What's Up Wednesday! (August Edition)

And BOOM summer said peace out just.like.that.

It is Wednesday - the last one of August - and here I am linking back up with The Larson Lingo for What's Up Wednesday!

This week we are eating:

What I posted last week!  I'm posting up menus a week ahead to share what we are eating since I'm suddenly super organized food wise and totally winning right now. OK I may have already deviated and I may not have all the ingredients I set out to get.  But who cares!  I am trying!  We are alive!

Am I reminiscing?

No.  I'm not reminiscing on anything right now.  I'm just living in this moment - this very crazy, chaotic, real life moment of birthdays, back to school, and new schedules.

I am loving....

Life.

It is pretty fabulous.

What we've been up to:

Here's the recap from our last weekend of Summer Break 2016!  We had a terrific summer.  I should have a recap up on Labor Day.

What I'm dreading:

Hmm...nothing.  Wait no I can say I'm dreading the entry of germs back in our bodies and home from school!  Kids are little petri dishes...up the hand washing, sleep, water intake, vitamins.  Let's do this!

What I'm working on:

Three new garden/flower beds to play with!

My home!  The outside and inside.  I'm hoping to reorganize the house once the kids are back in school.  I'm not working every day so I should be able to do this over the course of September.  My husband built me three raised gardens and a fire pit so I need to make it useful and pretty!  When the weather cools down a bit I'll be working on my other flowers beds.  I'm a summer girl but I appreciate fall's beauty.

What I'm excited about!

Or maybe she's had too many carbs and is going crazy....just sayin'

Working out.  I know - it's lame.  But seriously it is my mental break and I appreciate that.  Follow my Blog & Jogs on Snapchat!  (abullnojoke)

What I'm watching:

These two - eye roll.

RHOC - I'm still hating on Vickie and now that psychotic Kelly.  Tamara is two faced as they come.  Shannon is quirky and I kind of like her this year.  Heather is my favorite so far.  And the super skinny one, whose name escapes me I like her.  Yeah Edmonds girl whatever her name is. LOL

RHNJ - Crazy group of hoes.  I said it and I mean it LOL!

RHNYC - It is already over?!?!?  Still hating on LuAnn and Dorinda.  This group is also starting to age a little less well than before.  Maybe I'm the only person who sees this but they just aren't a very attractive group of females at midlife.  OF course I'm sure they all look way better than I will at their ages because I don't have a plastic surgery fund going right now...

What I'm reading:

Eleanor & Park - it is actually a young adult book but I think I'm a young adult so I read it.  I fall into books like this so easy and love them to pieces!

I am also reading Real Simple mag and Women's Health mag LOL.

What I'm listening to:

The Crossfit mix on Amazon.  It is good to jog to! Britney is back and I'm stoked.  The video is a little raunchy but hello it is Britney, bitch.

 I also am into the new Pink and Kenny Chesney song and normally I'm like booooo! on ole KC.  Sorry, not sorry.

All summer my child jammed out to Kids Bop and I feel like I know all the Top 40 hits - super clean versions.  I'm kind of glad that I'm not hearing those children constantly sing right now!

A kid I love to hear sing is my four year old!  That boy is so happy!

What I'm wearing:

Work out clothing.  But over the weekend I changed it up a bit!  I've been wanting to actually look nice as of late.  I miss my nice clothes, make up, jewelry, and pretty hair. Wait, I still wear make up so whew we're good there!

What I'm doing this weekend???

Last year...she was about to turn 8!

Hello!  I have a slumber party birthday shin dig to host!  My little girl is turning nine years old on Sunday and we're having six friends over for the night.  We're going to stuff ourselves on Mexican food and birthday cake.  I have a movie on queue and did someone say mani pedi?

Since it is a long weekend and my husband is going on a guy's trip to the coast fishing...I plan to spend Sunday night or Monday doing something I want to do...alone!  I'm thinking coffee er cabernet and a book!

What I'm looking forward to in September is...

The return of regular television (ABC and more great Bravo shows like Below Deck!)

Getting used to our new schedule(s).

I don't really have any trips or things lined up in September so maybe we'll be chilling out and enjoying what is left of summer and the gradual cool down into fall.

What else is new?

