June Activities

I've fallen behind on my 'Weekly Roundup' posts (as slacking on posts seems to happen for me during the busy summer months), so I'm loading this post full of photos from some day trips and activities we've done lately.

Ever since we went to the Palm Springs Air Museum Carter's taken a big interest in planes. Before the really bad summer heat seats in we decided to check out the Planes of Fame air museum in Chino. 

Carter also still has his love of fish and other sea creatures and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps was an exciting day for him. 

Hands on tide pools

The water table is a hit with all ages :)

The Birch Aquarium is a great alternative to Sea World. They have no captive cetaceans, the animals aren't forced to perform and it really is educational. I highly recommend going here or to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  

And what June is complete without at least one graduation party? This weekend we celebrated Russ' cousins High School graduation at a beautiful park in Huntington Beach. Does anything beat cool, coastal weather?!

The grad is on the left. Congrats Nicole!!

Fashion Friday - Tropical Florals

I got this dress last year because the tropical floral print was cute...I put it on and it was to die for! The fit of the dress is amazing (this is a size down from what I'd usually wear)! It's fun, flirty and definitely perfect for summer!

Nails are OPI Shocking Pink

Dress is from Torrid

The belt comes with it and I think it adds so much to the dress (plus it can easily pair with other pieces)!

Obviously this dress isn't available in stores anymore, but you might have some luck on eBay. It's perfect for graduation parties, luau themed parties or just when you want to wear something bright and fun! Nothing says summer like tropical florals!

Fashion Friday - White & Denim

My sister Madison is rocking this gorgeous white dress from Lane Bryant (currently in stores)!

You can pair it with a cute denim vest for some extra flair! 

Madison's vest is from Lane Bryant, but Old Navy has some cute ones, as well. And if you catch it during a sale you can get a really good deal! I recently purchased one on sale for $22 in an XXL (which easily fits a 22/24).

Her unique elephant necklace is from Torrid.

This dress is so pretty it can easily stand on it's own without the vest, too.

If you're looking for something to wear for July 4th this might be the perfect choice!

Grandma's 99th Birthday!

Today is my grandma's 99th birthday! I can hardly believe it, even though I guess it shouldn't be a surprise. She's the most resilient person I know and for over 20 years doctors have been telling her she'd make it to 100, no doubt. And she's almost there! Next year she'll be a centenarian! 

These past few days I've thought back over all of the memories we've shared together...all of the little things she has taught me...

 If you're making cinnamon rolls and don't have raisins, chopped up prunes taste even better! Add a box of jello to your cake mix if you want it extra moist. If you don't have time for a full face of makeup a little rouge will always do the trick. It may be scary for other little kids, but "Little Orphan Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley is one of the best poems (especially if she's reciting it). You are never too full for her to make you something to eat (because even if you are, she's making something anyways). Even if you're on a tight budget you should never skimp on going to the doctor or the dentist. When you play bridge always "breast your cards." Start every morning with a bowl of oatmeal. If someone trips you say, "Down went McGinty, up jumped McClusky (this was based on an incident with some of her friends and I guess the saying stuck)! Roll your clothes when you pack because you can fit more in your luggage and it doesn't wrinkle. And so many more!

She's also taught me big things...

She has been one of my greatest loves...and I know I was one of hers. I remember being three years old and thinking she was the most magical person in my life. She could make everything better just with her presence. The food she made tasted better, she smelled better, even her hugs were better. When she'd leave our house after staying for a visit I'd smell her pillow and miss her with all of my being. When I'd spend the night at her house we'd lay in her bed listening to the radio and then she'd give me a kiss and say, "I love you, my girl." Her girl. That's what I was and in my heart that's what I'll always be. She's helped me realize the amount of unconditional love I am capable of because no matter what cruel tricks time and age play with her mind, I will never turn my back on her. The place she has in my heart will never change.

On Saturday we celebrated the big occasion:

We've never figured it out, but when my brother Cameron was around Carter's age he started calling her Dobie (dough-be) and Carter is carrying that on. I think it's very sweet :)

I guess I'd taken enough pictures for Carters liking 'cause he's giving me the stink eye! Ha ha!

Happy Birthday, Grandma! I love you!

3.5 ALREADY!

I'm a little over a week late, but my sweetie celebrated his half birthday on 5/22! He's now closer to four years old than three! How is that even possible??!! Since Carter was born I feel like time has stared going warp speed!

A little bit about my boy: he's still as sweet as ever! He is very attuned to the feelings of others and will quickly ask you if you are okay if he thinks you've hurt yourself or aren't feeling well. He's got a great sense of humor and one that I totally get. Laughing with him is one of the best feelings ever! He brings his "turtle bag" with him everywhere...filled with planes and cars, of course.

He can count to 30...and beyond (although he misses more than a few before he gets to 100, but he's very proud of himself). He can spell Carter, car, plane, zoo, zebra, fish and netflix. He can write all of his letters. And these are things that he's basically started doing all on his own. We read a lot and he tries to memorize all of the time. I don't force him to write or read, but it's great that these are things he likes to do. Another big one is drawing and coloring! He's my little lefty artist! 

He also likes to sing! "Slippery Fish," "1,2,3,4,5 Once I Caught a Fish Alive," and "3 Little Fishes" are some of his favorites. He also can't get enough of Ellie Goulding's "Anything Can Happen." He calls it the E-E song (because that's what is sounds like she's singing). He knows almost all of the words and it melts my heart when he belts out, "I know it's gonna be! I know it's gonna be! I know it's gonna be!"

I treasure every minute of every day with him! He's amazing!

Fashion Friday - Pedicure Tips

With summer quickly approaching I thought it would be the perfect time for some pedicure pointers. In 2011 I received a very poor pedicure which resulted in staph infection and two ingrown toenails. Since then I feel like it's my mission to educate as many people as possible on what they can do to avoid going down that same dreaded (and painful) path.

1. Know the salon! It's okay to ask questions. How often to they clean the tubs? Look around. Does it look clean? Are the techs rushing to get you in and out as quickly as possible? Do they disinfect the tubs in between each customer (the disinfectant usually needs 10 minutes to work efficiently)? 

2. Make sure a new, sterilized set of tools is used for each person. I prefer seeing the bag opened myself.

3. Don't shave your legs! I know it seems strange, but if you nick yourself shaving it can set you up for an easy infection.

4. Schedule your appointment first thing in the morning since that's when the tubs are usually the cleanest.

5. DON'T LET THEM CLIP OR CUT THE CUTICLE! I capped that because that is what happened to me. In fact, it had occurred many times before at different salons (I was just lucky enough to avoid any problems in those instances). I've noticed that many techs feel like it's part of their job to cut your cuticles or tell you that you have an ingrown nail they are removing. STOP THEM IMMEDIATELY! The only person trained to do that properly is a podiatrist! 

6. If anything hurts you during the pedicure, tell them to STOP! It should not be painful!

7. Make sure they don't round the corners of your nail as that increases the chances of a painful ingrown nail developing.

8. Be on the lookout for infection in the days following your pedicure. If anything seems swollen or painful it could possibly be a staph infection. For me, I was in pain as soon as I got home but didn't realize the severity of what was going to occur.

In my situation, what I thought was a simple pedicure led to two months of pain, infection and costly ingrown toenail surgery (which involves needles in multiple places on your foot. OUCH!!). Out of fear, I did not go to another salon for well over a year, but I've now found one that I like and trust. 

Hopefully these tips will help someone avoid the disaster I went though!

I'm including some pics, but be warned, a couple are a little graphic!