My oasis could very well be food as this girl LOVES to eat but I’m talking about a different kind of oasis but it will definitely be one centered around great food and great company.

Tuesdays here on the blog are reserved for traveling adventures. I’m normally off with the kids trying to see something new to share with you, but with my backyard renovation, I might just be hiding out there, WITHOUT the kids. Shhh

A few weeks ago I purchased a patio set for my birthday. When I received it, I fell in looove. Yes looove! I couldn’t wait for the hubby to put it together. I then ordered an umbrella online but was quickly disappointed when it arrived. The color wasn’t what I expected. I hated it. It sat in the box on our kitchen floor for five days.

Flash forward to the day of our first summer cookout. Hubby suggested we put up the umbrella so our guests would be able to relax in the shade. I reluctantly agreed. I wasn’t impressed but quickly grew to love it.

Hubby was in charge of the grill.  He never disappoints with the jerk chicken. The marinade is made by yours truly, of course. 😄 Love you babe. We make a great team.

At the umpteenth minute leave it to my mother-in-law to show up with four majestic palm trees. I’ve wanted palm trees for a while, but with the exorbitant prices, my backyard would have to survive without them. I may love to shop, but I’m way too thrifty to pay that much for palm trees, lol. They often say what a difference greenery makes, and I must agree. The palms provided that extra oomph the yard needed.

All the lanterns are LED and you can even operate them with a remote. A great find at Pier One, and they’re on clearance. If you are thinking about purchasing lanterns I suggest the nylon ones as the paper ones rip easily.

Okay, enough already. I know you’ve been dying to see the end product so without further delay, here is MOMMY’S OASIS. A little taste of paradise right here in my backyard!

So who’s coming to my next party? The wine awaits, or whatever tickles your fancy 😉

Stay cool out there, it feels like a sauna today.

~TOODLES~
Stacey

I haven’t participated in many organized  events since my twins’ arrival.  I was very excited when I signed up last week, but then I forgot about it until the night before.  I figured I would take my oldest then head to the “beach” at the National Harbor for some much needed one on one time where she wasn’t just along for a ride to the store.

I woke up and got her dressed but ended up with the twins tagging along. I was only five minutes late.  In my world, that’s considered a victory. Lol

My oldest had a good time playing and trying to hula hoop.  Her favorite was jumping on the mini trampoline. I couldn’t keep her out the line once she had her first taste.

I opted out of the National Harbor because it was quite cloudy. My oldest wasn’t ready to head home so I suggested a bathroom run and that’s when the adventures really amped up.

Yes, I am stuck!!  I am so sick and tired of being stuck trying to fit through doors or wasting a few minutes trying to maneuver through them, especially those leading to the restrooms.   On our exit, a fellow double-stroller mama held the door.  We were bonding over our debacle when I called for my daughter and realized SHE WAS NOT THERE!!!

I don’t think I had time to panic, I immediately went into super spy mode.  I spotted her instantly as I walked over to the water fountain where she played with two kids from the mommy and me group.  I thought about spanking her for wandering off but quickly realized it was my fault.  I was in charge and I wasn’t paying attention. I did lecture her though. My nerves were shot, with no alcohol in sight I ordered an oreo shake and headed to the playground.

My littlest was walking around, my big guy was crawling, both was intensely watching their big sister and other kids playing as I snapped pics and sipped my milkshake.  All was well until I turned around to find my son SITTING ON THE SLIDE.  He didn’t make it far but it was enough to rattle my feathers. Of course I took a few pics and a video before taking him down.

After all that transpired, mommy needed a little retail therapy not for the kids, not for the house, a little therapy for ME and that’s exactly what I did while drowning out their cries for my attention.

Are you exhausted reading yet?

Because I am typing this, our day didn’t even end there; my oldest requested broccoli cheddar soup but she wanted to dine in, so we did once I took the twins out the stroller and closed it so we could fit through the door YET AGAIN.

I’m exhausted!!

