Another amazing 4th of July weekend to put in the books.  Or, my blog.

It is July 1, 2015 and I officially have a summer itch.  Maybe it is the weeks of endless rain we have had here that has kept us inside far more than I would like.  Or the lack of sunshine, pools and ice cream that has me wishing that these next 8 weeks really knock it out of the parks for us.

Bring it on heat, sweaty kids and evenings under the stars.

I never understood why parents would wish away their summers and ache for school to be back in session.  Until I had my boys at home with me around the clock and lacking every ounce of routine in their lives.  Has anyone else had the epic summer meltdowns yet!? The weather has made this even worse …

They are impatient, unkind to one another and just down right crabby if the hours are going by slower than we would all like.  I, for one, do not want to wish away the summer, I just want it to FEEL like summer! These past few weeks though have taught me one thing for certain.

WE NEED STRUCTURE.

Some kind of schedule (eh, saying that makes me cringe) – bits and pieces of the day that we know for sure what we are doing.  Something to keep the kids on their toes and keep my mama brain from being scrambled by 11am.

A summer school-house it is! I have always liked the idea of home schooling … playing school as a kid was my go-to.  I was lucky enough to have Brody who sucked in every ounce of information we taught him at an extremely young age.  He is such a sponge when it comes to learning.  We have Owen who is the polar opposite.  That kid has such street smarts, agility and charm, but zero interest in sitting down to go over numbers and shapes.

I will never forget my moms piece of advice when she told me never to worry when our kids learn at a different pace.  They all catch up eventually.  We just need to make our approach a little different for each of our tots.

Target’s dollar bins swept me off of my feet this morning.  The most darling large posters to get the ball rolling! Mommas, run! Get to your local Target asap!

These posters inspired me to get off of my summer itch and get this whole school schedule going at home.  My game plan is this … (time to be determined) We will spend 1 hour in the morning, and 1 hour before dinner working on “school work”.  Whether it be games, art projects, writing, etc…

Obviously they are both in different stages, so I will do my best to bring them both together.

My essentials I snagged? Markers, paint, play-doh, glue, paper, crayons and scissors.  They both were getting really in the spirit of picking these items out, now I just need to get this party started.

I picked up an adorable wooden caddy from Home Goods months ago, and now it is the perfect home for some of art supplies.

This way I can bring it all around the house and not have to go to a particular drawer to find things!

What mommas out there are going to join me in this? Hopefully the rest of the summers weather will cooperate, leaving play time in the early morning, snack and school time, lunch, play time and school time again … so on and so forth to go smooth!

Next up is designating a spot for us.  They both need a desk badly, so I am hoping to find 2 at a garage sale soon.  The posters will get framed/or just hung up on the wall.  I can’t wait!

I’ll be creating a few printables for you guys too if you would like them!

Here is to keeping Brody on track, and getting Owen on the right track!

Wedding season is in full swing!

I so often get stuck in shopping at the same place ….. over and over again.  With a wedding coming up this weekend, I wanted to switch things up and try something new.  Not go for the “safe” look – but take me back to my days before kids and would wear what I loved not just what I thought was appropriate for my childbearing days.

Brody is the ring bearer for the festivities – so I needed 3 outfits.  For the rehearsal dinner I am rocking what I wore for our date night last week –

(skirt and top from Gap Outlet)

And I purchased this heels which I am just crazy about to go with …

You can find them here I am trying to snag the nude pair but their sold out everywhere!

For the ceremony I always like to be a bit more covered up, at least chest/shoulders so I stumbled across this dress on Pinterest and just loved it – thankfully a few minutes later was lucky enough to find my reception dress on this site too!

(You can find my ceremony dress here)

I am a bit fearful that the length will be too short, but judging from that girls legs for days, my 5’1 stature will be in the clear.

(HERE is the reception dress)

Check them out! The backs on these dresses are just darling! Hoping I can find the nude wedges to go with the navy + white dress.  I was a bit nervous on the delivery time, but they will be here today (just 4 days to wait) so I ordered it just in time!

The site is U.S. TRENDY

If you have your own wedding season shopping to tackle too!

Oh I love a good weekend like I love a good cocktail.

It makes me happy.  It is refreshing.  It is delicious.

