Currently.

Currently. 

Squooshed in the very back row of our jam packed Tahoe. 

We left on a very impromptu camping trip, trying to soak up the last couple weeks of summer. 

I got the lucky spot in the back because my legs are shorter then my older brother that joined us.

Bonus that I dont have a dog in my lap and he does. 

Not such a bonus that I have to put my arm up to block the large falling rubbermaid tote carrying all of our odds and ends nearly every turn. 

I have 1.5 more hours to go. 

Im not complaining though! Im just thrilled to be going and making use of our weather before we can't. 

Have a great week.

IG: ashleawithana2

Fridays Letters

Hello Friends!

This week marks the final week of party planning for my grandmothers 70th birthday. 

Yes my mother volunteered me to be the party planner. 

For exactly one day after Raygans birthday I took advantage and lounged around the house and played with the girls all day.  I even got a fabulous dinner cooked for me, the Mr. Knows parties stress me out. Then I looked at the calendar and realized I had 8 days until the 70th. Crap 

Here we freaking go again.

I've already given duties for food, flowers so basically that just leaves me at the decor...

Let's we what I come up with. Its totally different planning a toddler girly party then a sophisticated adult party. But I'm in! 

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Dear Dora Inflatable Balloon: You saved my life at the fair, you made a broken hearted 20 month old instantly happy after she was forced to stray off the rides unlike her big sister. Thank you. 

Dear Family: I can't wait to see you all next week! Let the festivities begin:)

Dear Mr.: I'm trying my hardest to convince you to drive the extra 45 after the big party to take the chicklets  to the zoo. That's the last thing I want to do before summers over. Pretty pleaseeee! 

(insert puppy dog face here)

Dear Road Construction: You have now been digging away at my street for over a month. 

I'm over it entirely. I want to keep my car clean and I'm sick of the bumps! 

Dear Pumpkin Spice Latte: I'm so ready for you! 

Dear Readers: I'm in a funk. A "I need something new funk" what do you guys do when you need a change? New hair color, change your furniture? That's the kind of change I usually do! 

Any ideas?

Linking up with here!

Have a great weekend. Be safe.

IG: ashleawithana2

Raygan Is Three!

My girl had a birthday party. A beautiful ballerina party indeed.

It was hot. It was fun. And my girl is Three.

She had been telling me for months, and I mean months that she wanted a ballerina party. I honestly thought she would change her mind 100 times by then but she stuck to it. We decided to have it at the park a couple houses away from our house. I honestly don't love having birthday parties at the park but that was basically our only option this time.
Since it was at the park the decorations were minimal. Previously I posted that I wanted to have a table set but that ended quickly when I realized half of my friends with kids couldn't make it. I guess that's what happens when you give birth in the middle of vacation season, and right before school starts.

Pink Lemonade in mason jars!

Instead of a table set for kids, I opted for a glam station for the girls to get all glammed up!

Not so sure about her crazy aunt jumping in the picture!

 

 

I loved that she wanted to open every peice after she grabed one!

Her friends looking thrilllled :)

Tired kids at the end of the party! We tried for a happy family photo but that was just reality!

She was in birthday party heaven! She was twirling around and my shy little girl loved that it was all about her. She pranced around in her amazing pettiskirt and play heels like it was her job, she played with friends and ate to many cupcakes. But like usual I love parties...and I love when they are over!

To my little girl:
Three years ago you made me a mama. We were beyond thrilled that we were chosen to be your mama, and daddy. You are a daddy's little girl, and mamas best friend.
I am so proud of the little girl you have become. You continue to amaze me every.single.day. I love your strong willed, sassy attitude..that obviously comes from your daddy.
You are such a well rounded little girl, carrying a purse in your hand while you play basketball with daddy.
I love that you only want mama for certain things, and same goes for daddy, and some things you can do "all by yourself"
We have decided to wait a year to put you in preschool, you are well prepared for it school wise. But when we barley mention bringing you to school you pretend to be a baby and say "no mama Ill cry and say I want my mama No! no!" Ill continue to help you with numbers and writing.
I loved watching you with all of your friends on your big day. It made my heart happy. I love you baby girl.


Currently:
Currently you can count to 17 by yourself and 20 with help.
You know all of your shapes even an octagon, every stop sign you see "Look its a octagon!"
You've know all your colors and your ABCs since before you turned two. We are working on individual letters.
Your favorite color is pink and you tell me that no one else can like it.
You still play with my ear to go to sleep. Not every night, but more often then not.
Ballet starts again in a couple weeks, you can not wait! I however am a little nervous because we changed dance studios and you are not the best with any kind of change whatsoever.
You and your sister are best friends, literally. You two rarely fight, you just love each other so so much.
Food has never been your strong point, you are a picky picky eater although lately you have been surprising me and opening up a little. You finally eat chicken that isn't chicken nuggets. And we thought you were going to be a vegetarian..which in this family doesn't fly!

