Friday Favorites

Happy Friday. Today is day two of Spring Break in our house. Yesterday was a successful fun filled day. This morning I helped out at my old salon for a few hours and both kids were awesome for Brian. Aubriella has been pretty good since, Austin on the other hand is deciding not to listen. It has been a long evening. The kids are finally both in bed after having a little movie night. Time to relax. 


In true Friday tradition it is time for some Friday Favorites with these three lovely ladies: Erika, Narci, and Andrea. I am sharing some random favorites from the past week. Better late than never.

~ ONE ~


Just a normal morning brushing teeth suing the Disney Magic Timer app. Earning a virtual sticker makes it more exciting. Ella's Girl Scout troop is also working towards a patch. For the next month they have to brush 2x a day for 2 minutes each time and read for 20 minutes a day. They mark it on their calendar, turn it in and get a patch. Hopefully this habit continues and the girls keep it up. It is still a struggle for us to get Austin to brush his teeth, or let us brush his teeth for him. Anyone have any tips?

~ TWO ~


This is my crazy, cooky, independent daughter. She has her own personality and fashion sense.

~ THREE ~


This would be my wild, crazy, daredevil little man. There is never a dull moment when he is awake. Ella has been practicing her gymnastics in the living room. Austin is trying to be just like his sissy.

~ FOUR ~


Playing Disney Princess Monopoly. Not the easiest with my little helper rolling the die, stealing castles, and moving Snow White to the wrong space. I was so surprised how patient Ella was with him while we played until he knocked everything on the ground.

~ FIVE ~


#MOMLIFE Sometimes you just have to put a hat on and get sh*t done. I had grocery shopping to do even though it was downpourring. I am so thankful that Brian offered to let me go by myself so I didn't have to drag the kids out in the rain and craziness of Easter shopping.

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XOXO

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Eggplant Ragout

Eggplant is something I have always wanted to try and make. I didn't grow up eating it so I had no idea what to expect. To me it was scary to try something new. I have to admit that in the past few months I have bought eggplant two different times and they sat in the fridge and went bad. This past Friday I received my first Perfectly Imperfect Produce box (which is a local company who ships produce that would normally be thrown away because it doesn't look perfect but is still delicious) and in it was an eggplant. I was so excited when I found that one their website they also shared recipes. I found this Eggplant Ragout recipe on their site and decided to give it a try. In Adrienne fashion, I never stick to the original recipe and tweaked it to my liking. Brian and I loved it. Austin and Ella ate just the pasta and red sauce. They aren't are adventurous.


Eggplant Ragout

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp EVOO
1 eggplant, chopped into 1 inch cubes
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 small zucchini, diced
5 mushrooms, chopped
1 tsp garlic power
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 lb. pasta of your choice

Directions:
1- Make pasta per directions on the box.
2- Wash eggplant. Chop into 1 inch cubes. 
3- Over medium heat add 1 tbsp EVOO to skillet. Add eggplant. Cook until softened, stirring often. 
4- Chop onion, zucchini and mushrooms while eggplant is cooking. 
5- Add onion, zucchini, mushrooms and seasonings. Cook for about 5 minutes.
6- Add crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. 
7. Serve over pasta.
8. Enjoy!!!!

Linking up with: 

Grace at Home
Full Plate Thursday

Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO


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What's Up Wednesday

Hoppy Wednesday. Just getting in the spirit for Easter over here. Planning some fun activities to do with my kids over Spring Break, which for us starts tomorrow and goes all through next week. School doesn't resume until April 9th. I will either want to scream and be excited for Ella to go back to school or really enjoy having quality time and lots with my kids. 

I can't believe that March is coming to an end already. I am so ready for April if it means warmer weather and sunshine. I will ignore the saying April Showers Bring May Flowers.



It's time for What's Up Wednesday. I'm linking up today with Shay, Sheaffer, and Mel. Talking about What's Been Up for the past month.

What Are We Eating This Week...

