar cookies I plan on making for dinner. I think a balanced meal is highly overrated. 

{recipe and image from My Baking Addiction}

Mondays

Happy days people, it's been a rainy weekend in Phoenix. That's like your birthday, Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale and hot cocoa all rolled into one. We are crazy about our rainy days especially when they fall on the weekends. It gives us a pass to hang out, so this was me all weekend. Slug like, not pretty.

It's Monday the kids are at school and I'm ready for the week, kind of. I'm getting excited though because I know at some point it's going to cool off. Fall fever is almost in full effect, I'm dying for sweaters! Even though it's 107 out I'll still try to somehow manage a thin sweatshirt. I'm ready to do some baking but I hate making the house hot with the oven. Maybe I'll pull out some fallish items to make the house seem more cozy and charming, less like a sweat lodge (the unfortunate side effect of all the rain). 

What now?

When I glance at the side bar of my blog I realize that this little engine that could has been chugging along for almost six years. Holy shiz you guys, that is a long time! It's been at a standstill for the past couple of years for many reasons. It's tough being a day in and day out blogger, sometimes you feel inauthentic, sometimes people leave really mean comments, sites like Pinterest and Instagram make it quick to get an inspiration boost, it's a huge time suck, original content...it's a killer, life is hard/good/busy/etc. All of these reasons make it really challenging to stay on top of it. A few weeks ago I was at a family wedding and I was asked why I didn't blog anymore and the truth is a muddle of all of the above things. As my kids have gotten older the hamster wheel of baby and toddlerhood morphs into a completely new dynamic of parenting. The time where they're self sufficient, funny, smart and sassy but also becoming the person that they will always be, and for us it seemed as though it was a time that needed a little privacy. Time to grow as kids and as a family. That doesn't mean that I haven't missed writing, it just meant that I needed time to keep things a little closer to my heart. 

I used to read blogs that had a voice, ones that I could relate to. Not a clone of me but maybe someone who was more brave/scared, busy/bored or quiet/loud than myself. I miss that, reading and hearing an authentic voice. Getting the visual is easy, there are lots of imaged based sites (that I LOVE, don't kid yourself) where we can browse the pretty for hours. But as much as I love pretty I also want to just talk out there to space like I did before. I miss it. So now I'm sort of back to the beginning where my Mom, family and BFFs are the only ones commenting, but that's ok because it's a fresh start. We all could use a fresh start sometimes. So with that I'm welcoming some input. If you've been a reader of my blog way back, I mean waaaay back because it's been awhile what would you like to see here?

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Summer Syndromes

Most of the people where we live are already out of school. My kids are still slogging away at these last few days. There's been lots of end of the year activities so I don't know why they're just, "soooo tir-ed." in the morning. I guess its just the I'm ready for a break syndrome but then I need to prepare myself for the I'm bored syndrome that will probably follow. Normally I have a few camps lined up to keep them occupied but this year I haven't done it. I just can't bring myself to sign them up until we're all ready to go crazy in this house. Hopefully it's more than just a week or two. You know how you can tell that your kids are just ready for a break? Usually the first two weeks of summer are great for us and since we ended school later this year, we're headed on vacation shortly after our 2 week grace period hence the no plans. This is an experiment my friends, please don't kill me when I'm ready to go crazy in a few weeks.

How do you spend your summers? Is each week thoughtfully planned out or are you the more spontaneous type? 

Summer Wants

This past weekend was the first weekend that the sun seemed brighter and my skin felt that certain glimmer of heat, a reminder of what's to come. I usually feel some sadness at the long, hot days waiting for me but this year I don't.  I'm feeling free and happy, what an upcoming summer should feel like. I can't wait. I wanted to do a post of my summer wants but these days I'm not feeling so fabulous and even though a new bauble or cover up might brighten my day for a moment my needs as of late are of a much more simple variety.  My summer wants are easy, how about a couple months of uneventful? 

Let's just say lazy, slower paced, with lots of friends, new recipes and maybe an easy trip or two.

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It's been a little cray

I'm home today. Tuesday is usually a busy work day for me but I have a kid who took a baseball to the noggin yesterday so we're staying home. He's currently alternating ice and Wii and I'm enjoying a moment to myself with the gazillions of posts filling up my reader (which is now Feedly, I love it.)

We've been busy with parties, weddings and such. Big had his first communion and confirmation complete with aunts and a sweet cousin from out of town, my sister in law got married and then the very next day was a fundraiser I'm involved with. I'm wiped. So today's little lie-in is a total lifesaver. I think since I'm home I need to organize my scattered life. I lost my keys in my house a week ago and still can't find them. Eek! My husband is sure I'm completely loco and I can't say that I blame him. Check in with me next week I might be the picture of tranquility and zen. There's always hoping right?

What's going on

Hola! Thought I'd pop in and see if there is still actually anyone out there. Maybe, maybe not. That's ok it still feels good to write things out into the void of the internet. My sister-in-law is getting married so we've been busy with pretty showers, parties and plans.

My sweet babies are getting after it in sports.

My husband is busy working, a lot.

As a family we've been doing no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Challenging at first but now it seems pretty old hat. Not to worry though there is still plenty of crappy food and sweets to be eaten  if needed! 

I'm still obsessed with Instagram and Pinterest. You can find more of me there these days, come find me!

I'm feeling refreshed

So how is 2013 treating you so far? Me, good. I love that my new year started out with some studio meetings and that this weekend will finish with Pilates workshops. Ironing out details for the upcoming year and getting invigorated by the other teachers is really what the doctor ordered. Mama needs this.

So last year the family motto was, "can do". What should this year's be? Got any suggestions?

