Mardi Gras 2017

I think it's safe to say we have a couple of Mardi Gras fans on our hands; me included! I never really knew just how much I loved Mardi Gras - from the crowd to the music - until I experienced my first Mardi Gras event. Now don't get me wrong, I have certainly had my fair share of King Cake; I've even 'got the baby.' :)

We decided to venture out to the local Mardi Gras parade/event a few weekends ago, and, man, did we have fun! My girlfriend and her boyfriend and my in-laws met us up there, we ate, walked around, danced, checked out the vendors/shops, drank a few margaritas, and danced some more. My little guy, who had one heck of a bead collection, was tearing up the stage to the the awesome Zydeco music. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, either.

We even walked away with the cutest shirt - gotta have love for our local small shops!

See ya next year, Mardi Gras! 

Happy Halloween

We've been so busy this month - something has been scheduled/planned every weekend. So, this weekend I was torn between having a (much needed) low-key weekend at home or hitting up the Zoo and pumpkin patch. We did the Zoo last year, and they do a really great job decorating it and hosting fun activities for the kids to partake in. I knew the Zoo would be jam packed this weekend, with it being the last weekend in October and all, so we decided to blow that off for this year. Zoo Boo, we're coming back for you next year!

We ended up taking a trip to the local pumpkin patch Saturday morning to show B all the orange pumpkins (his mind was blown, the grocery store pumpkin display had nothing compared to the patch) and to each pick out a pumpkin to carve. Got the pumpkins home, but it was too warm to sit outside and carve... so we waited and decided to watch a scary movie, The Conjuring 2 (B was napping), instead.

The weather finally cooled down a bit, so we gutted and carved our pumpkins! As we're carving, my husband told me some shocking information... he's never carved a pumpkin before. I mean, whaat? Who grows up and never carves a pumpkin? However, I'm not sure I totally believe him because he did pretty damn good on his pumpkin.

Anyways, we put the baby in his costume and showed him the carved pumpkins all lit up! I just love watching him experience things for the first time and how it makes him smile - pure sweetness. Not to mention, he totally rocked his TMNT costume. 

We're ready for our first trick-or-treat tonight. I'm really hoping he scores some Kit Kats! ;)

Hope everyone has a very spooky (and safe) Halloween. 

Easter 2016

Lots and lots of pictures on the blog today! We had a fun filled, jam packed weekend and I took enough pictures that put my phone right back into the 'critically low storage' mode... again. (I know I'm not the only one that faces this problem every other week.)

We started off Good Friday with a trip to the Children's Museum, which was a total hit with mister man. In other words, he acted like he owned the place. I wonder where he gets that from... Saturday we hit up the Egg Scramble - complete with the biggest Easter egg hunt I've ever seen, bubbles, and pony rides. Later that day, we checked out some bluebonnets - they're just so pretty! Sunday we attended Church and hung out with family.

It was really a great weekend celebrating our savior, Jesus Christ, and spending time with those we love. I hope everyone's Easter weekend was wonderful!

Weekend Happenings + Valentine's Day

We started off our weekend with grabbing lunch on Friday at this fun spot downtown. The weather was great, the food was delicious, and the noise was ridiculously loud. But that's downtown for 'ya!

The amazing weather continued through Saturday, so we hung-out in the backyard for a while - my kid would live outdoors if we let him. Bubbles, paint, and walking around the table while the dogs played were the main attractions. I really need to get some outdoor activities for my guy... especially since warmer days are ahead! 

Saturday night we hung out with some friends and their kiddo, who is just 3 months younger than baby B. It's funny to look back at times when we'd hang out... sitting around having a drink, chatting. Now, we're constantly chasing our boys and talking everything baby! Oh, how the times have changed. 

heart masterpiece

Sunday (a.k.a. Valentine's Day) rolled around and we all slept in till about 8:00, then hit the do-nut shop for some breakfast. Sleep + do-nuts = the way to my heart. :) 

Last Valentine's Day, baby B was just a sweet, teeny little baby. Now, he's walking and playing like a big boy! We spent the day playing in the backyard (again), a trip to the park, making some sugar cookies, and horsing around the house. A perfect Sunday/Valentine's Day if you ask me!

Valentine's Day 2015

those curls are everything!

I hope your weekend and Valentine's Day was just as great. 

Valentine's Day Printable

I'll admit, I'm not a Valentine's Day girl at all (please no teddy bears); however, I was totally excited for my little guy's Valentine's Day school party! In other words, it means I get to get crafty again. We all know those days of crafting hours on end are long gone, so when I'm given just the littlest of reason to make a craft I'm going to jump on it. 