~TOODLES~
Stacey

I love when hubby is off from work and we go out for a relaxing family day. Okay, with three under three maybe not a relaxing day, but it’s time spent together, so I’m happy.

I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting at this place.

I didn’t necessarily liked the route we were taking so during the drive I decided to google National Arboretum. Here’s what Wikipedia gave me: “An Arboretum in DC operated by the Department of Agriculture.”  Well, that’s very insightful.

At this point it didn’t matter as we were committed to this location because it’s after 1 p.m on a Friday in the nation’s Capital.

First we missed our turn because the GPS didn’t show the service road. As we entered the grounds we wondered if we were lost despite seeing the little tiny sign that read National Arboretum. It looked more of an abandoned place with lots of overgrown trees and windy roads.

Eventually we found the main building. We enjoyed a picnic of leftovers that consisted of baked jerk chicken, brussel sprouts and white rice as our oldest ran around taking to everyone like she normally does.

We missed all the days activities, they were closing at 4 p.m, the gardens weren’t in bloom and the memory card was almost full. You think by now I would learn to do my research and prep before my little adventures but I guess that’s part of the fun 😉

It’s rare that hubby smiles, he actually smiled twice! I think he was enjoying family time.

~TOODLES~
Stacey

If the start of our adventure was any indication of how my day would end, I can tell you now it couldn’t be good.

The kids wouldn’t nap, of course, but as soon as they hit the car seat they were knocked out. I contemplated driving around just to let them sleep, but decided after the effort of prepping to be in the city, we were going to the city.

During the drive I saw a sign for Oxon Hill Farm and decided to be spontaneous. Mentally I wasn’t ready for Washington, DC nor what would come next for that matter.

The kids weren’t even out the car when my two-year old said “I HAVE TO PEE” I didn’t know the conditions of the restrooms and I didn’t know if she would even make it to the restroom. So what did I do? Don’t judge me. I let her pee at the car 🙊🙈🙉 What would you do?

Anyway, leave it to me to show up after all the kids’ activities ended. Hey, it was a spur of the moment thing. We had just under two hours before closing. Plenty of time right?

Ready for school?

Twins perhaps?

Checking out the goats from a distance. My little scary cat.

The animals were settling in for the night. Many of them hid in the comfort of their home waiting for dinner.

This little piggy was not up for company. He wanted us gone so he gave us its rear end while it handled business.

Being on the farm reminded me of my early years. We lived in rural Jamaica, not the beaches and lavish homes you see depicted. We had cows, goats and chickens at one time or another. Can you imagine me taking the goats to the fields before heading off to school? Yeah…I did that several times. I wasn’t always prissy, you know.

The real question now is could I survive a day on a farm? That’s a whole other issue.

Have a great weekend.

~TOODLES~
Stacey

Two months ago I wrote a post where the only color that existed in my daughter’s world was BLUE.

It was such a frustrating task. Everyone shied away from the challenge. It just didn’t make sense why she couldn’t grasp colors. They would say she’ll get it.

My mother-in-law would tease that it’s because I don’t embrace what I term school yard colors around my house. I REALLY dislike those bright colored toys. If it was up to me all their toys would be wood or white but hubby won’t go for that.

I am proud to say my big girl has mastered the color wheel…more or less. She gets confused sometimes but her world now includes red, yellow, green, pink, purple and white.

Our walks to the park is so colorful now that she’s mastered her colors. 👏👏

She picks flowers…sometimes she pulls the entire plant🙈

Her imagination is also expanding.  She told her brother it’s chocolate and he wanted to check it out himself 😀

As if we didn’t get enough after a close call with the geese she wanted to feed the ducks.

I wish we had food for them I told her. I don’t know why I said that because she forgets nothing! Now that’s one more thing she’ll be asking me if I have in my bag before our park runs.

The walk home from the park was just as interesting. It was funny watching the kids squabble over cheese puffs.  When the twins dropped one, big sister would quickly grab it and eat it, but only after checking for any drool of course 😉

Happy kid, happy mama 😉

We live in a colorful world now and I LOVE it!

