Last updated on May 5th, 2024 at 02:07 pm

If you are in the UK it’s nearing bedtime for you all on Friday, but here in the states we are just getting going for the day. Today is exciting as we are taking the kids to the Rodeo for the first time ever. I can’t wait to see what they think of it all. It may be a little later than normal for their bedtime but sometimes on vacation it’s worth it. We are missing Daddy so very much, who had to return to the UK a few days ago to get back to work. I would have loved him to see a Rodeo here in my hometown with us but we will just have to take lots of photos for him to see later. 

We have had a slow week. I have been extremely lazy with I have felt a little guilty about but that’s what being home and on vacation is all about. I have so much I want to share from our adventures here but I also want to take more time out for the kids this summer too. It’s hard to find balance in work and life sometimes. Does anyone else ever feel like this? 

Welcome to my weekly #LittleLoves roundup.

Read

It’s only appropriate to read a book called “The Vacationers” on vacation right? I have finished last week’s book, surprisingly. I have kept to my new rule of a slower paced life and either in the morning I enjoy thirty minutes of reading with this view or in the evenings I jump in the hot tub and read for a bit and both not only have me actually finishing books but really relaxed both body and mind. I am only on page twenty so verdict is still out on this book. 

Heard

I have heard the sound of river rapids since the moment I got here. It’s the sound of home to me. When I was growing up I used to leave my window cracked all year long just to fall asleep to the sound of the river out front. It’s the most soothing sound in the world. Last year, the kids were a little young and scared to walk down and put their feet in the water but this year it’s been amazing getting them in the river more. B loves twinkling his toes in it on a hot day. You couldn’t get a more peaceful sound sitting on a rock while they splash about and listening to the river. 

Watched

Have you watched my latest Blogger’s Insight interview? After not being able to upload any of my video for the past three weeks in the states and six hours on the phone three days in a row with Apple I have finally got my Blogger’s Insight interview up interviewing Karen from Mini Travellers. She is the sweetest lady ever and full of fun knowledge about being a travel blogger. Would love you to pop over and let me know what you think.

For my other mini series My Expat Life, I am filming next week. If you have any questions for this Expat please leave them in the comment box below. I will add them to my list. Nothing is off limits so get creative would love to know what you want to know. 

Wore

I have been meaning to share a few of my new swimsuits but just enjoying vacation too much means they have been throw in a pile each day after I have worn them. But this week, I have opted for softer curls rather than my usual tight curls I always wear. They don’t last as long as my tight curls go but it’s a quick fix in the morning to do them. I end up swimming every day anyways so they always get wet eventually but I do love the softer look. Now if only I could learn a trick to get them to be soft without falling out??? 

Made

With the extreme hot weather and temperature forever rising, we have been eating a lot of watermelon. I always think of home when I eat watermelon so its great that both my kids love it as much as I do. For Fourth of July I made this yummy Watermelon Cake to celebrate. 

And lastly…

How do I have such big kids all the sudden? It’s like a constant growth spurt between my two toddlers. The clothes I bought MM to wear here only weeks before we left no longer fit here already. I swear she will have no clothes in August to wear if I don’t do some shopping here in the states. *good excuse right?

When did they get so independent and stop needing Mommy so much? It seems like lately every time I blink they grow up just a little bit more. Lately, they are relying more and more on each other than me. It’s one of those catch 22 moments where you are excited for the peace as they play more independently but then get emotional that they don’t need you as much. I have heard when they start school it will only go that much faster and while I am excited for B to start come September, I am worried how empty the house will seem, and how it will seem like he is missing out during the day with our adventures with MM. I don’t know what it’s like really to just have one toddler in tow. It will definitely be a huge change. So this summer I am trying to capture every moment in mind and on camera. I am trying to look at this in their little moments together and take note of it. Listen a little more than I usually would, hug a lot more and spend as much quality time together when life isn’t demanding so much of us. 

 

Linking up to Butwhymummywhy for #LittleLoves