Declutter: Need - Use - Love

Aside from the three baskets of laundry I need to fold today, our living room almost always looks like this...give or take some toys depending on the time of day. :)

I know I've talked a lot about how to assess if you should get rid of something (do you love it? is it necessary? is it useful?) and I've posted a lot of bossy healthy encouragement about getting your house organized...but I thought this week maybe I'd post a few practical ways we live a decluttered life..especially in our 1,200 SF home with only a small basement storage space.

Let me tell you...sometimes getting rid of your stuff is painful (I just said goodbye to a Hidden Acres sweatshirt I had in the top of my closet and hadn't touched in nearly five years) but the end result is so worth it! Closets that aren't jammed full...drawers that aren't spilling over. It just eliminates the stress STUFF can so easily cause.

As I look around the main living area of our home (kitchen/dining/living) every surface is empty and clear of unnecessary stuff. Things are put away in their place. I keep things in arms reach that we use daily and if it's not something we use daily, I'm always evaluating if that item is really even necessary in our home. Maybe I've said this a million times, but I feel like spring is always a good time for a refresher course. :)

When I say 'every surface is empty and clear' I don't mean it to be like I'm bragging and my house is perfect all the time, I'm just verrrry diligent about putting things away...which isn't that hard if you stay on top of it. I also cannot speak to you full-time-working mom's on this topic. There is no way I'd want to come home at 5 or 6pm and then tackle dinner, laundry, bathtime, and also organize a closet. I salute you for doing what you do. Seriously. Spending a day helping my sister-in-law who has been back at work full-time for a month was enough to show me how easy I have it. And made helping her tackle her garage and the basement on a Saturday a super fun project I was happy to help with!

This week I found some new motivation to fill my trunk with stuff for Overflow and I sit here completely dumbfounded that I was able to fill my trunk with stuff YET AGAIN. Why do we have 20 beach towels taking up valuable space in the hall linen closet? Why is the black bike I've had since I was 12 (and not ridden for 7 years) taking up ULTRA-VALUABLE space in Josh's shed amongst his mowing equipment? I haven't used red serving bowls in two years, they should clearly be donated. I'm not sure why, but this week I was looking at everything with a fresh set of eyes.

My best friend and I were talking yesterday about how small houses are actually kind of a blessing. You WILL fill the space you have. And sometimes that can lead to becoming a 'slave to your stuff.' Because we live in America and stuff seems to be really important, it's so easy to get sucked into that mindset and just go about filling your house with All The Things whether you need them or not. So I spend a fair amount of time FIGHTING AGAINST that mentality. I want our house to be a sanctuary of hospitality, rest, peace, and beauty. Not a place where we're surrounded by so much stuff we can't even enjoy where we live.

Even looking at this post-Christmas picture, I see something I decluttered last month. The big, gray, paned window on the left side of the picture was given to my sister when I decided (after studying this picture) that I thought it cluttered the focus I wanted on the architectural statement the corbels make. I liked it, but I didn't have another place for it, so it was fairly easy to get rid of.

So I said I'd explain all of that a little more practically...more than just tell you to fill your trunk and get your butt to Overflow. :) What do I do with the stuff that's leftover that we DO really need to keep around? Besides creating a perfect, sensible place for each item we own (which usually means it's put away in a closet, bin, basket, or drawer) here are a few of my other tricks that might help you.

In our house now, it means our furniture has room to 'breathe' a little...it's not jam-packed in next to each other to fit more stuff in each room. I like to keep end tables an inch or two away from the couch so things don't look so visually cluttered. I leave space to let curtains hang behind furniture (in our next house I'm planning to eliminate curtains in all living areas, if possible) and I spend a little time each week 'adjusting' our furniture pieces that have gotten bumped around out of whack.

Along with that idea...I pick furniture that fits easily and makes sense in our space. YES I try to choose versatile pieces that will work from home to home, but I believe that means smaller, neutral items that are easily moved in and out, can stand good wear and tear, and be easily adjusted if we end up with a living room that's a different shape (ie: a leather sectional is something Josh has always wanted that I've adamantly steered clear of...or a 10-foot farm table that is my 'dream' but is NOT sensible or practical for most people). The shelves we have in our living room are on the smaller side, but if we had anything bigger I think the space would be overwhelmed with too much BIG furniture. Plus, with more shelves, it's easier to collect THINGS! And that's not what I want to be doing.

