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What’s Up Wednesday {September 26, 2018}

September 26, 2018 · 14 Comments

Does anyone else feel like September flew by in the blink of an eye?  With school and extracurricular activities starting up the end of the month was here before we knew it!  We have been so busy around here, like I am sure you all have, that it is nice to take a few moments to reflect on the last few weeks.

What’s Up Wednesday

Each month I try to do this fun What’s Up Wednesday link up party that I stumbled upon last spring with Shay, Sheaffer,and Mel.  A quick little glimpse about what is going on around here!  I love learning more about people, so if you do too, keep on reading!

For full transparency this post contains affiliate links, meaning, I may earn a small commission if you happen to click on a link and make a purchase (at no cost to you).  It also allows me to see what things you are interested in and helps me create future relevant posts.  These small commissions help support my blog (and my kids’ never ending snacking habits!), so please know that I really appreciate you following along!

What We’re Eating This Week

Sunday – A yummy quick and easy fish recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks, 100 Days of Real Food by Lisa Leake.  Added roasted broccoli and homemade biscuits as sides. My nine year old son actually made the biscuits himself!

Monday – I made my Quick and Easy Ground Turkey Tacos with a tomato corn salsa side dish.

Finding meals that the entire family enjoys can be a challenge, but these quick and easy ground turkey tacos are a winner! Not only are they an easy meal to make on a weeknight, but kids and adults can customize these turkey tacos to their own liking.

Tuesday – I threw together Caprese Pesto Grilled Sandwiches with baked sweet potato chips on the side.  Recipe will be coming soon!  This is another meal that is so easy to make on a busy weeknight.  Another bonus is my kids love it, minus the three year old. She strongly dislikes tomatoes so I omitted those on her sandwich. However, she adores sweet potatoes, so at least she’ll eat something!

What I’m Reminiscing About

My sweet baby girl turned THREE earlier this month!  It seems like just yesterday she was born.  I know I say this constantly, but where does the time go??  Part of me wants her to stay little forever and part of me is so excited to see her blossoming into this tiny human.  Except when her “threenager” attitude takes over…

Love that my camera was nearby so I was able to capture these two bonding during those first few weeks!

What I’m Loving

Now that my youngest is in preschool for a few hours a week, I finally have some time to myself.  Don’t get me wrong, I miss her, but I’m not going to lie, I did a happy dance the first day I dropped her off.  Nine years is a LONG time to be at home with my kids so I am enjoying this little bit of “me” time!

My plan is to use this time to work on my blog and catch up on things around the house.  Last week I went out to breakfast and coffee with two of my girlfriends at this sweet little spot.  Isn’t it cute? It is a nursery with this cafe on the property.  The food is delicious!

What We’ve Been Up To

Um, pretty much been running around like crazy since school started at the end of August.  You know, back-to-school nights, dance starting for my oldest, baseball begining for my son, and like I mentioned above, pre-school for the little one.  I feel like once 3pm hits I am constantly in the car driving back and forth between activities.  Someone really should come up with some kind of safe mom taxi service for kids!

Over Labor Day weekend we got away for the day and hiked to this spectacular waterfall. Pictures just don’t do it justice.  So blessed to live in such a beautiful area!

In the midst of all things related to back-to-school, we also celebrated three family birthdays within 10 days.  My youngest, my dad, and my mother-in-law.  I guess you could say four birthdays because I also celebrated the one year anniversary of this blog!  It has been one big party around here this month!

What I’m Dreading

Fall days like these are amazing:

Rainy and dreary fall days are not.  Those rains and cold temps are coming and I am not looking forward to it.  Trying to soak up all of the last bits of sunshine Mother Nature is throwing at us.

What I’m Working On

At the end of August/beginning of September we started potty training our little one. Happy to report that it came fairly easy and was a success!

One of the things I was worried about was how we were going to fit in potty training with our always on the move family.  Problem solved with this amazing travel potty chair.  If you are a mama who is starting to potty train your toddler, you should definitely check this out.  Best money I ever spent and it costs less than some people spend on fancy coffees during the week.  You can read a little more about it in my Friday Favorites post from last week.  It has saved us so many times, and is the perfect solution if you are not yet ready to venture into public restrooms with your toddler in training.

What I’m Excited About

With the kids home all summer I slacked off on my exercise routine.  I feel like I am finally getting back into the swing of things and exercising on average 5 days a week.  Would love to bump that up to 6 days if I can.

Two days a week I go to classes at my gym. The other days I either take a long walk with my three year old in the stroller, or do home workouts via YouTube or an exercise channel through our cable company.  It feels so good to get moving!

