Friday Favorites

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Happy Friday, y’all! I hope y’all have had a wonderful week! I am soaking up as much of what’s left of summer as I can because once school starts back, I am going to miss being with my babies all day long. AND add in the fact that Harrison starts kindergarten–I am unwell LOL

As usual, today I’m sharing my FAVORITES!

one

This might be my #1 FAVORITE of the week! Merritt has HATED tummy time on the ground–which in turn, has made me really anxious about her neck strength, how far behind she’ll be developmentally, yada yada…. Then I found THIS AMAZING TOY that has been a life saver. As soon as I put Merritt on her belly in front of the toy and turned it on, she lifter her neck (and chest!!!) off the floor and I had no idea she could even do that because she never had before. I loathe flashy toys for little children and prefer traditional toys (like wooden blocks) so kids can use their imaginations, but I’ve given in on this toy simply because it gets her head and chest off the ground for a good bit. And now she’s already started rolling from front to back because of it. I put the toy up when we’re not using it for tummy time so it stays a special toy. I HIGHLY recommend this toy if you have a baby who hates tummy time!

two

I ended up purchasing a brand new academic planner for this school year. It came in not too long ago and I’m really excited to use it! It starts in August so I’ve already started filling in a few things. I tried the daily planner this year instead of the weekly and I will see after this school year how I like it. I feel like I will need the hourly break down more now that we’re doing sports with practices and games, book club meetings, board meetings, and church things.

three

Dustin grilled corn on the cob on Sunday and Banks was reaching for mine as I was eating it. I gave it to him expecting him to not like it–I was wrong! He loved it and ate so much of it!

four

Our local public library has a summer reading program each Thursday morning. Yesterday was an Olympic themed day! We had a friend go with us and Harrison saw a friend from his old preschool there!

five

Yesterday after the library, my mom, sister, my nephew Wiley, and my 3 kids loaded up and drove down to Cullman to shop around. We laughed about being a traveling caravan right now.

I’m Feeding Merritt and Banks…

hung out in the stroller next to me when we made a pit stop at a coffee shop for coffee and Merritt’s bottle.

Cullman has grown so much since I was a kid!

six

I just ordered this splash pad for the kids to play with out in the backyard. Harrison has outgrown the water table and these hot summer days are really making me wish we had a pool…..

Happy Friday!!! I am a little late in writing today’s post (writing it Friday morning actually) because….

one

I am HOOKED on this book! I grabbed this book from our local library and texted some friends to see who wanted to read it with me and have a little book club dinner meet up this month. I started it earlier this week and it was a little slow to start. Of course, I panicked and thought I had picked a terrible book for my friends to read. BUT it’s gotten so much better that I stayed up past 10 PM reading last night which is why I didn’t get this post written! It’s a little spicy and does have some language so far. I’d say it’s a FAVORITE right now and I’m hoping once I finish the book (hopefully this weekend!!), that it stays a favorite!!!

two

Okay, my next FAVORITE is a MAJOR FAVORITE!! I am over the Stanley cup. I really only preferred it over my Yeti because it was bigger and had a handle. But I didn’t like that I was drinking out of a plastic straw and it could leak. Enter the Era 40 oz. I am really OBSESSED with this cup because IT DOES NOT LEAK. All I have to do it lock the straw and I can throw it in my bag because my hands are always full (see one year old pictured above 🙂 haha). It still fits in my cup holder, has a rubber bottom that is much quieter to put down than my Stanley, and the straw inside is metal while the outside straw is silicone. Honestly though, the best part is the fact that it’s spill proof when the straw is locked. If you’re a mom of young kids like me, this is a must. Or if you’re a teacher bringing your water every day, this will be great to throw in your school bag each morning and not have to carry it and everything else.

three

This big boy and I got some one-on-one time this week when I had to take him to the pediatric ENT for his tonsil consult. I brought the book I mentioned above and was able to read while we sat in the waiting room. I can’t believe he will start kindergarten in August! I feel like it was just yesterday when Dustin and I hopped on a plane to fly to Texas to meet our son and now I’m going to be sending him off to kindergarten. He also asked to play soccer again this fall, so we will be doing that again!

Okay, I’m off to put Merritt down for her first nap and then do some laundry before we go outside to play with the water table! I hope y’all have a great weekend!

Happy Friday, friends! It has been a week–super busy and full of time with friends, but also interrupted with Harrison getting sick. But he’s on the mend (as of 9:30 last night) so I’m hoping we’re back at swim lessons today!

As always, I’m going to share a few of my FAVORITES with y’all today!

one

Anyone else watch Summer House this season?! It’s been my absolute favorite season to watch, and I’ve watched from the very beginning. I remember when Carl and Lindsay’s engagement was called off last year and I was so shocked–but also so ready to watch this season to see it all play out. I could totally see why they didn’t get married. I started out the season not a fan of Lindsay and ended the season not a fan of Carl. I’m watching part 1 of the reunion right now and I’m LOVING it!

two

These cute boys have been having a blast at swim lessons this summer! We’re ready to get back to them today now that Harrison is not sick anymore. He’s enjoyed the lessons and I’ve enjoyed sitting with my friends for almost an hour talking :). It’s a favorite for both of us!

three

Banks LOVES Merritt so much. He calls her Me Me and really tries to help me with her. He stands right where he is in the picture when I’m feeding her and so when it’s time to burp her (I’ll sit her on my leg), he “helps” me burp her. He also looks for any time she doesn’t have her Paci to give it to her. I can’t wait to see them as they get older. Had Merritt been born on time, they would have been 13 months apart. But Banks had just turned 14 months when Merritt was born–still so close in age! Sometimes I just stop and think, “Wow, I really have two babies at the same time and I NEVER thought I would!”

four

It’s time for me to reorder another bottle of this stain remover, and since it’s really a major favorite of mine, I thought I’d share! I will squirt this gel on the stain, let it sit a couple of minutes, and then I use a toothbrush I keep in the laundry room cabinet just for this purpose to scrub the stain. I have never had this solution not get a stain out. It really comes in handy with young children!

five

I have a commentary series to recommend to y’all! I have done several of Warren Wiersbe’s Be Series (like the Romans one pictured above) and I have really enjoyed each one. I’ve learned so much because he is so thorough in his commentary. There have been times when I’ve only read maybe five verses in my Bible during a morning quiet time because his commentary is so thorough on them that I didn’t have time for anymore. My next purchase will be this one on Colossians.

That’s it for today! I hope y’all have a great weekend!