For the first time I have a Fantasy Football team.  Oh.my.Lord.

Now it is your turn!  What is up this last Wednesday of August with you?!?!

xo-

Amanda

Who Ya Rootin' For?

So fall is about five minutes away from here.  Even though the temperature (hello 92) says no and the calendar says we have a few weeks; everything else says we have to be prepped by next Tuesday for it.

And that includes football.

Today I'm linking up with my most favorite Snap Chat buddy - Shelly for her link up Spiel the Beans.  We're talking football and the teams we are supporting this year!

I do like football.  I've always loved sports and going to games.  In college I played intramural flag football and just a few weeks ago I was hoping to find an adult league that is local to play in.  It was just so fun!  Unfortunately, one could not be found.  (However, I did find out that the Carolina Panthers support a spring league for everyone and anyone who is over 18 to play in!)

What I remember best about flag football was my first evening on the field.  I was just ready to run around and play (kind of like a three year old...except I was 22).  One of the guys on the team asked me if I understood what I needed to do and I responded, "It cannot be that hard.  Run fast, beat people up, and try to score the touchdowns."  I got a lot of laughter and they said I would be fine just be careful on the beat people up!

I really feel I should come out of retirement.

So who am I rooting for this season?  Well cue the cheerleaders to spell this out for you!

College Ball means I cheer for many teams but the number one team in my heart of hearts is for a place where I have a gazillion memories...

This is OUR STATE!  Go Wolfpack!

They aren't the best team out there and often times leave me a bit on the sad or numb side of life.  But every year I pull for the Pack.  Maybe this year will be the year...

You will not catch me cheering on a Tar Heel but if I need to pull for a Clemson Tiger I will.  The idea of Duke in football is strange but since they gave up on a basketball team I may can pull out a scream for them.  Wake Forest is in my back yard and since it is Wake Forest I can hoot and holler for them (they're never any good.)  Virginia Tech - what is a hokie?  Why would you pick a turkey for your mascot?  Who cares I'll pull for you when I can.  Cavalier are you?  Virginia never did anything to hurt me so you know what when the time is right I may cheer you on but don't wait around on it.  Georgia Tech: do you guys have a team?  I'm not sure.

I'm talking to ACC teams here obviously.  I'll ignore the other teams that came into and disrupted our nice little conference.

I'm a Wolfpack girl.

NFL, NFL, NFL....There was a point in my life when I stopped watching all professional sports because I felt they were professionally rigged.  Then I got married and had to watch sports like it was a job.

Ha.

Growing up my family consisted of Dolphins, Cowboys, and Forty-Niners fans.

Of course today I would never root on the Cowboys or he Forty-Niners - those are the kids you don't open a seat up for on the bus or let sit on the edge of your lunch table.  Eww, gross.

I remember when the Panthers were birthed and well they are the home team.  I don't care if they totally screwed up their Superbowl chance last year (remember professionally rigged for Peyton to go out in a blaze of glory and yes I like Peyton so this isn't a total slam.)

Since I'm old and remember the dawn of Panther Nation I am a Panther fan.

Plus they have some great talent...

I mean some great talent...just look at that talent.  My oh my.  Hello talent.

So yes, I will pull for the home team though after watching them play last Friday I'm afraid to do so.

Let's do a quick recap -

I'm a State girl and a Panther girl.

But I have love for some other teams too.  That's wrong.  I have some love for some other players too.  I cannot really pull for their teams but I can cheer for them all.day.long.

Edelman & Gronk - daaaaaaamn.

My God I love football.

This year I hope you'll be pulling for another team...

My fantasy team!

SET HUT -

Amanda

Tasty Tuesday: Kids Lunches (Packed)

Packing lunches, stinks.

Four days a week I will be packing up some goodies for my girl to dine on at her lunch hour.  She will get to eat school pizza on Fridays because hello, school pizza.

That was the stuff in my day.  Gahhh nothing better than a sheet of pizza.

The other three days I am going to take away the mystery of packaged food purchased by a government entity.  I mean, its my duty...or something.

As much as I would love to put together a peanut butter and jelly, add in an apple sauce, and throw a yogurt in - I know my kid would go ape.  (OK one would, the other would think they had entered heaven.)

