Our Weekend

Suit

This weekend started out like every other with morning swim lessons! Ellie is such a little fish and is doing really well in class. Sometimes she gets silly and wants to play, but we've been working with her on listening. She is really close to moving up to the next class level and we've been working with her on gliding and pushing off the step to the ledge and keeping her eyes in the water while kicking. I think she'll be there really soon!

Shelves // Buckets // Playmat

After swim we ran some errands as a family and came home for some QT as a family. The girls have been playing so well together and I snapped this cute pic of them in the playroom. Emma just adores Ellie and wants to be near her all the time and watch/copy what she's doing. Ellie is an awesome big sister too, she's really rocked the role. On a sidenote, this playroom is out of control. I need to go through everything and rotate the toys and do a major purge for donations.

Saturday night we headed out with some friends for the Angels game. We had amazing tickets in the Diamond Club behind home plate. Since Saturday marked exactly 6 months til Christmas, Angel stadium was completely decked out in holiday gear. All the workers had ugly sweater Angel hats, there was Christmas carolers, elves, baby reindeer, giant wreaths, and Christmas music! Santa even pitched the first ball! It was awesome! We had so much fun too and it was nice to get a some time with our friends.

Ellie's Bow from El and El Shop get 20% off with KRISTEN20 (c/o) 

Top // Shorts // Shoes

Sunday we had a birthday party at a park for our dear friend's first birthday! It was at a new park near our home and I can't wait to take Ellie back to play. They had these steps that went across the playground that wiggled and Ellie was so nervous to do them, but I worked with her a few times and then she was nearly running across them before we left! I love watching her overcome her fears and build her self-confidence. She was so proud of herself and started doing it in all different ways and clapping for herself, it was awesome. She is just the cutest and so much fun. She kept saying "Mom! Watch! Me big!!". I just love her.

Ellie's Suit // Emma's Float

After the party we met up with our date night friends for a BBQ and some swimming. We had a nice spread for lunch and it was so delicious! Chicken, artichoke (she made the BEST dip for it too!), pasta salad, fruit, and cheesy potatoes. It was so good, my mouth is watering thinking about it. Their community has an awesome 1ft kid pool and the girls LOVED it! Emma could stand in it with her float and move wherever she wanted to go, Ellie worked on kicking and is loving her goggles (cutest thing ever), and dragged Emma around all over. It was so fun! I know we'll be getting together a lot this summer with the kiddos.

Now, we're relaxing and catching up on Big Brother- who else watches???, and eating Oreo Mint milkshakes. It's been a perfect weekend and I love being able to spend so much time with my family. Hope you had a great weekend too!

In the Pool with Beachfront Baby Wraps

One of the best things about living in California is the weather! It’s warm nearly year round and we can swim from March through October. Every summer, we spend a lot of time outside playing, barbecuing, and almost every family party is by the pool. Having all of our children comfortable in the water is important to us, Matt played water sports all through high school and worked as a lifeguard for years. He’s such a natural swimmer, I wish I was too! Ellie started swim lessons last summer, took a winter break, and started them again last month and I think she’ll be ready to swim without floaties this summer. Fingers crossed!

Swim Diaper // Hat // Wrap

Suit (from Target, it's not online, but I love this and this one!)

One Size Beachfront Baby Wrap in Passionberry
Suit (Victoria Secret- not online, similar here)// Sunnies

Both our babies love the water and with this Beachfront Baby Wrap, I can keep Emma close by and allow her to enjoy the water while remaining hands free to enjoy the pool myself or help with Eleanor. The first time I took her in the pool with me, she loved being in the water and fell asleep on me for two hours she was so relaxed! The wrap was easy to figure out how to use and it held her securely and comfortably for us both. I was afraid that when Emma was sleeping that if I got out of the pool she would be cold and wake up, but since the wrap is a polyester jersey mesh, it doesn’t hold water and dried really quickly, so I was able to get in and out of the water without waking her or being cold. It was awesome! It will also be great when our summer heat sets in and we head to the zoo, splash pad, or other outdoor activities since it’s lightweight and breathable.

Beachfront Baby Wraps sent me this product for review, but all opinions and experiences are my own.

Our Weekend Recap

This past weekend was so much fun! We were on the go, go, go and it was one thing after another, but such a great time. I really relish in the weekends where we don't have any plans (like this one coming up, unless I'm forgetting something) because they're so few and far between, but this past weekend was awesome.

Bow: Sweet Baby Paige // Dress

FINALLY, after months of teething, Emma's first tooth has broken skin! It's the teeniest, tiniest thing and you have to really look to see it, but it's there! Poor thing woke up several times during the night and had a runny nose all weekend. I've been waiting for a tooth to show since she's been teething for so long, but I'm so sad that it's here now. I'm going to miss that gummy, toothless smile. It's so cute!

It started out with me taking Friday off to meet my sorority big sis and grand big sis at Disneyland to celebrate our little ones' third birthdays. We've been talking about doing this forever and have been planning it for months! My big sis lives up north so it was wonderful seeing her and meeting her little girl! Going to Disneyland with kids is the best! They're so excited and love seeing all the characters. Ellie's favorite ride was the train Casey Jr. and It's a Small World. She even liked Pirates of the Caribbean, but only once the singing started. Before that she had me cover her eyes! It was so cute!

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and made ourselves some blueberry pancakes (which Emma also loved!) and then headed to swim lessons. Ellie is doing so well and loves being in the water. We still use a puddle jumper for her in the pool, but I'm hoping she'll be done with it completely this summer. I love this bright swimsuit we got her for this year, the colors are adorable on her and the cross back is super cute.

After class, we did some shopping and picked up these Nikes for Ellie. Nordstrom Rack had so many cute color combos, and these are the ones she picked. She's shoe obsessed and wanted to try on all the sandals or anything sparkly. Her favorite color lately is pink so she was excited to get these and wanted to wear them as soon as we got home.

I tried on a few tops while shopping, but nothing was a keeper. The shirts were either too short, too low, or too sheer, Matt and I are going on a little getaway for our anniversary and I was hoping to find something to take with me to wear, but it was a crapshoot. I hate when you're looking for something, there's nothing! I did find my favorite shadow primer (for $10!) so that's a win!

After shopping, lunch, and a nap, we headed out for a baby shower and then back home for dinner with Daddy. Sunday morning, I met up with some of my sorority sisters for brunch. I love getting together with everyone and at every event there's always a recipe to be shared. This time, it was a tater tot casserole that was so good! I even brought some home for Matt to try. Joining a sorority was one of the best decisions I ever made, I'm so thankful for the friendships I've made.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great weekend!!

What's in my Beach Bag & Monthly Must-Reads

Canvas Tote With Metallic Sequins

up & up Sunscreen Spray

Beach Towel

Swim Suit

Plastic Beach Mat

Beach Chair

For my beach bag, I stick to the basics. At the beach you don't need much more than the sand at your feet and salt water in your hair. I'll also toss in a magazine, H2O, and some fruit for a refreshing snack.

What's in your beach bag?


Question of the month from Kristen: What are your beach bag essentials?

• Alison*Elle - Alison is obsessed with her new neutral colourblocked pants!
• Ella Pretty - Ella reviews the differences between Moroccan Oil and Macadamia Oil
• Lindsay J Everyday - Lindsay's loving a printed maxi in Maui
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen shared Eleanor's birth story in pictures
• Schnelle Couture - Danielle got a pair of rainy day flats that can brighten up the cloudiest of days
• The Currently Obsessed - Mehreen wants you to come meet her newest addition to the family

The Kiki La'Rue Winner has been chosen! Head here to see if it's you!