TGIF - Five things

HAPPY FRIDAY.  

I'm back with some random stuff and happenings from the past week!  I'm going to try to get back to regularly scheduled blogging because I MISS it!!  But here's some stuff for now that's just for fun!

{ONE}

If you are going to Wendy's and looking for a more healthy (meaning WAY more healthy than the double stack + fries that I actually wanted to get), you should try their Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad.  I did and was pleasantly surprised.  While I did sneak a couple of french fries from my kids, I'm for sure getting this again if we make a fast food stop.  I loved it!!!

{TWO}

Last weekend was BUSY.  Like we were here to there and then another there constantly.  This weekend is not much different (unfortunately), but the weekends are always fun when we are celebrating with family and friends (it just takes the weekdays to catch up which is easier said than done). 

But last Saturday afternoon, we celebrated my grandmother and granddaddy's 84 and 85 (respectively) birthday's!  They have the same birthday DATE, just a different year, which I think is so cute.  These two love birds have had quite the life journey and what a special thing it was to have all FOUR of their kids in town for this celebration - not to mention a lot of their grandkids that are in KC and even great grandkids. 

The whole family

The great grandkids in attendance!

My sister had just with Maddie and the party favors!

Oh and we busted out the mouth game - which didn't quite fit on Charlie's mouth, but kind of.  HA

{THREE}

Right after the birthday party, Jimmy and I left our kids with my parents (who then shuttled them back to our house where my MIL and Jimmy's grandma babysat them!), to head to his work holiday party.  Seems weird that it's in January, right?  But it's actually pretty awesome because December weekends are always so packed, that it's nice that it's pushed to mid-January every year.

This year they did a murder mystery dinner - which I was SO excited about.  We have never done one of these (and always talked about it) and it was even better when Jimmy was assigned the role of the butler.  Needless to say, Jimmy was disappointed in our table's overall participation (not enough sleuthing going on in his opinion), but he did win the best actor of the night award. Which is NO surprise at all.  He took it very seriously.

And if that wasn't enough entertainment - they busted out karaoke.  Which, as you know, can be a complete flop if no one wants to do it.  Well, his work is full of super fun/brave/drunk people and when the CEO was the second one to go, it kicked off the night just fine.  Jimmy literally sang like 15 songs - some buy himself and some with a group.  And some he wasn't invited to sing but butted in, because he couldn't handle that people were "butchering it".  Haha.  Here he was stealing the microphone when these two guys were singing Frozen's love is an open door. It's his favorite (seriously), so these actions are not surprising at all to me.

Let's just say he might have had a little bit too much fun - as in, he doesn't remember the end of the night at all and almost threw up on the way home.  But I'm an awesome wife and provided him no sympathy and dragged him to 9:30 church.  #adultingsucks

{FOUR}

The Instant Pot.  My new love.  We have been trying so many yummy recipes with this baby.  Including this awesome Chicken Fajita Soup one.  Not kidding - so good.

However, on Monday night this week, we had scheduled to have our neighbors over for dinner, that was long overdue.  I planned to make the easy and delicious crockpot Pork Carnitas (I shared it as one of my family's top 10 freezer meals here).  Easy enough right.  I got everything ready and put it in the crock pot and went to work.  Minor detail - it doesn't actually cook unless you turn it on.

BLAH!  Worst thing ever.  And so embarrassing.  Our neighbors were so sweet about it, but still. AHHHH I hate that.

So yeah, I had a frozen pork butt in the freezer to use, but only had an hour to cook it.  So I attempted the same recipe in the Instant Pot in hopes that it would truly work magic and cook a 3.5lb frozen pork butt in an hour.  Well, it kind of did.  We finally got it (after 2 hours and hungry stomach's) to be safe to eat per the temperature, but it for sure wasn't fall apart pork goodness like it is after spending the day in the crock pot.  Another reason why I really think that the Instant Pot will NEVER replace my multiple crock pots.  Both awesome but different uses!!!

{FIVE}

This is so random - but SERIOUSLY.  Can we have this couch??  Please.  Does this not look so comfy and it's huge and looks like it's like down in the floor.  I love Erin Condren planners, but this takes the cake!!

And can I add a sixth one??  My kids.  I love them and I love even more how much they love each other.  Nothing makes a momma's heart explode than seeing your kids love each other.

