First Day of 1st Grade...

My baby is in First Grade!! 

Seriously. She was just born. Right?  Not to mention the fact that she is so much more mature and " grown up " than she was just a year ago. It's like nite and day in comparison! Wow. Kids are awesome but they grow up way too fast! 

Her nerves ( mostly excitement ) got the best of her so she couldn't finish her bagel she wanted for breakfast. Fortunately they have snack time in the morning.

First day of School Front Door Photo!

She picked out this outfit the nite before, I was shocked she went for my fuschia leg warmers under the boots idea! How cute is she?

The huge backpack on a little girl! The first day is always the biggest packback day, since she has her extra clothes and rainboots that she stores at school in there. Note: The lunchbox attached to the backpack didn't work too well, she didn't like how it felt like the backpack was falling off, probably too much weight in the lunchbox. Cute idea, not so practical I think

 Someone's got the giggles!! I was trying to make her smile a bit more naturally, saying funny stupid things like " Jumping Jehorsey Farts! "  Ya ... I know.

 Tay's new school locker 

 Taylor & her dear friend Alyson see eachother and embrace as soon as they walk into the classroom. I love how cute girls are!

Check out the cool schedule for the first day! Her teacher rocks! He's awesome, hillarious, super organized and just fun. Taylor already loves him.

 Goofing around with some hand puppets, they were giddy with excitement!

When Tay got home the first thing she told me was " I love it there! " and " I can't wait for tomorrow! " Yay! I'm so glad she loves 1st grade, she's going to have a fantastic year I'm sure. 

Back To School... Stuff we buy

I haven't done a shopping post in about 2 years... so here goes! You may like to know what gets us by around here when it comes to school days... I'm not a pro or anything, but I've figured out in the past couple years what I do and don't like for school gear and clothing. Check it!

  Pottery Barn Kids Backpacks & Lunchboxes

3rd year using PB Kids backpacks and each time I have got them on sale. You may pay a bit more ( roughly 10 bucks ) but the quality is for sure much higher than most backpacks you'll find at Target or elsewhere. They have great padded straps, lots of pockets, including the side pockets that hold water bottles. We bought Taylor the Small size in preschool and although it was a bit big on her it was perfect for fitting all that artsy stuff she was coming home with daily.

This will be the first year she's using the PB Kids lunch box. I loved how it is designed to attach to the front of the backpack. We also bought the bento box this year and I hope it helps cut down on plastic baggies. If it works out I'll buy a second one so I don't have to worry about washing it every nite. Taylor's school does not provide a hot lunch service ( fine by me ) and that means every single nite I'm packing lunches--Thanks to Pinterest for tons of lunch ideas, I went lunch pinning like crazy the other day!

 Highlights Magazine

Do your little ones ride the bus? Well mine does, and it's a long drive, about 25 minutes. So I have subscribed her to Highlights magazine and she can keep it in her backpack for those long bus rides. Kids love getting stuff in the mail and she'll get this every month for a year. It's fun with a purpose!! ( Just like the picture says! ) 

 Boots

We love boots!! Both my girls have about 3 pairs each to get them thru fall and winter. The fuzzy "fuggs" ( faux Uggs ) are our favorites for cold weather but fashionble knee high boots are super cute too. Don't forget a pair of rain boots either! No kid in the NW can live without rubber boots. These ones by Western Chief Kids are awesome. We have the Ladybug style... but I'm totally loving these chocolate brown and pink ones! 

These from Old Navy are perfect and super cute. They don't last longer than a year but for that price I don't mind, plus they grow out of them just as fast as they wear out.

Old Navy Embellished Boots

Taylor got some "big girl" boots at Nordstrom this year. These will be very versatile with all her skinny jeans and leggings she wears. We chose black but they also have a great pewter color that'd be perfect as well. I am thinking they'll be waterproof too... always a plus!

Nordstrom "Regan" Boot for Girls

Leggings

I'll buy leggings from pretty much any store, especially when they're on sale. Old Navy seems to always have a ton of colors and designs to choose from. My all time favorite leggings for fall and winter would be the ones from Hanna Andersson. The thickness and quality are exceptional. Yes they're a bit spendier but you get what you pay for, and my girls wear leggings almost every single day, and the cheapies get holes in the knees pretty quick. Not Hanna's though, those babies are tough! Highly rec.

Emersyn sporting her boots (with da fur) & ofcourse... leggings.

