Tuesday Chat

I've officially lost track of time!  Three day weekends are awesome, but they always throw me off. Seriously, I've been thinking it was Sunday all day.

Unlike the majority of the east, we are NOT buried in snow.  We were supposed to get 5-8 inches, but we only got 2 inches of snow. It was just enough to make my drive home from my parent's house on Friday night adventurous. You know...the kind where you slide into the drive way and let out a HUGE sigh of relief!

Oh, and all that snow?  It's gone.  We're back in the forties in Pittsburgh!

Dylan had a basketball game on Saturday morning at 8 AM.  WHO comes up with these times?!?  Obviously not a woman who has to get her kids up and out the door.  The roads were a mess and they didn't cancel.  When we finally pulled into the parking lot, there were only two other cars there.  It looked like it was going to be a one-on-one basketball game, but thankfully, more people started filtering in.

I'm fairly certain I was the definition of a mombie. I put on jeans, boot socks, and boots, but left my pajama top on.  In all fairness, it did just look like a comfy shirt.  The dark circles under my eyes, the highly caffeinated beverage in my hand, and the pajama-clad toddler on my hip spoke volumes about how I felt about being in a gym at 7:30 AM.

It wasn't TOO bad.  Dylan played really well, and we celebrated by getting some amazing local donuts after the game! Plus, we managed to get in a decent late-morning nap! Next week's game is in the respectable 11 AM time slot. I like the person who scheduled THAT game!

My kids have more active social lives than I do!  There are 4 party invitations for Lily in my inbox. (All at random weekday times. What's up with that?) Lexie went home with her new friend after the basketball game on Saturday and stayed until dinner time.  A playdate for next weekend is already in the works! Lily slept over my parent's house on Friday night, Dylan's friend slept over our house on Saturday night, and both Lexie and Dylan had sleepovers on Sunday night.  I swear, I'm just going to move into my SUV.  What do I do for a living?  Oh, just drive my kids around.

All that being said, I am really glad Lexie found another great friend. She's the kind of kid who doesn't want a ton of friends.  She just wants a few GOOD friends. The girls get along fantastically!

We had a free Saturday night this weekend, which is unusual for us.  I decided to go crazy and take Liam, Dylan, and Dylan's friend on a shopping trip.  We hit the grocery store for my weekly shopping trip, stopped at Target and spent too much money, then finished up with some birthday shopping at Toys R Us.  I'm obviously insane.  BUT.  The grocery store on a Saturday night at 7 PM?  EMPTY.

While I was shopping, I found a Frozen pop-up tent on clearance for under $10. Lily spotted it in the store weeks ago, and loved it, but I couldn't justify spending $30 on a toy tent.  As soon as I spotted the clearance deal, I scooped it up, and surprised her.   Lily camped out in her tent all weekend! 

Liam loved it, too. He was only allowed to come in if he pretended to be baby Kristoff!

Speaking of Lily, she ended up with a cold on Saturday night. Thankfully, it's just a stuffy nose.

And speaking of colds, Liam has it now, too. We're just passing it back and forth through our family! He spiked a really high fever at 6 PM, so visiting the doctor might be on the agenda in the morning.  He only gets a fever if he's really sick, and considering he just had an ear infection and probable pneumonia, we're not going to mess around!

Everyone was off today, and it was wonderful!  It is SO nice to sleep in on a Monday and not have our usual responsibilities.

I did have to go to Lily's preschool for her Parent Teacher Conference.  I'm not going to lie.  I was a bit apprehensive going into it.  Lily is the youngest in her class and she will only be turning 5 just before Kindergarten starts.  Waiting another year before Kindergarten is VERY common in our district, and it's usually what her preschool recommends for the kids with summer birthdays.

I didn't have to worry about it with Dylan or Lexie, because their birthdays are in the middle of the school year. I wasn't quite sure about Lily, though.

Lily is a third child.  She is very independent, she's mature for her age, she's well behaved, she's very social, and she has no problem being away from me.  I feel like she will be ready in the Fall, and I was prepared to use these facts while talking to her teacher.

