In Keeping With Tradition...

I answered these same questions back in 2010 and in 2009 and in 2013...

So, why not do a 2014 version?

Outside my window... Since the view is the same as when I last answered this, I am just going to change this question to "outside my house." 1) Bennett is still in love with his Bubble Mower. I think that's the best $20 I have EVER spent!  2) I love the hanging basket I received for Mother's Day.  3) These two hooligans keep each other entertained!

I am thinking... I am getting nervous about putting Bennett in a day care center when I go back to work in August. He's only been to at home places in the past, but with his speech, we need to get him to a service that will work with him on specific needs a bit more. I KNOW it will be a good thing in the end, and it will be easier for the school district/Birth to 3 to come in and work with him...but still. I am his Mama and I worry about things! Like, if he doesn't feel well, I feel terrible he won't have a couch to rest on and just snuggle up and watch one of his favorite shows ... or ... what if he's thirsty but the caregivers don't know? Yes. I am already worrying. Lord help me.

I am thankful for... the choice I made to become a teacher. Not only do I love my job...but the big job perk is getting to be a stay at home mom for part of the year. I love being able to spend my days with Bennett and getting to take him to the park, library, or where ever else we feel like going! All this time with him is precious and I don't take any of it for granted. I'm also appreciative for the nice long break I get from my job. Yes, I do LOVE it. However, it's pretty demanding and down right stressful at times. I missed work for about a week after school was over, but now that I've adjusted...I could get used to this not working thing! ;)

From the kitchen... Chris and I are working on eating better. We've always eaten pretty healthily, but we both would like to lose some weight. Of course. Some of our staples lately are: grilled chicken, zucchini, TONS of red onion, tomato, and lettuce. We COULD make better choices here and there. Like, ahem, skipping M&Ms and ice cream a little more. 

I am wearing... a smaller size pair of capris than last year at this time (woo hoo, just had to throw that in there), a super ugly old wear around the house only tank top (I must start dressing cuter) ... and just like last time ... fake sparkly earrings.

I am creating... The only thing I can think of is this: a more organized home! Organization is a real struggle for me. I don't know why. I LOVE being and feeling organized - it just isn't always reality! 


I am going... We MIGHT try camping this summer. Now that Bennett's had his first hotel stay, we are more confident to try camping. 

I am reading... Nothing at the moment! 

I am hoping... That my dentist trip will fix my problem on Wednesday! I have what I call a "stupid MF-ing" tooth. I first cracked it. Not even sure how. Then I had to get a crown. NOW I need root canal. The pain is SO bad - much worse than I can remember from being in labor! Can't wait til Wednesday!

I am hearing... My little monkey coughing a bit in his crib during nap. He's been a bit under the weather the past few days. Runny nose and fever in June? No likey!

Around the house... I am sloooowly getting rid of items we no longer need or use. I love the Buy/Sell/Trade Facebook group I use. Has really helped earn a few extra  bucks and clear some space in this house.

One of my favorite things... This is really silly, but I LOVE it. Bennett will say, "MOM!" and I will say back, "BENNNNNNETTTTT!" And then repeat. Like 10 times.  "MOM!"  "BENNNNNNETTTTT!"   *giggles all around*   "MOM!"  "BENNNNNNETTTTT!"   *giggles all around* "MOM!"  "BENNNNNNETTTTT!"  

A few plans for the rest of the week... Today we are going to tour a day care and Bennett's haircut. Tomorrow is Bennett's speech and hopefully the pool. Wednesday is my dentist appt and I get my hair done. Thursday I hope we make it to play group. Friday is the 4th - we are unsure of our plans just yet, but we will be going to Chris' parents one of those days. Hopefully more fireworks - little man loved them!

SINCE I JUST LOVE DOING THESE...

LISTENING TO:

• Lady Antebellum
• Whatever is on ITunes Radio: Lee Brice, Billy Currington, Parmalee

WATCHING:

• The Bachelorette (Andi's Season)
• Keeping Up With The Kardashians
• House Hunters
• Chuggington, Thomas the Train, and Octonauts ;)

EATING/DRINKING:

• Lots of grilled chicken and salads - YUM!
• Chocolate Meltdown Coffee
• Long Islands and a bit of wine - it's summer time and all - just have to!

