Out There//In Here

//out there//

//in here//

I really should have titled this post "That one time where my house was so dirty that playing outside became the cleaner option." I'll be the first to admit there is a direct correlation between my stress level and the cleanliness of our house. John would argue that I'm naturally prone to making piles (silly him, he just can't understand my sense of organization :)).  I recently took over as the Event Coordinator for Relay for Life in our area and what once seemed like a voluntary position has become a non-paying full-time job. No complaints here, I'm busy and productive while supporting a wonderful cause that is near and dear to John and me. Albeit, my house has suffered--dishes with days-old food lay strewn across the kitchen counter, while lifeless heaps of clothing lay scattered amidst toys and dried-out baby wipes (mind you, the clothes were clean at one point). Bottles, train tracks and remnants of once viable crayons can be sporadically found throughout the house while a pile of dirty diapers still sit on  the floor of the nursery (you guys, it's nasty). 

The kids and I finally couldn't take it and busted through the filth to the safe haven of outside earlier today. I'd like to say we were taking a mindless adventure of sorts but in reality the mounding piles and the elusive stench resonating in the hallway were more than I could handle at the moment. With Addison nestled safely in the stroller and Brecken in tow we settled for rock gathering and duck chasing to pass the time (who knew fresh air could be so invigorating)! It turned out to be a fine alternative to the eminent clean-up awaiting me at home.

But I suppose all good things must come to an end. Any takers on helping me tackle my crime scene of a home? 

Time with Brecken

The last few days have been unseasonably warm and calm, which has been nice (after all, if it's not blowing  here it just seems unnatural). With the erratic behavior of our Montana weather the kids and I have spent the majority of the week outside. We've taken to the streets once again--Addy sits in the stroller while Brecken usually runs along side of me working out a winter's worth of built-up energy.  Once again his eyes have opened to curiosity of great outdoors (there is a wide assortment of pine cones and twigs stashed under my stroller to prove it). And while it may be warm, the vast array of puddles and sticky muddy side streets have become endless hours of entertainment for our little toddler--stomping and slipping, splashing and sliding never seem to cease with excitement (luckily Tide does the trick for the stains).

And if the warm weather wasn't enough, this morning our babes woke bright and early at 6:45. Addison was no match for the time and went down for a seasonably early (and rare) nap at 10. Which left the morning wide open for Brecken and I. As usual, train tracks have been built and dominoes have been made and toppled. With two now, I sometimes forget that it was Brecken and I for so long, this morning was a surprising breath of fresh air reminding me that his little energetic body also needs one-on-one attention occasionally. 

Thanks Saturday for the unexpected and simple moments that you've provided today. Here's to hoping your weekend is splendid as well! 

Instagram+Three Things

If you're new here, every week or so I do a fun little post entitled "Instagram+Three Things," in it I highlight a few of my favorite pictures from the week that have been posted on Instagram. If you want to follow us we would love to meet you @spunkyjunky. Beware though, I post a lot of pictures of my kids. I also showcase three things as well--sometimes it's my favorite youtube videos, places you should shop, articles you should read. It basically is my storage box for highlighting my favorite things I find on the web (pinterest?). 

Here are a few of my favorite blogs//

creativity: Dana Made It// fashion: The Daybook// kid-friendly: Small Fry// Inspiration: NieNie Dialogues

Thanks for stopping by.

Danny Zuko hair

This whole postpartum body issue ordeal is getting a bit ridiculous. My body has started to revolt in such an unruly manner that I contemplated asking for a new one. If it were possible and all... Anyway, my hair has taken on this Danny Zuko-esque physique. The moment I get out of the shower this frizzy bomb starts to ooze with some nasty-@$$ greasiness (appealing, right?). To make matters worse my face has gone from combination//oily to sand paper dry. No moisturizer in the world is helping this face. I won't blame it all on the baby blues, but that certainly hasn't helped.

I recently read a series of blog posts about the "no poo" method for hair. Basically it all boils down to using a  baking soda/water combination as a cleanser and apple cider vinegar as a conditioner--that's it. As most of the posts suggested my hair would turn straw-like for a few weeks, hence the hairy flurry above. Over the next month or so my hair should hopefully stabilize itself and I will be back to normal again (but healthier). So far I've been pleasantly surprised, the grease is gone and my scalp feels like it can breathe. It's totally a weird choice of words to use but it actually feels like my follicles are more alive. Here's to the hope of shiny healthy hair again. I'll make sure to report back in a few weeks on the outcome. John isn't optimistic, but seriously, what do I have to lose?

My face on the other hand still needs some tender lovin' care. Any suggestions on great moisturizers?

Typical Day.

Our wintertime routine has become pretty mundane these days. Almost robotic-like, both babies awake by 7:30, cartoons while I make eggs and green smoothies for breakfast, laundry-doing and train track building all before lunch and if I am lucky enough to put on non-stretchy pants before noon I chalk it up to a productive morning. 

By mid-afternoon when the jitters become too much to handle we venture out to the post office and the grocery store where Brecken takes a few laps up-and-down the food aisles all the while I chase along making sure Miss Grabby Hands stays in the cart. Naps, email checking, and laundry all get done in record time so by dinner I can put my stretchy pants on (again). Dishes, bath time, reading, prayers, and teeth brushing all flow together in an effort to have Brecken tucked into bed nine. And if we're super lucky Addison falls asleep by ten which leaves a hour or so for John and I. Again, if we're lucky...:)

Today's events were not different. Addison wanted a crayon. Brecken gave into her request. Addison then ate the before mentioned crayon. Brecken noticing that the crayon had been chewed into smithereens and proceeded to have a dramatic meltdown while holding the remnants of a once vibrant blue crayon. And as expected Addison enjoyed the spectacle he performed. So basically it was a typical day. 

And did I mention, tomorrow is the special of all special days--Brecken goes to preschool. Which means showering without a little person pulling the shower door open and folding laundry without my piles being destroyed. John and I also have this thing now where we get to sneak in a one-on-one lunch date during Brecken's preschool day as well. I'm sure you can imagine how completely out of my element I now feel when I get to eat a meal without having to feed a baby and cut food for toddler simultaneously  Who knew food was actually served warm...