Monday- Eggplant Ragout
Tuesday- Grassfeed Beef burgers with sweet potato fries
Wednesday- Lemon Chicken with garlic beets
Thursday- Tilipia with broccoli and Brussels sprouts
Friday- Pizza Reward
Saturday- Salmon with green beans
Sunday- Easter

What I'm Reminiscing About...


Austin and Alex 2 years ago when they were 6 and 5 months old. Where did the time go. (it wasn't planned for them to match that day)

What I Am Loving...


Girlfriend time

What We've Been Up To...


Play Doh Fun


Gymnastics every week. I am happy Ella found an activity she loves to do and it isn't a fight to go to practice every week.

What I'm Working On...

Planning the kids surprise summer vacation

What I'm Excited About...

Ella starts Spring Break tomorrow. We have a surprise mini getaway planned, a few play dates, coloring Easter Eggs, and more

What I'm Watching...


I finally started watching something off Netflix, I do pay for it every month I should use it. I just finished season 2 of the Vampire Diaries. I previously watched the first few seasons when they first came out.

What I'm Reading...


The fourth and final book in the series by Elin Hilderbrand. I read the first two, then read the 4th. I somehow skipped the third. I love that I don't feel like I missed the major points of the third book.

What I'm Wearing...


One day this month I actually got dressed up. Ella and I wore our matching dresses to church for Girl Scout Sunday Service. Otherwise I live in yoga/workout pants and tank tops/Disney shirts. My goal for the month of May is to take a picture a day of what I am wearing. (now if I only remember that in May, April is already a busy month planned)

What I Am Doing This Weekend...


Cleaning. We are hosting Easter dinner and possible Easter brunch. (yes I may be nuts)

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month...


Going on vacation without the kids. (they have a bigger surprise later this year)

Also linking up with Lindsay Welcome Wednesday

Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO




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OMG Easter


OMG Easter is less than a week away. I only just decorated yesterday. I didn't realize I didn't have that much Easter decorations or I would have done shopping weeks ago. I thought I still had a few more weeks. I really am slacking this year. We didn't even decorate or really do anything for St. Patricks Day. (besides wearing green that we luckily had, and Brian ate corn beef)
I did finish the kids Easter baskets and got them set up looking cute. Right now they are sitting in the attic ready to be brought down by the Easter Bunny on Sunday morning. I will have to put candy and money in eggs for their Easter egg hunt also. 

 Here is some randoms from the past two Easters, traditions, and this years decorations. In complete random order as well. 

 Easter Bunny Fail 2017

Austin was not having anything to do with the Easter Bunny last year. 
Read about our Easter Bunny Fail
Easter Bunny 2018

This year was more of a success minus not taking his hands down.

 Easter Bunny 2016

Such a happy 6 month old


She was more interested in her Easter Basket
Decorations:

Hung from the fan in the dining room


Chick basket I bought a few years ago at Goodwill and a few little colorful chicks.


More colorful chicks and a bunny Ella painted last year.


Right when you walk in the front door (horrible photo sorry)


Traditions:

Dyeing Easter Eggs, each year I try a different kid. I haven't found one I love.


Bunny Cake, I never claimed to be a baker. (Ella did the face)


 Previous Easter Baskets:

2016
 Ella got the huge umbrella and soccer ball and net. Austin got the small basket to the far right. He was only 6 months old at the time.


2017
Lots of books

 Ella:

 Easter hasn't always been a huge deal in our family. The pictures with the Easter bunny are from Breakfast with the Easter bunny at the AmVets. I normally don't have Ella the weekend the AmVets host the event and I don't stress it to much. We have our own special events, and traditions that don't always involve a scary looking bunny..

 Family Photos:

2017
2016
What are some of your favorite Easter memories or traditions? Leave a comment and give me some more ideas.

Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO
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Weekend Wrap-Up

Who would have ever thought I would say I am happy for MONDAY!!!! We had such a crazy busy, stressful weekend and I am ready to get back to some sort of routine and relax some. I had all the intentions of waking up at 5am and getting back into my morning routine and workout. The alarm went off and I felt like crap, decided to lay there for a few more minutes. Well I fell back asleep and woke up at 6:50, just enough time to get up and get ready to go get Ella. Obviously my day hasn't gone as planned. It is 10am and I am still drinking my first cup of now cold coffee. I am not going to let that effect the rest of my week.

