Friday Favorites {#37}

Hello and Happy Friday! We’ve almost made it through our first full week of distance learning, and so far, so good. I’ve said it before, but I will say it again that I’ve been so impressed by my kids’ teachers. They’ve made it an awesome start to the school year. Also, my kids have really been enjoying the tutor’s house as well, so it’s just been a better than expected start for this school year.

Now, “real learning” will start soon, so I know the kids will have more questions and possibly need more assistance once the rigor is kicked up a notch, but I feel like a solid foundation as been laid!

Also, this week, we’ve had extra downtime in the evening which I think has helped, and we’ve gotten back on track with bedtimes, so that’s made it feel more like “back to school.”

Anyway, as always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for some of our Friday Favorites. I hope you’ve had a great week!

Favorite Activities:

Hadley’s taking a few volleyball clinics this month, and the first one was on Sunday. She had fun getting back on the court.

Trav is coaching the kids’ school’s cross country team this year. Due to COVID restrictions, they will have to make some adjustments to how many kids can participate, take temperatures before practices and meets, wearing masks until practice begins, etc. I’m just excited for the kids (and Trav!) that they will be able to run again this season.

I stopped by the first practice, and the yellow flowers were so pretty that I convinced the kids to let me take their pic….only to then realize Hayden was wearing his neck gaiter as a headband 😂 Oh well, they are silly, and the flowers are pretty!

And, no pic, but Hayden got in a round of golf on Sunday with Trav and a friend, so he was excited about that.

Favorite Moment:

I meant to share this last week, but we had a sweet moment with the custodian at the kids’ school.

Last week, we took a “recess” break and met some friends at the school. Their main custodian came outside (wearing a mask), and smiled when he saw all the kids playing.

The moms chatted with him for a bit, and then he said he was going to bring the kids some bottled water which they, of course, appreciated. Then, as it was time to go, he was telling them all goodbye, and said to the moms, “Just because we aren’t in school, they are still our kids.” It was such a sweet thing for him to say; I have a feeling that school is too quiet for him right now!

Favorite Food:

Three words for you: Sheet. Pan. Nachos.

Why has it taken me this long to throw some chips on a sheet pan, add taco meat, toppings and bake for a few minutes? I made these Monday night, and they were a hit. I served them with Trader Joe’s Mexican Style Roasted Corn. Easy and delish.

Other Faves:

I love getting pics of the kids from the tutor during the day. It’s fun to see them working and playing! The group pics are often hilarious and a bright spot in the day.

Our niece, who is in grad school, started a business making headbands with a friend. We purchased a few for Hadley, and she loves them. So far, she’s been rotating the camo and cheetah print depending on her outfit 😊

Check out Em and Hayls Headbands on Facebook.

Hadley took this selfie…so cute! (and definitely shows her personality!)

Of course, when Homer is chill and not destroying property, he is our fave 😉

Well, it’s Derby week around here. Derby week is usually filled with festivities, and Travis and I typically go to Oaks. It’s such a bummer that Oaks and Derby are being run in September and with no fans…but I understand the restrictions that have been put into place.

I had to put up a couple Derby decorations to mark the occasion.

By next week, I will probably hang up my pumpkin door hanger! 😂

Trader Joe’s Faves:

I made a Trader Joe’s run, and picked up some of our faves.

• Dill Pickle Hummus (that I usually eat with TJ Thin Mini Crackers) or veggies.
• Buffalo Chicken Dip (that I usually eat with TJ Corn Chips) or veggies.
• Tzatziki Cucumber Dip which is perfect with veggies or TJ gyros.
• Sweet Potato Chips
• Salami
• Molasses Cookies (So good that Homer even ate six of them right out of the box a few months ago) #baddog
• Pita Bite Crackers (perfect for any of the dips or the cheese and salami)
• Chocolate Covered Marshmallows (So good!)
• Havarti Cheese with dill (my fave!)

I picked up a few of our other staples like frozen risotto, gnocchi, Mexican style roasted corn, chips and a few other odds and ends.

Trader Joe’s never disappoints!

Favorite Kid Quote:

Hayden and I were watching a close KC Royals baseball game where the bases were loaded (for the other team). Hayden said, “I can’t watch this!” And took off his glasses 🤣He’s basically blind without the glasses, and I couldn’t stop laughing!

Favorite Mom Meme:

Team Forever Exhausted over here!

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday

As always, I love to share Facebook memories, and I love these pics from 2011.

Listen, I can’t remember what I wore yesterday, but I actually remember taking these pics. I had just returned home from a consignment sale that was hosted by Bluegrass Parents of Twins and Multiples Club. I tried a few of the clothes on the kids (and this was probably the last time Hayden wore jeans!) 😉

Hadley with the book and sassy face was par for the course back then. Hayden, holding Trav’s phone, and giving me the sweet smile is forever a fave pic!

Then, their first day of preschool popped up the other day. They had the best sitter when they were little, but the year before kindergarten, I signed them up for preschool two days a week (and they went to the sitter the other three days).

This was a great trial run for kindergarten, and we put them in separate classes which proved to be a wise choice…and set the tone for elementary school. Hayden needed to rip off the” Hadley doing everything for him and speaking for him” Band-Aid! 😂

I remember Hadley being so excited and Hayden being very hesitant, which, again, shows the differences in their personalities.

I’m not sure where Hayden’s backpack and lunchbox are, but I love this pic.

Weekly Recap:

I hope everyone has a great three day weekend! Thanks so much for reading.