Friday Favorites: On Stage

Happy Friday friends! Today, you'll find me recovering from #allthethings. This week was busy, and I'm exhausted! I'm taking the day to do some self care and to just recover. I'm also doing some laundry. #itneverends

Today, I'm linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci for Friday Favorites. 

Last week, Megan was able to showcase her show team gymnastics routine, and sadly, I caught the very end of it! We had a parent meeting, and I got there in time for it, but the girls showed off their dance before the meeting. I thought I was videoing, but it turns out, I wasn't, so I only got this picture. Can you see her in the purple leotard in her backbend?

Gymnastics is her favorite, and I'm so proud at how far she's come! 

Last weekend, we had a lazy day. DJ left for a recruiting day at football, and the girls and I ended up in our jammies all day. It wasn't really the plan, to not go anywhere, but that's how it turned out, and I'm not mad about it. They spent too much time watching videos, we binged on some Netflix, and cuddled on the sofa. 

Later in the afternoon, we had a game of Monopoly and I may have wanted to bang my head against the wall. 

Well, at least one of us got dressed! Ha! 

Sunday morning, Gretchen performed in Mary Poppins Jr. She's been taking a theater class here since January, and their debut performance was Sunday. We all went as a family to support our little star. 

She had three different roles in the play and was fabulous! We brought her a bouquet of flowers to celebrate her hard work. 

She's my favorite little actress! 

After her show, we headed downtown to Chuy's for Cinco de Mayo. It was about an hour wait, but a sweet couple was sitting outside and told us we could have their table and eat outside without a wait! We were so thankful because the girls were starving! 

Once we got home, the little girls and I headed to the pool! 

Did y'all celebrate teacher appreciation week this week? On Monday, we sent each teacher a body butter from Young Living. On Tuesday, we sent them truffles, and then on Thursday, a little Rae Dunn to-do list. Today, we're sending in gift cards with a thank you note written from each of the girls. We're so thankful for their teachers and all the hard work they put in, and how much they've helped our girls adjust this year after the move. 

Monday night, Gretchen had acting practice again, so we dropped her off and met DJ for dinner. We found a fun little restaurant,  8 Track,  which had hula hoops, jenga, connect 4, and tetherball outside. The girls played for a while before dinner which was a perfect way for them to burn off some energy. 

 

Just rocking with this sweet girl, waiting on our food. 

DJ had the Korean Chicken Sandwich and said it was really good. 

I opted for the Schnitzel sandwich which was so good! We both loved the homemade chips. 

After the girls ate, they had hula hoop competitions. 

DJ took the girls home, while I waited downtown for Gretchen to get out of her class. 

Tuesday was a super busy day! I worked a full day, and then picked the girls up from the bus, dropped the little girls at gymnastics, and then made the rounds to pick up a few of Gretchen's friends. We headed back downtown for Gretchen's play. She had to be there early so I took the girls back to 8 Track for dinner. I thought it would be a fun place for them to play before the show. 

Once again, Gretchen was a star! 

We were so proud of her and she was so excited that her friends were able to come and watch her. 

She has the best group of friends here in Texas. 

Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Well friends, once again Mother's Day is sneaking up on us. This year, I have all of our Mother's day gifts bought, but we're still waiting on one to arrive, before we can get it in the mail. Which means, I'll probably be late with at least one gift. Sigh. 

If you're not a planner, and you're running behind on the gift buying, then I'm sharing a few super quick (thank you Amazon gift ideas) for y'all! 

If you're in Texas, then you may have a Tiff's Treats nearby! They have Mother's Day specials, or you can stop by a store, grab some hot cookies, pick up some flowers and you're all set! It's totally last minute, but also doesn't appear super last minute! We are huge fans of their cookies, and it's a fun treat for all of us when a box comes home. 

I love the honest that Rachel Hollis pours out in her book, Girl Stop Apologizing. You can quickly order this one on Amazon if your mom loves books or self development. 

Shari's Berries is another quick delivery service! You can place your order and have them delivered right to your mom's doorstep. Plus, they're super yummy, and you can choose different treats as an add on. 

I received a Jade roller for Christmas and I love it! You can find them on Amazon or in most stores; this would be a thoughtful gift with your mom's favorite moisturizer. 

This Family Cookbook would be sweet, especially if you have time to pre-fill it with a few of the family recipes passed down from your grandmother or even your mother. 

This gratitude journal would be a sweet gift as well, especially with a pack of cute pens. Each day your mom can write down a few things she's thankful for. 

A pair of house shoes for summer; my mom loves wearing house shoes around the house, but she has a warm winter pair, and I love the detail of these with the bows. 