Well. I didn't have to. She's ready. Yes, she still has to work on some letter and number recognition, but she has 8 months to do it.  All the basic Kindergarten readiness skill are in place, and her teacher agreed she was ready. Phew!  Now I can let go of that worry and move on to stressing over Liam's upcoming preschool transition meeting.

It's so hard to believe that Early Intervention will be ending in just over 6 months and my BABY will have to transition to preschool-based therapy.  He works so hard and makes me so proud.

That little voice saying "Bye bye, Papa" is the best! ❤  #downsyndrome #nothingdownaboutit

A video posted by Stefanie (@lexieloodylan2) on Jan 25, 2016 at 11:39am PST

To hear a 2 year old saying "Bye bye, Papa" may not seem like a big deal.  But for Liam, it is. I fought to have him start speech therapy at 12 months, and it was the best decision.  This little sentence is the result of HOURS of speech therapy in our home!  When we received the Down syndrome diagnosis, one of my biggest fears was that my son would be nonverbal. That sweet little voice is music to my ears! Now I'm crying.  I better move on...

In other news, Grant headed over to the family dealership this afternoon to trade in his car.  His new car will be ready on Thursday.  And I have to trade in my SUV in May.  It's going to be an expensive year!

We finished up our long weekend with our usual Monday Family Movie Night.  We introduced the kids to The Addams Family! After that, it was time for baths and bed because it's a school night!

On that note, I better go to bed!  My alarm will be going off in less than 6 hours, and yet again, I'll be grumbling about my stupid decision to stay up late! 

How was your weekend?

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Linking up with Our Pretty Little Girls  for Tuesday Talk!

Building Friendships at Chick-fil-A

Anyone who has children knows that childhood is fleeting.  As a mother, I struggle with the rapid passing of time. Because of that, I aim to make each moment count.

My husband and I are a bit old-fashioned when it comes to parenting.  Yes, we embrace technology.  We have iPods, iPads, cell phones, tablets, e-readers, televisions, computers, Netflix, and game systems. But there's so much more to life than electronic devices and media. What we really focus on is family togetherness.

It's so easy for life to pass by quickly as we stare incessantly at our electronics. It's so easy to miss moments and build relationships.  I don't want that to happen to my family, so we make rules regarding electronics and media. Family always comes first. We focus on LIVING life.  We eat meals together while we talk about our day.  We go outside. We spend countless hours with family and friends. We laugh, we play, and we watch movies together. We make memories.

My 11 year old is one of the few kids in his class who doesn't have a cell phone.  He doesn't NEED a cell phone yet.  He NEEDS to have social skills and manners. My 8 year old and my 4 year old know that electronic devices aren't allowed when we go out to dinner together.  All we need is crayons, food and conversation. My 2 year old, who has Down syndrome, does not need to stare at a TV or an iPad.  What he needs is interaction with his family and friends. That's what makes him thrive!

I don't want my kids to grow up and measure their childhood by what they HAD.  I want them to measure their childhood in all those memorable moments and experiences. Most of all, I want them to remember all the love that surrounded them on a daily basis!

We don't give our children every single thing they ask for.  We give them experiences. From going to our favorite zoo, to exploring new vacation spots, to chasing kittens around the stable where our horse is boarded, to seeing musicals and shows, to running in the rain together, to spending time with family and friends, to hours spent at the pool, to visiting our favorite parks, to having playdates at our favorite play spots, we are making memories that will last a lifetime!

As much as we focus on family, building lasting friendships is just as important. My friends (AKA my "framily") are my anchor in life. Building these friendships begins in childhood. I often feel like my kids' social lives are busier than my own. There are just SO MANY PLAYDATES. I know it's just a phase in my life and we all know how quickly those phases pass. 

I'm not going to lie.  We're logging in a LOT of hours at Chick-fil-A.  It's THE hot spot for the under-6 crowd and their mamas!