So to combat an only-picky-when-school-is-in-eater I have to get creative.

Here's this week's menu plan for my kid:

I'm hoping to be able to do a dinner left over once to twice per week! 

There ya go...week one!

xo-

Amanda

Weekend Recap: Let me share my fantasy

In case you didn't know the blog got a face lift.  I kind of like it.

How was your weekend?  Was it fabulous?  I hope so!  Here's a smidgen of what went down over in our neck of the woods.

Friday...

The daughter spent the morning birthday shopping with her Grandma Joyce.  She spent the afternoon cleaning her room.  

The son played, ate, took a bath for fun.  You know good ole four year old activities.

The husband worked.

The me unit worked on cleaning up the house because of this huge deal that the birthday party scheduled for the pool on Saturday may be uprooted to my house instead.  Yes, freaking out slightly?  I did that!  

Then I decided, "Hey we should pile up and go to Target this evening with five million other people who are back to school shopping!  We need to finish up so let's go insane with everyone else on this side of the world!  It will be fun!"  

I fueled up on Dunkin Donuts prior to going in the store.  Can I just say for the first time in at least 14 years my kids were perfect in the store?  Like little aliens must have inhabited their bodies OR the popcorn at Target has some drug that makes kids fun to be around in a store that has a toy section.

Everyone knows when you are at Target you end up getting more than what you set out for.  I did very well this trip and threw in some clothes hangers (needed), descaling solution for the ole Keurig (needed), and some ELF Red Carpet lipstick (addicted), oh and a bottle of Cabernet (needed).  Those were not on my Back To School lists (but why not?) and I got them because:

Clothes hangers are endangered around this home
Coffee is needed to appropriately make it through school mornings and evenings.
Red lipstick boosts my self esteem.
Cabernet - self explanatory.

After the kids went to bed on Friday I sipped my Cabernet-nay and watched the Panthers run around a field and totally prove they aren't really sure what football is.  

Y'all, Saturday was no joke.  I feel like we woke up and hit the ground running.  Well kind of literally.  When I got up Saturday I put on my New Balances and took to the pavement.  Did you catch Blog & Jog on my Snap Chat? (abullnojoke)

It was birthday party day for the boy.  The game plan was a pool party but the pool had a case of the algae so I had to do a quick change and adjust the shindig to be in our backyard.  I have to give a huge shout out to Zuru Bunch O Balloons.  If you didn't get these this summer then get some for the upcoming holiday weekend.  They are fabulous water balloons you can fill up easily (and all at once) with you water hose.  The kids had a blast with the balloons and water guns!

My baby boy really enjoyed his little party!  Mom and dad did too.

After the party I had to rush to get ready for the yearly fantasy football draft.  My husband is in a league (that sounds stupid, I mean he doesn't play, it's all fantasy) with guys from his work.  I go for moral support and the view -

This year a guy was a no show.  Guess who got to join in?  This girl.  At first I thought I would pick my players by their looks (Gronkowski, anyone?  I got him!) then I decided I may need to be a bit more strategic.  So this girl was reading stats for about two hours on her phone.

He's on my team.  That seems to be enough.

In case you care and I know you really don't here are my players -

Randall Cobb

Rob Gronkowski

Cam Newton *Realizing I just stated the Panthers looked back on Friday night*

Some kicker 

The LA Rams Defense

The Snead guy who plays for New Orleans

John Brown (I didn't make that up)

Thomas Rawls

Tyler Lockett

Frank Gore

Danny Woodhead

Let's be honest: if any of these guys walked up to me I wouldn't know them.  Wait, I would know Cam Newton and Gronk but the others?  No, no clue whatsoever.

I feel confident these boys will bring me the trophy.

I also feel confident that you will like the name of my team:

Oh my husband won a trophy!

I'm not sure what kind of pose that is but it looks like he lost his arms in trendy night club.

You can't see it but it's a toilet bowl.  Why?  His team last year came in last place AKA it took a dump.  Get it?  Toilet trophy = took a dump?

Yeah childish but this is a man's thing.

Wait...it was.

Sunday...

I loaded up the kids and we went to church.  Everyone prayed over the kids who were all asked to bring their backpacks.  They also got a little reminder that the church loves them and is praying for them all this school year.  Have I mentioned how much I love this place?

