What’s Up Wednesday

Y,all! My mind is blown. How in the world is July almost over?

I do feel like July flew by and now all eyes are on back to school…whatever that may look like!

Since it’s the last Wednesday of the month, I’m linking up with Sheaffer and Shay for this month’s What’s Up Wednesday post.

WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK:

• Sunday: I made Bev’s Meatloaf in Tomato Sauce. It’s easy, hearty, and so delish! I paired that with Trader Joe’s Mushroom Risotto and watermelon.
• Monday: Leftover meatloaf and bagged Ceasar salad.
• Tuesday: Trader Joe’s carnitas with salsa verde. (I mentioned in my Trader Joe’s post that I put the carnitas and salsa in the slow cooker for a few hours for a delicious dinner. I eat the carnitas with a salad, or we do nachos or tacos). Trader Joe’s Street corn will be our side dish.
• Wednesday: We will have carnitas leftovers and fruit for dinner.
• Thursday: I’m making one of my favorite summer pastas. The Pinterest link doesn’t work anymore, but it’s as simple as cooking the pasta and then drizzling it with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and mixing it with the other ingredients. For a side, we’ll have roasted broccoli.

• Friday and Saturday: Like most weekends, we’ll do carry out for dinner. #mamadontcookontheweekends

WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT:

My Memory Lane post yesterday had me reminiscing about when I was a kid. It’s crazy to look at pics of me at the age my kids are now and wonder what they’ll think and remember about their childhood.

WHAT I’M LOVING:

I’m loving Hayden’s new glasses. He’s been wearing these as well as his sports goggles. He looks like such a big kid!

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO:

We’ve been checking appointments off our list (ortho, dental, vision and more).

The kids have been playing outside quite a bit as well as beating the summer heat at home.

Hayden has baseball a few days a week, and Hadley’s been taking dance workshop classes.

We’ve also been checking things off our “Summer Fun” list one thing at a time.

WHAT I’M DREADING:

I don’t know if “dread” is the word, but I am disappointed that we aren’t starting school in a normal fashion this year. I just hate it for my students who need to be at school and, of course, I hate it for my own kids. It’s the last year of elementary school for them as they will be 5th graders this year.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think they’d start their last first day of elementary school online. As a teacher and as a parent, I completely understand the decision. I just can’t believe we’ve been out of the school building for almost 5 months. I’m disappointed that our COVID numbers continue to rise, and we appear to be in a worse situation than when this all began.

Of course, I will have a good attitude about it though because I firmly believe that the kids are looking at us, as parents, and will respond accordingly. Hadley is bummed that this is how school is starting. Hayden seems pretty indifferent about it all. So, even within my own household, I have to choose my words carefully and react in a way that will be best for my kids.

I saw this recently on social media, and it certainly rings true.

WHAT I’M WORKING ON:

I’m working on getting organized for the school year. I buy a new lesson plan book every year. I always feel better once I get all the dates and my preps written in it. I always buy new colorful pens to brighten up the pages. I do love a planner and pens!

WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT:

Hadley starts back to her dance classes next week. They are going to use August to brush up on their recital routines and then have an in studio dance recital before starting the new semester of dance in September.

Hadley had dance recital pics yesterday. I always underestimate how long it takes to get a girl in tights, her hair up in a bun, and some blush on her cheeks! And…Hadley’s better at the hair and makeup part than I could ever be!

WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING:

I love the show The Rookie on ABC, I’m a big fan of Nathan Fillion. I’d fallen behind with watching it, so I’ve been getting caught up on it. I just have one more episode of the season left to watch.

Hayden and I started watching Alone on Netflix. This is apparently the sixth season, but I’m not sure how to see the other seasons. Ten contestants are placed in the Arctic wilderness to see if they can survive 100 days (I think?) and win $500,000. Each person films themselves, hunts the land for food, makes their own shelter, etc. Let me just go ahead and say that I would last 1/2 a day. 😉 I don’t even think I could make coffee over a fire…and, I guess I’d first need to know how to start a fire!

I just finished reading Feels Like Falling and then started The Family Upstairs. I’m working on my What I’ve Been Reading (in July) post for Friday.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO:

I usually only listen to podcasts when I walk, and I haven’t been walking as much lately. I still love Landyn’s podcast when I am out for a walk.

Also, as I type this post, I’m hearing silence! Both kids are outside playing 🙂

WHAT I’M WEARING:

I’ve been loving my new sandals from Amazon. I’m sure before summer is over, I will get another pair in another color!

When we went to Walmart last week to pick up Hayden’s glasses, I saw these workout shorts. I’d been on the hunt for a black pair, and these have been a perfect fit. They are the Avia brand. I can’t seem to find them online, but they were only $12 in the store and remind me of Athleta or Lulu shorts. They do have a built in biker short which I didn’t realize until I got home, but I actually like that detail.

I also didn’t immediately find the exact workout tank I bought, but I bought one in coral and one in gray. They have a split hem and cover your bum if wearing leggings. The tanks were only $6.96 each. My tanks seem similar to these.

I’m also a sucker for pajama shorts! I’ve purchased a few mix and match Secret Treasures pajamas over the past couple of years from Walmart. I picked up this pair of shorts to add to my collection.

My Shop Style Your Senses bracelets arrived recently, and I’ve been wearing them on the regular.

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND:

We don’t have too much planned. I’m sure we will lay low at home in between Hayden’s baseball games.

WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

No matter what school looks like when we start, I will certainly treat my kids to our traditional Back to School breakfast.

Thanks so much for reading. Don’t forget to check out Sheaffer and Shay’s posts too!

I hope you are having a great week.