Friday Favorites: Our First Week of Summer

It's Fri-Yay, and I'm linking up with a few of my favorite bloggers for Friday Favorites! I'm so glad you're here today!

This week was our first week of summer break and it has been jammed pack full of fun! I'm trying to get the girls out of the house a little bit each day. We always go, go, go during the month of June and this year it's no different. Our July is typically full of vacations and little trips, and then August is focused on football and getting ready to head back to school. I'm expecting our July to look a little different, since our major vacation this year was Disney World. This summer, I'm really wanting to stay in Tulsa and focus on Tulsa and all it has to offer! 

Thanks to DJ's job, and how often we've moved in 9 years, I've never really felt settled and that I feel like I don't really get to know all that a town has to offer. After 4 years of living in Tulsa, that's about to change. 

On Monday, the girls and I headed to our local park. I had totally underestimated that it would be MUDDY! The girls were filthy by the time we left, and I was thankful that I had a huge pack of baby wipes in my bag! 

Megan was really wanting to swing on the "big girl" swings.  Look at her little curls!

Adalyn loved going down the little slide. 

And, then she made my heart stop when she went down the big slide!

I bribed the girls to leave the park, with a promise of a cookie from the grocery store!

They were in heaven!

I also let the girls ride in the big car cart. These things are horrid to push and the girls always beg to ride in one, but they never get to. I figured since we were having a day of fun, then they should have fun at the grocery store too. 

On Day 2, we went to the library. 

The girls were super excited to get signed up for the Summer Reading Club and to stay for story time. 

We always get their picture with the statue outside the library. 

After nap time, we headed to see DJ at football. TU has high school camps going on right now and the girls haven't gotten to see much of him.

Addy Pearl loved running around on the field! I cannot believe that she will be 2 in a month!

For dinner, we headed to Coney Islander. A local hot dog joint. Since this is my summer to explore Tulsa, I was so excited to try out Coney Islander. I ordered a chili dog and DJ and I shared a Frito Chili Pie. Both are things that I love! However, I was not a fan. I'm sure that many locals would be shocked to hear, but I just could not stomach much of the food. 

Coney Islander was established in 1927, and their decor looked it- ha! The girls had plain hot dogs and chips and enjoyed their meal. It was the chili that was sub-par. 

On Wednesday, the girls and I headed to the movie theatre to see The Croods. We took our neighbor, because I knew that I'd have to leave the theatre at some point and didn't want to have to drag all three girls out just because one needed to potty. It worked out great that she went with us, because Adalyn was not sitting still for the movie. She helped to entertain Adalyn, or sat with the girls when one needed to potty. However, since Adalyn wasn't sitting, Megan didn't want to sit, and honestly the movie was a disaster. I was hoping to go weekly because it's only $1.00 per ticket, but I'm thinking we won't try again. I may take just Gretchen, but no way can both Adalyn and Megan tag along. 

After the movie, we came home for lunch and Megan continued to try my patients. It was a rough mommy day. 

Thankfully, we had a babysitter lined up and DJ and I were able to go out for dinner and then we went to the movie to see Pitch Perfect 2. Dinner was fabulous and it was lovely not having to deal with children and we were really able to enjoy each other and our meal. 

Pitch Perfect 2 was ok. I loved the original and this one fell a bit short to my expectations.

Thursday was a crazy busy day. We got up early so I could get my run in and DJ could cut the grass. Then we headed to our house closing with all three girls in tow. 

They were so good while we signed papers so we rewarded them with a Sonic Slush afterwards! Then, we headed to our NEW HOUSE!

I wanted to be sure to get pictures of the girls on our closing day. I thought it would be really fun to see them on this day, and then years from now, compare how much they've grown. 

So, I took their picture in front of our tree. 

And by the garage. 

And by the front door. 

And by the garage again. 

In front of our sold sign. 

And just Gretchen in front of the house. (The two littles were done with pictures by this point!)

And then Gretchen took our picture.

We are so excited to be home owners again! I'll have to remember to post more about our journey soon! 