Like I said, all of our surfaces are essentially empty. There is only a centerpiece on our dining room table at Christmastime so we can fully use it in our day-to-day life without always disrupting an annoying fancy centerpiece. The only item I keep on each of our two end tables is a lamp. And our third small end table usually sits empty. This just makes entertaining easier (nothing to knock over, always a place for a coaster and a drink!). The coffee table in the middle of our living room has a galvanized metal Magnolia tray to corral the books and mags I'm currently reading, and if I'm being honest, to add a little 'pretty'.

Be strategic with gallery walls, focal points, and texture pieces. This one took me quite a bit of trial and error, but I think I've finally hit my sweet spot. You can scroll back through my Instagram if you'd like to see some of the felonies I committed on the walls in this house or you can just take this advice here and now. ;)

If it's 'ugly' but also useful and necessary...I try and figure out a creative way it can be stored inside a basket or bin or a jar of some kind. Keeping alike things together is still my go-to phrase in this area and I'll tell you...storing colorful games and awkward purses and baby gear is HARD. It's taken a ton of time for me to get my head around how to store those things an efficient way. I find when we have LESS stuff overall, it suddenly makes storing what we need/use/love that much easier. Just yesterday I went to town on our guest bedroom closet and I was somehow able to free up an entire shelf of space. My ultimate goal is always to declutter and consolidate to the point where I find myself with empty drawers and shelves in the house. Then when birthdays and Christmas and another set of sheets are purchased, there's already a stress-free spot waiting for them.

Aside from the crazy pillows and the crazy man playing with his toys, this space is easy to pick up and keep clean because we keep it so simple.

If it's something special...or it doesn't fit right now but you love it...or you honestly, without a doubt plan to use it someday...just box it up and put it away. That's allowed. For me, that means a $4.99 tote is purchased, filled with alike seasonal decor/baby gear/pre-Maverick pants, labeled, and neatly stored in rows and piles in our fairly small basement storage space. I force myself to go through these totes from time to time because even our space down there is limited and I know I need to be smart about it.

Did I mention all of these suggestions will make cleaning a breeze?! Ok, that's a lie...cleaning always takes a little effort if you're doing it right. But when there is less stuff to dust around, it literally takes 5-10 minutes to dust every surface in our house. The countertops, island, buffet, and table are empty and easy to wipe down and keep clean. I'm living proof you don't have to sacrifice the design/decor/pretty element in order to have a clutter-free home.

You guys I could go on and on but this post is already way too long. And I'm not even sure I imparted anything new and helpful but do with it what you will. Now that we're decluttered here, I'm planning to take on a couple projects I've put off (the kitchen island is calling my name) so stay tuned for before, during, and after pics of that. ;)

MmB


If you're interested in any of the other blogs I've posted about getting organized...here they are:

How I keep Maverick (and all of his crap) ORGANIZED
House Organization: A Love Story
12 Organizing Commandments

Valentine's Day Traditions

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'm not sure if holiday's are more fun for kids, or for their parents. Last year Maverick was still pretty little and couldn't do very much for 'fun.' So we left him home with James for a night to celebrate Valentine's Day and that was just fine. But this year...this year we are going all out and our night is going to be so fun!

For as far back as I can remember...our family has done a fun RED THEMED supper on Valentine's Day. We would wear nice clothes (dad always wore a red tie!) and eat meatloaf or spaghetti and red jello and red-dyed mashed potatoes (or anything else my mom could think to add food coloring to). Valentine's Day has never been just another Tuesday for us, oh no. We set the table with pretty white china from the china cupboard, and the part that was the most fun...eating in the dark with only candles lighting the table! Sometimes we would drink sparkling cider from goblets...sometimes we had something extra-special for dessert...mom and dad would exchange their cards and small gifts, and then Jamie and I always got something small to open. Usually it was bath and body lotion or fun socks...gel pens, chapstick...you know, stuff all little girls love.

Well...I now live a life where the boys outnumber the girls in my house BUT I DON'T CARE. What I loved about Valentine's Day growing up had nothing to do with it being a "made up holiday revolving around commercialism." The parties and treats in our classroom at school aren't even what I remember (I take that back, I DO remember shoebox decorating being stressful with our dear mother ;) I just loved doing something different and special, with our little family. Planning the 'menu' with our mom the week before...putting a table cloth on the table...and I distinctly remember eating in the dark was a highlight (dad hated that part, which is part of the reason we liked it so much).

