ten happy things friday

one

This little cutie is crawling! At her 6 month check up the doc was very impressed with her being ahead of several milestones (by the way, don't let anyone stress you out about those timelines, Mamas, babies are all different- some are over achievers/show offs and others could care less about impressing you with anything other than how loud they scream or big they smile.) Anyhow, we knew she would crawl early and she was sitting and backing up and this week she got the legs and arms working together to go forward. Our lives will never be the same now.

two

I can't take a picture of this guy not smiling. In just about every single picture that I take at swim Ry has a huge grin on his face. While he's diving, when he comes up for air, when he's practicing kicks and floating on his back. Also, how awesome is that picture of him jumping off the diving board? He has no fear.

three

My D-Man. I'm so proud of him. I know he was nervous about jumping off that board, but he did it. I loved getting to watch both boys have so much fun.

four
The C25K program. I'm almost done with week 4. So I am half way! I'm happy with my progress- especially because at the beginning I thought week four was impossible. Honestly, every week I look at the next week's training and think it seems unlikely that I can do it and then every week I surprise myself and do it. It's not always perfect, definitely not "easy", but I never quit. I'm running for me, but having the family there at the park (there's is an awesome track there) really encourages me to keep going.

five
The blended iced coffee I made the other afternoon. 2 cups hazelnut coffee, two scoops Dulce de luche ice cream, handful of ice and a splash of vanilla almond milk. It was a great pick-me-up (and a nice indulgence).

six

Sisters. Rose is so sweet and such a good big sister.

seven
Fresh basil, rosemary and cilantro from our garden.

eight
Sleeping until 7am. On a weekday!

nine
The bbq ribs I made for Father's Day.... can't wait to make them again.

ten
A big birthday shout-out to CLB- Happy 30th!!!!

swimming

The boys have been in swim lessons since last Monday. It's amazing how far they've come since then. They started out practicing kicking and putting their heads under the water on the first day to jumping off the diving board yesterday. I was so proud of both of them! Friday is the last day of lessons and I think we'll miss it.... although I won't miss driving to town everyday!

smashing sunday

Yesterday we all loaded up in the Jeep and went to find grapes. We have wild Mustang grapes that grow along the fences that make delicious jelly, jam, juice and homemade wine. As far back as I can remember late June and early July meant grape picking in the hot sun. We'd hop in someone's truck with a ladder and 5-gallon buckets and pick all the grapes we could find. My mom and Oma would can jelly and juice and my Opa would make wine. Believe it or not I had never even tasted my Opa's homemade wine until a couple of years ago.... it was some strong stuff!

Tim's cousin came out Saturday and picked grapes and left us a good amount and we added a bit from our trip. We found a recipe for making wine (very similar to my Opa's) and decided to give it a try. It warned that if we mashed the grapes with our feet or hands we'd get itchy, but we didn't think it'd be too bad. DON'T DO IT! Your feet/hands will feel terrible.

The kids had a great time (until their feet start itching- I still feel bad about that). I got in there, too. It was fun, but next time we'll definitely use the recommended method of smashing them with a wooden baseball bat.

The first step to making wine is done. It takes around 5 months from start to finish, so we are thinking it might make some fine Christmas gifts. Now we just need to come up with a good name and create some labels. (IF we can actually complete the whole process.)

ten happy things friday

1
A good, filling sandwich.

2
My C25K program. I'm actually enjoying it and looking forward to my 20ish minutes of me time.

3
Alligator Pears (aka avocados).

4
All of our plants are growing so well!

5
I'm hooked on double banana, Greek yogurt & almond milk shakes. And I enjoy stretching. I don't even know who I am anymore.

6
The boys start swim lessons on Monday. I think Rose might get a little jealous.

7
Father's Day is Sunday and I plan on making ribs for the event. I've never made ribs before, but obviously I like to live a little on the wild side. I hope they turn out good. (I'll also be making a lemon meringue pie- also never made before. Guess what meringue doesn't like? Humidity. Guess what we have here.... yeah. It should turn out super.)

8
My kids are awesome.

9
We get to babysit our nephew tonight. He is at that super fun age of "almost 2". I really do like that age; I'm not being sarcastic. 

10
It's Friday!!

a few random things

First
I just started the Couch-2-5-K program. My first run/walk was last night and it actually went really well. I had been thinking about starting to run for quite a while (6+ months), but seeing as how I have barely exercised at all in 6 years (since having my first baby) I was not really confident in myself. It helps a LOT to have finally voiced my desire to try to run to Tim because he has been insanely good at encouraging me and very supportive. I had no clue as to what I should eat or not eat before/after a run or workout, but I've been reading a lot (thank goodness for the Internet or I would have done a lot of no-no's yesterday). I can hardly believe I'm looking forward to Wednesday's run- as I am not in excruciating pain like I thought I would be. (Bonus: I found a 5K that I want to enter and when the kids found out about it D said he wanted to run too... You get all the ice cream you want after finishing the run!)

Second

D graduated from kindergarten and summer vacation is upon us. (It has been for a week.) It has been good so far. I really enjoy not having to be out of the door by 7:30am every morning. And the kids are finally sleeping past 6am. Well, some days. I signed the boys up for swim lessons and we are "playing school" every day. Basically we practice some math and reading, learn a couple of Spanish words each week and do one science activity on Fridays. Last Friday we learned about volcanoes and then made one- the boys loved it.

Third

 Sam is almost crawling. She'll be 6 months old on the 14th. Didn't I just bring her home from the hospital??? Time is moving way too fast for my liking. She tried avocados on Sunday as her first food and it was hilarious. Any time the spoon came close to her mouth she would get super excited and stick her thumb in her mouth. We laughed a little about that.

I know it seems like I've completely forgotten that I even have a blog, but I haven't. I've just been busy and tired. I'm hoping I can pick up the pace and blog a little more often.