Favorites 3-6

I can't believe we are already a week into March! Since Brent and my birthday are in March it is always a fun month.  It has been a nice week with lots of play dates and park time. Here are a few snaps from the week.

1. On Monday Elliot came over to me and said, "snuggle mama" so I picked him up and within 5 seconds he was asleep on my shoulder. I miss my sweet little baby napping on me!

2. We had a couple of rainy days this week which meant puddling jumping. Elliot loves jumping in the "wawa" as he calls it. 

3. I watched my friend Daina's little girl all day on Thursday and it went much better than I anticipated. The played so well together the entire day. At one point when we were at the park and Bente needed me, Elliot came up and said," No, Elliot mama, Bente." So even though he loves Bente he still got a bit jealous when mama gave her attention ;) 

Neither of them wanted to put their pants back on after nap time.

4. Doesn't everyone ride an airplane in their diaper wearing a bow tie?

Blurry picture 

Have a good weekend!

Favorites 2-20

It's been awhile since I've done a weekly favorites post. So I thought I would do one today.

1. I love that Elliot has so many little friends here. He has one little friend Eloise that is always wanting to hold his hand. It is seriously so sweet.

Navigating the playground together

Not a problem that E can't reach the peddles, Eloise helps him out

2. Elliot had his first class at The Little Gym this week and he loved it so much! I am so glad we decided to sign up Two of his friends(Eloise and Evie) are in his class and I was a little afraid he would only want to be with the people he knows, but I don't even think he realized they were in his class. He loved jumping around and swinging from everything. He is definitely all boy :) 

3. With less than 5 month to go until we move back to the US, Brent and I have been in serious travel planning mode. We have some really fun trips in the works this spring/early summer that I am hoping all work out. 

4. We have nothing planned this weekend! Brent was traveling a few days this week and so all 3 of us are looking forward to some family time. 

5. I never shared this pic of Elliot from last month. We got a little bit of snow one night so he and I went to the park by 8:30 am before it all melted to get some pictures. The picture is a little out of focus but for some reason I still love it and wanted to share :) 

Have a great weekend! 

Mindy 

Favorties 11-7

We had a nice but quiet week this week. The weather has definitely taken a turn and it is getting cold. Elliot still loves to be outside running around, so mama needs to start dressing a little warmer! Here are a few favorites from the week.

1. As I have said before, Elliot love construction equipment. One day at the park this week they were doing some work and the kid was ecstatic! We sat and watched them work for a good 15 minutes straight before it was time to go home. Elliot talked and pointed the entire time. Watching the wonder in his eyes is truly awesome.

2. I started my new yoga class this week and it is great! The instructor is a friend of mine(whose little boy is only 3 days older than E) and she does a great job. It feels great to be getting back into yoga and it can only help with my running. Oh, and I signed up for another half marathon this week so I am back in training until January! 

3. So technically this picture is from last week but it is great. Elliot was so exhausted after the previous weekend he fell asleep during lunch. Notice the spoon still in his hand :) 

4. We have a weekly meet up with my friend Daina and her little girl Bente. As you can see she and Elliot have become little buddies. They did this 100% on their own while we were stopped. Such sweethearts! 

5. We have been in travel planning mode the past week. We have some really fun trips coming up in the next 6 months. We are headed to London for Thanksgiving and to see some friends. The Christmas markets will be open so it will put us in the Christmas spirit for our trip back to the US!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Favorites 10-24(a day late!)

This week has been a whirlwind! Elliot and I were in Vienna until Thursday(more on that later) so the week just flew by. Here are some favorites from the week.

1. I ran my half marathon on Sunday. It wasn't my greatest race due to a bit of an injury but I finished and in the end that is all that matters.

This years medal

2. Elliot had a lot of new treats in Vienna. Here he is loving his first chocolate chip cookie

3. Yesterday, two of my girlfriends and I had a girls days with in home massages. We all went over to my friend Melissa's house and the masseuse came there. We all took turns watching the kiddos while the other ones got a massage. It was a nice way to end a crazy week. 

4. Elliot spent a good amount of time at the airport like this. Watching all the excitement happen outside :) 

Have a good weekend! 

Favorites 8-22

This week has been a rough one weather wise. It has been raining and cold everyday making it pretty tough to get outside. We've tried to make the most of some peaks of sunshine so E could play outside a little bit. Here are a few favorites from the week(or upcoming weekend).

1. Last Saturday we FINALLY got a mamafiets(mothers bike). We have been looking for a bike that I could ride with Elliot for months and couldn't find the right one. Well, Saturday we found one and bit the bullet and bought it. E absolutely loves it! He talks or giggles the whole time we are on it. With the bad weather we haven't been able to use it a ton this week but the few times we did have already been worth it.

2. Elliot has a little area in our house he has made his "spot." In between the dresser and wall in our living room is a little gap that is the perfect size for a 13 month old. He takes books in there to sit and read, brings toys or just tries to hide from us. It is really cute and makes me smile every time he does it. 

3. I'm training to do the Amsterdam half marathon again and have been doing some of my training runs bright and early in the am before Brent goes to work. I'll tell you at first 5:45 was not a welcome sight, but the more I do it, the more normal it becomes. Also, running that early means no waiting at stoplights(the only turn on at 6:30). 

4. We had Brent's employee Tom's wedding this week. Thankfully, we were able to bring Elliot with and he cooperated for the most part. He loved all of the attention he got from everyone and may have started yelling "gog"(how he says dog) when Tom and Karins dogs came in to the ceremony. Oops :) Good thing he is cute!

5. We are hoping to get in a nice long family bike ride this weekend. Cross your fingers that the weather cooperates for us!