READING:

• Sadly, nothing more exciting than Facebook!
• However, being a teacher, I do enough of this during the school year and am taking a break! :)

DOING/GOING:

• To the grocery store ... seriously, how is it possible I'm there so often? (FRESH!)
• Same goes for cleaning the house - I'm a "stay at home person" during the summer. Always so much I feel I need to do around here that I normally am able to ignore while working full time.
• We just spent relaxing  weekend in Door County, WI
• Little adventures with Bennett ... the Pirate Park, library, play group, play dates

A FEW SNAPS FROM OUR SUMMER + RAINY GET AWAY:

FESTIVAL FIREWORKS IN THE RAIN -

{C u r r e n t l y}

{Currently}

LOVING: Lime infused water! I'm trying to lose a few pounds and it's soooo good. I needed something to replace all that wine. ;)

HEARING: I LOVE when Bennett goes "MA! MA! MAAAAA!" It's so cute. I don't like that he's calling me MA, but hey, any words from his sweet little mouth are adorable. We'll add the other Ma to make Mama someday, I'm sure. 

READING: Kids chapter books! I am trying to find "just right" read alouds for my upcoming 5th graders! I'm searching for something lighthearted and funny to start on the first day. So far I've read Frindle, Maniac Macgee, and now I am reading Class President.

PLANNING: Oh gosh, I sometimes feel like I am in planning mode 24/7! I am transitioning out of my old job (grant coordinator) and into my new job (teacher! yeah!). I want to help the new person out as much as possible, but it's tricky when I don't have a sitter for Bennett during those meetings and such. I just keep telling myself that in a few shorts weeks, I'll be done with that phase and will be able to focus more on my classroom. Sooo much to do. Honestly? I am SUPER stressed out. I'll get there eventually!

LAUGHING ABOUT: Yes, another answer about my KID. He really has developed a sense of humor. Lately, if he thinks something is funny, he doesn't do a normal laugh. Instead, he says the words, "Ha ha." Adorbs for sure!

COVETING: Um, yeah. Look below. Audi Q5. I want. Can I have it? Pleeease!? Ahhhhh, love it.

CAN'T BELIEVE: That I only have about a week and a half of summer vacation left! I am going to miss my little buddy sooo much. Trying to make these last days count.

WATCHING: Um, Real Housewives of COURSE! Then throw in some Kardashians. Them some Giuliana and Bill. Even a little Tia and Tamera.  Yep, that's what I like. 

THINKING ABOUT: That I really need to kick my butt in gear and get this darn house in order in the next week! We just need a place for everything - which we don't have! Thus, we get piles and disorganization and such. Blech! 

& PROOFING:  Just got done with our latest family photo book. I still need to finish our July photos (now that is AUGUST!). Just took and proofed some photos of my husband's workplace today. I have one senior session to edit. Next shoot is a wedding on August 17. After that, only two more to go for the year. WOooOoOT!

{Summer Bucket List}

It's already PAST mid July, so I know the rest of the summer is just going to fly by. In fact, my first official days back at work are only about 3 weeks away! (CRAZY!) So, I need to make all of these days count with this little guy:

What I'd like to do yet this summer:

• Go to the beach at least once
• Family pictures 
• Get a nice portrait of Bennett (some way, some how, this HAS to happen!)
• Read a few more "chick lit" books
• Play at the Pirate Park at least 2 times per week
• More walks!
• Simple art projects with Bennett
• Frame and hang more pictures in the house
• Fox Lake pool
• Really organize the upstairs
• Get a rotating meal menu going
• ...get my classroom in order! (Who knows when they'll even let me get in there!)

{Recent Happenings!}

Earlier this month, my brother and sister in law welcomed sweet little "M" into the world! She is PRECIOUS and a true miracle baby! They gave me the honor of being her godmother! I am so touched!