Friday night the main squeeze and I went out for dinner and drinks.  Luchitas in downtown Hudson was our choice.  Dan had eaten there before, but it was a first for me and I was completely ga-ga over it.  The corona-ritas, the fish tacos, the chips and salsa …. I was one happy mama.

We ventured out the next morning with a slight tequila hangover to The Taste of Twinsburg.  A great community event in the neighboring city, filled with great food, family fun and of course, drinks.  Owen was all over the face painting and balloon animals.  We wiped his face off 2x so he could go get another one.  And this hat above – this was what he got when he asked for a “pwain” (plain) one.

Why is it when Dan makes a goofy face he is still so attractive? I think I was born to be on SNL – cracking jokes and twisting my face into a million different expressions.

Fathers day was a real treat.  We were able to make 3 stops and celebrate the important men in our life.  It isn’t always easy to make the rounds but it felt great to give everyone a little bit of loving that day.

Today I have been playing catch up.  Ran errands with the boys this morning, let them run around in the sprinkler while I tried to correct my awful tan lines from vacation and even planted herbs.

I snagged this beauty of a tub at our favorite local shop for only $11!

I drilled some holes in the bottom for drainage, layered about 2 inches of rocks on the bottom, and filled the remainder with potting soil.  We planted the herbs we use the most in our house, parsley, basil, cilantro, and dill.  I have mint and a few tomato plants that I need to find the space for elsewhere.  This whole back + front yard renovation has me learning where the sun falls during the day here … have yet to have the patience or memory to figure it all out yet.

We have an exciting week here – and a much-anticipated family wedding this weekend to look forward too.  I will be starting a few of our Chalkworthy projects and will keep you posted as well!

Happy Monday!

As crazy and long as the days may seem.  When each hour is packed to the brim with temper tantrums, messes to be cleaned, fights to break up and endless meals to be made.  The agenda for the day revolves around the things you must do – laundry, dishes, cleaning, errands.  Zero room for disciplining, melt downs and picky eaters.

Each and everyday I do my best to start with a clear mind.  Of course I have the things on our schedule that are for certain – school, doctor appointments, baseball games.  In those few minutes in between is when I am bound and determined to get my personal to do list done.

I am a fool for clean spaces.  I love freshly scrubbed floors, wipe down countertops and organized cabinets.  I definitely do not feel guilty for taking my time to clean.  I do not think that a messy home means that you’re too busy making memories with your kids.  If that’s your grove cool.

I love a clean home, and that’s with good reason.  It makes me feel good.  It is my little slice of heaven.  Simple as that.  I hope my boys will learn to love to treat their spaces with respect.  Know how to roll up their sleeves and take care of their surroundings too.

As a stay at home mom I have 24/7 that revolves around my rugrats.  Literally.  Most will assume my days are spent playing and eating bon bons on the couch.  And while I may squeeze that in (ha.)  I used to feel an immense about of pressure to do it all, be it all, and still have enough energy and positive attitude to tackle whatever else may come my way.

Fast forward to 4 years of being a stay at home mom –

And I learned over time that I cannot be it all.  Do it all.  Help all.  It simply cannot be done.

 I would smell from not showering.  We would be wearing our underwear inside out.  My kids would be irritable from not having enough one on one time with me.  And the hubs would be horny from not enough tlc (Ha.)

When my mom told me years ago it was all about balance, I shrugged it off.  Years later that balancing act could not be more true.  It keeps me on my toes, helps me separate my time from what needs to be done – rather than what I want to be done.

When nothing goes our way we have learned to take a major step back.  Get silly.  Laugh instead of crying and shake it off a bit, Taylor Swift style.

Thankfully, in result of blogging I have grown to understand just how fast time really goes.  So even on the days that feel the longest I always try to remember that I will never get that day back.  Our boys are growing bigger each and every day.  With each sunrise brings new challenges and with each sunset brings the sweet reminder to cherish each moment.

Today I am chosing to cherish the time.  Even between the messes and temper tantrums and meals gone wasted from being dropped onto the floor.

For today is my sweet reminder that we are not promised tomorrow.

xoxo abby

A summer vacation was not on our calendar for this year, that is until about a month ago when fabulous family friends of ours invited us (along with my sister-in-law + fam) to stay at their house.  We thought they were crazy for inviting 4 adults and 4 kids into their home but we so gratefully said yes at the chance to hang out and get to the ocean! We could not have had a better time!

