Mother's Day Weekend

Our Mother's Day Weekend started on Saturday with a trip to the Meadows and the Farmers Market with the Voss family.

As we shopped at the Farmers Market we stopped at a SnoCone truck to get treats for the kids.  In the picture below you can see that Bear immediately spilled his. I'm pretty sure this happened as he attempted his first bite, he tried to drink it like a cup of water.

This little lady loves a good SnoCone. Her and Eric both are addicted.

I love this picture.  I can still see some baby in her little face. 

Ollie was pretty happy about his too.

So Mary ran back to her car to drop off a set of heavy hooks she bought and I sat with the kids while they ate.  Well Henny decided to come sit by Elle and on his way over spilled his entire SnoCone. Then Bear decided to move to sit by Hens and spilled the rest of his.  I gave them each some of Oliver's and Bear spilled it again! :)  I was laughing so hard!

Little miss was by far the last to finish, she is a bit slower than the boys! But no spills from her!

The babies made these cute plants for MawMaw for Mother's Day. After seeing them I want to make some for my house now!

We celebrated with my mom on Saturday since Will was taking her to a Cardinal game on Sunday.  We went to mom and dad's, dad ordered pizza and appetizers for everyone and the kids played...and the dude hung out with mama. 

Each of the kids took their bag with their plant to my mom. 

Shocking...she cried. :)

At the end of the night we wanted a picture of my mom with each kid. Girlfriend was having a little trouble with a natural smile.

I can't look at this picture without laughing!

Look at Beary! I somehow missed Henry's turn on my mom's lap. 

We gave Sissy a minute to collect herself, loosen up and try a smile again. :)

Success!

My baby boy!

Sunday I woke up, Eric cooked breakfast and the kids gave my presents.  

Coffee from Ollie and this masterpiece from Elle. Eric took her to a pottery painting place, it has her little hand prints on it and I LOVE it! Apparently I'm turning into Mama Rita because I cried when I opened it.

It's a chip and dip bowl but I served lunch out of it picnic style while Ollie napped.

My 4th Mother's Day with my bestie. I love her more than words. 

My 2nd Mother's Day with this little ball of cuteness. I will never understand why I was so nervous during my pregnancy with him. What did I ever do without my Oliver Russell.

After Oliver's nap we headed to the park!

Excuse me, why are you so adorable?!

My beautiful girl!

Elle and I climbed to the very top. This park has 2 levels with 2 big slides!

About to go down one of the big slides.

My mom anxiety in a nutshell...

Eric once told me not to go down slides with the kids on my lap because apparently it's a pretty common way for kids to break their legs. Not sure if this was something he learned working at a children's hospital??  Anyway, this popped in my head right as we were about to go down so I held Elle's feet up and we slid at a snail's pace to make sure her legs didn't get caught.

After the park we went to SnoBiz then home to rest then back out to LaChata for dinner.  At dinner Ollie choked on a tortilla chip (terrifying!) and they both decided I should be their drink holder.

A perfect day with my family (minus the choking!). 

32

A couple weeks ago I celebrated turning 32.

As soon as I walked into my mom's house to pick up the kids Elle exclaimed "Daddy took me shopping and I got you a pink cup because your favorite color is pink!".  That secret was just dying to come out! It must have tortured her all day!

We headed home and the babies were so excited to give my my presents.

Elle had indeed bought me a pink water bottle for my desk at work and Eric and Ollie got me white converse tennis shoes and a deck box...both items I had been wanting.

After presents we headed to dinner (Max n' Erma's) where I got to enjoy this view (Elle was in the booth next to me coloring endless pictures). 

Later that weekend Mary, Mom and I went to see the Mother's Day movie and then we went to mom and dad's for a BBQ. 

I love this blog for so many reasons, I love looking back to see what we did throughout the year, tracing the babies milestones, remembering cute things Elle said. There is also a part of me (this may be a bit morbid) that likes that if anything happens to me my kids can come here when they are older and read my words, learn more about me and (hopefully) be able to feel how much I love them. So...here are some things about me at 32 years old.

I have grown to love coffee. I can't drink it black but I use significantly less creamer than I have in the past. I look forward to a cup every morning.

I would rather have a fun night with my kids than a fun night with friends. This hasn't been the most popular choice with my group of friends but I really love hanging with my babes.

Working part-time this past year has been the biggest blessing ever. Like, ever!

I love reading blogs, mainly mommy lifestyle one's and DIY/home blogs

I could look at people's pictures of their homes on Instagram for hours

I am obsessed with our house feeling and looking clean all.the.time. I get anxiety sitting in a messy house. That's not to say our house is always clean, I do live with a fairly messy Eric Russell...I just deal with anxiety daily. :)

I am trying to become a better cook because I want Elle and Ollie to love meals I make.  Like when they are in college I want them to crave a certain meal and be excited to come home and have it. I have this with my mom, even if I make a recipe of hers to a T...it still doesn't hold a candle to hers.

