Suzanne McGrath Photography

Six on Sunday

Happy Sunday!  I hope you had better weather than we did this weekend.  All we saw was this...

Rain.  All.  Day.  Long.  

 

I think it finally quit about 1pm or so this afternoon?  The sun shined briefly and then we got more clouds and more rain.  Gross.  I was hoping to do so some outside work but that didn't happen.  Oh well.  I rallied and worked on some indoor projects so it was all good!

 

1.  I finished my work on the second gold and gray 1980s chairs I'm redoing.  Now I just need to take the back cushion and armrest to a professional.  Hopefully I can get them dropped off this week!  (No pictures because they look awful without the back pillows.)  I also brought the china cabinet inside and gave it a coat of primer and a coat of navy blue.  I'm hoping I'll be able to finish it this week.  If I can get it done I'll put my current green dresser on CL.  I'd like to buy a new rug for the entry with the money I make selling the dresser.  You know, I'm always scheming...

 

2.  #2 had her confirmation last Wednesday night.  Here she is with her godmother and sponsor, our wonderfully generous friend Susan:

My mom drove down for the special occasion and it was nice to have her there.  Of course the confirmation itself is pretty boring.  Think of a two-hour Catholic mass.  Not my favorite way to spend a Wednesday night, especially when it doesn't end until nearly 9pm!  Regardless, it was nice to celebrate #2 and let her shine bright. 

 

3.  I'm not sure it is with getting old but I swear my body is starting to go to shit.  Tonight I'm talking my eyelashes, specifically.  Seriously, I used to have awesome eyelashes but now they are sparse.  They're still fairly long but not thick.  I was going to try Rodan and Fields eyelash boost (or whatever it's called) but it's $150 a bottle!  Then, I saw someone on Facebook talk about Rimmel's Lash Accelerator Serum and it's only $9.99 per bottle.  No brainer.  I started it about a week ago.  I'll report back on whether or not it works.  I think it takes about a month or so until you can tell.  My fingers are totally crossed because $150 isn't really in my budget for something that is purely for my vanity!

 

4.  #3 had her last guitar lesson yesterday.  At least for now.  She has been taking lessons for two straight years and she has progressed SO MUCH!  I love to listen to her practice because the guitar is such a beautiful instrument.  And some of the songs she plays are really good.  But, she asked to please stop and I didn't want to force her to continue and therefore make her hate the guitar.  Reluctantly I said yes.  My hope is she either picks it back up later or she tries another instrument - maybe band next year?  Anyway, here she is with her awesome teacher, Tom.  (If you need a guitar teacher in Overland Park, holler and I'll give you his contact info.)  

 

5.  I ran a few errands today...

First I went to Home Depot.  I just LOVE Home Depot.  It's right up there with Target in my book!  I wander up and down all the aisles before I find the things on my list.  Today I found tile for #1's shower.  If you remember, I showed a couple samples a few months ago.  Well, she wasn't 100% on board with my black and white theme.  So, we schemed together and came up with a few ideas.  Then, I let everything marinate.  Well, she finally decided she is actually on board with black and white so it's full steam ahead!  I'm thrilled.  I found this 4x12 subway tile and I love it.  I think I'm going to go with this pattern rather than the typical subway pattern.  I'll use a black pencil tile (not this exact one) towards the top to give it a little something-something.  What do you think?  

The fact that it's larger means it will be easier to install.  That makes me very happy!

Then, I took #3 and #4 shoe shopping for #4's First Communion next weekend.  We totally struck out at Von Maur.  Even their service was terrible.  Very disappointing.  We headed to DSW next and struck gold.  She found some shoes she loves.  (They are not very first communion-y but whatever.  They are shoes, not flip-flops so I'm counting it as a win.)  The best part?  They were only $16!  Major score.

Next, we headed to Costco where we roamed up and down every aisle and tried all the samples.  We left with these lights and promptly hung them up:

(Ignore the tippy umbrella.  It was too cold and wet to fix it!)  I've had some Target lights up for years and they held up really well, so I'm not dissing Target.  These were definitely more expensive but I only needed one string of them versus I would probably need three strings of the Target lights so the price is not that much more in the grand scheme of things. Plus, they change colors and turn on and off with a remote.  So cool!  (Yep, I'm re-staining the deck when the damn rain stops!)

Productive, yes?!

