Easter

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter! I know we felt incredible gratitude to wake up forgiven and to spend our day with loved ones for our Lord Jesus. Spent the morning with God and then joined my parents for a delicious breakfast at a favorite restaurant of ours. Afterward, we had to move our egg hunt indoors, due to the rain. It all worked out though, because for B's first hunt she was a pro and found every single one and had so much fun opening them "WOW! Green duck!" or "Ohhh booful (beautiful) blue bunny!". It's so precious to see the holidays through your child's eyes.

 
We relaxed for the afternoon and made some fun snacks and crafts, as well as reading lots of spring time books. That night we enjoyed dinner at my step-dad-in-law's mom's (say that ten times fast) house. B got to do another egg hunt and scored big with eggs filled with $2 bills and quarters. It was definitely a very hoppy day!

If you know me, you know I love making fun and festive foods for the holidays... Okay, who am I kidding, I like making them all the time. On top of that, I always like to keep it healthy in our home. So, below are some of the fun and nutritious Easter treats I made for our tot this year. As well as the goodies to fill an entire Easter basket and eggs without candy. I hope this sparks some fun ideas for next year for your kiddos, or even just fun ideas for any day. I'm pretty any toddler will accept bunny pancakes 365 days a year. So for breakfast on Saturday (because we were going out to eat on Sunday), I made these healthy bunny pancakes which B thought was the greatest thing ever. "It's bunny mama, it's his ears. I yike it, it's yummy!" Then on Sunday afternoon she had some fruit filled eggs... no candy for my healthy baby bunny.

 I filled her hidden eggs with the most adorable individual Easter themed stickers (thank you Target, yet again!) So grateful not to have spent Saturday night cutting out individual ones, which was my original plan until I found these gems.

I I mean, the Easter Bunny filled her basket with plenty of goodies too! She received many other baskets from family too, all with arts & crafts, stuffed bunnies, baby lotion, and not a sweet in sight. They all know this crazy Mama Bear means healthy business.(;

 

B's dress & hat: Gymboree // Sandals: Target

F A L L

There's something about that first morning of Autumn; just a few days ago was a blazing hot summer, but today is cool, it's crisp, it's fall. And that, is a beautiful thing.

 

I'd definitely say I've always loved the season of fall. I grew up in San Diego, so I was actually a beach girl, and thrived in the summer as a kid. But now, as an adult, and especially as a mama; I live for fall. There's just something about it, a vibe the earth creates to let you know a new season has begun. 

The leaves begin to change to beautiful shades of rust, gold, brown, and fading greens. They also rustle in the cool breezes as they fall to the ground, providing a confetti from nature if you will. They also become a smile on my daughter's face, as she stomps with all her might to get that satisfying crunch sound as we walk through the neighborhood.

I find comfort in fall; there's a cozy and heartwarming feeling that it brings. Maybe it's the chunky sweaters and soft scarves that make their way back in to my wardrobe, perhaps it's the switch of my lattes going from iced to hot, or even the tingling smell of cinnamon everywhere that just makes the world seem more whole.

As a kid, back to school was always exciting until the homework, of course. Though my daughter isn't old enough yet, seeing other's youngins on their first day back makes me smile. It's a new year, where our youth will be filled with knowledge, lessons, and friendships. That to me, is so sweet. I can't wait to be picking out backpacks and new shoes with Brooklynn; to helping her practice her spelling lists and coloring maps. The calendar year starts in January, but a new year of learning and growth begins in the fall.

Football kicks it off; no punted pun intended. I can't help myself, sorry. The way the whole country is involved in the same thing at the same time; it's patriotic to me. Obviously there are many opposing fans, but we're all still watching the same games and sharing in the excitement of it all. We all enjoy rooting for the team we're passionate about and the bonding we have with friends during the game. The homemade chili, soups, and dishes that hubby makes for game day make it all the better. Basketball, which happens to be my favorite, chimes in soon after football begins. I married into a basketball breed of family, so this time of year is always exciting, as we cheer on every Legends game from the courtside and show our bluest Mavericks pride!

I mentioned before how much I enjoy this time of year, especially as a mama. Our daughter will be two in January and she's at the perfect toddler age to create fun fall crafts and get a kick out of the Halloween decorations as they come out. I started making her festive foods last year; like oranges with jack-o-lantern faces or googly (kiwi) eyed smoothies. I can't wait to make even more this year, because I know she'll enjoy it even more and understand what Mama's doing. Pumpkin patches, hay rides, and corn mazes are in order too. Naturally, to be followed up with carving and decorating our pumpkins while watching Hocus Pocus. I'm not sure if she'll sit and enjoy it or just run amokamokamok during it, but I've got to introduce her to the Sanderson sisters early on. Duh.

We have our Halloween costumes planned as a family of three, and though it's a surprise, I'll hint that we match and it's Disney.(; We're stoked to take her trick or treating, now that she can walk and even say "thank you". In case you read my posts about raising her healthy; NO, she will not get to eat anything she collects... unless of course people want to start handing out Lara Bars and apples? We will have mama approved "nacks" on hand to trade out in her bucket for her to nibble like the big kids. 

After the BOOOOS! comes the gobble gobbles. Yet another warm and cozy day, filled with family, food, football, and fun. A day that we reflect on how beautiful life is, and show our gratitude in a celebration that is the falliest (that's now a word) of them all. For this day, I am thankful. For fall, I am grateful. For every day of this wonderful life, I am truly blessed. 

Now that Brooklynn is to an age where she truly enjoys all the festivities and is making millions of memories, we want to make every moment count. New traditions will be made, festive fun will be had, scrumptious food will be eaten, and love and laughter will be shared with family. And I'll be soaking up every falling leaf of it.

I hope your fall, like ours, is all that pumpkin spice dreams are made of.

moccasins: Freshly Picked & "Ello Love" onesie c/o: kateandjames