Weekend Wrap Up!

Happy Tuesday!  By the time you are reading this, hopefully your Tuesday is just about over and you are relaxing on your couch with a nice glass of wine (or whatever drink makes you happy)!

I am so excited to be doing a weekend wrap-up post today because I feel like it has been FOREVER since I last did one (even if it is a little late)!  This was pretty much our last “relaxing” weekend for a while.  T-ball opening day is Saturday and the next 2 months of Saturdays will be spent in T-ball land,  as well as 1 additional day a week.   

The weather this weekend was near perfect, other than some crazy wind gusts on Saturday.   

Saturday morning we lounged around the house and made some delicious banana chocolate chip muffins (with some added sprinkles for fun).   

Then we headed to Sams Club (oh the excitement) where the kids snacked on free samples and begged to go down the toy aisle.  On the way home we visited our favorite ice cream spot for our first cones of the season (well, the kids had Spiderman pops... can you tell)??

Saturday night was filled with pizza and movies.  
Sunday I slept in and YES it was glorious.  I also went shopping ALL BY MYSELF and that was glorious too!  I got some great deals at Kohl’s (oh how I love Kohl’s cash!) including lots of new summer clothes and PJs for the boys.
Sunday afternoon we headed to the playground (another first for the year) and the kids had a blast!  Then it was home for dinner (burgers on the grill... yum), and a little house cleaning.  I totally slacked in the cleaning department this weekend, but it was just so nice out that I didn’t care!

And that’s about it!   Very laid back and very relaxing! 
This week is busy.  We’ve got dentist appointments (ugh), T ball pictures & practice, the in-laws coming for the weekend, and then the Little League opening ceremonies and a T-ball game.

How is your week shaping up?  Any big plans for the week or weekend?

Friday Favorites!

I know, I know.  I thought I was back on the blogging track but I have just been soooo unmotivated to blog lately.  I have a couple posts in my mind I hope to write, and I really truly do hope I write them! But no promises!  But hey, if you need your Life As I Know It fix, you can always follow me on Instagram (link in the sidebar on the right)!

OK, on to my favorites.

My #1 favorite definitely has to be the weather!!  Spring has finally arrived in my corner of the world!  Sunday we took the kids out for the first bike ride of the season and it was amazing!  It was the first time in forever I didn't need a jacket.  The sun was shining, the breeze was gentle and refreshing.  I think everyone in the neighborhood was out either walking their dogs, riding their bikes or doing yard work.  I saw neighbors I haven't seen since October!!  This was also Alec's first time on the "big boy bike."  We got Nick a new, larger bike so Alec inherited his old one.  He doesn't quite have the concept of pedaling down yet, but he's getting there!

#2 is a little late, but I never posted about it so I think it's fair game.  :)   Easter fun!!  We had such a lovely Easter this year!  From egg hunts to brunch to ham dinners, it was a great day.  And how cute are these Easter baskets?!

#3 is baby showers!  My friend M had a beautiful shower on Saturday.  I'm so excited for her!  Don't baby showers just make you want to have another baby??  OK, maybe not :)  

#4... "I wear my sunglasses at night..."  Corey Hart anyone???  Well, this is Alec's version.  "I wear my sunglasses on taco night."  This kid cracks me up!!

And #5 is my favorite conversation of the week with Nick.  It went like this:

Mom:  Nick, my friend thinks we look a lot alike."

--Long pause--

Nick:  But my boobs aren't big enough!!

OMG!  People, he is 5!!!  What am I in for?!?!?!?!

Linking up with the amazing Andrea at Momfessionals

and

The Diary of a Real Housewife

Books 'N Bloggers swap!

I am so excited to be joining in this swap hosted by Chaotic Goddess Swaps!  I hadn't planned on signing up (actually, I didn't even know about it!), but then today I saw a post on Facebook that they needed one more swapper.  So I thought, "Why Not!?"  I love books, I love swaps, and I love getting things in the mail!  

Here are the details:

Your Swap Objective: 

Get to know your fellow book-loving partner and send them a fantastic bookish package.  

