South Haven, Michigan

For the second year in a row my friend Allison & I took the big kids to the beach in Michigan for a long weekend. After lots of researching the beach towns along the western coast of MI we chose South Haven. It's only 5 hours from Columbus, has tons of kid friendly beaches (literally the beaches have jungle gyms and swings right on the sand!). The forecast looked terrible (60 & rainy) so we loaded up the van with lots of non-beachy activities. None of which we ended up using bc we had perfect beach days minus the water being ICE COLD. Shout out to our VRBO Bungalow 89. We loved it so much last year we stayed again. It's a 2 minute walk to the beach and a 10 min walk in to town. It's stocked to the brim with everything from ping pong balls for the game table to S'mores sticks for the fire pit.

The unexpected hit of the trip for me was seeing how much fun the kids had riding their scooters into town. Minus screaming at everyone to walk down the hills, it was so fun to watch our scooter gang fly into town for coffee & donuts! It's tradition to catch a Summer movie at the old fashioned South Haven movie Theater.

I Blinked and All the Leaves Fell

How is it the middle of November? I feel like we were just eating cannolis on the back deck for Damon's birthday (September)!! Fall was too short but we managed to squeeze in a trip to the apple orchard, pumpkins at Pigeon Roost,  a visit to the fire station for the twin and a perfect nite of Trick or treating in the rain. I blinked and it was a snowy day in November.  Now I'm on Pinterest searching for Thanksgiving inspiration, Nutella dessert recipes (damn you Costco) and holiday craft ideas. Last year's hand made ornament's turned out totally horrible and I feel like our Christmas tree really needs some cheesy kid made ornaments?!!!!

Polar Bear, Polar Bear 2nd Birthday

Happy second birthday Wyatt & Grayson.  I'm sorry if I went a little crazy with color for your Polar, Polar Bear birthday party but snow and freezing temperatures in April will do that to a mama. There are lots of things I would bottle up about two. The way Gray struts when he walks. How he pets Icy and gives him the sweetest hugs. How Wyatt has stopped fussing and become the loviest nugget with the cutest dimple. How you both loved your first ride in the "waget" (wagon). How you both sang "Happpppy To You" at your party today.

A few things I won't miss about two? The constant fighting over toys. Seriously if you're reading this and considering ever giving my boys a gift be prepared to buy two of the exact things or we aren't friends any more. The screams that result from not having two of EVERYTHING have literally damaged my hearing. Struggling to take you out on play dates with your big brother and sister. Food allergies. Could you please be in the 10/20% that grow out of their nut allergy ? My anxiety would thank you.

 

First birthday flash back here. Wasn't this like yesterday? Today you are both sleeping from about 7p-7am pretty consistently. You both weigh close to 25 lbs, although for the first time Grayson (Baby B) is the bigger twin. You both love music and if I don't play your favorite songs on repeat in the car you literally will scream all the home. Wyatt esp was doing a ton of screaming in the car to the point we turned the car seats face forward at the beginning of March. I would have liked to do extended rear facing but the screaming is just as likely to cause an accident.  I don't think there are any long road trips in your future until this stops. 

You both make us smile and laugh everyday. Sure its hard. Damn hard, but boy do we love your little faces off and want to remember you just like this for always. Happy Birthday, Wonder Twins.

Essential Oils 101

Happy almost New Year!! Lets get busy dieting, exercising, starting our capsule wardrobes, paying off our credit cards, keeping a clean house & organizing our 2018 calenders!!!! At least until February rolls around and all my will power is gone. These are just a few of my goals over the past few years that still tend to come & go. The one that has been consistent for almost 3 years now? My love and daily usage of essential oils.

I have 4 kiddos six and under, two of them school age. So you know my house is creeping with all the germs. Pink eye, croup, coughing, cold, flu, you name it! We also have our share of night terrors, allergies and STRESS (more so the adults on that one). I was treating myself and the kiddos with the usual rounds of antibiotics, ibuprofen, cough syrup, Zyrtec, whenever we needed it. Then in May 2016 I had a very rare reaction to antibiotics that left me in the hospital for 5 days when my twins were only 2 months old. Once I recovered I became very wary of taking anything. I was using oils already but this incident really kick started me into  using them everyday, to kill germs, prevent illness & even occasionally treat symptoms.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or any sort of health practitioner. Consult your doctor before you change your health routine in any way!!! These practices are simply things that have helped my family be a little healthier and a little happier. I still seek medical care for myself and my family as needed!!!

Before we start with some everyday ways I incorporate oils here are a few basics.

1. Oils vary in quality and potency.  The oils you buy from Target may be less potent then ones from companies like Doterra or Young Living. Find a trusted guide to help you become knowledgeable in the differences.

2. Good quality oils are EXTREMELY potent and should never be put directly on the skin with out a carrier oil to dilute them. NEVER put oils up your nose or in your eyes!!

3.  Dilution ratios are higher for children than adults.

4. Some oils are considered hot (Ex. oregano) and should be handled with care (again always use a carrier oil). While others can cause sun sensitivity (Ex. grapefruit.).

5. I guess my point is ALWAYS use caution when incorporating oils into your routine!  Feel free to find me on Instagram @lizbon_j and ask any questions you might have!!

Head Ache
Lavender, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Frankincense,

Cold/Flu Bomb
Melaleuca (aka Tea Tree oil), Lemon, Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense

Tummy Troubles
Ginger, Fennel, Coriander, Anise

Stress & Anxiety
YlangYlang, Vetiver, Lavender, Geranium, Clary Sage, Bergamot

Allergies
Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint

Energy Booster
Peppermint, Wild Orange, Thyme, Grapefruit, Cinnamon

Metabolism Assistance
Grapefruit, Cinnamon, Lemon, Ginger

Pumpkins and Goblins

The pumpkin patch was a bit chaotic this year, as life with four kiddos always is. I'm just proud we made it all. We got there at 5, they close at 7, dinner time is 5:30 & the twins go to bed at 6:30p. We rushed from one activity to the next , shoving bits of food in babies mouths just waiting for them to start melting down. They actually held their own and were mostly just fussy because they waited to stay out of the stroller & walk.

In true Wesley fashion he made this face a few times but for the most part he had a great time riding the tractors & drinking apple cider.

To make up for the so so pumpkin patch visit we had our BEST Halloween yet. Which is a miracle considering I ordered the babies costumes on Amazon 2 days before trick or treat! Amazon Prime to the rescue because, seriously look how cute?! I ended up being off work, if i hadn't been there is know way we would have made it. My best friends and my mom ended up coming over. We drank wine in solo cups as the big kids RACED from house to house & the twins stayed bundled in the stroller. It was FREEZING!!! The Storm Trooper kept impressing the neighbors as he would say, "have a great nite!" each time we left a house. Damon stayed home with his Clark Griswold,  giant Halloween blow ups and gave out candy. My fingers started to freeze off so we made it back in time for Mia to stand out there with him and give out candy to the older kids who were still out. The best of both worlds.