Since it was the last day of summer break we found our way to the pool.  After 48 hours and TONS of work it was clear to swim; and boy did those kids swim!  They laughed and were little fish for two hours!

We wrapped up our little man's birthday festivities and started our daughter's!  Our extended family members came over for cake.  My mom made a layered pound cake with chocolate butter creme icing that she added espresso to.  WHAT?!?!  It's a kids party, mom!  But it was all good.  

This picture captures their personalities so well.  He's bubbly and bouncing all around.  She always has the gears turning and is thinking and prepping for whatever may be next.

Since this was the first school night of the year the kids were bathed and in pajamas by 8.  I started semi freaking out over the schedule and trying to make too many lists to keep me organized for the week ahead.  Seriously though - it is not going to be too tough!

After the kids were all tucked into bed I enjoyed a nice glass of Cabernet.  

Why, thank you!

And now we're rolling into Monday....

Here we go!

xo-

Amanda

The Last Friday of Summer Break

Cue the sad violin music.  Summer is ending.  Well maybe not the heat and short wearing, tank top sporting, flip and flopping summer but summer as we have known it is ending.  I can admit this is a hard transition in my house.  My kids love school so the difficulty is for me - the mom.  In place of the pool bag are book bags and instead of late night movies we have a set bed time starting back up.  Oh just pass the rum - ho ho hum hum.

So here are some of my favorites from this week.  Per the norm I am linked up with the lovely Katie and the cute Christina!

1.  Fall House Projects

Totally stoked to start planting!  Hello fall vegetables and flowers!

I just said fall - oh my.  Well this week the husbandito has been working on our yard and a few projects.  I may have wanted a garden in March/April and he may have not had the chance to ge around to building my beds but he sure did make up for it this week.  I now have three garden beds right at my chicken coop he built this summer.

Why am I thinking about red wine right now?

He also put in his fire pit.  I think this will be a very welcome addition for the weekends when the air is cool and crisp as those apples that will be celebrated in Wilkesboro, NC in October.

2.  Pool Time

Swimming under the water.  I know it looks odd.

We had two great pool days this week.  The weather started off relatively cool for NC in August so I was quite chilled when I got in!  The kids though - they don't feel the difference!  They both had a blast swimming and splashing. 

3.  Birthday Boy

Nana took him out for Sweet Frogs!

Four?  No way!  He loved this sticker face book!

My son turned four this week!  We enjoyed cake for breakfast and a fun day celebrating our favorite little boy.  He just feels my heart with such joy!  He is so full of energy and happiness.  All birthday morning he kept thanking me for his little cake and presents. 

4.  Girl's Day

All grown up - well she thinks so!  I'm starting to see it too.

My daughter and I spent Thursday together - no boys!  We went to Kohl's where she picked out new sneakers for school.  A Sam's trip helped us get our birthday party/back to school/pantry restocked.  We had some Chicfila for lunch.  Then Lizz gave her a new look (goodbye five inches of hair) for school.  After all that we had a nice trip to the library where she stocked up on a series she loves and I checked out Eleanor & Park and another book that I cannot wait to read!  (Sorry, I forgot the title.) 

5.  Open House

This is a big year.  Third grade is a huge transitional grade and we're ready for it!  I think I am?

I guess it is official that now we have a straight up third grader in our home.  WOW!  I was told once my kids hit elementary school the years would fly by and that was no lie.  I remember her kindergarten open house like it was yesterday and now we're starting third grade?  This year will rock out - I'm loving her teacher and I'm pumped at how excited my child remains about school. 

Last week we were on vacation in South Carolina.  I recapped our favorite pieces of vacation on Monday.  Check it out for the beauty of Brookgreen Gardens and to get your beach fix!

Tasty Tuesday is BACK!  This season I'm giving you menu plans!  If you need help with dinner ideas for next week then click here to see our menu plan.  This post is totally kid friendly and simple.

Wednesday was the day I brought a sweet little boy into the world!  To celebrate him my post was devoted to him on Wednesday.  

