Photo Dump Wednesday: Bubbles, slither and dance

I am so glad it is finally getting warmer out. The girls have been having a great time playing outside and popping bubbles every opportunity they get.

I love getting pictures throughout the day of their various shenanigans. 

Last week, J sent me this picture of JAE watching TV in our bed. Clearly, she is very comfortable. 

JAE continues to grow and learn each day. She is learning to stack things. 

And learning about animals. Here she is "reading".

So last week, while we were out in our backyard, I went to lift our umbrella that's been laying on the ground due to the heavy winds. When I lifted it, something dropped. A SNAKE!!! I grapped my kids and RAN RAN RAN!!!

It slithered away before J could get there. We went in the house, gave the kids a bath and got ready for dinner. We got back downstairs and guess what JOE saw on the patio???

A snake!!! I said it was another one but J says it was the same one. Eitherways, I HATE HATE HATE snakes!!! If you asked me at that moment, I was ready to pack up and move to a high rise condo in the middle of the city. Yes, that's how serious it is! JOE said its a garden snake and is harmless. Ah huh...still SCARRRRREEEEDDDD. I no longer want to go out back!

I know you'll think it is a tiny snake but in my head, it is the same size as an Anaconda!

Girls playing around in their mask. 

Helpful sister JOE!

JOE's last day of ballet was last week Saturday. She did so great and thoroughly enjoyed the class. I thought for sure that she would want to take the next class. 
However, she has asked to take Karate! I have asked like a hundred times again just to be sure but she isn't wavering. So next stop, Karate! Gotta love a girl who can go from ballet slippers to karate kicks!

Before going out last week, JAE decided to try on J's glasses. Very stylish. She is definitely a girly girl. She loves shoes, bags and anything fashion related. She is always willing to model something for me and LOVES to twirl!

JOE is now into PJ Masks on Disney Jr. She has been asking and asking for the costume. So when I saw it on Amazon for $9.99 for the 3 main characters, I quickly purchased it. 
JOE picked out "Cat Boy" from her Treasure Chest after getting her hair done last week. Yes, I am not above bribing to encourage good behavior. Don't judge :-)...

She really loves it! She stood there and struck a pose for me. Actually, she struck several.

And of course, we all have different names now. JAE is Owelette, J is the villian Romeo. I can't remember who I am but I think its another villian. She didn't want me to be Gekko :-/

I just love love love how much JOE's imagination is growing. She is learning so much and each day, I am reminded of just how awesome it is to be their mom. They really bring J and I so much joy! 

I hope you're having a great week so far! If you aren't already doing so, follow me on Instagram to see some of the fun items you might want to add to your family's collection this summer :-). There's something for everyone! Here are just a few recently added items to my shop!

  

Chronicles of a pumping mom: An empty bag

3 weeks ago, a little after JAE turned 13-months, I completely stopped pumping. Prior to that, I was down to 1-pump a day and was producing about 4-ounces each day. Then I decided to pump every other day. One week, I felt exceptionally full so I decided to hand express. I was able to get this for JAE.  

A week after that, I hand expressed again but this time, I only got 3/4 of an ounce of milk. At last, my body had received the signal and realized I no longer needed to make milk for my baby. 

 
That was 2 weeks ago. I have since then completely stopped pumping. I have really enjoyed the "free time" I now have. I am so thankful for the support I received from my family and while this is a bit challenging because I really will miss being her sole source of nutrition, I am happy that I was able to give her the best for the first 13-months of her life. 

Today, I picked up my pump bag from the nursing room and removed my name from the nursing rooster in the room. Will I ever use that room again? Only time will tell. The bag is now empty.

I am very grateful for the positive experience I had this time around. 

Photo Dump Wednesday: Summer travel 2016 - Road trip to NC

We have officially begun our summer travel. I love this time of year when we get to experience different places with the kids. Not that you can't travel during other seasons. It is just that summer travel really makes things much easier when you don't have to deal with packing for snow or cold weather. I love to pack light :-D.

Anyways, our first trip was this past Memorial Day weekend. We headed to NC to visit with my brother and his family. We had a GREAT time with them. It really helps that JOE and my niece are the same age so they got to play a lot together. It was very nice to watch them. And I also got to hang out with my nephews, niece, brother and sister in law. What more can a gal ask for? 
J got to golf with the guys most of the day on Saturday in HOT HOT HOT weather. He had a great time though in spite of it. 

On our way there. The weather was rather gloomy and it rained part of the way there which slowed us down a bit but not too too much. 

While JAE slept, JOE watched her DVD player. That DVD player has been an awesome investment! We often get current DVDs from the library and that's what she watches during the trip. Keeps her somewhat occupied and she enjoys it. WIN-WIN!

Taking selfies and making faces. 

On Saturday, while J golfed, the girls and my nephew all headed out to this Farmer's Market. It was my first time at one and it was really awesome! I got really excited being there since one of my favorite bloggers (Faith) often posts pictures of her visits to Farmer's markets.

I had a great time taking pictures and for the most part, everyone was really nice and let me take pictures. 

Everything looked so healthy!

And were quite reasonably priced. 

Check out JOE and her cousin. My niece is a total cutie! When she sees a camera, she strikes a pose and she is just so cute!!!

I just love that they got along so well for the most part.

Then we visited this place. They had bees in an enclosed area but a couple of them got out. The lady there told my niece and daughter that bees often don't sting if unprovoked because if they do, they die. Ummm...I stayed away regardless!

She was really sweet and indulged the girls who were just too fascinated and asked a ton of questions. 

After our visit, it was time to hit the pool! The kids THOROUGHLY enjoyed this pool. Check out JAE who was watching while the pool was being filled. 

Then it was time for food. 

More water had to be added to the pool because it got a little warm and some of the water was evaporating.

While they waited, JAE took it upon herself to talk to Sparky. The family dog. Sparky definitely indulged her. She was not scared of the dog and I liked that. 

On Sunday, JOE and her cousin wore matching skirts. What did I tell you? How CUTE is she??? VERY!!! Yes I am biased but this little girl is seriously a fashion enthusiast. She picked out the top to go with her skirt.

And was very indulgent of her aunty. She struck a pose for me.

Yup. America's Next Top Model!

After Church on Sunday, we went to IHOP. This IHOP was seriously very cool. Instead of signing in with your names for the wait list, they assigned movie character names! So our party was the "Salt and Pepper" party. While we were there, we heard a Minnie Mouse and other names as well. Very cool and such a unique idea. Think about it...how many times have you been to a restaurant and they've called "John party of 4" and you're wondering if that is your party of 4 or someone else? I love this idea and it certainly made us all chuckle.

Me and my mini me taking selfies while we waited.

Our United Nations Family. People might notice that there is a variation of race at the table but all I see is LOVE. We all love each other very much!

Cousin love. Check out their matching AyoBE skirt. Want one for your little one? It is available up to size 7 US. You can email "Ayobe411@gmail.com" or visit our site to get a skirt and matching bow.

And to close out this post, check out JAE learning to golf! :-)

Have a fabulous day/abbreviated work week! It is unofficially SUMMER!!!