Happy 4th Birthday Saidey Bug

Saidey,

Today, you turn another year older. I just wanted to share a few things about you that I hope you will love to read about when you're older. I'm sure you may roll your eyes too, when I say that I just can't believe you are FOUR YEARS old. The last four years have FLOWN by and while my mama heart is so sad to see those baby years fly by, I know there are still SO many exciting firsts for you. Because, with every year you grow older, comes new firsts. First day of school, first loose tooth, first time you ride your bike without training wheels, first time you go to a sleepover all by yourself... I could go on and on. So, I will remember that as we celebrate your birthday this weekend.

Our Florida Adventure

We're back from Florida and what a fun time we all had! I thought a week would be too long but boy, was I wrong! The week absolutely FLEW by and we had the best time with our family!

I'll be sharing a post later in the week specifically about our Disney adventure, so be on the lookout for that!

A Magical Unicorn 4th Birthday Party

Happy Monday friends! I'm finally posting about Saidey's birthday party! It was a super fun day and my lack of pictures shows that. Some of the pictures aren't the best but the joy and happiness shows through. =)

Weekend Recap

Hey, hey friends! I hope Monday is off to a great start for you! We woke up to thunderstorms and rain but highs in  the 60's! Can't beat that in February! It was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL this weekend. High's in the 70's in Iowa, in February- almost unheard of. We took full advantage of the weather and spent A LOT of time outside! 

Weekend Recap

I've somehow fallen off the blogging train and my weekend recaps happen less and less. So, I thought what the heck and threw one together at last minute. 

Our weekend was nice and slow without any real plans. The next few weekends that will change so we're soaking it up for right now. 

We got home Friday night, ready to settle in and have Friday night pizza night and watch the Trolls. We realized that we left Saidey's blanket at daycare. Oh the horror. Seriously guys. This was her face when she finally grasped that we left it at school and could not get it until Monday. I know it was probably mean to take a picture when her world was ending but I just couldn't stop myself. All was well when we headed upstairs to find a suitable replacement. But she did not forget the entire weekend that we forgot her blanket. #momfail

We watched Trolls and the girls had pepperoni pizza and Will and I had taco pizza from Casey's- YUMMO! 

The girls thought it would be a good idea to wake up at the wee crack of dawn (ok, 6:30) and so we let them watch cartoons while we tried to get a little more rest. 

Once we arose from our slumber, we headed downstairs for breakfast and MORE TROLLS. We had an Office Depot and DSW run to do and so we got ready to go! 

She has been LOVING getting her dolls dressed and today- TWINNING! 

Saturday's weather was GLORIOUS! Is it really only February!? At any rate, a trip to Starbucks was in order! 

 Strawberry refresher with almond milk! My go to drink! 

We ran to my mom's and hung out for a bit and then stopped at an awesome BBQ place that's a little hole in the wall. Their mac and cheese? So good and creamy! And the BEST cornbread topped with honey.. Yes MA'AM! 

We had a quiet rest of the day, ending the night with Walking Dead. Have you guys seen it? For some reason, we are just now getting into it and started Season 3 this weekend. 

On Sunday we played hooky from church and we all slept in. (Oops). We got ready after sending Will on a donut run and then got ready for a Target run.

Ready for TARGET! 

Once we got home, we started working on Valentine's! 

Meanwhile....

And then the girls spent the rest of the afternoon playing

Sophia loves her Lego's too. We have a permanent spot set up in our dining room of a table for just Lego's. We set it up one weekend and haven't taken it down. 

I'm not sure why we thought we needed to move- the girls have their own bedrooms now and a playroom in the basement and still seem to play in anywhere BUT those areas. 

Will had to go into work for a few hours so it was just the girls and me. We cleaned out the fridge for dinner and ran to Dairy Queen for a treat. We ran home and it was baths, books and bed. I settled in for the night and watched the Grammy's. By 10:30 though, I had to hit the sack. 

We have a fun week- tomorrow, of course is Valentine's Day- I took the afternoon off to help at Sophia's party and then we're going to have a special family Valentine's dinner. On Saturday, Sophia starts piano lessons and is so excited! I can't wait for her to begin learning and playing! 

Happy Monday all! 

xoxo

February Goals

Hey friends! It's another Monday and of course, I'm behind on sharing my monthly goals with y'all! But- HELLOOOO February! So good to see you! January went by like a whirlwind.

We had a great weekend, no set plans so we did the usual- a trip to Target, HyVee, and did a few things around the house.

Friday night we headed up to Ames to the ISU gymnastics night. They had Daddy/Daughter princess night but we all decided to go. The girls loved it and got to walk in the "Princess Parade" before the meet. I love taking the girls to Ames and sharing my love for the Cyclones with them.

Saidey kept asking "Why that bird dancing, he supposed to be angry!" She thought he looked like an angry bird from the movie!

Sophia loves Cy-cones! =)

So does Saidey!

And then on Saturday we watched the Cyclones Men's bball team take down Kansas! WOO HOO!!