Have a good weekend!

Favorites 8-8

To really get back in the swing of things, here are some favorites from the past 2 weeks

1. Elliot had ice cream for the first time and it was amazing. Of course he loved it(he is my kid). The only downside is that now I will have to share my ice cream :(

2. Now that he is walking, Elliot loves bringing things to me. I really need to take advantage of this ;)

3. Went to the Nintje museum this week with some new friends. Elliot absolutely loved it! He saw the playhouse that was in there and he went running and screaming with delight into the room. It was pretty awesome!

He loved this train

Inside a little tunnel that he thought was pretty cool

In the playhouse

So exhausted from the museum

Favorites 6-13

These weeks, I tell you, they keep getting away from me. Elliot and I fly to MN in 1 week and I have SO much to do before then! But when do I pack for Elliot? I can't when he is sleeping, all his clothes are in his room, and when he is awake he will pull anything out that I have put it the suitcase! Hoping I can make a dent in his packing this weekend while Brent is around. Here are some of my favorite pics from the week.

Have a good weekend!

1. We had an extra day with papa this week and it was wonderful! Brent had Monday off for a Dutch holiday and we had to much fun. We went to the pool with friends, went on a walk and just enjoyed an extra day of family time.

Elliot also got some sleep on papa

Pool Time!

2. Elliot had his last music class until fall and seriously the boy loves it. I think it is just because he can bang things together and we call it "music" :) 

3. These ones are actually from last week but i didn't do a favorites post last week so you get them today! 

Family food truck fun!

Food truck festival with friends

4. So I know I said it above but I am really excited for our trip to MN! The flight to MN not so much! Elliot and I are flying alone and Brent is joining us 12 days later. I am hoping I have a friendly seat mate who doesn't mind a chatty 11 month old sitting next to them. Send some positive vibes our way next Friday! 

Favorites 5-30

Oh this week has been the exact opposite of last week! The weather has been rainy EVERYDAY which meant a lot of inside time. So here is a little of what we have been doing to pass the time and keep little man busy.

1. Elliot had 2 new buddies born this week! We can't wait to meet baby Brooks and baby Everest when we are in Minnesota in 3 weeks!

2.Cleaning out closets and replacing the clothes with a cute baby :)

3. Crawling in ANY space(see above and below) 

4. We had to get out of the house so rainy day walk it was

Little kids in the park with their remote control boat in the rain

5. And we have been reading LOTS of books. Elliot has taken over and reads to us now

I can tell you I will be buying lots of books when we are home. You can only read Moo, Baa Lalala so many times!!

Favorites 5-22

What a great week we had! Wonderful weather and some great play dates and get togethers with friends! Here are some favorites snaps from the week. 

1. Elliot and I ran into a fire truck tour on the street near our house. If the line to take pictures would have been shorter, I would have put E in the driver seat and got some pics. But this one will just have to do.

 2. While I was running last weekend, there was a band playing along the trail. It's hard to see, but they are on the left. It was fun to see so I had to snap a pic :)

3. As I said above Elliot and I have been outside all week. The kid has been loving it! He has been loving going to the parks with us and with his little buddies.

Driving around the baby park

Swinging with his new friends Elizabeth and Eloise

All this play makes for one tired boy! He never sleeps in the stroller and he even transferred to his crib when we got home. 

Cruising some toys and sporting his baseball hat from Oma and Opa

4. Our first Dutch grilling experience.

Can't grill without a beer :)

Have a great weekend!

Favorites 5-16

The week has just flown by. We had rainy gross weather the beginning of the week and the last half has been beautiful. We've been taking lots of walks and spending a lot of time outside as a family. Hoping this spring/summer weather is here to stay!

1. Elliot needed some new pants(every 6-12 and 12 month pair he own are now capri length on him!) So I bought him a pair at a local store and bought the regular fit. When I washed them and put them on him it clicked, I'm in Europe and the regular fit is a skinny fit! But let me tell you he looks pretty darn cute in them!

2. We had Elliot's first outing to the playground by our house this week and he loved it. He spent most of the time just standing and watching the other kids, but also loved playing in the sand. We met some new friends (from the US!!!) at the park. Always great to meet new people and add more opportunities for play dates. 

Such a big boy :) 

Loved watching the other kids 

3. We went to a new to us baby park today with my friend Lindsey and her girls. It was Elliot's first time every being on a swing. He loved it and he loved the whole park. He giggled the entire time we were there. The park is meant for kids 4 and under so they had TONS of baby toys and perfect for Elliot. We will definitely be going back all the time now that it is warmer. 

Swing pictures are impossible! He was just so happy!

Loving the warm weather(he was definitely overdressed for the weather)

4.After a busy couple of weeks I am looking forward to a nice and relaxing weekend. The weather is supposed to be wonderful so Brent and I want to spend as much of it outside as we can. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mindy

Favorites 5-2-14

Happy Friday! It's been awhile again since I've done a favorites post. Here are some of my favorites pictures and moments from the past couple weeks!

1. Sometimes you just have to let mess happen. He was the happiest little boy while pulling every single diaper out. Picking my battles :)

2. Who needs toys, when you have a grocery bag

3. Baby feet in the grass

4. Watching these 2 together is so funny.  Elliot always tries to hold Bente's hand, it's so sweet!

5. Last week I had a night out with 2 of my girlfriends, Melissa and Daina. We all got manicures and then booked our girls weekend trip to Copenhagen!!! We are going in the beginning of September for a weekend and I am so excited! As of right now, it will be the first time I am away from Elliot overnight. It's a good thing I have plenty of time to prepare myself. 

Have a good weekend!