Hello Monday and Hello Weekend of Dances!

 

Hi Friends and Happy Monday!  I am here with Sarah and we are chatting about our weekends.  If you did too, link up with us below!

 

Here is what our beautiful and busy spring weekend looked like...

 

 

 

Friday Night

 

It was time for Eva's last school dance at Center and she wanted to do the same thing we did last year.  She hosted her besties for dinner, snacks and getting ready together.  That is half the fun right? The girls were just wild.

 

After pizza and snacks and getting ready, us moms were able to harness them enough for a few pics

 

 

 Rob brought them to the dance and true to fashion, they screamed and sang for the entire ride.  Last year, they said the dance was boring and they had more fun getting ready together.  This year, they had a blast.  So happy to hear that!  Last dance at Center...these girls are heading up to the middle school in the fall- pray for me ;)

 

Saturday

 

After Friday Night, it was all about Diana's Senior Prom...ahh!

 

First things first, we hosted the "Prom Breakfast" for her besties and their Mamas.

 

We had such a lovely time.  Everyone brought something which made it super easy for me.  We had an awesome spread and it was great to catch up, have some laughs and watch the girls living their best lives.

 

They were all sporting the silk pjs we got them and we were able to get some great pics!

 

 I had these cookies made for the girls, by a woman on Etsy- they came out adorable!

 

 and Janie sent us a beautiful arrangement to use as a centerpiece- she is one in a million!

 I put this photo backdrop together with items I scored on TikTok and the banner I had made online with the help of Chatgpt and then had it printed at Staples :)

 

 The Girls and Their Mamas

 

 Time to eat!

 We enjoyed breakfast sliders, candy bacon, fruit, yogurt parfaits, hash browns, coffee cake, muffins, coffee, Alanis for the Girls and Mimosas for the Mamas.  

 

Also, Juli brought this beautiful cake from Sugar N Spice!

 

 

This was pretty much wrapped up in an hour, then the girls all needed to scatter for hair appointments, etc.

 

Snapped a quick pic of Diana's bouquet.  The girls had made their bouquets at Kendall's house on Thursday night :)

 

 

 Then it was time for her to get ready and I reset for our next round of prom guests.

 

I sent this pic to my fam, too, with the caption

 

"It's Prom Bitches"

We howled ;)

 

When our guests arrived, we were able to enjoy a cocktail and some snacks together before the pictures began.

 

I only snapped one pic of the food all day- oh well

 

 and Rob wanted a selfie before the day got crazy

 We had a little dress crisis...Diana learned that having the train down on her dress, made it impossible for her to walk.  She was going to keep the train down for pictures then bustle it up for the actual prom.  She couldn't even walk.   So I said, no problem, I will bustle it up for you now.  Well the crisis came when I couldn't find the loop/hook for the bustle.  She was getting more and more stressed and our guests started arriving- eek!

 

It then took the "Dream Team" of Janie and Holly.  I got down on the floor and really focused and Janie helped me hold the dress up until I could get it hooked.   Took a solid 5 minutes but we did it!  I had also texted our amazing seamstress and she was ready to come on over to help us but I was so happy to text her and tell her we did it!  Janie and I had a laugh because she has been with me for all of the ups and downs and we get alot done together at work so we said our "dream team" transferred over to our personal lives- ha!

 

The finished product

 

 

 With Uncle Matt

 

With Jess, Janie and Lea 

 

With Janie :) 

 

 With Papa Bob

With Mimi and Papa Pete

 

With Mum and Dad

 

Then her date arrived.  Friends?  This was really special and not the original plan.  After a heart break and her date backing out on her, Lea's son Brooks swooped in to the save the day.  He ended up being the BEST date and we truly believe that things do happen for a reason.  These two have known each other since they were little and they have been great friends along the way.  Diana had a blast with Brooks.  He was so sweet from the moment he arrived to pick her up...my heart was squished!

 

 

 

The weather could not have been more perfect- we were grateful! (especially considering it snowed for junior prom last year- ha!)