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It's almost here

I can't say that I'm sorry to see 2012 go. There were lots of very wonderful moments including a trip of a lifetime but for me personally 2012 was a toughie. I like to think I'm a glass half full so I'm betting that 2013 has to be good. 

Wishing you all the best in the coming year!

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Shoulders away from your ears

Not the best title of a post but I say this day in and day out. As a Pilates teacher almost everybody comes into the studio thinking of stresses of their job, their day and family life and naturally their shoulders creep up around their ears. A lot of this is also from the hunched over "I'm on the computer all day" posture but it's also just the worries and anxiety that keep us from feeling our best. Not only do I say this to others but to myself all the time. 

With the sadness and tragedy in Newtown and the stress of the season please take my advice and take a deep breath. Breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, close your eyes and fill the front, sides and backs of your lungs with air. Appreciate today and be grateful for tomorrow.

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Least favorite Xmas Tradition

The holidays are approaching and I'm the freak that put their Christmas tree up this weekend. I just love having the four day weekend free so I try to get the jump on it. I won't lie though, I'm also the person that is permanently glued to whatever radio station is playing Christmas music. No, I don't have trees in every room and collection of Studio 56, I just enjoy Christmas tunes. One of my weird little idiosyncrasies. 

Music is a holiday tradition that I enjoy but there are plenty of things about the holidays that drive me nuts. I don't love the business of the season, it sometimes defeats the whole hang with family part of it. But honestly the one thing that makes me really nuts are cookie exchanges. I loathe making cookies! And for cookie exchanges they have to be all fancy and annoying. Don't get me wrong I enjoy a cookie just like everyone else but it seems like a lot of work for tons of calories that let's be honest we don't need around the holidays (don't judge I save my calories for my holiday wine). So tell me what is it about the holidays that makes you crazy? 

PS - If you know me and are having a cookie exchange I will totally come if I'm on the guest list, make pretty tasty cookies with a smile! 

Just a quote

Today I'm feeling a little melancholy, maybe it's because I'm on the waaay downside of my 30's, maybe it's the weather change who really knows. But for some reason this quote has resonated with me so much since I saw it on Pinterest. Actually I shouldn't say for some reason, it's a wonderful reason and I love that someone said this out loud. As we get older we drag lots of memories and emotional baggage along with us and letting it go is so freeing. 

So hopefully it will help you feel as good as it did me.

Do you TV?

When my husband and I got married and moved in together there was one sticky point that we hadn't worked out. It was a little tiff about having a TV in the bedroom.  I was vehemently against it and he was pro-TV all the way. I caved and became pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed having a TV in our room. There's nothing better than a lazy Sunday afternoon spent in your cozy bed watching a movie or the TV lulling you to that drowsy place. Well it's been awhile and lately I haven't been quite as enamored with it. I'll give you a little back story, I have insomnia from time to time and I've found that any extra light in our room wakes me up. So add in the light from the cable box and the DVD player our room is like a regular Las Vegas. 

So I decided to do a little experiment, last week my husband had to take a short trip and I decided that for the few nights he was gone I was going to do no TV. Just reading in bed just like I had always done practically my whole life. Guess what? No problems sleeping or settling down at all. I clued my husband into this little experiment and he said that he's down to try it. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Do you keep a TV in the bedroom and if so has the love waned?

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Dreaming of Sweaters

Ahh, I'm wishing for it.

I could probably wear a sweater until 9 am, then it's all downhill. Still in 100 degree mode here in Phoenix. They say it's supposed to cool down this week. I'll believe it when I see it. 

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Bowling Party

You know it's bad when your own brother mentions, "What's up with the blog? August 21st?" Oy. Has it been that long? When you have had a blog for several years unless it's your livelihood  it's easy to forget that you might want to post something. When I started this blog the kids were 4 and almost 2, now they're 8 and 6 and I can't believe I've been doing it this long. Back then I was home a lot more, Little was still taking naps and it made much easier to fit it all in. These days I'm back working during their school day and then after school is a flurry of homework, sports and dinner. Not that I don't still love my ole' blog but I probably don't tend to her nearly as much as I should.

So I'll do my best to give it a little tlc. Doesn't this look like the makings of a perfect Fall party? Pizza, beer and bowling? Fun, fun my friends.

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Back to School

Just a few things on my mind:

• Does anyone else have a love/hate relationship with themselves for watching the Kardashians? It's like crack, I can't help myself.
• Loving these mini herb pots found at TJ's. Thanks Jaim!
• The race is on! School starts tomorrow, lunches, homework, lunches, PTO, sports, lunches. Deep breath.
• Do any of you ever really make any of the recipes on Pinterest? I have it on good authority that the Fresh Cherry Margs and the Honey Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas are good, I must try.

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Olympics

Well done Procter & Gamble, I cry every time I see this commercial.

 Full disclosure, I also cry when talking about this commercial. It's official I've hit complete sapdom.

Love it :: Siblings

Sometimes I shake my head and think, "I'm a mom...of boys!" Being of the female species I don't always get their humor or style, but my goodness are they funny! Sometimes I like to eavesdrop on their conversations, they might just mortify you (because they often do me). I just have to laugh to myself because they're quite um, creative with their choice of words/insults/descriptions. Even though sometimes these discussions that catch I snippets are clearly meant for their ears only I try to respect their privacy so they can find their own style of dealing with one another and find those great inside jokes that all siblings have.

I've seen many bloggers throughout the years talk about sisterly bonds but what about those with siblings in general? I have so many memories of me and my brother that I can't even count. Most of them fun and more than a few of them me being the bossy older sister. (Sorry B!)  But seriously, how funny, embarrassing and sweet are some of them when you think back?

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