Mom Life with Adrienne

This past weekend we had so much fun. It was great having a busy 3 days filled with lots of friends, family, laughter, food, and love. 

Friday night I had decided to make homemade pizza. Traditionally growing up Friday nights we ate out, picked up fast food, or ordered pizza. This was always based on going to school every day, good grades, and good behavior. I loved the tradition or having something special to look forward to. My own little family is trying to stay away from spending money and going out to eat currently. However I decided last week to give homemade pizza a try. Ella loved it and said "Mom can we have this every night" We are not going to have it every night but maybe every Friday. It is something we can do as a family, making it together. 

Saturday we spent most of the day at a local campground with my parents campers club, I grew up going camping with them all summer long and loved it. I have so many amazing memories, life long friends, extra parents and grandparents... I hope to one day soon to be able to do the same for my kids. 

This campground is one of my favorites and actually only about 30 minutes from my house. They have a fun play area for the kids. There are slides, swings, a large play ground, and these rocky spring things. It also has a fishing pond, and swimming lake, walking trails, a little store, basketball hoop, and lots of places to run free.

They all had fun playing and didn't want to leave the playground. 

One of the many things I loved about camping is the freedom to run around and having less of a worry. For the most part campgrounds have always felt safe, people were always watching us, and there were lots of other kids to play with. The girls enjoyed going for a walk and being able to run ahead and not be right next to us. It helped for them to get rid of some energy and they all slept wonderfully that night. 

Austin's favorite thing to do was play in the rocks and jump in puddles, which there were a lot of. He had a blast, ended up soaked, stepped in a puddle that was higher than his knees. You only live once and boys need to be boys. A little mud never hurt anyone.

For dinner we were invited to a pot luck garbage can turkey put on by the campers club. It was so delicious. I went there knowing you have no idea what other people are going to bringing so I had to be prepared. Dinner was planned for 5pm, around 4pm I had my shake to fill me up some and would mentally help me make better choices. I had a bunch of veggies and turkey. I had one piece of cake, which so happened to be cheesecake that my mom made. I regretted it later, it gave me horrible stomach pains but tasted so good. 

Sunday morning we had family pictures. I can't wait to see how they turned out.

After pictures, we let the kids play at pirate ship themed playground. Then we got them a treat of donuts and went to another park to eat them. After eating we walked over to a beach. This was Austin's first time playing in a beach/water. He loved it and didn't want to leave. I can't wait to take him to the real beach this summer.

Ella wanted to go swimming. It was a little to cold for that and not in our plans for the day.

That evening we had a BBQ at my in-laws house. It ended up raining right when it was time for dinner. Austin loved running out and playing in the rain.

On Memorial Day Brian lowered our flag to half-staff to remembers all of those who have served and died to protect our Country. We have a 20 ft flag pole in our yard, standing higher than our house. 

Later that day we had a cookout at my parents house with some friends. It was a fun play date for the kids, with more mud to play in. We had burgers, (I had mine without cheese, and with lettuce as my bun), fruit salad, and pasta salad. 

Overall it was such a fun memorable weekend. I have to say it was so nice not missing anything because I had to work. It was the best feeling to be there with my kids to enjoy everything. 

Hope you had a safe, fun holiday weekend.

I haven't done a Saturday Randomness in a while. I have so many fun memories I could post, here are a few. 

One of our Mother/Daughter day dates we both wore our Minnie Mouse hats. I have been wearing my hat more and more. 

Ella offered to vacuum the other day. I couldnt' say No. 

Last week my back was bothering me and Austin decided to put his lunch in his hair. Ella decided she was going to help me give him a bath. She then told me to go away and did it all by herself. She is such a little mini-mommy.

She will always be my mini-me. Stealing my shake while at preschool drop off.

A few weeks ago we were are BJ's and I found this huge Mickey Mouse on clearance after Easter. I put it in the cart next to him. I was going to buy it but he deiced to throw it on the ground 3 times so I changed my mind. 

Last weekend Girls Night In. Love my girls for a good fun laugh.

 I have an obsession. We went to two different stores to buy these. They were on sale buy 1 get 1 free. I was originally looking for the Snow White flag, but our stores didn't have any. 

Red Nose Day

Everyone loves my boots. Who doesn't love cutting the "grass" while wearing mommy's boots. 

Hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday weekend. Here are a few tips to staying on track with your health and fitness while enjoying your weekend and holiday parties.

1- DON'T use the weekend as your rest day. Instead get your workout done early,  and get your blood flowing. You're more likely to make healither choices.

2- Drinks lots of water, and limit alcohol. Water will not only keep you hydrated, keeps you fuller longer. Plus you won't feel as bloated and don't have to worry about having a hangover.

3- Have a plan. Plan on only having a cheat meal, not a whole cheat day. Eat balanced healthy meals before and/or after your get together.

4- You don't have to to eat everything. Try a few bits of a few things. Don't over stuff your plate. Focus on fruits, veggies, and lean protein when possible. Limit dessert to 1 small piece. 

Happy Friday friends. Hope everyone had a fabulous week. Summer break is officially here. Ella's last day of school was Wednesday and her graduation into kindergarten was yesterday. Now starts the fun, no real schedule, making memories, plus moments of wanting to pull my hair out. (just kidding, well maybe a little) 

I''m hopping in another quick Friday Favorites with Narci and Andrea.

I say this all the time. Their sibling love, is precious. It makes me tear up at times. I have brought these two little people into the world, who love and cherish each other so much already. I just hope it continues on for years to come. 

The primping has started, and she is only 5. Wednesday night Ella asked if I could curl her hair for her preschool graduation. What else would a mother do than say yes. I washed,dried and curled her hair. Then pinned back for her. She loved it. I have a feeling this is going to be happening a lot more in the years to come.

My little girl, my princess has graduated preschool and is now a kindergartner. I'm not ready to say I have a kindergartner. I am however excited for everything else that comes with starting school, like field trips, PTA events, and Girl Scouts. 

I don't watch much TV, However I am addicted to this show, Hollywood Darlings. I dvr it every week and enjoy a good laugh. I have never been a huge fan of 30 minute shows, but this one I really enjoy. 

Speaking of TV shows, I am a little late to the all the hype, but I have finally jumped on the wagon. I am a huge Mandy Moore fan and really wanted to watch it when it came out, but never seemed to find the time. I found it on my On Demand and have fallen in love with it. I love all the story lines and the twists that you don't see coming. I have to admit though, I think I cried once. When it was live I feel like all my friends were posting that they cried every episode. 

Have a fun filled, and safe Memorial Day Weekend. 

I've decided to join Grace and Love this month for Carpool Book Club. I keep saying I am going to talk about the books I am reading and loving, I just haven't gotten around to it. What better time than now. 

The past few months I have really got back into reading for fun. I have been reading at least one personal development book a month for a while, mostly network marketer, entrepreneur, and some mommy books. More recently I have been reading fun, easy-read, romance books also.

(I am not affiliated with any of these books they are my own personal reads, any opinions are my own)

Since I always talk about my personal development books I read. Here are a few of my favorites:

Go For No for Network Marketing by Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

Jab Jab Jab Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk

There are so many amazing personal development books I have read. These are just a few of the most recent ones. 

Here are couple of mommy books I enjoyed:

I have talked about this book numerous times, but I honestly love it. It makes me realize I am not alone in the struggles, loves, and memories of being a mom. It also has made me remember some great memories. 

The Magic of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd

Am I Screwing Up My Kids? By Randi Rubenstein

I have so many fun, easy ready books I have read recently. Here are a few of my favorites. I get a lot of FREE books from BookBuB.com 

Domestic Entanglements by Karen Laven (currently not available on amazon)

Bargaining with the Bride by Allisn Gatta

Bargaining with the Boss by Allison Gatta

Saltwater Kisses by Krista Lakes

The Billionaire's Obsession, the complete series by J,S. Scott

I can't wait to share more books with you every month. A couple girlfriends and I have decided to start a book club. We are starting June 1st and going to be reading Somebody, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham. Interested in joining in our book club? Message me or comment below and I will add you to the private Facebook group.

Have any recommendations for me to read, or for our next book club read, comment below. Happy Thursday!!!!!

Some days it feels like we don't see each other enough. Brian works crazy hours being a realtor, Ella goes to her fathers a few days a week, I feel like a taxi at times, and always cooking and cleaning. (plus making concoctions, breaking up fights, being a jungle gym, reading books, ad so much more.) The kids are growing up so fast. I just want to pause time and enjoy everything about them. 