 Such a special memory that Lea and I will have forever

 

 Then it was time for us to head to Diana's friend Ricky's house for more pictures.  His mom went all out.  Several of us contributed food and her decorations were just gorgeous.  She hosted 67 kids and their parents- there were over 100 people there- it was wild and so so fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to head up to the high school for the Grand March!  This is a beautiful tradition that WHS does for the Senior Students going to prom.  They announce them and their dates down a Red Carpet- so much fun to see everyone dressed up!

 

I had more besties join us there which was such a blast- truly felt the love!

 

 I snapped pics of friends' kids for them...loved seeing these kids all decked out...it was surreal...seems like they were just at Golden Brook yesterday  :/

 

 

 Then it was Brooks and Diana's turn!

 

My favorite pic taken by a student photographer who always captures the magic

Live...from the Red Carpet

 

 At the end of the march, Diana hopped in Brooks' car and they took off for the prom but not before she sent me the best text.  "Love you so much-we made it." What a relief after a very difficult two weeks.  I will treasure that text forever.  Love my girl.

 

 After the march, we headed back home and enjoyed time with our besties.  When they all left, the Aruba Mamas got there.  It was an endless party for sure!  So grateful to have met these wonderful women.  It has been so helpful sharing senior year with them. 

 

Eva was at her besties birthday sleepover- they enjoyed a hibachi dinner then dessert and matching pjs- so cute!

 

When Diana got home, she regaled us with tales from the prom...some drama, etc.  Their after prom plans changed three times.  We almost hosted her friends after but at the last minute, they went over to their friend Matt's house.  I was relieved.  I needed my bed so bad!

 

We went to bed so grateful and relieved. 

 

Sunday

 

I tried to sleep in.  I really did but my body just goes goes goes.  So...I was up and at 'em.  Rob and Eva headed up North to Maine for a Softball Clinic.

 

 

 I enjoyed my tea and pouring through pictures as well as cleaning up.

 

When Diana got home, she asked to go to Starbucks.  Even though I was heading to mass, I decided to go with her because these times are precious.  She filled me in on all of the "tea."  We drove with the top down and just appreciated this amazing weekend.

 

When we got home, she got ready to head out for her next adventure.  The entire friend group, which they have now dubbed "Jimmy Woods" was headed up to Maddy's Beach House so they could enjoy the beach on Sunday AND Monday which is "Senior Skip Day."  

The boys friend group was named "Ben Hollister" back in middle school.  The girls, who formed their group this year, just called themselves "The Aruba Girls." Now that they all hang out together- roughly 35 of them- they now have a new name after meeting some dude in Aruba.  Diana changes his last name sometimes to Choo but I think it is funny nonetheless.  

 

Got a quick pic of some of the girls at the beach yesterday- living their best lives these kids!

 

 

 I headed out to the rail trail for an amazing walk in such perfect weather!  I walked over four miles and it felt great to start to detox my body for sure!

 

 After that, I ran to the tea shop for a 2nd tea and asked them to add extra hydration and the tea they made me was fabulous with tons of electrolytes in it!

 

 Rob and I went to mass last night and then crashed hard.  What a weekend!  We did it!

 

 

 

 

 

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Friday Favorites (May 15, 2026)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Friday!  Praise God!  We made it! Oh and...

 

 

Here are some faves from our week...

 

 

MEMEs

Sent this one to Cass- love it- made me chuckle :)

Ollie

 

We found one of Diana's first toys!  His name is Ollie the Octopus and when she was in a sad or angry mood, I would make him dance across the table...Rob took it a step further and created a song to go with the dance and would have it jump at her at the end of the song- oh the lengths we would go to make that baby happy ;) 

 

Under Eye Patches

 

I just started using some- I am almost out of this pack- they are generic so I am asking you for advice- do you use them?  If so, what brands do you recommend?  Thanks friends! 

Grad Party Decor

 

It is coming along nicely!  It is my nightly therapy hobby and I am having fun putting together these sentimental gems :) 

Wine Group

 

We enjoyed tasting wines from different regions of South America- one better than the next!  Cass hosted us and made some delicious dishes that complimented the wines- it was a perfect night of catching up  and decompressing!