From playdates with classmates to playdates with cousins, Chick-fil-A is our go-to spot! We're not the only ones who love to eat there.  Based on the fact that our local Chick-fil-A is ALWAYS busy, I'm going to bet it's the hot spot for many families!

When I was a Mom Ambassador for Chick-fil-A of Pittsburgh in the Fall, I professed my love for Chick-fil-A in this post.  We go there for the safe, clean, kid-friendly, welcoming environment and the top-notch customer service.  There is truly no other fast food restaurant that even comes close to the quality food and service that Chick-fil-A offers.

We've already made so many memories at Chick-fil-A. We LOVE their family events.  We partied with them at our local zoo, we had the best time solving a mystery, we ditched an OT session for a Mommy-and-Me event (because sometimes you need to say no to a commitment and have some fun), and we regularly schedule and attend playdates there. When Lily hears that we're going to "Chickalay" she cheers!

While Lily builds friendships with our family friends and her classmates and Liam waves to everyone who passes by, I get a chance the chance to catch up with my friends with minimal stress! Mealtime is simple while we're at Chick-fil-A! We love the food, we love the environment, and every single employee makes it their mission to help you in every possible way. 

I was absolutely thrilled when I was recently asked to partner with Chick-fil-A again.  I replied yes before I even made it through the entire email!

On January 18th, Chick-fil-A added its new Superfood Side and Honest Kids' Appley Ever After organic juice drink to their menu.

A few days before the launch, Lily, Liam and I headed down to the beautifully decorated Chick-fil-A in Washington, PA, to attend a VIP #SuperfoodSide Tasting event.  It was an adventure to get there (BAD GPS!), but we breathed a huge sigh of relief when we spotted the Chick-fil-A logo in the distance!

The Washington PA Chick-fil-A is relatively new and has the Heritage design.  I loved the subway tile, the art, and the light fixtures made out of flattened coke bottles! 

We truly got the VIP treatment.  Chick-fil-A didn't miss a SINGLE detail.

Lily was immediately offered a dish of ice cream which she happily accepted after a long morning of preschool, then she joined a few other kids in the play area for storytime and a craft!

Liam wasn't acting like his usual happy, outgoing self.  He wasn't quite ready to wake up from his nap, and he just sat quietly through the entire presentation.  And, well, quiet is GOOD!

I had the chance to try the Superfood Side at the Mom Ambassador kickoff in September, and I knew it was quickly going to become a favorite of mine (along with the Greek Yogurt Parfait, of course)! I was looking forward to trying it again!

The Washington PA Chick-fil-A Operator, Kory Kaye, showed us how the Superfood Side was made and gave us the inside scoop on what makes it so delicious!

Thankfully, we didn't have to wait the full half hour for the Superfood Side to marinate!  They had it ready to go!

The Superfood Side is made from kale, Broccolini, and sour dried cherries, and is marinated with a sweet maple vinaigrette.  You can mix in their Roasted Nut Blend for additional flavor.  The nuts are packaged separately so people who have nut allergies can still enjoy the Superfood Side!

The Superfood Side is also delicious paired with Chick-fil-A grilled chicken nuggets!  The two items paired together are only 280 calories. That's a delicious, healthy, guilt-free meal!

These great additions to the menu make me happy! THIS is why Chick-fil-A is the fast food restaurant I choose for my family.

The hour and a half at the VIP Superfood Side Tasting Party went by so quickly! It was so nice to see some of the wonderful people I met in the Fall again, and so nice to meet new friends! We had a great afternoon!

Lily gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up!

 

Chick-fil-A spoiled us that afternoon! Even as we gathered up our stuff to leave, the wonderful service continued.  Did we want any food or drinks to go?  Did I need help out to my car?  Could they do anything else for me? Their kindness and generosity never ceases to amaze me!

As we left the restaurant that afternoon, my sweet Lily reached up to grab my one free hand, and said, "Thank you! I had so much fun! This is our place, Mommy."

It sure is! And I'm certain we'll return many more times!

