Currently September

Welcome fall!! That's all I can think about as the month comes to an end. It's that time where I begin to light only pumpkin spice candles, crave even more Starbucks (if that were possible) and eat as many pumpkin bars as I can find!! It doesn't necessarily feel like fall yet so the corn mazes, pumpkin carving, and leave turning photos are yet to come.

So what's been happening so far?? Belinda the big back to school.. Everything has been calming down and settling right back into place. So as customary.. I'll share a few photos yay!!

Currently August

This month went by like a blur. We have set nicely into our new routine with our jobs and your new babysitter Nana! We spend our time hanging out and playing then working or resting!!

Here are some of my favorite shots from August! 

Currently July

As another month comes to an end and already half the year over with... I can say one thing. I'm exhausted but enjoying every moment!!

For example look at this block schedule. I keep myself pretty organized and thisat least  keeps me somewhat on track as I become the new operations director for a salon

I've been focusing on Emma, family time  olw, project life, work, relaxing, and getting the salon going.. It's pretty much life consuming now and I'll be honest I can't wait to see what the rest of the year goes. 

Currently- May and June

What's been happening the last couple months? Nothing much really and that's what's great!! A little relaxing was necessary and welcomed. We've really settled into our new routine of work, summer school, and having your grandma as a new babysitter!

Sensory Bins- big/small + pretend play

So I've started making sensory bins for you. It would have been a great thing to be doing for the last couple years, but hey better late then never right?! So how did I get started?!

1. Pinterest! That's right it's the usual starting off point for anything I do. It's seriously the best place to go for inspiration. Everytime I get on there I leave inspired to do something new. 

I just created a board and searched sensory bins in the search. Tons of great inspiration out there. 

2. Organize/sort/toss! I went threw what you had already. I was so stinking tired of all those little toys just laying around. The sensory bins serve a dual purpose- storage and creative play. From here on out I'll probably turn every small toy into a  sensory bin. It's better than this-

I mean really get in there create seperate areas with a focus you can turn the bin into.

3. Purchase containers and fillers! The possibilities here are endless. I went the simplest route for the first bin. I went to search around the dollar store! What a great store for cheap stuff. The total out of pocket for this first bin was $3.19.  <-- what a deal! I grabbed a container and two bags of rice (only used one so technically we are looking at $2.00. For the filler I checked around for some how to color rice tips and found the easiest way was to grab a bag, fill it with vinegar and food coloring, then add the rice and shake, and then set the rice to dry. Super easy but-

** WARNING- the rice stinks!!! I've read about adding essential oils. I will for sure add it next time. I can't stand the smell at all.

4. Assemble the bin!! This was the funniest part. I had separated out some random pink and purple toys I had found. I took Pom poms, bracelets, little bits from a pony book, and some other random pink/purples and added them into the rice filler. 

5. Play!! Yep it was so much fun. With this bin we talked about ponies, eating ice cream, big and small, and pretend play. 

Currently- March and April

The last two months have been insane! Things in life are finally balancing back out and I'm finding myself able to update things. Most of march and April were such a blur of hectic work schedules, weeks of school, birthdays, wedding events, party planning, and living life that I've been so lost to actually update the blog and document thing. Project life, olw, the blog, and even social media and Pinterest have all but been almost completely forgotten. I try my best not too it just sorta happens when life gets away from you. So let's just get us a nice update of photos to show what's been happening. 

Currently- February

As we come to the end of another month... I couldnt be happier than to put February behind us. The first two months of 2014 have been a drain on everyone. I think when you try and start on a new path career wise it's stressful, demanding, and a pain in the ass! Atleast at the end of February I'm completely trained and settled into both my new jobs and we should be going strong by the end of March. February has been a big month for you too... You've worked so hard and it's paying off! You met every goal that school set for you and we will be doing a meeting to set new goals (normally wasn't planned until October) that's how well you are doing. You are communicating so well and we are proud. Besides work, school, and daily life not much else happened in February. I'm catching up you project life spread and my olw pages for the album.. Just can't find a black pen to journal.. Oh life we love you.