Lately it seems like the days fly by, Sunday, Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & whoosh - one more week is over, just like that.  I feel like I have not accomplished much recently, aside from the start to finish of each day :)  I am tired but happy, wishing I had enough time to do all the things I want to do for my children, my family, and myself.  Some days I feel just plain defeated, but most days I try to focus on feeling lucky . . . lucky to have these two in my life . . . 

the funny thing about motherhood, it can drain you to the point in which you feel you have not one ounce of energy left and in a simple moment - maybe a tender hug from the Nicholas, a wave across the living room from Ryan as he peeks up from a book he is reading,  the silly way Nicholas carefully brings a spoon to his month and then when it hits his lips watching him gobble it up like crazy, being in a store and hearing Ryan's loud booming voice say "Hey Mom, I love you!!" for no reason at all - these moments filling me up again with the energy of an army, ready to take on whatever my day may bring to give happiness to my two little boys . . . 

Speaking of giving happiness to my little ones, Ryan is a party guy - like seriously, if he doesn't end up in some type of event planning in his future career he will have missed his calling :)  He was insistent on planning an ocean party & it worked out perfectly that my niece & nephew were coming to visit.  I stayed up til the wee hours Saturday night trying to prepare for all the things Ryan had in mind.  First up, the "ocean" water mat - you may have seen this on Pinterest HERE - definitely took some time & effort taping the tarp up but the kids had a blast!!

Next, crafts for the kiddos - Ryan & I used to do tons of crafts pre-Nicholas & pre-afternoon preschool - it has made a comeback this summer & I have realized how much I miss doing this kind of stuff with him :)  

Paper Plate Aquariums . . .

Ocean in a Bottle . . . 

Toilet Paper Octopus Friends . . .

Oh & what party wouldn't be complete without some special snacks, fishy & beach cupcakes . . . 

An exhausting day for sure, but so much fun!!!

I am making a vow to get into my scrap room more, I have been missing my creative time & am excited to start creating on a more regular basis (more to follow on that later . . .)  - for now, a recent page of my little Nicholas featuring the Basic Grey PB & J line . . . 

The close-up on the journaling showcases these adorable tags, a mix of PB&J, Bananafish Studio, and Hello Forever.   

More to come soon - hope you are all well out there & enjoying your summer!!!