These posts (you can find other day in the life posts here) always make me a little emotional because the seem to highlight the speed that life often passes in. I’m committed to taking a deep breath and continuing to savor the days because I know I can’t freeze time or adequately capture the moments enough to catch it all. All the mushiness doesn’t mean our days are perfect and whine-free, but just that I adore this phase so much. Ok ok, here is what yesterday looked like!
I get up at 5:30 and go straight to the office. After an hour or so of blogging and computer stuff, I want to make sure I had time for my new skin routine and to get ready for the day, so I head to get dressed at about 6:45.
At 6:55 I hear Kaitlyn starting to shout “it’s mowning time!” from her crib. She can climb in and out on her own, but won’t do it unless someone is in the room with her. Kind of funny. I go grab her and like usual, she has a big smile and shouts again “it’s mowning time!” I tell her Hailey is still sleeping as I lift her out and she switches to a whisper.
However, her original shout must have worked because Hailey comes flying out of her room and only stops to rub her sleepy eyes and smile once she sees us.
I finish getting ready beween Kaitlyn grabbing all my make brushes claiming she needs them and requests for more toilet paper from the bathroom.
It’s a glamorous life.
I finally finish up getting ready and try to snap a pic.
Typical.
We all head to the kitchen for breakfast where I scrape up all the food that remains in the house to make breakfast.
I’m still hooked on earl gray tea in the mornings.
At this point I notice it’s 8:15 and we need to get things moving. Hailey gets dressed on her own (her outfit choice proves it) and I wrestle with Kaitlyn to pick an outfit that isn’t a fancy smocked Christmas dress or a princess outfit. Then I remind myself that we really should start that whole “picking out outfits the night before” thing.
We’re pushing it to leave on time but once Kaitlyn finds out she can’t wear “glass slippers” to school she bursts into tears and runs to Hailey for comfort. “Wahn A-ley!”
I snap this picture and mentally add “redo the mudroom” to our 2017 project list.
After dropping Kaitlyn at school my big girl and I stop by Publix for Brussels and potatoes.
I love these one on one mornings. Hailey does everything from gather the food to paying (with my credit card) at the register. She’s often quite quiet and shy around adults and I think it’s great practice for her to learn to speak up and answer their questions.
Back home, she opens her latest letter from the girl she sponsors. It’s a sweet little letter (which they translate into English) and a picture. Hailey draws one to send back.
She helps me in the kitchen for an hour or so, then I set her up with MathSeeds (she loves both this and Reading Eggs) while I finish snapping a few food pictures.
I love working with food because I get to eat the props!
I switch Hailey over to Art Hub for Kids and she draws a My Little Pony while I quickly clean up the kitchen. She colors her picture in the car as we head to pick up Kaitlyn.
At this point the temperature outside is about 67 degrees so when the girls beg to go straight to the playground I can’t say no.
Lucky for me, a few friends decide to do the same and we end up sitting and chatting while the kids run and play for a solid 2 hours.
Finally we head back home just before 3:00.
I had given the girls raisins, but no real lunch, so we make some popcorn with butter and salt to snack on. They keep watching for that first kernel to pop while I eat my Adora of the day.
The rule in our house is “one piece at a time” and the girls watch me like a hawk to make sure I follow it too. Eating only one popcorn piece at a time when I’m used to shoving an entire handful in my mouth is quite the challenge.
I toss a load of laundry in and start trimming Brussels and slicing potatoes.
At 4:00 I hit a wall and decide to take a few minutes to read while the girls are playing with dough (leftover dough from the hamburger buns!) at the table.
It sounds great in theory but I only make it through about a chapter because both girls keep asking me what I’d like them to make for me and if we can have a tea party and etc, etc, etc.
PS- Nightingale is amazing but getting incredibly hard to read. My heart can only take it in small doses.
By 5:00 I have some tired girls on my hand so I pop the veggies in the oven to roast and we do an early bath.
By the way, these Bath Dropz have been a HUGE hit. They don’t stain the tub or the skin and the girls love seeing what colors they can blend. Highly recommended for extended bath time play or for something special to have at Grandma’s house.
By 6:00, the girls are bathed and in jammies and dinner is ready.
We sit and eat together and since the girls are fans of all of tonight’s dinner components (and the fact their awesome mom never fed them lunch- ha!), they clear their plates fairly quickly.
