Instagram slam

Things we've been up to recently...

snuggling, big bugging, eating (as always), cleaning, imbibing, celebrating, splashing and spinning

Shake it, Scarlett!

I know I've posted a few negative stories recently about the trials of Scarlett's toddlerhood, but this girl sure knows how to make us forget her tantrums with dance parties like this in the kitchen...

Where'd she learn those microphone and hip moves? Such a proud mamma right now!

No idea what song she is singing, by the way, but we're jammin' to the song of the summer, Daft Punk's Get Lucky. 

And super thanks to Auntie Christine who sent the dance party birthday package via sesame. Such a cool app, totally downloading right.this.second. Check it out!

Hope there is some groovin' and shakin' in your kitchens tonight. Gotta keep it fun, y'all!!

Defiant preschooler

This article was emailed to me today as part of my babycenter email updates...

Dealing with Defiant Preschoolers

Do the people at babycenter have esp? Did someone spy me in the YMCA lobby today and think, hey this mamma needs some help, let me send her an article on dealing with defiant preschoolers.

Here was the scene leaving the Y after swim class with Scarlett:

I am holding hands with Scarlett and Tripp is walking in front of us. Tripp gains a big lead and starts running full speed out the automatic doors into the chaotically busy parking lot. I let go of Scarlett's hand to save Tripp from certain injury, and return to Scarlett offering a hand to walk out together while I carry Tripp. Apparently, Scarlett does not like what just occurred. She throws herself on the floor and demands to be carried.

"I cannot carry you because I have to carry Tripp to keep him safe. But I can hold your hand. Can you hold my hand? Let's hold hands and march out to the car together. Marching, marching!"

Marching usually is a catch all life saver to get S to follow me anywhere, but today she wasn't buying.

"I can't walk, I need you to carry me!" in a high pitched shrill while flailing body parts on the floor.

Scarlett also wasn't buying the "Ok, I'm leaving. Bye-bye. You'll get up and follow me eventaully" tactic either. Long story short, after a standoff in the lobby with many "I feel sorry for you" smiles from strangers while Scarlett screamed that she couldn't walk, and couldn't even stand (um, hello drama queen!!), I huffed out of there carrying a wrangling child on each hip.

Fun times at the the YMCA! Woot Woot!!

Later, in the peace of both children sleeping quietly, I took a few deep breaths, relaxed and read this article. My favorite idea is to treat timeouts as a cool down period rather than a punishment. And if the child is refusing to take a time-out, take one yourself. Not sure if it would have been possible in the Y lobby, but can definitely try that at home!

Whether pure coincidence or streaming security cameras linked to babycenter email division, this article was sent to the right mamma at the right time. Tomorrow, feel free to send the "how to feed a picky toddler" article before lunch time!

What tactics from the article do you like best?

Fun with PhotoBooth

it never gets old...

Scarlett says her favorite is the "colors" one. My fave is the chipmunk 4-shot or the perfect unintentional scream painting replica. 

Which do you like best?

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Visiting Sisters: Austin Adventures

My 17 year old sisters, Shannon and Grace, came to visit Austin for their spring break. 

While the week mostly consisted of Scarlett and Tripp squeeze time, 

we did find some room for cool austin adventures...

hike at McKinney Falls State Park

Classic "i love you so much" photo at Jo's Coffee

(Shannon and Grace were here last year when Tripp was born,

 so we have a then vs now shot! Perhaps we'll make it a yearly tradition!)

Movie night at Violet Crown Cinema. 

Front row reclining leather chairs, delicious food, generally pretty awesome. 

The movie, Stoker, turned out to be reeeeeeallllly creeeeeepy!

Home activities included lots of snuggle time, playing in the back yard, 

taking photo shoots of Tripp, dying easter eggs and 

making (slash quickly eating) mint chocolate chip cookies

other things i don't have pictures of include:

shopping on south congress

eating lots of frozen yogurt 

(yogurt spot is better than berryaustin)

browsing bookpeople

road trip to Lockhart eating @Blacks BBQ

Scarlett and Tripp had a lot of fun with their Aunties! 

And I loooved having my sisters around!

Y'all come back now, y'hear?!

LOVE YOU EVERY DAY SISSIES!

Easter Egg Decorating

Instagram Slam

Things we've been up to recently:

Cooking, eating, gardening, sewing, trike riding, building, snuggling, dancing, laughing, more cooking and eating...