Favorite Foods from Sams

Sams has been saving the day for us for meals.  Their produce is always the best I can find.  We make it to Sams almost every weekend to stock up on fruits and veggies + our meal essentials.

Let me tell you about our current favorites.

Going shopping with these two.  They love to try the samples and add things to my cart.

So sweet.

Except for when I let them drive the cart and they run into my heel at full speed.  I don't recommend that at all.  Otherwise they are getting better at driving a cart (I've wised up and walk behind them), being polite and talkative to the sample ladies, helping me scan everything on the app to check out and navigating a crowded store.  All good life skills.

We sampled these Sesame Ginger Chicken Dumplings and they are delicious.

I cook as directed.  Brown them a bit and add the ginger sauce.

I served them with some vegetable lo mein.

And edamame.  It was such a yummy dinner.  It was much cheaper than going out to eat.

These egg bites have been a life saver for me for easy lunches.  I brown them a bit and reheat them for lunch.  Or if I eat them at home I'll make some toast to go with them.  They have a couple of different flavors and they are all good.

The kids sampled these and loved them.  I can't handle the spice so I didn't buy them.

This is the best queso ever.  Trust me.

I'm loving these granola bars for breakfast and a snack during the day.  They are filling, chewy and so yummy.  Another sample that we loved.

This was two dinners for us.  We really enjoyed it.  The chicken was pretty good, but next time I think I'll get the vegetable fried rice and add my own chicken.  I added in a couple of scrambled eggs, more peas and green onions.

Mini tacos.  A staple Sams item.  They are a great appetizer and the perfect dinner item.

I hope you found a new item or two that your family would enjoy from Sams.

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends!  I hope you've had a nice week.  The time change has us dragging over here, but we've enjoyed some nice weather this week.  We survived family pictures and solo parenting last weekend and are excited to go to a Friendsgiving dinner this weekend.

Did you catch my blog posts this week?

Breakfast Bundt Sandwiches - such a yummy breakfast recipe!

Extra Halloween Candy Cookies - my middle guy says these are my best cookies ever.

Unpopular Opinions - My most popular post of the Fall!  The comments are just as interesting as the post!

Now onto my favorites:

1. Leo & Mom Days

I'm trying hard to really enjoy the days of me being 100% in charge of Leo's schedule.  We do a mix of running errands, toddler activities and lunching with our favorite people.  Jason's Deli or Chick-Fil-A are his favorite spots.  Also, his new fleece from Walmart is my favorite.  It's under $10 and looks very Patagonia-esque.

2. Amazon Favorites

I've got two of the cutest Amazon finds to show you today!  I'm loving both!

I ordered a pack of 100 of these mini rubber ducks to use with my Elf on the Shelf plans for December.  They are such great quality and my kids are going to love hunting for 100 little duckies in our house.  I'm going to hide them in their pockets, their bedrooms, their lunch box and more.  It would also be fun to use them with your elves to announce a Christmas bubble bath.  They're on sale and really cute.

 

My 5th grader loves her Stanley so much but didn't love carrying around an open straw.  We looked around on Amazon and found these darling animal straw toppers.  The price is awesome and the quality is even better.  She has this first set and the rest are on her wish list.  She's been using them for a few weeks and they are in perfect condition.  Preteen and mom approved.

    

3. Three is Messy

Leo has had a messy week.  So many baths.  So much laundry.  But look at that cute face.  Three is a messy age.

4. Time Change Snuggles

We have not enjoyed the time change this week, but I have loved finding Leo snuggled up with his siblings.

5. Go Aces!

We kicked off the UE Purple Aces basketball season this week.  The whole family went and sat by my dad.  The kids loved the snacks and the basketball.  We sit by my Dad and Kevin's parents are not too far away.  The kids ate popcorn with my dad and then Kevin's mom got them Dippin Dots.  Perfect evening if you ask them.

6. Clinic Progress

Kevin's newly renovated psychology clinic on campus is coming together nicely!  We came to check out the furniture and see how all of the finishes are looking.  He got to pick out most of it so it's neat to see his vision for the clinic come together.

7. Birthday Party

We went to a family party and Leo asked Grandpa if he could help him blow out his candles.  He loves blowing out the candles, but doesn't love the extra attention.  The weather was so nice!

8. Thanksgiving tour

My house is decorated for Thanksgiving.  I love my cute turkey collection so much!  Olive made me this Happy Thanksgiving banner last year and I'm so glad that I saved it.  It's my favorite.

