Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  I hope you've had a nice week.  We are ready for a fun weekend after a busy week!

The best parts of our week were:

1. Our school just went through the reaccredidation process and it went really well!  The whole school celebrated with a pajama day to end the week.

2. Care packages are my favorite.  I usually send gifts via Amazon, but we wanted to gather a bunch of favorite things for our cute cousin.  It felt like a throwback to care packages we used to put together years ago.  We had the best time shopping for our college cousin and surprising her with a box of love to finish her semester strong.  I had Olive help me wrap everything so it would be fun for her to open all the little gifts.

3. We were so sad to hear of Lou Holtz's passing this week.  We're huge Notre Dame fans and huge Lou Holtz fans.  Kevin got to meet him several years ago at a Meet and Greet.  He signed our book and they had a good chat.  We're sad to see this legend go.  He was so enthusiastic about everything.  We always loved hearing his quotes on faith, family and football.  It's been sweet to hear all of the stories about him online this week.

4. Pumpkin's fluff makes us all smile.  He decided that this coffee table basket is his new favorite spot.

5. Lots of salads this week!

6. I took the big kids out for some Saturday errands.  We cashed in rewards for free treats and got a lot done.  They love to help me do errands like Sams or Costco and always talk me into going a few more places.

7. It's been a while since I've taken a photo of Fletcher and a cool car.  I spent YEARS taking his picture with every fire truck, police car and military vehicle we saw.  We spotted this awesome wrapped cyber truck and he wanted his picture with it.  Fletch turns 10 this year and I can hardly believe he'll be double digits.

8. I went out of my comfort zone and invited the kid's school friends out for an afternoon of fun at Urban Air.  They loved spending time with their friends and I loved that I brought headphones.  That place is LOUD.  So fun, but so loud.  This place is great for older kids.

9. I hate car washes.  They are so expensive and I always stress about doing everything right.  My problem is that I love a clean car.  I forced myself to brave a new car wask.  I lit $16 bucks on fire haha and came out with a sparkling car.  It looked amazing for a couple of days.

10. I love Chick-Fil-A's new striped bags!  The quote isn't great, but the packaging is cute.

11. Costco pizza is my very favorite thing.  We were at Costco near lunch time so we all grabbed a cheap something to go.  I got pizza and Fletcher grabbed a chicken bake.

12. My parents gave us the prettiest piece of antique furniture!  They're doing some cleaning out and rearranging at their house and it needed to go.  They were even able to deliver it thanks to the help of my nephew.  Mr. Mittens approves of his new perch.  I love the idea that antiques give your home a one of a kind, collected feel.  I spent my entire childhood going to antique shops and collecting with them.

I'm still working on styling it just right, but we are headed in the right direction.

13. We had a cousin birthday party where we celebrated family and Fletcher got to see a bullet from the Civil War.  Kevin's parents got it as a souvenir years ago.  Fletcher was thrilled to get to put his hands on it.

14. Leo's current favorite pose.  I have no clue.  It's almost as adorable as his Squishmallow pjs.

15. I have mixed feelings about this one.  As Leo is approaching his 6th birthday, his teeth are getting wiggly.  He's got two wiggly teeth so far.  I'm so excited for him, but it'll break my heart a big when his tiny teeth start falling out.  He likes to give me regular tooth updates.

16. The best text ever - I'm working late.  You worked late.  Send me your Qdoba order.  

Say less.  Give me a burrito bowl with all the picos and not spicy salsas + guac.

17. My new favorite (Wal-Mart!!!) lamp and my favorite kitten.  I'm obsessed with the wicker lamp shade and the pottery base.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  See you back here next week :)

Linking up with Momfessionals

Working Mom Workout Plan

When do you workout?  I've had the harderst time trying to figure out how to add working out into my days as a working mom.  I wake up around 5:30am, get home around 4ish and try to go to bed around 10ish.  Work is busy.  Family life is busy.  I knew I didn't want to wake up any earlier so I started an after school walking routine in Feburary.  I walked more and I actually looked forward to that routine.  I tried to walk extra on the weekend or on days where I got home earlier.  Then, I skipped an official workout on days where I had after school meetings or we had plans after school.

I ended up walking for 11.7 miles.

Not too bad for someone who walked 0 miles in January.

I am doing the same routine in March.  I will be putting an afternoon walk on my schedule and fitting it in as many days as I can.  My only goal is to walk as much as I can this month.  The weather may be nicer this month for some outdoor walks, but running upstairs to get on the treadmill is easy peasy.

And a funny bonus was that - the kids came to expect my afternoon walk and would often pop into the office to say hello or chat about their days while I walked.

Leo playing all around me and doing squats + push ups.

What's your workout routine?  Please share!

Elementary School Lunch Ideas

I try hard to make the yummiest lunches for the kids.  That means I grocery shop or schedule grocery delivery every weekend.  I set up a routine that works well for me.  I make dinner and I pack lunches as I'm cleaning up the kitchen after dinner.  I don't leave lunch packing until the last minute or in the morning.  If I do it right after dinner, then it will always happen.

I stick to this format - veggies, fruit, a treat, protein, cheese and any favorite things I can add.

