Close to the Heart

Every time Corbyn sees my mom he is more interested to see what necklace she has on than saying hello. She has a beautiful locket she keeps Corbyn's picture in and he wants to make sure he stays close to her heart...super sweet. I want a necklace that is meaningful and Corbyn wants to make sure I am wearing so here are some significant beautiful hand-crafted necklaces I found.

Affection Pendant by Blue Poppy. Express your affection by putting it in writing. "Each pendant is made to order by carefully shaping every letter completely by hand from 14 carat gold-filled wire than soldered into place". So pretty and so delicate.

Personalized Morse Code Neckalce by Coatt. Simple, thought-provoking, and totally unique, I don't think too many people would have Corbyn or -.-.---.-.-...-.---.

Seedlings Necklace by Pear and Peacock. I love the simplicity and cleanness of this necklace.

I wish but I'm thankful

I wish vacation could last for longer than it does but I'm thankful I can go on vacation and then have a job to come back to.

I wish Corbyn could just sit still at a restaurant so we didn't feel like we had to eat at hyperspeed but I'm thankful he is an active, healthy two year old.

I wish summer television was more than just Wipeout, the Bachelorette, and reruns but I'm thankful that my house is cleaner and I sleep more because of it.

(Speaking of sleep) I wish I slept as well on vacation as I do in my own bed but I'm thankful my bed is something that makes me happy to be home.

I wish someone could invent teleportation so I could hang out more with my cousins but I'm thankful for Cruizin 2011 for bringing us together and laughing harder than I have in a loooong time.

Corbyn even wants to spend more time with his 2nd cousin, he loves her =). I am thankful for this.

Love Etc.

I love LOVE! I want to see this!

Here is the trailer.

trailer 1st seen on A Cup of Jo

Water

I need to drink more. Awesome designed bottles will help.

Water at Home: I love the shape, the fun font, and wire closure.

Water on the Go: I love the touch of color, the see thruness (water with ice is very appealing to me), that each bottle purchased goes to support some sort of water related cause, and that it will fit in my cup holder.
ps. click on picture for link.

Stay Hydrated!

Mommy Mondays: Toys

You open our hall closet, toys. Go into the guest room, toys. Corbyn's closet, toys. Our den, toys. Open drawers in our house, more toys. Toys have taken over. And toys are essential, they keep Corbyn busy, they teach him fine motor skills, how to problem solve, and give him a way to use his imagination. They are needed for his development but eventually they start accumulating and spilling out of every open nook and cranny in our home. If toy takeover is inevitable I would like the toys to look like these (I chose toys that Corbyn would really be into right now)...

Fishing set from Anthropologie (I didn't even know they carried toys! Just another reason if I only had one place to shop for everything it would be there)

Alphabet building blocks and wagon from Anthropologie
Construction trucks from oompa.com
Animals from oompa.com

Family Reunion

I laughed so hard I was crying, tears literally streaming down my face as I made this quiet almost kitty like squeal/screeching sound as I tried to catch my breath. My aunt was standing across the room reenacting a recent awesomely awkward experience and we were rolling in laughter. Family get togethers=bellyache.

Nothing makes me happier than being with people I love, it energizes me and I feel a deep sense of contentment. I always seem to leave with a smile, full belly, and full heart. I am so thankful for my family, I am so thankful we could take time out of our busy schedules and gather together, and I am so thankful for the memories created.

But it did get me thinking, I have so much more family I would love to see and spend time with. Hence the reason for this post...family reunion planning!

If I was to plan a legit family reunion here are some things that would be on my to-do list...

Cute invites like these from www.realsimple.com

Reunion t-shirts that arn't cheeseball! Like these from Angela Hardison Design.

Fun and simple decor like this from www.hostessblog.com

Family Recipe food

A fun competitive game for the kiddos (and big kiddos!)

A cute keepsake to take home like this from www.redenvelope.com. I am picturing Corbyn's hand, my hand, my mom's hand/dad's hand, and grandpa's hand/nana or papa's hand.

Or throw all the details out and figure out a time and place and come armed with stories and laughter =)

Hope you had a great 4th I know we did!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th! Hope you have a great day!

ps. isn't this the cutest! this is my friends boy at a 4th of July parade, what a cutie patootie!