Monday, May 4, 2015

Meal Plan Monday 5/4/15

The weekend was a good one!  While Rowen and Ryan spent the morning at gymnastics class, I spent my morning perusing local garage sales with my sister and cousin!  I love a good deal and found some cute stuff for the baby and for Rowen.  

That afternoon we headed to the lake to spend some time with Ryan’s family.  It poured rain all afternoon so we weren't able to go boating like we hoped, but we still had fun!

Sunday was a gorgeous day for a play-date with Rowen and a couple of her friends from daycare!  The kids spent the afternoon outside in their swimsuits, playing with the water table and picnicking on hot dogs and fruit! 




We couldn't get enough of the warm weather (I even have the sunburn to prove it), so that evening we had an impromptu grill out with our neighbors and let the kids run around the yard and eat ice cream!  So much fun! 




Unfortunately, all that sunshine has come to an end.  The future forecast is calling for gloom and doom (aka rain) for the next few days, but luckily we've planned some yummy stuff to get us through the week!

Monday:  Healthy Chicken Nuggets (just hoping Rowen eats this) 


Tuesday (Cinco De Mayo): Slow cooker Shredded Beef Tacos







Friday:  Not cooking

Have a good night!

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Friday, May 1, 2015

Friday Favorites - Toddler Art Supplies

Art activities are one of Rowen and I's favorite things to do together.  I loved art as a kid (and I still do) so I try to do as much art with her as I can!  Aside from your regular crayons, coloring books, stickers, etc, I thought I'd share with you my favorite art supplies for toddlers!  These are items we use that are fairly inexpensive, good quality, low mess and would be great gifts for any toddler! Check it out...


1/ Melissa and Doug No Spill Paint Cups and Paint Brushes - Melissa and Doug is one of my favorite brands for kids.  Everything is so well made and these no spill paint cups and brushes are terrific!  I swear, no matter how many times they tip over, they don't spill!  The paint brushes fit perfectly inside the cup and color coordinate so that she isn't mixing paint colors all the time.


2/ IKEA PRICKAR Bib - Technically, I think this is supposed to be used as a feeding bib, but we use it as an art smock.  I love that it's made of waterproof material and has long sleeves to protect her clothes from getting messy during art activities.  


3/ Dollar Tree Dough - AKA imitation Playdoh.  Don't get me wrong, I love Playdoh, I think it's fun, but the quality of it (it doesn't keep very long) and the smell really got to me after awhile.  Then I found Dough at my local Dollar Tree!  In my opinion, Dough keeps longer, doesn't smell (as bad) and is half the price!  I highly recommend it!


4/ Craft Pom Poms - We use pom poms in a lot of our art activities.  Rowen loves to glue them to paper, sort them into cups, and use them in sensory play.  Definitely a staple item in our art bin!


5/ Pipe Cleaners - Another staple item!  It's amazing how many craft activities you can find online that use pipe cleaners!  Rowen's favorite way to use them is to string them with beads!


6/ Melissa and Doug Bead Bundle - Speaking of beads, the beads by Melissa and Doug are wonderful!  Rowen is actually getting this particular set as a "big sister" gift when the baby is born.  I love that the beads are big enough for her little hands to use (hello fine motor skills), and help serve as a quiet activity when I need a little bit of a break! 


7/ Melissa and Doug Animal Stamp Set -  We were gifted this set of stamps at Christmas and Rowen is quite fond of it!  She loves to use the ink pad and give herself stamps as well as stamp on every coloring book she owns!

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Thursday, April 30, 2015

36 Week Update


How far along:  36.5 Weeks (gotta count that half)!
Baby Size: A head of romaine lettuce
Total Weight Gain/Loss:  +20
Maternity Clothes:  Yes
Stretch Marks:  No, but my belly button is starting to poke out, which didn't happen the first time.
Sleep:  Some nights I sleep all night, some nights I barely sleep.  
Best Moment this Week:  We finally picked a name! (If you know what it is please don't tell)
Miss Anything:  Feeling normal
Movement:  Yes, lots!
Food Cravings:  The other day I had a Cherry Limeade from Sonic and now I want one every. single. day.  Thank goodness they have a diet version!
Gender:  Boy
Looking forward to:  Finishing the nursery THIS weekend!
Difference this time around:  Basically everything.  I was done being pregnant at 36 weeks last time thanks to preeclampisa.  I was induced and felt zero pain thanks to all the drugs I was on (I also barely remember her being born thanks to those drugs), but needless to say this time is looking to be a lot different and I am quite terrified!