So even though our parents are in Manson tonight having a red dinner of their own...we are carrying on the tradition for ourselves! And I wanted to share what I pulled together for our dinner table. Most of these plates were no more than $1.00 to add to my collection, and I love using them for things like this. Jamie and I have had fun 'planning' everything these past few weeks and I think our parents are secretly thrilled this is yet another way we get to bond as siblings in this new stage of life we're all in.

Who knew dying mashed potatoes pink would have had such a lasting effect on the traditions we would choose to carry on with our families/boyfriends/kids...haha. I'd encourage you to zero in on a few simple, easy, but special things you can do with your families to make today special.

Hope you're all celebrating love today! Love for your spouse, significant other, kiddos, but most importantly...love for our Savior! Which is the only reason we're able to know true love.

1 John 4:19: We love because He first loved us.

Happy Valentine's Day!

MmB

...also please remember with me this photoshoot from last year...

A centerpiece made from One Spot cake plates and ugly china!

Opinions on Sibling Spacing

If ONE MORE person asks when we're going to have more babies, I'm going to scream calmly communicate the following:

God will give us our babies whenever He's ready...but we're certainly not in a rush to have ALL THE BABIES as fast as we can.

Maybe it's because (as I mentioned at the end of this post) we are in deep the throes of teething hell...or maybe it's because every other person I talk to these days is asking but I need to know where people are getting the idea that after #1, you automatically become a baby-making machine. I did not sign up for that version of motherhood, you guys.

Disclaimer: There are people who do two under two and three under three and whatever under whatever REALLY WELL. In my experience over the past 17 months, I (pretty firmly) do not believe I am in that group of crazy amazing moms.

If you are feeling the constant pressure to have another and another and another when you're scrolling through Facebook while holding your still-breastfeeding ten-month-old thinking HOLY CRAP I WOULD HAVE A PANIC ATTACK IF WE HAD ANOTHER BABY ON THE WAY RIGHT NOW. Listen in precious mother-of-one...

There is NO RULE that says you HAVE TO have your babies AS FAST AS YOU CAN.

Did you know that?!

This 20-minute scenario was all I needed to know adding another baby ASAP was not exactly ideal. No part of me experienced what is referred to as 'Baby Fever.'

The terminology "Sibling Spacing" is all the rage. Having those babies as close together as your body will allow is a whole 'thing' these days. It's fine. But also...it's not for everyone. I'd be lying if I told you Josh and I are 'back to normal' in all areas of our life together after 17 months. Some days it feels like paying a few bills and keeping the baby happy alive is ALL I can handle...and even then, I find out I've forgotten something or messed up an invoice. I'd be lying if I told you this didn't result in conflict. Some days we communicate and serve each other well, many days we don't. Adding parenting to the marriage balance is hard, hard work! Especially when I'm essentially single-parenting nine months of the year...figuring out our groove in the off-season is (oddly) just as challenging as balancing everything on my own during Josh's busy season.

When you're low on sleep (as we have been this past week)...everything IS THAT MUCH HARDER. The communicating is harder and the patience-having is harder and the good-attitude is nearly impossible. Just forget about a cheerful, joyful, loving, serving spirit when the sleep tank is on empty. Even though I only have one kiddo, there are still days when it's all about survival. One can be hard too! Thank goodness every day is a new beginning and a chance to do better. Wanting time to catch your breath between babies is not a bad thing.

The pressure to quickly add another peanut to our little crew is honestly scary to me, even now. Our baby is still a baby and I want to enjoy JUST him for as long as I can. And there is nothing wrong with that! I picture dealing with newborn-i-ness on top of a barely-toddler in the midst of teething, sleep-regressions, and colds and I am not kidding when I say: I can't even. We barely survived this week (and from the looks of Maverick's gums, we're in for a loooong couple of weeks). The good news is, many of you CAN even and you rock it so hard. I sit in complete amazement when I see you moms with so many littles at church early AND looking fabulous. Or on Instagram being adorable. Or hauling your babes through Hobby Lobby without breaking anything. Rock on.

