travel

almost two

Tuesday, February 27, 2018


I simply cannot believe that this little guy will be two next month. I feel like he gets into so much trouble, I'm constantly cleaning up after his messes, and the only time the house is normal-level loud is when he's asleep.

By the time Oscar came around, I used to think I knew pretty much everything I needed to know about raising toddlers. I mean, I had two kids twelve months apart! How hard could one toddler be?! I got this!

It's funny that people who have known our older kids for a while and now know Oscar often will comment on how different he is than my big kids. He is certainly louder, more active, and way more crazy than the other two. I feel like I've thrown so many "rules" out the window! But, I do know he was exactly what our family needed. He was exactly what I needed. 

I mean, I don't need so much all the food on the floor he always leaves behind...but you win some you lose some. 

ten things I love about you: pato

Tuesday, February 13, 2018



Last weekend, I took Pato out for a special valentines date. He had decided he wanted to go on a dessert date, which pretty means show you that my kid knows me very well-- I'm all about the desserts.

"We can go anywhere you want!" I said. I named a bunch of places that I (selfishly) thought we (I) would want to go to, and he responded with, "I know! DUNKIN DONUTS!"

...

I did my best to do that "I'm smiling real big but I hate that" face and was like, "YOU GOT IT BUDDY!" So, we went to Dunkin Donuts. After seeing that I wasn't going to eat a donut, he took mercy on my soul and we went out for the SECOND part of our date for some dessert pizza. Phew. Crisis averted.




But, even though my boy has a love for doughnuts that I can't quite match, I would do anything or go anywhere for my Pato. I have been falling in love with him over and over since the day he was born. And since I know one day he will be totally grossed out by my outward proclamations of love, I am squeezing in as much as I can before that day comes.



So, here you go.

Ten things I am loving about my pato today. Right now.

He is a cuddler extraordinaire. He is always down to cuddle and gosh I love it so much. Especially when he says, "Mama, can I cuddle with you??

He is so bright and loves to learn! I love catching him reading to himself.

I love this Star Wars phase that we're in. You could ask about  *any* character, major or minor, and he can probably name it for you.

When I pick him up from school, he runs right into my arms. It's one of the highlights of my day.

I love his sensitive heart.

He's a great big brother to Oscar, and when they're not fighting, a wonderful younger brother to Sof.

His dance moves. They.are.so.great. He just goes with it!

I love the way he checks out his hair in the mornings. He will always remind us to brush it before we go anywhere, and he likes it done just right.

That wonky-tooth smile is giving me a million heart-eyes over here.

Lastly, one thing I love about Pato is that he is so easy to love. He makes me feel like I'm doing okay at this mothering job. He truly doesn't ask for much more than just to be loved.

To the moon and back, P. xoxo

10 Reasons Every Parent Should Go to Disneyland Without Kids (Even Once!)

Tuesday, February 6, 2018


A few weeks ago, I had the chance to go to Disneyland with some of my fellow mama friends, and truth be told, I wasn't so sure what to expect! The weeks before the trip, I kept debating whether I would even tell my kids where I was heading (I could just say "California," right??) but keeping it from them just didn't sit well with me because I knew they'd find out eventually. So, I sat them down and told them, expecting some wailing and maybe a few tears. To my utter surprise, my big kids were both champs, and the promise of souvenirs helped soften the blow :) 


Disneyland is a place that I've loved ever since I was little. I always remembered my dad would enjoy taking my family here, and I think it was because he could see how happy it made me and my brothers. There is something really magical about seeing things through your kids' eyes. Being a parent, I totally get that now. With that said, I've never been to Disneyland with just a group of friends, and before we left, I thought, "Will it really be as much fun as when I was a kid?" And the answer is yes! A million times yes. 

So, I've compiled a list of ten reasons why every parent should try Disneyland without kids!


1. How cute are those balloons? How cute are the collectable pins? How cute is every dang thing there?! Well, when you don't have the kids with you, let's just say it's a whole lot easier to walk past the gift shops!


2. (Most of the time) your friends won't be (too) embarrassed to take pictures with you ;) After the second picture with my kids, it's basically like standing next to a group of monkeys hopped up on candy. 


3. You can choose which characters you really want to see, and don't have to worry about hunting anyone down. I actually was pleasantly surprised at how sweet the characters were with both kids and adults alike. I'll also add that one of my children is super afraid of "characters" so it was also really nice not having to be constantly vigilant and ducking every time one came into sight! 


4. THE FOOD! I could eat anything I wanted and didn't have to worry about someone grabbing it out of my hand or licking it and basically claiming it for themselves.


5. There was something super liberating about not having to carry around a bunch of stuff around for my kids. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I turn into a human garbage can slash "dumping ground" for stuff when we're out with our kids. I just had my small back pack of things and hopped in and out of the rides easily. And better yet, no worries about pushing around a stroller!


6. Waiting in line was a breeze! We were pretty lucky because we didn't have to wait in a ton of lines,  (thank you fast passes!) and none that were super long. But, any time we did it didn't feel long because we would just chat that time away. I'll admit that the waiting in lines with my kids part of Disney is what makes me most anxious. 


7. You can go on any ride you want! Last time we went to Disney, I don't know that we even made it onto Space Mountain because we were too busy going on all the little kid rides (not saying those aren't fun--I love It's a Small World about as much as I love any other ride).

8. Two words: bathroom breaks. No getting out of the line two minutes before you're about to hop on a ride because someone can't hold it another minute and is doing the potty dance in front of you and everyone else in line!

9. You can go as early as you'd like and stay as late you'd like, too!

10. Because YOU can take a turn being the kid! I seriously had so much fun at each and every turn. Main Street looked and smelled magical. The Matterhorn left me a little spooked! And those first couple of drops on Pirates of the Caribbean made my stomach drop a little even though I knew they were coming. 

So, if you're thinking you're too old to still enjoy Disney like a kid, I'd say think again :)


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