I am the mom of two wonderful kids, the wife to a dear man and the owner of a sweet little sock shop called Pippi's Longstockings. Pippi Sock Mama is a blog on my life, my town , my shop, socks and other random thoughts that I may feel like sharing. I hope you enjoy it.
I went into this Friday knowing I had a full plate and I was un-sure of what to expect.
For a day that started rough (it was a shit fest...no literally, it was). After spending 30 precious minutes trying to figure out what to wear (nothing fit right, you know how it goes...) I picked up Zo to change their diaper and it was a poo-sploshion, which I didn't notice until it was too late and my white sweater arm was covered in poo. When I day begins like that I become wary but, the rest of the day was lovely. Rowan, Zo and I went to work at Pippi's. Ro got to play with some friends at the park and Zo took a short nap while I wore tehm. Work was great, sun was shining and our store wide sale kept us busy.
The kids and I left for a afternoon break when Nicole came in.
We recharged at home and headed back for Grammy's book signing First Friday event.
It has been a while since I have been able to hang out and enjoy First Friday at Pippi's usually I am home doing bedtime with the kids. But Pops came down and picked the kids up and took care of dinner and bed for me (yeah, he rocks;) and I was able to mingle with customers, chat with old friends and talk up my Grammy's book, (which by the way is pretty great, and very well suited for young readers age 9 and up.)
Written by Grammy & illustrated by Mom!
A long day but a good day. Ro and I went back Saturday to support Grammy and mom while they sold and signed more books. Rowan is such a little grown up these days, turning three soon...I am excited to watch her grow but sometimes I miss her baby days too. Anyway I better stop rambling and go help Pops prep for his Super Bowl party. Happy Sunday!
So Pops and I have made a deal. We each get to sleep in one day a week (he may choose to golf instead, on his morning.) Anyway I get Saturday and he gets Sunday. We have been doing this for maybe a month now and I love it!!! He gets up at 6 or 7 whenever the kids do (with minimal poking and prodding.) They get to have a nice morning together until Zoey needs a nap (around 10ish) then he brings her back to bed with me she naps and I start my day! Awesome, I have not slept in this much since college! And the icing on my super morning cake, as I type he is making breakfast, or brunch for us!
We also had a break in the rain yesterday and it turned out to be a good day at Pippi's, the sun is shining today so I hope that it is nice and busy!
I can't wait to stop in today because the Pippsters tell me we got new SockSmith socks! I know there are some great new designs in there for this season, yay new socks!!!
Happy weekend and I hope some of you got to sleep in too.
Well, I completely let the blog go these past few months and after the new year I kept thinking that I would get to it, but I have just not been inspired to write. So to jump start me into action, how about a montage!
Here goes, the last few months in photos:
Rowan always the helper, loves doing dishes for me.
At our favorite stop on our rounds downtown.
Zo and the cats are tight.
Zo ate their first real food and was apprehensive.
Unsure...
and not a really a fan at first.
And then it began... Christmas time!
I love the holidays, the cheer and the spirit of giving, I am a big sap for the wonder of Christmas.
So this year was AWESOME! Rowan was so into the decorations, the stories and soaking in all the magic of the season I really had a blast sharing this holiday with her.
Pippi's holiday window.
Rowan was excited about meeting Santa, but unsure what he meant when he asked what she wanted for Christmas (we didn't talk about getting gifts or the idea that you can ask for specifics, I think she will come to that on her own.) So seeing the confusion on her face he asked if she would like a candy cane...I don't think I have ever seen someone so blown away by a candy cane! She talked about the candy cane Santa gave her for weeks!
Zo's first stroller ride!
This house is two down from us, they play holiday music and the lights flash to the beat!
We walked down to see the lights many nights this season.
Tea time in the yard.
Pops was off work for two whole weeks! The kids and I tried to soak in all time we could.
The kids like to start early...
Stockings on Christmas morning.
Cuteness.
Play-doh in the yard.
Tea with friends.
Family time.
My sister was home, Yay!
She is back at school again but we had a great visit and Rowan got to play with her wonderful auntie a lot.
