5 on Friday

Whoop Whoop it's Friday!! Which means my weekly ramblings in the way of 5 on Friday!!


ONE
 I have officially been back to my old job two weeks now and can say this was the best decision I could have ever made. You always have that little bit of self doubt in your head when you make big life choices. I had left this job two years ago, did I really want to go back? Did I want to be physically and mentally exhausted every day? Those things were small sacrifices on my end. The positives about going back far outweighed any negative. The number one thing was for my kids. I needed a job with flexibility. It is hard working for someone who doesn't understand that your kids come first or doesn't understand the life of a fire family. I never minded being a "working mom" and never did the whole working mom vs stay at home mom game in my head until 2 years ago. I was never jealous of those stay at home moms or thought they have no clue until then. It is good to be back with the woman that understand those struggles and don't have that "perfect" set up at home with husbands that work a 9-5 job and who put their kids first so if someone needs to come in a half hour late to accommodate their child it is ok. Like me today!! Meredith will be riding the school bus for the first time this year. But because the county school doesn't start til next week there is no bus service. Nick was at the fire house and Mere needed to be at school before he came home. I was able to come in at a later time and take her. We even had time to stop and get Starbucks after dropping Max off at 6:30 to daycare!! I can say without a doubt I AM HAPPY TO BE BACK!!

TWO
Does anyone else have a peanut allergy child? It's a scary allergy to have and there is so much worry on a daily basis. We have been very blessed and knock on wood have not had any reactions in many years that would result in an ER visit. With the start of a new school year though it was time to get new epi pens. You know you are an allergy mom when your school supply list has an epi pen added!!

THREE
Today we have made it through the first week of school and Max's new daycare. So far , so good!! Max likes he new place and Mere loves her teacher. Next week she starts riding the bus for the first time. We are both a little nervous but we have to do what we have to do!!

FOUR
How cute is the Teacher Survival Box we threw together for Mere's teacher?! I like to give the teachers a little something to start the school year off. We are beyond grateful for all the things these teachers do for our kids. It was so easy to do too. I stopped at Kroger for the Starbucks gift card, chapstick, hand lotion, gum, mints and candy bar. I even got the box there. I attached the cutest printable to the front of the box. We did this last year as well. It was a huge hit!!

FIVE
If you know my 4 yr old you know he never has shoes on. He hates them lol. Well I think he gets it from me. As soon as I get home I kick  mine off for the rest of the evening .

Hope ya'll have a great weekend. We have our first soccer game of the season! I can't wait to watch these girls kick butt!

Weekend Adventure { Canoeing the Little Miami River}

ugh I can't even believe tomorrow is the first day of school:( I just am not mentally prepared for another school year. I have come to enjoy the summer days and less strict routine). Mere says she is a little nervous but I have a feeling she will have a great year. We  met her teacher on Sunday and it made me feel better about the whole dyslexia challenge that we face. Max starts at his new daycare tomorrow as well. (preschool starts after Labor Day). I decided to start him half a day on my day off. That will help us both know the drop off and pick up routine on a day I am not rushing to get to the time clock . So this past Saturday we were looking for something fun to do with the kids to soak up the last bit of fun out of summer we could. Max has been begging to go canoeing since last year when we did it on a camping trip. But we couldn't decide if that's what we were going to do or not. I like to plan and be more prepared for outings. Nick on the other hand said let's go do something and we didn't know what. Halfway down the road he was calling a canoe rental and off we went.

We went to Loveland, Ohio and the Loveland Canoe and Kayak. We were able to fit on one canoe which made it super affordable to do. It was less than $50. Of course had I been more prepared I would have brought waters with us and had the kids swim suits. Also you can bring well behaved pets so we could have brought Sophie as well. So note to ya'll if you plan a canoe trip bring with you your swim suits, towels, drinks (no alcohol), snacks, and of course sunscreen.