 

That's a wrap!  I am calling this weekend Dance Weekend because Eva has her last school dance at Center tonight and Senior Prom for Diana is tomorrow night!  I am ready for all of the fun and pictures and even the exhaustion afterwards- these are the moments :)

 

Have a fabulous weekend friends! 

Wednesday Hodgpodge

 

Hi Friends!  I am to join Joyce for her fun linkup as we answer her questions below...

 

 

 

1. What's one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate? 

 

 

(with my besties in Newport, RI during our Senior Year at UMD- June 1995)

 If your plan is college, when you get there, pace yourself.  There will be a party every night or an opportunity to go out to the bars with your friends.  Get your work done first.  Pick a day or two per week to go out and have fun.  Don't get behind.  Budget your time.  Plan for studying, school work and a sport (if you are playing one) first then reward yourself with those nights out.  Just don't give into the temptation every night.

 

 

2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 

 

 

(Playing the Role of The Wicked Witch in the UMD Theatre Co's Production of The Wizard of Oz- December 1994)

 

I would say courage.  I am moving forward to assist and accept that my baby bird is leaving her nest.  I need the courage to let her fly and smile while she is watching.  I can't crumble.  I can't be depressed.  This is not about me.  Just need a little courage, and of course faith, to help me through this :/ 

 

 

3.  "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement?  

(Our Trip to Coastal Carolina University for their Cheer Clinic- October 2025)

 Anytime we travel.  I threw on my Myrtle Beach sweatshirt this past weekend.  My husband and I were joking about it.  We both agreed that it is an awesome place to visit but not to live, for us.  We agreed that we are grateful that Diana is staying close for college.  If we eventually buy a property down south, during retirement, it may be a community in South Carolina, just not there.  Time will tell...

 

 

4. May is National BBQ Month...do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled? 

 

(Grilling pizzas in the back yard- Circa Summer 2013)

 Yeah!  I love this.  I love the unofficial start to summer and grilling season.  Rob does all of our grilling.  I can grill but he really enjoys it so I try to let him do it.  We grill mostly meats.  I love marinated steak tips on the grill- yum!  That is probably the last thing we grilled this past summer or fall.  Nothing too exciting!  Oh..I also occasionally love a grilled pizza.  

 

 

 

5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 

 

(Our Family Trip to Cancun- February 2025)

 

 Our Road Trip to Niagara Falls

Trips to the Lake

Diana's entrance on the stairs when she played Clara in The Nutcracker

Friday Night Football Games 

Eva's softball games

The Beach- The Ocean

Our Family Trip to Cancun with Our Parents 

 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

 

Oh this post had me reminiscing big time...loved looking back through some old college photos..especially now that Diana is ready to embark on a similar journey- I am praying that she enjoys her campus- meets her people and eventually says they were some of the best years of her life!  I know they were mine....love looking back and thinking back to some of my favorite memories of my lifetime.  Grateful I had the experience I did and I am only wishing the same, if not, better experiences for my girls.

 

 

Fashion Files

 

Hi Friends!  I am squeaking this post in so I can linkup with the lovely Amy and talk fashion for a minute.

 

This post is reminding me of one of my favorite songs by the talented Zach Bryan called "Something In The Orange"

 

You can check out that song below... 

Something In The Orange 

 

Anyway, I digress...it was all about the orange last weekend.

 

There was orange in my palazzo pants that I wore for our real estate event....the event had a Cinco de Mayo theme so I thought they were very fitting and they ended up matching the decor- too funny!

 

Then on Saturday, for my cousin's bridal shower, my dress had orange and pink in it...a favorite spring and summer time color combo...really gravitated towards this color more than I realized!

 

My cocktail of choice, most of the time, is an Aperol Spritz as well which screams orange right?  

 

 

Orange makes me happy...almost as much as pink does...it screams energy and joy to me and the warmer seasons.  Do you have anything orange you like to wear?