February.

Every year February does it's best to wear us down and every year he almost wins. 

HOW CAN SO MUCH BASKETBALL BE CRAMMED INTO SUCH A SHORT MONTH???

When both parents work crazy hours, the logistics of lives are always, always a real thing, but the fun game of craziness really steps it up a special notch in February. This year was especially challenging because AE hosted BOTH the district and region tournaments ( 30 games within a 2 week period) and Anderson had his own plethora of games due to All Stars. I am not exaggerating when I say that there was not ONE day in February where both Brandon & I were home before 10pm. #ALLOFTHEEXHAUSTION

But, like always, we made it through and even had some fun along the way. 

Chloe always keeps it real for us. 

True story: I had no idea she was outside one day and left her there for about 3 hours INCLUDING during a torrential rainstorm. She is never outside longer than 2 minutes because she hates it and the girl is not afraid to ALWAYS share her thoughts, so she has never been left outside. If you have ever met her you know this truth about her "opinion sharing." But, on this day she somehow kept it together & I had no idea she was out there when we left the house. It is safe to say that when I realized it she got an entire box of treats. But, that did not stop her from side eyeing me all night. It was actually pretty hilarious. 

I realize that most dogs are fine outside, but Chloe is not a dog...just to clarify. 

Nicole shared her marker making kit with us & it actually is really, really cool. 

Max's enthusiasm for things keeps me going. 

Also, do not be deceived because the majority of the time that we are home he is crying/whining/hitting Anderson/etc. My kids literally cannot coexist. 

Lots & lots of swimming at the Y. 

**School was closed for 2 days due to illness, so we fit in a lot of these activities during a time we were not even supposed to be together! One day we had a parent night and one day we had a bball game, so I was literally not even going to see the boys and, instead, we swam, ate lots of junk, did 9 million activities around our house and remembered why there is a nice balance of weekdays/weekends. 

Birthday party at Cool Sports with his girl, Marley. 

Anderson & I went to the AE game one* night and Brandon updated me with these super cute pics. 

*or a million nights. 

Valentine's Day was pretty festive, as holidays usually are when I can incorporate clearance finds. Max picked out Minion Valentines because he is obsessed with suckers and I added them to the puzzles I bought last year on 90% clearance in the Target $ Spot. 

Anderson, in a shocking twist, picked out sports themed ones and we added them to Fun Dip. 

Valentine's Day goodies: Ghostbuster car for Max, Sponge Bob beat up bag thing/Marshmallow shooter for Anderson. 

Every now & then, BOTH of the kids sit at the same time and it is pretty amazing. 

Also, I apparently was stuffing Max's popcorn bags for his school Valentine's party at the same time. Because...I will never actually sit down. 

These random ice cream cones from the Dollar Store were probably the hit of the month. 

Or...maybe it was our FREE dinner at Blaze Pizza. I mean, I just love coupons. And pizza. 

And high quality selfies with my kids. 

Every Wed night, Anderson goes to church class for an hour (THANK YOU, CLARE!) and Max & I sort of roam around Kroger. We don't have time to go home before it starts and Brandon is never off work in time to get him, so we pick up things for lunches, presents for Reese, snacks and random Valentine's clearance items to be used in Easter baskets. 

On Reese's birthday, we actually got to hang out with her at The Muse! 

I mean, this baby is not even a baby anymore. 

For her birthday, Reese wanted to sleep on the couch bed with Max. And coincidentally, for my sanity, all I wanted was to NOT have to take Max with us to Anderson's basketball games in Chattanooga. 

We also made a trip to the zoo with our girls and Levi. 

Reese. I mean, she is the best. 

Max is somehow simultaneously an army man and a ghostbuster. 

Anderson is obsessed with this little goal at Noni's house and plays it all.of.the.time. 

I came home from work one night to find this.....

He wears this Ghostbuster's costume to school everyday. Seriously. I do wash it every night once he is asleep, so it is just a matter of time before it completely disintegrates. But, in the meantime, how great is his absolute belief in himself as a Ghostbuster??

Lego Batman movie with Lily!

And, even more hang out time!

I cannot stop with the pics of these 2.

We hit up the park for about 2 hours one Sunday because apparently winter is not a thing this year. My kids did not actually want to play on the playground; instead they wanted to explore, find a million rocks to bring home, get covered in grass...

and jump in every puddle that they could find.