You are 3 going on 16. The first present you opened with mama and daddy was an adorable outfit from my grandma. You put that thang on and waltzed around like you owned the place and this is what happened next.
Raygan: okay lets go.
Mama/daddy: where are we going?
Raygan: Lets go to the mall. Okay?
Mama/daddy(looking at each other): did she really just say that?

so you bet your butt that's where you went. Daddy took you to the mall and bought you some clothes that you picked you. What a fashionista you are. You and you sister both have your daddy wrapped around your little finger. But that's the way we like it :)

You continue to surprise me more and more every day.
I can't wait to see whats next.
I love you baby girl.



Me, Myself, and I

Today I opted for this fun little link up!
 Here we go.


1. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

I would love to go to school for marketing. I think I shall!

2. If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?

Spend as much time as I could with my kids never letting them leave my site. I would take them to far away countries and explore the world with my family and eat really good food. I like food.

3. If a front page news article was written on you, what would the headline be?
Mom of two young girls gets in car crash.
I'm a terrible driver.

4. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Lets see? When you let people into your lane and they do not wave.
Courtesy people.

5. What is your favorite chick flick movie?
Now and Then.
Oldie but goodie.

You Think You Know Me?

23 Things About Me

In honor of my 23rd Birthday I decided to let you all know a little more about me! It was a couple weeks away but I just needed a number to end it with and decided that was a good excuse!

I love getting to know other bloggers, and Ill admit that I am a little nosey so I thought this could be fun.

1. I'm a Licensed Massage Therapist, although have never worked a    day in that field.

2. I love stationary and office supplies.

3. I only communicate with one friend from high school and that's just occasionally.

4. At least half of my wardrobe involves stripes.

5. I have 3 tattoos, one of which I would love to remove one day.

6. I hated candy before pregnancy but now its haunting my dreams.

7. We would love to reside in Seattle in the next 5 years.

8. I would have a mess of kids, but Ill settle on 3 for Cameron.

9. I have an obsession with blankets.

10. Lists Lists Lists!! I love them! Grocery lists, To Do lists, Cleaning Lists. You name it!

11. Fireworks make me happy.

12. I am a terrible terrible driver. That's something that I have recently came to terms with!

13. I never wanted to be a stay at home mama, now I cant imagine it any other way.

14. I like any song I can sing to. (mind you, I'm not a great singer)
15. I love/need organization or I go crazy. I am constantly re-doing my closets and under sinks, I just cant help it!
16. I have one brother and one sister. They grew up a couple hours away with their mom but we are all very close.
17. I will never like tomatoes, and I will never understand why people do.
18. The older I get, the earlier I wake up.
19. I plan on going back to school here soon for Business Marketing Management.
20. I love (almost) anything on E! 
21. We never planned on having the girls names both start with R. Or have their initials be exactly the same. R.K.C.
23. I always have a hair tie around my wrist.  

Almost There!

You guys!! 

My little blog here is close to reaching a milestone!

As of late, I'm 5 away from reaching 100 followers. Some of you big bloggers out there may think no big deal! 

But honestly? I'm stoked! gg

I'm still new to blogging and definitely still trying to find my way in this big online community! 

I am contemplating changing my name soon because well "How sweet it is" is kind of dumb! I had. O idea what kind of name I wanted to come up with when I first started blogging and I think I may take the plunge.

Maybe not for awhile, who knows! 

In the meantime let's reach 100 followers k?

Anyways, in the mean time lets get back to reaching 100 followers!

DIY'in for the Future

I found these adorable traceable letters here on etsy.

Just in time for my little 3 year old (in 4 days...but whos counting?)  who has her own tablet she carries everywhere.

Perhaps she wants to be like her note/list obsessed mama?

I thought the book pictured on etsy was clever alone, although I thought a binder would be better for little hands.  

I printed out the file she had sent to my email and all I did was have to cut them out!

My girl loves it, and has been working extra hard on her "letter book"

Fridays Letters

Friday's Letters

Just thought Id throw in a little picture.

Dear Random Driver: No I was not trying to flag you down for some "good citizen" reason. I was just trying to entertain my kids while singing to "you don't know your beautiful"

Dear  Raygan: You are going to be 3 in a week. I can't even deal right now. I am so proud of the little 3 year old you are becoming.

Dear Remy: You are having a rough week. Your teeth are coming in and 20 minutes ago you cut your lip. Poor girl.

Dear Mother Nature: Can you tone it down a bit?

Dear Domestic Self: I'm board of the same ol' dinners. Can you find some good stuff this week and get your butt in gear. You've been slackin'

Linking up with Adventures Of Newlyweds

I hope everyone has a great weekend



DIY Laundry Soap

DIY Laundry Soap.

Ok. So let me start off by saying I LOVE IT! I usually use Tide and I promise you this stuff is right up there with it.

The Mr. was super super skeptical of this. He told me not even to try it. And that we could afford laundry soap. My argument was even if we can afford it why waste the money on it when we don't have to!
It's simple and cheap. If your anything like me and don't use the correct measurements this is perfect for you! (I always put in more then I am suppose to)

Then guess what I did. I tricked him.
He had no idea I already started using the new DIY soap and I blew his mind away! My brother who is currently saying with us even asked me if I could make him a "batch" when he moves out.