Friday I got my first ever shipment from Perfectly Imperfect Produce. It is a local out of Cleveland. They rescues produce that would have normally gone to waste because it doesn't look perfect, but is still delicious. I got this small box for $15. It came with a pineapple, green grapes, lemons, small potatoes, eggplant, golden beets, onion, and zucchini. I made my menu for this week based on the produce I received. I highly recommend this company if you are in the Cleveland Ohio area.


Friday night was also Girl Scouts World Friendship Fair. We had 8 out of 9 girls attend. All of them got pinned with the World Trefoil pin on stage, then enjoyed learning about other countries. It was a fun experience for everyone. 


Saturday morning Austin got to see the Easter bunny at our local AmVets. He sat on his lap, but wouldn't put his hands down. This is a step up from last years screams. 


He also participated in a small little Easter egg hunt. Each kid got 6 eggs each that had money in then. Austin ended up coming home with close to $7. He had lots of fun find the eggs. 


The Easter Bunny spoiled Austin with a kite, bubbles, play doh, and candy. 

 After the Easter Bunny we went home. Austin took his nap and I organized their Easter baskets to see what I still needed to buy. Then I headed off to Target by myself. I got lost in that store for over an hour it was wonderful. I came home finished their baskets. I ended up taking an amazing much needed nap. 

Saturday evening I helped with my niece Claudia's 6th birthday party at a local bowling alley. There ended up being 16 kids. They all had a lot of fun.


My enjoyment for the evening was spending time with these two amazing friends. 


Sunday morning started off like a typical Sunday. Homemade Minnie Mouse waffles for breakfast, menu planning, and grocery shopping. After wards Brian headed out to show some houses. Austin and I played with the new play doh he got from the Easter bunny for over a half an hour.
That afternoon I had a Girl Scout cookie meeting. All the money was due so we got together to count everything, figure out our deposit, and make sure everything equaled up. Three and a half hours later, after much stress we figured it all out. 
Then it was home to head out again to go have dinner, girl chat, and finish our taxes. It was great to see friends who are due with their first baby in less than a month. 

Overall we had a very busy weekend but had lots of fun, saw lots of friends, and accomplished a lot. Now if the weather would just warm up that would be fabulous.

Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO

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Friday Favorites

Happy Friday. The weekend is almost here and we have a very busy weekend planned. Two Girl Scout events, an Easter bunny, helping my sister move some, and a birthday party. My head is already spinning how we are going to get everything done. 


Time for some Friday Favorites with these three lovely ladies: Erika, Narci, and Andrea. I am sharing some random favorites from the past week.

~ ONE ~


Ella and I went out to breakfast last week before her dentist appointment. Now she keeps asking for another mother daughter date. We are going to have to plan one over Spring Break.

~ Two ~


We may not have a lot of green in our wardrobe for whatever reason. I was able to pull something together quickly for Ella to wear to school last Friday for St. Paddy's Day. 

~ THREE ~


Don't judge or give rude comments. Austin asked for his nails painted green since I painted Ella's and mine. So I did his. He was so cute about it and sat so well.

~ Four ~


He went in his room got his blanket off his bed, asked for a pillow, layed down on the floor at my feet and fell asleep. So sweet.

~ FIVE ~


Ella's dad took her downtown to watch the St. Patrick's Day parade. As part of their tradition she got her face painted. This year she became a unicorn.

~ SIX ~


Say Cheese!!

~ SEVEN ~


Mommy's little helpers washing windows. I was mopping the floor and Ella asked if she could wash windows. I would be nuts to say NO. Austin had to join in too.

~ EIGHT ~

 

Anyone else excited about the new Muppet Babies that premieres today on the Disney Channel? I know it won't be the same as the original, but I have a love for Kermit. 


Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,
Feel free to follow along.
You can find me on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Instagram

XOXO


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