Thank you, Chick-fil-A, for sponsoring today's post!  Thank you for listening to your customers, catering to families, offering a wide variety of delicious and healthy foods, and making continuous improvements to your menu. Most of all, thank you for helping my family make lasting memories!


Have you tried the new #SuperfoodSide yet?



*DISCLOSURE: This is a post sponsored by Chick-fil-A and The Motherhood.  I only endorse companies and products I believe in and all opinions are my own.

Downright Blessed: Life With Down Syndrome ~ Jessica's Story

Happy Thursday, friends!  I hope 2016 is off to a great start for all of you!

We are in the midst of a cold spell in Pittsburgh, and I'm struggling to stay warm.  Thankfully, it's time to share another story in the Downright Blessed: Life with Down Syndrome series.  Nothing warms my heart more than seeing these beautiful faces and sharing these stories!

Sometimes these stories are difficult to read.  I often find myself crying as I prepare the posts, because it takes me back to the moment when I found out Liam had Down syndrome.  Those feelings are so raw and intense. But these stories always have a good ending.  These stories go from grief and sadness to pure joy!  And that's why I love sharing them.

I love the Down syndrome community.  Not only do we have an incredible local community, but I'm thankful to be able to connect with so many other families through Facebook and Instagram, too!

I met Jessica on Instagram, and we later became friends on Facebook.  I love seeing her gorgeous daughter's smiling face in my feed every single day!  I'm certain her smile will capture your hearts! 

Jessica is going to share her story today, but I just wanted to share a little fact that many people don't know.  It is a common misconception that only older mothers give birth to babies who have Down syndrome. The chance of having a child with Down syndrome DOES increase with age, BUT 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to mothers UNDER the age of 35!

80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age. - See more at: http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/#sthash.d81zn07c.dpuf

80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age. - See more at: http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/#sthash.d81zn07c.dpuf

Without further ado, meet Jessica and Ashland!!!

{JESSICA'S STORY}

I got pregnant when I was 27 years old.  This was my only pregnancy. I would say it was a normal pregnancy. I had morning sickness that made me miserable until the second trimester but that was the worst of it!

All testing that we had done had come back normal so we saw no need to do further testing. At 35 weeks my doctor became concerned of my size. He said I was all belly and that Ashland seemed to be measuring small for being 35 weeks. He sent me for an ultra sound during my next visit. At 36 weeks I had an ultra sound and what he thought was going on was indeed happening. I was losing fluid, so he put me on bed rest and told me to drink tons of water. I went back at 37 weeks and there was no improvement. I was sent for an induction. 

Everything became insanely real when we checked into the hospital. I knew I wasn't leaving without my baby. Everything was going smoothly. We checked in on Tuesday night and by 2:31 PM, on Wednesday October 22nd, 2014, Ashland Grace Webster was here! 

Labor and delivery was pretty easy. It was the moment I had been waiting for when they handed Ashland to me. I looked at my beautiful 5lb 10oz baby girl and I knew, in that moment, that my daughter had Down syndrome.

I waited for everyone to leave the room. It was just Ashland, her father and myself. I looked at Jeff (her dad) and asked him if he thought her eyes looked different. I just kept asking him over and over. He told me she looked fine and was swollen. Why did I keep asking about her eyes? I said her eyes looked like a baby with Down syndrome. He told me I was crazy. 

We got into our room and all I wanted was for everyone to go away. My best friend, who happens to be a NICU nurse and was also was in the delivery room, came back with her husband to see us.  I knew this was my chance to see if I was really crazy. I asked Hannah if she thought her eyes looked different. Hannah holds nothing back and doesn't sugar coat anything. Her response to me was "Oh, I don't know. If you have a concern just ask the pediatrician."  She never looked at me while answering this question. That confirmed what I already knew.

While Jeff and Ashland were sleeping I was like a crazy lady on Google. I read everything. Does she have small ears? Yes! Does she have a fold in her ears? Yes! Does she have a crease in the palm of her hands? Yes! Does her tongue stick out? Yes!  All I could do was pray. Pray that I was wrong.