H&M Sweater Dresses

H&M Sweater Dress

What goes amazingly with boots and leggings?? Sweater dresses!! I am a huge fan of the many different styles of sweater dresses from H&M. They hold up well, are super cute and modern, and so soft and cozy  too. I am a huge H&M fan when it comes to my kiddos back to school closet. These dresses last a couple years because even when they get short they look adorable with a pair of jeans.

 Stay Hydrated

You gotta hook your kid up with a water bottle for school. Drinking fountains are ick. And there's always a long line. It will also help you see how much ( or how little ) your child is drinking throughout the day. Mine drinks very little, but I have noticed if I skip a juice box in her lunch she'll drink more of her water... hmmm... interesting. You'll want 3-5 of these to get by. So here ya go... 

Foogo BPA Free Thermos

Cardigans

So I figured out last year that coats often get left at school, and it takes a few days to get them back. It seems you can't really rely on a 6 year old when it comes to checking the lost & found. Totally fine. I often dressed Taylor in cardigans. Knowing she could just pop it in her backpack or tie it around her waste when she got too warm. Somehow those NEVER made it to L&F! Shocking I know. I love these longer "boyfriend" style cardi's for little girls at Abercrombie Kids. I did see some at H&M this year but it seems the longer styles are harder to come by anymore. Must be going out? Well, they are great because they grow with your child and you can throw them on over pretty much any outfit and it totally works. Taylor & Emme both have plenty of cardigans to get thru a cool season... all different colors too. I am also guilty of having a closet full of cardigans... maybe it's time for an intervention?

Tooth Fairy Pillow

Tooth Fairy Pillow from Etsy

This may not be school related or anything but it's a must .If you're little one is heading into Kindergarten or even 1st grade, you pretty much need to be prepared to have loose change or dollar bills on hand at all times. The teeth just start falling out faster than you can run to the ATM! And a cute little tooth fairy pillow or box is your best bet. Trust me. Do you want to get busted and ruin the " tooth fairy's " rep because you're clumsy and trip in the darkness of your child's room trying to not only put some $ under their pillow but also find their tooth without waking them?? Ya, I didn't think so. You want this.

 Get yourself a drink

Going back to school is rough! All the paperwork, the strict bedtime schedule, the lunch packing, the huge amount of activities, the anxiety of letting them go. It's a lot. So treat yourself to a drink after that first week. You deserve it! My go to is always a nice clean Margarita. Cheers!

Ingredients:

• Salt, for rimming the glass (optional)
• Ice
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila (blanco, 100 percent agave)
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 ounce Cointreau (not Triple Sec)
• Lime for Garnish

How to make:

Rim your glass with a lime wedge and swirl into a shallow plate of salt. 

Fill the glass with ice, add tequila, lime juice and Cointreau. Stir a few times and Enjoy!! 

My home away from home... Sunriver.

I just realized I better post about our annual trip to SR before I forget! I also know that I'll want to get a back to school post up before Christmas this year!

We have made Sunriver an annual trip for 3 years now. But this year was different, we had 2 other families join us which made it a giant kid fest and the most memorable of all. My girls had their besties here for lots of fun at the pool, playing in the cabins or in the backyards. Bike rides to the mall for ice cream were a nightly adventure, then margaritas for the parents to wind down the nite ( after the kiddos were tucked in to their cozy beds ofcourse ) Sunriver is a REAL vacation for me. I just relax, never get in the car ( that's what bikes are for! ) soak in the sun and eat and drink till my hearts content.

Emme & Logan posing for my camera... the only time I got them to both look at me for a picture. I will cherish this forever! 

 We went on a morning bike ride to the Nature Conservatory, and I got a nice picture with the girls. This would be before shower, no makeup, rustic me. Smile! 

 The best part of the entire trip? Taylor teaching herself how to swim and go under water! Once she figured out she didn't have to fear the water, we couldn't get her out! Morning, day & nite, you'd find the kid at the pool. I'm so proud of her!

 Emme checking out the river but making sure her beloved purple skirt ( cheapie from H&M, she doesn't take it off! ) doesn't get wet. Doesn't she look adorable dressed head to toe in her favorite color?

 A perfect afternoon, the sun was shining with a cool breeze and I got this shot of the 3 girls, Taylor, Olivia & Emersyn, playing make believe in the grass behind our house. 

 More swim fun!! The 2 Besties in their swim gear.

Finally out of the pool! ...Who are these girls? They look so big now! They're both going into 1st grade this year. Taylor's toothless grin is so cute.