Sometimes I'll add in a homemade muffin or cookie, but that doesn't happen very often.  The boys still use and love their Yumboxes.  Olive upgraded her lunch situation for junior high.  Stay tuned for some junior high lunch box ideas.

Hawaiian Rolls, turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni, sharp white cheddar cheese are all favorites.

I will include fun seasonal treats if I have them.  Dry cereal is also something the kids get excited to eat.

I make sure the food isn't messy and if I notice the kids not eating a particular item, I'll investigate. Sometimes their likes change and they want something different next time.

I ask for help when it's time to write lunch box notes.  Leo took over this day.

The little peanut butter sandwich crackers, granola and a mix of salty and sweet is a success.

I hope you feel inspired to make yummy school lunches for your kids!  Give them a big hug from home in the middle of their school day.

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  I hope you have had a nice week.  I'm not sure how we're wrapping up the month of February, but here we are almost at March.  Work was extra busy which means we are all ready for the weekend.

The best parts of our week were:

1. I did some Spring shopping at The Loft and cashed in some gift cards.  Did you know you can get a teacher discount there if you show your school badge at check out?  It's an extra 15% off!  Look at this darling headband and gingham Spring cardigan.  They have a lot of good stuff in store right now.

2. Snackle boxes!  Did you see my post earlier this week?  We have had so much fun making and receiving snackle boxes as gifts.  This teen snackle box filled with beauty products, candy and gift cards was one of Olive's favorite Christmas gifts.

 

3. It doesn't quite feel like Spring in Indiana, but I'm breaking out the florals.  This floral jacket is my favorite.  Mr. Mittens agrees.

4. Kindergarteners are hilarious.  One of my students brought me a Minecraft card from his collection because he knows that I LOVE cats.  He's right and now I have the cutest bookmark.

5. Leo is learning so much in kindergarten!  The other day he was eating a bag of Goldfish and he said - Hey Mom!  Look I find a digraph on my Goldfish.  Yep, he did.

6. I was craving a big breakfast so I made myself my favorite - french toast and eggs.

7. BRU Burger.  My bookclub headed to BRU Burger downtown for the yummiest dinner.  I'm still dreaming of this burger and fry combo.  I got the white cheddar bacon cheese burger with fries.  It was amazing.  Bookclub nights are my favorite.  Even if we don't always read the books.

8. Pumpkin's fluffy coat is my favorite.

9. Going to chapel with Leo is my favorite.  We each sit with our own classes, but I just love being in the same room as him.

10. Leo volunteered to do lunch box notes for me one night this week.  He didn't need any help.  I was impressed with his writing!

11. Kindergarten free draw is my favorite.  This is me + my assistant.

12. I introduced Olive to You've Got Mail and it made my whole week.  I had to explain a few things like the whole concept of dial up internet, the notification of you've got mail, etc.  But I loved sharing a classic with her.  She's almost a teen so she couldn't let on too much that she enjoyed it.

13. My plant wall is looking pretty and Pumpkin is up to no good.  I did some watering and rearranging.  Then Pumpkin promptly hopped on the shelf and started playing with my plants.  I hope he loses interest soon.  Even if he does look handsome.

14. My cute cousin dropped this off at school for me.  I'm not a big Alani fan since I don't drink carbonated drinks or energy drinks, but the kids enjoy having some sips of them on occasion.  This is the newest, most elusive flavor.  She found it and dropped it off at school for me.  I'm excited for Olive to try it.  Have you had it yet?

Have a wonderful weekend!  I'll see you back here next week.

Linking up with Momfessionals

Snackle Boxes

I'm sure you've seen snackle box ideas floating around everywhere this year.  They are so much fun!  I'm going to show you just a few ways to do them as gifts and for parties.  We have received them as gifts and I have given them as gifts.  They are always well received.

Olive got THE CUTEST snackle box for Christmas from her cousin.  It was green, filled with crinkle paper and all her favorite things.  Beauty items, a gift card, her favorite candy and packed to the max with things she'd love.  It was one of her favorite Christmas gifts.  And now she can use the snackle box for snacks or to organize things in her room.  It's the gift that keeps on giving.

A student gave me a smaller snackle box.  I missed taking a picture when it was filled with tissue paper and looking so cute for Christmas, but you get the idea.  It was a smaller 4 section one that came with gift cards and fancy chocolates.  It was such a fun gift!  It looked adorable and it's the cutest size to pack for lunches or snacks.

We have used our snackle box at home many times for sleepovers and friend parties.  It's easy to clean and easy to fill.  I think any snack would look yummier when it was presented in a snackle box.

We even used ours on July 4th to make red, whtie and blue cookie flags.  The snackle box was easy to fill.  And it looked so cute for the holidays.

We have two white ones and a green one.  I'll link some below that would be so cute to gift to a friend, teacher or buy for yourself.  I can't wait to use our this Summer for picnics on the go, road trips and more.  They come in so many colors!  You could grab them in school colors for gifts or for sporting events.  Maybe even tailgaiting or game day snacks.  The options are endless!

My Amazon links:

4 section snackle box in white:

4 section box

One white snackle box

One white snackle box

A two pack of white snackle boxes for a great deal!

White 2 Pack Snackle Box 

A pink Snackle box would be so cute for a teen girl or a gift this spring!

2 Pack Pink Snackle Box

Let me know if you have any snackle box questions for me!