So here goes.
1. 1 4lb box of Borax
2. 1 3.12oz box of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
3. 1 3lb box of Oxy Clean
4. 4 5.5oz bars of Nelpha falls (or you can use Zote, my particular store didn't carry it)
5. 1 4lb box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
6. 1 5.5oz bottle of Purex Crystals Fabric softener
Total: 14.68

All you need to do to prep for this is grade the bars of soap (nelpha falls) I'm not going to lie, I received a couple battle wounds doing so. Along with some sweat and tears...okay the tears is a little exaggeration.

After you grade ALL of the soap just mix in all of the ingredients together. I put mine in a 5 gallon bucket from Lowe's. I did each one a little bit at the time so it was easier for me to mix.

Just Because:
-The soap disintegrates prefect in the washer. Better then my previous Tide.
-Smells great.
-I do not have a new fancy High Efficient washer but from the reading I did beforehand it works well in them as well.
-From the research I did prior I noticed that some people used regular soap (like Ivory, Dove) instead of actual laundry soap.
- I now have to get another cheese grader because it basically made mine completely dull.

Week Review & Mini Bucket List

This week we did a lot of nothing. A lot of hangin' out and relaxing. It was by far our least eventful of the summer, and ya know what? I'm okay with that. We needed to slow down, we needed to just simply hang out. It was much needed for this busy family of four.

We came home from out little weekend get away to these little crazies. Right away daddy started getting started on our new fence and of course he had some assistance.



We visited water parks. I realized we have a minor addiction to snow cones.

We enjoyed a nice family day at my parents, kicked back and had a couple beers. Oh and we had an epic water fight between us adults that was much needed! ahh to feel like a kid again :)

I had a special day will all of the little girls in my life! Aka my girls and my two neices. Im so blessed to have them all be so close in age.

Best investment ever. .59 cent batons they used as microphones for hours apon hours. Then after they were over their singing they moved on to marching. "Hut! two, three, four"

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This weeks Mini Bucket List may not be the most exciting, but I have a lot of work to do for little ones birthday as well as family coming into town.

Mini Bucket List:
1. Finish blog posts that are in draft!
2. Finish cake stand for Raygans party.
3. Order plates/napkins etc for the party.
4. Get both of the cars oil changed.
5. Figure out family date of family/engagment photos.
6. Take this (dreadful)computer in to get cleaned out.
7. Water day with friends.
8. Prepare "First day of kindergarden" gift for my neice.
9. Attempt to make a "organizeation station"
10. Get rid of 50 things this week.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.

Fridays Letters

Fridays Letters

Dear Computer: After some persuasion from This Fabulous Lady I have decided not to take a bat to you despite all of the frustration you have given this household. We really need to bite the bullet and take you in to a pro.

Dear Ring: I can not stop staring at you and all of your goodness. I do not want to take you in to get sized, Ill be so sad.

Dear August: I can not believe we are on day 3. As much as I love to live in the moment I can not wait for fall. Your temperatures are becoming unbearable.

Dear House: Why do you not stay clean?

Dear Everyone: Have a amazing weekend and keep cool! We are reaching 103 around here! I'm thinking of ways to convince the kids to stay inside..wish me luck!

Ringin' In The News

My last post was on my birthday. Oh what a birthday it was. 
My 23rd birthday will forever be in history.

In fact I say it is quiet Impossible to top. 
That specific day is now as close to my heart as my girls birth days. 

The Mr. came home from a 12 hour day at work with a huge
basket of flowers. Which the flowers alone surprised me because I insisted on no presents at all because the coming weekend would be my big present.
A trip sans kids to Seattle. Our favorite place in the entire world.
We will move there one day. I promise you.

Raygan was grumpy as could be, her usual "just waking up from nap" self. And Remy had a poopy diaper I was just about to take care of.

That was until I see my big girl coming towards me wearing her big old flower girl dress from my friends wedding months ago with a box with no words at all.
I open it, she said "its a ring mama"
and the Mr. looked at me with the most child like face on and said the words.
Will.You.Marry.Me

Something I was not expecting.
Some of you probably thought we were legally married because I refer to him as my "hubbs" occasionally.
We have been together for going on 6 years and have two beautiful babies together.

We have put off marriage for a couple reasons.
But always new we were going to get married.
I'm over the moon, excited and thrilled.
I'm lost on what to do and where to go!
We shall see.

But one thing is for sure, I'm one happy mama.
I love this man more and more every single day. I'm so so lucky to have him in my life as a best friend, a soon to be husband and the worlds best daddy. I couldn't ask for more.

 I can not wait to finally share the last name with all three of
them.
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These are from Seattle. We must have had our "happy to be engaged" faces on because I got numerous compliments on my ring and we got an upgrade to a better room with a view.

It was so refreshing for us both to be alone for an entire weekend.

Apparently his plan all along (for weeks) was to ask me on our trip, but he wanted our girls involved.