February iPhone Dump

Some of my favorite memories from the month of February!

I can't even count the times we have been to the Aquarium since January. I'm surprised they don't know us by name by now, because we go like 2-3 times a week, mostly just Finn and I, when Fox is at school. That lifetime membership we purchased in 2016 has really paid for itself by now. 

Just some car selfies with my big kid.

I'm glad he still loves Mama's smooches.

Finn claims the penguins are his favorite and "soooo cute". One day he asked me if we could take one home to swim in our pool and he was so upset wen I told him we couldn't. 

They have this clawing machine right in front of the Aquarium and I'm pretty sure we have about 37 of these fish at home by now. I like that you get to play until you win, and it's one of Finn's favorite things to do, so I always make sure to bring a dollar when we go. 

They put up this new King Kong statue in front of the Aquarium and Fox requested a picture with it. 

After almost seven years, Fox graduated to a booster seat in the car. I'm not going to lie, it made me really sad that he is outgrowing car seats. Little Brother wanted a turn on the new seat as well, but got really upset when I wouldn't let him sit in it while driving. One day soon enough, buddy!

I made the mistake to pull up pinterest for Valentine's Day box ideas for school and let Fox pick one. Obviously he picked the coolest one, but we pulled it off and he was so proud to show his friends at school. 

Another day...guess where we are...haha. 

Got to win a fish before we go into the Aquarium!

Looking at the stingrays...he's too afraid to touch them though.

Grandma Nene joined us, because she had heard all about the penguins from Finn.

We haven't had a playdate with Ella in a very long time, so Lindsay and I met up one morning at a playground to just let the littles play. It was so good to see her again and catch up and the kids had fun as well. 

That same day, after we picked up Fox from school, Fox wanted to go to another playground, so by the end of the day Finn was all played out...he was so tired.

And dirty too!

You know I have to take a picture whenever I get my baby snuggles.

We have been taking a few walks this month and Finn needed to bring his bacon for the road. He never used to sit in the stroller, but has been great about it lately, so I'm taking advantage while the weather is nice. We've also been taking a lot of walks with my friends, which is always great.

I posted the following in one of my private mommy groups and got a lot of amazing feedback. And since I'm pretty transparent and raw in this space as well, I wanted to share, because hopefully some other mom can relate, so here is some real talk!

I just need to put this in a safe space. My six year old came home with this Valentine’s card for me from school today.

“Dear Mama. I know every day is hard for you. I am sorry. Love xoxo Fox.”

He was very proud of it, but it made me feel like the worst parent ever. He should not know I have hard days. I almost cried. Sometimes I say things like “I need to go to bed, I had a hard day” or “don’t make it hard for me” (when he doesn’t listen to me at all or when he antagonizes his little brother). At his other house, there are two parents, but here, there’s just me and a lot of days it’s a shit show and it’s a lot for me.

Parenting is hard and being the only parent in my house can be hard as well. But I decided to see the positive and acknowledge what an empathetic and amazing little human I am raising. 

One of my friends invited a couple of girls to a virtual wine tasting night. She even made us little charcuterie boards, aren't those amazing?

And we had cupcakes! 

I usually never drink, but had a few glasses of wine that night and was probably the drunkest I've been in 12+ years (which wasn't even that drunk). It was a great night which some much needed laughs though.

My friend Tilly gave me the sweetest (and funniest) Valentine's Day card (which is too inappropriate to share), along with some chocolates and this necklace. I loved it so much, and made me feel so special, I truly have some amazing friends. 

One of my friends fostered this puppy for a week and I completely fell in love with him because he reminded me of my old dog Zuma. I was SO close to taking him home, which really never happens for me.

Finn was a big fan too and kept telling me for days that the puppy was sooooo cute.

Look at that concentration! Magna tiles are one of those toys that have been the best purchase ever. 

See Fox's hand? That's him telling Finn to get out of his space so he can read his book in peace and quiet...ha!

I donated some plasma a few times this month as well, and I haven't passed out since my very first time, thank goodness. 

We met some friends at a new Ninja playground, the weather was gorgeous, the park was amazing, and the boys had a blast.

I love when they hold hands or play together nicely. 

He cuddled with me ever so sweetly, saying “I love you Mama” over and over. My heart bursted.

5 seconds later he did this, laughed and said: “I’m tooting on you...it’s stinky!”

Finn got this little sink for Christmas and it's such a great toy. The water keeps recycling and he will wash his hands or dishes for a long time, without us having to waste water. Win/win. 

He asked me to take his picture with the Spiderman mask on.

He gives the best cuddles

Finn fell asleep on the way to the aquarium, so Fox and I had a little Starbucks drive through date while little brother was catching up on some zzz's. 

We haven't been to this dinosaur exhibit since Finn was an itty bitty baby. I thought it was a waste of money back then, and almost three years later, I still thought so. Finn has been asking to go back ever since and I'm not sure how long I can keep telling him that the place is closed until he catches on.

More aquarium fun.

My big kid.

This was the day that Finn asked me to take down the "baby swing" and add a "big boy" swing for him. I was so sad...he's growing up too fast!

We went to Skyzone a few times in the last couple of months, and Fox was very excited to be back since we didn't go in the last year at all. 

Dinner with the grandparents at Johnny Rockets. These boys are crazy when they get together with Grandpa.