Salamonie

This past weekend, I spent most of Saturday and all day on Sunday at my parents. My husband stayed with the kiddos (major props to him!) while I was able to just relax and enjoy a break for a couple days.  My middle sister also lives in Wabash so I was able to hang out with her, as well! We went shopping and out to dinner in Ft. Wayne Saturday night, spent Sunday morning getting her classroom ready for her first day back to teaching today, and then escaped to the Salamonie Reservoir for some hiking, relaxing, and a cook-out.  This weekend was just what I needed! :)

Oh ya know, just riding in the back seat like we're 12 while the parentals chauffeur us around. ;)

Well we certainly couldn't pass up a chance for a photo op with these awesome eagle binoculars!

Mom and Dad...aren't they cute in their matching shirts? ;)

My dad the pyro.

Our fearless leader.

Super annoyed, as always, that I had my camera out the entire trip.  

It was a sweatstache kind of day for sure, but it was a blast! This weekend reaffirmed two things. A. I have an amazing husband who can hold down the fort with the kiddos and doesn't ever make me feel guilty for taking "me time" and B. I have THE best family ever. :)

5 on Friday!

SO happy today is Friday! I've totally sucked at blogging this week, but I always look forward to this link-up. :) I am super pumped for a weekend trip to my parents' house...by myself! *squeal* I debated on whether taking the boys, but I decided I wanted a little "me time." I wanted the option to sit around in my underwear, eat ice cream, and watch Little House on the Prairie with my sister all day long. True Story. It's bound to happen at some point this weekend. And yes, I'm fully aware of the nerd level of that statement and I'm okay with it. ;) Anyway, I'm super excited to relax and help my sis get her classroom {she teaches high school English} organized and ready to go for the first day of school on Monday morning!

Here are my fave five of the week! 

{ONE}

Next time it rains, go jump in puddles with your child(ren). It has been my favorite memory, hands down that we have made this summer. Such a simple thing to do, but it's just one of those feel good moments that makes you feel like a kid again. :)

{TWO}

A friend of mine posted this from a blog on her fb page this week, and I immediately had to share it myself. It was such a great read and it is always comforting to read other women's thoughts that I am also thinking. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

{To Moms of One or Two Children}

THIS ARTICLE 

{THREE}

So I know it's a bit early for Halloween crafts, BUT when Dawson asked me if we could make a skeleton this week I couldn't say no. I found this cute little Q-tip skeleton craft and thought I would share in case someone is as Fall/Halloween obsessed I am. I drew in with pen where the Q-tips needed to go which was a great guideline for Daws when gluing. He was able to make the eyes and nose on the face himself and he did all the gluing and placing of the Q-tips. We love crafting together. Especially holiday crafts! :) Sidenote: Disregard the wet glue. It looks jank but that's when I took the picture, and let's face it...I'm too lazy to go re-take another. :)

{FOUR}

DIY Polka-dot Garland

How cute (and easy) does this look?!

<SOURCE & HOW TO>

{FIVE}

I'm confessing that I'm going to watch this and I don't care who knows it. Surely I'm not the only 33-year-old out there who is addicted to Teen Mom?!

Until next Friday...

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

Weekend Rewind!

I sat down twice today to blog, but it didn't happen. Apparently this big fat plate of Doritos in front of me and a Diet Coke {Hello, PMS!} were enough motivation to make the third time a charm. ;) We had a pretty low-key weekend. In fact it was so low-key that I can't even remember what Friday night consisted of! 

As usual, I spent my Saturday morning at the gym doing Insanity followed by Zumba. I absolutely love my Saturday morning workouts...it just starts my weekends off right! I know that sounds weird to think that anything involving the word "insanity" would make your weekend, but I've developed a love for that class. Even if it's the class that makes you wanna barf. ;) 

After the gym I grabbed some coffee, and headed home because it was FIRST HAIRCUT TIME for Hudson!! I am still in disbelief that this was my last "first haircut" ever. Ever just sounds so final. Hudson took it like a champ! Unlike his big bro when he got his first haircut. You know that annoying kid who's screaming bloody murder and there's nothing you can do to stop it? Yeah, that was Dawson's entire first haircut. Husdie was the complete opposite. He thought he was pretty much a badass once they put the little cape on him, and smiled the entire time! I was preparing myself for a meltdown so when it didn't happen I was beyond relieved. :) Hudson is only 8 months old but trust me, he needed a haircut. It may or may not have been to the point where I was using hairspray to keep it tame! ;) Anyways, he did amazing and his Justin Beiber swoop is gone for now.

