Wednesday, September 30, 2015

What's Up Wednesday


It's the last Wednesday in September.  It's the last day of September.  Tomorrow is the first day of October!
Crazy!!!

I truly do not know where this month went!  But with Lacie starting school, John's crazy work schedule, and dance class - we have been busy busy busy! 

Like I always do, I am linking up with Mix and Match Mama to bring you my What's Up Wednesday! 



What We're Eating This Week
Pizza and Wine
Just kidding...not really.
We are also making my Crockpot Pulled Pork Tacos!

What I'm Reminiscing About
The closer that Paisley gets to one the more I reminisce about this:


And because she looks identical to Blakely, I have been reminiscing about this:


And since Lacie started school, I have also been reminiscing about this:


Where did these tiny, sweetest, snuggliest babies go?!?


What I'm Loving
Fall!  The weather has been glorious!  Cool nights and mornings but still warm during the day!  This is my favorite type of weather.  Cook enough that I can wear leggings and a long sleeve t-shirt...but still warm enough that I can wear flip flops!  Seriously I hold onto flip flops until it's cold enough to wear Uggs! 

What We've Been Up To
A little bit of everything!  Mostly September has just been a huge adjustment month for everyone!  Lacie went from being home full time to being in preschool five mornings a week.  That's been tough for everyone - no more lazy mornings!  Blakely also really misses her big sis when she's at school!




What I'm Dreading 
Nothing!  Except snow.  Yep.  I'm seriously already thinking about how much I hate snow!


What I'm Working On
Being more organized!  With Lacie starting school, and our schedules getting busier, I have to be super organized!  My Erin Condren planner is my BFF!  In fact, Lacie's preschool gave us the schedule for the entire year which meant that I needed to order my 2016 planner already!

You can click here to sign up for an Erin Condren account and get $10 off your first purchase!
https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/lindsayhilosky0801

What I'm Excited About 
Disney World!!!
We go to Disney in 45 Days!!!
45 Days!!!
When we planned this trip it seemed so far away, and now it's almost here!

What I'm Watching/Reading
I am currently binge watching 90210 on Netflix (don't judge)!  I watched the original and I started watching this back in 2008 but I never kept up with it.  Now I'm hooked!  Sometimes a Mama just needs to watch mindless high school drama during nap time! 

And these two shows are back on!!!


And I am actually reading a book!  Woot!  My sweet friend Amanda lent me a book called Bringing Up Bebe - so far it's a really easy read about French style parenting!  



What I'm Listening To
Tomorrow is October so we listen to a lot of this in the car:

And any time the kids are not with me, I'm listening to this:



What I'm Wearing
Christmas Pajamas!  I may not love the winter and cold weather - but I get seriously excited when it's cold enough at night for me to wear coozy, fleece Christmas PJs!  And for my that temperature is when it's below 70 at night!

What I'm Doing This Weekend
Lacie has her third soccer practice/game.  The first two were a bit tough for her and I told her that she didn't have to go but she is saying she wants to...so we shall see!


We are also celebrating my friend Amanda's daughter Blair's First Birthday!
Her first birthday tells me that Paisley's first birthday isn't that far away...


What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month
Halloween!
More Fall Weather!
Pumpkin Spice Everything!
New Fall Recipes!

What Else Is New
Going to Disney in 45 days means that there are only 45 days until this little miss turns THREE!  Sometimes I am very guilty of thinking that she is 4 like Lacie - they've basically been raised like twins.  But she's really only 2!


What Is My Favorite Halloween Tradition
Trick or Treating!  Growing up my mom didn't keep candy in the house.  Ever.  She fed us really healthy food and treats were limited...so Halloween was my kind of holiday!  I would make a map of the neighborhood so that I could ensure we hit every single house!  And halfway through trick-or-treating I would stop at home to empty my pillowcase full of candy so that I could do the other half of the neighborhood! 
Now that I am a Mama, I don't let my kids eat candy either.  They get dessert and treats but I don't let them have a ton of candy!  Plus with Lacie's allergy, a lot of candy is unsafe!  So instead, the girls go trick or treating but they leave their candy out for the "Switch Witch."  She comes and takes the candy and leaves safe treats, toys, and some new clothes - usually Christmas PJs!  I love this tradition! 

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Taco Stuffed Peppers


I love making Stuffed Peppers for dinner!  There are a few reasons why but (1) it's easy and (2) it's healthy! 


Last week, I decided I wanted to change up my Mexican Stuffed Peppers for Taco Stuffed Peppers!  They came out awesome! 