Last week Brian took a full day off work and we had a family fun day.

Our day started off by surprising the kids with a trip to the local Cleveland Metro parks Zoo. We pulled in and I was a bit discouraged after seeing at least 50 buses. It is that time of the year for end of the year trips and it was a gorgeous day. When we normally go to the zoo we start off going to the Rain Forest. This time we went straight into the zoo first in gear that there would be a million kids in an already cramped Rain Forest.

Ella had decided she wanted to go and see the fish first. That meant walking up to the top of the zoo to the Primates and Aquatic section. It actually turned out to be an awesome idea cause we all were pumped and full of energy. There are a few options to get up there, the lazy way of the tram (but you have to take the baby out of the stroller and to me its a pain), walking the hill, or walking the wooden path with ramps and stairs. We ended up taken the wooden path, which is normally what we do. At the top of the bath is this turtle statue. 

The first animal we saw was the Cheetah. They were very active and walking around. Austin called them a kitty. 

Inside the building Austin was running loving the freedom and seeing all the monkeys and fish. 

Ella got excited when she saw one in what she called a "hamster wheel"

Both kids stood here for a good 5 minutes and just watched him run. 

I was found of all the babies Primates. 

What can I say about the fish. They both just love fish and could stay there all day and be happy. But there was still so much more of the zoo to see. 

On the walk back down the wooden ramp, Ella and I stopped and took a picture overlooking the trees. It is so peaceful and calm up here. 

The whole day we drank lots of water. Both kids had their own bottle, Brian and I had a bottle to share, and we had 4 frozen bottles as refill and share. With all the water we were drinking, means lots of peeing too. On the back of some of the bathroom doors were these little stories and facts. Ella liked me reading them to her. 

Over in the Australian Adventure Ella got to listen like Kangaroo. Plus see Kangaroos, a Koala bear, and a bunch more. 

They also had a petting zoo with some Netherlands goats. 

We had a picnic lunch that I had packed for everyone. We found a table in the shade. Ella had a turkey sandwich, Austin and Brian and pb & j, and I had almond butter with blueberries. To share we had grapes, goldfish crackers, pretzels, and they had oreo cookies. Going with a plan and bringing out own food saves so much money and we can keep it healthier. The Cleveland Zoo has McDonalds and Pizza Hut that were open. There is also other options but due to being "off season" nothing else was open yet. 

Ella didn't feed the Giraffe's this time, and was disappointed that a baby giraffe is still taller than her. 

Some got tuckered out from the heat and running around. However he ended up only taking a half an hour nap. That's not long for him.

We tried for a family picture with a Elephant behind us. The Elephant moved the the lightening ended up sucking. But we still tried. 

After doing the main part of the zoo we decided to do the Rain Forest before we left. By this time most of the schools had left so it wasn't very crowded. The kids stayed and watched this baby Orangutan for a good 10 minutes. He is 2 1/2 years old. 

He liked "showing off" for Ella and hanging upside down. 

Before we left we did achieve a somewhat good picture of all of us. I used the cupholder on the stroller to hold my phone (I forgot my tripod at home). 

After the zoo we went home to relax. I was really hoping Austin would fall back asleep, and Ella would take a nap. Ella did amazing with walking all day, wasn't in the stroller, and Brian only carried her so she could see the Zebra's. By surprise they both stayed awake. We went home and they played outside for a little while. 

As part of our family day we went out to dinner. Stonehouse Grill is becoming our new regular. They have delicious affordable healthy options, plus a kids menu my kids will eat from, and they have a beautiful outdoor patio. I got chicken tacos. 

Ella wasnt happy after dinner because I wouldn't tell her what the rest of the surprises we had planned were. After dinner our first stop was Lowe's. I needed dirt for my garden, plus more flowers, and Brian needed a few things. We go to Lowe's at least once a week lately. 

Afterwards all got ice cream. I love Mitchell's ice cream. All there options are homemade fun flavors. A big win for me is they have Vegan ice cream made with Coconut milk. (I get horrible stomach pains when I eat dairy). I tried there Vegan Salted Caramel Pecan, OMG it was amazing. 

We had a fun, memorable Family Fun Day. Ella keeps asking if we can do it again tomorrow, everyday.