Hello Monday and Hello 2 Weeks Until Nutcracker!

 

 

 Hi Friends and Happy Monday!  We had the coziest little weekend around here....Here is what it looked like...

Friday Night

Daddy played a fundraiser for the Wolverines and it was a Country theme...Lea sent me these pics of them...they got another funny one for their collection ;)

 

The girls had dance and theater classes so I picked up pizza and salad and after class, the three of us enjoyed our cozy dinner with some Hallmark in the background...then for dessert, hot chocolate of course!

Diana did her own thing and Eva and I went to get cozy in our bed with Remi...she wanted to watch "her Nutcracker movie."  Remi had other plans- he wanted to play and have a blanket fight and we laughed SO HARD

Oh Remi ;)

 

Saturday

It was so good to get back to our date walk after three weeks...we missed it!  Rain and NYC cancelled our last two but we were psyched to get back to this and after Daylight Savings, it was now light out again!  The temps were also mild...again we have had a beautiful fall here!

Then it was time to catch up with Diana before dance....I enjoyed our chat and of course, her hysterical impressions...this one is a Facebook Karen...and maybe parts are me?  HA!

After dropping her off, I ran a few errands.  Picked up the last of our Christmas decorating needs- trees for the planters, greenery and a plant for the mailbox.  Then drove to Nashua to pick up some special pointe shoes for an upcoming exam Diana has and while there, bopped into Trader Joe's for a few things for my Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board- actually two- one for the night before and one for the big day!

When I got home, Daddy was blowing the leaves and Eva wanted to help me so together we decorated our mailbox for the season- she was very proud ;)

 

Daddy put some lights on it too so it glows at night :)

 

Then it was ALL Nutcracker...we are two weeks out...so starting this past weekend, there are hair trials and makeup purchases etc.....and of course,rehearsals all weekend...grateful Diana keeps me calm and helps me out when I am struggling...

 

Doing the french braid for Baby Mouse 

 

and this kid...can't put books down :)

 

For the five minutes I got to sit this day, someone needed to snuggle...he kills me

That night, Daddy played another gig- a theater fundraiser for our local group WAG- he and is band played and it was another successful event (actually part of a global theater event taking place that night all over the world)

The girls hung with Papa and I headed out to grab some cocktails with the Dance Moms and we did our annual Nutcracker venting...HA!

Judy...always being silly

 

Sunday

We relaxed with our coffee for a bit and then headed to mass.  After that, it was all Nutcracker.  There was more leaf blowing by Daddy and then he helped me finish the outdoor decorating 

 

and Remi is supervising, as always ;)

 

 

I then practiced Eva's hair for Polichinelles

and we headed to the studio so she could go to rehearsal and I could attend the Party Children Hair meeting...so fun!  

Last night, the girls decorated their individual Christmas trees in their rooms..pictures to come soon!

Loved our little weekend!  What were you up to?

Linking up HERE for Hello Monday!

Friday Favorites (November 12, 2021)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Friday!  We made it...yeah!

Linking up, as always HERE

and sharing some faves from our week

 

 Risotto Night!

Well we made it happen a little later this year...we are in those busy years where are kids are involved in so much and we are both working professionals so we are always striving to "balance"...and so we did...we made it happen on Wednesday night and it remains one of our favorite nights all year...love my Cass!

 

Cheering Eva up...such a good Auntie!

 

and funny story...I asked Diana to edit our pic and hide the bags under my eyes...she said "I think we should make it black and white" yup that's how bad- ha!  Always need to capture a selfie of this night though so here we go...

 

 

 Veteran's Day

So while I am on the topic of balance and squeezing everything in....I lined up my calls on Thursday so I would have a clear couple of hours at lunch time and I took Eva and two of her pals to the park and lunch...my little Pidge has had a tough year so far for so many reasons and I wanted to cheer her up...this did the trick...my heart was full AND my work was still waiting for me when I got back

and side note, Rob sent me this pic...it was Pidge and me on Halloween...riding around on the golf cart...doing our thang ;)

 

 She squishes my heart...she is the kindest little soul and my heart is breaking that she is hurting...

 

 

 Working with a Prestigious Choreographer from NYC

 

Yup...that Diana Mary...gets these amazing opportunities and she was thrilled to work with Sarah this week in preparation for YAGP...she had a magical experience!

 

 

 So then it got me thinking....dangerous thing....weren't we just here?

 

and here?

 

 and now we are here....

 

 

Salt and Vinegar Almonds

I know random...but I had to throw them in there....had them at book club for the first time...unreal...very addictive...check them out...by Blue Diamond

 

Target's Christmas PJs

Oh yes...I wasn't going to buy any more Christmas PJ's...I have a couple of pairs...I don't NEED them but you know Target and all...AND they were on sale for $12.99 FTW...so yeah...I did it and I am already wearing them and they are so warm...comfy AND festive...how could you go wrong?

 

Fave Moments of the Week

Snuggles with Remi

 

Raking Help :)

 

 

Follow The Joy

 

 

Sisters Spilling The Tea

 

Thanksgiving Menu Prep with Mama...over a warm bowl of soup!

 

That's a wrap...have an amazing weekend friends!

 

 

Let's Look: Thanksgiving Menu Edition

 

Hi Friends!  I decided to join in on the fun and link up with Erika and Shay today as we LOOK at our Thanksgiving menus! Woohoo!  

Thanksgiving became one of my favorite holidays once we had our girls and moved into our current home.  We had the room to host everyone and I love cooking for people..it is my language of love.....

We love our Thanksgiving Weekend traditions- we celebrate a Friendsgiving on Wednesday night, then walk the Turkey Trot in town Thanksgiving morning with the kids then we host our parents and my brother for Thanksgiving Dinner.  That night, we started a new tradition a few years back and Rob and I along with Diana and Eva pile into our bed and watch Christmas Vacation for the first time of the season!  The next day I enjoy Black Friday with Cass and then we enjoy Nutcracker the rest of the weekend!  Geesh...it is a lot but adrenaline keeps us going and we enjoy every last drop!

Anyway,  I digress!  Our menu is pretty traditional and I love that everyone helps me so it all doesn't fall on me...we all have contributions that make it the best meal all year!

 

It is funny, we tweak one or two things every year but most stay the same.  My mom and I are getting together Thursday evening to plan this year's menu but again, you can pretty much count on the following:

Appetizers

Stuffed Mushrooms- Mimi

Cheese Board and Relish Tray- Holly

 

Cocktails

Caramel Apple Martinis

Wine

 

Dinner

Roasted Turkey- Holly and Rob

 

Bread Stuffing- Holly

French Pork Stuffing- Papa Bob

Mashed Potatoes- Papa Bob

Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows- Mimi

Onions and Cream Sauce- Mimi

Green Beans with Shallots and Bacon- Holly

Fried Corn- Holly

Sweet Peas- Holly and Rob

Rolls- Uncle Matt 

Cranberry Sauce- Holly

Dessert

Pumpkin Cheesecake- Holly courtesy of Trader Joe's this year!

Chocolate Cream Pie- Mimi

Applesauce Jumbles- Mimi

 

 So...what's on YOUR Thanksgiving Menu?