This fruit infused water bottle is a wonderful gift idea! I love that you can fill it with strawberries, kiwi, or even cucumbers and infuse your water! It's also BPA free and leak proof. 

Now, head on over to Amazon and get to gift buying! 

You have exactly three days, which should be perfect timing if you have Amazon prime!

Happy last minute Mother's Day shopping! 

Top Golf

Well friends, May just got started and it's already been a hectic month! I totally went MIA on the blog because I just didn't have a ton of time to sit down and write. Gretchen's been busy with tech rehearsals for her play; Megan's been busy with gymnastics; work for me was busy this week and even though it's not football season, DJ's been busy getting his office and moved and doing all the other things! Addy's just been along for the ride! Ha! 

Gretchen came home from school on Thursday with not one, but TWO lost teeth! I don't even think we realized they were loose! 

Addy lost a tooth a few weeks ago, then Gretchen, and Megan's just lost one too! The tooth fairy should just move in with us!....... Oh, wait..... 

Last Thursday evening, we took DJ's video staff and students to Top Golf as an end of the year celebration. We have tried to do this the last several years, and some years, we're able to get something scheduled and other years, we aren't able to, but it's always our goal to get the staff and students together outside of football and let them know that we are so appreciative of all they do! 

It's because of them, that DJ has been able to make it to a few of the girls events throughout the year, or leave work a little early to help me shuffle the girls to event to event. We are so thankful for them and their dedication! 

I mean, this guy loves golf, but doesn't get to actually play as much as he'd like.

She loves to throw the "hook 'em" anytime she can! 

The girls had a blast! We rented two bays, and had a ton of food! 

I love this guy and his dedication to his job!

And again, he couldn't do what he does without these people! 

Thank you to the best staff in college football video! 

(Psst- I say that every year, because we have been so blessed with everyone that has worked with DJ throughout the years! I keep up with many of his former female students and he keeps up with others, and it's been such a journey to see them move on to working on football themselves or getting other jobs, getting married, having families... we are just so appreciative of all of them!)

Weekend Wrap Up

Happy Wednesday friends! I know it's a little late in the week for a weekend wrap up, but I needed to take Monday to recover from the weekend! We were busy, but we squeezed in some much needed family time and fun. 

Our calendar is booked solid in May, so this weekend we had some downtime while exploring Austin and squeezing in lots of fun. 

Friday was crazy sock day at school. Adalyn put on socks and decided that they were itchy, so she opted for crazy shoes instead. And, a crazy face for this picture! Ha! 

Megan had a living wax museum, and DJ and I were both able to go and see her. She researched Gabby Douglas, and was the perfect little Olympian. 

She had so much fun with this project, and my mama heart was nervous because she's not typically one to speak to people she doesn't know, so I was afraid that she'd be nervous, but she did great!!! She knew all about Gabby! 

We were so proud of her! 

Friday after school, Gretchen was invited to her friend's house and Megan had gymnastics, so it was just Addy and I. Then, DJ came home early, so we treated Adalyn to ice cream. 

Friday night, I attended an oil class in Austin and met Dr. Jim Bob Haggerton. He's a chiropractor in the Dallas area and so well knowledged in Young Living and essential oils. 

Saturday morning, Gretchen had her tech rehearsal for her upcoming play, so DJ and I took the little girls out for a day of fun. 

We headed to a park and found some baby ducks. 

And then headed out to lunch. I have to admit, dining in Austin is the best. There are a ton of restaurants with outdoor seating and so many of them have games for you to play while you're waiting. The girls grabbed Connect 4 and had a fun time playing while we waited for our food.

 DJ and I ordered Boudin balls as an appetizer

and I had a shrimp po'boy for lunch. 

We ate outside and there was a little creek with lots of turtles swimming. 

After lunch, we went to the nature center to explore. 

Adalyn's new favorite animal is a turtle, so she wanted her picture with one in the aquarium. 

We explored all the animals, and let the girls wade in the little creek. 

We picked up Gretchen and then everyone made their own pizzas for pizza night! 

Sunday morning we slept in and DJ installed the girls shower curtain rod (thrilling), and I was able to get some work done, and spend some Old Navy cash! After lunch, we took the girls swimming. The water was cold, but they didn't care too much! 

And later, we went for ice cream again! 

Megan had earned an ice cream treat in our Easter egg hunt, and she wanted to redeem it, but only if we could all go! It was sweet of her to want to include everyone in her treat. 

This week has been busy already, and our we have plans for the weekend too! 

We definitely needed some family together time and so enjoyed each other's company.