Life Lately

Whew! This week has been busy! We started a new after school routine this week, so we've been trying to figure that out, which led to some crazy nights. 

I thought I'd share a little Life Lately today and share what we've been up to. 

Last week, we had warm weather, and Megan played outside a ton. She asked if she could take a basketball to school since the boys never share... and she came home dribbling her ball off the bus. She asked DJ if she could play basketball again, so we'll have to sign her up next season. 

Addy has been coming home with books to read, and she's becoming quite the little reader.

It turned off cold last week and has been cold all week, so we made hot chocolate after school. It was the perfect little treat.

Gretchen had a music performance at school. She looked so grown up and we were so proud of her when she performed.

I can't believe she'll be in middle school next year! 

She has the sweetest little friends at school too!

Before we moved to Texas, we prayed hard that Gretchen would find good friends, and she definitely has! She immediately bonded with a group of 4 girls, and they've had the best school year together.

Last week, the girls school celebrated Dr. Seuss week, and had character dress up day on Friday. In true, mom fashion, I completely procrastinated, so we quickly googled an easy Dr. Seuss character, and came up with Daisy Head Mayzie. A pink dress, a daisy hot glued to a clippie, and the girls were ready. 

Megan had gymnastics so it was just these two at home, and they usually aren't the ones that will play together, so it was sweet to see them cuddling and watching a show together. 

Megan has been in gymnastics for several years and we wanted to get her settled in to a gym soon after we moved. We tried two in November, and decided to go with one that was a little closer to home, a little more affordable, and with more hours for her. But, the entire three months we were there, she was miserable. She cried and didn't want to go, and her teacher was awful. I'm typically not one to complain, but there was no hands on, and they weren't teaching new skills. In fact, they weren't even tumbling and many times the girls would get in trouble and be punished with conditioning. It just was not a good fit. So, we moved to a new gym this week. 

Megan tried a class out with her new gym, and they immediately put her on the show team. She'll be busy 8 hours a week in gymnastics, so while we were waiting for Addy's class to finish and Megan's to begin, she knocked out her homework and was so excited for her new class! 

Gretchen also knocked out a book report while her sisters were in gymnastics. 

This girl got a few solo hours with DJ and I, and she requested Chick Fil A for dinner. She traded in her toy for ice cream- yum! 

I had to laugh this week, because after gymnastics, Megan requested In N Out, so I drove her through to get a burger, and dropped the little girls off at home. I went back to pick up Gretchen from her acting class, and she requested In N Out too. Of course the cashier in the drive through recognized me..... it had been less than an hour.... and I tried to just get through that line as fast as possible! Ha! 

We're looking forward to a fairly low key weekend, and surviving one more week before Spring Break! Thankfully, the temperatures are going to warm up, and after this cold snap, I am SO ready for warmer weather! 

Our Oily Life

Happy Monday friends!

I hope you've stayed warm this weekend! It's been cold here in Austin and there was snow in Oklahoma this past weekend, and we're just over here longing for Spring and warmer weather! 

We've been breaking out our oils in abundance lately, and every so often, I like to share about how we're using them in a little series called Our Oily Life. 

If you're already oily, then hopefully you'll learn a few new ways to use your products, and if you're not oily, then maybe you'll see what the fuss is all about and join us!

First up, Young Living released an updated Premium Starter Kit in January!

They've added two new essential oils- Valor and Peace & Calming, which are both power houses! Valor is our "bravery" blend, and Peace & Calming is a blend we use often for sleep and when we travel.

You'll also get a hand purifier in the starter kit! 

If you think you're ready to grab a kit, click here, and I'll send you $25.00 cash back via paypal!

I love that our kids can use essential oils, and they get really excited when they're able to get involved. A few weeks ago, they each made their own perfume blend with two oils of their choice, and a carrier oil. They had so much fun and love wearing their oils. 

Megan chose Inner Child and Hope, and each of the girls had a personalized roller bottle. 

Here's a peek at our oil cabinet....

We have oils all over the house, but these are the ones we use most often in the diffuser or we need to have them kept close by because we're constantly reaching for them. 

We diffused Rosemary (great for memory) and Grapefruit (great for energizing). 

I love this travel size Fruit & Veggie Wash. When I don't have a lot of produce to wash, I'll spray this on, rinse, and chop. 

This little roller bottle has my perfume blend.... Joy, White Angelica, Valor, and a few of my other favorite blends. I keep this in my purse and use it every day. 

I love diffusing Sleepyize in the girls diffusers at night.

And, when I need some self-care, Young Living's Lavamint Foot Scrub is perfection. And psst- I don't just use it on my feet ;) 

Patchouli and Frankincense are my go-tos on my skin every single night. I love how they moisturize my skin. 

A little Joy in the diffuser to keep us happy :) 

Gretchen made yummy Lemon Poppyseed muffins, but we didn't have lemon juice. She added a drop of Lemon Vitality essential oil, and these muffins were quickly devoured! 

