first day of preschool

it's official, they're preschoolers. today was their first day of school. they actually missed their first day on Monday because Ella came down with a stomach bug.  both were very excited for today and couldn't wait to go in and play. there were no tears, and Ella went right in and started painting a picture haha. now I just can't wait to go in and pick them up to hear all about their day.

let's try this again

there hasn't been a lot of blogging going on this summer at all, but I can say a lot of summer going on. I really enjoy summer and the lazy hot days. we've had a nice summer filled with lots of play dates, and playing in the kiddie pool. And recently we went on a family vacation to Myrtle Beach South Carolina. I have to say the touristy ness of Myrtle Beach is not our thing but the nice warm ocean and hot beach days were just what we needed. 

the twins start preschool tomorrow, then we have ballet and soccer starting this weekend too so let's hope I can find time to blog in the busyness since its nice to remember and look back on the day to day, the whole reason I decided to blog. 

Summer

sorry I haven't posted in forever, I guess we have just been busy enjoying our summer. I really have no idea how its July already but it is and time is just flying by. trying to soak up the summer and all it brings before it passes right by. Hmmm why can't winter pass by fast like this :) 

Simple moments

getting out in between rain storms to play in the park, which we had all to ourselves was pure magic. it was our little adventure to try and time it just right to get some park time in before the skies opened up and poured on us all. so very thankful for stroller covers!

lunch at the park

we have been spending our days at the park here in NY. every day that there's no rain we're out and playing for hours at the park. we have two favorites here in chelsea that we have been visiting. since my double stroller doesn't fit in most shops or restaurants I have been packing the twins their lunches. they usually play their little hearts out for a few hours before they'll sit down and eat lunch, or ill have them eat while in the stroller and we're walking. it's a nice little routine we have here, and lots of park time for us.

a manhattan evening

tonight was a beautiful night here in Manhattan for us. Keith was working late so i decided to pack a picnic dinner and head to the Hudson River. I found a nice grassy area along the river where I set up our picnic. Aiden and Ella ran free in the grass and watched for boats and helicopters. Keith met up with us towards the end of the evening as the sun was setting, so we decided to hit up Chelsea market for ice cream and a stroll on the high line. the views at night from the high line are gorgeous. I just love the views of the city at night. Aiden and Ella stayed up way past their bed time but it was worth it to have such a nice family night out. now lets hope they both sleep in tomorrow :)

Central Park zoo

we went to the Central Park zoo today with the twins. they both had a blast. we took the subway uptown and then walked a few blocks to the park. it was a cloudy day and the forecast said no rain but clouds all day. well the forecast was wrong and we got rained on. but it was a soft rain and didn't bother us one bit. I love the rain, and as long as its not a cold winter rain I don't mind. Aiden and Ella really loved the seals, and i swear one of the seals seriously posed and showed off right in front of Ella as if he was performing for her. it was super cute. after they would see one exhibit they would both say another animal, another animal as we would go to the next.

oh and on our way back to the apartment we walked upon a street fair and oh my gosh I had the best corn on the cob ever. it was grilled and smothered with butter and salt, the best!

we're almost there

Aiden and Ella's "big kid" room has been a work in progress but I am really loving how it is all falling into place. I just bought this rug at target, oh wow I'm in love. I didn't know how it would look in their room or if it even would be right for a kids room. boy am I glad I got it because i think it really completes the room now.

it's been awhile

so it's been almost a month since I last blogged. April, lets see besides going by so fast was filled with sick toddlers, so so weather and an ER visit from a high fever. lets just say I was happy to see May. and speaking of May, we have been staying off and on in Manhattan this month and will be for until June. Keith has to be up here for work and well were taking full advantage of it and enjoying all that NYC has to offer.

two little souls

these two little souls, how am I so lucky to be their mama. it amazes me sometimes that God chose to give me these two beautiful souls to guide and protect, to mold into the people that they will be. what a job, what an honor to be given this job. truly amazing.

so yea

we're dealing with colds over here, runny noses, coughs and cabin fever. the colds also arrived just as the weather began to finally warm up. I swear I was wearing my winter jacket last week and now hello I had shorts on today. so yea nothing to much going on so far this week besides cleaning little noses.

breakfast time

breakfast has to be my kids best meal of the day, so I really try and take advantage of that and provide a good healthy breakfast for them. now don't get me wrong somedays it's cold cereal with fruit but for the most part I try to limit those days. oatmeal is one of my favorite ways to add a lot of healthy into a little bowl. we start with rolled oats and go from there, changing it up and letting the twins help me add some things. this morning we did a peanut butter oatmeal, it was a hit and provided a lot of calories and healthy fat.

Ingredients:
rolled oats
peanut butter
smashed banana
plain whole milk yogurt
coconut oil
flax meal
chia seeds

as I cook the oatmeal, I smash my banana and add a spoonful if peanut butter to each bowl. I put in a small spoonful of coconut oil to the cooking oatmeal this way it melts it down nice right into the oatmeal. when the oatmeal is done cooking I add it to the bowls with the smashed bananas and peanut butter, add a little bit of yogurt and then I let the twins help add the "seeds" ( the flax and chia), they get very excited for this part. ill serve the oatmeal along with a fruit, today it was cut up oranges. so there you have it, it's what we eat for breakfast.

orange kale juice recipe

this is one of my favorite juices to make, it's sweet and refreshing and has a healthy dose of kale.
ingredients:
two apples
orange (peeled)
four carrots
small piece of ginger
three large kale leafs

careful with the ginger as it can be spicy if you add too much, unless you like it that way then add as much as you like.

an art class

we tried out a children's art class this week and had so much fun. I try to get out with the twins a few times a week to either a library toddler class, a play date, or a open play. I usually try and scope out the free things to do as the children classes at the kiddie gyms or music programs are pretty expensive. But I've been wanting to check out this local art class for children and sucked it up and paid for one class for them. and I totally think it was worth it, they had a lot of fun exploring the different stations set up with painting, play-doe, and a sensory box of beans. it was fun to watch them exploring and learning and I felt good that I got to introduce them to something new and fun. I hope we can try and go back twice a month. there's no way we can go every week, especially paying for both but I'm sure we can squeeze it into our budget and make it work. speaking of budgets I need to revisit mine and work harder at cutting it ha I feel that's all we do is cut. well maybe that's my next project to work on creating a budget that works and saves us money so we can do art classes and things alike with the kids as well as save for a house :).

we be juicin

Aiden and Ella love when I juice for them. this afternoon along with their snack I made them apple and kale juice. it's one of their favorite combos and I feel accomplished that there getting some dark leafy greens in even if its only in juice form.

oh Ella

today I called to Ella to come get her diaper changed, and she corrected me "no mama, I'm princess Ella", haha oh little lady of mine, yes you are a little princess.

Boston you sure are pretty in the snow

we're currently in Boston, and boy oh boy it is so pretty in the snow.

seriously the best chocolate shake ever

we made the best chocolate shake ever this week. so yummy and pretty healthy too.

ingredients:
frozen banana
nice big spoonful of peanut butter
a little ground flax seed
soy milk
chocolate soy milk
*for the milks I use half regular soy and half chocolate

I don't measure things out, just eye ball it as I add them to the blender. once you add it all in the blender, blend away and bam there you go a super yummy and healthy snack shake.