Tee: Old Navy | Denim: Frame | Shoes: Amazon | Handbag: Vera Bradley | Sunglasses: Celine | Jean Jacket: J Crew | Necklace: old, similar | Monogram: Bridgettes | Watch: Michael Kors | Bracelet: old, similar
My Oh MY.
It has just been a whirlwind. But a good one.
Since taking up coaching cheer, my days seem shorter, my nights seem longer (as I am planning more) and everyday just seems more compact.
I have been trying to keep some things consistent for the kids, like going on a walk in the mornings and Louie's first nap of the day around 9:30 or 10... but after that it gets pretty fuzzy!
Everyday is a little bit different but having cheer as apart of my day has been so fun for me, as I am able to focus on something of my own a few times a week apart from the babies. I love that it is only a few hours a week and I don't have to be apart for the babies long either. I start to miss them!!!
On the days when we don't have cheer, I feel like a blank canvas! It is exciting that we don't have to BE anywhere, but also scary because I don't WANT to be home ALL day. If I am home all day, my day gets TOO long as we wait for Daddy to get home and I get restless. I usually try to plan to do some sort of outing in the morning and in the afternoon.
Favorite Activities:
-Go for a walk. Either go around the neighborhood or find a trail close by. Louie is now super used to it and doesn't even make a peep in the stroller even if we are walking for an hour or more. I bring him a few toys and he relaxes and enjoys it. I bring a few snacks for Haddie (SURPRISE LOL) and her water bottle. I also have been letting her use my phone to listen to music and she loves that.
-The Library. Look up your local library's activities for kids! We have a "book babies" and also a toddler read and sing along that we love to go to that is offered Mon-Thur. We don't even take advantage of all the other activities they offer like craft hours, movie hours, and yoga. And thats only ONE library. Both of my kids love it.
-The Grocery Store. We go SO much, but we go to different ones for different things. Wal-Mart: Haddie's favorite fruit snacks. Aldi: cheaper meat and sides. Trader Joes: produce, veggies, ice cream, and pasta sauces, marinades, flowers. I love to go to different ones and push them around in the cart and shop.
-The Pet Store. If you are really losing it inside, go to Pet's Mart. Walk around, look at each animal. I used to do this all the time with Haddie and she loved it.
-Research fun kid activities in your area. We have a kids museum that I have yet to go to but have heard great things. Also, we have a place called The Happy Lark, which is an indoor play space for babies, kids and coffee for moms. Such a great idea!
-The Park. Now that it's getting a "little" less hot out, we have been going back to the park a lot more. Haddie loves playground and swings. We took a blanket with us last week, packed our lunches, and ended up staying almost 2 hours. They loved it.
-The mall. Our mall is getting the kid play area re done, but if I need to grab a lipstick or just wanna browse H&M, this can easily take up to 2 hours.
-A bakery/coffee shop. If I am really losing it, we will head somewhere to get a treat. There is an adorable cupcake shop near us that has a little play kitchen, and also a bread company shop that's great. My kids always love a treat.
-Visit Daddy. One of my favorite things to do is go to see Seth. In the afternoon they have football practice and we will go and sit in the stands and watch, walk around, and play. It's just fun being near him even though we don't interact with him. Maybe take your spouse lunch on his lunch break or swing by and drop off a coffee mid afternoon!
And I could never leave off the Zoo, Target, and Chick Fil A. I mean.. are there any other greater past times? JK. but really. I am still SO obsessed with their diet lemonades. Mouth is watering for one now and it's 10:00 at night. lol
What do you like to get out and go do with your kids?!?
xo,
Ashley
Throwing it back to a few months ago when Chandler came and took some photos of our house as I love seeing the changes we made in the year we have lived in our home! I'm continuing the next room BEFORE/AFTER post with the living room/office area…