Sunday, August 31, 2014

August's Favorite Things

1. family bike rides
2. late night headstands

3. getting ready for back to school
4. pancake breakfasts downtown

5. doggy sundaes from our favorite ice cream shop

6. sunny afternoons spent in the hammock
7. pool parties with friends

8. homemade popsicles

9. our bee's nest

10. the strict adherence to the no pets on the couch rule
11. em's first trip to the dentist

12. easy baker
13. dressing up for the gym's childcare #sheissofancy

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Summer Time Fine

Labor day is just a few days away. And even though the official first day of fall is still weeks away, I'm pretty sure everyone considers this the unofficial end of summer. We have a family vacation that we're leaving for tomorrow morning and that will be our last hurrah. Overall, we've had a great summer. It's been quiet, but good.
 
We've kept busy with picnics in the park,
 

and random events throughout town like pottery painting and chemistry experiments and 
kiddo comedy & magic shows.

 
The kids did two weeks at Camp Copenconic,




 
and Narls took some science classes at the Planetarium.

 
We had a a week-long soccer clinic for Narls and a two-day poms clinic for Em.


 
And lots & lots of fun days with friends.


♥ ♥ ♥

Monday, August 25, 2014

A Month of School Lunches

A week until school starts!
 
 
I was reminded because I just got Emerson's lunch box in the mail.
 
 
And some refill containers because I'll have TWO lunches to pack each morning. Two! (How is that possible???)
 
Even just thinking about all those dishes every night gives me anxiety. One thing I'm not stressing about at alllll though is what to pack for lunch. Already worked out that kinks with that last year.  Complete with recipe cards that are printed and filed, which detail exactly what I need (makes grocery shopping so much easier) and prep/cook time. A godsend for busy mornings.
 
Click on the links below to find the lunches and the recipe cards. :)
 
week one here.
 
week two here.
 
week three here.
 
week four here.
 
Just a note, I bought the bags, boxes, containers, everything from laptop lunches. (It's a question I get nearly everyday.) I recommend them 100%. Narls has had his boxes since kindergarten, so for two years now, and they are still in excellent condition. We've never had a leak or a spill. I just cannot say enough good things about these products.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Eminem & Rihanna : Monster Tour

One of my most favorite concerts yet.
 

 
Em is truly a rap god, a legend. And seeing him perform live is such an amazing thing.

 
The vibe in Detroit was incredible. The night was gorgeous.

 
 
I was with the love of my life.

2010: Us, seeing Em (with Jay Z) in Detroit
 
Love, love, love.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Raspberry Recipes

 
Totally used up all our raspberries already.
 
Made a healthier raspberry muffin with almond flour and very minimal natural sweeter. And they're delicious! Also made a berry crisp with a normal amount of sugar. See, I'm not a total sugar hater :) 
 
 
 

 

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Raspberry Pickin'





 
 



 
Such a beautiful afternoon spent with friends raspberry picking at our favorite orchard.
So thankful to have these girls and these kiddos in my life.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Weekend Fun

The best weekends are those that are filled with friends and family, with food & drinks, with laughs and happy times, where you wake up on Sunday morning feeling both exhausted and refreshed.
 
Love those weekends.
 
 
Friday night: drag queen bingo with the girls


 
Saturday night: lions preseason game with my favorite boys


♥ ♥ ♥

Monday, August 4, 2014

Let's Go On An Adventure

Our house has been overrun with kids.
 
A couple of neighbors have their grandkids visiting for weeks and weeks and since there are limited toys at gramma's, our house has been the hotspot. I love that my kids have so many other kids to play with, but at any given time there are at least seven kids under eight running from room to room leaving wakes of destruction in their paths.
 
We couldn't do another day of it, so Clay and I decided to get up super early Sunday morning, load up the car with only our kids, and head somewhere. Anywhere.
 
After a couple hours of driving, we ended up at Michigan's Adventure
 
As luck would have it, my brother- and sister-in-law had been planning a trip on this very Sunday so we spent the day with family, riding rollercoasters and water slides and picnic-ing and winning prizes and it just what we needed.
 









 
Best spontaneous summer-vacay trip ever.