Baby B's school throws small holiday parties and ask that the kiddos bring something to help out with the party. I already knew that I wanted his Valentine's treat to be something healthy (I'm 100% content with being that mom) for the kiddos to enjoy. So, when searching for ideas I came across this adorable printable and instantly fell in love. I decided to replicate the printable, but modifying the color to a brighter red. 

All you need is:

• the you're my main squeeze printable (found below or here)
• white cardstock
• fruit squeeze packets (we used apple sauce)
• string/ribbon
• scissors
• printer
• hole punch

Just download, print, cut, and assemble. Super easy, affordable, and a lovely Valentine's treat idea.

You can download the full sized printable here (and don't forget to write your little one's name next to the heart).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Weekend Recap

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend! We started ours on Friday with a trip to the park with 'Aunt Emmy' for some outdoor time and a picnic. Baby B got to watch people kayak and see tons - and I mean TONS - of ducks! After the park, we met up with a friend who has a sweet two-and-a-half month old baby boy. It's crazy how small he is compared to baby B! Those two will be best buds. :)

Saturday we had some friends over for a shrimp boil and fireworks. Even though I was some what under the weather (thanks to dusting... which I've vowed to never dust again...stupid allergies), I'd say it was a great night. Baby B only woke up a few times due to the really loud fireworks (and his dang sleep regression), so I'd say that was a success. I wonder how he'll be next year when it comes to fireworks...

Sunday we walked down to the neighborhood pool to watch the parade and enjoy some hot-dogs and snow-cones. Baby B even got a little taste of Dadda's snow-cone! We ended the long weekend with some delicious lime marinated beef tacos topped with my favorite black bean & corn salsa. Taco Sunday might have to become a weekly thing in our house. 

Oh, I'm totally over this heat by the way.... Fall/cooler temps, you can come anytime now. :)

Here's to a wonderful week!

Fourth of July

Moccasins

The Fourth of July is just around the corner!

There's some really adorable red, white, and blue outfits out there - baby B has this one, but I'm loving this casual look (I swear Old Navy and the Gap are going to make me go broke...). The sun is hotter than ever right now, so sunglasses and hats are a must! I'm really hoping to hit up the pool during the holiday. We've only been once since it's opened, so I'm determined to get out there - baby B would look very festive in this red and blue swimsuit - but if we don't, then one of these would be so much fun now that baby B is starting to sit up all by himself.

I really want to make this Heirloom Tomato Capresse Salad, it looks so light and refreshing for summertime (not to mention, SUPER easy). And I can't forget about dessert - this summer strawberry shortcake looks cute and delicious.

We're hoping to have a small get together that evening, where we'll have some cold drinks - or maybe even a Bomb Pop Shot - and a shrimp/crawfish boil. Then sit in the front yard and watch the neighbors shoot off fireworks. What are your plans for the Fourth of July weekend ahead?

Gift Ideas for Father's Day

Father's Day is next weekend! I'm not sure about the fathers in your life, but the fathers in my life are ridiculously hard to shop for. They either already have everything under the sun or give the, "oh, don't get me anything" response... So! I thought I'd help my fellow reader's with hard-to-gift-fathers.

I'm a sucker for crafty gifts, especially for holiday's like these. But since our little one isn't quiet old enough to make anything himself, we'll just pretend he hand-picked this year's gift. :)

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Some great, yet affordable gift ideas for Dad would be new grilling tools and apron - you could even personalize the apron with the kiddo's hand prints. The hubs loves to golf, as do many Dads, so golf gear is also a great gift idea. I recently stumbled across Man Crates, which is perfect for the Dad that isn't into the traditional gifts. Man Crates offers a huge variety of different themed crate gift boxes - ranging from hot sauce to sports - to fit your Dad's personality. We love supporting local breweries, so gifting an assorted six-pack of Dad's favorite local beers (ours just happens to be Saint Arnold's) is a great, delicious idea. What Dad doesn't love a good pair of sunglasses? If you know their style, then picking up a pair of sunglasses is something they will love (and look good in, too).

This Father's Day will be the hub's very first official Father's Day, so I want to make it as special as possible for him because he totally deserves it. So, we'll most likely start off the day by grabbing brunch at one of his favorite spots, then do something outdoors, like TopGolf (one of his favorite things to do is golf) or go to the pool. I'm really looking forward to this Father's Day, and just showing Brandon how much he's loved.

What are some gifts you're thinking of giving Dad this year?

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

It's Christmas-time in the Atkinson household!!

Tree? Check.

Fireplace + mantle decorations? Check.

Christmas-y chalkboard? Check.

Christmas tunes? Check.

Ignore the pumpkins - I still need to put those away ;)

Christmas lights? Check (thanks, Brandon!!).

It's crazy to think that this will be mine and Brandon's last Christmas as just the two of us! Next year we'll have a little, almost-one-year-old scootin' around.

Hint: One's a giant ornament and the other is a baby. :)