Easter Basket Goodies!

For Easter this year, I've got my eyes on filling baskets with summer things that both Leo and Drew "need". 

We decided to get Leo a scooter - a few of my girlfriends recommended this one because the handles actually turn right and left - so I'm hoping he can get the hang of it pretty quickly. 

I also decided to order him this indoor sand as an activity for us for the summer. It looks like a perfect patio project - but the reviews claim that it really isn't a huge mess. 

Drew is getting a new LL Bean tote. I haven't ordered it yet (which I need to like today in order for it to get here in time), but I'm not sure if the small is big enough, or if the medium is too big. I'm leaning towards just getting the small one, but if you have a strong opinion, will you let me know so that I can get this silly thing ordered! 

She also grabbed these two cute dresses for a few occasions we have coming up (both from Gap Kids).

And that's pretty much it. They'll both get a new book, some candy that I can steal, some bubbles, and I'm sure will be spoiled by both Grandparents.

Easter Weekend Recap

This weekend gave us the first glimpse into summer here in Illinois and what I can tell so far is that we are going to spend a LOT of time outside. Literally every time we would come inside for a water break, snack, bathroom, whatever Leo would pitch the biggest fit. The kid would spend every waking moment outside if he could! 

Friday (Good Friday), Joel and I both had the day off work, so we spent the morning brunch with our friends that came in from the city for a fun little play date.

That afternoon we took it easy, played outside and ended up throwing together leftovers for dinner. We both were exhausted from the week and welcomed the low-key Friday.

Saturday morning, Joel joined Leo and I on a 4 mile run, and then we spent the rest of the morning outside entertaining Leo and getting yard work done. 

That afternoon we hung out with some cousins, enjoyed our new gate on the patio and Leo's new swing from his Coco and Papa, ordered in pizza and just stayed in. We needed an at home weekend badly, and with the windows open, perfect weather....it was Heavenly.

We just started working on the outside, and while we don't have tons of major projects, we are ticking away at A LOT of little ones. Putting a gate up on the patio had to happen quick, and I'm glad that job is done. In the next few weeks, we will be power-washing and staining the deck and play set, adding much needed fresh mulch, trying to freshen up the landscaping, and hopefully laying down a patio.

We also said goodbye to our orangey-red front door. The painter needs to put the final jet black coat to it (on Tuesday) but I was happy to say Buh Bye! 

Easter Sunday was a perfect blur. We started the morning with church which was a total zoo - but we were glad we made it. When we got back home, my family met us at our house to give Leo his 12 Easter baskets (the only grandchild thing has him majorly spoiled) and a fun Easter egg hunt.

 

We're really hoping some of those lotto tickets Leo found in his eggs hit it big!

Then our family went to the country club for Easter brunch.

Leo was no where near a fan of the Easter bunny so I didn't feel like torturing him for the sake of a picture, so nothing to show there, but we had a really great time, and it was really nice to just be with our family and enjoy the low key day.

We spent the rest of the afternoon outside on the patio enjoying the weather and each other's company before having an early dinner and calling it a night.

When all of my family left, Leo totally lost his mind. I think the constant stimulation, and day filled with WAY more sugar than he typically ever gets made him go temporarily insane, and we dealt with almost an hour tantrum before we could calm him down. 

Besides that minor detail, nothing makes holidays sweeter than babies, and Leo brings so much joy to our family. We all truly just sit around in a circle and admire and stare and crack up at him. The boy has quite the fan club in us - and we couldn't love him more if we tried. 

Five on Friday

 

::: 1 ::: 

I love vacations, but holy heck do they set you back once you rejoin reality! I feel like I've been running around with my head cut off this week trying to catch up....plus I was just exhausted! I can't hang like I used to, and three full days of partying wore me out! 

Leo had his 18 month check up this week! It was the first time with his new doctor whom I really, really like, and Leo was a champ. She impressed him with all of his words and little tricks! He took his shot well, got a great report and weight in at 23lb11oz (40%) and 31.4" (13).

::: 2 :::

I think I told you a few weeks back that I was reading Southern Solstice, by Sarah Sadler. The book is really easy and fun....and I just started the sequel! I absolutely love books that have sequels because 9 times out of 10, when I'm done reading the book, I want more! Again, if you have Amazon Prime, and a kindle, you can "borrow" one book at a time, so start with Southern Solstice and then move on to Southernmost. They've got me in the summer mood for sure! 

::: 3 :::

My newest house purchase finally joined us this week! I cannot take a good picture of it for the life of me, but it is just perfect in the room. I had been visualizing this couch in my mind for months and when I finally saw it (on Joss & Main), I snagged it and couldn't be happier. It needs a fun pillow to brighten it up, but I'm really happy with the way this room is coming together (albeit, slowly but surely). 

::: 4 :::

 

This weekend we are game-planning our garage, landscaping, and getting a quote for the patio. I'm really excited to re-mulch, freshen up, and organize the garage. We're going to live with the house for at least a year before we really decide to make major changes to the landscaping, but freshly cut grass, new mulch, and a cleaned deck and swing set will help tremendously. 

::: 5 :::

And it's EASTER!! The Easter bunny is bringing Leo a Step2 Water table from Amazon and a few fun float and sink toys for him to use with it. We're keeping things pretty low key on Sunday with church, an Easter egg hunt at our house, and brunch with my family. 

Hope you have a great weekend too!

Five on Friday

I'm not going to lie, I'm sitting here writing this post with a stiff glass of tequila (I'll have a glass of alcohol please). It's been a week. My Father-in-Law was taken to the ER on Monday after being sick for almost 10 days. They finally discovered that his appendix had burst and was creating a pretty nasty infection. I was in the hospital with him and my mother in law all day Monday, and Joel has been stopping at the hospital after work all week. It's been taxing on everyone, and frustrating, and exhausting, and we really just want him to get better and get home. He's tough as nails, but not feeling well, so we're waiting for the antibiotics to really kick in. Send some positive energy our way if you can! We'd really appreciate it.

::: 1 :::

 

The only good thing about this dreary, rainy weather? Leo loves it! He could stare out the window for twenty minutes watching the rain fall, trees shake in the breeze, and cars drive down the street with their lights on. Thank God for toddlers - where else would we get such sweet, simple joy?

 

::: 2 :::

Also, I finalllllly found a fun, beach read! I'm really enjoying Southern Solstice, and I paid nothing for it! If you have Prime, Amazon started doing a "Borrowing" feature, so I've borrowed the book, 

::: 3 :::

 

 CrockPot update? We are going with the Cusinart multi-cooker, but I haven't bit the bullet on which size. I'm thinking we need to go with the XL size and go with the 7qt! 

::: 4 :::

Leo is getting a water table for Easter - any recommendations on a good one? 

::: 5 ::: 

We're busy this weekend with friends and family and getting our loved ones back to good health, and then next week Joel and I are leaving for Los Angeles! We are so excited to see our friends, so excited to fly without our baby, so excited to watch our sweet friends get married, and so excited to meet our newest niece in San Diego. It's going to be packed ten days!