Friday Favorites {08.26.22}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Happy Friday, everyone! It’s a big day and weekend for us! We’re officially setting off on our first flying family vacation with just the four of us. I’ve got so many bags to pack, and lists to check off before we head out the door. But I gathered up a few of my favorites from this week for you!

Please ignore my greasy hair that needed to be washed in all of these pictures….but I just couldn’t wait to share with you the Nani swimsuits I bought to try out for our beach trip! I personally discovered this brand a year ago, and bought one suit from them. It’s my absolute favorite suit. And this is the only picture I have of it…my sister is really going to appreciate being in the background of this picture yawning…

The one above is on major sale right now. Like half the cost of when I bought it. Top is linked here, and bottom here. I wear an XS in both top and bottom.

So I bought a bunch of colors and a few tops, and tried them out.

Saw my sister wearing this top originally, and after seeing it all summer, I had to have it. And these bottoms in color Zuri are both cute and comfortable.

Read more

What’s Up Wednesday (early!) {08.24.22}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

This is my favorite post every month. I love sharing and reading about just the everyday things that people are into currently! We’re going to be gone next week on vacation, so I’m sharing my WUW with you early! I just couldn’t miss it.

1: WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK: This week we’re doing homemade pizzas, cheesy sausage pasta florentine, and lemon butter chicken piccata!

2: WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT:

Reminiscing and enjoying the pictures and videos from Jonathan and Holden’s second birthday party! We all had so much fun celebrating our little COVID babies!

Read more

Dear New Mom,

Posted on by Lauren Lane

I’ve been a mom for four short years already. I struggle constantly in a state of trying to be appreciative of the phase of life I’m in and wishing things were a bit easier.  It’s a strange paradigm as a mother, and father too, knowing that these phases of childhood are fleeting.  That while so many firsts are happening, there are also so many lasts happening on a regular basis.  When will it be the last time that they ask to mow as soon as they wake up? The last time that their little voice sounds so high and innocent?  The last time that they tell you that you’re beautiful totally unprompted with your hair in a three day old mom bun, a stress pimple on your chin, and spit up on your clothes?  The last time that they ask you to tickle them until their stomach hurts and they beg you to stop?  The last time that they sign “I love you” instead of saying it with words?  It’s a struggle to live presently as their mama knowing that childhood goes so quickly.  To hold on to the sweetness of their little souls and moments of time in their lives knowing that they will never be like this again.  But to also feel the yearn for some of the ease that comes with growing up.  Looking forward to the times that they can pack their own bag for swim lesson and dress themselves.  A time when they pick up their own plate after meals and the messes they make.

Read more

Our Beach Packing List

Posted on by Lauren Lane

We’re going back to one of our favorite places, the BEACH, so soon! And to prepare for that, I’m sharing our beach packing list! It’s also my way of forcing myself to make our packing list, so I feel a lot less stressed. I’m also sharing our list as a PDF printable as well at the end!

Nathan made an impulse purchase years ago for this bluetooth speaker, and it’s held up so well for years. The sound is amazing, holds a charge for a really long time. It just works really, really well!

We throw this beach blanket that folds up into a tiny pouch in our suitcase each trip. It’s a good place for the kids to be able to sit and have lunch at the beach, and then just shake off the sand at the end of the day to go home.

This beauty has been our travel stroller since Harrison was a baby. It maneuvers easily, it’s lightweight, and I don’t care at all if it gets beat up by airline baggage claim.

Ok – if you need a jump start on your own beach packing list, you can download my list here!

Beach Packing List!Download

My Favorite Vacation

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Yesterday was the first day of the new “school” year for the boys! They both moved up into different classrooms. This is not as big of a deal for our two year old, Jonathan. But, for Harrison, he has been anticipating this move for MONTHS. He’s officially in the oldest class of the school, Pre-K.

Here’s a look at Harrison just last year on his first day of Preschool:

We’re getting ready to go on a vacation in a few weeks, and I thought it would be fun to share my favorite vacations from the past!

Read more

Friday Favorites {08.12.22}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Happy Friday, friends! It was the boys’ last official week in their current classrooms, and they are off from daycare today for a teacher in-service day! We have lots of errands to run to get ready for Jonathan’s birthday party this weekend, so I’m hoping they’ve put on their ”helper” pants and are eager to be good listeners today. Hahaha. Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!

I took Harrison for a special birthday treat/breakfast in April, and I loved the short little one-on-one time with him. Jonathan had his first dentist appointment last week, so I took the opportunity to sneak him away for a little special birthday breakfast date, too. He apparently missed the memo that it was breakfast and opted for an iced sugar cookie. Emphasis on just eating the icing, though.

Read more

Let’s Look At…Tidying Up

Posted on by Lauren Lane

It’s Let’s Look day with Shay @ Mix and Match Mama and Erika @ A Little Bit of Everything! If you’re new here, it’s one day a month that we share a little peak into some aspect of our lives. So far this year, I’ve shared:

Being a Type A personality, I have a soft spot for things be orderly and tidy. If you want to speak my love language, talk to me about organizing and everything having a place.

The flip side of that coin is that I would be the most bitter, frustrated mom and wife ever if I spent the time needed to tidy everything at the end of the day.

I used to be that super bitter, exhausted, shell of a human being as a brand new mom. I wanted my house to look the way it did before babies. It’s just not possible, though. There will come a day when the boys are off on their own, and my house can be mostly tidy at all times. But I’m doing my best to enjoy living in a house that’s a little messier.

I try to do a small amount of tidying every day. Usually I take 20 minutes after the boys leave for daycare and tidy things that are at a level that I just can’t live with anymore. I get as much done as a possibly can before the clock hits about 8:10, and then I just let the rest go. For the rest of the day. That’s right. I don’t bother to tidy up at all after the morning.

Come along with me as I tidy one morning…

Always left with a sink full of dirty dishes after the boys’ breakfast.

Read more

I Know I’m in the Minority Here…

Posted on by Lauren Lane

But we’re going to talk about the things I don’t like that seemingly the entire world LOVES.

I just find myself shrugging my shoulders and moving on about these things…but I do think it’s fun to find other fellow haters of the same things. So, if you see something here that you’re totally on board with not understanding the appeal, let me know!

Cinnamon :: That cinnamon Christmas smell makes my head hurt. It’s just waaaaay too much for me. And that being said, like full-on cinnamon things like: Big Red gum, hot tamales….yuck. So gross. I will not, however, be turning down a cinnamon roll anytime soon. I’m not crazy.

Read more

August Garden Tour

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Time for a monthly garden tour! Early to mid July is what I call peak garden season here. It’s absolutely stunning during those couple of weeks, and then it really heats up here in KC. The plants that really love the heat go bananas, and I’m out in the garden at least weekly cutting things back so they don’t look leggy or overgrown, and the things that like slightly more mild temperatures just kind of wonder what in the world I’ve done to them.

Last month, I showed a picture of these areas in June and July. I’m going to add on an August photo, so you can see how much everything grew!

June:

July:


August:

Read more