Introducing: Play Ground Adventures

E has been asking to go play at a play ground since January.  Every time we drive passed the little blue and red stairs, slide and monkey bars on Waverly Avenue she always says, “Play ground! Play ground!” She doesn't care about the snow piles covering half the playground. She just wants to play. I knew then that the Winter blues had caught up to her too. That’s when I thought of Play Ground Adventures.

There were several occasions through the cold, cold Winter that I kicked myself for not spending more time outdoors in the warmer months preceding Winter, so I really want this Spring and Summer to be filled with outdoor fun. Our Play Ground Adventures will help make this happen.

Seeing different parts of Michigan is one of the many things on my life bucket list. Seeing this beautiful state that I grew up in is important to me. Play Ground Adventure will help make this happen too.

 I can't wait to pack our picnic basket, roll up a blanket and hop in the car for a mini get away. It's going to be so fun! 

There are 2 rules for our Play Ground Adventures:

At every play ground we visit I want to collect 1 thing; a stone, a pine cone, a leaf, etc. I want to fill a mason jar with my found things for and make a collection for the girls. Just something they can hold on to to remember the adventures. I also want to document our adventures with photos and share our adventure on The Plain Side, of course.

I hope family and friends will be able to join us on a few of these adventures because who doesn't love a trip to a play ground! If you know of any must see play grounds, please, please please, share them with us.

I am SO EXCITED! 

Keep Loving.

Only in my dreams

I drive over the bridge coming into town. Same thing I do every day of the week. Except this time my knuckles are white and my neck muscle are tense from the death grip I've had on my steering wheel. The street lights at the intersection sway to a 45 degree angle. This wind is crazy. Is this really Spring? In Michigan it is. But, it feels more like Winter. 

I should really stop complaining because the snow is, in fact, GONE. The gray, overcast sky and rainy day after rainy day have me digging into my yarn bag. I am once again inspired to crochet. All over again I cant get enough of the colors, patterns, endless options and a fun collaborative project my sister and I started. If only there were more hours of free time...only in my dreams. 

Family life has my hands full of everything but my blue crochet needle. Which, is equally great. E has been a major cuddle bug. Mondays and my daughter do not work well together. She had me pinned to the couch most of yesterday evening. I wasn't going anywhere. For the record, I am 100% okay with this.

R and I managed to squeeze in a surprise date night on Friday. First Snug Harbor visit of the season. However, we opted out of sitting on the deck, darn "Spring" weather. Company and food were just as great inside the restaurant! It was a nice change of pace after the weekly grind. 

We've been spending a lot time with my younger sister who recently moved to town with her boyfriend and their little one. Sunday our place was full of chitter-chatter for the first official cook out of the season. Grilled brats, veggie-kabobs and corn on the cob. All delicious. I am excited to have a crafting mommy living near by, hence the crochet project. 

I can't wait til it officially looks and feels like Spring. Until then, family time and crocheting are enough for me.

Keep Loving. 

Water bottle season

It's Friday evening, 7:45. As our routine usually goes this is about the time E brushes her teeth, picks up her blankie and goes to bed. But I look outside and it's still light out. How in the world will E go to sleep when she doesn't think it's na-night time? The days are getting longer. Spring is finally here.

Luckily E's room has shades and curtains. Her body is definitely ready for bed. I see all the signs for sleep; including a big yawn. So it's a battle with the tooth brush, a frantic search for her blankie and off to bed. She's out like a light by 8:05.


7:45 AM

The first thing I hear before I even realize I am awake is small chitter chatter coming from E's room. I force open my tired eyes, all though this is technically sleeping in for me, and go to get E out of her crib. She's laying out her belly with her arms propping up her head. She's talking to Elmo and Pooh Bear who are sitting across the room. When did she get so big?

I grab her a morning snack and get to work on the kitchen. E is watching The Magic School Bus. R and M are still fast asleep. As I am standing at the sink washing the dishes that wouldn't fit in the dishwasher I realize there are FOUR water bottles sitting on the counters and in the sink. I almost forgot about all these colorful things. Spring is finally here. The days of filling water bottles for soccer games, trips to the park and hours of fun outdoors is here. Cheers to water bottle season.

Spring, friends, mini-vacation!

There is snow on the ground but HAPPY SPRING! How does that work really? Do you feel better to think that today is the first day of spring because that means the weather WILL get warmer? Or does it make you sad that there is snow in ugly heaping piles everywhere and its supposed to be spring?

Well, it's Spring. It's finally here. I assume soon enough we will be smelling the Spring breeze and seeing spring blossoms. There for, I feel better knowing it is Spring. Eventually the Earth will catch up with the calendar.

Plus, there are so many other things to be grateful and happy about. The most recent happiness: I am going out of town; out of the state in fact. We're having a girls weekend. I was invited by a co-worker/ friend. Or better yet, friend/co-worker. I'd like to consider the ladies I spend 5 days a week with friends. They are definitely great listeners and great people. I'll call them friends.

I am thrilled to be invited on a little weekend get away. I am looking forward to staying in a hotel, not cleaning or worrying about...anything. Well, except what FUN thing we should do next!

This will be my very first time taking both of the girls on a little road trip. R is having a guys weekend. E hasn't stayed away from home since she was 2 months old (Thanksgiving in Pentwater). So this shall be interesting. I think she will love it. Who doesn't love water parks, arcades, big hotel beds and...all the fun stuff that comes along with a VACATION!

I'll be sure to take lots of photos and share with you our little excursion. I can't wait to hop in the car and GO!

New life.

I'm currently sitting outside, enjoying fabulous rays of sun and perfect temperatures. Spring weather never seizes to amaze me. It is truly uplifting to hear the birds chirp and smell the signs of new life.

Speaking of new life, Ryan and I heard the babies heart beat on Wednesday. The only word that can describe this is amazing. For me it really brought to life the excitement of being pregnant and having a new life growing inside me. Ryan and I just smiled as the babies heart beat pitter-pattered away.
We also heard good news all around for my progression and results from my blood tests. My midwife, who made us laugh through the whole visit, says I'm doing just right. I felt very refreshed leaving my appointment.

Today, was a good day. I packed 2 more boxes, downsizing as I went, which means 1 closet, Maddi's bathroom is done and ours is half done. I spent some quality time with Trina. We got a bit of running accomplished and stopped into Goodwill in search of treasures. Found a few things I felt I couldn't live without; including 2 juice glasses and the perfect frame for my DIY cork board. I love successful bargain shopping!

It's 8:30pm now. The sun has set on another busy day.
We are at the new place. Ryan is trying to finish the set up of our new salt water fish tank. So far it has been a huge hassle. The sea creatures are rather disatisfied with their home as of right now. So Ryan has a bit more work to do before we will start seeing movement and color. Good thing he loves this stuff so much.

Tomorrow is the first day of moving. We, well the guys, are going to move the big furniture; beds, couch, dresser, table and shelves first. I get to sit back and watch (and pack more boxes). It will be another busy day.

I'm excited though. The new place has more storage space than I expected. The walls have a fresh coat of paint and I am pretty sure there is brand new carpet as well. It smells like new. We can even have a grill on our patio/little square of cement.

I can definitely see us being comfortable here. I can't wait to turn it into home.

Keep loving.