Teeth brushed, books read, tucked in and they are both in bed by 7:00.
I head downstairs, mostly clean up the kitchen and head to the office to tie up a few loose ends and edit these pictures.
David gets home around 9:00 (not super typical) and we sit and chat while he eats then we head to bed by 10:00, celebrating the fact that tomorrow (today!) is FRIDAY!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!
John J. says
A wonderful (and exhausting) life you lead. Love the pics of the grandgirls! Happy Friday, enjoy your pizza.
Brittany Dixon says
Exhausting yes, but they’re so darn cute that I can’t help but love it. And you know we always love our pizza 😉 Have a great weekend Dad!!
sherry says
Enjoyed this post so much! You all will enjoy looking back at these captures in time one day. You make it look so easy. Happy Friday!
EmilyS says
Approve of Hailey’s outfit choice! GO TIGERS!!!!
Brittany Dixon says
I told her she picked the right time to jump on the Clemson bandwagon 😉 I went to UGA and David went to GT but since his parents moved to just outside of Clemson they’ve adopted the school and become big fans!
EmilyS says
My husband went to UGA but I’m a Clemson grad. And that reminds me, I emailed a friend a blog post of yours and she said she knew you from UGA! Her name is Pilar and I think maybe you worked at buffalo’s together? Anyway, small world!
Parita says
Love these posts and the relationship between H and K! So sweet!
Also, going back to your skincare post from yesterday. A friend of mine recommended the brand Herbivore to me. It’s new but already has a ton of positive reviews. Something that may be worth checking out!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh, I like the brand name! I’ll google it- thank you Parita 🙂
Katy @ Dirt to Delish says
I love these types of posts! Happy Friday. 🙂
Jeannie says
Hilarious regarding K crying over the glass slippers. I love the toddler shenanigans when it’s not my toddler lol. love these posts and to see what you do with H for home school stuff. I have to check out that book! Does H fall asleep at 7? Or does she do any quiet time in bed? Also when did she grow out of quiet time for nap time?
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Jeannie! Hailey hasn’t fallen asleep during nap time (except for the rare occassion) in probably a year or so. If we are at home though, Kaitlyn will still sometimes nap (like she is today! Hooray!) and Hailey will have quiet time in her room from 1-2. Lately our days have been so full that Hailey will fall right asleep at 6:30/7. She’s like me and needs/loves her sleep. 🙂
Karen says
Just wanted to say…..we just went to Publix(a first), bought pimento cheese and we all tried it. FABULOUS!!!!!!
Thanks for the recommendation.
Brittany Dixon says
Ah Karen!! I’m so glad you reported back! Of course, I’m not surprised at all that the pimento cheese was liked by all (now I’m craving it…) 😉 Thanks for the update!
Elizabeth Evans says
Wow; what a great day. You’re doing a fantastic job 🙂 Some days I’m all over it and have great days like you outlined here and other days I’m an unorganized mess with no motivation. Keep up the good work (taking care of yourself, making good foods, incorporating kids into life skills, having a social life, playing with kids at home, bathing them and giving them a somewhat structured/predictable home life, etc.). Have a great weekend too!
Lana turns 3 on Monday and we’re having her b-day party at Chuck E Cheese tomorrow bright & early at 8am so we can have the place to ourselves. I’m happy b/c all we do is show up and pay 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Like you say, we live mirrored lives, as I totally have those unmotivated days too! I love watching your sweet fam on snapchat and hope that Lana has a fabulous 3rd birthday! I can’t wait to see her become a big sis- she’s going to rock it 🙂 Have a great weekend!!
Kelsey says
Hey Brittany! Random question, but is that bok choy you made for lunch? I always want to buy it – because it’s so darn cute! – but have no idea how to cook it. Would love your recipe if you have one!
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Kelsey, yes! It’s baby bok choy. Honestly I just quarter it then sear it in a pan with a little olive oil and salt- super simple. Though it would be delicious with some soy sauce too (what isn’t?!).
Jen says
Whenever Emma (also 2.5) gets in trouble for something (usually getting into something she isn’t supposed to get into), she immediately only wants Karlie (12) for comfort. Noooo wannn kar-deee! I love it!
Jodie says
These are my favorite posts of yours. 🙂