M & J Monday

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.

Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.

Nothing you can say, but you can learn

How to play the game

It's easy.

Nothing you can make that can't be made.

No one you can save that can't be saved.

Nothing you can do, but you can learn

How to be you in time

It's easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.

All you need is love, all you need is love,

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

There's nothing you can know that isn't known.

Nothing you can see that isn't shown.

There's nowhere you can be that is where

You're meant to be

It's easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love,

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

All you need is love.

All you need is love.

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

Love is all you need.

Love is all you need. 

All You Need is Love

The Beatles

Happy Monday!

Family Pictures & Tiny Prints & Holiday Card Sneak Peeks, Oh My!

Way back in July I convinced Scott that we needed family photos taken. My bargaining chip was that if photos were taken in July I promised nary a whisper of pictures come Fall. That was all Scott needed and he was sold.

Our photographer did an amazing job (as always). She and I had a conversation shortly after an epic meltdown by Julia: photos are so unusual, they're typically so stressful, yet we want the exact opposite portrayed in the final product. I'd like to think that mission was accomplished.

Fast forward to the past couple weeks, as I've been re-scrolling through all our photos in preparation for our annual holiday cards.  It may seem a little early, but in a blink it will be time to send out Christmas cards. While *the* Christmas card shot has already been selected I didn't want to skip over some of the gems that didn't quite make the cut.

This one *almost* made the cut as THE photo for the front of the card.

After choosing the Christmas worthy photos, the real fun began... Creating Christmas cards! And, unlike the photo taking process itself, selecting and creating our cards was the exact opposite of stressful.

For as long as we've been sending out holiday and announcement cards we've used TinyPrints, so it came as no surprise that I immediately fell in love with their Premium Holiday Options this year. 

I kept bouncing between the new Personalized Foil Cards,

Glitter Cards,

and the Laser Cut Cards.

However, there were endless options with the Foil Stamped cards and Ornament Cards that were equally enticing.

Ultimately, this glitter card won. Because, GLITTER!

Selecting just one photo to showcase on the front of the card wasn't too difficult. But, there were a few others I wanted to include as well. Luckily, the option to add photos on the backside of the card made things pretty easy for me.

Naturally, once a design - with glitter!! - was nailed down, accessorizing with matching envelopes, inserts, and return labels was a must.

Full Christmas card reveal coming in December!

And just like that, our Christmas cards were done!

The next big question... Is now too early to send them out?

TinyPrints has so much more to offer. There is literally something for everyone: kids color-in cards, year-in-review cards, holiday birth announcements, and my personal favorite Baby2Baby, an organization that provides low-income children necessities they deserve. For each birth announcement or holiday card that is purchased within the Baby2Baby collection a portion of the proceeds go to Baby2Baby.

Through the end of today TinyPrints is offering 25% your entire order, simply use the code 25NOV at checkout.

Tell me, are you team foil, glitter, or laser cut?
And I need to know, I'm not the only one who's jumped on the Christmas train and ordered holiday cards already. Right??

Disclaimer: I was provided free product in return for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the company and/or its affiliates in anyway.

Julia || 15 Months

A quarter of the way through the year! A look at what's been happening this month:

Bow || Purse || Moccs

You had your 15 month well-baby check up this week, and ooooooh goodness, was it drama filled. Before the doctor even set a finger on you it was a tantrum. I literally laughed the entire time because there was so much drama for zero reason. When it was time for shots? Holy moly, you'd think the nurses were sawing off limbs. I'm glad that's behind us. The doctor laughed when he wanted to see how you were walking, direct quote, "She doesn't walk, she runs!" Truer words couldn't have been said.

Bow

Current weight: 19 pounds 14 ounces - 10th percentile.

Current height: 31 inches - 75th percentile.

You're still long and lean.

Four new teeth (molars) have popped through, bringing the total to 12. I expect to see more, as you've been a drooling mess for quite some time. 

Loves

Marcus - as always.

Playing with Marcus' toys.

Laughing and making others laugh.

Dancing.

Fruit.

Pointing out airplanes and helicopters in the sky.

Getting as filthy as possible in the shortest amount of time.

