photo every hour || thanksgiving day

7 am - Check parade times;)

8 am

9 am

10 am

11 am  Make my foods:)

12 pm We're late...

1 pm

2 pm Best meal ever

Leaving is a sore subject...

3 pm

4 pm Onto the 3rd house!

5 pm

6 pm Petting puppies

7 pm  We are dragging

8 pm Good night world!

I hope everyone had a wonderful day with family & friends celebrating this special day.

God is so good.

Thanksgiving Eve 2016 || Mama's Day Out

Since the day Cam was born, I have really had a hard time finding the "old Cassidy" when I'm not in my "mom role" twenty four hours a day.  I guess it's like I prepared myself the very day I became a mom to be glued to my baby at ALL times & never have a life outside of it again-b/c that's just what mom's are supposed to do, right?  What do I DO with myself when I am not working & I find myself away from my kids for most of the day??  I'm seriously like a lost puppy.

I used to be so anxious about being away from them when I wasn't working & never wanted to leave them for a n y t h i n g.  I tell you, the anxiety I dealt with was a real thing & it can be a heavy burden (though trivial in comparison to all that's going on in the world today - i know) to work through-especially right after having a baby, let me just tell you.  helllllllo hormones.  

Lately, I have been trying to realize that I h a v e to have a little "me time" to be the best mom & wife for myself AND the boys.  I said all that to say...today, I had some of that "me time."  You know when you can hop in & out of your car while running errands without buckling carseats & cleaning up spilled goldfish & juice.  Drive down the road in silence or hear the lyrics to your favorite songs- you can grab everything you need in the store without one trying to nose dive into the store floor or the other begging for every plastic thing labeled "toy" he can find:)  Hehe.  Now that isn't sounding too bad, huh? 

Granted,  most of the things I found myself doing was something I needed to do for them...I also did a few things I wouldn't have been able to do on momma duty:)  

I enjoyed a slice of one of my favorite foods of all time-my Nana's breakfast pizza (recipe here) & then helped her put up her Christmas tree, re-painted my chipped nails, browsed Lowes & Walmart for Thanksgiving ingredients & other things I can't look at with my monkeys -all while enjoying my chestnut praline latte without Conley slobber :) & a nice little battle to keep him from eating my lid, worked on getting Spider in Elf on the Shelf shape, & checked the mail to find...our Christmas cards had arrived!  E e e p:)  

I have to say- after a l l that, I feel like a brand new mama.  P r e t t y darn rejuvenated on this Turkey Eve.   I guess "me time" isn't so bad every once in a while & now, well, you could say I'm ready to take on our four, yes FOUR, Thanksgiving stops tomorrow!  I think I can...I think I can.

And back to my happy place...;)

The only thing that will be better is when daddy come's home this weekend!<3

Wishing all of you a v e r y Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so very much to thank GOD for.  

OF Him, TO Him, THROUGH Him, are ALL things.

XO

H54F || Twas the Week Before Thanksgiving...

This week was a kick tushy kinda week for me.  I worked my job in the preschools in addition to covering for our nursing home while their speech therapist was on vacation.  It wasn't nearly as tough as I had prepared for it to be..but all the same, it was very different & I'll be glad to get back in the swing of my typical schedule this upcoming week!  Plus, it doesn't hurt I only work t w o days this week:)  Woot!  I love my job.  Spirits are high over here.  They finally got a hold on the wildfires & smoke for now (isn't that something to be thankful for!) & my hubby is coming home soon.  I guess you could say we have a lot to be thankful for around here<3  God is SO worthy of our praise.

one.  conley's first ride & christmas at dollywood

It was a chilly day-perfect time to get out of the smoke & see the lights at Dollywood while catching our first glimpse of the man in red!   Conley rode his first ride, too!  (Besides the carousel).  It was adorable & completely hilarious:P

two.  christmas cards...check!  

I'm on the ball this year, y'all.

I can't wait to see the sparkle in person...they sent me an example in the mail -& SOLD! :)

& maybe I'm crazy-but aside from receiving everyone else's cards...one of my favorite things is packaging our own & sending them out<3  Stuffing envelopes...washi tape...stamping away.  So excited!  

except ours says "merry christmas"...I have a thing about that!

three.  elf planning

anybody else pumped this year?  I've had my plans laid out for about a month;)  Now, if I'll quit changing my mind!  Have you guys seen where you can buy props & kits to help a momma out?  I swear, I have quit looking at all the stuff-I want to do it ALL.  And that just ain't budget friendly...there's just no way to justify spending $15 on an elf sized hot cocoa mug...or is there??

one || two || three

four.  these shirts, though...