Not all essential oils are recommended for ingesting,  but Young Living has a line that is generally regarded as safe for ingestion. But, do your research and do what you feel comfortable with ;) 

Mirah Hair Oil is my favorite for softening my long hair. 

Here's a peek at my nightstand...... my tranquil roller  and rutavala roller are close by since they're helpful for sleep. 

And this is my power house tub cleaner! 

Our shower floor was getting gross. I hate cleaning tubs.... but thankfully, this combo made it sparkle like new again. 

I've been raving everywhere about The Wildbloomery and her diffuser bracelets. White Angelica is wonderful for calming and soothing and for feelings of protection and security. I wear it often and let the girls wear this one as well. 

We love Young Living's Kidscents line! Their bath gel and shampoo are plant based and contain no harmful ingredients! 

I hear often that people are afraid to try Young Living's Dish Soap because it doesn't foam. But friends, SLS is the ingredient that causes foam and it's harmful to our bodies. Thieves dish soap is plant based and contains no SLS or other harmful ingredients, and I promise, it makes your dishes clean :) 

Another diffuser blend for all of you #bossbabes.

Did you know that for every year, your on Young Living's Essential Reward program they send you a free essential oil that is exclusive to their ER program!  They also reward you at 3, 6, and 9 months, and give you points back on every purchase so you can redeem them for free products! 

Citrus Fresh has been our favorite on wool dryer balls, and I love that I can keep it close at hand with my magnetic oil clip. 

Here's a peek at all the products I ordered in February!

And, can you tell we like the Kidscents products! 

And friends, if you're on our oily team, you can win an ILife Robot Vacuum this month!!!! 

How fun is that?!

Friday Favorites: Give Me All The Sunshine

Happy Friday Friends!!! 

In true Friday Fashion, I'm bringing you my assortment of Favorites and linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci today.

If you're stopping by from the link up, let me know :) 

Today's Friday Favorites includes All the Sunshine!!!

Up until yesterday, the weather this past week in Austin has been gorgeous! 

On Saturday, we had no plans, so we decided to take a day trip over to Fredricksburg, Tx, but first, we stopped at The Salt Lick for BBQ. 

We've been to the Salt Lick in Round Rock, but DJ wanted to go to the original, and friends, it did not disappoint. We're thankful we went for an early lunch, because I can imagine how crowded this place can get, especially when the weather is finally warm! 

You'll find the original in Texas Hill and Wine Country. 

There's a ton of tables to wait outside and even a winery. They also have a playground, so after we ate, we let the girls play for a bit. 

I mean, the food is so good y'all! 

And we all shared their peach cobbler for dessert! Yum! 

We made it to Fredricksburg around 1, and walked through their downtown before heading to the Pacific War Museum. 

The girls do really well through the first half of museums, and the last half, we also have to hurry through. DJ and Gretchen could stand around and read everything, but after a while, Megan, Adalyn, and my attention starts to fade. 

There was a little "We Can Do It" photo prop, and the girls tried their best to reenact the poster. 

After the museum, we had candy :) 

We walked the streets more, and the girls were intrigued by the accordion player. He even let the girls play a few notes.  

Sunday after church, we rode bikes outside. The weather was gorgeous and had warmed up even more from Saturday. 

Eventually, I took a little nap, and this girl did some reading. 

Then, DJ took all the girls to see the Lego Movie, and I enjoyed two hours of quiet at home. It was wonderful!

Monday after school, the girls jumped on the trampoline and showed off a few tricks. 

We have loved the warmer weather!

Adalyn came home Tuesday letting us know that she was a Counting Champ!!! She had to count to 100 all by herself to earn her button and she was so excited! 

These outfits came in from Sparkle In Pink and I'm obsessed. 

They have great quality little dresses and tops and they're super affordable! 

Our front porch got a little makeover since the weather was warm.

We still need to refinish the bench, and add some plants, but we're waiting for it to warm up a bit. 

Wednesday afternoon, the weather was almost 80 and it was gorgeous! It was definitely a teaser for Spring! We walked home from the bus stop, and found..... 

Bunny Rabbit Flowers!!!!

They're actually little weeds, but growing up, my grandmother told me they were Bunny Rabbit Flowers, because if you look at them a certain way, they look like a little bunny. They're the first sign of Spring, and tell us that Easter is right around the corner. As a child, I loved picking my grandmother these bouquets and giving them to her. 

The girls each picked a "flower" and we brought them home and put them in a little vase. 

After snacks and homework, we went back outside for bike rides, scooter rides, and roller skates! 

Megan was being a big helper, like she always is! 

These two girls have the sweetest friendship, and I pray it always continues. 

The weather has turned off cold again, leaving all of us Texans super confused. The other day, DJ had on shorts, a polo, and a long sleeve jacket, and he looked totally confused as to what he should wear. But, when you're in the 50s in the morning, almost 80s in the afternoon, and then in the 40s the next day, we have every right to not know what to wear.