Product Review Thursday came at you this week!  Emily from Simply A Rough Draft and I are teaming up to bring you reviews on products from our Influenster boxes.  You'll get totally honest and often differing opinions on new products.  This week we shared our reviews on Snackwells newest item and Shea Moisture shampoo!

And if you haven't tuned into my Snap Chat yet then now is the time.  I have started a new series? called Blog & Jog.  I take you with me for a few snaps (or ten) and chat while I am on my morning jog.  Topics are random and so far it has been so much fun!  I hope you'll add me and join in!

Have a great weekend!  We'll be birthday partying and fantasy drafting!
xo-
Amanda

Biscuits and Shampoo!

Hello lovelies!  Today Emily and I are teamed up to bring you reviews on some of our Influenster products from the Revive Box!  On Thursdays we will be sharing our thoughts on items we both received to test out for you.  We aren't paid to do this and the items come to us for free.  That all means you get a totally unbiased opinion from the both of us!  Our opinions will not always go hand in hand and we think that is what makes this series so great!

This week we're talking about two totally different items....

Snackwell's new biscuits - they are trying their hand at mimicking Belvita.

&

Shae Moisture's Shae Fruit Fusion Shampoo & Creme Rinse

Here are my thoughts on each:

 An open letter to Snackwells:

Dear Snackwells -

I'm simply not a fan of your line of food products.

Sincerely,

Brownie

Ready, set, try it!

Yes, that sums up my thoughts on these biscuit thins.  I felt like mine - Dark Chocolate Mocha flavored - tasted like a form of edible cardboard.  I dipped it in my coffee thinking that was the key to getting the best flavor but I was wrong.  I tried one with milk and I still was afraid I was ingesting cardboard.

Unfortunately, I cannot speak for the other flavors of these biscuit thins because I only received the one.  The other flavors could be fabulous!  But I must ask you to step away from the Mocha flavored ones.  

Sorry this does not turn my palate on, honey.

Nutrition facts for those of you who are low carb and low sugar scream for you to stay away from this snack.  It is high in carbs (over 20 grams) and quite high in sugar.  However, if you have a carb day then you could use these for breakfast due to the high carb level.
Even though my review of this product is thumbs down I have a coupon for you so you can decide for yourself.  What I say may not be what you personally think.  That's what makes the world go 'round and round!  That is also what keeps Snackwells going strong!
If you will go over to my Twitter page you can get a $1.00 off coupon to try these guys for yourselves!

Now let's talk #sheamoisture for a hot second!

It is go time - testing out this product!

Shea Moisture is the one shampoo that has never found a home in my shower.  I was really excited to get this product to try out!  I actually put it to the test of all tests and tried it while on vacation at the beach.

This is supposed to hydrate our dry hair and dry hair I did have!  Days of heat, salt, and sand had my color treated hair screaming!

I tried the Shea Mositure Shampoo and Creme Rinse and guess what....
It was all thumbs up!

I may be dressing like college but the biggest deal is my hair looks and feels as great as it did in college!

This product left my hair silky and pretty!  The smell was amazing.  My kids could smell it wafting through the hair and commented how wonderful it smelled.

For roughly $9 a bottle I can see myself purchasing this product at my local Walmart, Target, or drug store!
So this wonderful little concoction gets two thumbs up and a big ole cheesey grin from me!

Until next week---
xoxox
Amanda

My baby is 4!

August 24, 2012

I really, truly have no idea how it is possible that my baby boy is turning four years old today.  There is no joking and using that line as a filler because I couldn't think of another way to open it up.  I seriously am confused at how fast this little baby has grown into a preschool kid. 

His favorite color is orange.
His heart is huge!  He loves his mommy and his sister so much he wants to marry us both (wrong state buddy!)  His daddy is his hero and he has placed him on the highest pedestal you could imagine.
His favorite food is soup and anything sweet.

He loves going to school.
When he grows up he says he'll be a "vet doctor" and work on doggies.
The kid has a deep fascination with bugs.  Which makes me nervous since he also has no fear.

His first birthday.

He sings and sings and sings.
But the best thing?  He smiles for days, he hugs us all, he loves to cuddle up in our laps.  He's the best little piece of this family's puzzle that made it complete.

I'm so in love with my little boy.  Happy birthday sweet boy!

xo-

Amanda