I mean...

I die from the cuteness of the cape and that face. :)

My absolute favorite picture from the whole trip.

  

Bubbles!

Before and After!

Excuse me, but where did my baby go?!

The rest of the day was filled with napping and a walk around the neighborhood after dinner.

Sunday morning we got up and went to church. Daws was super excited because he was "downstairs" now in the Pre-K/Kindergarten room! They do an actual lesson in that age group, which he seemed to have really enjoyed. :) After church, I met a good friend at Panera and spent the afternoon scrapbooking there. I am so far behind it's not even funny, but it was nice to escape for awhile and dive back into it. Even if we did more talking than scrapbooking. ;)

The weather was absolutely gorgeous yesterday so after I got home and we fed the kids dinner, we spent the rest of the night playing outside until bath and bedtime. Hudson had his first go in the sandbox, and he LOVED it. He had an awesome "sandstache" to prove it!
  

Yep, we're teething. Working on tooth #6

 Daws said he needed to go "check out the corn." ;)

 Now that's a look from a kid who's clearly been eating sand.

Mostly we did THIS over the weekend...lots and lots of relaxing. :)

Hope everyone's weekend was a great one!

FRIDAY 5!

Happy, Happy Friday!!! 

Time to kick off the weekend with my favorite Friday link-up!

ONE. 

Sometimes I wish I had a girl so I could play tea party all day long. Aren't these the cutest?!

TWO.

As if you couldn't tell, I'm ready for FALL! It's my absolute favorite season, and I'm ready for everything that comes along with it! I love this mantel or shelf display. Simple, yet adorably put together. These white pumpkins are going to have to make an appearance this year! :)

THREE.

I found this on Pinterest, of course,  and thought is was so cute! I like things that are simple to make, and this fits the bill perfectly. My kitchen is calling this DIY project's name. ;)

FOUR.

Quick, if you haven't heard of these or made these...drop what you're doing and go to the store for the ingredients. They are ridiculous! My friend makes these and they are to die for.
We're talking eat the whole pan by yourself good dessert. ;)

Find the recipe HERE!

FIVE.

Dawson's first day of 3-Day Pre-K was today! He walked right in like he owned the place. ;) Such a difference between this year and last. Last year  in the 2-day class there were lots of tears from kids. This year, they all acted like it was no big deal and they were happy to be there! :) Daws loves school and his friends, and I can't wait to hear all about his morning at pick-up!

Just look at that smile. :)

First Day of School Eve!

Today is the last day before Daws starts 3-day Pre-K! After nap [Yes, my kid is 4 and still naps. It's glorious, I tell ya!] we headed out for a little mommy/son date to get his school supplies, pick out a new back pack, and eat his two favorite things-ice cream and Boston Market, in that order. On "eves" it's perfectly acceptable to have dessert before dinner. :) 

Spiderman also decided to tag along on our date. :)

Super excited about his new folder!At first when I asked Dawson if he wanted to pick out a new bag, he said he just wanted to use his backpack from last year. Then he changed his mind and decided he wanted to pick out a new one. That was always my favorite part of school shopping, besides the clothes of course! But alas, boys just don't get as excited about shopping for clothes. Although, my metrosexual husband is the exception to that rule! ;) We are Target people, but we just decided to Wally World it tonight. And, I'm glad we did because this book bag was $4.88! That's right, less than $5. How's that for a deal! Shocking that this backpack, like last year, also has dinos on it.
What can I say, this boy loves his dinos! :)

Next Stop: COLDSTONE!

He likes to look at all the different flavors, but always sticks to plain ole vanilla. :)

How could you not love that face?!!

After our "before dinner ice cream fest" was complete, we were on our way to Boston Market to pick up dinner. Dawson absolutely loves that place! He will eat two sides of their mac & cheese and an entire quarter of a chicken. 

Tonight when I asked D what he wanted to be when he grew up [trying to get some ideas for tomorrow's chalkboard] he says, "I don't want to grow up. I'm just going to stay this size forever!" 

If only my sweets, if only. We had such a fun night and I love getting to do these things with him. It's always sad when another school year passes by, but I love watching him grow into such a sweet, creative little person! 

Artist, I am obviously not...but it's all ready for tomorrow morning! :)

And, while we're on the subject of school...I found THIS yesterday and thought it was such a great idea! I always play the guessing game when it comes to teacher's gifts. How nice would it be to just know what your child's teacher likes?! 

<Source>

That's all for tonight...

I have visions of a 3-hour break tomorrow morning dancing around in my head! :) 

xoxo