Scenes from the weekend

So I believe God is trying to prepare us for the heat and humidity in Florida! Well played!! Kentucky has been a scorcher!! I loaded the kids bags up this morning at 6am and it was already so hot!! This weather is not good for my hair!!



Trying to get everything ready for our big adventure!! Disney is so so close!! Mere starts school on August 16th. By the time we get back from vacation that doesn't give me much time to get all the school supplies and shopping! Luckily her school supply list was the shortest it has ever been! I already ordered uniform shorts and polos several weeks ago from Children's Place (they have the best deals). Her jumpers still fit from last year! Saturday after I got my hair cut we had a girls day and busted out some school shopping at Target! She picked out a new book bag and her supplies! I love back to school shopping! Heck, I love to shop! 😁 But gone are the days where my little girl lets me pick her stuff out !! She definetly is very opinionated in that area lol! Also picked up last minute vacation stuff!

Sunday it was either stay inside or spend it at the pool! The kids can only take so much inside time . They need to get out and burn energy! Plus they start bickering! Then I am going bonkers! Frist I took Max to get his hair trimmed. I can't stand when it gets to a point in the back. of course the front didn't need cut. He gave himself a hair cut a couple weeks ago. After that we packed up and headed to the pool for a couple hours!! The weekend went by in a flash! I am all kinds of ready to get this work week over! I was happy to see Monday! I have so much to do! I did pack the kids stuff! One check off my list!

The yeti cup is seriously the best invention! The outside was so hot I couldn't hold it for long. On the inside.. Ice cold!! My bestie gave this to me for my birthday! Best gift!! 

made our own banana splits to end the weekend!!

Hope everyone has a great week!!

Dvd case

I know this has been done before! I feel like I have seen on Pinterest. But I am going to show ya'll how we are going to store the DVD's for the car ride down to Disney! Mere asked for the dual DVD player for the car. I didn't want to pay full price. I mean Disney is expensive enough. Now wasn't the time to be wasting money on something like that. But I also knew Nick and I would need our sanity ! Problem solved after checking out eBay ! They had tons of options! I got one for $50 , free shipping and even 2 headphones ! Now Nick and I don't have to listen to the movie! But now came the question of where to keep the dvd's! I don't want the car to be a disaster with crap everywhere. I needed a few things at the dollar tree (like ponchos! I refuse to pay $20 for one at the magic kingdom! I mean I have other things I want to spend money on like the Lilly Pulitzer store at Disney Springs! ) I thought maybe a photo album would work. But I couldn't find one that I thought the dvd's would fit in! Then I saw it! A large binder type thing lol! I added stickers and voila ! Dvd's now have a home !!

Even found these stickers! 

Each kid picked 3 movies! Hope this keeps them entertained !

Max's new favorite ! 😊

Happy weekend ya'll! I am going to be doing back to school shopping with Mere. Oh and maybe start packing!!! 

Weekly whereabouts

We have been so busy with work, life, and kids. I am trying to get the final touches ready for our Disney trip! Ya'll only 10 more days!! Oh and let's be honest at the end of the day I am just so dang tired and don't want to do anything but sit on the couch, read or peruse social media! At the end of the day I just need mindless stuff to do! On my days off I feel like we need to be constantly doing stuff. It keeps the kids from being at each other's throats and from driving me nuts with the back talking and not listening! Plus I feel like they should have a fun summer ! Here are a few of the activities we have been up to!




Nothing screams summer time like the county fair coming to town! The Kenton Co. Fair was in town last week. Nick was off the night we went which the kids were super excited about! I haven't been to a fair in oh forever! Lots of memories at the ole Germantown Fair each Summer! Nick took Meredith a couple years ago. I don't think Max has ever been! They had a great time! I think Nick and I did as well! I even rode a few rides with the kids. I am trying to be more in the moment with them and while I am not a big fan of rides, I know the kids would love if I rode with them!

I worked Sat. It was my scheduled day and not just a shift I was picking up! Sunday was spent at the pool. Then after dinner we headed to Graeters. National Ice Cream Day needed to be celebrated!! Boy do we love us some ice cream!!