Your package must include: 

• A book from your partner's wishlist.
• A book you have read and loved.
• A book you haven't read, but think looks interesting. (Can also be on their wishlist.)
• *Optional* Other book-related goodies.  

Important Dates to Remember:

• Sign-ups Open: Monday, March 30th.
• Sign-ups Close: Monday, April 6th.
• Giveaway Ends: Tuesday, April 7th.
• Partners Assigned by: Wednesday, April 8th.
• Packages Ship: on or by Saturday, April 18th.
• Show-Off Linky Opens: Wednesday, April 22nd.

I can't wait to pick out some books & book related goodies for my swap partner!  And I can't wait to get some great books in return!!

Friday Favorites!

I've sat down so many times in the past couple weeks with every intention to blog, but alas, for one reason or another it just hasn't happened.  But I've missed this space!  I'm happy to be back today to share my Friday favorites with you!

Number One - Barry concert
He may be 71, but he's still got it!!  He put on a great concert at Foxwoods Saturday night and I had such an amazing time!  My husband... not so much!  But he got to do some gambling afterwards so I think it all worked out in the end!  Excuse the blurry pictures.  We actually had really good seats but my camera phone wasn't cooperating.

Number Two-  All things Easter
I love decorating for Easter.  Unfortunately, my Easter Egg tree did not come to fruition, but I did manage to get a few cute things up inside.

I always loved coloring eggs as a kid, and I am happy to continue this tradition with my own children.  These are Nick's "Ninja Turtle eggs."

Number 3:  Blogger giveaways!!
My friend Amanda over at A Brownie World ran an awesome giveaway for some amazing homemade soap from Calahaln Cream.  And guess what?!  I won!!  Woohoo!!  I was so excited to receive these today.  They smell sooooo good.  I cannot wait to use them!  Thanks Amanda!!

Number Four-  Fajita sauce
Last night I made fajitas and for the first time I tried this Frontera skillet fajita sauce.  OMG this was sooo good!  The best fajitas I have ever made!  I definitely recommend trying it.  I found mine at Target.

Number Five- Warm Weather!!!

People, it was 60 here today!!  60 degrees!!!  I can't even remember the last time it was that warm! Unfortunately I had to work but I did get to enjoy a little outside time at lunch.  I can't wait for green grass, flowers and leaves on trees!!  

Image from Wikipedia

So what are y'all doing this weekend?  Do you have a special Easter tradition?  I am looking forward to Easter brunch at my aunt's house and our traditional Easter egg hunt.  Oh- and tomorrow is the hubby's 40th birthday!!  He refused a party and refused to go out.  He basically has refused to commemorate the day in any way, shape or form!  So.... we will just be having a small celebration with the 4 of us involving pizza, cake, and maybe some balloons.  :)  I also got him a special gift that I will tell you all about next week (on the off chance that he has actually started reading my blog)!

Happy Easter friends and Happy SPRING!!!!

Linking up with:
Andrea at Momfessionals


The Diary of a Real Housewife


And

Friday Favorites of course!

It's that time again.... Friday Favorites!  I am sooo ready for the weekend, how about you??

Favorite Number 1:  These crazy cuties
I love dressing my boys in some holiday flair!!  I'm not sure how much longer my 5 year old will let me do this, so I'm savoring it while he'll still indulge me!

Favorite Number 2:  My St. Patty's Day Jamicure
I love this combo!  I think it will be my new spring go-to Jamicure!

Favorite Number 3:  New Panera Sandwich
This actually used to be in Panini form but they switched it to a flatbread.  Good move Panera!  It is DELISH!!  And... it's only 350 calories.

Favorite Number 4:  31 Hang Up Home Organizer
I went to a 31 party last week and fell in love with this organizer (the item in the middle).  My wonderful hubby just put together my new desk last weekend and I am soo excited to hang this up and finally get some of my things better organized!  This is the exact pattern I got but if it's not your cup of tea, they have it in 3 other designs.