Max was really scared at first which we were shocked. He was the one who wanted to go lol. But once we got out and let them play (lots of areas to get out ) and we got back in he was fine. If you have little ones just keep that in mind. If we had gotten out in the beginning we would have saved ourselves and him!

I can't wait to go back and do it again!!!

Thoughts on Friday

I am in total denial that it is my kids last weekend free before school starts back next week. Ya'll didn't summer just start?? I know some moms out there that are excited to send their kids back to school. But that has never been me. I think the difference is when you are working it is tough and the days pass in a blur of survival. Also getting back to a nightly routine and all the homework, practices, and sports has me in a panic.  My type A personality loves routine and order but I know how my kiddos will fight it the first several days. Plus finding our new groove will be challenging (or maybe I will be surprised. who knows. ) Mere is riding the bus to and from school and Max is starting at a new daycare/preschool. I am stressing how Mere will do in 4th grade with her dyslexia. I hate to see her struggle and the thought of it all is almost too much some times. I know Max isn't too happy about the idea of a new school either. But he will do fine. He is a little excited. Every where Max has gone he has them sweetened up in no time. I am trying to soak up the last days with as little stress and worry as my head will allow. I want to enjoy the kids so that's our goals for this weekend as well as open house at Mere's school.


We did a lot of fun things this summer from Charleston, pool days, spending several nights in Augusta, and going to hike. I really wanted to fit in a camping trip but it just wasn't possible with our busy work schedules. That is on our plans though for the coming weeks. I am already planning next summer's vacation along with a Charleston trip thrown in there.


I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Max has been wearing his Kentucky Wildcat toboggan every night to bed. He says it is comfy lol.  

One last pool day on my off day this week

They love to be at the pool

Soccer practice started back already!! Excited for our first game next weekend.

Reading Lately {Summer Edition}

Ya'll I have been on a reading kick lately. I don't watch t.v (unless it is basketball or college football season. GO CATS!) but I do love to read. I finish one book and start a new one immediately. Life has been super stressful as of late (shocking. I feel like it is always but more so lately. New job change, getting back to school ready, ya know. just life lol) and reading helps with my stress level. It is fun to submerge into something else and get away from it all in the pages of a good book. Here are some I have loved!


The Charm Bracelet

On her birthday each year, Lolly’s mother gave her a charm, along with the advice that there is nothing more important than keeping family memories alive, and so Lolly’s charm bracelet would be a constant reminder of that love. Lolly passes down this tradition with her own daughter and granddaughter. There is a story behind each charm that Lolly shares once she receives a sad diagnosis with her family. I truly loved this book and may have a shed a few tears.


Behind Closed Doors

You guys I could not put this page turner down. IT. WAS. THAT. GOOD. We all know that perfect couple who we wish we were more like. You know: inseparable, lovey, doting, flawless. We all want to be them. But we better watch what we wish for. There perfect life isn't exactly what it seems AT ALL.


The Night the Lights Went Out

I have been a fan of all Karen White books. There are a few set in Charleston. So when I spotted this one at the library I immediately grabbed it and checked it out. Recently divorced, Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves with her two children to the suburb of Sweet Apple, Georgia. It’s not her first time starting over, but her efforts at a new beginning aren’t helped by an anonymous local blog that dishes about the scandalous events that caused her marriage to fail. Her new home she is renting from Sugar, an elderly lady that also has a story to tell of her own along with the new wealthy school moms that one isn't what she seems!! 


Any other good books I should read next?

  

5 on Friday!

Happy Friday friends!! Let's get to it! Sharing 5 things on this Friday!!