Other than that, we are doing the same old same old around here - which is fine by me! I am soaking in all the "stay at home mom" time I get for these short couple months being off from work. This kid is craaazy...and honestly sometimes drives me nuts, but I know this time will be here and gone in an instant so I am just trying to laugh along with my little bugger. He has spent a lot of time this summer in his little backyard pool. I set up the slide for some extra fun (he sort of likes it), and then put the water table inside the pool. He likes to play with his little fishies and net the most. His favorite water toy is the garden hose - but you can imagine how much water ends up OUTSIDE the pool. :)  And yes, he goes in his clothes. By the time I get a swim diaper on and trunks and sunscreen everywhere, it's not worth all the time because by then, he won't even want to play in the pool. So this works- and I am good with that! ;)

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's already been this long!

We are going to dinner to Applebees - because OF COURSE we are! HA! It's our favorite place. I think we like the drinks more than the food. ;) Some long islands, please! Though, I just might get a margarita tonight.

{4th of July}

July 3 we went to Kate and Josh's for the fireworks. They live close to the lake, so we could see them from their house. Just went the fireworks started, it began to rain. This is the second time Chris and I have watched fireworks in the rain. Good times. I wanted to get cool shots of the fireworks...but obviously rain and cameras do not mix so well. I got one shot I was happy with and enjoyed the rest of the show! 

This was Bennett's first time seeing fireworks. They didn't excite him or scare him. I started singing the Disney Junior song they play on TV with the animated fireworks, and that helped him become more interested. :) (Though, he was probably waiting for Doc McStuffins to start playing in the sky...ha!!!)

On the actual 4th of July, we had a mellow day. My brother invited us to a cook out at his house, so we went there in the late afternoon. In the morning, we just hung out at home and Chris did some yard work. My mom came over to help play with Bennett ... MUCH needed on my end of things! This boy has become a handful lately!

Bennett picking more rocks ... and playing with my brother's dog.

Once we were back home and Bennett was tucked in bed, Chris and I had a fire in the backyard. We played with sparklers and had a good time together. Here's our handy work:

Little Trip

Today my friend Katelyn and I went to the Horicon Marsh near Waupun to check out the board walk. It was much prettier than these photos show, and suspect it would have been absolutely gorgeous on a sunny evening with the glowing sun. It was a weird weather day today - kept looking like it was going to downpour (and then never did) but had flashes of sunlight here and there between the clouds. Strange.

 The boardwalk is a third of a mile that bends through part of the marsh. We were hoping to see more wildlife, but it was really quiet today. We only saw some birds, a couple ducks, and a family of geese. 

Oh yeah, and a dragonfly:

We walked on the roadway after the boardwalk part and let Bennett out for a little running around before it was time to go. He loved finding rocks. He would pick them up, run to the taller grass, throw them in, and run back for more rocks. Repeat x50. Go Bennett, go! He's so happy doing little things like that. I forsee a cool rock collection once he gets a bit older.

A simple, fun, and free day.
Tonight we are going over to Katelyn's to watch fireworks over the lake!
Can't wait to see Bennett's reaction ... his first fireworks!
(Hope he can stay up to watch them!)

A Day In The Life

Two posts in two days - I know! I can't believe it either! ;)

Just documenting a regular day in the life of us this week:

7:30 -
Coffee time! Bennett's wake up routine. Chris leaves for work. Disney Junior blasting.

8:30 -
Bennett breakfast. Tried a red plum for the first time. He kind of liked it...for two bites. Then threw in the floor.

8:45 -
Today I decided to take Bennett to the park. I needed some exercise, so I loaded him up in the stroller and we walked down to a newly renovated park in town, which is right on the lake. It's GORGEOUS, thanks to many fundraising efforts by many people in the community. I love where we live, though my husband may not agree. In my job working with the grant and after school programming, I have worked with so many generous people. I need to remember to take a camera next time. Bennett played for nearly an hour - the swing and the slide made from little tubes are his favorites! (Side note: I ran into another teacher in the district who had kind words to say about me becoming one of the new 5th grade teachers. It was a relief to feel "accepted" into the grade level already...something that I have been a bit curious about, since many of them have been here forever. Whew!)