I love making traditions with my little family. This kicks into hyper drive around Christmas time.

I will decorate (or hit up the Target Bullseye Playground) for any holiday. I currently have 4th of July items that I'm waiting a few more weeks to put out.

A trip to Target & Starbucks = my happy place

Eric and I look at houses and we have learned I love cookie cutter subdivisions...he hates them. 

Dr. Pepper has been my drink of choice for as long as I can remember

I like to plan ahead...but it's usually not important stuff that I concentrate on. For example I was asking the kids what they want to be for Halloween this week and scrolling Pinterest for ideas. 

I don't like laying around in my pj's. Even if we have nothing planned, if it's pouring down rain and we are going to stay in and have a movie day...I still want to get dressed. I HATE the feeling of staying in the clothes you slept in for anything longer than coffee and breakfast.

Life Lately

This is a look at our life lately.

At least Henry and Elle look like they are having fun!

I had to be downtown for an event at 5:30am one morning, so instead of waking the kids up around 4:30am to head to my mom and dad's the 3 of us had a slumber party at their house so the kids could sleep in. Elle had so much fun! She was a nonstop chatterbox (which is nothing new). When it was time for bed she wanted to keep running in my mom's room to tell MawMaw one more thing.  I was finally able to get her to sleep!

All Doodle needed was his iPad and Minions to feel right at home.

I figured the kids would sleep pretty late but I got this picture texted to me from my mom at 6:30am. Awake, dressed and ready for more fun!

Whenever Ollie is in a bad mood Eric will quote the movie Elf and say "he's an angry elf!". Elle has started saying this as well when Ollie is being a grump. :)

99% of his grumpiness comes when Mama has to set him down for a minute. My baby boy loves to be held, and I love holding him!

My girl. 

Elle Belle picked out her outfit for our girls night. We usually go to Hobby Lobby, Target, Starbucks, the grocery store. It's never anything fancy, just running errands but I love this one on one time with my girl. 

Mom: "Are you funny and silly?"

Elle: "I'm not funny or silly.  I'm just cute."

Ya got that right!

One Sunday we went to a school program Henry had where he sang some songs with his class.  Adorable!

Elle took him this balloon and gave it to him after the show.

Dancing in Henry's classroom.

Who's excited to go to the splash pad?!

Since all these Blue's games have been on at our house Ollie has learned to hit/kick/throw a ball, put his arms in the air and say "Goal!"

The pink hairbrush was his hockey stick. :)

"MamaMamaMamaMamaMama"

Blowing bubbles on the deck. Ollie is trying so hard to learn!

Diaper delivery day is always exciting!

I feel like I can catch a glimpse of what they will look like as teenagers in this picture. Lounging on the couch, not paying attention to me.  I will take these baby days of hearing "mama" 700 times a day, needing me for help and being told I'm little Missy's best friend.  Trying to savor these baby days, they will be gone before I know it. :(

Well, this can't be good for Hermann's back! You have to keep a close eye on Ollie around the dogs.  If he sees one of them on his couch he goes up to them, pokes them with his toes and says "go!!!"

The makings of a fun daddy...

When Elle sees a cart she really wants to ride in across the parking lot and Eric takes off walking for it.  He then jumps on it and rides through the parking lot as I'm yelling for him to get out of the middle of the street because a car is trying to get around him. #mylife

My babies.

How is it possible to love two little people this much?

This boy.  He is full of kisses for his mommy lately.  He smacks his little lips and will give me endless kisses.  He also blows on his food whether it's hot or cold and when I sit down for dinner he immediately clasps his little hands together to let me know he is ready to pray. When I ask him something he will shake his head yes and kind of grunt "yes". My heart just explodes for this baby boy. What did I ever do without him. 

Girlfriend loves rolley polley's. I can't for the life of me remember what she named this one but she wanted to bring him inside and make him her pet. I convinced her to let him stay outside, although this picture may have been the end of his life.  She was so excited, she had a pretty tight grip on him. :)

The Dude.

My baby.  One of my favorite pictures of us.  I love having fun with this girl, I love hearing her stories, love our cuddles, love watching her grow.  I love everything about being her mommy. 

Elle's go to silly face is one she created called "Marmalade".  You don't get the full effect from this picture but it's just enough for me to always remember it. 

Doodle lives a tough life. :)

Watching Goldie and Bear

Mom: "Do you think that prince is cute, sis?

Elle shrugs her shoulders

Elle: "He looks handsome"