9. Cousins at the park

We met our cousins at the park and the kids had so much fun!

10. Kevin Goes Camping

Kevin went on his first hiking/backpacking/camping adventure with some friends from work.  He had a good time and learned a lot about camping.  His group hiked fast and he was proud of his camping gear - that chair and the coffee set up were key to enjoying his time in the woods.  The kids are eager to do some backyard camping with him next.

Have a great weekend!  I'll see you back here on Monday.

Linking up with Tanya for Prime Purchases and Momfessionals for Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends!  I'm not sure how it's the last Friday of October, but we're here.  We had a fun week with lots of favorites, some stressful things, good sleep and lots of time outside.

Did you catch my blog posts this week?

New Board & Batten Entry Ways - this was a huge DIY project at our house!

Under $10 Teacher Gifts - big hit with the teachers!

Halloween Mummy Dogs - the easiest Halloween dinner idea.

Now onto my favorites:

1. Dreamy Dress

I was grabbing some groceries at Walmart this week with no intention to try on clothes.  Then I saw this gorgeous dress and had to pivot.  We hopped in the dressing room and it was love at first sight.  This Pioneer Woman dress is so good!  There's no stretch to the fabric so I'd size up and it's under $30.  I'm not usually a fan of the Pioneer Woman line of clothing, but her Fall dresses are lovely.

When Leo saw me in the dress he said "You're a princess!" and I was sold.  It comes in a pink floral and this floral.  I got both!

2. Hoops are back!

Have you heard!?  Hoops are back in style.  Maybe they never went out of style, but they're popular again.  I wore hoops for years and years so it's good to have them back in my rotation.  I grabbed this gold pair off of amazon and I'm seeing silver accessories everywhere.  The price is amazing and the quality is great.  They're a good weight and size where they look nice and you forget to have them in.  I get tons of compliments on them and am planning to gift some for the holidays.  

Here's my link for the hoops: 

3.  Showcase Night at School

The kids had a really fun book fair/showcase night at school this week.  We got to see lots of neat art on display, play with robots from their technology class and shop the book fair.  It was a neat night!  The kids loved showing up how to use all the technology.  Leo loved the life sized robots.

4. Happy Birthday, Mom!

I hosted my mom's birthday party this year and everything came together so nicely!  I went with a cute Halloween theme and we did a Fall menu of hot dogs and brats and a chili bar with pies for dessert.  Yummy!  I love a party menu where Kevin grills the meat and I take care of the inside stuff.

Happy Birthday, Mom!  We love you!

5. Pie Season

Pie season is my favorite.  I made a Derby Pie, Peanut Butter Pie (recipe coming!) and a Pumpkin Pie.  It was fun to enjoy a little pie buffet.  My kids love pumpkin and I love the others.  I added in some chocolate chip cookie bars just in case someone didn't like pie.

6. Penny snuggles

Penny loves being out on our patio.  It was a little chilly one day so snuggling her on the patio was my favorite.

7. Lunch Date

I'm so thankful to get to spend my days with Leo.  He's the best lunch date and since he's our baby I know that he'll be in school before I know it.  Toddlers the funniest little people.

 Definitely didn't need any help with his sunnies.

8. Outside

I spent every afternoon until dark outside this week.  The kids wanted me to watch them play or hang out with them and their friends or do some reading.  Fletcher loves to shoot his bow and arrow.  He really loves that he's taught Leo to fetch the arrows and bring them back to him.  The kids have been playing baseball or playing with cars nonstop.  This weather is my favorite!

9. Fire Pit season

Fire pit season is our favorite!  This corner of our yard just screams Fall!  I have all the s'more ingredients ready for evenings at the fire pit.

10. Tooth Fairy on duty

I set an alarm on my phone so that I made sure that the tooth fairy didn't forget her late night duties.  Little traditions like this make me smile.  I quickly cut out a tooth from an index card, wrote the message and left some cash.

11. Milestone

We've hit the big kid milestone of rarely using a stroller.  No more baby gear needed and running errands is actually pretty easy as long as I have snacks.  Leo walked through the mall with me to do a return and then stopped by to drive the cars.  Said hello to the Old Navy dog and held my hand.  No big deal.  No fits.  No chasing.  Just hanging out with mom.  Yay!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  We've got a pretty quiet one planned and I'm excited.  See you back here on Monday.

Linking up with Momfessionals for Friday Favorites