Festival Junky

Winter was cold.

Spring was rainy.

But now it is SUMMER!

How can you not like summer?

Warm weather.

Sunny sun.

Playing outside.

Eating popsicles.

Mini pools.

And festivals!

I never considered myself a festival junky but after looking at my schedule and Facebook event tab, I try to attend as many festivals as possible. The kids love to run around and I love to eat greasy food. Win, win for the whole family. Marlee is now big enough for the rides and while Nicky has his moments, he generally likes them too. The weather has been perfect and my work schedule is just feeding into my love.

Apart from festival madness, we have been incredibly busy with a variety of things. Marlee turns four this month and we leave for vacation next week (hallelujah!) so things are not slowing down anytime soon. I am going to do a photo dump here so I can dedicate my next post to my birthday girl!

We went to the Strawberry Festival, Car Show, Italian Fest, Touch-a-Truck in Massillon (not really a festival), and to Atwood Lake for fireworks (also not a festival but still a big party).

 

Apart from the go-go-go of summer, we have been busy at home also.

I am attempting to potty train this yahoo.

It's going about as well as it did when I potty trained Marlee. Probably worse because boys are the worst and I don't know what to do with his peepee. He also decided within the last week that he does not want to be a big boy and wants to be a baby.

Cue the massive sighs and eye rolls.

We also celebrated one year in our house! What a year it has been! So many memories already in the books and I am still so thrilled to call it home. We could not be happier with the choice to move and enjoy watching our family grow.

We also play outside. A lot. The patio and backyard are amazing for the kiddos and we cannot get enough sun and fresh air. We have a sandbox plus two pools to keep the kids busy. Add in some bubbles and popsicles, we are set for the day.

How can you not love summer?!

Next up we have vacation and then stay-cation which will both be well deserved and necessary for my well-being. The kids are excited for the beach and I am excited to sit on my rear and do nothing important.

Both of which make me one happy mom!

Crib Removal

Fifteen days till the big move! 

Fifteen days!

I took a little stay-cation this week so I could finish up some moving details like switching utilities, changing our address, packing unnecessary items, and really getting things organized for the big day. 

So far we have done nothing but have a whole lot of fun as you can see. 

Do not get me wrong, I would not change these moments for anything. I mean look at those faces! Pure joy.

Butttt with Nicky becoming a ninja gymnastic overnight and not only jumping out of his crib but also climbing into his sisters crib in the morning, I decided the cribs had to go. I was hoping they would last until we moved but the kids had other plans. Marlee was super excited for a big girl bed and I figured maybe this would be a good transition. We decided on mattresses on the ground would have to do for two weeks because setting up two beds just to tear them down and resetting them up at the new house was overkill in the lifting and moving and building department. 

So while the kids were quietly occupied in the living room, I took it upon myself to break down the cribs. Or at least start. Marlee was going to be so excited! 

I was about half way through Marlee's crib and Marlee came in to find me.

"Mom, wat you doin' to my crib?"

The tears forming in her eyes. 

"Marlee I am getting you a big girl bed!"

"Mommy, I don't want to be a big girl! I want to be a baby in my crib!"

Bawling. Bawling. Bawling. 

She cried and cried. It broke my heart. I really thought that she was going to be so excited and boy was I wrong. She wanted to stay a baby. I wanted her to stay a baby.

So I cried too.

We laid on her mattress and cried together until we both calmed down. She sang me a song and I played with her hair. Then we talked about her new pink room and her new princess sheets and her how wonderful the new house will be. 

She ended up helping me take down the crib and Nicky's crib too. She made sure the blankets were placed properly on the mattresses and that the pillow sat perfectly at the top. And don't forget all the stuffed animals. 

"They are my favorite part mom."

I prayed for a good night. I was hoping that she would not be scared. And that I would actually be able to get some sleep. I checked on them around midnight and both had rolled to the floor. Marlee had her legs under the dresser and Nicky was in a ball in the corner. I picked them both up and placed them back in bed. 

I gave them kisses and quietly tip toed out of the room. 

They will always be my babies. 

Crib or no crib.