The days were spent splashing away in the water, watching the boys boogie board and collect sea shells.  Frozen yogurt was enjoyed daily.  I cannot believe I have yet to try it until this trip – oh have I converted.  I could have licked the bowl clean if there were not other tourists walking beside me.  On our very last day my sister-in-law and I walked down the boardwalk to grab pizzas at Dough Boys – highly recommend it if you’re in the area! The pizza was the bomb and the bartender whipped us up a delicious cocktail to liven up our afternoon at the beach!

At our last beach vacation in Hilton Head – I went picture crazy.  As I sit here I am wondering if I will regret that I did not do that this time around.  I did not pick up my camera – eek!  I took uber grainy pictures with my cell phone.

But what I did do in the mean time takes the cake….

I took every second possible to play with the boys, lay in the sun and relax with my family.  I did not miss a beat – and while I wish I would have caught some of these moments on camera I am certain they will forever be engraved in my mind.

Here are just a few that I thankfully snagged, and am embarrassed to show you at the same time!

I’m literally laughing out loud at how bad these pictures turned out – but look at those beach bums.

Brody gets tan so quickly – just like Dan.  And sweet Owen has my skin, taking hours upon hours of sunshine to show any signs of being sun-kissed.

Boogie boarding was a HUGE hit.  These boys were digging it.

The cocktails.  Oh the cocktails you guys.  You know how I love thee.  This was my first “corona-rita” and it will definitely not my last!

My birthday fell on Friday, it worked out beautifully.  A day spent at the beach, and an evening at an amazing mexican restaurant surrounded by some of my favorite people!

It is safe to say I am one lucky lady.  29 years old.  12 of those spent with that stud sitting next to me.  2 insanely amazing little boys that call me mom.

I’ll drink to that!

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Bored?

Fantastic, because I am sitting here on Sunday night, watching recordings of the Chew and enjoying my first glass of wine in over a week.  Life is good, and I am feeling extra chatty tonight.

This past weekend we were so lucky to get out.  Truly get out as adults, with time on our side.  Enjoyed an entire baseball game and dinner and drinks afterwards.  It was such a treat.  For those parents that do this on the regular and are inserting your eyeroll that it is our fault we do not get out enough, suck it.  Seriously.  It is a simple fact that we do spend 90% of our time with our family.  We love them so.  Even with our friends, we usually spend time at one anothers houses and it is just as fun.  But the weather was perfect and our company was just what our hearts needed.  LONG time friends since high school were in town and we soaked up every second.  Nothing beats a friendship that can pick up right where you left off – we are so lucky to have them in our lives.

Look at that stud.  I get to have sex with him.  How lucky am I?!

Is that too much? Sorry.

After spending 6 whole days with a massive flu bug I was thrilled to be able to down a beer and keep it down.  I ate pizza, and seasoned fries and an appetizer that knocked my pants off.  OH the simple things that taste so amazing after days of only consuming toast and bananas.

We are leaving shortly for a trip to the beach.  We really did not think it would happen this year, and we are so grateful for the invite to a friends house to stay at.  We will spoil them rotten with love and soak up every second of getting away with our littles.   I just snagged this crossbody bag off of amazon because I really need a smaller purse to carry around in public (look at the picture above!) I bought this bag in MOJAVE.

Cannot wait for it to come in the mail this week! If you guys do not have Amazon Prime, jump on it.  The ability to click purchase and have it at your doorstep 2 days later really will tickle you pink!

I also snagged –

I adore Haylie Duff – and if you have not yet tuned into her show, Real Girls Kitchen on the Cooking Channel, set that baby to record, you will not regret it! Amazing, simple and fresh recipes that will leave you feeling happy and hungry! This will definitely be sifted through and bookmarked at the beach!

I have a ton of things on my To-Do list that I plan to start tackling while on vacation so get ready folks – it’ll be a fun summer at The Thome Home!

OH! And the best part of my Monday by far … the winner of our Summer Swag for your Diaper Bag contest is ………

MONICA R. 

Monica my love, congrats!! Email me at 

thethomehome[at]gmail[dot]com

With your address so I can send the goodies your way!! 

Thank you again to Whole Foods for helping put this giveaway together!