 Monday we needed to run a few errands. We were in Florence and Mere saw the airplanes and said we should go watch them at the viewing area.  It was the perfect idea. We grabbed lunch and headed that way. If you haven't been out there you should!! They have the cutest little play area for kids and picnic tables. We saw lots of planes and even saw the firetrucks. Nick use to work on the Airport Fire Dept so it was neat for the kids to see. I can't wait to go back!

We came home and got ready for the pool. We were getting ready to walk out the door when I realized our pool was closed on Mondays . Instead of making them come back inside and being disappointed we went to the water park in Florence! The kids had a blast! There were only about 15 people there including us! I think the earlier storms must have scared everyone away! So glad I didn't decide to stay home!

Hope everyone has a great week! We will be over here counting down til our big vacation !

Planning next...

Some how ( just kidding, sort of) nick and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary sept 16th.

I feel like this is a HUGE accomplishment and one that needs to be celebrated by doing something together....like a trip!! Ya'll marriage isn't easy! If yours is, well kudos to you! I lived in this fairy tale world where marriage was going to be a piece of cake. Ha. Ours takes work.....lots and lots of work. Lots and lots of forgiveness.

We have thrown ideas out there for the last couple of months on where we should go. First it was NYC, then Vegas, a beach.....but we have decided on good ole Smokey Mountains. We both love it there. It isn't going to take us forever to drive (not a fan of air planes). It's not super expensive.  All we both really want to do is relax and to sleep in without a kid crawling in bed with us. It's the small things haha. I found the perfect bed and breakfast too! They offer so many "extras" to make our anniversary even more special. I think we will be there 3 nights. Just the right amount of time away . Reservations made! Can check that off my list. Now to plan what spot to have our anniversary dinner and other fun stuff each day!!

Eight Gables Inn

I am also trying to plan a trip to Charleston over Thanksgiving break with kids. I have been in the groove up picking up extra hours, so I decided to keep doing it maybe through fall and Christmas. Then reward us with a trip to one of our "places." Charleston feels like home to me and it would be hard to not go there once this year. How fun would it be to black Friday shop on King Street?! We normally stay at the beach when we visit.  Dream come true. Maybe I can save up enough to splurge on a Louie Purse. Charleston just so happens to have a Louis Vuitton store! Better be picking up double hours lol. But like my daddy said, you can't take it with you, might as well spend it and be happy!! This time I am looking for a hotel or rental in downtown Charleston so we can just park and walk everywhere. I would also love to see Christmas decorations there as well!

Oh and we only have 16 days left til Disney!! I can't believe it. The kids are so excited. Meredith wakes up each morning and tells me how many days are left. I cannot wait for the morning we leave. It will be a LONG drive with all their little excitement bursting at the seams in a car !! But it will so be worth it to see their faces!

xoxo, Tracey

Life (a little deep)

So no one tells you life is going to be hard (Well I did have one coworker in my younger years who told us single ladies to never get married and have kids. We all were like oh come on. It isn't that bad. Karen I now know what you were talking about. LIFE!! While I wouldn't change anything man those were the simple days). When you're a kid and you are all like I can't wait to be a teenager.. .then it's I can't wait to be 16 so I can drive....I can't wait to be 18 so I can be an adult.... I can't wait to be 21 so I can drink (legally lol)....and then I can't wait to get married....I can't wait to have kids! See what I am saying? Who else is with me and did this? Now I am 36 (Lord, it is hard to spit that number out.). I dread turning 40. Now why did I wish my life away? Why didn't I try to enjoy my teens more and savor every second. Or my college days! No, I had to wish for it to all be over. And why, so I could be an adult? So I could worry about bills? So I could worry about if I am sick and need to call in or suck it up so I avoid that 1 point for an occurrence? So I can worry if I truly make my spouse happy? Worry if my kids are happy? I feel like life now is one big worry. Maybe I am alone in this and most people just go with the flow. That's not me! At all! I like to stress about each and every thing....to the point that it turns me into someone I don't even recognize. My attitude instantly turns into a not so nice bad mood. I yell more at the kids for dumb stuff. Case in point! My little Max. Who decided it would be a good idea to cut his hair. Meredith thought she hid the scissors. But my Dennis the Menace found them. Oh and he went to town on the top of his hair!!

