Wednesday, July 25, 2018

What's Up Wednesday (7/25/18)

Hi everyone!! We've had a great July.  We're soaking up the last few weeks of the summer before our little man starts Kindergarten!  Here's a little look at what we've been up to this month...



On the last Wednesday of the month I link-up with Shay to answer these questions:



1.  What we're eating this week...
A new place opened near our house called Grain and Berry.  Mike and I went there for dinner on Sunday night and it was so good!

On Wednesday we head to Washington DC.  Mike is tagging along with me for a work trip, and we have reservations at one of my favorite restaurants, Founding Farmers.

This wasn't this week, but I was so proud of my brownie pizzas that I made for the 4th of July.  They were super easy to make.  I just used a boxed brownie mix, and a jar of vanilla frosting.  One brownie pizza was covered in sprinkles and the other in fruit!

2.  What I'm reminiscing about...
It feels like just yesterday that we were celebrating Vincent's first birthday with family and friends.  Now we're busy planning his fifth birthday party.  Time flies friends. The days are long, but the years are short!





3.  What I'm loving...
My mom has a lot of my childhood toys that she has kept as keep sakes.  She lets the kids play with them when they come over, or will hand them down to them eventually.  She gave Vincent this baby doll of mine to get him used to the idea of having a baby sister, as we were getting closer to her delivery.  Arianna is currently obsessed with "Angelina" as she's named her, and I am loving that this 35 year-old-doll has brought so many happy memories to our family.  I caught this picture of her sleeping with her baby the other night. She also sleeps with #allofthetoys and blankets and has no room for anything else in her bed! lol

4.  What we've been up to...
We started the month celebrating the 4th! One of my favorite holidays!  My friend hosts an annual pool party every year, and it's always so fun!





We have been spending lots of time in the pool...


We took the kids to a cool local recreational center this weekend that had all of the slides and splash zones.  How cute is Vincent helping his little sister up the watery slide?  She was scared to go by herself...

And here's another classic picture of the Florio kids, fighting over who gets to go down the frog slide first...



Super fun day, and look at this sassy girl of mine!!  I could not lover her any more you guys!
 

5.  What I'm dreading...
You guys, this is the month! We're only a few days away.  My little man is starting Kindergarten and turning 5 this month.  This is definitely a day that I'm dreading, but definitely have mixed emotions about how quickly the time past, and how proud of my son I am. 

I asked Vincent if he thinks that Mommy is going to cry.  His response, "Oh, yes! You're definitely going to cry!" I've taken the day off, will drop him off and pick him up after.  I'm going to be ok.....right, guys?!

6.  What I'm working on...
You guys, I'm happy to report, that we are a diaper-free house!! In last month's post, I shared that we were potty training Arianna.  It only took a few days, and a few accidents at school, a little bribery and treats, and my big girl got it!! She did so well, it made me wonder why we didn't do it sooner.  So proud!  We're still wearing pull-ups at night, but she hasn't been wetting them, so we may just go full throttle in the next few weeks.  

7.  What I'm excited about...
I got some one-on-one time with my bestie this month, and it was so nice!  We are going to try to do it at least once a month.  This girl needs her BFF to help keep her grounded.  Her little man is turning ONE soon, I can't believe it!

8.  What I'm watching/reading...
Still working my way through my The One Year Bible and finding moments for gratitude in each day...

I am reading Polishing the Mirror  as part of my required readings for my yoga mentorship...

This month I finished The Lying Game, and I loved it! It was suspenseful up until the very end and I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to read this book... 

This month, I listened to a great quick read, and it might be one of my favorite books of the year.  Girl Wash Your Face was a book that I could relate to in so many ways (work, mom-life, marriage, etc) and I would highly recommend it!

The Bachelorette has me locked in, and I'm pretty sure she's going to pick her first impression rose Garrett, or will it be Blake? Can't wait to see...

Are you guys watching Big Brother?? It's my guilty pleasure, and I watch it every summer! 



9.  What I'm listening to...
All of the hip hop music!  On August 17th, I'm hosting a Yoga Hip-Hop class at Green Locus.  I am working on the playlist for this fun class!

10.  What I'm wearing...
I got these flip flops from the Gap, and I'm obsessed! 

I also ordered way too much from the Nordstrom sale, and I'm waiting for it all to arrive!  It's so hot here, this Florida girl is ready for fall!


11.  What I'm doing this weekend...
Exploring Washington DC with my love and coming back home to my kids.  Sunday I've got a full day of enriching yoga teacher training.  

12.  What I'm looking forward to next month...
August is when I celebrate my little man's birthday.  He will be 5, and Arianna will be 2 1/2!  August changed for me 5 years ago, and I can't wait to celebrate him.  Oh, and also the return of football!!

13.  What else is new...
I think that's it for now.  I am so thankful for you all that support this blog!

XO

Shari

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

How We - Motivate Our Kids

Happy Wednesday everyone!!  Today I'm linking up with  up with Mix and Match Mamma and A Little Bit of Everything to share "how we" plan our summer vacations! 

Here's the schedule for the rest of the year, if you want to join in too, its not too late!



You can see my January post here
You can see my February post here
You can see my March post here
You can see my April post here
You can see my May post here
You can see my June post here

This month I am so looking forward to this link-up!  I need all of the ideas.  Honestly, this is an area where I need the most growth as a mom.  My primary form of motivation right now is bribery #justbeinghonest

Maybe with the current age of my kids, 2 and 4, they need a little less motivation right now, than they will later in life.  However, as a mom, I want them to be independent, strong and driven to reach their goals.  I think learning there's value in working hard for something may bring you a reward is a great lesson to teach them.  Whether that's working hard all semester to earn good grades, or cleaning your plate at dinner each night to earn dessert, these little life lessons are things that I know my children will learn from me.  

I may be biased, being their mom and all, but with these sweet faces, sometimes it's hard not to just give them what they ask for.  Motherhood is that gentle balance between spoiling your kids and teaching them those life lessons along the way.  

Can't wait for today's link-up to learn some tricks from the amazing moms out there to help motivate these kids!

XO

Shari