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The Parenting Hat: Toddler ‘Tude

Man, toddler attitude is nothing to mess with. At the drop of a hat, they can turn on you. One minute, they are sweet & loving and the next they are acting like an angry teenager. I don’t get it. At least their pouty, dramatic faces make for great photos … and great stories to retell when they’re older.

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Can you tell she was mad at me? Who knows what I did. I probably said ‘hi’ wrong, or didn’t have her water waiting for her when she asked, or didn’t let her brush her own hair. Oh, jeez. 3 year olds are a handful, eh?

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The Summer Hat: Swimming Starts Today

It’s June 2. And our pool is finally ready to jump in! Kelsey and Ryan were little fish all day today. Ryan even bought her the word’s most powerful squirt gun (joke’s on him, because she really knew how to use it). It’s such joy to watch these two. Here’s to the start of a wonderful summer with lots of family swim parties to come. Colton in swim trunks? I can’t wait.

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The Friendship Hat: Morning with Carly

There’s something about good friends … they always bring out the best in you. Yesterday morning, Carly paid us a visit. Carly and I go waaaay back. Back to the days of 2002 when we were both editorial interns for 944 magazine. Oh, the stories we could tell.

Today, we’re just two girls who still adore each other more than anything. She got a peek into my world yesterday. She came over with gifts (caffeine!) and we just loved on little Kelsey and Colton. It was just like the old days again. Only this time, with kids.

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The Pareneting Hat: Hello, Summer.

We’re not ready to get into the pool (still a bit cold) so we’re having fun playing under our patio misters. It’s about 100 degrees. Which means, summer has arrived! We’re ready though. This little fish has been dying to get into the pool. Soon enough kid, maybe even Monday if your mom is up for it.

While Colton napped, Kelsey and I played in the backyard. I was hoping to get her so tired that she would take a long nap (and mom could read a magazine, or rest for 4 seconds) but she wasn’t interested. Oh well. Better luck tonight. Hope the weather is nice where you live too.

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The Clumsy Hat: Toy Malfunction

My hair got stuck in an airplane today. Let me explain. There Kelsey and I were, at the cash register of Target. We had made it through the entire store without buying (too many) toys for her.

All of the sudden, she spots that dang end-cap where they feature all of the toys, candy and magazines that you don’t need – exactly at kid eye level. And what does Kelsey see, but a little toy airplane that she has to have.

Her face lights up and she is so excited about this toy. It has a little button on it that you press and the airplane’s propellers spin really fast. It’s only $3.99 so I say, what the heck, and put it on the conveyor belt. We check out and she is glowing. I totally made her day.

We arrive at the car and I put her in her car seat. She’s still holding and spinning her new airplane toy. She loves it. I lean over to buckle her car seat and my hair gets caught in her airplane propellers. Yep. My hair gets wrapped and wrapped and wrapped around this annoying $3.99 toy that I never wanted in the first place.

It hurts. And Kelsey is not understanding why I won’t give her the toy back. Someone walks by and does a double take at me, as if to say, “Does that lady have an airplane dangling from her hair”. So what if I do. This can’t be a parenting first.

Anyway. I jump into the driver seat and start our drive home. One hand on the wheel. One hand on this toy that has such a tight grip on my hair. I run inside and ask Ryan to get me outta this thing! ”What is that thing in your hair?”, he asks. Understandable, but I’m kind of annoyed at this point. It’s an airplane!!!!

Kelsey waits in the background as Ryan passes Colton off to me and (ever so seriously) gets me out of this contraption. How much hair did I lose? Is what the vanity in me is thinking. “Your hair is all out. No damage was done.” Phew.

I hand Kelsey back her airplane toy and dodge her like a bullet every time she gets near me with this thing. Dang marketers, keep those $3.99 toys far, far, far away from us girls with long locks.

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The Family Hat: Weekend Farmers Market

farmers market farmers marketplants dog aunt pamplants kelsey saucespam and kelseyThis weekend, we took Auntie Pam to the Farmer’s Market. It’s going to be a 100 degree day so we made sure to get there right when it opened. Kelsey was most impressed with the Gelato truck. We got tamales, salsa, handheld pies, AZ ice pops and jammed out to a local guitarist. Not gonna lie, I’m not ready for this hot summer weather. Can’t it be spring just a little bit longer?

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The Travel Hat: SPG and Kate Spade

Travel and handbags. What’s not to love? I’m head over heels for this new partnership between SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) and Kate Spade. I got my hands on one of the new, exclusive totes that Kate Spade designed – using our SPG Member Favorite Resorts as inspiration. Check it out at spg.com/katespade. Pretty cool, no?

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I got my hands on this tote because we were doing a photo shoot at The Phoenician Resort, not because it was gifted to me. Just had to mention that.

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The Mom Hat: When Dad Dresses Him

This is what happens when I leave for work early and dad is in charge of his wardrobe. My mom said it best, “We need to get him a Michael Buble shirt. STAT.”

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The Family Hat: No Rivalry Here

These two love each other so much. Sooner than later they’ll be fighting over toys and access to the bathroom, but right now, it’s peaceful in our house. Best friends, these two. Kelsey has called Colton, “gee gee” since the day that he was born. Random, but really cute to hear.

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The Travel Hat: Kauai Beach and Pool

If you get the chance to vacation to Kauai, Hawaii – take it! It’s truly remarkable. I don’t think Ryan and I have ever seen a place so lush in trees, exotic plants, roosters (more on that later) and beautiful mountainsides.

There is history every where you turn – from the filming of Jurassic Park to a mountain that looks like King Kong to a little bar called The Nui where they filmed The Descendents. The North Shore was filled with so many great stories. I’ll walk you through some of our adventures and our tips on what to do when you’re in Kauai a bit later.

But first, we start at the pool. Day One of paradise, Ryan and I hung out at the St. Regis resort pool for five hours. Five. Hours! I had to pry Ryan off of his chair, only because we had a dinner to get to. I would argue with you that this was the best resort pool and beach in Kauai.

The Pool at St. Regis Princeville is a large infinity pool overlooking Hanalei Bay and the views do not disappoint. Get their early before everyone else and you’ll get some great photos. Walk down to the beach and you may see some roosters. They are everywhere.

The poolside restaurant is the Nalu Kai Grill – which opens for cocktails at 10:30am. Yep, you guessed it. We were first in line for drinks – Mai Tai for him Pele’s Lemonade for me. Here’s a peek into what the pool area and beach looks like.

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This is real life. I didn’t even edit this photo.
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Before settling into a lounge chair, we walked around the beach.
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This is Hanalei Bay. The view was unreal.
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Chickens. Roosters. Everywhere!
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Private dining, anyone? It’s only $890.00 per couple. Only.
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My handsome husband.
st regis kauai poolLava rocks, I assume.
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This was the view from our room. Ugly, isn’t it?

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And, the bar opens at 10:30am.

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