I tend to fall into the less popular camp that a healthy three-year age gap sounds lovely. Blissful, actually. I helped a mom-friend paint her basement this summer and she has kiddos who are 6, 9, and 12. They played wonderfully together. She told me when she brought their second home, she looked at her first (who was three) and said, "Alright. You're an adult now." And to an extent, that makes so much sense! Tying shoes. Potty trained (or close). Eating. Buckling seat belts. Being helpful with miniature three-year-old chores. I'm loving the whole idea. But I was like, what?? A fellow 'Cornerstone Mom' didn't have her babies like a literal machine? I didn't even know that was allowed!

So I'm here to tell you it is. It IS allowed.

Note: Jamie's little pointer finger. I can't.

This idea that those babies HAVE to be close together so they're lifelong best friends...is...how do I put this? Not necessarily a guarantee. I'm not buying into that current trend. I don't know if you know me and my sister...but we clocked-in at a solid FOUR-year age gap. People can hardly believe it since we look so much alike (that has become more of a compliment for me, and less of a compliment for Jamie ;) We played well together when we were little. Spent some time 'apart' during our middle school and high school years (by that, I mean we weren't BFF's but our 'time apart' still meant sharing a tiny bedroom and bunk beds until I was 14). And now...I'm not sure there have ever been better sister-best-friends. Seriously.

You guys...age gaps large and small mean nothing. Nothing!

Josh comes from a family with nearly perfect two-year age gaps between all four kiddos. It's what I consider to be a big, crazy family. Brothers are so different than sisters, though. And personalities play a huge role in the friendships and sibling bonds that will form. Which is something no one can know (except God!) when taking this family planning business into consideration. Josh has been closer to different siblings at different times in his life...right now it's tricky with a family this big because life stages are all over the place, jobs are insanely busy, and living farther than 10 minutes away makes it hard to get that daily-life-closeness Jamie and I have. It's not bad, it's just different and takes quite a bit more planning and effort. Boys communicate sooooooo much differently than girls so the 'effort' isn't always there. If I had to guess, I'd say he hasn't texted or talked to his brothers in over a week, maybe more. And they're all totally fine with it.

While we've been discussing this sibling-spacing stuff, I've observed that Jamie and I have been best friends for approximately the past seven years. Basically our entire 'adult' lives. Our life stages have been vastly different, and yet, we still easily connect. Consistently. Josh played well with his siblings who were all close in age growing up (and they have the stories to prove it) but currently, daily texting/talking/hanging out looks much different, despite that closeness in age. Recently, the only time we're ever all together (that's 15 people in our immediate family!) is at Christmas. It's just interesting to observe and discuss. Lately I've talked with other mom's who feel exactly like I do but are being sold this HAVE ALL THE BABIES SUPER FAST idea and I figured someone should speak up and say that's not necessarily the best way for everyone.

I wouldn't say she was my 'built-in-best-friend' growing up...but that almost doesn't matter now that we're adults and can't imagine going longer than 12 hours without talking (I only say 12 because we have to sleep).

I'm throwing the stupid pressure to have our kids as fast as humanly possible...out the window. If that's what you want or how you see your future family...good! Fine! Go you! You're more of a Super Woman than I will ever be. I might be changing diapers for eight years straight, but I'd like to give my body a chance to re-set between pregnancies and a year of breastfeeding (I want to be as healthy as I can be heading in to #2 and I know I'm not there yet!). Josh and I have a little more time to keep finding our new normal (I feel like that's more important that reproducing at a rapid rate!), and maybe even catch a few nights of solid sleep between the teething and sleep regressions. #PLEASEGOD

Ultimately, God will give us our babies whenever He's ready...whether we think we are or not. If we find out I'm pregnant tomorrow, the joke will definitely be on me and my adorable big mouth. And by 'joke' I mean 'baby'...which would be undoubtedly be a blessing. I'm just here to say...there's more than one way to do this motherhood thing. Maybe it's cranking those kiddos out quick. Maybe it's creating a little more space in between. Maybe it's having two, waiting 20 years, and then adopting a couple more when God calls you to. I have no idea! I obviously don't know how our family will look (because I really think it might include a couple African beauties)...just enjoy whatever moment you're in with however many babies you've got. And for the love, stop asking other people when they're going to have more!!! ;)

MmB

How to Train your Dragon...umm I mean your Toddler

Here are a few ways I successfully decorate our house with a 17-month around...without sacrificing anything I love along the way. I do not put up a gate around our Christmas tree. I do not undecorate the bottom shelf on our book cases. I do not childproof the cupboards and drawers. I generally live by the phrase, "we houseproof our child." Perhaps an unpopular way to parent in our millennial generation, but it's working really well for us so far (I say that, understanding we've only been doing this for 17 months...I barely know anything...but I do know that Maverick understands the word 'no' and we use it frequently).