Thursday was a pretty easy morning. Nothing exciting. Jeff's brother came and brought breakfast. They took Ashland for the normal testing they do at the hospital. They brought her back and the pediatrician came in. She told us about the tests she had done and how they all came back normal.

I was thinking to myself "Well, she hasn't said it, so I'm wrong. I'm totally wrong."  She ended the conversation with "We would like to draw blood and have it tested. She shows characteristics of Down syndrome."

In that moment I knew what it felt like to be punched in the gut and slapped across the face. She kept talking but I went numb and didn't hear a word she said. I just wanted her to leave. 

She asked if we had any questions. I was quick to yell "No! We are good."  I just needed her out of the room so I could just lose it.

And that's what I did. I cried and just said "Why her? Why my daughter?" Jeff was pretty numb and he didn't really react. He just sat there in silence, I called my dad and cried some more. He told me everything was going to be okay. So I said "Okay then."

We went home late Friday and I knew I had to take her to get blood drawn Saturday morning. Hannah took us to the appointment and dropped us off and Jeff came and picked us back up. Everyone wanted to come over but I just didn't want to deal with anyone. But when I got home everyone was already there. 

Jeff has a son from a previous relationship. We weren't going to tell him anything because we just weren't ready or sure about how to explain it to him. Our very good friends came over. Trele took Ashland and was just smiling and staring at her, holding her, and telling her how much she loves her. At that point Hannah was the only one I told about her diagnosis. 

I knew I had to tell Trele and her husband, Alex. I was afraid when I told her she wouldn't see Ashland the same way anymore. Ace went outside and I asked Alex to sit down. I just told them that Ashland had Down syndrome and we had no idea. Of course I cried some more. Trele held my hand and told me she was a beautiful, prefect little girl. It didn't matter. She had a close family friend whose son had Down syndrome and she would get us together so we could talk. 

That's what I did. I went and talked to this family and I knew I wasn't alone anymore. She put me in contact with amazing people and I will forever be grateful for that. Friends that I hadn't been as close to stepped up and have been there. Not just for me, but for Ashland. 

It has been such a beautiful, humbling experience. It's an honor really to be her mother. Ashland has brought a lot of us together. These people in our lives see her as we do: A wild, sassy, sweet and loving 1 year old. They see her as Ashland, not as a kid with Down syndrome. 

It's amazing what such a little person can do to you!

Jessica lives in Atlanta with her husband and daughter.  Ashland is currently almost 15 months and has a half brother who is 7 years old.  You can find Jessica on Instagram! Show her some love!

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Jessica! Ashland IS perfect and beautiful, and she has the most contagious smile! 

If you're interested in contributing to the Downright Blessed: Life with Down Syndrome series, please send an email to lexieloolilyboodylantoo@yahoo.com.

I Fed My Kid Canned Pasta and I'm Not Ashamed

There.  I said it. 

It all started with a can of pasta.

A can of pasta that Lily occasionally requests.  A can of pasta that I'm not afraid to give her because my quirky kid usually requests broccoli or bananas or apples. A can of pasta that she shared with her little brother.

Liam tackled that dreadful canned pasta, which he was eating for only the second time ever, with so much enthusiasm.  I snapped away in an effort to capture a moment I didn't want to forget and to fulfill my goal of capturing life's little moments.

Shortly after posting the finished product on Facebook, a friend messaged me and warned me to get ready for the mom shaming. She recently fell victim of it after she posted a picture of her child eating an unhealthy food.

At first it made me laugh, but then it made me think. How often do we see a picture and think "I would never..." and instantly judge?

But here's the thing: a picture only tells so much! 

What these pictures DON'T show is the mother who had to fight against several medical professionals who automatically said her son would never be able to breastfeed simply because he had Down syndrome.

What these pictures DON'T show is the child who was breastfed until age 2.

What these pictures DON'T show is countless hours of making homemade baby food.

What these pictures DON'T show is the homemade meal that is placed on the dinner table 5 nights a week or the busy family that always gathers so they can eat together. 

