Insanity

Remember when I said I was not ready for summer to end, I have changed my tune.
I went to the bathroom upstairs for say, two minutes, and when I came back down Harrison and Lillian had taped all the doors closed. Tape was everywhere. On them, on the doors, on the walls-really how did they do all this in two minutes?

Here is Lillian pouting bc I took the tape away. Note that she has moved the kitchen chair to the fridge. This is one of the most annoying discoveries ever. Both of my kids move the chair to the fridge, open it up and try to get stuff out of the fridge. When I say I cannot turn my back for two seconds, I am not lying. This morning Harrison did this when I was taking the trash out and he dropped a FULL GALLON OF MILK on the floor and all in the fridge. I think I said, "this is not happening to me" about 58 times in a row. All before 9am. I may, or may not, have had a mini Mommy Dearest moment.

Poor Winston. "What is wrong with these little balls of crazy? Can we give them back and return to the days of quiet where I slept on your bed from 8am-5pm??? PLEASE"
Doesn't he just look terrified. You know it is bad when the dog wants to be outside.

And while I am cleaning up, this is Harrison. Running around playing SWAT team. I pray for an abundance of patience regularly. To rejoice in his stuborness, and encourage his insane amount of energy. May be time to re-check out The Spirited Child from the library.
Full time mommying is not for the wimpy.
Gotta go. Lillian just walked in without a diaper and said, "mommy, I go poopy."

I couldn't say it any better myself

Kickin' It

Harrison came in to my room this morning exclaiming that he was ready to go outside and play. Lord, help me. My mom just got him these new shoes for fall, as well as the lovely socks, pairs well with the 3t vest and pirate bandanna.
Why?!?

Lillian on the other hand insisted on wearing a "stirt." She likes skirts and dress up shoes these days.

My children have FINALLY started to play really well together. It is awesome, minus the fact that both of their rooms are always trashed. Whatever. I still just love that they actually like each other. It makes things so much easier and it is so sweet to listen to them interact and pretend. Today when they were playing upstairs, Harrison said "ok, Lillian. You are the mommy and I am the daddy. Mommy's make your lunch, call you honey a lot, and spank you when you don't listen."

How in the world did my sweet girl get so big? And speaking of big, can we discuss her independence. Phew. Going to a store with her these days is brutal. She is a runner. Hello my name is Kate and I am a briber. I will just go ahead and put it out there.

Summer is almost over. Hard to believe the kids will be back in pre-school in two weeks. I never thought I would say this in May, but I am sort of not ready. It has been a really great summer. We have gone and done so many fun things, the kids have gone to awesome camps, the neighborhood kids play non-stop until bedtime, and I have really enjoyed just kickin' it the last few days. We have lazy mornings and play at the pool almost everyday. Ice cream is pretty regular, as are naps and snuggle time. Harrison has been agreeable and pleasant and sweet to Lillian. Around here we are really trying to enjoy the small things!

The Apple Does Not Fall Far From the Tree

Cute outfit, check. Baby in a smocked dress, check. Dyson, check.

Time to vacuum another room

Baby needs some tummy time

Time to read a few books and relax

Time for a nap!

Lillian loves mimicking me these days. Just wish after I vacuumed and took care of my baby I got to read a book and take a nap :)

The Underwear Bandits Strike Again

My children are big fans of wearing underwear on their heads. Hey, whatever works.

Zzzzzzzzz

Harrison had an action packed weekend. I tried to get him to lay down with me and have snuggle time after church. He insisted that he "was not tired." Lasagna dinner served, and boom. He is out like a light. I could eat him with a spoon in his Star Wars undies. He is so yummy.

Back in the Game

I keep hearing about this book. So I picked it up at Target for $5. I am about 3 chapters deep and it is a good, easy, enjoyable, thought provoking read.

My book club read this is July. I was out of town, but it is next to my bed and I am determined to read it. The title alone tells me I will like it.

I got my Master's in Social work in one year. I never in my life had that much assigned reading. It was insane. After that year, I just really was over reading for pleasure. Then I started a job with a lot of reading, then I had a baby, and another baby, and I had zero energy for reading grown up books. If I had a spare moment I saved it for sleeping or reality t.v. (priorities people.) But, I joined a fun book club and have been on a roll. I missed reading before bed. I am back in the game. Momma's got a brand new library card! And...my mom got me a subscription to The Week (I looked and MLA now says magazines are italicized. Who knew? I always though they were underlined. Good to know.) So now the stack next to my bed is growing higher and higher. To blog or to read, that is the question...