You can check out some of my exercise tips including simple ways to get your workout in during the day in my post on Exercise Tips For Busy Moms.

Sticking with a consistent exercise plan as a stay at home or working mom can be a challenge! Here are my top exercise tips to help busy moms get moving.

What I’m Watching/Reading

I don’t think I have read a book this month.  Any suggestions?  I love reading and just don’t make time for it.

My husband and I did just finish watching the Yellowstone television series that was on Paramount this summer.  Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner as the head of the Dutton family who owns the largest ranch in the US.  The ranch is constantly threatened by the interests of land developers, an Indian reservation, and Yellowstone National Park.  The Dutton family is pretty twisted, which I think is one thing that made me keep watching.  We liked it well enough to want to watch the second season next year.  Not a series I would watch with my kids though.

What I’m Listening To

My kids chattering constantly.  With the two older ones at school all day there is A LOT to say in the evenings, and the little one just never stops talking…Hearing their sweet voices is a good thing though, right?  I do love it, but sometimes it is hard to get a word in or have a conversation with my husband!

What I’m Wearing

For the last couple weeks it has been jeans, these cute wedges, and soft and cozy cardigans like this blush colored cardi or this cardigan I bought in beige during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  Both come in several colors and are the perfect staple as we transition from summer to fall. This week we are having a stretch of summer weather so I pulled out my dresses and sleeveless tops.  Had forgotten about this comfy shift dress by Lou and Grey that is now on sale.  I’ll pair it with a jean jacket and boots on cooler days.

These black wedge sneakers are super comfortable - perfect for us mamas who are constantly running around chasing our kiddos.

What I’m Doing This Weekend

I haven’t even looked at my calendar (still taking it one day at a time here in September), but I am guessing baseball, dance, and more baseball.

What I’m Looking Forward To Next Month

Pumpkin recipes!  I have already started cooking a few goodies and can’t wait to share them with you soon!

That’s a wrap on this month’s What’s Up Wednesday. Hope you enjoyed this little peek into our life!  How was your September?

 

   

Filed In: Lifestyle / Tagged: What's Up Wednesday

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    September 28, 2018 at 7:47 pm

    I love this post. It so fun and that waterfall! Amazing. Hope you have a great Fall.

    Reply
    • jgaibler says

      October 3, 2018 at 8:05 pm

      Thank you Sarah! Hope you have a great fall as well!

      Reply
  2. Lana says

    September 28, 2018 at 8:04 pm

    The tacos look SO yummy!! My oldest just started pre-k, so I am not completely kid free yet. I usually am able to get my youngest down for a nap in the mornings, so I have an hour or so to myself before he wakes up or before we go get his big brother.

    Reply
    • jgaibler says

      October 3, 2018 at 8:03 pm

      Oh I miss the days of naps! My three year old doesn’t take them anymore. If she does happen to fall asleep in the car during errands, she is up all night!

      Reply
  3. Tiffani says

    September 28, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    I love your “what’s up Wednesday” What a great way to showcase a little of everything!! You definitely have had a busy month mama, it sounds amazing!!

    Reply
    • jgaibler says

      October 3, 2018 at 8:02 pm

      Thanks Tiffani! I really enjoy writing these posts. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Mamie says

    September 29, 2018 at 3:51 am

    This is a great idea! Love it.

    Reply
    • jgaibler says

      October 3, 2018 at 8:02 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  5. Shan says

    September 29, 2018 at 5:19 am

    I love these types of posts. Getting to see the dishes others eat and things that others do during the week!

    Reply
    • jgaibler says

      October 3, 2018 at 8:02 pm

      It is always fun to take a peek into other people’s lives!

      Reply
  6. Melisa from Crushing Motherhood says

    September 30, 2018 at 2:19 pm

    What a fun post! I love that you have a great balance of inspiration, ideas, tips and also you keep it real!

    Reply
    • jgaibler says

      October 3, 2018 at 8:00 pm

      Thank you Melisa! I always have fun writing these posts!

      Reply
  7. Samantha says

    September 30, 2018 at 4:08 pm

    This is such a cool look into your life. For a book a definitely recommend A Killer’s Mind by Mike Omer, but only if you like shows like Criminal Minds, NCIS, Law & Order, etc. I can’t wait to see your future pumpkin recipes! Happy Belated to your little girl!

    Reply
    • jgaibler says

      October 3, 2018 at 8:00 pm

      Thank you for the birthday wishes and for the book recommendation! Pumpkin spice muffin recipe is now up on the blog!

      Reply

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