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07 November 2014

Flashback Friday: Summer 2014 Vacation



We took a wonderful vacation to Hyatt Coconut Plantation in Bonita Springs, Florida with Adam's parents. We had a great time! (at least during the day) This property was equipped with everything fun for kids and adults alike. 
The boys LOVED the toddler pool/splash pad. I think this is where we truly learned how much they loved the water. They had no fear of crawling around and sticking their faces in the fountain. (we got home from our trip on a Saturday and the boys started ISR swim lessons on Tuesday:) ) 
This Hyatt had amazing pools, and a lazy river. We took the boys on the lazy river everyday before nap time to relax them. And relax them it did. When you see the sleeping pictures below, those were post lazy river floating. 
Like I said before, the days were great, the nights, no so much. These two little birds, we've learned, don't sleep great unless they are in their own cribs with no one else in the room. I think out of 6 nights, they slept once all the way through. Teething and a new place, I think were to blame. We made the mistake of trying to sleep in their room on the giant king size bed, but like I said, mistake. But their naps, their naps were stellar. I'm crossing my fingers that since they are a little older (and hopefully won't be cutting teeth) that the long trip we have planned to my moms for Thanksgiving, will be a successful one:) 

Going on this trip I was nervous about their sleep, and about sun exposure. The American Board of Pediatrics suggests no more than 1 hour of direct sun for those under 1. I also know how fair their skin is, so I was sure to be extremely prepared for the sun. Here is what we did:

1. SUNSCREEN!!!!! We used Babyganics Mineral based sunscreen SPF 50 (which means 50 minutes before the next application is needed!!!!! Remember that when choosing and lathering up your littles!) I love this sunscreen! Its mineral based so it doesn't have an harsh chemicals sitting on their skin and what is in the lotion isn't penetrating their skin either. I have one (if not two) bottles in every location for the littles: diaper bag, car, beach bag, house, garage, stroller. 

2. Hats. I am a huge hat wearer in the sun and so is my hubby. After seeing my Dad have skin cancer removed from his head a few times, its a must in our household. These hats are the bees knees! they covered their heads AND the back of their necks and they are UPF 50+ - lots of sun blocking happening there (yes you can still get sun through clothing!)

3. Rashguards. I love iPlay products so much we went with the rash guards too. They are a little expensive, but so worth it! We have this one and this one! Again, UPF 50+ 

4. Umbrella time. We got the same location but the pool every single day. And our spot always had two giant umbrellas. We made sure to bring the boys under the umbrellas to feed them their snacks, eat meals, and nap. They were in the shade A LOT! 


Some other vacation tips i have that worked for us: 
-we brought the boys wagon. Easiest thing to tote them around in! and we used to haul our things back and forth from the car! 
-We also brought the boys clip on fans from their stroller to use under the umbrella too. They kept them cooler than they would have been without them.
-Phil and Teds Lobster high chairs are the best thing on the planet for traveling. I use these at my moms, restaurants, friends houses. They stay in my car and are used all the time! 
-We were lucky enough to have a kitchen and huge family room in between our two rooms so I made a trip to the grocery store to buy all the boys favorite things so that we always had them on hand.
- We also brought their floats from home. These were easy to push them around in while they could still be in the water without anyone having to carry them. We have these.

That's it! Here are some pictures from our wonderful trip! 
enjoy! 













xo,
b

* all images and content of this blog are property of Brittany Laws

29 October 2014

Better late than never : Boys One Year Photos





I'm badly trying to play catch up here on this blog. I really want as much as I can document for my boys here on this blog. I will be starting the series "Flashback Friday" to all sorts of different moments in their lives I haven't had the time to blog about in the past. 

Today isn't friday and this isn't much of a flashback, but we had the boys one year photos done earlier in the month. It was HOT here still but the pumpkin patch/farm we visited sure helped get us in the fall feel of things! My wonderful friend and photographer, Kelley, took these shots. I was so nervous we weren't going to have any good ones since the boys just weren't in the mood that day. But per usual, Kelley captured them in all the right times. I on the other hand arrived at the farm and remembered 'ummm you're probably going to be in a few shots too, maybe you should have dressed appropriately and done your hair'. So I made Kell only put us in a few and not get to close to me:) 

enjoy!



















Up this week for Flashback Friday will be our vacation to Hyatt Coconut Point Plantation we took with my in-laws this August. See you back here Friday! 

xo.
b

*all images and content on this blog are property of Brittany Laws and this blog. Do not use without permission 

28 October 2014

Wild ONEs : the boys first birthday party



I had big plans for these two little boys and their first birthday. Because, lets face it, you only get to celebrate your very first birthday once, so Adam and I were determined to throw a good party:) Even though the boys won't remember it, I wanted all of our friends and family there to celebrate our boys and as a huge thank you for all the love and support they've given us the past year and beyond.

I went back and forth on themes. It was their "golden birthday" since they were turing 1 on the 1st but I couldn't get enough gold and boy to tie together. (we still had gold balloons at the party to commemorate). I ended up doing a "Wild ONEs" theme and using Where The Wild Things Are as my base. I LOVED this theme. It was so fun. The invitations were custom by the wonderful Empress Stationary ( I will now be going to her for EVERYTHING!) She does amazing things! 


My mom bought three small stuffed animals characters from WTWTA book and we had them dancing around small pumpkins as people walked in the door.


I ordered a hardcover copy of the book for everyone there to sign and write a special note to the boys. 


I also bought these small gold paper crowns (see top of shelves) and used them for decoration. I also put one on each of the boys floating boats in the pool (again, a take off from the book) We failed to get a picture of those, but they were there, floating away:)

The weather was AH-mazing! It was the best day we'd had in Florida all year. The high was 73, which here, feels like fall. At the last minute we rented some chairs and pulled out our big mexican picnic blankets and set the front yard up for everyone to eat and enjoy the big (sort of) surprise we had for everyone! My brother even hung some hammocks in our trees for guests to enjoy!

We were going to do the boys cake inside, in front of their instagram wall, but it was just too beautiful out! 



Easiest thing (in my mind) to do for a birthday party, is to cater. Easy peasy, no cooking, no clean up,  no worries. We had our local Tijuana Flats do a fajita bar and it was excellent! We served blacken chicken fajitas, with grilled veggies, rice and black beans, and chips with the fixings! (salsa, queso and guac! because lets face it, do you know who their mama is?!)

I also had a mini food bar set up for the littles at the party. Just a few snacks to include: PB&J crown sandwiches, animal crackers, popcorn, applesauce pouches, mini cupcakes, and caramel apples. 



For dessert, the boys did have smash cakes, BUT we wanted something besides just cake for our guests, SO, we had the Yogurtology (froyo) Truck come out and everyone made their own froyo sundaes! It was a hit! and OH SO good! there were 8 flavors and lots of toppings! 





After everyone was done eating and had their yogurt, we brought the boys outside for their cake smash. This is the first time either one of them had an actual cake put in front of them, so there was no telling what either one would do. But, they loved it! And I am pretty sure Greer ate half his cake, an entire half! 








We had such a blast and enjoyed all of our friends and family there. (Especially our surprise visitor, My Mammaw! Best surprise ever!)









I would love to go back and do this whole day again! Next year:) already planning a theme in my head! EEEEEE!!!! 

xo
b

* all images and content are property of this blog and its owner. Do not use without permission.