It's always good to be home, but I will miss Sunriver until next year when I can enjoy it once again. My home away from home.

Tidbits

On a warm Summer nite ( hence the nudie-ness ) Emersyn is enjoying some quiet time on the reading chair, browsing the Costume Express catalog. She picked out a lot of costumes that she liked but she is still pretty certain she wants to be Rapunzel for Halloween this year.

 We got a sitter, and met up with 4 other couples to enjoy a much needed and deserved nite out at Hopworks Brewery in Portland. I enjoyed a sampler of brews, yummmm.... AND I got carded. Thank you young server for making my nite! ;)

 It's Soccer time!! Taylor had her first game over the weekend and had such a fun time playing, and didn't hold back at all. Her new team is pretty badass, they got 3 goals in the first 5 minutes! Nice!

 We went to the Zoo last week, the only pic I got was this one with my phone, I forgot my camera unfortunately, but I'm sure the girls were glad I wasn't harassing them to stop and smile like usual. 

It's NW Hot!

It's NW Hot, as opposed to Southern States Hot or even Eastern Hot. NW Hot lasts maybe 3 days, tops at 100, low humidity, perfect breeze, and it's beyond lovely. 

I will never bitch about heat. It's short and sweet and I will appreciate it because I know it doesn't last.... 

..... and Sun = Splash Pad!

I love these next few pics... I'm taking pics of Taylor, but then I get Emme in the background being silly in the fountain.

 & here she comes! 

 A couple of our favorite peeps met us at the Park, Amanda and her cutie patootie Peyton, who is 6 mos old and just as cute as ever! Love her rolly polly legs and arms, oh and that face! Gorgeous!?

Thank goodness for AC during times like these. I love heat but would deffinitely be unhappy if I didn't have a nice cool home to relax in after playing outside with the girls. Summer is flying by and soon it'll be Labor day and after that Back To School! Shocked. I'm excited for Taylor to get back into her school schedule and all the fun activities that come with Fall, but I don't look forward to early bed times, early wakeup times, packing lunches every nite, all the deadlines and fundraisers to keep track of, and school work.... Wow, you'd think I was the one going back to school? In a way, it is just as much or more work for the parents as it is the little ones. I do look foward to any kind of foods that include pumpkin, crisp fall nites, and Halloween! 

But enough of this talk about Fall!

 It's still Summer and NW Hot!!!

What the {Pug} is that?!

I have been bombarded with this Tshirt in my sidebar on Facebook. Apparently Facebook thinks that since I have a Pug I would probably really LOVE this amazing shirt!! Shocked I haven't caved and clicked on the order now button ( twice, since D and I would need matching )!!

You can too... I know,  I know. It's so hard to resist such a find!

Get Your Pug Shirt Here!

Decorating Side Tables ( My Favorite )

Linking up today to Kelly's Korner for SUYL: Table Decor

I love side tables, sofa consoles, accent tables, you name 'em I love 'em! Because they're so fun to decorate! I only have a few in my home, and I am only showing you 2 today, because I am almost certain the others have had their "blog moment" in the past and these have not. I have a perfect spot next to our stairs for yet another side table, I just haven't found the right piece. I'm intending that one to mostly be for the little basket or decorative platter that will hold keys and wallets ( smart!... got that idea from pinterest ofcourse ).

I love this Hemmes Sofa Table from IKEA. I originally got the idea from the one and only Thrifty Decor Chick and this post . I knew I'd put it in this spot, with the intention of mounting the flat screen above. I also intended on getting black ( notice a theme in my decor... I'm a little obsessed with black and it is my favorite color, which makes my 6 year old laugh ). When I got to IKEA I saw the black and white both assembled in rooms and I really liked the white more, so here it is! Put together by me, which was a giant pain in the ass, more like pain in my shoulders, because when I finished I had the biggest knots in both of them and a huge headache. I love IKEA, I just hate the assembly part.

2nd table, doesn't have a long winded story behind it like the one above... it's just a sofa table that I painted black and it goes against the wall between our fireplace and sliding glass doors. Those little potted plants are faux and from IKEA as well... same with the faux peonies. IKEA is rad.

So this is our itty bitty kitchen table, it has no decor on it except that little candle holder, for a few reasons. It's our only table, we eat here, the girls do their big crafty projects here; play doh, stickers, stamps, glue & glitter, it all happens here. It's usually an ugly mess but I wiped it down for this photo. Gotta love the green booster for Em!