Bedtime is a great time. We really enjoy reading and snuggling before it's time for "night night."
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sweet Bedtime Stories
Bedtime is a great time. We really enjoy reading and snuggling before it's time for "night night."
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Great Placemats for Eating Out with Kids
Our electricity went out Sunday, which means no A/C. It was OK for a little while but to keep cool we decided we'd go out for a bite to eat. Carl snapped this shot of Connor and it reminded me I wanted to share how great these place mats have been for us.
They fold up flat so they fit easily into any bag, even a purse. There's adhesive strips on the back so they stay in place. With a couple of colors they're entertainment before food comes and they make for super easy clean up when the meal is over.
I love these!
They fold up flat so they fit easily into any bag, even a purse. There's adhesive strips on the back so they stay in place. With a couple of colors they're entertainment before food comes and they make for super easy clean up when the meal is over.
I love these!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Splash Park = Good Nap
Our twin group had another play group at the Lake Highlands splash park this weekend and the twins wore themselves out.
Since it was right in her neighborhood, we invited my Aunt Karen to join us. In addition to Carl and I keeping an eye on the twins we had both GiGi and KiKi and it was a ton of help.
Since it was right in her neighborhood, we invited my Aunt Karen to join us. In addition to Carl and I keeping an eye on the twins we had both GiGi and KiKi and it was a ton of help.
Played so hard can't even stay awake through lunch. Now that's a good play date!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Weekend Parties
Last weekend we were invited to two twin birthday parties. Saturday was a swim party for twin girls turning one. It was scheduled for late afternoon, after nap, with cold adult beverages as part of the gig. I was looking forward it but Saturday morning when Chloe woke up she then threw up on me.
I thought she was OK after that, she seemed to feel better and ate a great breakfast. Then she threw up her breakfast on her Dad. Poor baby. So we decided to pass on the afternoon swim party just in case she didn't feel 100% and to be safe and not spread anything to other kids.
Chloe did great the rest of Saturday so we felt we could make it to Sunday's birthday party for twin girls turning three at Frontiers of Flight Museum. The museum is cool but the best part was the awesome kids' play area.
Connor went crazy over the bounce house and Chloe enjoyed running around playing with all the different toys. Even though we missed one party they more than made up for the play time at the Sunday party.
I thought she was OK after that, she seemed to feel better and ate a great breakfast. Then she threw up her breakfast on her Dad. Poor baby. So we decided to pass on the afternoon swim party just in case she didn't feel 100% and to be safe and not spread anything to other kids.
Chloe did great the rest of Saturday so we felt we could make it to Sunday's birthday party for twin girls turning three at Frontiers of Flight Museum. The museum is cool but the best part was the awesome kids' play area.
Connor went crazy over the bounce house and Chloe enjoyed running around playing with all the different toys. Even though we missed one party they more than made up for the play time at the Sunday party.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Back in Heels
For the past six-months I've been dressing for changing diapers and play dates. This involves wearing something comfortable and flexible. Ideally not skirts and instead shorts, pants, or capris since they're better for bending over and picking up kids or rolling around on the floor and playing. It also means flip flops or flat sandals of some kind.
But now I'm back in heels and I love it. I did take my Mother's advice and stuffed a pair of flats in my purse just in case I couldn't handle the heels on the walk back to the car at the end of the day.
But now I'm back in heels and I love it. I did take my Mother's advice and stuffed a pair of flats in my purse just in case I couldn't handle the heels on the walk back to the car at the end of the day.
Monday, August 22, 2011
New Post
Mid February I made the difficult decision to leave The Richards Group after working there for over 11 years. I learned so much at the agency and loved the people I worked with but really needed to find a better balance between work and our family life. Having twins is both very rewarding and demanding. I was exhausted.
I'm so lucky to have had the last 6 months to take a break and spend more time with the twins. During that time I knew I didn't want to be a full-time stay at home Mom, but I also wanted to be sure to have more time with the kids.
I've reconnected with some colleagues who started their own shop a few years ago. Each are professional leaders in their field but also Moms. Their boutique shop is call SparkFarm and it's such a great match for me.
Last week was my first week working with the team. I go into the office Mon. - Thurs. and take Friday's off. I get up in the mornings, get the kids breakfast and usually have a little time to snuggle with Chloe and read a book with Connor before getting ready and heading into the downtown offices arriving between 9:00 and 9:30. I try to wrap up each day by 3:30 to run whatever errands need to be handled and get home for some play time with the kids. This is my plan but it's all flexible based on the workload and what needs to happen for the family. With three other Moms on the team everyone understands if you need to pick up a kid or work from home if someone's sick. It's an incredibly supportive environment both for success at work but also success at home.
I can't believe how lucky I am to work with such a great team of people and have this amazing flexibility. I'm so happy!
Below is a link to our website and our Facebook page. If you want to keep up with what's going on with SparkFarm, like us on Facebook.
I'm so lucky to have had the last 6 months to take a break and spend more time with the twins. During that time I knew I didn't want to be a full-time stay at home Mom, but I also wanted to be sure to have more time with the kids.
I've reconnected with some colleagues who started their own shop a few years ago. Each are professional leaders in their field but also Moms. Their boutique shop is call SparkFarm and it's such a great match for me.