Speaking of - one LAST thing.  I'm sharing today on the KCMB all about being outnumbered.  No like life changing secrets, just some funny perspectives!

Cheers to the WEEKEND!

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

Smidge of This | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorite

Five things that are so random

This week was filled with lots of stuff.  The weekend was busy and I had something two nights this week, which I'm not a huge fan of - because I like putting my kiddos (really Mikey) to bed.  And I don't like leaving Jimmy alone to do the solo bed times.  He can totally do it, but I know first hand it's exhausting!!  Did I mention he's the best?  In addition to this week (and some Christmas fun) - there were some AMAZING stuff that I found that I must share.

{ONE}

I'm postive you have seen Amanda Bell's video from snapchat about Kohl's cash.  If not, you must watch.  If you've seen it, just watch again.  I literally laugh out loud the whole time.  I love this and it's soooo true.

{TWO}

And this one.  Oh my.  If men breastfed instead of women.  SERIOUSLY.  Can I have a lounge like this at work??  #forrealz

"what are you pumping?" - oh my!

{THREE}

In other random news - I literally HAVE to stop buying stuff on the internet.  AHHH!!  My porch literally looks like this every other day.  No more Christmas presents please!  (In good news, I think I'm *almost* done shopping!).

But in the meantime, I have also purchased random/awesome stuff for our house - like this new ottoman that I'm so excited about.  Vanessa has it in her house and I've loved it for a long time and it was on super sale on Black Friday - so DONE.

Maddie likes it too.  And I was hoping to get a picture when it's not pitch black outside - but #reallife is that I'm never home during the week when it's light outside except for like 10 minutes right at 5:00 when we all walk back in the door.  So you get this crappy photo!  Plus don't you love all the random kids in it? HA.  #mylife

But I think it's a hit!

Oh and these matching mom/daughter dresses to wear on Christmas Eve (hopefully they actually get here in time!)

{FOUR}

Need some meal prep tips/recipe ideas?  Seriously, I found an amazing recipe that I made on Sunday for lunch everyday and it was DELICIOUS.  I shared with my challenge group and everyone has loved how good and easy it was.  Check it out on my health and fitness blog!

{FIVE}

Christmas parties and Christmas mania!  Tis the season, right?  We had two parties last weekend and one this weekend.  We have already been to visit Santa (yeah!), our elf, Tony, came back and we are gearing up for our neighborhood holiday hay ride this next week.  I still need to finish addressing our Christmas cards that I have had for like a month and get stuff ready for Mikey's baptism lunch next weekend.  SO.MUCH.FUN.  Exhausting, but fun.

Pics from my work Christmas party at the Intercontinental hotel on the plaza!  Love my finance team and my Pi Phi work ladies!

Neighbor progressive dinner fun - love Kaiser and MacKenzie's sequin skirt!  

TONY is back!!!!  And Christmas PJs - duh.

Tonight we are going bowling with some friends for our small group - Charlie has only tried it once at a friend's birthday party, so I'm excited/terrified to see how it goes!  Wish us luck and happy weekending - only TWO weekends before Christmas!!!  Hope you have a great weekend ahead and thanks for stopping by!

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorite

First Friday in November - what?!?

All I can say is - how is it NOVEMBER?!!  Kansas (and what seems like everywhere!) is so unseasonably warm.  I love it because I HATE putting coats on and off of my kids period.  But I hate it because there are still bugs.  And I'm still like sweating randomly in November.  What?

And just so you know that it's just not the weather that is confused - my daughter is very confused why it's so warm - hence her ridiculous outfit last night.  Oh Maddie.

{ONE}

First things first - my amazing friend (and former co-worker turned real life forever friend) finally hit publish on her blog that she's been thinking about for a long time.  She came to visit Mikey and I and we talked about it and she asked me all these questions and even took notes.  She nailed it with the title of her blog - the Flawed Perfectionist!  I just love it and love her and you must check her out and follow her!

{TWO}

Halloween 2016 - that was Monday night, right???  Oh sheesh.  I literally only took like 4 pictures - and here is one of them!  We had a change of plans at the last minute and ended up having the Strathman crew over to trick or treat with us since they haven't moved into their new neighborhood yet.  These boys - I love them and their parents and our kids love them too.  it was so fun - and there was FAR too much candy!!!

