THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA

THINKING ABOUT: Since we'll be headed East next weekend, I'm trying to figure out the logistics of traveling with a toddler who will also be sitting in his very own seat for the first time. Gulp! The last time we flew (August 2016) Max didn't require a ticket of his own and sat on my lap. How crazy is that?! Ideally I'd like to travel with as little as possible, so I'm considering a CARES Kids Fly Safe Airplane Safety Harness in lieu of lugging around a car seat in addition to our stroller. Has anyone tried this contraption? The reviews seem promising, but I just thought I'd ask before purchasing since so many of you have been incredibly helpful in the past. That being said, feel free to chime in with any ideas you might have to keep Max entertained as well. I can use all the help I can get.

THANKFUL FOR: On Tuesday night, I woke up around 11:30 PM to Beesly breathing in my face along with the sound of the wind howling and heavy rain pelting our bedroom window. Flyboy heard the two of us stirring and woke up to check the weather updates on his phone. We were supposed to have another severe thunderstorm and after last year's hellish hail storm, we honestly didn't know what to expect. You could say we've been haunted by that violent sound and we get squeamish about the possibility of it happening again. Earlier Tuesday evening, we watched our new neighbors attempt to fasten tarps to their carport with bungee cords in preparation for the weather, but we learned that can actually cause more harm than good depending on the way the wind is blowing and whether or not you can actually drill the tarp into the siding. It only makes sense that people try to prepare as best as they can, but we know that mother nature is going to do her thing no matter what we do to try and prevent it. Thankfully, the base escaped the hail and there was no damage. Every time I wake up and can say that after a storm, I want to do a happy dance!   

WATCHING: Picking a favorite Real Housewives franchise is like picking a favorite child (Lucky for me, I have one. What up, Max?!), but the ladies of Beverly Hills used to rank pretty high up there—until this season, of course. Yikes! The addition of Dorito and her awful sidekick hubby PK (Can you spell gross, baby?!) was enough to make even the most sane housewife Erika Jayne lose her shiz and that says A LOT. Anyone out there agree?! I'm so ready to bid this bunch adieu, but not until I get to see the reunion insanity first. Ha! If it's too late to bring back Yolanda or convince Rinna to keep her mouth shut and rescue this season, give me New York already.   

EATING: Okay guys, you're going to want to grab a pen and paper and scribble the following concoction down stat. I promise you, any meal idea I was going to share with you this week would pale in comparison to a Maxwell house recipe. Are you ready? First, grab a mug of chocolate milk (but insist it's coffee), throw four slices of hot dogs into the mug along with a cheddar cheese stick, then empty a carton of blueberry Noosa, and stir the contents until the mixture has a smooth consistency. No lumps allowed! Then, while your mom preps the crockpot for dinner and isn't looking, grab a handful of cheese puffs (store bought is fine, white cheddar preferred) and begin dipping the magical goodness into your meal in a mug. As our girl Ina would say, how easy is that?

LISTENING TO: Yesterday morning after our walk, Max and I threw an impromptu dance party in the kitchen (because It's Tricky by Run-DMC) when I decided I needed a midweek macchiato to  survive the remainder of the day. Yessss! So, I grabbed my clutch, gave Bees a pet good-bye, and we headed into town when Naughty By Nature's Hip Hop Hooray began playing. Is it any coincidence the song spoke to Max (the band name hits close to home, you know...) and he immediately began waving his hands in the air chanting HEEEEEEYYYY HOOOOOOO?? I wanted so badly to pull over and get a video, but I knew the song and dance act would come to a halt, and I just couldn't bring myself to ruin a good thing. Eventually he caught me smiling at him in the mirror and said "Mama's turn!", so I gave m' favorite toddler the best arm wave I could muster—which probably confused a lot of drivers in the process. #WORTHIT

READING: While I was pregnant, my mom began sending us one children's book a week to fill Max's library. Little did we know that I Stink would quickly become a favorite when added to the literary mix. He He! Because Max is still all about the 'bage, we have to read it daily and discuss the contents of the illustrated garbage truck from A to Z. It's super adorable until we're in public and my child begins shouting out things like "MOLDY MEATBALLS, Ma!" and "PUPPY POO! Oh, yuck!" Yep, I've got myself a real head turner. 

LOVING: There are a few clothing styles I want to try at Madewell and J.Crew (mostly OTS tops and denim), but I'd prefer to get some REAL feedback before I commit. Is anyone else like this?? Lucky for me, I'm going to be around my mom really soon and I'll have access to the stores (not just online shopping). I typically hate going into a fitting room and trying on clothes, but it's occasionally nice to get an honest opinion from someone you trust and encouragement to try things outside your comfort zone. I'm pumped!

Enough about me. How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!!