What’s Up Wednesday {April 25, 2018}

Happy middle of the week to you all!  Last month I stumbled upon this super fun link-up, so today for the second time I am joining up with Shay, Sheaffer  and Mel for What’s Up Wednesday.  A quick little glimpse about what is going on around here!

What We’re Eating This Week

So far nothing I am excited about. Honestly!  We have four baseball games this week and dance rehearsals, so not a lot of time to cook.  Doing the best I can to put simple, healthy meals in my families bellies!  We also didn’t go to the grocery store this weekend so my cupboards are bare!

I did manage to make my quick chicken sausage and orzo pasta recipe for dinner one night this week.  Also added a super simple green salad to make sure we got a serving of veggies.

Then thankfully last night I found frozen spaghetti sauce in the freezer, so was able to whip up spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread for dinner.  Whenever we make spaghetti we always make extra sauce and freeze it just to have on hand for last minute dinners.

One other thing I didn’t do this weekend that would have made my life easier this week was plan out our meals.  I shared my meal planning process in Meal Planning 101: The Ultimate Meal Planning Tips For Busy Moms.  I also included a free meal planning sheet if you want to start meal planning!

What I’m Reminiscing About

April in our house means dance competitions and baseball.  I can’t help but look back a few years ago when my older kids started with both.  They were so itty bitty!  Why does time have to fly by so fast?? And yes, those are soccer cleats my son wore to T-ball at the time.  Since I didn’t know if he’d like baseball, I didn’t want to buy him baseball cleats.  Funny thing is that now he has hung up his soccer cleats for baseball!

Her first dance award three years ago!  Our focus with both kids has always been on the hard work and effort it takes to accomplish their goals, not on the trophies.  (Trophies are fun though too, right??).  So happy to report that these two are starting to realize that hard work pays off in sports, dance, school, and in all areas of life.

What I’m Loving

Spring is here!  We have been enjoying 70-80 degree temps here this week, and while I know it won’t last, I am soaking it up! Signs of spring are everywhere! The trees are blooming, my hydrangeas are sprouting green leaves, the lilac blossoms are opening, my peonies are starting to pop up out of the ground, and everywhere I look tulips are bursting with color.  LOVE all of these signs of new life!

What We’ve Been Up To

April has been a whirlwind.  Which is why I haven’t really been blogging.  We kicked off the month with a trip to Disneyland with my oldest daughter’s dance team. So fun not only to perform in Disneyland, but to be there with some of our best friends!

I had such a great time hanging out with my oldest two.  I am the first to admit that between school, dance, and baseball, it is hard to spend quality time with them. Oh and have I ever mentioned that they have a younger sister who takes up a TON of that time?  😉 I am so grateful that we were able to go on this trip just the three of us.  We had the BEST time!

This kid conquered Guardians of the Galaxy multiple times!  No fear!  I was way too chicken to ride this one.  On the very last day right before we had to leave, my daughter finally got up the nerve to go on it too.  Not sure if she will ever go on it again, but so proud of her for trying something she was scared to do! What a way to end our Disney trip!

Finally, with dance competitions in the mix this month and next I have been bedazzling costumes and cutting skirts shorter…I am not very savvy with a needle and thread or a sewing machine, so any alterations aside from those are pretty much beyond me.  But give me some scissors and a bedazzler and I’m on it!

What I’m Dreading

Spring rain.  While I’m absolutely loving the spring blooms around here, I know the rain will be back.  Trying to stay positive and remember that all that rain is why it is so green around here! Plus, rain gives me an excuse to wear my fun rain boots!

What I’m Working On

Obviously not my blog this month… However, I have been working on renewing my teaching license!  While I don’t have plans to go back anytime soon, I do think it is important to keep it current.  To do that I have to take 75 professional development units by the time it expires early next year.  I only have 21 of those 75 PDUs right now, but I know I will finish in time!

What I’m Excited About

All of this warmer weather means not only more time outside, but more time outside for my kids!  I really need to be better about getting my toddler out of the house.  As the third child, I am just not as good about taking her the park or doing other outside activities as I was with my older two.

Plus I am really hoping that all of this sun helps this cutie and her big brother kick the runny nose (her) and cough (him) that have been hanging on for weeks!

What I’m Watching/Reading

I have been trying to find other ways to occupy my time in the evenings rather than watching television.  Like reading!  Last month I finished The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo.  I thought it was a quick, good read.  Would be a good one for summer when you are lounging by the pool or on the beach.  Although, I did cry at the end, so have tissues ready!

Last week I started reading Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, who is the author of The Girl On The Train. While I am enjoying the book, it isn’t one of those books that I just can’t put down.  Maybe because I am reading it late at night when I am exhausted??

What I’m Listening To

This month I made a playlist for my son’s baseball team that has been on repeat around here.  I tried to convince him to let me add some fun songs from my high school years, but he wasn’t having it. Anyone remember Whoomp There It Is or Jump Around?? Thought those would get the boys moving, but he said no way!  His top favs on the playlist are Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons, Thunderstruck by AC/DC, and My House by Flo Rida. Let me know if you have any fun songs to add!

What I’m Wearing

Finally wearing spring clothes around here! Even better, we have had three days this week of 80 degree weather.  Above average highs for this time of year, but I will take them before the cooler, wet weather returns.  Summer weather has me wearing a few of my favorite dresses – I’m tired of wearing jeans/pants!  I highlighted a few of these dresses last month in a post I did on casual dresses for spring.

Love this little yellow number for spring and summer. It is just so cheery and bright!  It comes in a few different colors and is currently on sale!

I bought a dress very similar to this denim v-neck shift dress at Old Navy last year and wear it all of the time in warmer months.

What I’m Doing This Weekend

Baseball and dance!! We are also attending a dinner party with several friends that we haven’t seen in a little while.  I’m so excited to see what everyone has been up to and catch up!

Hopefully we will also have time to look at hardwood flooring for our house.  We are starting to plan some updates to our home and this is our first step.

What I’m Looking Forward To Next Month

May is another fun and exciting (and busy) month around here!  I surprised my daughter with Taylor Swift tickets and she has been waiting patiently ever since Christmas.  Her first concert ever was Taylor Swift way back when she was in first grade.  Taking her now before she doesn’t want to go with me to a concert anymore!

Memorial Day Weekend!  Beach, barbeques, and the unofficial kick off to summer.  Can’t wait!

What Else Is New

This little cherub stopped napping.  However, she easily falls asleep in the car anytime between 4:30-5:30 when I am driving the older two around from activity to activity.  One of the main reasons I haven’t been blogging much in the last few weeks.  No more two hour blocks of time in the afternoon while she is snoozing!  Trying to adjust my schedule, but it has been hard!!

It is exhausting for ME to have her not napping.  By late afternoon she is a cranky, whiney mess.  Not fun for anyone!  Anyone have any amazing tips to share on how to get things done when your toddler stops napping?

That’s a wrap on What’s Up Wednesday for April!  Hope the sun is shining wherever you are!