Fall Family Fun at the Washington State Fair

One of the reasons why I love Fall so much is fair season. Nothing makes me happier than good weather, the smell of good food and riding rides at the fair. It doesn't get much better than that.

Now that Savannah is old enough to like rides I knew that we had to take her to the fair before school started. After standing in line to get ride tickets our very first stop was the ferris wheel. She wanted to ride it twice and we did!

There were so many rides to choose from. I think I counted at least three rollercoasters...

There was so much to do and see. The exhibition hall was packed with things to buy. Some of the other attractions were farm animals, dinosaurs, super heroes, show horses and musical guests. J.Cole actually opened up the fair. Charlie Wilson and Joe perform later this month.

Savannah wanted some cotton candy while we were searching for the perfect lunch spot. I ordered her a cone because I figured that was a wiser choice than the jumbo bag...

After a quick stroll it was clear that this BBQ Pit was a fair favorite. The lines were long but it smelled like it was worth it. I for one thought the open grill was a very smart marketing tactic. When I saw those slabs of ribs I considered standing in line and letting the ribs fall where they may...

We ended up trying the very hyped up Earthquake burger. It wasn't worth the hype or a photo... Do you see those ribs though?!

All in all I think everyone had a great time. We are planning another trip to check some things off our list. The parking wasn't too bad and the admission is reasonable. If you're local I highly recommend a visit. If you're not local find out when fair season kicks off for you.

Fairs are a great way to spend time together as a family. It's one of our traditions and I hope you consider making it one of your's as well.

See how happy they look?! The Washington State Fair ends on the 25th. Mikey was asleep before we made it to the car. Worth. Every. Penny.

Are you planning a trip to the fair this year?

Savannah Goes To Kindergarten

Welp, the day I have been literally dreading all Summer is here. Savannah's first day of all day school is today. We got up, got dressed, snapped pics and headed to school.

She was very excited and happy and I did my best to not be a debbie downer. I am very excited for her but I will miss our time during the day.

Not even the rain could keep her from being ready to get out of here today. As I think of her being gone all day I can't help but wonder if I took advantage of all the time we've had together until now. All of the endless days of free time and fun will now be shoved into evenings, weekends and school breaks.

And that sucks.

But I can't help but be so proud of her. She is fearless, open, kind and takes on new challenges with ease. Savannah has always been a delight to be around. She's never really given me a hard time. 

She's so smart and ready for all day school. I can't wait to pick her up (and rush her to ballet) so that I can hear all about her day. She's never had a shortage of words so I do expect a full recap when she gets in the car this afternoon.

Her going to school has put a lot into perspective for me. I don't want to beat myself about all of the times that I had to clean or get work done but today I do wish that I had maybe cleaned less and played more. 

I feel like this happened all too fast. She's absolutely fine at school. I'm sure she's having a blast. It's just a little tough letting go. My sweet girl is growing up.

If this is how I feel about her going to kindergarten I may just need to send my husband to college drop-off alone. I can't even imagine...

What You Need For The PERFECT Downstairs Baby Changing Station

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SuperAbsorbent #CollectiveBias

Before Moses I never really saw the value in a changing table. You know, cause that's one of those items that you can do without. Or that's what I thought until I had three kids to chase after, clean or change. I would literally have diapers stashed all over the place.

Then the messiness of that got the best of me and I decided to get a changing table for downstairs. 

Because this has been such a huge help to me I'm going to share what you need to make a downstairs changing station of your own. I love having this alternate place to change the baby for a few reasons...

1 - No more pee accidents on the carpet, couch or my bed. If the baby happens to pee during a change I no longer have to worry about cleaning up the mess that creates. No more impromptu loads of laundry, no more pee on the carpet. If he goes during a change I can just wipe down the changing pad. Easy peasy.

2 - No child should go unsupervised. Having this table has limited my trips up and down the stairs during the day. If we're all playing in the living room and someone needs to be changed I don't have to make a trip to the nursery to get things I need.

3 - Getting in/out of the house has been made so much easier. I can change him right before we leave the house before errands and if he's messy when we get home I don't have to trek the mess all the way through the house and upstairs. 

Here's how you make a station of your own. First pick an alternate spot for your table. Pick a space that is used frequently. I chose the living room because we spend the majority of our day playing there. You may have a designated playroom, basement or some other space that works best for you.

Next you'll need to pick a table. Make sure your table has some sort of shelving or storage space.

Stock your table with the obvious must-haves like diapers and wipes. I like Huggies Little Movers Plus. They come in sizes 3 to 6 and they have double grip strips to help with fit which is perfect for babies like Moses that stay on the go. Huggies Little Movers Plus (and Huggies Little Snugglers Plus size Newborn to 2) are only available at Costco so grab them during one of your trips. I like buying my diapers at the beginning of the month. These diapers are a smart choice because they are super absorbent and you get tons of them in a box for the price. 

