bits of camp

Last week we went to Vacation Bible Camp. We sure had a blast learning more about our faith and singing camp songs everyday. We filled our day with faith stations, arts and crafts, free play and some praise and worship music time. It was so neat to watch my two little girls grow so much at camp. Zaylee had so much fun copying her big sister and trying to fit in with the big kids. Sophia truly experienced camp this year in the eyes and heart of a four year old.

Growing up, I have sweet memories of being shipped off to summer camp each year since I was probably six! I always went with a bit of nervousness of being away but always came home with a dozen new friends and fun memories. Now experiencing camp through the eyes of my children it is so different. The joy is almost elevated in a way that I find joy in their joy. I see them thrive off these new experiences and friendships and it is a whole new experience for me. This year Sophia has been wanting to be so much part of the camp, but yet struggling to let me go. She would beg and whine for me to stay near her through the whole day and part of every activity, but once I got there she would ask me to "go walk a bit further away." She would seek independence yet she wasn't a 100% on board with it. And I'm okay with that too. I'm okay being there every moment as she wants me to walk near her or just be near her as she "tries" something new. Ah the growing pains in age four is quite interesting. This mama is learning so much.

Thank you VBC for such a fulfilling and joyful week. I'm hoping next year we will be brave to pitch a tent and stay a few nights too. :)  

beach + bbq weekend

You know you had a very good weekend when you are dog tired on Monday. Today is one of those Mondays where I'm counting on nice long naps from the girls and some down time for myself. On Saturday I had a girls day with my daughters and a good friend, while Mike went to a bachelor weekend up in the mountains (if you follow us on Facebook, i'm sure you saw the pics of him on the jet skis). We took a trip up to Malibu Seafood and indulged in some fried oysters, scallops, crap salads, and fish taquitos. It was delicious and the view wasn't so bad either ;) We then ventured onto Malibu Country Mart to let the girls play in the playground and eat the best gelato on the West Coast.

^ Candy!! ^

^ Sophia would push Zaylee on the swing then run off screaming "ahhh!" It was  quite funny. There was also a little girl there pushing her little dog on the swing. :) ^

^ Can you hear the hearty laughter?! This girl loves her swings and has a pretty fantastic sister who loves to push her on it. ^

On Sunday, we ventured back to the beach after church to eat breakfast and play at the beach. We finished the evening off with a bbq making some yummy fajitas and filling our home with company and children playing. I think it was a pretty good weekend. 

Sonnet James

A couple a weeks ago, I stumbled upon these lovely play dresses by Sonnet James. Aren't they so cute?! I need to get my hands on one of these soon! Designer Whitney Lundeen has launched a kickstarter video to get her business going. Go and show some support and love! 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!! 

all images via Sonnet James 

My summer 5's

Since I've been asked a lot about these 5 items that I carry with me almost daily (with my kids), I thought I'd dedicate a blog post about them. 

These are my top 5 summer essentials for my own two children. 

1. Mini Boden's swimwear : I love that it protects my children from the sun! It means less time of smearing sunscreen on and more time to play! It doesn't hurt that its pretty stinkin cute on too. 

2. Planet Box: I just ordered these for camp and so far I LOVE them! They make me think outside the box (literally) and make me use more variety when packing lunches. 

3. Life Factory water bottles: I have been a fan for a couple years now with these. Water tastes differently when you drink from plastic and glass. The best part of these is that they come with different caps, so sometimes I switch to a sippy cap for my kiddos. 

4. Native Shoes: It is our 2nd year in a row with Native shoes for Sophia in the summer. They are light, easy and much cuter than Crocs. 

5. California Baby Sunscreen: This is always in my bag year round. There are no harsh chemicals in this one and it does the job pretty well. 

a last minute road trip

Last week we took a totally impromptu trip up to Sacramento to visit a couple of our very best friends. Mike and I love a good road trip because it reminds us of the good ol' days of endless conversing, good music, and some rosary praying before the kiddos came. Now with the girls it gets a little more hectic, but with usually good timing and lots of good snacks we still make out a pretty fantastic time.   

^when you start your trip with an In-N-Out burger on your lap, nothing can go wrong. Nothing.^

^ cheers to yummy snacks! ^

^ i love a good country drive ^

^ pitstop with my diva ^

^ Our favorite place in Sacramento is Leatherby Creamery! It is our friend's family business and hands down the best hand made ice cream and crab sandwiches. This is a strawberry shortcake sundae! ^

^ we spent everyday swimming and eating outside. oh summer, how i love you! ^

^ we had an incredible fireworks show at our friend's house! ^

^ we went to mass at the Cathedral and saw the Capitol!^

^ Prettiest field of sunflowers on our drive home! ^

weekend

This weekend felt like a good one. A typical one that probably most people live and one that is quite productive. We got to run all the errands that I had on my "to do" list and even threw a mini bbq/pool party over here last minute. Is there anything quite satisfactory like crossing everything off a long list and going to sleep at the end of the night to an exhausted body and clean house? I guess when your love language is "acts of service" stuff like this can be quite fulfilling. Its true...I love weekends like this sometimes. 

But, it was also a good weekend because I spent it with my little family. We got to run all these little errands with cranky and chatty children in the backseat while we blasted the AC against the hot heats. We ate popsicles and ice cream and let it drip all over our chinny chin chins and clothing's. We made forts and swam with our children and let them stay up pass their bedtime (did anyone else see the most gorgeous sunset Saturday night?!). We cooked and cleaned and even planned a spontaneous mini vacay. We argued, we disciplined and we laughed. Husband looked over at me several times during these car rides and told me he loved me during all of it. We took naps in a hot house, watered my one special plant and then sprayed ourselves with the hose. I made my staple pesto but made an incredible twist on it that brought out the flavors so much more (i'll definitely have to share this one soon!). And the icing on the cake was Saturday morning when I got to go to mass alone and went to confession (double the Sacraments baby!). God is so good and I am so thankful for this life of mine. 

Have a wonderful week everyone!