ONE
Today is my last day at my current job. Two years ago I made the switch from a job I had been at over 10 years. I loved everything about the current job but really missed everyone I use to work with so when I was told about a job opening and some wondered if I might want to come back. At first I was like no way! I really do love working as a mammographer. It is a very rewarding job knowing you have a part in women's early detection of Breast Cancer. BUT my old job offered a few things that were too sweet to pass up. One of those things was a consistent work schedule. That is a stress for me with Nick's job and getting kids to school in morning and not knowing what day I have off. I will have every Wednesday off and knowing that just makes my life so much easier. Ya'll being a working mom is no joke. For those that aren't if you had just a little sneak peak into my crazy life I wonder what you would think lol. It is all a balancing act and lately I feel like I have been failing at that. The past two years I have had another mom take Mere to school. Max could only go to daycare/preschool on days Nick could take him. It was just too much. So with this job change it is going to be the best thing for my family....I HOPE!! I will definitely miss the ladies in the Breast Center . They are the nicest people to work with. Oh and how sweet is my little send off?!

TWO
Yesteday I got my hair cut and colored. Ya'll my hair had the white trash blonde thing going on. Not a good look. I found a cut and color I loved. My girl sure knows how to make my hair visions a reality. I went a little darker for fall and a little shorter. I couldn't be happier!!

THREE
ANyone else have a kiddo that carries around a blankie? My little Max is always with his blue blanket my sister made him when he was born. She crochet's each niece or nephew a blanket for their arrival. Mere still has hers. But Max has his all the time lol. At night he rubs it . It seriously is the sweetest thing. I love the age he is at. I just wish he time would stand still!

FOUR
Speaking of growing up, since Max refuses to stop I guess I better be planning his 5th birthday party! I am not sure how it is possible I am planning his 5th when it feels like I just planned his 1st:( But I do love to plan a party. He wants to do a camping theme. I found some super cute ideas , of course, on pinterest. Now to rent a camp site!

FIVE
Yesterday we went uniform shopping. Mere gets to wear a skirt this year. She thinks she is the queen bee and all grown up lol. I do remember being excited when I got to make the switch from the jumpers to the skirts. I am so thankful for uniforms. It is hard enough shopping for those things. Mere is super picky so this makes it so much easier.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I am working both Saturday and Sunday but hope to enjoy it still!!

Weekend + Tomato Pie Recipe

Happy Monday Friends!! Can you believe it's last day of July?! What the what! I don't want summer to end but yet I love fall! I am a little sad that school will be starting back as well.




This weekend passed in the snap of a finger as well! Friday we headed home to Augusta for my nephew's birthday party at Lucky K's Lake. OMG. It was so fun. The kids had a blast swimming in the lake and fishing.

Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market, daily Kroger run, and spent the rest of the day at the pool while Nick was at the Fire House. Sunday it was gorgeous outside with no humidity so we decided we would let the kids ride their bikes at Kincaid State Park. Well, apparently they are working on part of the road leading to the park and we would have had to go way out of our way to get there. Instead we ended up in Bracken County lol. Since we were so close to the new ice cream place off the AA we couldn't not stop there. The kids played in the creek for a little bit and then had ice cream. We ended our weekend with a cookout at a friend's house. The perfect way to end our Sunday!!

I wanted to share a recipe I tried last weekend with ya'll. I have been seeing recipes for Tomato Pie floating around the blogosphere. I love tomatoes especially in the summer from the Farmer's Market. I decided I would give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised how yummy it was!

Ingredients I used:
Gluten Free Frozen Pie Crust
3-4 Large Tomatoes
Basil
Mayo
Sharp Cheddar Shredded Cheese
Mozerella  Shredded Cheese

Start by layering the tomatoes on the bottom of the pie crust. Then sprinkle the basil over the tomatoes and then repeat. I am horrible at measuring (okay okay .. lazy) but I think I used about a cup of mayo then equal parts of the cheese. Just throw it in the mayo and mix. Then top the mixture over the tomatoes and basil. Cook on 350 for 30 minutes. It really was so easy to make. I ended up doubling and making an extra. Oh, I almost forgot. Once you cut your tomatoes in the beginning put them in a colander to drain the excess water off of with some salt on top!