Let's just say I don't think he will be cutting his hair ever again. Or at least I hope not. Meredith also did this a couple years ago. Why must they cut their hair?? I flipped out! Nick doesn't understand why I get so upset over hair. It will apparently grow back. But see the every day stresses of life catch up to you and then when your 3 year old cuts his hair you flip your lid!!

The moral of this story! We need to stop wishing our lives away! Even now I am guilty of it! Is it the weekend yet? Is it vacation yet? Is it Wednesday yet? I need to slow down and start enjoying the ordinary days more. Stop stressing about every little thing. I need to stop looking at these other moms who I "think" have the perfect life, the perfect marriage, perfect angel kids, perfect everything, and look in front of me. Things aren't as bad as I make it all out to be. All it takes is a deep breath....and a glass of wine!!

xoxo, Tracey

At home Spray tan

The weather this summer is really not cooperating. I haven't been able to achieve that nice summer bronzy tan or glow. I feel like on my off days it has been gloomy and raining. While we have been able to squeeze in a few pool days we are never there more than a few hours. Plus I lather on the sun screen especially on my face. I do not want added wrinkles. No thanks. I also wear a baseball cap to shield my face. But I also don't like the pasty skin look either. So what's a girl to do? I was doing the spray tans at a salon. But they are too pricey to do weekly. I was on the look out for something that was a little cheaper and something I could do at home. Last week I was at walgreens and noticed L'Oréal Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist and tanning towlettes along with a face bronzer. I am not going to lie. I am a brand name make up snob along with a lot of other products. But I decided to give it a try! I am so happy I did. I really love the bronze that it left my skin on my legs and arms. I was able to get the gorgeous salon-perfect tan at home. It comes with a wide angle jet applicator and provides continuous 360 coverage for ultra-even, long-lasting results. This super-fine mist, with a fresh new citrus scent, applies evenly and flash dries, with no need to rub it in. No streaks, just a lovely, natural-looking tan. I am equally shocked at how much I love the Sublime instant tan lotion for the face. It is a Wash-Off Face Bronzer Cream that instantly bronzes for a natural, streak-free look. No commitment or sun exposure needed. This instant tan formula has Vitamin E and SPF 20. I have used it alone with just a little powder to run errands and have used under my foundation and makeup. If you are on the look out for the perfect summer skin without the sun give these products a try even if you are a skincare snob like me. You won't be disappointed!!

face bronzing cream

spray tan in a bottle

Self-Tanning Tips and Tricks

  

-Cleanse and exfoliate skin before application.
-Apply an oil-free moisturizer to any dry areas.
-Squeeze lotion directly into palms. Apply evenly all over body.
-Use sparingly around ankles, knees, and elbows.
-Wash hands thoroughly after use.
-Let skin dry completely before putting on makeup or clothes.
-Continue use until you achieve your desired level of tan.

Celebrating the RED, WHITE, & BLUE

We headed to Augusta on July 3rd for our 4th of July festivities. It looked like from the start of the day it was going to be one big wash out with all the rain. But luckily there were spurts where it stopped and we were able to enjoy our day with family!

My aunt hosts the Habermehl side and her husbands side every 4th of July! We get to swim, eat, drink, and just have an amazing time. The kids got in a little swimming. The rain didn't dampen their spirit.

After we ate, we went down to the boat dock where all the 4th of July fun is held in Augusta each year. There is bingo, fire engine rides, food, and fireworks. It is all put on by the volunteer fire department and has been an annual event as far back as I can remember. The fireman also have a booth and sell their yummy fish sandwiches! My kids look forward to the fire engine rides. You would never know their daddy is a fireman and they are up close and personal to fire trucks all the time. But this is different. A bunch of kids piled on top of the fire engines, lights and sirens, and riding around Augusta! I would lie if I said I didn't look forward to bringing them to this as well! Plus I get to see friends that I don't get to see as I often as I would like. Unfortunately we didn't get to stick around for fireworks. Nick had to work on the 4th. While I was sad to miss it, our kids were wiped out. Max fell asleep in the car about 7p on our way back. He didn't even wake up for me to change him into his pajamas! He was out!!

He was out like a light!

On the actual 4th we kept it low key. The rain kept us inside for most of the day. Hope everyone else's 4th of July and weekend was amazing! Now back to our regularly scheduled life!!