The Best

Once I landed Emily and I headed to Pappasitos for some of our very favorite fajitas. I discovered my new favorite summer beverage, watermelon margaritas! Can you tell by the pic that I got up at 3am?!?

Does it get any better than fresh guacamole made right at your table?

Then, we headed out for a little shopping. Look at this fabulous tin space shuttle we found at Home Goods. I was tempted to give it to my dad as a gag gift. Who would buy this? Heinous.

After we saw Crazy Stupid Love (Ryan Gosslings hotness alone is worth seeing it), we went to In-N-Out Burger. My sister is in the know and was up on the the "not on the menu" items. Included on this were the neopalitan milkshakes and "animal style" burgers. I have been changed forever.
The line was four lanes deep and they had traffic patrol. Yes, it is that good.
http://www.smokerestaurant.com/
Saturday morning we headed over to Smoke for the best breakfast I have eaten in my ENTIRE life. This will be a staple on my Dallas visit list.
I loved the paper table cloths and fun livestock plates. The decor was straight off of Ralph Lauren's ranch.
Heavy Handed Blueberry & House Made Ricotta Cheese Pancakes with Vanilla Poached Apricots and Cream. I think I may have moaned out loud a time or two.

Pulled Whole Hog BBQ Eggs Benedict with Goat Cheese Potato Cakes
Smoked Brisket Cornbread Hash with Poached Egg, Green Chili Rajas and Pearl Onions
Thick Cut Pork Belly Bacon
Michelada Lone Star Draft, Tim’s Bloody Mary Mix, Smoked BBQ Spice & Our Pickle Relish

The View from Smoke-Dallas Skyline

Once Mom and Dad arrived, we headed to the Nodding Donkey for some fun drinks served in Mason jars.

Love me some Ken

Em and Mom

It would not be a Dallas trip without a visit to the corn in a cup shack. It did not disapoint. Corn, cheese, hot sauce, lime, sour cream. As I write this, I have already begun my starvation diet to recover from my weekend.

Gotta love a lovely pair of cowboy boot rain boots. Only in Texas... We had fun walking around the Bishops Art District before dinner. I really enjoyed the "grown up" time and just browsing without anyone needing to go potty, or ask for a snack, or pitch a fit. It was reeeeeel nice.

Saturday night we had dinner at an uber chic fancy southern spot, Hatties. Shrimp and grits, fried osters, onion tart, chicken and waffles, the list goes on and on.

http://dudesweetchocolate.com/
Last but certainly not least, we hit up this awesome organic chocolate shop we heard about. It was pretty funky. I got Joe some "blue cheese fudge."

This visit to Dallas was definitely one of the best, if not the best. It was easy and go with the flow, filled with lots of laughter, shopping, incredible food, good drinks, funny movies, the comfort of family, and much needed reflection time for me. I am glad I can now picture my sister in her new home. I think Em and I have reached the phase where we are officially "friends" with our parents. I loved hanging out with them. I feel so happy and secure when we are all together. With everything that is going on with Anna's mom, I cherished being able to hug my own mom and spend time together. Can't wait to see them again next month!

Next on the List

I have heard a lot about this book and it just came in the mail today. I am looking forward to reading it on my flights to and from Dallas.

"With startling lyrical power, Voskamp writes the answers to universal questions:

• Where is joy in the midst of cruelty and chaos, duties and despair?
• How does one slow down enough for the soul and God to live in synch?
• How in the world do we learn to find God and live fully?

The laundry keeps piling up, dishes never end, kids fight and people die. But regardless of circumstances, the dare of the “gift list” shows Voskamp a way to live even through the dullness and hurts of life. Through the aches and triumphs, she finally sees what she’s been missing, something that so many women can’t seem to find in their everyday lives. Ideal for personal spiritual growth or Bible study groups, included within One Thousand Gifts are study questions to provoke additional thought and discussion."

http://onethousandgifts.com/the-book

Here is the page I opened up while browsing :)
"Today, I will hug each of my children as many times as I serve them meals — because children’s hearts feed on touch. I’ll look for as many opportunities to touch my children today as possible — the taller they are, the more so."
"A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are"