Friday Favorites - Back to School

My Friday Favorites are back to school related.  Seems fitting since Hallie went back to school on Wednesday, and Bryson goes back on Monday.  

Both kids had open house this week.  Hallie’s was on Sunday.  She looks way too big in her picture.  There were some papers and a treat on her desk waiting for her.  Her treat was some M&M’s with a cute printable.  I wasn’t able to get a picture of her treat before she devoured them.

Bryson’s open house was on Monday.  I didn’t realize until we got home that his eyes were closed in every single picture.  He also had some papers and a treat waiting for him.

Hallie was excited for her first day.  As soon as she woke up Wednesday morning, she said I’m going to see Mrs. Martinez.  She wore a cute outfit that was perfect for the first day.  

We do have some back to school traditions that we try to do every year.  Of course, there is the obligatory first day picture.  If I remember, I print off a cute printable.  

Also on the first day, I send the kids with this printable for the teacher.  I have used this printable for the past few years.  I love that it takes the guessing game out of teacher gifts for holidays, birthdays, teacher appreciation, etc.
 

We also send a little gift to the teacher on the first day.  This year, I ordered school themed cookies off Etsy.  How did I not now until recently that cookies could be ordered on Etsy?!?!  I used this printable with the cookies.

Another fun tradition for me is that I try to see how cheap I can get school supplies.  I seriously don’t understand people that complain about the cost of school supplies.  If you watch the sales ads, you can get school supplies really cheap.  I also stock up on extras for the teachers.  So far this year, I’ve spent $15.20.  I’ve still got 2 things left to get.  I should have no problem staying under $20.00.  It’s like a little game to see if I can beat the previous year.

I also take Bryson out to eat breakfast and to school on the first day of school.  Normally, grandpa takes him to school due to my work schedule.  So he really enjoys this tradition.  

 

    
Another fun thing we have done is a school supply scavenger hunt.  You can find the one we did here. 

Most of these ideas and more can be found on my School: Start Pinterest board.

Linking up with Andrea, Erikca, and Narci for Friday Favorites
Rebecca, Tiffany, Chrissy, and Ce Ce for That Friday Blog Hop
Paula for The Weekend Blog Party
Amanda at Meet @ the Barre
Karli for Oh Hey Friday 

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday night was the BIG night, the night where several weeks of planning finally came together.  Baby girl had her 3^rdbirthday party. 

Saturday was spent relaxing and recovering from the party.  We had a storm come through and lost electricity.  During that time, Bryson and I played Spot It and had staring contests.  He was cracking me up.

We went out to eat with my parents and neighbors.  We went back to their house to play aggravation.  Sis and I enjoyed some ice cream while everyone else had watermelon and cantaloupe. 

Sister loves getting some nighttime kisses from her brother.

Sunday, after church and lunch we headed to Hallie’s preschool open house.  She’s going to be a Busy Bee this year.  She looks way too grown up in this pic :(

At the open house, they had an ice cream social.  It was so hot and humid; the ice cream quickly became liquid, but that didn’t stop the kids from eating it.

The kids had fun making pizza for dinner. 

This week is going to be busy with Hallie going back to school and getting Bryson ready to start on Monday.  Where did summer go?!?!

What on....Your Wishlist

I seriously had to narrow down my wishlist.  I could write a book with all the things I’m wishing for.  So, I went with my top 5.

ONE  The kids will be heading back to school soon.  I'm wishing they get good teachers.  A few months prior to school, we start praying for the teachers they get.  So far, we have been tremendously blessed with amazing teachers!

TWO I have a slight obsession with little girls clothes.  Right now, I’m wishing these beauties would show up in Hallie’s closet.

Mustard Pie

Persnickety

THREE I am wishing for a new computer.  I’m pretty sure I want to go with a Mac.  I just haven’t had the time to do all the research to finalize a decision.  Maybe a should wish for the time to do that…haha

FOUR I wish I could find a little cabinet to go in our kitchen.  I found one I really like this past weekend at TJ Maxx.  We didn’t have a tape measure with us, so I measured in phone lengths.  When I got home, I measured where the cabinet would go, and I was short one phone length…bummer. 

  

FIVE I am wishing for a Disney cruise.  I think this would be the perfect vacation!  Our favorite places to go are Disney and the beach.  So how can we go wrong with combining them!?!?  We’re hoping for a October 2015 trip.