Let's take a look back at my January goals and how I did:

1. Get office furniture: SEMI check! I got a couch and some cute accent chairs. I still am on a hunt for a desk, desk chair, a shelf, and of course, some decor.

I got two of these chairs and am going to create a cozy, sitting spot in my office

After sending these to the wrong address, (just to the neighbors across the street) I got my business cards in the mail! Feeling official now! =)

2. Credentialing- I have my applications sent in for the companies I want to start with. One of them has progressed to the second step so that's good news.

3. Trips- No progress. We haven't even touched this subject yet... hopefully more to come on that in February!

4. Organize: This month, I decided to tackle the girls' bathroom vanity. It was a mess of lotions, bows and headbands. I picked up a few storage containers from the Container Store and got to work. I'm super happy with how it turned out and it's functionality.

An organizers dream come true! =)

We were in really poor shape under their vanity...

A mess of pony tail holders, headbands and bows

The angels are singing!

Everything has a place!

These storage containers can be found HERE

So, now for my FEBRUARY goals!

1. Valentine's- We decided on these for the girls school... super easy and they can help me assemble! The finger lights were SUPER cheap on Amazon as well as the self sealing envelopes. I just need to get the cards printed and we're good to go!

We have 5 teacher gifts to do and I'm thinking I'm going to do this:

I think this is super simple to put together and can be reasonable on the wallet, too. 

2. Organize- I'm going to tackle another area of our home this month- I just haven't decided which one! Our basement storage area is a HUGE goal but to be honest, I'm putting it off! Check back here next month to see which area I chose! ( I know, I know, I'm letting myself off the hook by not choosing a specific spot now #donttellonme)

3. Plan Saidey's birthday party- Saidey's birthday is towards the end of March, but I'll need to start putting some ideas together. We've decided on a magical unicorn party. You can see my Pinterest inspiration here:

4. Trip- We're thinking of an adult only trip to Chicago this Spring to celebrate Will's graduate program graduation. He is SO close to being done and will have his master's degree- so proud of him. We also want to start planning a family trip for the Summer, too. 

4. Get a trim! I've been growing my hair out for about 7-9 months now and I got it trimmed FOREVER ago and so I really need to just get an appointment scheduled to get it trimmed. 

This was a picture of me at this time, last year:

woah- hello close up! But look at that SHORT hair!! 

AND NOW! I can't believe the difference! My goal is to grow it out to right above my chest, maybe longer, we'll just have to wait and see. I've been THIS close to chopping it all off again several times throughout this process.

Alright, so there's my FEBRUARY goals! 

Happy Monday- I'll be back later in the week sharing my FIVE mama must haves! 

Thanks for visiting! 

PS. I'm linking up for the first time for Mom Life Mondays! Check out all the other amazing blogs and mamas! 

xoxo

What's Up Wednesday

Hey friends! Happy Wednesday! Hope the week is treating you all well! I'm linking up with Mix and Match Mama to bring you What's Up Wednesday- one of my MOST favorite link ups!! 

What we're eating

Monday: Breakfast for dinner

Tuesday: Noodles and Company for the girls

Wednesday: Crock pot chicken sliders

Thursday: Hamburger soup

Friday: Friday Night Pizza Night

What I'm reading....

Jodi Picoult "Small Great Things" 

I can't recommend this book enough! It's a great read and the stories of the characters are mesmerizing. 

Also on my "to read list" 

What I'm looking forward to...

I can't believe I'm saying this but SNOW! Iowa weather has been wonky and we haven't seen a drop of snow since before Christmas and even that was measly for Iowa. We're supposed to have MAYBE 2 inches by tomorrow morning, we shall see. We either need to get dumped on soon or just move right into Spring. 
Edited to add: No snow. BOO Iowa, you're killing me! 

What I'm loving...

Chrissy Teigen's cookbook. OMG. Guys. I have tried several recipes from this cookbook and not ONE recipe has disappointed. Our favorites have been: chicken lettuce wraps, chicken pot pie soup and biscuits and gravy. To die for. I will add that most of her recipes take a bit longer so we usually make them during the weekends, when we have more time. Also, lotsa buttta involved in some of the recipes. Not that I'm complaining. =)

Armadillo cheese bread. One word: YUM

What we've been up to...

A whole lot of this...

What I'm watching...

My favorites: Vanessa, Danielle M, and Raven

What I'm excited about...

February festivities (Valentine's Day and celebrating my mom and sister's birthdays!)

What I'm working on...

A magical unicorn 4th Birthday party

See my Pinterest inspiration here

Valentine's for the girls' school

See my Valentine's Day Pinterest board here..

Getting my office set up! We're officially in our new space and it's so exciting to see things taking shape! My couch and chairs arrived last weekend. I am still on the hunt for a desk and decor. Things are coming together and I'm so tickled about it! 

Click here to see my website 

What I'm listening to....

Ed Sheeran- "Shape of you"

What I'm wearing....

So, tell me... What's up with you?!