After we stopped by our house, DJ wen to work and the girls and I came home for lunch and naps. And by naps, I mean, Addy napped, the big girls played, and I packed. After naps we picked up Bailey (our dog) from the groomer, picked up dinner, and then took a few boxes over to the house. It was a jam packed crazy day!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have the best weekend! (Ours will be filled with moving and painting!)

HPA: Your Orders

May was a busy month for Honey Pie Accessories! Here are a few of your orders that shipped last month! 

Cutie pj's for a little boy who turned 2 Memorial Day weekend! 

Fun seersucker shorts for moms!

Gorgeous sun hats! Perfect for any beach day!

And a few baby gifts too!

Thank you always for keeping me busy! 

Email me here to place your order! 

The Celebration Box

I love, love, love getting Happy Mail! 

Several weeks ago, I started reading The Celebrating Momma's blog and realized that she lives just a few hours from me! Throughout the next few weeks, I started reading her blog daily and I fell in love with her happy outlook on life and loved that she loved celebrating life! Sometimes, I get too busy with work, my girls, my business, my husband, well, everything, and I forget to celebrate! Jamie's blog helps to remind me to celebrate the small things in life! 

Jamie and I started chatting, and I learned that she had a small business too! I really love supporting other mom's, and I told Jamie that not only did I want to purchase a Celebration Box, but I wanted to send something in (from Honey Pie Accessories) for the next month's Celebration Box! Jamie graciously offered to send me May's box and I was thrilled when we got home from a weekend vacation to find my box waiting for me! It was the first thing I opened as soon as we walked in the door!

Happiness in a box!

Jamie had printed out a letter reminding us that we need to celebrate every day life, and included the best goodies to help me do so! There was a fun little print (that I need to frame in the new house!), a mini journal, a super fun pink watch, a little ice cream dish and spoon, a sweet letter from Jamie herself, and a card so that I could pass on some love to a friend! 

My new pink watch is perfect!

And, the card was perfect to write a quick note in for Gretchen's teacher!

I put the mini journal in my purse, and I'm using it to write blog posts ideas, inspiring verses or quotes, or the things worth celebrating in the day to day!

I reminded myself that the girls and I need to make a summer bucket list!

Jamie also sent the cutest little ice cream dish and spoon! It was perfect for my yogurt snack yesterday!

If you're wanting a box of your own for June, go here.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

XOXO

Show & Tell Tuesday: What I Wanted To Be When I Grew Up

Another Tuesday rolls around, and another link up with Momfessionals for Show & Tell Tuesdays! Every other Tuesday, we link up and share from the list of topics below:

This week, it's all about what I wanted to be when I grew up! Funny thing is, I've always known what I wanted to be! When I was in 2nd and 3rd grade, I went to our schools speech pathologist because I couldn't say my /s/ or my /r/. I distinctly remember sitting in her closet (because school speech paths never have an actual office) in front of a mirror and learning how to say my /r/ sound. I will never forget learning how to say the word "iron" correctly. I use to say "I wun" and she taught me to say it as "I earn".  

When I was in middle school, I went with my stepdad to volunteer with the therapy department at the nursing home he worked at. That week, I watched and interacted with the physical, occupational, and speech therapists. I loved getting to work with the patients and all of the jobs seemed like a lot of fun. That week taught me a lot and really made me think about what I wanted to do when I grew up. 

After thinking more throughout high school, I decided that I didn't really like science. Physical and occupational therapy have a lot to do with science and the whole body, so I decided that I would focus on speech. It seemed 'easier' of the three. 

I went to college at Arkansas State University when I graduated high school. To be a speech pathologist, you must have a masters degree. As soon as I graduated with my bachelors, I went to graduate school and graduated with my Masters of Communication Disorders. 

Speech pathologists can work in many settings. Throughout college and graduate school I had many opportunities to explore a variety of settings. I did my "student teaching" at our schools clinic, at a nursing home, an elementary school and at Easter Seals (a program for Developmentally Delayed children.) Speech paths can also work in a hospital setting, with stroke patients or with infants with feeding difficulties. There are so many realms of speech pathology, but I really didn't have difficulty determining which was right for me. 