Their favorite part might have been passing out candy together after we were done! It was so cute and quite the team effort!

{THREE}

Bad news on the dress I posted last Friday on here - 

I purchased.  It arrived.  I tried it on.  Failure.  It's not as nice as it looks (duh, it was like $26) but it also fit soooo weird.  I would totally not have been comfortable in it at all.  The good news is there are free returns (yeah!) but the bad news is that now I'm on the hunt for another dress.  I think that is going to be my lunch time activity for Friday!  

I am sticking with long, so thanks for your comments and feedback!

{FOUR}

Have I mentioned that I'm obsessed with Aldi?  Oh yeah, I am. 

Aldi seems to be a place that not everyone is willing to try out (because there are some weird things about it!), but after doing some serious and detailed comparisons of the prices and quality of the food....I just have such a hard time shopping anywhere else because I save SOOOO much money.  I of course have weighed in the lack of convenience there, as they don't offer pick up or delivery (like they do at HyVee), but I think it's so much easier to pop into an Aldi really quickly and get one or two things (because the store footprint is smaller) than a traditional store.

ANYWAYS....I'm blogging next Tuesday at KCMB about my love for Aldi and give you a true life comparison of a weekly Aldi trip versus HyVee.  Check it out (I'll post the link when it's live next week)!!

And - on my fitness blog, I have some healthy and clean recipes (lots are freezer meals - my love!) that the recipes go along with what is the weekly meat specials at Aldi - because meat tends to be the most expensive driver in your grocery bill - trying to help you save $$ and eat healthy!  Check it out!

Obviously, my love runs deep for this place.

{FIVE}

Did I mention that the day after Halloween was picture day at Charlie and Maddie's school.  Are you KIDDING ME??  On top of that, it was trash + recycling day and the day our cleaning lady was coming - so that meant trash out and house picked up.  But the worst of these 3?  Picture day because our kids despise and protest wearing normal people clothes.  You know?  Jeans, non-under armor type shirts.  Pants,  Underwear.  Shoes that match.  You name it.  So you better believe getting dressed for picture day i super fun.  throw in the Halloween hangover and yeah....

But somehow, I gathered up the energy to dress little brother in a coordinating outfit and bribing them with candy before school to get a picture of their adorableness.  Seriously.  They look so cute here.

And then five seconds later they were not sitting nicely like this.

But they melt my heart.  Let's hope they are all smiles tomorrow morning when we are attempting to get at least one decent picture this fall (my sister is taking them!).

Happy happy weekending.  I am looking foward to some QT time with my family and my kiddos as we plan for going out of town next weekend!!!

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorites

Fri-YAY

You made it to the weekend (almost...a few more hours!)!!

{ONE}

I got to be the mom behind "takeover Tuesday" on the Kansas City Mom's blog instagram account on Tuesday.  I had so much fun posting about my day as a working mom of our 3 kiddos.  While I'm very happy that I don't have to post everything about my day EVERYDAY (I was somehow exhausted from doing it - or maybe it was just from the day in general), it was so fun to interact with the KCMB followers and get tips from them and share insight.

While sometimes the world of social media can be so negative, I loved being a part of that day and the mommas in KC interacting with me. Very happy to be a part of that contributor team.  Here is a glimpse of the pictures I posted!

{TWO}

Last weekend we ventured back to Lawrence for the KU Homecoming game.  Yes, they are terrible.  Yes, I went to K-State.  But even though my heart it with the Wildcats, the fact that this is 20 minutes down the highway, tickets were $9 each just for Jimmy and I (yes, they are THAT bad) and we get to spend time with neighbors and family is something I cannot pass up.  

We always have a blast and seriously - our kids just love it.  Maddie is OBSESSED with the marching band.  Literally obsessed.  We now watch the Ohio State marching band regularly on You Tube.  I love it.

And teh good news is - traveling with three is getting more manageable.  However, once Mikey is on the go and moving - life = over! Haha!

{THREE}

My friend, Vanessa, likes to fuel my online shopping with her vidoes she posts for How Does She every Monday!  This Monday she posted these adorable booties that have a shorter heel.  I have ones that I love, but I've found I like those for occasions where I have to walk less and not chase my children.  And better yet, they were on sale AND on Amazon Prime.  Done.