I feel like there's a balance between pretties Maverick can learn to 'not touch' or 'be gentle' with...and then there's just asking for it. I honestly don't have anything too precious within his reach. Nothing extremely valuable, breakable, or tiny tiny...because that doesn't seem wise (and also because we don't own a lot of that kind of stuff). But I do keep even my lowest shelves styled with picture frames, old books, flameless candles, mason jars, etc. and for the most part, he steers completely clear of all of it. And other than that...there's really nothing anywhere else in our house cluttered-up on his level. A HUGE reason I believe in and love a clean, clutter-free house (aside from the 2-3 months we 'do' Christmas...a lot of good training happened during those months).

In the living room Maverick's toys are confined to one crate and three small baskets under the TV. The crate keeps the toys we 'have on rotation' while the baskets keep his tractors, Legos, and balls sorted. He knows exactly where his toys are and knows how to ask for help if they're put away and he can't quite get the door opened. As long as he's gentle I don't mind him touching the shelves or the glass doors, though sometimes he needs reminding. I don't want our house to be full of furniture I'm terrified for him to touch. He can learn and explore and touch whatever he wants to, as long as he's doing it respectfully. And I don't see any reason that training can't start now.

In every room of our house, Maverick has a 'thing' he likes to keep 'hidden' to come back to. In my bathroom, it's my plastic diffuser attachment for my blow dryer. That thing can keep him busy for 20 minutes sometimes! In Josh's bathroom, it's a purple, plastic back massager. Again, something baby-safe and interesting for him to haul around the house playing with. In the kitchen he likes to pull out the tupperware/lids from two bottom drawers...he knows he's not allowed to touch the trash cupboard or the cupboards underneath the sink, but when I can redirect him with something fun and safe for him to play with...he has no problem leaving those cupboards that are 'off limits' alone. And now he knows those tupperware drawers are 'his.'

When/if I'm showering while Mav is awake, I shut all three bedroom doors and the bathroom doors, and I turn on PBS to keep his attention for 10 minutes so I'm not asking for a dishwasher-detergent-eating-accident to happen. For the first few weeks after Mav was crawling-mobile and walking-mobile I avoided showering while he was awake until he had learned the boundaries, but he can easily handle it now. Especially if Peg + Cat is on. 

Recently Maverick has decided toilets are just about the most interesting thing there is. It's not ideal for him to stand near the back and touch the handle and sides, but at the same time...kid's do that kind of crap all the time. I can't keep him from touching every. little. thing. when he's genuinely curious and it's not exactly hurting him. It's just more reason for me to thoroughly wipe the bathrooms down every couple of days and wash his face and hands more frequently. I don't want a house where he's scared to play or touch anything...he pooped on a throw pillow once and it was seriously no big deal. If I have anything that's too special or expensive for us to live our life...then that 'thing' needs to go.

I believe it's important to train Maverick responsibility for his belongings, respect for other people's things, and how we behave when we're other places. Those are big concepts for him to fully grasp yet, but he is showing signs of being able to understand. When we're at Nana's house, he knows he can't play in the fireplace ashes. When we're visiting friends, he automatically knows not to go near the pretty shelves. It makes going places much more enjoyable for both of us and in the event where he's in a 'mood' and tries touching something more than three times, he gets a swat, an explanation, then a hug and a kiss.

As for some of our other basic 'house rules'...we keep our shoes picked up and put away in a bin near the door. Most of our trash cans are 'hidden' from plain view, and that makes keeping Mav out of the garbage pretty easy. We keep remotes, phones, pens, coffee/water glasses out of reach at all times...because again, when Mav spilled coffee on my 12-hours-new rug at Christmas, it's because I left it somewhere asking for that to happen. Yes, he is smart enough to be trained...but at the same time, he's ONE! If I can't accept this kind of stuff when it happens as an accident and move on with life...then it's pretty clear my treasure lies exactly where it shouldn't. What good chance for a heart check whenever something gets lost/spilled/broken/ruined during this parenting journey.

One last thing that keeps me sane...we keep the toys in this house PICKED UP. Before nap...we pick up. Sometimes before supper...we pick up. Before bed...we pick up. Before we leave the house...we pick up. I rarely (if ever) find myself tripping over toys or frustrated at my house being a mess, because the toys are 're-set' two to three times each day. We're getting VERY close to him understanding how to do all of this completely on his own. And I don't just do it for my sanity...Maverick plays better when he has LESS stuff strewn all over the house. Getting his toys out each day and unloading one basket to discover everything he has in there is half the fun. He needs that fresh start, or he just ends up bored with everything after five minutes.

And that's basically it! We're nailing it in this area right now, however...

I'm writing this blog after two AWFUL Maverick-nights. Today I announced to Josh:
1. This is why we can't have kids close together. I will actually die of sleep deprivation. I'm sure that's a thing.
2. Maverick may very well end up being our only biological child because I'd like to adopt children who already come with TEETH IN THEIR HEADS. Perhaps not the correct heart to have for the adoption process? Whatever, IT'S JUST HOW I FEEL TODAY.

And this morning when Patti walked in the door for a Nana play date I said, "It's mommy-needs-a-margarita-at-lunch kind of day." This following a text that read: "HURRY AND COME PlAY NANA. WE ARE IN TEETHING HELL."

Hey. I've never claimed to not be dramatic. Here's to hoping tonight is better. Then again, maybe I should keep expectations low. Really low. So I guess here's to hoping I only need three cups of coffee tomorrow instead of four.

MmB

Winter with a toddler...

I'm always looking for new ideas for stuff we can do this winter to make it go by as quickly as possible, so I thought I'd share our list with you! Right now we've got a pretty good rotation down that keeps me sane and also keeps Maverick happy and busy. Don't get me wrong...there are days where we don't leave the house (and mommy does not cater to Maverick's every mood when he doesn't feel like entertaining himself) but these are some of the entertaining winter things we're loving right now...

Library: We don't go here as often as we probably should (so. many. kids), but when we do Maverick loves it. From the puppets to the Lego table...he's easily entertained for an hour or more. Plus it gets him around other kiddos and I like that too. It's on my list to check out Toddler Time...but if you read this blog, you know how I feel about things like this. Anyone want to go on a mom date with me so I'm not as overwhelmed? ;) Best part? It's free.

Playground for Kids: This is a little bit of a drive for us (just a half hour to Ankeny), but sometimes a morning drive to get us out of the house is a welcome change. On Monday a friend invited us to come try it out, and Mav loved it! I wouldn't recommend it before walking-age (crawlers are free, but I think most of your time would be spent making sure your crawling baby isn't trampled), but you can bring in snacks and spend as much time there as you want! Mav lasted just shy of two hours. They have family passes, punch cards, and daily admission...I think we will do a punch card here next winter for sure.

Church: When we're on top of our weekly schedule, Mav has three opportunities to play with his buddies at church. On Sunday's during our regular church service, on Tuesday's during play group in the gym, and on Thursday's while I'm in Bible Study. Honestly, there's nothing better than sticking him in the nursery for two hours to play while I get to spend two hours in Bible study. It gives me the small break I need for a fresh boost of mom energy and he has fresh toys and kids to play with. There's a small charge for Mav to be in a classroom during Bible study, but it ends up being $4/week...which is basically nothing. 

Chick-Fil-A: Do other people consider this an 'activity' for their child like I do? Mav and I like breakfast dates when it's not quite as crazy, but going over the lunch hour is fun too. We go about every other week to keep the play place entertaining (it's not huge...also something I like), and I sip my iced coffee. Josh does the lawn care/snow removal here and we like frequenting businesses that also support our family. :)

Mall Playground: This thing is probably not as much fun for kids over the age of three (or maybe four?) but Mav loves it. We can spend a good hour here too. A little more than that if we start our trip with a stroll in the shopping cart through the aisles of TJ Maxx. Bonus, then I can use their shopping cart to haul the diaper bag, baby, AND my coffee to the other end of the mall. Another fun place that's free!