"Hiding" your head in your little Land of Nod chair, popping up and shouting, "Boo!"

Playing outside.

Going up and down, and up and down, and up and down stairs.

Being lightly tickled on your back and face, it's one of the ways we calm you down if you're upset.

Nursing - two times a day (right before bed and right when you wake)

Izzy - our cat. I have no idea what draws you to her, as she wants exactly nothing to do with you.

You've really let up on the stranger-danger phase, and have become quite adventurous. You try your very hardest to keep up with Marcus and all the other big kids we see daily.

Dislikes

Being told no.

Getting diapers changed (why is this such a struggle?!).

Being held, or placed in a car seat/stroller when you really just want to walk/run.

Having your finger nails clipped.

Veggies.

The garbage truck.

Sitting still isn't real high on your list of things you like.

Bow || Jacket

Words

New words are constantly being added to the mix. Currently animals and animal sounds are a big hit. Doggy, kitty, woof, quack - all words you like to say.

"Drake" (our dog) and "bubble" have most recently been add as well.

I'm just waiting for the day when you figure out "no."

Sleep

Like clockwork, you go to bed between 6:30 and 7:00, and sleep through the night. On a good day we'll "sleep in" until 5:00. But, most days we're up at 4:30 (coffee is my saving grace).

You take two naps a day. One around 8:45am and again around 2:00pm. Typically, each is about an hour to 90 minutes.

I love your sass and spunk, the snuggles when you'll give them, and I love the light you bring to our lives every single day. You exhaust me in ways I never thought possible, yet bring so much joy and life to this family. This month has been one of the most fun ones to date, and I'm excited to see what's in store.

Cheers to the next month!

M & J Monday

I am your parent;

you are my child.

I am your quiet place;

you are my wild.

I am your calm face;

you are my giggle.

I am your wait;

you are my wiggle.

I am your carriage ride;

you are my queen and king.

I am your push;

you are my swing.

I am your audience;

you are my clown.

I am your London Bridge;

you are my falling down.

I am your carrot sticks;

you are my licorice.

I am your dandelion;

you are my first wish.

I am your water wings;

you are my deep.

I am your open arms;

you are my running leap.

I am your way home;

you are my new path.

I am your dry towel;

you are my wet bath.

I am your dinner;

you are my chocolate cake.

I am your bedtime;

you are my wide awake.

I am your finish line;

you are my race.

I am your praying hands;

you are my saying grace.

I am your favorite book;

you are my new lines.

I am your night light;

you are my starshine.

I am your lullaby;

you are my peekaboo.

I am your good-night kiss.

you are my I love you.

You are My I Love You

Maryann Cusimano Love

Happy Monday!

The End of October Edition

October was really good to us. We saw, experienced and did so many great things, all of which I hope to share in dedicated posts in the very near future. We also did some fairly typical things that I'm not sure deserve an entire post, but I thought highlights of them would do the trick.

Today's post is a little hodge podge, but things I want to remember nonetheless.

To the randomness...

THIS CAKE

A few weeks ago we had our neighbors over for dinner. They're currently undergoing a kitchen renovation, so we thought they might enjoy a meal where a stove, oven, and running water were involved. I thought this BTS Cake would make for a lovely dessert. I wasn't wrong. It was unbelievably good. And, worth every single second it took to make and assemble.

RAIN

October brought a few days of light showers, sprinkles, and actual rain. It was awesome, and so very needed in our part of California. It makes both Marcus and me happy when we can pull out the umbrellas!

JULIA

Gah! This little lady is something else. She is full of personality and spunk and attitude. Not a day goes by where she doesn't given us a good laugh. I'm looking forward to sharing her 15 month (15!) update next week.

THE TIDE POOLS

Our afternoons can get kind of long. Finding ways to keep entertained around the house can often  become monotonous. Instead of riding bikes or scooters for the hundredth time of the day, we've been heading to the water to toss rocks and find sea creatures. I'm always on the hunt for urchins, Marcus likes to collect any creature that has a shell (he's partial to the snails), and Julia is content to just toddle around in the sandy parts of the beach. It's been a nice change in the way we end our days.

CANDY ALTERNATIVE

I know this is pretty irrelevant, time-wise, Halloween is already a distant memory. But I had to share.