If you're a deal watcher like me know this:

• Little Snugglers Plus (Sizes 1 & 2) – $37.49, $31.49 after $6 discount and Free shipping (this offer valid 9/1 to 9/25)
• Little Movers Plus (Size 3, 4, 5, & 6) – $42.99, $36.99 after $6 discount and Free shipping (this offer valid 9/1 –to 9/25)
• In August Little Snugglers Plus became available in size Newborn starting - $29.99 available in select warehouses and online at Costco.com

Now that you've got the basics taken care of add a few blankets to your table. If your baby spits up or if you like having a blanket on the floor for your child to play on having extras on hand will keep you from running to the nursery if something gets messy. 

The same goes for a change of clothes. I haven't met a baby that didn't require an outfit change at some point during the day. Save your legs and keep these in your changing station.

I also like to keep a couple baby friendly toys on the table. This way if the kids are arguing over a toy I have a couple back ups to bribe someone into "sharing".

That's it! I also like to keep sanitizing wipes close by. Now that Moses is crawling and digging I no longer keep them on his table. They are close by in the kitchen if I need to wipe his changing table down. You might have a bathroom or laundry room that would work for you.

Here is a checklist of everything you need to grab during your next trip to Costco to make your changing station. Feel free to print!

Do you have an alternate changing station in your house? 

32 Things to do Before 33: Read a Self Help Book

One of my goals before my next birthday is to read a self help book. It took some time for me to find one that I was drawn to. I considered reading some of the popular titles that are out right now but didn't pull the trigger for some reason.

A few days ago while we were shopping in the PX I came across 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn't Quit. The title was enough for me to stop and scan the table of contents. I'm glad I did.

This book has been such an easy read. It has been helpful and I have been able to truly think about pushing past excuses and obstacles to see commitments and goals all the way through. I wouldn't consider myself a quitter per se but like everyone else I will stop, cut off or flat out ignore things that I find to be inefficient, of no value or boring.

What I didn't consider before this book is that when I cease to see things through (for whatever reason) I am robbing myself of a blessing. It may be a lesson learned, experience, a new friend or possibly something that leads to income at the end of something I didn't think was worth my time or energy.

I have always believed that nothing in life is by chance. Everything that comes into our lives has a purpose. So when God places a dream in our hearts, a thought in our minds or the desire to try something new we must see it through to the end even when we don't "want" to.

I recommend that anyone who sees themselves as a quitter, doubter, over-thinker or someone who tows the line between doing all the things and planning to do all the things but never does any of them read this book. It has given me a better perspective on sticking things out when I feel like they no longer serve my purpose.

I also just wanted to share the book I use for daily devotion again because I get asked on snapchat a couple times a week for the name and title. I use The Women's Devotional Guide to the Bible by Jean E. Syswerda.

What are you reading right now? Do you regret quitting anything?

Operation Snap Back™: Pushing Past the Plateau

When the MTV V(Bey)MAs aired the other night the internet went crazy after Kanye West premiered  his new video for Fade featuring Teyana Taylor. If you haven't seen the video just go on instagram and search the hashtag #TeyanaTaylor.

There is where you will find your life. And some fitness motivation.

Why was there so much buzz about Miss Teyana? Well, because she just had a baby. Not gonna lie her body blew my mind and then my mind came back with perspective.

First of all she's a dancer. Second of all she's twenty something. And third of all I'm pretty sure she's working with resources that this stay at home Mom can't afford. What I do have in common with Teyana is that we have the same 24 hours everyday and we both have nine month old babies.

So, after watching her dance in that video I decided that I needed to push past my current mental and physical plateau.

Here's how I found new motivation:

-I started alternating my workouts between 21 Day Fix Extreme and Cize. If your workouts are starting to bore you try something new!

-I'm using heavier weights for 21 Day Fix Extreme to make it more challenging. If your workout isn't challenging your body then it's probably not working. (I should have done this after my first round to be honest. Being cheap and too lazy to go to the store gets you no where.)

-I set long term goals to keep me working towards something other than seeing inches disappear. I want to look good at some upcoming events so I must continue to eat right and workout.

- If I got these kind of results in 42 days where would I be by the end of the year if I just stick with it?

I have so loved learning about my body through this process. I now know that I shouldn't be eating much dairy with the exception of eggs. I have also learned that I need to avoid a diet that is high in sodium. Carbs are okay in moderation and drinking the appropriate amount of water really makes the difference between me surviving a workout or dying midway through it.