What these pictures DON'T show is EVERY SINGLE healthy item that is consumed on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, many people would leave it at "I would never..." and automatically assume they are a better person because of their choices. They don't see the big picture.

A picture only tells the story of what's in it.

I'm a busy mom to four kids who rock my world. I love showing all the perfect moments, but I'm not afraid to keep it real. In the endless stream of social media promotion, I refuse to lose my authenticity.

I eat healthy, I purchase healthy food for my family, and I prepare healthy meals. We have a healthy lifestyle. But I have a sweet tooth and there are going to be some "unhealthy" options in my cart and in my pantry. I do believe in moderation when it comes to myself and my kids.

I'm not afraid to shove a lollipop in their mouths if they need a distraction.

I'm not afraid to treat them to ice cream or a small bag of candy.

I'm not afraid to feed them fast food every so often.

And I'm not afraid to buy my 4 year old a can of pasta on occasion when she requests it OR feed it to my toddler.

I'm CERTAINLY not afraid to share the enthusiasm Liam displayed while gobbling up a treat he has only had twice in his life!

I'm not ashamed of the choices I make as a parent. My kids are healthy, happy, safe, and well cared for. I KNOW I'm doing a good job.  The smiles on their faces and the way in which they treat others make that evident.

Life is so much more than a series of perfect squares on a social media platform! I REFUSE to censor my life in fear of someone judging me.

It happens all the time, and out of fear, we tend to censor what we share with the world. 

Speck of dust on the floor?  Can't share that picture!  Kid not strapped in properly because you are in a parking lot and didn't adjust the straps BEFORE snapping a quick picture of your cutie eating some ice cream?  You most certainly don't want to share that one! Unhealthy item in a lunch box?  Take it out and retake the picture.  It's truly getting ridiculous!

Some parents make some very poor choices for their children that are evident.  But the nitpicking at mundane issues, such as feeding your child an "unhealthy" food or, GASP, a bottle, is getting out of control!

I shared this on Instagram last night, and the feedback was so positive!  I think everyone is fed up with the mom shaming.  I've witnessed it on several occasions recently, and I stepped in to defend. ENOUGH ALREADY.

As for myself, I have no problem keeping it real. And I won't apologize for the choices that I make.

I fed my kid canned pasta and he survived.  The Earth kept spinning. Life went on. He followed it up with a snack of grapes and hummus.  I'll most likely feed it to him again one day. And if I'm going to be judged for that? Well...people really need to get their priorities in order.  Or find a hobby.

Life is messy and REAL and perfectly imperfect, and I'm going to live it proudly! Will you join me?

What is one not so popular choice that you made that you aren't ashamed of?

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2016 Adventures

When you have four kids, every single day is an adventure!

Take Friday for example.  I was on my way to an event with my two little ones. I had no idea where I was going, so I used GPS.  I should have known something was wrong when I was told to turn onto a back country road.  That road led up to the top of a VERY large hill. I began to second guess that trusty GPS system.  And when the road narrowed to one lane with no houses in sight, I knew it was wrong.

"Are we there yet?" Lily yelled from behind me. "This is SO boring."

"Nope." I said as I frantically searched for a place to turn around at the very top of the hill, then made my way back down the mountain.

"You're not very good at finding this place!" She stated.

No.  I wasn't. And she definitely tells it like it is. 

Thankfully, I had almost a half hour to spare and we were only 10 minutes away. Plus, the littlest dude was sleeping through all the excitement. After some backtracking, almost getting run off the one-lane road by a mail truck speeding toward us while Lily screamed "Move over, bad man!" and re-entering the address on GPS, we finally made it to our destination, and had a great afternoon!

See?  Never a dull moment!

Our days as a family of six are filled with excitement and noise and chaos.  And I love it!  (Most of the time!)

2015 was a fun year for our family.  We made so many incredible memories. I have no doubt 2016 will be every bit as memorable!

