Summer Burgers.

Happy Summer!

Today is the official first day of Summer. To kick it off we're going to have a BBQ and make one of our favorite summer meals! Okay, that's a lie. We actually had this last night when I didn't realize summer started today. But in theory that sounds like a fun kickoff tradition, right? Anyway - Last night we had an easy, delicious, perfect summer meal and our entire family was loving it. Eric came home from work and fired up the grill and we sat down to All-American burgers and corn on the cob. Oh, and chips. Because obviously any Utz family having a BBQ needs to have Utz chips. It was SO good. Of course I've had burgers and corn before, but for some reason it just felt so down home and better than usual. Maybe it was the 'almost summer' taste I was picking up on? Haha But truly, we all gave a little, "MmmMmm good!" every now and then. Even Gavin which made us all laugh. While eating I mentioned to Eric that we should have burger night at least once a week this summer and he was quick to agree. Plus, he does the grilling at our house which means that's one less meal that I have to cook. Yay!

Do you have a meal that you eat every week? We usually try to switch it up and don't repeat too close together but for burgers? I think I can handle that one more often! Recently I read about a family who has 'Taco Sunday' and tries different kinds of tacos each week. Sounds like another meal I could latch onto! I'm debating testing out different burgers or keeping it traditional. What do you think? Also, what's your favorite summer meal?

Happy Summer, friends! Enjoy your weekend!

Two For One.

Last night, (technically this morning) we had a celebration. It was one of those crazy times where everyone in our house decided to wake up at once. Amidst a whirlwind of chaos and half asleep grumps, Owen's two loose teeth happened to come out! My little boy is growing way too fast and his first loose tooth quickly turned into two loose teeth, and now two lost teeth all in the blink of an eye... Where does the time go? When they fell out Owen squealed with excitement and didn't quite know whether to laugh or cry, so he did both. We all cheered and celebrated right there in the dark in the middle of the night. Who knew 2:30am could be so exciting?? Although Owen was ready to pop those babies under his pillow and await the fairy, Daddy and I assured him that he should wait until tonight because for all we know the Tooth Fairy could have already made her rounds. Best to give her notice, you know... So tonight my little toothless munchkin will tuck those 'two for one' teethies under his pillow at bedtime and hope for good things to come. He's already made a deal to share half his goods with his brothers. Impressive, huh? Just another reminder that my little boy is not so little anymore. Somebody, please stop time!

Here's Owen and all his toothless glory!

Photo Shoot.

Happy Friday!

Do you have big plans for your weekend? Celebrating Father's Day? We definitely will be, because as you know from this post and a bajillion others, Eric is the man. ;-) We'll also be celebrating with our other favorite father's and grandfather's too! The boys and I have a few special things for Daddy, one inparticular that I know he'll be thrilled about. BUT, I can't share 'til next week for the slight chance that he'll visit The Laundry Room and peek! For a little preview of one of our surprises, I tried having a little photo shoot with the boys this afternoon to get a nice shot to frame for Eric to bring to the office. The mood in our house today is less than great, so I worked with what I had and hoped for the best. I didn't get a perfect group shot, but here's what we came up with... 

What's your favorite? Would you use a silly one like the last? Have a wonderful weekend!!

The Wheels on the Bus.

As summer rolls in I find myself slowing down a bit. Normally I'd rush in and welcome the sunshine and swimming but now summer also brings my youngest boys birthday. Sigh. While I'm super excited to celebrate for my little man, it's always bittersweet to watch your little ones grow up, right? Next month Gavin will be two and I'm not quite sure I'm ready for that big number yet. He is my youngest boy and my 'baby' if you will, which means he needs to stay a baby. Like forever. But somehow I don't see things playing out that way though, so instead I've succumbed to planning a birthday bash filled with balloons, cake and tears for Mama. Last year we celebrated Gavin's first with a picnic style setup at the park. We hauled off all the decorations and set up at tables under a covered patio near the playground. Our friends and family braved the heat and joined us for an extremely hot and fun filled celebration. We chose to kick off with a 'Wheels on the Bus' themed party because since I can remember, the only thing that calmed Gavin in those crazy crying fits was when we'd sing that song. This year I don't have a plan yet but I've recently seen a great kids birthday based off of a favorite children's book so it's definitely gotten the wheels turning.

Here's a few photos from Gavin's first birthday last summer, if you'd like to see!

Gramma made a big cake and cupcakes to go with the theme! 

(the lighting made this look orange, but I swear it was 'school bus yellow')

School Bus cupcakes...STOP.

One of my best friend's, Christy came early to help decorate with streamers, balloons, and school bus signs!

We made School Bus water too!

Eric built this awesome 'BUS' photo booth that was a huge hit with kids and grown ups alike!

Gavin had a great first birthday, but now it's on to bigger and better things...

Bring it on two!

That's Okay.

When you have more than one child, one of the first things that crosses most parents minds is, 'How will I give them all enough attention?' A valid concern of course, but somehow everything falls into place and each child seems to make their way in the world just fine. As a mother of three little guys I find myself questioning this more often than not - Am I giving Mason the same attention I gave to Owen? Of course not. And Gavin? Without a doubt, no. And then the guilt sets in... But with the guilt comes the realization that it's okay. Not every child is going to get the same, need the same, be the same. As their mother, my job is simply to do the very best I can and if that means a half hour of playing blocks with my one year old while no one is home, so be it. But you can bet I'm gonna make one heck of a castle while it lasts.(bc Gavin can barely let me stack three high before he gets to swinging) so that's just what we did.

Today is Owen's preschool morning so Eric decided to steal Mason for his own little one on one. The two of them dropped off O and headed to the library for a special time. They read books and did puzzles and even stopped for a chocolate bar on the way home. (lucky!) While they were out I decided to give Gavin a special morning too. Since he immediately grabbed the bucket of blocks and dragged them to the living room floor I figured I'd let him take the lead. We dumped them out and built tower after tower while he knocked each one down. It was a perfect morning for the whole family and what do ya know? My children are all still healthy and thriving even if that's the only alone time they have all week. And ya know what? That's okay.