I got them yesterday and can't wait to put to good use!  Thanks for the recommendation, Vanessa!

{FOUR}

In just a few weeks, we are leaving all three kiddos for the first time and heading down south to a wedding that Jimmy is in.  His friend from college is getting married in Houston and while the logistics of getting family to watch our kids Thursday - Sunday is not easy and the thought of being away from Mikey for 3 days literally breaks my heart....I'm also looking forward to some good quality time with my husband.  

The wedding is black tie though - so I need to make sure I get a little fancy!!  Of course, I immediately go to Amazon to shop because why not.  I have bought some other dresses off of there for cheap and they were perfect.  I was thinking I needed a long more formal dress like this one...

But Jimmy is saying that I need a short dress!  Thoughts?  Black tie appropriate attire?? (also - I will have to pump in this, so keep that in mind!)

{FIVE}

Today is a day of Halloween parties!!!  Two of them.  Our kid's parties at school are the same exact time as the party my work has every year for everyone's kids.  BUMMER.  However, I left the option up to my kids and both of them made it very clear they wanted to come into my work (because apparently that is super cool!).  However, as we have drawn nearer to the day of their party, I'm nervous with all the excitement and preparation at school they are not going to want to leave.  Jimmy is going to gather all 3 and then bring them to my work, so I'm hopeful for no meltdowns about leaving their party!  Sad to miss seeing the parade with friends and activities in their classes - but I'm really excited for them to come in and show all my coworkers just really how adorable they are :)  Haha, hopefully they behave!!  Here is a picture preview of their outfits this year.

However, Maddie pulled an audible this morning and said she wanted to wear her Elsa costume instead of Bat Girl.  Go figure!  Wasn't a fight I was going to have, so she'll be princessed up today!

Hope everyone has a great pre-Halloween weekend!!!

PS Where has the month of October gone?  For reals.

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorites

FIVE and FRIDAY

Happy FRIDAY!!!

{ONE}

Ok seriously - loved all the support about Noah's Bandage Project so much on Wednesday this week.  An amazing blogger even emailed me and said the cause spoke so much to her that she is going to have people bring bandaids to her son's birthday party.  HOW AWESOME!!  

Thank you for spreading the word and the support of this amazing cause.  And just so you know, this wasn't a one time thing to gather bandaids - they are always collecting bandaids and sending them to hospitals all over the world - so don't feel like you missed the chance to participate!!

{TWO}

Tomorrow = October = decorated for fall!  Well, I actually did that a while back (and Charlie and Maddie were SOOOO excited), but I'm loving my combo wreath + dollar spot Target sign on the front door.  Perfect because I can easily remove the sign after Halloween and keep the wreath up for fall.  

PS Isn't the back cute too!?

{THREE}

 I have a whole blog post coming that is "behind the pictures" because AGH.  Sometimes, we just have bad parenting days, right?  But here's a question for you...what to do if you kid legit HATES an activity that you have already paid for.  He doesn't so much hate soccer, but the indoor facility he doesn't like at all because his it hurts his ears.  I'm contemplating just stop taking him.  He does soccer at school and loves it and has loved it the last two years when we did it outdoors - but not indoors.  Too late to transfer to their outdoor program - but I hate wasting the money and if it seems like to him it's ok to "quit".

GRRR parenting.

But literally - he was so excited last week for soccer (see pic below).  And then we get there and BAM.  Meltdown because it's too loud.

{FOUR}

If you're in KC and/or a Chiefs fan, you'll want to jump on this amazing sale at  Freelance Clothing.  All their super cute Chiefs stuff is 50% off today.  NO WAY.  I must have the adorable unisex Arrowhead Hoodie.  Even though I'm not a diehard fan, my husband is, so I must look the part, right??  DUH!

{FIVE}

Finally - I'm kicking off my fitness challenge group for October on Monday and I'm SOOOO excited.  Going to keep up my good habits as I go into starting back up at work next week.  I'm going to post my results on my fitness blog soon - but today I have some must have fitness apps that I love!  Take a look HERE!!

With fall weather this weekend, we are excited to get out and about for the Aquinas homecoming game, celebrate Shining for Sharon, continue with our basement clean up and FINALLY - A SUSHI DATE NIGHT!!  I've been dying for this since Mikey was born almost 11 weeks ago!!

Cheers to the weekend!

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorites