My advice for traveling with young kids.

There is no good advice and anyone who tells you they have some is lying.

Boys button down | A's outfit | A's bow

After a family vacation that involved 10-hours of flying time (give or take a strong tailwind) I feel like I got to know a lot about parents traveling with young toddlers.

You've got the laid back mom who just oozes cool. She's not easily frazzled, and usually the baby in her lap is well behaved. Oh and yeah, there is only the one baby so that may explain it.

You've got the mom who packed all the diapers in her checked-baggage gosh darn it, it's her first time flying and she's panicked. She embarrassingly approaches you asking if she can borrow a diaper. You give her five.

And then you've got the dad with the crying 2-year old who was not seated next to his wife on the airplane and he cannot handle the toddler tears. He is so frustrated that he stands up during taxi and screams at his wife to "come get this child." He has come unhinged, and the plane hasn't even taken off. Everyone stares.

Yes traveling with young kids is the ultimate adventure before the adventure and physically and emotionally exhausting. You can have all the snacks, all the iPads and pray to the all the airplane gods that you get a whole row to yourself and yet still, that little person decides to scream and buck and you're screwed.

Necklace

But then, as you are cursing yourself for ever thinking this was a good idea in the first place, you arrive at your destination. You see your children see things for the first time. You see them laughing and playing together (or let's be honest pull hair and punch faces) and as you have new experiences and memories as a family it becomes worth it.

I felt like I really got to see my children's individual personalities this week. Life moves so fast with three young kids. It's a lot of activities, preparing to leave for activities, following schedules and cleaning the kitchen. One week with my sole job to just be and play with them was refreshing. Traveling with young kids reminded me to slow down and enjoy - not just survive - the chaos.

So my groundbreaking advice? Haha and good luck.

And just do it.

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Mornings: the most wonderful time of the day.

I never thought I'd say this, not in a MILLION years. But I love mornings.

Out of all the somtimes-long hours of the day staying at home with my boys, THIS part of the day is by far the happiest and (gasp!) the most relaxing. Here's why:

Coffee.  First thing I do is make a cup of coffee. See right there I'm already starting my day on a high note.

Kids are happiest in the morning. And then we know it all goes downhill from there. Maybe it's because they are fresh off a 12-hour siesta, but kids are in the best moods in the morning. All smiles, all giggles, all joy. It's great.

Good Morning America.  First thing I do after I get the boys and get my cup of coffee, is turn on Good Morning America. I only watch about half-an-hour, but I love this ritual of feeding the baby a bottle, sipping on some caffeine, and getting my news headlines. Oh and I should note this is typically the first and last time I get to watch TV. So there's that.

The baby never is too far away though. Hi Ben!

Breakfast routine.  I love our breakfast routine in the morning. It is Cooper's favorite meal of the day, and he wants the same thing, prepared the same way, on the same plate, erryday. In fact, nowadays he likes to help. This may sound boring to you, but oh contrare! This equals no surprises (ie tantrums if all goes to plan) for mommy. And Ben loves sitting at the table watching his most-favorite-human-of-all-time, the Coop-man. It's awesome to watch.

Morning nap-time. As I type I fear this might be changing for me, but currently, Ben naps from 8:30-10:30 like a boss. So after the happiest of mornings (see above), I put him down for his morning nap and Coop and I have two-hours of quiet time. Usually I eat breakfast, check the computer, and he gets some coveted time of Team Umizoomi in. And before you judge me, he can count backwards from 30 thanks to that show, so I consider this an educational time.

And as quickly as the quiet morning came it is gone again. But I sure do cherish our calm mornings. Anyone with me on this? Or is the opposite story at your house?

Halloween celebrations and kid-friendly plans.

I hope you had good weekend, friends!

I myself sat on the couch with a head cold and a box of kleenex all weekend. I even had to miss a Halloween pumpkin carving party with friends. I did snap this pic of Coop on his way out It's some serious cuteness.

Time on the couch did however, give me an opportunity to make our Halloween plans for the mini.

Update. For Halloween he's going to be...

...Elmo!

I know what you're thinking. Creative, right?

Well he loves "Melmo" and it was $10 at Target. Perfect combination! While the $50 shark costume I bought him last year from Pottery Barn (which he wore for 15 minutes) was well worth the money...

...this year I decided to go the inexpensive route.

My other idea (thanks to a family member) was to dress him like a little old man- with a walker and all, but that took way too much time and energy. There are so many cute ideas out there on how to make this costume hysterical. I mean, how can you resist a baby AND an old man? YOU CAN'T.

I thought about trick-or-treating, however giving a toddler ice cream is risky enough. But candy? No bueno. My son runs, he does NOT walk. I can picture a short red Elmo running into the middle of the street in all his sugar-filled-hysteria. Again, no thanks.

So, here's our safer but just as equally fun plans for next weekend:

Boo at the Zoo (Denver Zoo) - Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27

They will have trick-or-treat stations, creepy crawly animal demonstrations and other family-friendly entertainment.

Right up our alley. And we can go first thing in the morning or after nap time. The mini is much, much happier during those two times.

Trick or Treat Street (Denver Childrens Museum) - October 25-27, 9am-7:30pm

This will also be fun - they will have a Treat House for collecting goodies, Halloween crafts, a Monster Carnival and stroll through "Pumpkin" Hill. I love it!

And pics from their website look like there will be some great photo opps. If there is one thing I love, it is trying at least 100 times to catch THE perfect photo. Lately, to no avail.

 If you're like me and have a baby and toddler around but still want to enjoy Halloween, here are some other ideas I found.

I love the idea of doing a Halloween keepsake and am on the prowl for

something that Cooper would have fun with and that, let's be honest, we would keep.

I am so looking forward to spending quality time with my boys this weekend! 

Happy week y'all!

Lauren

Fall into Fall: Centerpiece and Chili Recipe

There is no time of year better than the fall in Colorado.

The leaves actually change, the air gets crisp, people hold hands and skip down the lane, okay, maybe not that last part but you get my gist. It's heavenly this time of year in Colorado.

Last week I decorated for fall and am so happy. I mean, who isn't happy in the fall?

My newest purchase that I absolutely adore is from one of my favorite Etsy shops, Four Bugs in a Rug. Check out all their table runners, I love them all. They were also so easy to work with which in our house is a big deal.

Here's a close up pic from their site:

And a couple pics from our table:

The pumpkin is a decorating pumpkin, and I plan to paint something spooky on it soon. I found super-cute templates for doing this on Country Living, which you can check out here. Did I mention I'm not crafty? TOTES not-crafty.

The next  thing on my short craft list this year, throwing together this wreath:

This picture from Star City Wreaths is my inspiration.Will I fail and order from their Etsy shop? Time will tell.

Another sign of fall's arrival?

I made my first batch of chili, Vegetarian Chili. I live off of it during the fall, winter and spring. So really, I just take a break in the summer. It's simply divine, packed with fiber, filling and it keeps great which is critical for my lunches.

I have used this old Crockpot Recipe for years, and just kind-of tweaked it with spices and ingredients I like over time.

{Vegetarian Chili -Ingredients}

1 large carrot chopped.

1 stalk celery chopped.

1 zucchini chopped.

2 cups corn kernels.

3 cloves garlic chopped.

2 tbsp olive oil.

1 28-ounce can diced tomato can, with liquid.

3 cups red kidney beans drained.

1.5 cup black beans, cooked.

1 tbsp chili powder.

1.5 tsp salt.

1 tbsp cumin.

1 tbsp garlic powder.

{Directions}

Combine in crockpot. Turn on low and cook overnight.

I like to top with cheddar cheese and avocado (and if no one's watching some Frito's).

Happy fall, y'all!

Lauren

Visiting Las Vegas

Last week we finally flew to Las Vegas to meet our newest nephew, Asher, and see Jeff's brother's family. It was so much fun to get the kids together (okay AND the adults). I love this family so much, and wish we all lived closer and got to have playdates and cookouts all the time! I can't wait to watch our kiddos grow up.

[caption id="attachment_1546" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Sweet Asher[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1547" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Love this little guy.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1497" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Harper and Cooper. Born a week apart.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1498" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Carson and Harper.[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_1504" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Coop loved the water. Can't wait for summer swim time![/caption]



[caption id="attachment_1507" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Uncle Chad.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1511" align="aligncenter" width="490"] The whole crew.[/caption]

And, I threw in some quick shots from our Memorial Day BBQ. Next time I will take some photos of the actual ADULTS at the party, because they are pretty darn cute too:).