And finally the rain is here...we are ready for some puddle jumping!
So, now I am caught up. I hope to keep up a littler better now that the busy season has past.
Oh my gosh I can't believe I forgot, Zo is totally crawling (all over and that's kind of all they wants to do) and my little girl is gonna be three next month!!!! Can't believe it, but I will probably go into that more later.
All right now I'm done, an odd post, sort of, but that's okay.
Before the madness of this coming week begins, (Pippi's is about to get CRAZY!!!) I wanted to squeeze a post in.
We Have had a lovely week, Pippi's has been busy and is super full of amazing stuff (just the way I like it) tons of new hats and scarves...and duh, socks!
The KIDs both had check ups and are doing great. As we knew Rowan is petite for her age (but her head is big, pretty sure she gets that from her Pops!) And our little Zo is in the 95% for height and 90% for weight! Yay, healthy kid, I thought he seemed tall and I guess I was right. The funny thing is that when Rowan was a baby I used to rock with her in our rocker, and around her 1st birthday her feet started to hit the arm rest, I was sad because she was growing up so fast. Now Zo's feet all ready hit and he is just 5 months!
Also we had a lovely day with two of our little buddies they came over for an afternoon of Lego's, make believe and dancing. Here are some sweet pictures from our play day:
And, woohoo, Zo can sit up by herself now! He is loving being a part of the action.
Little Z's playing<3
Zo's hand is waving in front of the camera but the KIDs look so sweet I had to include it.
Blurry dancing hugs.
So, now I have to prep for shopping madness, I am super excited! I love this time of year! See you at Pippi's, (and don't forget to come in soon for the best gift selection before Christmas!)
I am trying to soak in all the sun we have left. Yesterday when I told Rowan we were headed home and she said that she really wanted to go to "Sprout Island" I said "Oh, that sounds fun...Do you think Sprout Island is in the back yard or the front yard?" Thankfully she went for it and said back yard. So we packed some "supplies" and spread out our blanket in Sprout Island. I just love being outside with the kids. It calms all of us, and we can just be. Here are some pictures from Sprout Island:
So, November is here. I am playing the balancing game big time!
I'm sure everyone struggles with keeping their lives balanced. I feel it more so now that I have a family.
When it was just Marshall and I it was so much easier to balance out my life. Sure, I worked nearly everyday at Pippi's before we moved to our current location; but, when I was at work from 9:00-7:00 almost everyday I always finished my to do lists. When I got home I could just be home, done with work!
These days finding time for my husband between my kids and my sanity is hard enough, add Pippi's into the mix and well, sanity is out the widow.
So, I am only on the floor at the shop three days a week right now; and I take my little Zo, (I don't think he would stand for more days). I usually go in one night a week to fit in all the stuff I don't get to during the day. I go after the kids are asleep and work until the wee hours of the night. But, Zo has started waking up around 10:00pm to nurse, so my all night work sessions are cut short. Today I decided to go in when the kids woke up at 6am. Zo is a morning kid and does okay without me for a bit in the mornings.
So I got to Pippi' before the sun this morning and rocked the shop! This is my current morning jam:
So I rocked out and got tons of wonderful new Smarwool out! I love Smartwool and it is Marshall's favorite brand too!
The teal socks on the left are my favorite style this season. That is a pair! They mismatch and are so lovely...I have it in every color (restraint is not one of my strengths).
New styles and re-stocked on everything! (I will take a better picture soon this one is a little blurry from my phone.)
We also have lots of other new styles in, here is a mini pre-view:
Life is Good snuggle socks, super cozy.
Holiday crew socks in our bookshelf.
Ozone socks, this is another one of my favorite lines.
OMG this Ozone sock is amazing, I am so in love with it!
I had a great morning at the shop. I love feeling super productive it just sets me up for a lovely day, which we had (I think I will blog about my family day(s) tomorrow). I headed home after I finished with Smartwool, Miss Elyse came in and worked the floor, and our wonderful customers filled the shop today. Thank you Pippi customers for supporting Pippi's and shopping at a mom and pop shop, we really appreciate your business.