Monday, April 27, 2015

Meal Plan Monday 4/27/15

Saturday morning we woke up to yet another cold, rainy day, which was spent at gymnastics class, the library and then a movie with my sister and mom that evening!


I know they say April showers bring May flowers, but my flowers look good and I'm ready for some sunshine!

Luckily, sun was exactly what we got on Sunday!  We spent a majority of the day outside finishing the flower garden in front of our house (one of my many "to-do" items before baby gets here). 



Rowen LOVES being outside and playing in the dirt with Ryan.  She gets so excited to put on her little, pink garden gloves to get down and dirty!  Here she is quite proud of the pot she helped plant.


Besides planting, I joined my mom and cousin to walk a 5k this past weekend.  Normally I'd be running the 10K portion of this race, but at 36 weeks pregnant, that was not happening.  The walk was nice and I am glad we did it!


We ended the weekend grilling chicken and turkey dogs, followed by a wagon ride around the neighborhood!

For me, the majority of last week was spent at a work conference so we didn't do much for meal planning (sorry).  This week we are back at it though, check it out...

Monday:  Buffalo Chicken Wraps


Tuesday:  Not cooking

Wednesday: Spaghetti Pie


Thursday: Baked Honey Lime Chicken Taquitos


Friday:  Roasted Broccoli Grilled Cheese 


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Friday, April 17, 2015

Toddler Favorites: Springtime 2015

It's Friday again that means more "Friday Favorites".  Last week I showed you some of my favorite items to use with toddlers in the kitchen, and this week I'm posting about five of my favorite Springtime items for toddlers!  Check it out...


1/  Princess GardeningGloves – I bought these at Menards a couple of months ago.  They fit my daughter’s tiny hands perfectly and will come in handy this spring when we start planting our flowers!



2/ Kite – Before this Spring, I hadn't flown a kite in probably 15+ years.  We actually bought this exact Cinderella kite (at the Dollar Store) last year for Rowen's Easter basket, but never even thought to use it until this year.  She absolutely loves it!


3/ Jumping Beans Casual Sequin Shoe – My daughter’s feet have grown like crazy since last summer so about a month ago I set out to find some decently priced shoes she could run around in this Spring.  I came home with these adorable, sequin shoes.  I love that the colors go with everything, too!


4/ Magic Grow Capsules – Rowen received these in her Easter basket from a family member and is fascinated by them! Perfect indoor or outdoor activity!  


5/ Marshmallow Fruit Salad – Love making this in the Springtime!  It’s so good + Rowen loves it and is an easy way to get some fruit down her throat (after she picks out the marshmallows, of course).


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Oh Hey Friday with: September Farm & The Farmer's Wife






Monday, April 13, 2015

Meal Plan Monday 4/13/15

It’s pretty sad that I have to look back at my iPhone pics to remember what I did just a few days ago (pregnancy brain is a real thing, people).

Friday after I picked up Rowen from daycare we met up with my mom and headed to the Science Center for family night and then Marble Slab Creamery (best ice cream I’ve ever had) for a cold treat!




Saturday, was gymnastics class, followed by errand running, playing outside, and a little nursery decorating (the baby’s room now has curtains, yay)! 




Sunday, my sister threw my cousin (she’s due a week after me) and I a delightful little “sprinkle” for the babies!   My sister put a lot of energy and time into planning it and it turned out beautiful!  The theme was “brunch”, check out all that food…so delish! 










Neither Mychele nor I needed much as far as gifts, but we did need diapers and that’s what we got!  I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to my family for everything!  So fun!





As far, as meals go for this week, the weather is supposed to be pretty nice so we plan to grill quite a bit…

Wednesday:  Not cooking

Friday:  Pizza Quesadillas (might try grilling these, we'll see)



That’s all folks, have a good night!

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