I knew that I wanted to work with children. After graduating, I worked in a pediatric therapy clinic, and then we moved to Indiana where I started working for the public school system. I love the flexibility of working in the school system. When we moved to Oklahoma, I took a break from the school system and worked in home health and with the state's early intervention (birth-3) services. After a year, I decided to go back in to the public schools, and I'm so thankful for that decision.

I'm able to take Gretchen to school with me and once Megan starts school, she'll go to school with me too. I spend most of my days working with children and collaborating with teachers. Most of my students have articulation difficulties, meaning, they cannot pronounce certain age-appropriate sounds. Other students have language disorders which are a vast array of their receptive language skills (ability to understand what is being said to them/ following directions) or expressive language skills (their ability to use words, grammar, and formulate sentences.)

Every day, I go to work and I love what I do. I have never, not once regretted my career decision.

And, just for the fun of it:

Over the last few years, having children has inspired my creative side a bit more. 

7 years ago, I opened Honey Pie Accessories. I have loved having a creative outlet that has turned in to a business venture! 

 

You can find my business page here.

My group page here.

I'm also taking pre-orders for Halloween buckets and Christmas pajamas- that information is in my group page. 

Y'all have a great Tuesday! Thanks for stopping over!

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend has been pretty fabulous! It's the first official weekend of summer! We've kept it low key because the next few weeks are going to be filled with moving and summer activities! Honestly, I needed a weekend of "nothing". 

Friday morning, I had a professional development day at school. DJ took Gretchen to the football offices, and I took the littles to their last day at preschool! (As soon as DJ gets my camera card fixed, I'll be sharing our last few fun school activities!)

This is Megan's last year at her preschool. Next year, she'll go to the 4 year old program at our public school system. These girls have grown and learned so much since their first day of school way back in August!

Once my PD was finished, I met DJ and Gretchen for lunch!

DJ and I were pumped when Gretchen suggested we eat Chinese food! She hasn't liked it before, but she was excited to eat with chopsticks, so she was game! We took her to Pei Wei and she got the honey seared chicken.

This girl loved it! 

That afternoon, Gretchen and I went home to do laundry and clean, and then we headed to daycare for Addy's end of school party. Of course, all of those pics are on my camera card, which ended up breaking, so I'll have to share her party pics later! 

We headed home and made homemade pizza! 

Yum!!! (This was before all the cheese was added.)

After dinner, Addy went to bed, and the big girls played upstairs while DJ and I did nothing! Until later that evening when the doorbell rang, and Megan had a birthday present from her aunt and uncle in Florida:

She was so excited for her Doc tent!!! Gretchen and Megan played in it all evening, and even decided they wanted to have a sister sleepover in the tent! It was a total #yesmom moment when I let them have a sleepover, because, after all, it's summer! 

Saturday morning, Adalyn slept late! It was 9:00 before she woke up, and by that time, DJ had headed off to the football offices for a staff meeting. I spent the morning doing laundry, cleaning, and packing. 

Addy played in our ottoman.

After lunch and Addy's nap, we went to Home Depot to pick out paint for Gretchen and Megan's bedrooms. 

The girls loved the shopping cart! We picked out a pink paint for Gretchen's room and a purple for Megan's room. 

Sunday morning we got up and ready for church, and DJ headed to the football offices for the first day of high school camps. 

After church and lunch, the girls and I baked chocolate chip cookies! Licking the bowl is the best part!

Meggie was a cookie monster- ha! 

So was Adalyn!

Sunday was a LAZY day for me! I stayed on the couch and watched a movie and a few episodes on HGTV. The big girls played upstairs while Addy napped. 

While I was cooking dinner, we worked on our Summer Bucket List, and each went around adding things that we'd like to do. Gretchen was a big helper and wrote everything out for us!

This girl has big plans this summer; including a trip to the North Pole!

We had nachos for dinner at Gretchen's request- yum!

I went out on my run after DJ got home and snapped a picture of the baby geese at our pond. There were also about 7 baby ducks! I love that our neighborhood has a great pond with fishing and ducks and geese! 

Today marks our first day of summer break! We have big plans of more packing, more laundry, playing outside and sewing!

It's going to be a great day!