Happy Weekend: Pumpkin Patching in Petaluma

We recently went with friends to the Great Peter Pumpkin Patch at the Petaluma Creamery - Home of Spring Hill Jersey Cheese. It was such a beautiful breezy day for some pumpkin picking, maze running and corn kernel diving. They're open until October 31st.

I really want to go apple picking again but not sure we will have time before the season ends. I really want to be better about planning these outings--I miss cherry picking season every single year and cherries are one of my favorite fruits!

Leave it to Lucas to find a huge ass pumpkin, carry it up to the top of a huge haystack tower, and get his friends excited about rolling it down the haystack tower. Woohoo! Boys will be boys!

The kids loved the hay maze and would run back in every time they found their way out--everyone except Theo who would find a dead end and hang out there playing with hay. Haha!

Here's the stash of gourds Lucas put in our "shopping cart"--we left with about half of it.

The kids absolutely loved the corn kernel pool.

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Happy Weekend: Kids Camp Out

We had our big annual preschool camp out a few weekends ago. It's something we look forward to every year, but I was a bit sad this year knowing Lucas would be an alumni at next year's camp out. But for the next couple of years Nick will be the main camp out leader/organizer. It's a lot of work and we don't really get to hang out too much as a family during the actual camp out, but he's an outdoorsy dude who loves doing it. So many families help out, but I think Lucas and Theo think it's extra cool that their daddy is the leader. My favorite thing about camping is watching the kids run around, having fun and finding inspiration in nature. I also love everything about camp food, sitting around a fire, coffee in the morning, and I even don't mind sleeping in a tent. :)

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Happy Weekend: Annual Girls Trip

Well friends, I'm off on an annual girls trip this weekend. Every year my college (and two high school) friends go a really nice trip somewhere for a long weekend. For many years we would all chip in and get each other a nice gift. While the gifts are nice, we realized that what was more special was actually spending time with each other. With half of us on the west coast and half on the east coast, this was not easy. So we decided that every year two of us would pair up and plan an entire trip. We have the best stories, memories, and experiences to share - way better than a fancy bag. The first year was Santa Fe, NM (I was about 8.5 months pregnant with Lucas so I couldn't go), then Chicago, IL, then New Orleans, LA, then Sedona, AZ, and this year... drum roooooooooooooll.....Austin, TX! I've never been and I'm really excited and have heard great things. Bummed to see thunderstorms and 88 degree weather (can you say fugly hair?), but it won't matter because I'll be with my dear friends.

This will be the longest time I've ever been away from both kids. I will miss them so much.

I'll miss Nick too!

and this...

not this :)

and this!

I will also be missing my dear mom's 65th birthday this weekend. I will definitely have to make it up to her next when I get back. She is the kindest, most loving, and sweetest person I know and I'm so grateful for each day with her. Also, best Po Po (grandma) ever!

As much as I can't wait to see the big smiles on the boys' faces when I come back, I am so happy to get away. I want it and need it. This is all part of the parenthood juggle, the balance, the challenge. See how I find balance here on Shop Sweet Things and Apartment 34's new collaborative series, The Kind of Woman.

Have a great weekend everyone! What are your weekend plans?

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Mini Vacation - Lake Tahoe

It's been a long time since we had a family vacation. As organized as I can be sometimes, I am pretty horrible at planning trips far in advance. The usual scenario is that Lucas has a week or two off from school and I realize the day before. Oops! So when my sweet friend Lisa graciously invited us to spend the weekend at her house in Lake Tahoe I could not have been happier -- not only because I hadn't seen her and her family since they moved to France a year ago, but also because I hadn't been to Lake Tahoe during the summer since I was a kid. I must say, it's still pretty magical.

And how cute is my friend's house? So thoughtfully designed with vintage elements mixed with mid-century modern touches that made the house feel perfectly cozy and campy. The light that peeked through in the morning and late afternoon were too pretty not to capture.

Before we left we stopped for lunch at the Char Pit in Kings Beach for some good bad food. In the car on the way home, I turned around to find Theo in full on chillax mode with his sunglasses on. He cracks me up -- his whole look basically sums up our trip.

We had so much fun reconnecting, swimming, cooking, reading (catching up on trashy magazines, yeah!), eating, paddle boarding (my first time and so much fun especially with Lucas on board), throwing rocks, collecting sticks, and relaxing. Our kids got along great and slept well. It was the perfect little (but much needed) vacation for our family. We hope to go back in the winter :)

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Happy Weekend and a Birthday Party Sneak Peek

Happy weekend friends! This week went by so quickly and now my little baby is 2. What?!? We celebrated his birthday last weekend with a little party at our home. It was so much fun but I'm so glad it's over! Lucas is helping Theo open one present each day, which really means Lucas is helping Lucas open one present each day. Theo is more excited about the boxes and ribbon!

Here are just a couple of pics from Theo's party. Stay tuned for more pictures of the invitations and details of the food-themed second birthday party.

What are you up to this weekend?

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