Happy

 

 

 

Truth

 

Happy Sunday!

Busy weekend!

Friday we had family over for a Chinese New Year celebration.  I didn't have time to get or make an authentic Chinese dessert, but I found this Yuzu (Japanese fruit) Tart at Maison Kayser in the city.  Everyone, including the kids, loved it!

Yesterday I went for an oxygen facial which was something new - I liked it.  We then went out with our good friends for dinner and drinks.   I had so much fun with them - lots of laughs!!

Today was the usual piano.  We then ran to BJ's to start to pick up stuff for a big 90s/college party I am hosting next weekend. CAN'T WAIT!!!

Busy now with the first ever homework assignment for my middle one. He is learning how to write his name. So cute. :)



Side note - his big brother gave him a haircut thurs - hence the super short bangs. :)

Almond Meal Chocolate Chip Cookies With Coconut

This article about different types of friendships was posted on facebook yesterday.  I thought it was really interesting so wanted to share.

In other news made these Almond Meal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Coconut. No photo to share because they were inhaled in less than five minutes.  So good.

Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend!

Valentine's Day 2015

I have been sick as a dog since Wednesday.  Yesterday was the worst of it; however, I managed to force myself to be up and at 'em starting at 5:45 AM for the sake of my entourage of men who were SUPER excited it was V Day.   We started off with the circus at 10 in the morning:

I told them to wear their red shirts, but my middle one decided to put on this sweater my great aunt made 40+ years ago. He looked so cute!

My big boy made us a card which included money.  Still not 100% certain where this money came from!



We all ventured out into the snow with my grandmother-in-law for an early dinner at Mama Assunta.  It was good!

My annual VDay gift of a picture album filled with memories from the prior year.

Today we are laying low - my evening plans are cancelled which is just as well so I can rest.  About to dig into arts and crafts and then decorate for St Pat's and that's it!

The kids are off from school this week so I am looking forward to time off from homework and strict bedtimes!!
 

Personal Trainer

Yesterday was a cruel joke.  Seriously.  In the morning while I was surrounded by mountains of laundry the washing machine repair man told me the part needs to be ordered and won't be in for at least 6 days.  Really?

A bit later I fell on my #ss.  I of course had an audience who rushed to help me which made it that much worse.  The rest of the day I ached whenever I was walking or standing, but if I am being honest I giggled about it a few times because I am sure I was a spectacle to those who saw it. :)

Then waiting on the passport line for nearly two hours I started to feel sick -- nauseous (don't go there - I am not) and extreme fatigue.  It was bad.  Feeling better today thankfully.

By the time I got home all I wanted to do was take a shower and go to bed.  My middle guy started excitedly calling me he wanted to show me something -- I wasn't in the mood but followed him to see what the fuss was about.  All on his own he cut out and colored about a dozen hearts and taped them together.  He said it was for me because I am the best mommy.  Made that crappy day melt away. :)

The other good highlight was my sweet big boy made his reconciliation so I was at his school in the morning for that celebration. 

Anyway, today I am DETERMINED to have a good day.  DETERMINED.  It's already working because Starbucks upgraded me to a venti just because. :)

So looking forward to go for my fourth session tonight with a personal trainer.  I haven't been to a gym in years because it is impossible between working full time and being present for the kids.  But I am on a mission so finally found someone who could meet late after the kids are in bed since I am not a 5 AM type chick.  So I am going two night a week around 9:30 pm.  The guy is AWESOME.  And even though I would rather go under the blankets instead of going out in the freezing cold at that hour I have to say every time I finish the session I feel fantastic.  Don't say you don't have time -- you can make time for what you want to make time for and this is case and point!

Happy friggin' Thursday!

Pancake Squares

Yesterday's chicken pot pie was a hit - the little men devoured it!

One of my friends emailed me this recipe for Pancake Squares.  She said her family loved them and it was so much easier than flipping pancakes.  Feel free to add in whatever toppings you normally would -- blueberries, bananas, etc.  I am going to give it a try next weekend.

Chicken Pot Pie

Friday night was a bust.  We were supposed to have a big playdate at my house, but as soon as I got home the little guy puked so we had to cancel.  Bummer!

It's birthday party season. Yesterday I took my middle guy to a party and this afternoon taking my big guy to one. 

Last night we got a babysitter for a rare night out.  We went to Mulino's in Westchester.  Look at the app we had! YUM!

 

 

Big boys have piano in a bit. I asked my husband to take them so I can get the house in order.  Blueberry muffins are in the oven already and next up I have to prep tomorrow's dinner. My big boy asked if I could make a chicken pot pie.  Found this recipe so going to give it a try.  Will update if it comes out good!

 

Bracing for more bad weather tonight.  My Dad is coming down later so we can get to work --he's the bestest. :)

 

One final random thought in this completely disjointed, all over the place post -- there are so many areas of my life where I feel so lucky.  One is in the friends department. There are a few friends in my life that no matter how busy they are, or what difficulties they are going through are always there for me  (D, M, R, J, A, B) -- always checking in to see how I am doing with a simple text or email or dropping whatever they have going on to lend an ear.

 

It struck me I had to give a shout out to these ladies when yesterday out of the blue I received a book in the mail for no reason.  This is from one of my friends who just finished traveling cross country and is settling into her new digs in LA and has a million other things going on, yet still stopped to think of me and do something to make me smile.  It just made me so grateful to have such great people who truly care about me.

 

And if I am giving her a shout out I have to give it to one more too -- someone who listens to me EVERY day multiple times a day and no matter how many million things she is juggling on an average day she still will proactively check in with me to see how I am doing.  And I do my best to reciprocate but lately I have been pretty bad I have to say.  Yet she still shows me on a daily basis she cares even though I am clearly turning into a flake. :) 

 

I am a lucky lady! xo

 

 

 

 



How to Spend the First 10 Minutes of your Day

Found this article on HBR with tips on how to spend the first 10 minutes of your day.  Thought it was useful.

Happy Thursday!

That's right.

Healthy Winter Recipes for the Crockpot

Need some hearty comfort food dishes to warm you up in this freezing weather?  I found this listing of Healthy Winter Recipes for the Crockpot from Eating Well.  

I put the Rich Chicken Stew & Flemish Beef Stew on the meal plan for February.  If we like it I will report back!

Daily Dose of Inspiration

Yes, Yes and YES!

 

 

Happy snow day!  The kids and my husband are all home today.  I have had my fill of testosterone so headed into the city for a little break from it all. :)  Happy Monday!

Testosterone Overload

Every day in this house is like a frat party, but Super Bowl Sunday with only me and a house full of men may be testosterone overload for me!

The good news is I was told I didn't need to lift a finger. The men are taking care of all the cooking.  So I am sitting back and resisting the urge to ask what serving dishes they plan to use. :)

Had a busy morning which included my littlest guy falling and smashing his face.  Blood was pouring out of his nose which freaked me out.  Thankfully all he is left with now is a fat upper lip.  Breaks my heart to look at him, but he keeps saying he is all better.

At 3:00 today we had a piano recital for my oldest.  He played Spring by one of my favorites - Vivaldi.  He did a great job; so proud of him!

Finally, forgot to post last week this super easy homemade waffle recipe.  I have made a lot of different homemade waffle recipes over the years and this was a rare one that didn't require whipping egg whites which I find to require too much effort at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning. :)
Kids loved them and as always I froze the extras so they can have them again on a school morning for breakfast.