 

6.  I started my day out with hot power yoga at Raw Power.  

(Ignore my toenails. It's been too cold to expose my toes so why bother making them pretty?)  Anyway, I've tried several yoga studios but Sunday morning at 9:30 at Raw is my absolute favorite.  I love the time of day.  I love both teachers - Susan or Bree.  I love that it's only an hour.  (Anything over an hour is too long for my brain to handle though I can muster through.)  And it's the perfect temperature.  It's hot but not so hot it takes my breath away.  And it is just the perfect start to my day.  I love how it sets the intention for a productive, fulfilling day.  And that is what today was for me...yoga, coffee, Home Depot, errands with the littles, projects, a family dinner celebrating #4's birthday two weeks late, and a family walk.  Despite the rain it was a near perfect day in my book.  

I hope you have a fabulous week!   

   
 

 

Six on Sunday (plus two extra!)

I'm back this week.  I really meant to post last week but this is our busy season and I just couldn't find the time.  So, I will just have to get you caught up on the last two weeks of our lives.  Riveting stuff, I know!

 

1.  Last weekend we all headed down to Arkansas to celebrate Easter with my mom.  My sister and her troop were there, too.  And thank goodness because she and Jason ended up taking our three littles down with her.  Meanwhile, we stayed back a night and headed down on Saturday.  Here's the scoop...

So our oldest didn't realize she was scheduled to work on Saturday.  Trying to find someone to take her shift was an exercise in futility.  Oh well.  So Aimee and Jason ended up driving over to our house Friday after school and then we traded cars.  They took our Suburban and we took their Highlander.  That way they were able to take our three littles so we could stay back with #1.  (I don't feel comfortable with her driving the three hour trip by herself on highways - some of which are two-lane.  Plus, parties.  I mean, you never know.  After all, I know what I did when I was her age!) 

 

The hubby and I were able to hang out with our neighbors and drink beer in the cul-de-sac Friday night.  And #1 didn't have to miss swim practice Friday night or Saturday morning so it all worked out.  That is one of the highlights of summer.  I love where we live!

The three of us made it down there Saturday night in time for a pizza dinner and birthday cake!

2.  Our baby turned another year old.  Yep, #4 turned eight years old last Saturday, the 15th.  She was a tax day baby.  We celebrated with birthday cake in Arkansas and she was able to open her presents.

 

My mom's special friend also had a birthday recently so Jim helped #4 blow out her candles:

Man, I love that kid!  At 8 years old, she's:

• Stylish.  She puts so much effort into her outfits and it's simply adorable.  Some of the ensembles she comes up with are wacky and I love them!

 

• Wimpy.  She refuses to go upstairs or downstairs by herself.  She has to have someone with her!  What she is scared of I have no clue.

 

• Funny.  She has a great sense of humor but my favorite is when she doesn't even know she is being funny.  

 

• a good student.  She keeps up with her homework and knows when things are due.

 

• Friendly.  She has a few really good friends and loves to play with them.

 

• Temperamental.  She does not like to not get her way.  I think it has to do with her being the baby.

 

• Adorably sweet.  She still lets me cuddle with her when we read books at night and she sleeps with about eleventy billion stuffed animals.

 

We haven't had time to have her birthday dinner at home but we'll get to it.  We just need to find a night where all six of us are home and she can pick the meal.  Hopefully in the next week or two! 

 

3.  Easter was nice.  The Easter Bunny came:

The girls each got a Kansas City t-shirt, sunscreen, flip flops, candy, bubbles and a couple things from my mom.  They were a hit!

 

We took a few pictures after church but before we ate:

 

We were on the road about 3:00 headed back to KC.  It was beautiful weather and nice to get to hang out with my mom!

 

4.  Our weeks have been really full with four soccer practices, tennis lessons, and swim meets thrown on top of everything.  We are used to the soccer and tennis but the swim meets seem to throw a wrench into things.  They start at 4pm but don't end until about 7pm or so.  Well, that makes it hard for both the hubby and I to attend and still get dinner on the table.  Luckily her meets have been on our off nights but none of us like waiting to eat until after 7.  I do enjoy the meets with the high school team atmosphere but I just wish they were faster!  

She actually had a prelims/final meet this past weekend.  The hubby and I watched the prelims on Friday night but couldn't make it to finals on Saturday.  She ended up doing well and placed first in 200 IM and second in 100 breast.  

