Oh Hey Friday! I've Missed You So.

Every Friday, our mornings go a little something like this:
Mommy: "Good morning, baby. Do you know what today is?" A: Sleepy eyes + toddler gibber gabber. Mommy: "It's Friday! Yay!" A: "Yeah!" [cue happy dance]
Are you ready for some Friday randoms? Great, just great.
one // We had a mini hot chocolate party for three last night. I made some hot chocolate with cocoa powder, sugar and milk. Since the marshmallows I had expired ten months ago (barf nuggets), I improvised and created "spider webs" using coconut flakes and food coloring. This was her first taste of hot lukewarm chocolate and she loved it. I foresee party numero dos this weekend, with a little more sugar. And marshmallows. Lots of marshmallows.  

two // I went to a Corsets & Cocktails event hosted by Houston Mom's Blog on Tuesday, and won a free pair of shoes from Brian James! I never win anything. Ever. What's even crazier Brian James Footwear was created by Angela Edgeworth, who founded pediped footwear for children. What to the what! I'm torn between these or these. Or maybe these. Help me. 
three // I'm swooning over this tee. Casual Friday errday. 
four // If you haven't checked out Real Food by Dad, please do. This dude is awesome, and his food is incredible. The best part is that he uses whole foods and the recipes are simple. I'm a foodie at heart and he's my idol. 
five // It's a three-day weekend, and I couldn't be more excited! I bought this tee, and I'm so excited to take some much needed time off to make a screen print for Halloween. I also promised myself that I would get started on A's Halloween costume. Let's do this.
Happy Friday!  

Oh Hey Friday! You're Better Than Thursday.

Here's brief three hours of my day in five lovely paragraphs. 
one // I was feeling dangerous, and decided to brave the outlet mall during the dinner hour. Anabelle had a snack on the way, a full container of water to keep her occupied (because what toddler doesn't need that), and a grueling slave mommy to carry her across the entire length of the mall. More fun facts, you ask? I accidentally parked on the other side of the Gap. I forgot the stroller. She's a slow walker. I knew my window of opportunity was small before she had a meltdown that she wanted to eat dinner. We had to hurry.
two // After a sweaty walk (thanks, Texas), we finally made it inside Gap, and I put her down so I could grab a few things. On my list: pajamas, pants and long sleeve shirts. An entire wardrobe, really. She's outgrown all her Fall clothes, the weather is supposed to be a little cool this weekend, and I started to panic she would have nothing to wear. That would make me a bad mother, and we couldn't have that.
three // We lasted approximately ten minutes. Mere minutes. She had a meltdown, and sat on the floor while I was sifting through clothes and pretended to cry. Anabelle wanted to be held, and didn't understand that I just couldn't hold her and everything else I had in my hands. This lady (who Anabelle had clearly suckered) came up to her and tried to comfort her while I continued to sift. I was hurrying, I swear. While I was paying, Anabelle refused to get up and sat there continuing to "cry." 
four // After I paid, I scooped her up and walked out. The moment we stepped outside, she giggled and gave me the sly eye. "Oh, don't worry, baby, I knew what you were doing." Clearly, she thought she won this round, but I assure you, she didn't. Let's call it a draw. 
five // We had Chick-Fil-A for dinner, since it was right around the corner, and I spontaneously replaced that activity for hot chocolate set on our October Advent Calendar. It was her first time there, (I really don't like Chick-Fil-A. Don't send the mob) she ate her entire kid's meal, and managed to play a few rounds in the playground. She wasn't thrilled with sharing, but you can't win 'em all.  

Cheers to the weekend! And cheers to this awesome link-up!
 

Oh Hey, Friday | Painting Fun With a Side of Germies

ONE \\ I stayed at home with Anabelle yesterday, because some kid at school has hand, foot and mouth disease. She's already had it once before, and I don't want her to get it again, especially right before vacation! She didn't eat very much at all yesterday and felt pretty warm all day. Plus she had bags under her eyes worse than I do. I contemplated letting her borrow my under-eye cream, but she has all of her grown-up years to tackle those, anyway.

TWO \\ After nap time, she seemed to be feeling better, so we did a little body painting with our Melissa & Doug Finger Paint Set 4-Piece. The paint is somewhat thick, but it's perfect for a toddler. Sensory fun all in one! I checked out her artwork this morning, and they came out Picasso-like. The colors are vibrant and smooth (the 6:30am picture tells you otherwise, I know). I put down an old sheet, gave her some scrap paper and let her have at it. I tried to coax her into painting on the paper, but after she started to paint her hand, she lost all control. Once she started to grab handfuls of the yellow paint and chunk it across the dining room floor, I shut it down. I have enough messes to clean already, my friend.

THREE \\ For those of you that follow me on instagram (thank you!), I apologize for not posting pictures too much. Anabelle dropped my phone and broke the camera. I just called to get a replacement, and apparently, the phone is on back order and I won't get it for another ten days! Unfortunately for you guys, I won't be able to blow up your instagram feed with our vacation pictures. I'm so disappointed, I could cry. Boo, T-Mobile. Please enjoy these faux "we're at the lake having so much fun" pictures instead.

FOUR \\ Anabelle has learned to say, "bad." Now when she does something she knows she shouldn't, she'll look at me, crinkle her nose, and say, "bad!" I have to look away so she doesn't see me laugh. It's the funniest thing ever. How do you guys avoid laughing at your children when they are doing something wrong, but look so adorable doing it?

FIVE \\ I promised myself I would get the playroom finished this weekend. There's a lot to be done and I'm getting overwhelmed just thinking about it. This is the reason I procrastinate. Maybe I'll just get some DIY projects done that have been sitting on my desk for months weeks. Yeah, that sounds like a better plan.

Have a great weekend everyone!