Favorite Number 5:  Down comforter and duvet cover

I've pretty much been either a plain old comforter or quilt girl all my life.  But for the past few months, I've reallly wanted to try a down comforter with duvet cover.  But I just couldn't find one I really loved, at least not at the price I wanted to pay.  I searched Pier One, Pottery Barn, JC Penny, Target, Overstock, Amazon, etc.  Then last week I came across The Company Store.  Am I the only one who hasn't heard of this place?  Anyway, I found the perfect duvet cover (on sale too... woo hoo!) and a really nice white down comforter from Overstock.  I put everything on my bed the other day and ohhhh myyyy.... it is SO COMFORTABLE!  Like I never want to get out of bed comfortable!

They must have sold out of the exact one I got, but this is pretty much it (except the flowers on mine are in blue)
Link HERE if you're interested

Favorite Number 6:  Waffle Faces!!

My 5 year old has a thing about making his food match the way it looks on the box.  

We had to improvise a little on this one... He substituted a tomato for the blackberry and marshmallows for the blueberries.  And yes, he ate it all!!

The box version

Nick's version

Well, that's it folks!  Any big plans for the weekend?  Other than soccer on Saturday morning, we literally have ZERO plans.  And since we have zero plans, I am going to be trying very hard to convince my husband to paint our bedroom (I've had the paint since summer!!!).  I'll be sure to let you know on Monday how that all works out!  :)  Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!!!

Linking up with Andrea for Friday Favorites

The Diary of a Real Housewife

And.....

  

Spring Cheer Exchange!

Honestly, it has not been very “Springy” around here!  It’s been cold and snowy for longer than I can remember!!

We did have 1 day last week that nearly reached 50 degrees and it was heaven!!   And.... some of the snow melted and I can see grass (brown and dead grass, but still grass!).  But this week, it’s been back to cold and windy.  Right now it’s 29 degrees with a wind chill of 17.  Ugh.  HOWEVER... something happened on Monday that completely got me feeling Spring!  I received the most awesome cheer package from Jenny at Much Ado About Jenny!

I opened the box and immediately the pretty pink and yellows in it caught my eye.  I dove in and literally pulled out one surprise after another!  This was the PERFECT spring cheer box!! 

Check out all this awesomeness:

I literally love every.single.thing. she sent me!!  The clipboard (loooove the pattern), the nail polish (perfect spring colors), the magazine, the lip balm, the Cosmos kit, the MASON JAR cup.  Do you know what Jenny put INSIDE the cup?? Chocolates!!  YES!!  Everything is just so spring and it is all stuff I just adore and will absolutely use.

Thank you Jenny and thanks to Rachel and Astleigh for this awesome exchange!!

Friday Favorites-so much to love!

It's my favorite time of the week... Friday Favorite time!!!  I hope you all had an amazing week.  Here's a look at my favorites!

Number 1: My new kitchen tablet holder

I am so happy to have this!  It's such a pain laying my tablet on the counter when I am trying to follow a recipe.  It usually ends up covered in egg.  Or sugar.  Or something gross. I picked this one out from DopfelDesigns and I love how it turned out!

Number 2:  These cute bunnies

Kathy from cookiedoughcreations makes the BEST salt dough ornaments.  I think this is my 10th purchase from her. I can't wait to decorate with these for Easter!

Number 3:  Mug O'Comfort Swap

Have you participated in any of the Chaotic Goddess swaps?  This was my first one and I can tell you it won't be the last!!  For this swap, I was paired up with Kenzie from Chasing My Extraordinary and she sent me this amazing mug and goodies...

Number 4: Typography art wood sign

I love this verse and this came out SO good.  I'll be hanging this up in my bedroom this weekend. If you are looking for something similar, check out Petunia Fitzgerald Creations on Etsy.

Number 5:  Snail Mail Care Package!

I received this awesome package from my AMAZING blogger friend, Cindy.  Cindy is such an awesome and beautiful person (inside AND out) and I am so happy we have become friends!  This is honestly the BEST package I have ever received!

Enjoy your weekend friends!  Do you have anything exciting planned?  We've got a busy day Saturday (soccer, the Disney Junior Show- Pirates and Princesses! and dinner out) and a pretty laid back Sunday.  Maybe I'll even get to sleep in!!

Linking up with:

Andrea from Momfessionals

Friday Flash Blog
Diary of a Real Housewife