Your Shopping List for the Taco Stuffed Peppers:

  • 3 large bell peppers - colors of your choosing
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican Cheese blend

Now Let's Make the Taco Stuffed Peppers:
  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees
  2. Cut the peppers in half length wise and remove the seeds and ribs
  3. Arrange peppers cut side up in a baking dish and cook in oven for 20 minutes or until done to your liking (I like my peppers to still have bite)
  4. While your peppers cook, crumble and cook ground chicken in a nonstick skillet
  5. Add taco seasoning according to your specific packet's directions (I had to add water to the seasoning before adding it to the meat)
  6. Once your meat is prepared taco style, stir in the cup of corn
  7. Stuff the six pepper halves with the meat mixture
  8. Top each pepper with a sprinkle of cheese
  9. Place under the broiler until cheese is melted and browned









Friday, September 25, 2015

Friday Favorites: Fall is Here

For me, fall begins on the Tuesday after Labor Day!  But if you follow the actual calendar and not the one I make up in my head than the first day of fall was this week!



Halloween Pajamas


These are always always always a must!  I get so excited that I usually buy them in the summer.  Just like I will buy Christmas Jammies by the end of September!  There is nothing sweeter than little kids in festive, holiday pajamas!  These are the Skeleton PJs I grabbed for this year!

These ones are also cute:
And if you have boys, I love these:
Starbucks Toasted Graham Latte 
and Fall Cups 
 Starbucks did it again! Every year, I wait for the cheery Red Cup to mark the beginning of Christmas Season! This year, they made the wait better by coming out with a fall cup! Fallelujah! This cup is adorable and of course make their seasonal lattes taste even better - that makes total sense right?!? Oh and if you haven't already done so, you need to try their new Toasted Graham flavor - especially if you are not a fan of overly sweet drinks! This one is just perfect!

And if you were wondering about my nailploish - it's from Essie's Fall 2015 collection!  You can get a 4 pack of minis from the collection at Nordstrom! 


Fall Decor
Yup our house has been decorated for Fall/Halloween for two weeks now!  I don't really do too many summer decorations so I always get excited for this time of the year!  The Halloween decorations go up and will stay up until it's time for the Christmas Tree!

We don't do anything fancy - just Halloween hand towels, placemats, ceramic pumpkins, some cute ghost figurines, the girls personalized trick or treat bags - that sort of stuff!




Today I am linking up my blog post with Momfessionals:



What are your Friday Favorites?

Monday, September 21, 2015

Mommy Mondays: Paisley Jean is Nine Months Old


Well I don't know how we got here, but somehow my sweet baby is nine months old!  That sounds really close to the one year mark!  



At Nine Months Old Paisley:
*says I Love You, Mama, Dada, Bebe, Baba
*imitates things that we say and do
*has her two bottom teeth (and the top two are on the way)
*plays peek-a-boo
*claps her hands
*asks for more (food)
*does "So Big"
*pulls herself up to stand and lets go with one hand
*is starting to cruise the furniture

Paisley Loves:
*Elmo
*playing with Lacie and Blakely
*bathtime
*walks outside
*any toy that is musical
*taking two naps per day (Lacie and Blakely were down to one nap at this age)

Paisley Hates:
*Getting her diaper changed...like HATES it


Paisley's Nine Month Stats:
17 pounds
27 inches

Lacie's Nine Month Stats
19 pounds, 4 ounces
28 1/2 inches

Blakely's Nine Month Stats
20 pounds, 15 ounces
28 3/4 inches

A side by side of all three girls on their nine month birthday!  
Lacie/Blakely/Paisley

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Double Chocolate Banana Bread


There is just something about the fall that makes me want bread with my morning cup of coffee!  I love any kind of quick bread but Banana Bread and Pumpkin Bread are my two favorites.  I have a regular, relatively healthy banana bread that I make often.  But I wanted to come up with something a little more indulgent.  And that meant Chocolate!  Double Chocolate!


This Double Chocolate Banana Bread also happens to be Cake Mix Recipe #55!!!

And there are only FIVE ingredients!!!


Your Shopping List for the Double Chocolate Banana Bread:

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup oil - any kind of veggie oil
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips



Now Let's Make the Double Chocolate Banana Bread:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease two 8x4 loaf pans
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, add your cake mix, bananas, eggs, and oil
  3. Beat on low speed until just combined
  4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat on low speed again for 30 seconds
  5. Fold in your chocolate chips
  6. Divide batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 45 - 50 minutes
  8. Allow bread to cool in pans for 15 minutes
  9. Turn out onto cooling racks and allow bread to cool completely before cutting and/or storing




I own two of these loaf pans - in the 1 pound size - and have used them to make all of my quick bread recipes for the last six years!  
 

