This Unfamiliar Road

Happy July everyone!! We are in full summer mode here- enjoying some outside time with some inside play to break from the heat!

Our July fitness goal is....


Enjoy your meals- just in smaller portions!

ONE. Ok to Wake! Alarm Clock
Y'all....I have an early riser on my hands. She must get it from me, but I love need some quiet Momma time in the morning, so 6:05am is just not going to do Miss Peyton. Thank goodness we discovered this little dude- I set the timer for 7:00am, the light turns green, and P knows it's ok to come out of her room. It also has a separate nap timer. SCORE!
TWO. Office Renovations
We are almost done with the office! I feel like I've been working on it for half of my lifetime, and honestly-I'm losing steam. We just need to add the finishing touches and then we will actually have a complete room in this house!
Here's a sneak peek at some colors for the room :)



 THREE. Kroger Click List
My local Kroger just launched Click List- order groceries online, select a pickup time, then go to the store and SIT IN YOUR CAR while they load 'em up! The service is only $4.95 per trip, which is totally worth the convenience. (But your first 3 are free- so try it out!)


FOUR. Well Check-ups
The girls had their well visits at the pediatrician yesterday, and everyone left with a good report! What a blessing to have happy, healthy babes (who LOVE their peaches!)




FIVE. Date Night at The Fox
The husband planned a wonderful date night out last Sunday! We enjoyed dinner at a great little Italian restaurant (a place we visited on our Mini-Moon 6 years ago!) and The Wizard of Oz at The Fox. We don't do it nearly enough.


What are your faves on this gorgeous Friday morning?

I picked the first 5 verbs from Random Verb Generator to let you all know what I'm currently up to!

Currently...

Cracking... Open a new book- Francine Rivers Mark of the Lion series. Unfortunately, it's reading like a history book so far but I have faith in Francine! Has anyone else read this series?


Gathering... Ideas for the 50th wedding anniversary soiree I'm helping to plan. Beach trip + family + party...Could it get any better?


Soaking... In the days of summer. In years past, I had 100 excuses every day why we couldn't go to the pool, or have a play date (the house was a mess, I had to work, it was too hot...etc) but this year, all bets are off! The house will remain a mess, the laundry unfolded, and dinners will be quick and easy but we are going to enjoy our summer!


Looking... For the perfect piece for the wall in our office. We have been working SO hard on this office and now we are on to the final touches. I hope I find it soon because I don't want another almost complete room!

Learning... How to juggle the many responsibilities I've recently taken on. We've had lots of family changes that I think will ultimately be so good for our family. But it's certainly taken some getting used to!


What are currently doing?!

One of our favorite family movies is "Inside Out" so what better theme to celebrate our big girl turning 4?!
If you haven't seen this movie yet, you need to go watch it, especially if you have a 3 year old...great tool to discuss feelings :)

Anyway, we had a fabulous time making memories with friends in our usual fashion- pools, sprinklers, water balloons, and cake!



When planning the decorations, I kept the feelings in mind- Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. I loved how colorful things turned out!

Junebug is another year older. It's hard to believe 4 whole years have passed since this little lady made us parents. I can't even remember life before she was here (nor do I want to!).

Peyton has brought us so much joy, entertainment, love...and yes anxiety :) I will say it a million times-being a parent is the hardest yet most rewarding job in the world!


For her birthday this year, Peyton decided she wanted to do the same things she did when she turned 3. Yes, her memory is that good. So, off to Dunkin Donuts and the mall we went to celebrate our new 4 year-old.






Right now, P loves Rapunzel, Shopkins, and arts and crafts. She is an exceptional artist, and her detail in coloring is amazing! She enjoys writing notes on post-its...all over the house, and is starting to read, too.

Her favorite foods are cereal, mac n cheese, yogurt, sugar snap peas, carrots, hummus, taco salad, breakfast burritos, and cheeseburgers with pickles.


Although she takes the occasional nap, P typically just has rest time every day. I think this time is really important for her to enjoy some time to herself (and to give Momma a break!). She colors, plays matching games, reads books, and has some iPad time. I think rest time will continue until college, maybe :)

Peyton is still quite the social butterfly, and will tell you her life story if you ask her name...just a fair warning ; )



We ended her birthday with a sleepover at GiGi's house. But first, cake!





Oh Sweet P/Bug/Magoo/Peyton Caroline,
You have the kindest heart and you truly care about the well-being of others. You are so inquisitive, and your specific questions continue to amaze us. This past year has been a challenging one, but now it seems you are better able to express your feelings and needs. You are the best big sister, hands down and Eliza adores you. Mommy & Daddy love you so so much!