Last week was my first week working with the team. I go into the office Mon. - Thurs. and take Friday's off. I get up in the mornings, get the kids breakfast and usually have a little time to snuggle with Chloe and read a book with Connor before getting ready and heading into the downtown offices arriving between 9:00 and 9:30. I try to wrap up each day by 3:30 to run whatever errands need to be handled and get home for some play time with the kids. This is my plan but it's all flexible based on the workload and what needs to happen for the family. With three other Moms on the team everyone understands if you need to pick up a kid or work from home if someone's sick. It's an incredibly supportive environment both for success at work but also success at home.
I can't believe how lucky I am to work with such a great team of people and have this amazing flexibility. I'm so happy!
Below is a link to our website and our Facebook page. If you want to keep up with what's going on with SparkFarm, like us on Facebook.
www.thesparkfarm.com
facebook.com/SparkFarm
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Daddy's Socks
While folding laundry, the twins thought they'd help. This means pulling clothing out of the basket and setting it on the table so we can fold it.
Then they were distracted by a pair of Carl's socks. They knew it was a sock, but it was so big. Then they each needed to wear one of the socks.
I hope Carl doesn't need that pair of socks this week because they're laying around the house mixed in with the toys somewhere.
Then they were distracted by a pair of Carl's socks. They knew it was a sock, but it was so big. Then they each needed to wear one of the socks.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Swim Party Success
I've been trying to get the twin group together for a swim play date, but many of the Moms were concerned about trying to handle twins by themselves in a pool. It could be dangerous. So we eventually agreed to make it a weekend play date and include Dads so we could handle the swimming man-on-man or parent-on-baby to be more accurate.
There were a couple of other tactics I worked out before we had everyone over.
Before we had twins, when we hosted we'd grill out. I found that kabobs were pretty easy with a variety of meat and veggies to suit everyone. However, grilling is too much work when we have families over. In addition to heating up the grill when it's already incredibly hot out, with kiddos in attendance finger foods seem to work so much better.
My plan for the swim party was a tray of finger sandwiches and a veggie tray. It worked perfectly. I ordered a small finger sandwich platter from Central Market and although I haven't always been pleased with their catering, the finger sandwiches hit the spot with enough for 11 adults and 10 kids from the small platter (about $37). They were yummy and easy to eat. The tray lasted most of the party but was empty by the time it was over.
The other thing we did was have a couple of kiddie pools in addition to the big pool. Everyone and their babies went swimming in the big pool, but the kids could splash around safely in the kiddie pools while the adults sat under the patio cover to chat and snack.
We also got so lucky with a little drop in the temperature. The afternoon was lovely and the swim party was a huge success!
There were a couple of other tactics I worked out before we had everyone over.
Before we had twins, when we hosted we'd grill out. I found that kabobs were pretty easy with a variety of meat and veggies to suit everyone. However, grilling is too much work when we have families over. In addition to heating up the grill when it's already incredibly hot out, with kiddos in attendance finger foods seem to work so much better.
My plan for the swim party was a tray of finger sandwiches and a veggie tray. It worked perfectly. I ordered a small finger sandwich platter from Central Market and although I haven't always been pleased with their catering, the finger sandwiches hit the spot with enough for 11 adults and 10 kids from the small platter (about $37). They were yummy and easy to eat. The tray lasted most of the party but was empty by the time it was over.
The other thing we did was have a couple of kiddie pools in addition to the big pool. Everyone and their babies went swimming in the big pool, but the kids could splash around safely in the kiddie pools while the adults sat under the patio cover to chat and snack.
We also got so lucky with a little drop in the temperature. The afternoon was lovely and the swim party was a huge success!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Time for a Good Book
When we get Connor up in the morning he likes to grab something to hold while we change his diaper. Sometimes it's a stuffed animal, sometimes he likes to brush his hair (how else can it keep it so beautiful) but lately he's been grabbing a book.
Most mornings he wants Daddy and I get this hilarious image of Connor taking in a good book while he gets his diaper changed.
Is this how the habit of reading in the bathroom starts for boys?
Most mornings he wants Daddy and I get this hilarious image of Connor taking in a good book while he gets his diaper changed.
Is this how the habit of reading in the bathroom starts for boys?
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Trying Something Different
Sure we love our chairs, but we don't want to sit in them in the same old boring way. Let's make it fresh!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Favorite Part of Music Class
Next week will be our last music class for the summer session. We've had a great time and learned a lot, but we'll probably take a break from music classes and see if we can find a different activity for the Fall. After all the kids aren't composing music or even really singing, but then neither Carl nor I can even carry a tune so it may be a hard musical road for the Swan twins.
One of my favorite parts of music class is when she brings out instruments, let's the kids pick out whichever one they want to try and plays a song for two minutes while they play and dance around. I snapped a few shots during this part of class.
One of my favorite parts of music class is when she brings out instruments, let's the kids pick out whichever one they want to try and plays a song for two minutes while they play and dance around. I snapped a few shots during this part of class.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Splash Park
We're so lucky we have the swimming pool. The kids love it and it's helped a little during this triple digit weather. However, yesterday morning we tried the splash park for the first time. This park is located in Lake Highlands and was so nice. The playground was pretty cool too, but we were there for splashing. We met two other Moms of twins and had a blast.
As with swimming, Chloe was a little more into the splash park than Connor. She's just not afraid to get wet and squeals when the jets shoot up.
The really wore themselves out resulting in nap for over 3 hours. They usually sleep for a little over two. Definitely going back to the splash park!
As with swimming, Chloe was a little more into the splash park than Connor. She's just not afraid to get wet and squeals when the jets shoot up.
The really wore themselves out resulting in nap for over 3 hours. They usually sleep for a little over two. Definitely going back to the splash park!
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