Go Big Girl 👏👏

PS– Nelle slept the entire time, that’s why she wasn’t in any pics. A girl needs her beauty rest I suppose 😘

~TOODLES~
Stacey

Come escape with me

I absolutely LOVE being in the city on such beautiful summer-esque days.  It’s still a wee bit early for most blooms. My MIL rose bushes would take center stage in this garden.

I guess that just means we’ll have to make another visit when the garden is more vibrant, but these pics of the lush greenery are beautiful in their own right.

I even managed to catch a bird mid flight

Have a great afternoon.

~TOODLES~
Stacey

When I imagined having a blog years ago, I saw lots of balloons and a nice back drop with coordinating outfits and everyone smiling and having ice cream afterwards to celebrate.

Today was the furthest from that, but you know what?  I’m okay with that.  We did have ice cream though. ☺ Nemo was the family movie today. All the times we’ve watched Nemo, we never looked at the credits until today and I’m glad we did. I watched my eldest dance with her father. She was so thrilled. That’s what matters.

This was a canvas we saw when we first realized we were pregnant. Once we found out we were having twins, it was a perfect fit.

Here are a few pics of our day. Thanks, babe 😚

Thanks for visiting our page and I hope you come back soon 😉

~TOODLES~
Stacey

Last week my first baby (my sister) celebrated her 12th Birthday👀 How is this happening? She’s a pre-teen! Since it was her day, I let her pick the restaurant. She wanted to go to….yes….Red Lobster.  Just like hubby predicted.  Lol, I used to LOVE this place. It once was our weekly family Friday night out on the town locale.  But its not about me. What the birthday girl wants she gets☺😜

My son’s eyes doubled in size when he saw the food. GET IN MY TUMMY!

The twinsies got scolded by NaNa because they wouldn’t play nicely 🙈 I won’t say who the initiated…Nelle

This silly girl always insists on eating the lemons. Smh

During dinner she yelled the dreaded four words I. HAVE. TO. POOP.!!🙈🙊 Time stood still. All we could do was laugh about it. On our way to the bathroom, she noticed the live lobsters. We never made it to the potty and I wasn’t complaining.

She was so amazed until the greeter pulled one out. She hung to my leg as if it offered life support:D

I missed the Happy Birthday rendition but mom said sis was embarrased, so mission accomplished 😉

Happy Birthday little sissy 💐🎂🎁🎈

~TOODLES~
Stacey

A little time alone is good for the soul. I usually say a vacation is, but that’s not happening right now. So, daily I TRY to get two hours for ME, MYSELF, and I. Most days it doesn’t work but with warmer temperatures I am determined to do this at least three times a week or so I’m thinking.

While I was getting dressed my oldest asked to tag along. I really wanted to say no but she kept saying “please, can I go with you mommy? Please, can I go? Can I go?  Funny how you don’t have to prompt them to use their manners when they really want something.

We settled for the National Botanical Garden. I knew it was going to be a good afternoon because I found free parking 💃💃 oh yeah.

On our way over she indulged in her fave past time. Chasing birds

We even played a game of I Spy. Which letter do you spy?

After a while she yelled “I want to go see the octopus mommy” I was confused. There’s no aquarium within sight. I said what octopus? and she pointed “the octopus” as if she was annoyed I was questioning her intellegence. Ooh😯 The Cathedral Root was the mistaken character 😀

Inside, our first stop was the children’s garden; but it was closed. The next best thing was this fairy house.

She got lost in the jungle as I snapped away.

We checked out the outside garden next.

She proceeded with caution as I told her to smell this plant.

Passerby chuckled as I chased her in and around the fountain. Thank goodness it was off.

I beamed when she walked over to the rose garden, sat down, struck a pose and asked me to take a selfie☺

The highlight of her day was dipping her toes in this fountain (I know we broke the rules, sorry). She was ready for a swim.

We had so much fun together. I love one on one time with her even if it infringes on my ALONE time 😉

~TOODLES~
Stacey