 

Sharing my wishlist with Andrea @ Momfessionals 

 

Weekend Recap

Friday morning was a little crazy with my Matilda Jane virtual show.  It’s nonstop emails, text, questions, etc., but I absolutely love every bit of it.  I skipped my noon workout.  Instead, I went out to eat with some gym buddies.  Then, I went home, and sis and I took a nap.  I really should have been getting things done, but I was just so tired because I haven’t been sleeping at night.  I rolled over and looked at the clock.  It was 6:30 pm!!  And, I could have kept sleeping without a problem.  I’m so thankful for the hubby taking kid duty so momma could sleep.  We headed over the neighbors and played games with them and my parents.  After the games, we enjoyed some homemade ice cream. 

Saturday was pretty busy.  Sis and I went to Target and Staples.  We picked up Bryson and had lunch at Chili’s.  The whole family went out for dinner for my brother’s birthday.  Then, mom and I headed to Hobby Lobby for birthday party planning.

Sis got some new boots at Target.  Her exact words when she put them on…they’re perfect.  She would not take them off, and she left the store wearing them. 

While at Target, I enjoyed my first Starbuck’s peach green tea lemonade.  It will not be my last!

 

 At Hobby Lobby, I found the cutest crowns for Hallie's birthday party.  Only problem is I need them to be silver.  I am not very crafty, so this will be very interesting. 

 

We went to church Sunday morning.  The kids had their service in the sanctuary so that the parents could see a typical Sunday for them.  We really enjoyed it.  The kids received the word of God and had fun doing it.  After church, we went to eat and did a little shopping. 

Having a little fun in Target :)

This week is going to be crazy with Hallie's birthday on Tuesday and her party on Friday.  Can't believe my little girl will be 3!!!

Linking up with
Healthy Diva Eats
Grapefruitprincess
Life of Meg

Friday Favorites

So I was pretty lost on what to write about for Friday Favorites.  This week has been uneventful and all about birthday party planning.  I'll recap that after Hallie's party.  I headed over to Kelly's Korner to see what SUYL was for this week.  Well darn, I don't make or sell anything.  But then I had a thought.  I might not make anything, but I know some pretty awesome people that do.  So this Friday Favorites is all about those people.

ONE I love ChiTownBoutique on Etsy.  They have tons of cute shirts for little girls.  I've always had a pleasant experience when ordering from them.  Here are a few of our ChiTownBoutique purchases.

 

 

 

TWO I have used Andrea Jackson for several custom items.  She is great to work with, and the quality is great. 

 

 

  

 

THREE When we go to Disney, I like for the kids to wear Disney related outfits.  Bryson's at that age that he doesn't like to wear Mickey shirts.  For our last trip, I found some shirts that had enough cool factor for him.  

Anybody know what song this shirt was based off...haha.  This shirt was made by The Stitch Wench.  She made us several shirts.  I was pleased with all of them. 

This shirt came from weluvdizne on Etsy.  Bryson loves Duck Dynasty, so this shirt was right up his alley.

FOUR Am I the only one having Christmas thoughts?  I bought these labels before from PaperJacks Paper Ribbon on Etsy.  They are cute, easy, and don't require a lot of time, and during the Christmas season, that's a bonus! 

FIVE I found the cutest thing for our elf on the shelf, Buddy.  How stinkin cute is that little shirt?!?!  I have not ordered one yet, but I have inquired on how to order.  Hopefully, I'll hear something soon from Perfectly Paisley Designs.

Who do you know that makes awesome things?

Linking up with
Friday Favorites

Kelly's Korner SUYL

Weigh in....Thursday

Okay, so I seriously wasn't going to link up this week.  I'm in a funk.  Sometimes I'm just tired of the journey.  In the past week, I have had this thought 5,743 times...I wish I could be skinny and eat whatever I want.  

I kind of feel defeated.  I did good on my goals and didn't get the results I wanted. In the beginning the weight came off quick.  Now it's a slow process.  A continuous rollercoaster of up and down.  I read Aubrey's post and it was like she was reading my mind.  I've got to make a mental adjustment and be okay with the weight coming off slowly.  That doesn't mean I'm going to throw caution to the wind.  My goal is to stay focused and be happy for those 1/2 pound loses.

So one to something I find a little humorous to lift my spirits.  I've always had a booty and always will.  It's just the way I'm made.  This pic shows a big booty girl problem.  I've lost around 21 pounds.  These pants still fit because the booty is holding them up.  

Linking up
Weigh in Wednesday
What Katie Did
Hump Day Blog Hop