Some handsome brothers are gonna be filling them out soon:)

five.  cam's festive school crafts

I mean, have you ever seen anything cuter in your entire life???  Both the hat & boy;)

#rotten

We are (Lord willing) less than t w o weeks away from something very exciting.  We've been working at this task for the entire year.  I hope I have some fun news to share soon:)

That being said, I can't believe we are discussing T H A N K S G I V I N G guys.  But I have to say, I am very excited.  I absolutely adore this time of year & dream about it all year long.  Hope you all have a beautiful weekend preparing for the fun week ahead!

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Thanksgiving Style Favorites || Baby Boy Style

This Thanksgiving ~ okay, most Thanksgivings ;) ~ I find myself a l l about cozy sweaters, flannel, & graphic tees for boys!  If you haven't already, check out Cat & Jack brand at Target.  They are kind of like Old Navy in the boys department- on point for unique & stylish boys clothes!  Inexpensive (especially when you catch the sales) & absolutely adorable.  Also, don't forget dear old Jane.  That's actually where I found my boys Thanksgiving duds this year...  See number three below:)  I love that they are p e r f e c t for Thanksgiving, but they can wear them the rest of the year as well!  And let's not forget, they share the t r u e meaning & reason we celebrate this sweet holiday #swoon

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven || eight || nine

P.S.  If you have a little guy, & are looking for a great pair of leggings for the winter months...  I found these buffalo checks for Conley at CARTERS last weekend.  Yes, they are in the girls section.  BUT really.    Slap a graphic tee on top, some converse or moccs below, & no one would ever know!!  Like 6 bucks, people! (in store, after the discount)  ;)

buffalo leggings

What are you loving this fall for your little guys?

Or ladies:)

One week til' turkey & thanks!

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My Boys || Oh, the Milestones!

Conley Scout || 12 Months

I've basically put off writing this for as long as I can.  I better do it now before I forget all about this little one-ager.  Can I use the nager thing with a one year old?  This boy.  He's my firecracker.  And I never seen it coming!  But with every month his little crackle just gets louder and louder!  He's either precious little lamb or ready to fight & scream bull.
He walks around saying "don't" right as he does the thing he's been told not to do.
Aye.
  Alright...here goes.  I guess this is a wrap on the one year milestone monthly Conley Scout posts...Where did this year go, you guys??

Weight:  28 lbs

Birth: 7 lbs 14 oz

Height:  28 inches

P.S. He has girl diapers on b/c the HONEST COMPANY SENT this BOY MOM an entire M O N T H ' S supply of GIRL DIAPERS.  What in tha world??

whats new...

LOVES

walking running  okay sprinting into trouble, opening and closing doors,  slapping faces & cramming his fists in peoples mouths, stealing mommies tea, throwing things, going limp noodle, slapping Cam's head & stealing his toys, stairs, steering wheels, snatching straws, ANIMALS, slapping key boards , BALLS, hiding in the tee pee, getting bounced on the trampoline, The song "I just wanna be a sheep" (He loves to say ba ba ba ba baaa)

HATES

tv, being told "no", when he isn't able to run free, sometimes he hates life & just is not happy (hold me, wait you fool-put me down!) going to sleep, the dreaded pack n' play, being put down, busting his head (which he practically does everyday right now)  

play & cognitive development

Conley is basically Evil Knievel's prodigy.  The once sweet little lamb is ready to sky dive & bungee jump at the ripe ole' age of twelve months.  But then, the next thing you know he is laying his head in your lap or on your shoulder giving you "love" cuddles(heart melting).   He is all about cuddling.  He has started saying so many words!  He loves to play with balls & climb on top or all over ANYTHING.  He loves to open and close cabinet doors & throw all the contents out into the middle of the floor.  He is all about reorganizing things his way...just like when he threw all of mommy's clothes and the freshly washed towels into the bath tub this week.  He says "bye bye," bite bite, mama, dada, bubba, don't,  and no (learned that one from big brother). 