A couple other things I've learned about my body... My metabolism is encouraged during cardio. I notice that my metabolism works much "better" on the days that I do cardio. My final take away is that your flat tummy is definitely made in the kitchen. It doesn't matter how many ab workouts you do if you're still eating all the sodium and drinking all the wine.

Sad facts.

My strategy for eating is to find things that you love to eat and always have them on hand. I literally eat the same thing for weeks at a time. When I start to feel sick of it I find something new and eat that into the ground. I have found that it is so much easier to eat what you love over and over  again instead of trying to be a Top Chef whipping up all these different things everyday. Do what works for you but my little "meal phases" have been a huge help to me.

Before I leave for the day to head to Costco and the Post Office I just want to share some exciting news. 

I wasn't sure when I would share this but today seems like the right time so here we go...

I have registered to become a certified Cize Live instructor. My workshop is in a couple weeks. Once I'm certified I'll be able to teach Cize in a group fitness setting! I'll keep you guys posted on how it goes. Wish me luck!

Goodbye Summer 2016

 

Next weekend is the unofficial end of Summer and beginning of Fall, yay! I know I show Fall a lot of love but I do enjoy Summer. I'll miss watching the kids running through the sprinkler while waiting for the ice cream truck.

Two treats from the ice cream truck costs about five bucks. That lady is making a killing. 

So much has happened this Summer. We moved from Texas to Washington. The kids seemed to have grown so much this Summer. Savannah is all legs and Mikey is almost just as tall as she is. Moses is crawling and eating everything in sight.

They all seemed to handle the move and the new time zone just fine. Once school starts next week and the cooler rainy weather rolls in we'll see how they handle not being outside as much. I've got some indoor activities lined up for them that should keep us all nice and busy until the sun comes back.

This Summer made me realize how much fun it can be to start new adventures. As a military family we start over a lot but I always forget how fun it is to be somewhere new. The first 90 days that you're in a place really does feel like a vacation because you experience so many firsts.

We have found quite a few new favorite places. The fountains and the waterfront in Seattle is a top pick of ours. We also hung out at a waterfront park that was absolutely breathtaking.

Savannah lost her first tooth this Summer. The other tooth came right in so for now she still has a full set. I expect her to lose the tooth next to it pretty soon.

And so here we are. We managed to survive a lot of changes. This time last year I was pregnant, tired and trying to manage everything. He was working full time, completing his practical for grad school and working part time at a hospital. 

So when I mean to tell you we have loved every bit of this Summer - we have LOVED it!

The end of the year is always a busy time for us with birthdays, the holiday season and our wedding anniversary is right at the end of the year. Between now and next June whenever I feel exhausted I'll think back to this Summer and how easy it was.

I know the sun will take her hiatus here soon. I will miss her and the simplicity she brings to our days. Goodbye, Summer. It was real. It was fun. It was real fun. See you in 2017. I already have big plans for you.

What was the highlight of your Summer?

Chic Living: Making a (BASE) House a Home

It is so hard to believe that we have been here for three months already. Now that we are settled I am getting the itch to decorate and turn this house into a home. I never got the itch to decorate in Texas. That house didn't inspire me or speak to me but this one speaks volumes.

It may be the natural light or the fact that this house just has a better layout. Either way, I have been adding little touches here and there so I figured I'd share some of my makeover goals with you.

The first thing I want to do is buy curtains. We need curtains for the living room and some window coverings for the back sliding door that leads to the backyard in the dining area. I also want to redo our dining room chairs (again).

I don't like the first fabric choice I made. Now that I know how cheap and easy it is to do the chairs I'll be searching for a fabric that I absolutely love. I'm thinking a solid color would be great next to curtains with a pattern.

Savannah has been asking for a big girl room lately. I really want to convert her bed to a full size and give her room a big girl face lift. We already have the frame for her bed. I just need to get her a new mattress and figure out a theme for her room. She likes pink so I plan to weave that color in somehow.

I really love the window seat in her room and I want to make that a special place for her to read. So far she's been using it to drive my OCD in overdrive.

And then there's our room. I honestly just want new bedding. I grabbed our current comforter when we moved to Texas in 2012. That comforter has seen better days. Between the kids and the move it has a large rip in it (that had to be done with scissors - no one knows how it got there 😒).



I am kind of obsessed with clean white sheets. So my dream bedding would probably be an all white big fluffy bed but I do love a lot of the fun pillows I'm seeing lately so I don't know which way to go.

We'll be here for at least three years (hopefully) so I really want this place to feel like home. Share your home style inspiration with me in the comments. Got any suggestions for curtain colors for the living room?

SIDE NOTE: That couch is our ride or die. She's not as pretty as she use to be due to all the kids and the moves that she's endured. I think some pillows would give her a nice face lift...