Monday, September 14, 2015

Mommy Mondays: Lacie Goes to Preschool

So this happened on Friday:



*sigh*

I don't know when she became old enough to get dropped off at school, but she is!  So many Mamas have told me that once this day finally came I would be pushing her out the door...but I just don't feel that way.  As much as I want Lacie to go to school, I miss her sweet face so much when she is away from me!  Plus, I feel that children have the rest of their lives to be in school but you only get five years with them at home, so why would I want to rush school.  But in the end, I used to teach and I know how beneficial preschool is for kids.  Which is why John and I ultimately made the choice to send her even though we had some reservations.  Lacie will attend the very same school I attended <26 years ago> five half days each week!  I think it will be a really nice way for her to transition to full day kindergarten next year!  

Ready to go.  She was most excited about her backpack and lunchbox! 

So proud of our big girl! 

My parents and sister came over to send Lacie off to school! 

Blakely may be smiling in this picture, but after we dropped Lacie off she didn't smile again until it was time to pick her up.  Having them so close in age, 15 months apart, is similar to having twins in that they have an unbelievable bond.  However it's really hard on Blakely because she gets left behind a lot.  Blakely was super happy when it was time to go get Lacie!  I think this will be a tough year for my Sweet B.  She will go to preschool next year! 


John went into work late so that he could drop Lacie off for her very first day!  She looks ready, we look nervous!  Lacie didn't cry at all!  

Ready for School! 


Then I got home and this picture on the left showed up in my timehop.  That was Lacie exactly four years ago!  She was only three weeks old at the time.  If I wasn't already crying, I was now!  Well played timehop, well played!




You can find Lacie's First Day of School Dress Here:
You can find Lacie's First Day of School Headband Here:

Friday, September 4, 2015

Friday Favorites: Lots of Random

Happy Friday!!!  Who else is excited for this three day weekend?  I'm going to soak up every last second of summer before "fall" officially starts in my house on Tuesday!  And then Lacie starts preschool on Friday.  I'm not totally ready for that one...

Here's What I'm Loving This Week

Dance
Lacie getting to go to dance class every single week last year was a big source of jealousy for Blakely.  But now she is old enough to go too!  Blakely will get to be in the class that Lacie completed last year, and she is so excited.  It's a daily topic of conversation in our house!  Dance starts the week of September 14th!  

Here's Blakely trying on her dance shoes! 

And trying on her Tutus! 


Capezio Tutus
The pink and black tutus that Blakely is wearing above are the ones I bought Lacie last year for dance!  She wore them every single week, all year long.  Seriously, these things got thrown in the washer and sometimes the dryer constantly - and they held up beautifully!  They also have a great stretch that allowed them to fit her throughout the year.  I was really impressed with the Capezio quality and I will definitely be buying more this year! 

The Black Tutu:
The Pink Tutu (it comes in black and white also)
A few other tutus that I have my eye on this year:


Lacie's 4 Year Old Well Visit 
Last Friday, Lacie had her four year old checkup. And while going to the doctor is never a true favorite, I much prefer these healthy visits over any sick visits. She got a clean bill of health, which I am so grateful for! She also got two vaccines and didn't cry - she didn't even flinch! Such a brave girl!



Paisley's Fish Tank
I've talked about a lot of baby items in my Friday Favorites before, but I overlooked this one.  Both of the older girls had an older model Baby Einstein Fish Tank, but after Blakely it bit the dust.  So we had to buy a new one for Paisley.  I seriously swear by these fish tanks.  They help them go to sleep and then it gives her something to play with when she wakes up in the morning.  When I walk in the room, Paisley is never crying - ever!  She is either standing up and talking to her sisters or staring at her fishtank! 


 Did you see my latest crockpot recipe that I shared earlier this week?!? I love anything that can be made in the crockpot, especially with the crazy busy Fall Schedule coming up! This recipe is delicious! Click here to see it!


My Crockpot
The crockpot that I use at least once a week is currently on sale!  It's a 6 quart, which is perfect for our family of five!  It also has high/low/warm settings and you can set the cooking time at 30 minute intervals which I love over my original slow cooker that just allowed for 4/6/8/10 hours.



Today I am linking up with:


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