10:15 -
Back at home. Naptime for Mr. B. Shower for me. Internet browsing, email...chill time for Momma. Late breakfast combined with lunch time for me.

1:00 -
Chris home for lunch. Bennett's up!

1:30 -
Lunch for Mr. B (milk, honey ham, string cheese, a couple crackers, and a tart apple). Tried to get some cute pictures of myself with Mr. B before we ran grocery store errands. Jealous of all the photos my husband has with him and Bennett. After Piggly Wiggly, I treated myself to hazelnut iced coffee from McD's. Sooo good. I have been wanted for one a couple weeks ... YUM. (Poor cat on our way out the door ... working on being "nice!" Had to include that picture ... I feel like he's just been a crazy, crazy kid lately.)

2:30 -
We're back and it's play time! Bennett jumped in his pool while I was putting the groceries in the house. Fully clothed, I should add (this is typical, ha!). Pool for a bit, played with his lawnmower, then we took a walk around the 'hood in his wagon.

3:30 -
Crabby time, aka: Bennett wants to play with EVERYTHING, but doesn't, but does...ok, in the house we go! Indecisiveness = tired little man. WHOA! Straight to a bath, then milk, snuggle time, and a little TV before nap time and photo editing time for me. (Ahhh, relaxation).

5:30 -
We'll have dinner somewhere around this time. I still need to go to the other grocery store to get chicken for the grill tonight. I will only buy meat from one particular store. We'll have the grilled chicken and corn on the cob.

7:00 -
HELLO! IT'S MONDAY! Which means ... Real Housewives of OC, baby! Favorite show right now, hands down! (Tamra is my fave.)

8:30 -
Bennito's bedtime. Ahhh...just kidding. Kind of! ;)
Probably do some laundry while watching some sort of TV.
Or, work on client's wedding photos.

10:00 -
Our bedtime.

Should I Try This Again?

Sooo...the goal I had with trying to keep out on family memories didn't quite work out this year, as my last post was 11 months ago. Oops. I had intentions, but life is so full ALL.THE.TIME! I can't believe how fast time is flying ... and how few pictures I have taken recently. However, that could also be due to my frustration with trying to photograph a crazy active little boy who will NOT look at the camera. Ha!

Here a couple recent favorites, where he's actually looking:

I spent some time looking back through my blog today, and it was SO fun to look back on things I had to say, and some of the random happenings of my life. I especially LOVE the questions/answer posts! So in honor of that, I'll answer one with some of my "current" answers! :)

I answered these same questions back in 2010 and in 2009!

Outside my window... Since the view is the same as when I last answered this, I am just going to change this question to "outside my house." Today Chris was washing his truck, and we let Bennett play in the soapy bucket and with the hose. It didn't take long for Maddie to jump in on the fun. It's so hard these days to find something to keep little man busy! Wish we had a yard where we could just let him RUN, but we live on a corner with lots of traffic ... and a mischievous boy who tries running in the road. So yeah...if the hose keeps him busy, we're game! 

I am thinking... Geesh, what am I thinking lately? Life has mellowed out quite a bit now that I am done working for the summer. I still have a few loose ends to finish up with my grant coordinator job, and I also have a few photography things this summer, but otherwise, I am happily taking a break. This year, I decided to only book 7 weddings and a few other sessions. At this point, I am not sure if "Kayla Richards Photography" will operate next year. I'm sure I will take on a few things, but I am still thinking on that. Time is flying by with Bennett, and I'm trying to decide when Baby #2 is going to happen. I will not book any weddings for next summer if Baby Filip - Part 2 will happen then. So yeah, lots to think about within the next month or so! ;)

I am thankful for... EEEEEEEEEE!!  I am SO excited to announce that after 4 years after being out of college, I FINALLY earned a full time teaching position! This fall will be my first year teaching and I'll be teaching 5th grade at the school I have worked at the past 5 school years. I am both excited and nervous ... nervous mostly because I have a big picture of how I want my classroom to look, how our classroom community will feel, etc. I am excited to just get going. I won't be able to get into my classroom til later this summer, so I am anxious to get that all ready so I can just focus on the teaching aspect. I am sooo happy and finally feel like I have "made it!"

