Leaping Lizards

Dress: Old Navy (similar), Necklace: c/o ElizaJay Charms, Shoes: Nordstrom Rack (same here and here)

The boys and I watched the original Annie the other day, and they loveddddd it.  I was wondering how they would feel about it since it's kind of an "older" movie, but they laughed (especially during the Miss Hannigan parts), and danced, and didn't take their eyes off of the screen.  But really...what's not to love?  Great actors, great staging, great dancing (those orphan girls are amazing!), and great songs.

I know that some people aren't looking forward to the new Annie, but I've been waiting for a modern version since Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life came out! :)  Seriously.  And I wanted my boys to see the original, and hopefully love the original, before we see the new one in December.  

PS.  I'm officially 21 weeks pregnant.  19(ish) weeks until we meet baby boy!

Linking up with Shanna and The Pleated Poppy

Chatting with the boys

There isn't a day that goes by that these boys don't make me laugh out loud.  They're smart, witty, and have their momma's flair for the theatrics...the perfect recipe for daily laughs.

A few conversations this past week...

Charlie: "Are Storm Troopers good guys or bad guys?"

Me: "Ummmmmmmmm........" ??

Charlie: "Maybe we should just ask Daddy."

Me, googling "storm troopers" on my phone, trying to not let Charlie see me: "They're bad guys. Wait.....yep, they're bad."

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Me to Walker at 6am. "Baby, why do you wake up so early?"

Walker: "Because I like foooooodddddddd!!!!"

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Charlie:  "Mom!!  I have something AWESOME to tell you.....  Kevin Durant has an orange van with a couch and tv in it." What? (his father's son.)

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Both boys to me, "Mommy is a princess! Mommy is a princess!!"  

^Best part about having sweet little boys.  They love their momma.

Shorts and Loafers

Similar shorts, similar black loafers, necklace: very jane, shirt: target clearance 

Number of mosquitoes that bit me while taking these pictures...457.  

During the summer months, and especially while I'm pregnant, dresses and skirts are my go-tos...(oh and these leggings...all day, every day these leggings).  But when those dresses and skirts and leggings are unavailable, (we have SO much laundry at this house!), I pull out these trusty, full-panel black shorts.  

This is just one way I spice up a basic tee with shorts....with a pattern and a statement necklace. And just as a side note, this is a "regular" shirt that I found in a bigger size in the Target clearance section for under $2!

PS..I feel like I majorly popped this past week.  Yay!  Grow, baby, grow!    

Linking up with Shanna and The Pleated Poppy

4 things I'll miss about summer

I'm not much of a summer person, and am anxiously awaiting the fall, but there are a few things I will miss about this past summer.

1.  I thrive on set schedules, (once a teacher, always a teacher), but I did enjoy dropping everything and heading out to the beach several times over the past couple of months.  Seeing my boys really start to love the ocean was also really fun to watch.

 2.  Noel was around!  I can't remember a time where Noel would leave around 8 and come home around 6, but this summer we experienced a "normal" daddy schedule, and it was weird (it was!) but so great to see him more.

Charleston trip

3.  It is MUCH easier getting out the door during the summer.  I was born and raised in NC, and am still not used to the humidity, (so I welcome cooler weather), but not having to worry about coats and socks and hats is amazing.

4.  Sibling time.  My sister, Sarah, goes to University of Utah, so even though we talk all the time, we don't get to see each other every day (like I would prefer.) :)  We've been able to see her, my sister, Jessica, and my brother James all throughout the summer...and it's been a treat!

^Exploring with Sarah

^Yoga with Jessica (she has an awesome yoga instagram btw)

^Sack race with James

What will you miss most about summer?  I hope it's been a good one!

Story Time at Progeny

I had such a fun time hosting story time at Progeny Shoppe in Raleigh.  We had a special animal themed story and music session, and the cutest little kids came out to join me.

If you haven't been to Progeny yet, you are missing out!  It is THE cutest shop of all time. Adorable pieces for kids of all ages (I asked if one of the dresses came in maternity size), and I have my eyes on a pair of airplane leggings for baby boy.  If you're interested in doing some back to school shopping this weekend, you can use the code STORY10 for 10% off all items online through Sunday.

What I found adorable was how much my boys loved playing with a tea set.  We don't have one at our house (maybe we should branch out from legos and trucks), so maybe that had something to do with it, but they sat there for forever and enjoyed their "tea time".  Maybe Santa will have to bring them one this year.

Also, just as a side note...I've been taking Charlie to a reading camp hosted by NCState for the past couple of months.  The camp's main goal is to teach parents how to go about teaching their children to read and write.  It's wonderful, and I'm learning a lot, but the main thing they talk about is how we need to READ to our children.  

This, of course, is a no-brainer to me, but taking children to story time and getting them to listen to another adult is also important.  So, so important.  A big high-five to all the parents and care-givers who read and take their children to story time!

And a big thanks to Progeny Shoppe for having me!  (Be on the look out for more story times at Progeny in the future!) :)

Happy Place

Skirt: Old Navy (similar), Top: ON (similar), Shoes: old from Nordstrom

Sometimes it feels trivial to talk about anything fashion related...especially with so much sorrow and grief going around in the world these days.  But I am a firm believer in doing things that put a smile on your face and continuing to take part in things that make you happy.  

With that being said, fashion isn't what brings me the most joy of course, but I do enjoy a cute outfit and shoes that make me feel confident and ready to get things done!  I found this skirt at Old Navy (of course, right?!) :) when I was first pregnant, and am excited that it's working with my growing belly.

I am in my happy place right now....my sister is in town from University of Utah, so we're playing with her at the beach for a few days with the rest of my family.

I hope you have a great Wednesday!  

Linking up with Shanna and The Pleated Poppy

3rd baby Anderson is a......!!!!

We had our special gender ultrasound this morning and found out that our 3rd sweetheart is a.....

BOY!

The third musketeer is looking healthy and amazing, and we love him so much already.  Now the name search is ON!

On the way home from the appointment, I kept thinking about how this sassy little thing

(picture of a picture....oh yeah!...thanks, Melissa!)

will soon be the mother of THREE boys.  So crazy.  I'm not 100% positive why I've been given this great responsibility, but after thinking about it for a while, I really think that my job is to teach these boys how to love.

To love life, love learning, love friends, (eventually) love a sweet girl, and above all to love their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  What an awesome and terrifying responsibility...I'm ready for the adventure!  Plus, we need some more good ol' fashioned southern gentleman these days, and I'd like to say I'm just the mom to make that happen. :)

I'm excited to continue on this boy mom journey, and can't wait for January!!  Happy days ahead!

Join me for Story Time!

I would love to have you join me for this special event at Progeny Children's Shoppe!  It's free for everyone and will be a fun outing for you and your children/nieces/nephews.  Look forward to seeing you there!