We have some BIG changes coming our way.  (No baby!  Why does everybody automatically assume that?) Instead, our two babies will be starting school.  My sweet Lily will be in Kindergarten 5 days a week and my BABY will be going to a developmental preschool. You will most likely find me drowning in a puddle of my own tears. (And probably thinking about having just one more.)

Every so often, we find a family on Netflix that is similar to our own.  

I have a soft spot in my heart for Good Luck Charlie!  My kids love the show, and I often find myself watching it with them.  Some of the crazy things that happen to them are things that I can imagine happening to our family! And EVERY so often I get the crazy notion that 5 kids wouldn't be so bad...

And Parenthood!  I love this show!  Even though I hate the fact that my kids are growing up so quickly, the point is to raise them, and one day be blessed with grandchildren! I can't help but hope that our family stays as close as the Bravermans.

A new show that we discovered is Dawn of the Croods. This crazy and endearing cartoon family made MY entire family laugh!

I have always loved Netflix.  Even before I had all the amazing opportunities on the StreamTeam, I was a fan.  Netflix brings our family together! 

These days, it's so hard to connect as a family.  We have a wide age range of kids and each person has their own commitments and activities.  It's easy for families to disconnect during these chaotic years, but my husband and I refuse to let that happen!

Staying close as a family is one of our major goals.  We make it a point to sit down for family dinners 5 nights a week. We have Family Movie Night every Monday evening.  And Netflix makes it easy for us to sit down and watch something together once or twice a week and forget all the chaos that surrounds our daily lives. 

My family is the most important thing in my life.  I embrace the noise and the chaos and the crazy antics, and I look forward to every single adventure I have with them!

What are you watching on Netflix? (I'm sure it's Making a Murderer along with us and every other American!)

 

 

Check out these episodes of Dawn of the Croods:

Ep. 6: When Grug and Ugga go out on a date and leave the kids home alone, Eep throws the first-ever house party.   Ep. 11: Grug won't let Eep join his winning team, so she forms her own group to play in history's first sporting event.

Ep. 12: Because he is so stinky, Thunk pretends to be something he really isn't.

Ep. 13: When two things go missing in the middle of the night, Eep hunts for clues to solve the first mystery ever.

Here's What's New on Netflix for Kids, Tweens, Teens and Families:

 

Sofia the First - Season 2 (1/3)

Dragons: Race to the EDGE - Season 2 (1/8)

Degrassi: Next Class (1/15)

*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Netflix, but all opinions are my own.  I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam and I receive service and additional products as compensation.

Virginia Beach {Day Five}

I had high hopes to finish our Virginia Beach family vacation recap before 2015 ended, but life just got in the way! That seems to happen often!

Our typical vacation day consisted of hot tea on the balcony to start the day, enjoying the breakfast buffet, then heading down to the beach, where we spent the next few hours.  After showers and getting changed, we would go out for dinner, then roam the main street or the boardwalk.  After dark, we took walks on the beach, strolled the boardwalk, went for night swims in the indoor pool, and ended the evening on the balcony.  It was perfection! 

Here's a short and sweet recap of day five...

Lexie perfected her boogie boarding skills.

Liam practiced his walking in the sand skills and Lily logged in hours building sand castles.

We saw dolphins just a few feet off shore, right behind where the kids were swimming.  Some people thought it was a shark and the lifeguard was shocked. He said he has never seen a dolphin come that close to the shore.  This dolphin-lover was THRILLED to catch such an amazing view.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to my camera in time to capture them directly in front of me!

Grant took Liam back to our hotel for a nap, and Lexie and Dylan joined him.  Lily and I are great beach buddies.  We could both stay on the beach all day!

Of course, she had to bury me in the sand...

...but I reciprocated!

We met Olaf on the street and Lily was so excited.  She squealed when she spotted him and was the first to run over and lean up against him for a hug!

We ended day five playing in the sand. Night walks on the beach quickly became our family favorite!

Why is it that vacation always goes by so quickly?  The first five days flew by, and by the end of day five, we were already feeling sad about going home. 

Remind me again why we don't live near the beach?!?

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