From the kitchen... Funny. Last time I answered this, it was lasagna. Well, same with tonight! I only make lasagna a couple times a year. I'm using the noodles you don't have to boil beforehand ... so hope it turns out alright. We shall see. I'll be using fresh parsley from my container garden.

I am wearing... worn out favorite jeans, palm tree tee, and just like last time ... fake sparkly earrings.

I am creating... Hmm. The most I "create" these days is a recipe from Pinterest! Not much crafting going on anymore. Something I hope to work on soon is the next installment of our Filip Family Photo Book. Last time I worked on our pictures was November. Oh my. I have some catch-up to do! :)


I am going... bwhahahaha. No where - even though I have wanted to go on some sort of get away or vacation for FOUR YEARS!! I need to get out of here and break up the routine! I know I have said this for many years now, but hopefully this summer we'll be able to take a small get away - even if it's close. Seriously! We need to just get out of here so I can stop talking about "getting out of here." 

I am reading... Nothing at the moment. I have dabbled in a few books the past couple weeks and nothing seems to hold my interest. So honestly, what am I reading? Mostly Facebook statuses.  ;)  

I am hoping... I figure out an answer to this "when are we doing to have our next baby" question. I really don't know. To keep the timeline I have always wanted, that would be within the next two months or so. But realistically, I don't want to be pregnant all during my first year of teaching. That would be a lot of stress. Then again, I am not sure I feel ready to have another...I don't know what my hold up is. I know it will all be perfect when the time happens. Hmm....

I am hearing... Birds chirping...computer sounding like it's overheating...and a few minutes ago, a huge boom from down the street. We have some idiot neighbors who let off some sort of firework at least once a week. Scares the crap out of me, and thought it was gun shots the first time I heard it. Yikes - can't they think of a better hobby? Or am I just getting old and crabby? LOL.

Around the house... I really have to find a better way to organize! We tend to get piles of stuff everywhere, things that should come up to the office and get filed away ... but if you'd enter the office, you'd see more of the piles. I gotta bite the bullet and figure out some sort of way to make this all better. Hopefully now that I'll have some more time since I have the next month off! Here's to dreaming! ;)

One of my favorite things... I am so glad I am writing this memory down somewhere. When Bennett is getting ready for a nap or bedtime, we always give him his milk, and he comes into the living room, gets his fleece blankey. He waits until I sit down on the couch, and the holds his blanky and backs up to me so I can pick him up to snuggle. It's the sweetest thing ever and I love that we have a little routine. It's the only time lately he lets me snuggle with him! Then, five minutes later, he's down with his milk, chucks his cup across the room, and runs off. ;) We're working on the whole "chucking of the cup" thing. ;)

A few plans for the rest of the week... Photography: work on getting most recent wedding edited/send of another client's PhotoDVD.      Old Job: Still tying up loose ends. Work on a project for DPI that needs completion. Hopefully finish financial reporting if business office is done with their entries. Help begin to plan next year, even though I am not coordinating the program anymore.    Bennett: Park time, speech meeting, pool time, and lots of walks!

Well, that's it for today...hopefully it's not another year before you hear from me again. ;)

This Blogger Is Back!

I have decided to start blogging again! I need a way to preserve my families memories, even if the events seem kind of boring. Because in just 9 SHORT months, my little man has gone from:

 THIS (Oct 27, 2011 - 3 hours old)

 to THIS (mid-August 2012 - 9.5 months)

and I know time will just keep going by faster. I feel guilty all of the time for not writing little stories about Bennett so far, and not recording things likes when he did his firsts, his weight, height, etc at different ages. What mom lets those things go undocumented? Especially a mom who used to scrapbook! Oh well, times are a changing and I hope this blog will help me document those things! ;) 

Thanks for reading :)