Shopping Rotation: Between our bi-weekly trips to Sam's, Target, Fareway, occasional trips to Hobby Lobby, Lowe's, and Thiessen's...Mav gets to experience lots of new things just from our regular shopping trips for boring stuff like paper towels and toothpaste. He likes the samples and books at Sam's Club...the fake flowers at Hobby Lobby...and the free popcorn at Thiessen's. The equipment at Lowe's is always fun for him to get out of the cart and explore and I like getting out of the house to do some roaming for myself. We usually invite Josh along for the Sam's Club/Thiessen's/Lowe's trips. ;)

Swimming Opportunities: Every Saturday all year, you can pay $35 for five, hour long 'swimming lesson' in the warm therapy pool at Mary Greeley. It's so awesome. $35 gets you five 'lessons' (I'm using the term 'lesson' here loosely because it's really just floating around getting your baby/kiddo used to water...there is a sweet lady there as an instructor during the hour) and you can bring whoever you want to get in and swim or watch on the side. Last year I brought Jamie a bunch of times and my mom came to watch once. I'm planning to invite my G'ma along this year. 

Certain hotel pools in Ames also allow open swimming for a small fee. Friends have invited us to the Country Inn (kids are $2, adults are $4 I believe?) and it's so fun to bring snacks and toys and have a 'pool day' in the middle of winter.

Day Trips: These are mostly for mommy and daddy, but we like loading up and going places on a whim, when we're able to in the winter. A couple Saturday's ago Josh got up and said, "when are we going to go visit my grandparents?" and I was like, "umm whenever you want." He said, "wanna go today?" and within a half hour we were loaded and headed up to the farm. We like taking trips to stay in the cabin at Twin Lakes, to visit Nana in Ankeny for some exploring, and to Manson to stay with my parents for a couple days every once in awhile. I want to make plans for a trip to see the Magnolia line at Homemaker's again and The Container Store in Des Moines soon, and Josh and I have our sights set on day trips to Pella, Boone, Dubuque and when spring comes, Independence and Dyersville. 

Pumpkin Patch: I know taking your kid to a toy store just to play sounds a little weird. But the Pumpkin Patch downtown has a few play areas where kids are totally welcome to come do just that. We were there twice last month! There's a train table on the main level and then a kitchen area + more trains and activities upstairs. Sometimes we buy something, sometimes we don't. But I like knowing where I can get a unique kid birthday gift when I need one.

Reiman Gardens: Free day, on the first Wednesday of every month, is our favorite! There isn't a ton to do there in the middle of winter, but the warm butterfly room is small (just Mav's size) and fun to explore. During the spring/summer/fall, there is easily enough to keep kiddos busy for a couple of hours outside and inside. They sell year-long passes that are super affordable, but until Mav is 'running and jumping' age, I think we'll stick with Free Day.

Snowtime: Once or twice a week I bundle Maverick up (which he hates) and we go for a short romp in the snow. Sometimes it's just a walk up and down our sidewalk. Sometimes I make him put on boots and actually walk through the yard...a couple weeks ago we sat on the deck and threw snowballs against the house for a while. Either way, the whole process got us outside doing something, and I got some cute (sad) snow pictures for Instagram. 

Mommy's Favorites: We do Mav-stuff quite a bit (obviously)..but there are days I declare MOM DAY and we hit my favorite places. Burgie's for a coffee date (Mav snacks on animal crackers and watches Einstein's while I visit), JB Knacker for some antiquing, the Story City Antique Mall where I whip through in 45 minutes or less while Mav enjoys a 'walk' in the stroller. I like stopping at Overflow on the first weekend of every month to try my luck at finding cute kid clothes for 50 cents each. Maverick and I both head to the salon about every eight weeks for a hair cut (him) and a lip wax (me). On days it's above freezing I like to bundle up and do a quick neighborhood walk. And I can't exactly pretend the HobLob and Target trips are all for Mav...they just happen to be places he really likes and I can mix in to the rotation of winter 'activities.' 

Add in the visits to see friends and their new babies/kiddos... and I'd say we've been staying downright busy lately. I have a love-hate relationship about it, but Maverick seems to be pretty when we're on the go. When he stays busy he naps and sleeps better, and I get some of the social activity I know I should be more intentional about engaging in with other moms. 

Happy February, everyone!

MmB