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me. — Lee Greenwood

[caption id="attachment_1543" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Sweet snuggles.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1542" align="aligncenter" width="490"] These two...[/caption]

Happy weekend y'all!

Lauren

Weekend-in review.

Unlike last year, my very first Mother's Day, I wasn't on a plane traveling. I wasn't emotional when the flight attendant said the standard "Thanks to all the mom's out there" over the loud speaker and I haven't been watching the Johnson and Johnson commercial on repeat, either. I know I'll be sleeping a full 8-hours tonight. I know Cooper will wake up at 6AM no matter what time he goes to bed. I know what to expect tomorrow.

I know myself more as a mom this year.

"Mothers are all slightly insane." -J. D. Salinger

This year, year two with child, it's kinda all about the humor. I mean, it's funny right? Us moms, our day-in, day-out...is hilarious. The other day,  Cooper was in his crib (sorry if you are faint of heart), pooped and then took his diaper off. I'm sure you can imagine what happened next. He was terrified! I mean, mom, what is that stuff in my diaper?

Another sweet mama I know shared this article which is sort-of perfect. Now I can't relate to all of it, but I especially appreciate the part where you get to use the facilities in private. Warning: it's a little swear-filled. Just take-out the F-word and reads pretty hilarious.

Ten Things I Really F'Ing Want for Mother's Day



I love Mother's Day, but it's kind-of a tease. I mean, here we have one day (let's be honest, weekend) all about mom, and then we have to wake up Monday to a week that's not at all about us? Totally unfair. You better believe I took FULL advantage.

Saturday, we hiked and had dinner with friends...









And Sunday I slept in til 8 y'all. For real. And woke up to THE most perfect breakfast of all times. Thanks hubs

 We churched, napped and than brunched:

[caption id="attachment_1472" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Future heartbreaker. He's taken ladies, sorry. (Betsy Harrison).[/caption]

Then mommy got a few hours to herself and Daddy took Coop to visit his great-grandma, Genny.

[caption id="attachment_1473" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Loves his Great Grandma.[/caption]

You know those times when you don't want to be anywhere else in life, other than right where you are? It was that kind-of weekend.

When Cooper turned one, my mom sent me this page out of a book she had, and obvi I was a weepy mess. It describes my perfect wish for this little boy, which if it boils down to one word, is love.



I hope all those human mamas, pet mamas, grandmamas, aunties - all women who make a difference know how important they are. After all, where we would be without our mothers?

"I got to grow up with a mother who taught me to believe in me." -Antonio Villaraigosa

Thanks mom.

Happy week, y'all...Lauren

Love.

Happy heart day folks! Ah, Valentines Day. A whole day created SOLELY for expressing love to that special someone.



Like this quote?

Y'all will never guess what I found today...a One Tree Hill quote page on Tumblr! Now, I don't know what "Tumblr" is and you may not know what One Tree Hill is, however, all you need to know is that it was a CW show that held my heart for almost a decade. It's the longest relationship I've been in, y'all.

I remember dreading this day in college when I was single, or telling a significant other "it's no big deal, just a Hallmark holiday...really!" I can promise you this, gentleman, it is ALWAYS a big deal. The meaning of "Valentine's Day" has changed over the years for me, that's for sure.

My brother, Bryan Patrick Kennedy, was born on Valentine's Day. He's the greatest y'all. And cute too, right? Sorry he's taken:



More recently, Valentines Day 2012 was Cooper's due date. He was late. And I will NEVER forget it. He kinda makes up for it now with cuteness. Only kinda.



And finally, this is a day where my husband knows he must plan a fabulous date and give me flowers. May sound simple, but a night out these days takes planning and, namely...a babysitter. Hallmark-holiday or not- a day reserved just to show a little bit of love?  Bring it. We all need it.

I hope everyone had a happy day. Love is so much more than a significant other, in my opinion it's all about true relationships - father-daughter, girlfriends, siblings - all just as special in their own right. I hope love filled your day.

xox

 “Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” -Robert Heinlein