Wednesday, July 26, 2017

What's Up Wednesday - (7/26/17)

It is the last Wednesday of the month, and I can't believe July is over!  Here's a little look at what we've been up to this month.   



On the last Wednesday of every month I'm linking up with Shay to answer these questions:



1.  What we're eating this week...
Tonight I made some yummy ricotta toast with heirloom tomatoes.  It was my first time making it, and I think Mike and I were both pleased :) Here's a similar recipe, I just added a balsamic reduction to the top of ours.   

2.  What I'm reminiscing about...
Growing up listening to New Kids on the Block!  They were back in town this month for their Total Package Tour, with Boyz II Men and Paula Abdul.  I went to see them with some of my besties, and they did not disappoint!  NKOTB was my first concert!!  I remember it being a huge moment, we even took a limo to the concert.  


The boys put on an amazing show, almost 30 years later, and still sounded great!!


How cute is my bestie with her baby Archer bump?! Can't wait to shower this soon-to-be mommy next month! 


3.  What I'm loving...
I have been spending a lot of time coloring with my littles lately, and I am loving this time with them.  Vincent is getting really good!  I'm sure that they both get their artistic skills from their Dad.  

4.  What we've been up to...
We celebrated America's Birthday on the 4th!


...and we celebrated 7-11 with FREE slurpees on the 11th :) Both of the kid's first, none of them were extremely thrilled with them, too cold I think. 


Last week I was in Washington D.C. for work.  The Department of Veterans Affairs main office is right across the street from The White House!

We've also been spending a lot of time at the park.  


5.  What I'm dreading...
In two weeks Vincent starts VPK!  I can't believe that day is almost here.  Truly bittersweet!  I honestly feel like his first day at daycare was yesterday, time truly flies by when you have kids.  

6.  What I'm working on...
I have been working on travel plans for a girls trip to NYC next month for the US Open.  I haven't been to NY in about 4 years.  Do you have any must see recommendations? 

7.  What I'm excited about...
Spending time with family and friends over the next few weeks, we've got big plans in August!

8.  What I'm watching/reading...
Only a few episodes left of The Bachelorette
 

And we are totally engulfed in every episode of Big Brother 

I finally finished reading Big Little Lies, a great read!  The end was my favorite part of the book.  

9.  What I'm listening to...
Sam Hunt on repeat!! After seeing him in concert this month, my man crush has reached new heights!  He was amazing in concert, and listening to the acoustic album takes me back to the concert 

I am still enjoying listening to the weekly "Yoga Girl"  podcasts 

10.  What I'm wearing...
Even though its hot, my white jeans have been on repeat.  I also got this cute dress from TJMaxx that I wore to the Sam Hunt concert.  It's light weight and effortless.  Love when I find cheap and cute buys like this.  



11.  What I'm doing this weekend...
My cousins from Cincinnati are coming into town for a visit!  I can't wait to spend time with them and catch up.  

12.  What I'm looking forward to next month...
Sooooooo many things! 

  • Vincent's BFF Mia's Birthday
  • My BFF Lindsay's Baby Shower
  • Cousin Fantasy Football Draft weekend in Orlando
  • Vincent's 4th Birthday
  • Ed Sheeran concert with my hubby
  • Girls trip to NYC
August is going to be an amazing and busy month!!

13.  What else is new...
We got to meet baby Vera Rose this month, and she is perfection!! So happy for Mike's cousin and his family and loved meeting the newest Florio and welcoming her to the family. 


We also renewed our Busch Gardens annual passes this month.  I'm excited to spend time there with the kids on the weekends and take Arianna to see the Elmo show, since we got rained out of her first one.  




14.  Bonus Question - What is your favorite thing about summer...
Spending quality time with these littles, enjoying fun in the sun over the summer months!!

XO

Shari

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Workin' It Wednesday - Over the Weekend!


Happy Wednesday!  Today I'm linking the 
with Mix and Match Mamma and A Little Bit of Everything for a series where we share how we are working to keep it all together!  

Here are the topics we are covering this year, in case you want to join in on the link up fun!



You can see my January post about new year's goals here
February post about keeping my marriage strong here
March post about balancing work & home life here
April post about spring cleaning here
June post about keeping kids entertained all summer here

So a weekend in my life is full of time spent with my kids and an occasional yoga class or pedicure.  This post will look very similar to my June post about things I do to keep my kids entertained all summer because most of the time I get to spend with my kids is on the weekends #workingmomlife

Last weekend we had a pretty low-key weekend after a busy weekend of meeting baby Vera Rose the weekend before and then the 4th of July holiday on Tuesday.  Most Friday's we'll eat out or go hang out with some friends, but this Friday night we had dinner in, baths and then bed #tired Arianna loves her baths with momma and recently has started pouring the water all over herself!

Saturday morning started with me taking the kids to the park, in an effort to tire them out.  Mike had an open house starting at 11,  and I knew I wanted the kids to take a good nap because we had plans to head to Busch Gardens later in the afternoon.  We are so lucky that we have two great parks less than a mile from my house.  It is the perfect way for me to let my kids get rid of some of their crazy energy, and they are used to playing outside every day from school.  

After the park, and visiting Daddy at his open house, it was time for naps!  Even Roxy had a great nap on Saturday.  

After we napped, we headed to Busch Gardens to meet some of our friends.  We re-purchased our annual passes.  When Vincent was around Arianna's age, he became obsessed with Elmo, and this was our favorite place to take him, now it's Arianna's turn! Here's a glimpse of some of my favorite Busch Gardens memories from over the years.  



(These pictures melt me!!)


(I can not believe that these two will be 4 next month and starting Pre-K!)


Vincent was able to get in free with their Preschool pass option, and since Arianna is still young, she got in free also, so we made the decision to renew our annual passes.  Unfortunately, due to summer rain in FL, there was lightning in the area and the Elmo show got canceled and everything else at the park shut down, so it was a hot and quick trip!  



(Note, although Arianna is becoming obsessed with Elmo, she wanted nothing to do with this picture!)

These kids have been besties since the belly, it is so fun watching them grow up together! My friend Mariseli sent me this collage of them.  Mia and Vincent will be 4 in August and Connor will be 5 this September.  


On Sunday, we went to the grocery store (boring but necessary) and then I took the kids outside to play in their new water table.  Kept them busy and happy for a good hour and a half while I pulled weeds.  This Sunday we also celebrated Arianna turning 17 months old!! It really has gone by so fast.



After water table fun and lunch, it was nap time!  We love naps, Momma loves naps - weekend naps are the best!! #naptimefavoritetime


We hung out the rest of the day, ran errands and cooked a healthy dinner.  Cod, sweet potatoes and green beans for the win! 
After dinner there is always room for some ice cream!!  My girl is such a good eater, and she loves all sweets.  

That's it, our fun, lazy, family-filled weekend.  I wouldn't want to spend them any other way.  Looking forward to today's link-up to see what the other bloggers in this community are up to on their weekends.  

XO

Shari