Hello Monday (January 16, 2023)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Monday!  Sarah and I are so glad you stopped by!

If you blogged about your weekend, grab our graphic above and link back up with us below!

Here is what we were up to......

Friday Night

Time to catch up with My Dance Mom Friends at Backyard Brewery- great night of chatting and belly laughs!

While I was doing that, my hairdresser Taylor was giving Diana a big time haircut- she wanted a change and wanted to cut it...I was apprehensive but love the way it turned out and more importantly, she loves it!

Before and After

Saturday

We had to be up bright and early.  Eva had an 8am basketball game so we switched things up and I took Papa and we went to her game and met up with Zach and Aunty Cass there- Daddy met up with us after he did the Starbucks and Dance Drop off with Diana.  

 

 

 

 

 

They lost but it was a fun game and she is having a blast!

After that, Cass and I grabbed a coffee at Village Bean then I headed home to get some organizing done.  

I also finished up Emily in Paris Season 3- it was just ok.

Then we all headed to Alana's Basketball Game to cheer her on- she had her own little fan club there :)

That night I didn't feel like cooking again so we grabbed takeout- my latest favorite is the tossed salad from Capri Pizza right in town- no tomatoes and add grilled chicken with Italian season- kinda obsessed ;)

That night, Rob and I headed over to the Batsons for a little bit to wish Sam a Happy Sweet 16th!

Sunday

I was up bright ad early and got the girls registered for Triple Threat Theater Camp- just thinking about summer makes me giddy :)

Then I prepped our Sunday dinner- did our meal planning and online grocery order

(I will be posting this recipe soon- Carrot Fries- who knew- life changing)

Daddy took Eva to her hockey game and then her softball workout.

I then headed to mass and a Family Faith meeting for Eva

After that we relaxed, ate Sunday dinner, watched a couple of Blue Bloods episodes and then it was time to divide and conquer.

Daddy took Eva to a birthday party and Diana and I headed to Andover High School (my Alma Mater) for a show her performance group was doing.  It was a performance that benefits the American Cancer Society called "Move for the Movement."

We had to drop the kids off early so the moms hung out together until it was time for the show.

My parents got tickets and came to surprise Diana too.  We were BLOWN AWAY.  The show was amazing and we were so proud of our kids.

The kids from Londonderry Dance Academy (LDA) did four numbers- I recorded them all of course ;)

First- Make You Feel My Love

Second- Czardas

Third- Odiame- My FAVORITE :)

and Fourth- Seguidilla

Sitting with Miss Tina

 

 

 

 

Some Behind The Scenes Shots

Reuniting with my College Bestie Sharon- her daughter was in the show as well!

Then after the show- seeing Mimi and Papa and getting choked up when they surprised her :)

Diana and Maya (Sharon's Daughter)

and here is a little look back

2009, 2016 and 2023

Such a great night and great way to wrap up our weekend!  The kids don't have school today for MLK Day but Daddy and I are back to work- Eva can relax and decompress while Diana will be studying for midterms- eek!  Hope you all have a great week!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Friday Favorites (January 13, 2022)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Friday!  Or Should I say.....

 

 

 Woohoo!  We made it!  This was a MUCH better week in these parts....sun was shining...business was picking up again....activities for the girls resumed and it was overall much more productive and happy!  Yeah!

As always, sharing some faves from our week and linking up with the lovely ladies HERE

Here we go....

Mild January

Oh friends...I know it's coming but right now we are experiencing a mild January weather wise and I am trying to get outside to walk as much as possible.  Yes I know this is literally the calm before the storm but I am taking advantage as much as possible and loving it!

Tulips!

Thinking of you Natasha and LOVING that my grocery store had tulips so early...they are brightening up our kitchen post Christmas for sure!

Back to the Office!

 

I went back to the office on Tuesday...first time since November and it  felt so good!  Got to catch up with my Janie and Dan and just feel the energy again- makes my heart happy!  Anyway, Rob sent me some pics because someone, I guess, was missing me...he really squishes my heart too!

 

 

and another shot of him barking at the Christmas light people as they were taking everything down...we call him "The Warden"...kills me...ha!

 

Clean Eating

and it feels so good!

 

 Perfume

 

Always a fave but Sarah over at "The Mom In Style" (who never steers me wrong) suggested this scent and it is AMAZING...quickly becoming another winter scent here.  Dime has a few different scents but this is the one she recommended and I always follow her advice :)

 

 

 

 

 

 Kelly Green

So...I am not sure if I have ever mentioned this before here but I have a thing for Kelly Green...I have always been drawn to the color and I find it so hard to find most of the time in fashion...anyway...Lilly always comes through with some solids for me...and I have found a few other gems recently and I am swooning...just obsessed with this color!

 

 Top Left: PJs by Lilly Pulitzer- Top Right: Dress by Evereve

Middle: Cooler Bag by Lilly Pulitzer

Bottom Left: Top by Cece at Macy's- Bottom Right: Sweater Set by Lilly Pulitzer 

 

 

That's a wrap!  Have a cozy winter weekend friends!

Let's Look: How I Schedule/Organize Our Busy Family

 

Hi Friends!  Today I am linking up with Erica and Shay HERE and joining in on their fun "Let's Look" Linkup.  We are starting the year off with how we schedule and organize our busy families!  Here goes nothing!

Dividing and Conquering and When to Pull In Papa Bob

 

So each fall, I enter all of the after school activities into our family calendar that Rob created.  We can each see the calendar on our phones which is key.  My calendar is color coded- Blue is for Work- Green is for Personal and Yellow Items are Family Items.  Once we get the schedule set, Rob and I discuss how we can divide and conquer with rides, around our jobs.  On certain days, we know, we will have to pull in Papa Bob and he is always happy to help us.  For example, this year, he picks up Eva from school on Tuesdays and brings her to ballet.  Some nights, he will pick up Diana for me when her dance classes don't get out until 9pm so I can go to bed early- this was key during my recovery!

Microsoft Outlook Family Calendar

Speaking of Our Family Calendar, I am not sure how we survived without it!  It is key to keeping us all organized and in the know!  Sample calendar below (not ours)

Meal Planning

 

 

I know I say this all the time but meal planning is key for us to stay organized and less overwhelmed during the week- the last few years, I have made it work all year along- maybe without doing a week or two in the summer.  It has really helped things flow more smoothly here!

 

This Week's Menu 

 

Monday- Turkey Burgers with Fries for the Fam- Turkey Burger (no bun) and Zucchini Fries for Mama

 

Tuesday - Taco Bowls and Rice for the Fam- Taco Salad for Mama

 

Wednesday- Chicken Chia Meatballs and Pasta for the Fam- Chicken Chia Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles for Mama

 

Thursday-Breakfast for Dinner- Eggs, Berries, Turkey Bacon

 

Friday- Pizza Night for the Fam- Mama Out 

 

 

 

Those are just a few ways I keep us organized.  How do YOU stay organized in your world?