Marcus' school had a Halloween carnival on Halloween, and each student was to bring a treat to pass out when it was time for their trick or treating. I'm guessing most kids probably made bank with candy on Halloween night, so I figured ghost applesauce would make for a fun alternative to candy.

That wraps up the end of October (and beginning of November)!

Have a great weekend!

Fall Scarf Exchange 2016

If ever there was a better accessory than a scarf to complete an outfit I have yet to find it. So, when Liz, Whitney, and Courtney announced the annual Fall Scarf Exchange I was all about it.

When I learned I was partnered up with Whitney I squealed with delight. Not only does she have the cutest little ladies around, her style is right up my alley. (I may also adore her for the fact that she loves proper grammar as much as me, but that's another post for another day.)

After some emailing back and forth as to what scarf trends we've been crushing on, it was time to shop. If you're curious to see what scarf I sent, jump on over and say hi to Whitney.

Words don't properly express what a knockout job Whitney did. Let's start with the presentation of her packaging.

I mean, how cute is this wrapping?!

Complete with a sweet note explaining a slight scarf scare.

And then I unwrapped not one but two of the most perfect scarves.

The neutrals! The textures!

I brought the beauties with me to a recent trip to the mountains where I knew they would get immediate use and complete a couple of outfits.

It wasn't until after I'd put on each outfit that I realized I was basically wearing the same thing, just a different scarf to complete the look. Ha!

Soft, light weight, subtle texture, and neutral tones. I could not have picked them better myself!

Whitney, thank you, thank you, thank you, the scarves are simply gorgeous and will be getting much wear during the cooler months ahead!

Halloween 2016

Eons ago when I asked Marcus what he wanted to be for Halloween he was quick to reply, "A football player!" Internally I groaned. A football player seemed so generic, and honestly, kind of boring.

As Halloween neared, I persistently asked if a football player was really the costume of choice. A resounding, "YES!" was always the answer.

For the first time in.... ever?... I purchased our costumes (usually my mom creates the most magical costumes). Marcus, the football player. Julia, the cheerleader. Scott (not pictured), the football coach. Me? I'm the referee. While not as creative as I was hoping, each costume seemed so appropriately representative of our actual roles in life.

Admittedly I initially had zero intentions of putting this post together, or using any of the photos I took. And all for a number of (selfish) reasons... For example, the photo above: Scott's not in the picture, the focus is completely jacked, Julia is probably distracted by a bird, and my hair is frizzy (like, woah). But, it's really the only photo I have of us, and I want my kids to remember.

And last night? Oh my gosh. Let's just talk about how much fun Trick or Treating was. At first I don't think Marcus really grasped the concept until we were sitting down for dinner and the doorbell rang. Once Marcus realized kids were dressed up, going to houses, FOR CANDY, it all clicked. He looked up from his dinner plate, his eyes wide and innocent, and said, "Mommy, after we're done eating can I go to people's houses and say Trick or Treat, and get candy, too?" Absolutely.

That's precisely what we did. We rounded up our neighbors and hit up as many houses as possibly in our little neighborhood. Marcus and his friends went door to door like old pros.

Meanwhile, Julia held her own. Like the big kids, she insisted on walking to every single house, carrying her own bag, and going up to each door. She'd proudly thrust her candy bag out for her treats. Near the end of the evening her bag got so heavy she had to resort to simply dragging it behind her. Several times we tried to help her, but she wanted none of that.

Please excuse the horrible quality photos, but last night there was just too much excitement and chaos to actually think about picture taking.

Let's pretend Marcus wore the shoulder pads and black eye strips that would have completed his costume...

After we'd made our rounds we came back home, where Marcus quickly resumed to roll of passing out candy to those who rang our bell. He was so proud to open the door, compliment costumes, and diligently pass out candy.

At bedtime we asked Marcus what his favorite part of Trick or Treating was. His reply, "Passing out the candy to other kids." He was so honest and sincere, and I was resorted to a puddle of mush.

Before I fell asleep I told Scott that this Halloween was the most fun one to date.

And while my photos aren't anything extraordinary, our Halloween most certainly was.