  

eat

He eats everything.  Doesn't care.  If you are eating it, he wants it.  BUT, after about a solid minute of consumption & you better take cover, b/c he starts chunking food everywhere.  Right off the top of my head right now...Conley's favorite foods are macaroni, chicken and dumplings, & veggie sticks (AND whatever you are eating in front of him).  He is still gradually weaning himself from nursing at night.  Surprisingly, he is a lot easier for me to wean than Cam was.  I had a lot of emotional ties with him-I guess him being the first baby & all:)  

sleep

Yet a n o t h e r month in the no sleep books.  I actually even have had him at the chiropractor in the past month to try & figure out if THAT could be an issue.  I swear you guys, it's like he is not comfortable & wakes himself up. Overall, I can see a slight improvement.  Either he is growing up or the chiropractor may just be helping him.

twelve month photo dump

COMING SOON;)

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Cam Tripp || 3.5 Year Snapshot

Honestly.  When & if you become a parent, everyone will tell you how fast a baby will grow.  Just as the Bible (& your grandparents assure you) they say life goes by as a vapor.  I don't think I knew just how true these words of wisdom really were until I had a child of my own.  How can my Mr & I be parents of a 3.5 year old?  Y'all.  I remember the first letter I typed on this blog after just finding out about being pregnant with him!  I never want to forget these sweet moments in time that absolutely are sweet blessings that could only come from the Heavenly Father above.  That is why I blog.

Here we go.

Mr. Cam at age 3.5...

Age:  3.5 YEARS
Stats: 60 lbs <Yep, I'm gonna say it a g a i n --->AND I still carry him...>
Clothes: Size 5/6/7/8 (LOL) Boys

     eat

                                               Um.  What does this threenager NOT eat??  We are really having to buckle down in watching just how MUCH he eats!  Lol.  Camster loves him some food.  His favorite foods are junk, junk, &...oh yea- m o r e junk.  But really-cheese sticks, mozzarella sticks, french fries & ketchup, & chips:/  He's impossible right now!

        cognitive/play development

Cam has learned so much since starting preschool!  He learns about a sound every week & can sing his abc's with a little prompting:)  He still has troubles with colors...I am seriously thinking he does have a touch of color blindness.  Communicating with him is like communicating with any other human on the planet-but a very honest one.  His vocabulary is unreal.  Like, don't ask if you don't want to know human.  He's also pretty dramatic.  He loves to play with his toys, watch shows on tv, play on the iPad or phone (someone please tell me how to control this addiction) jump on the trampoline, play with kids (in which it usually involves shooting zombies, running in circles, & making raspberry noises...)  

loves
sharks, robots, juice & sprite, ANY BOY TOY, superheros, being outside, watching Umi Zoomi, Miles from Tomorrow Land, Paw Patrol, playing with the iPad or iPhone:/, eating junk food, his Chewbacca doll & teepee, spiders, Ony, jumping on the trampoline, croutons, hiding seek, "playing with the kids", going to the cabin & NanaPops, "Cond-ley", Knoxville, Hobby Lobby, Chuckie Cheese, playgrounds, bible school (aka sunday school). Target ( I may or may not have created that monster...) chocolate coffee (choc. milk) "When I get big, I'm gonna drink coffee, too Mom."

hates

monsters, "girl stuff," bugs/spiders, Ony (okay it's a love/hate), "Cond-ley" crying, missing his daddy, being aggravated or teased, when grown ups act a fool, leaving anywhere...almost to the point where I'd just rather stay home than fight him to leave where we are going!

sayings
awk---ward is his favorite word & go to phrase
hello, neighbor
You know...the favorite boy things like "poopy butt" :/
are you sanking what I'm sanking? (aka thinking)

"I'm getting bigger, mom!  Ain't I?"
He says "I love you" a lot- & it's the best sound in the world...

3 year photo dump
COMING SOON ;)

And, in all randomness...I had to share this while we are on the topic of Cam.

Cam: "Mommy, have you ever seen vampire crabs???"

Me: "Noooo, I haven't."

Cam: "Well, they are very dangerous creatures & they can get out of their cages!"

Just wanted to share this news as nobody wants to run into a vampire crab without having a proper warning.  

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Boy Mom On A Budget || Vests

Lately, in the realm of boy things, & after f i n a l l y getting to dress for chilly weather (yay!)...I have found myself gravitating toward vests.  I've found myself practically putting a vest on the boys about everyday this week & t h e n, when we went loafing weekend & I found myself buying...yes, you guessed it.  M o r e vests.  Wear them with dress shirts, tees, or flannel!  There is a vest for every style of shirt. 

 I think I'm in love with a new winter favorite!  Plus...they are easy to keep my boys warm while feeling less bulky so they can run-jump-& play with ease.  I'm a fan!  

And in the world of budget, you could either splurge with a neutral that goes with e v e r y t h i n g or stay with the cheapies & get fun prints.  The fact that you can wear them with anything means you can get your wear out of them in the winter months!  (Which I definitely plan to do!)   

one || two ||three|| four||five

And let's just be frank, in the world of vests & budgets...#oldnavygotgame

P.S. Vests are pretty cute for mommies, too;)  

I think I'll just go dust off my ole Eddie Bower faithful & twin with them;)
Happy Monday!  

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