 

5.  #2 headed down to Orlando with her bestie for some fun at Disney World!  Their flight took off at 5am this morning.  Yikes!  While Aubrey's dad is in meetings the girls get to explore Disney World on their own.  I'm so excited for them because I know they will have a blast!  They get back Tuesday evening.  Luckily they only miss one day of school because tomorrow is day off for them.  

Today they were headed to Epcot:

 

 

6.  We had our friends over last night for dinner.  I should have taken pictures of the kids because they have all grown up so much!  Their oldest daughter (same age as #3) wears a bigger shoe than me.  Crazy.  They've been friends for 8 years and they are just adorable together.  Plus, Katie and Brian are really fun, too!

 

7.  I was in a really great, productive mood today!  I definitely think the weather has something to do with it.  Sunny and 70* is very nearly perfect.  

I started the day by doing a little kitchen prep followed by hot yoga.  Then #1 and I ran a couple errands together.  (We tried to get her a new phone since she dropped hers in the pool Saturday but alas, the Sprint store we went to couldn't help us.  Ugh.  I checked into T-Mobile when we got home.  I'll keep you posted.)  After errands I took the little girls for a walk to Sonic.  They loved it, of course.

(Ignore the wrap on #4.  She likes to pretend.)

After the girls were all settled, I started working on a few projects.  Mainly, I sanded and glued today.  My least favorite part but a necessary evil.  This is the china cabinet for the foyer:

 

The table and bench need some desperate attention.  It already looks 100% better and I haven't even put on the waterproofing stain yet!

 

I did a little re-decoration, too.  Mainly I dug some things out storage to get ready for Memorial Day and then the 4th of July.  Honestly, I was just tired of my spring decor and needed a change.

I removed the clipboards and hung up this canvas print I've had for a few years:

 

The mantle:

 

8.  Menu for the week...

Sunday:  Steaks marinaded in this recipe, risotto, roasted asparagus, and apple slices.

Monday:  Chicken taco soup in the crockpot + roasted broccoli

Tuesday: Egg and chorizo avocado toast (a favorite) + roasted sweet potatoes

Wednesday: BBQ chicken quinoa salad + roasted cauliflower

Thursday:  Salmon tacos and/or lentil tacos + fruit salad

Friday:  Homemade pizza + salads

 

OK.  We are now caught up!  Have a great week.

Six on Sunday

Hello and Happy Sunday!  I hope you had the nice weather we had - it was fabulous!  So let's get started...

 

1.  #2 played in another soccer tournament this weekend.  At least it was in town and they only played one game per day so it wasn't a rough schedule.  #3 didn't have any soccer games which was nice.  #1 had a swim meet Friday night but we were so busy with the other three girls that we weren't able to make it.  (The Littles had a carnival at school while #2 had her first soccer game of the weekend.)  But she has two more swim meets this week so it's all good!  All in all, it was a nice weekend and we had great weather!

 

2.  My friend, Christi, and I took the day off work on Friday and spent the day shopping down at West Bottoms.  Of course we had a blast and did not come away empty handed!  Here are a few of my purchases:

• That KC poster is so cool!  I am in love with it but now I need to find the perfect place to hang it.
• Another milk glass vessel but this one has a lid.  I love it when they have lids!
• A Fire King loaf pan.  I have two other pieces that match so I'm pumped.  I haven't seen that size pan before.
• Vintage salt and pepper shakers that I adore because of their great handles.
• A tea towel that says KC on it.  I bought it for #1 to take with her to Spain as a hostess gift for her family.
• I (or the Easter Bunny) also found four awesome T-shirts to put in the baskets.
• I also found a little something or other for my mom for Mother's Day and for the hubby for Father's Day.  Of course they will remain under wraps for now.

 

Christi and I each bought this canvas total bag.  (And yes, we enjoyed a beer with lunch.  So good.)

 

Speaking of lunch, we found our favorite truck - Crave - and had their trio of tacos.  They are always delish!

 

3.  Last night was fun for the whole family!  The Littles had a sleepover at their cousins' house.  Of course they had a blast.  Meanwhile, the hubby took #2 to her soccer game while I went to my friend's party.  The party was still going strong when the soccer game ended so the hubby met me at the party while #1 drove over to pick up her sister.  Since I hadn't planned dinner for them, we gave them the debit card and told them to go get themselves dinner.  They took that to heart.  I thought they'd just go to Chipotle or something like that.  Nope.  #1 is very into shopping and eating local so she searched some KC app she has and found a taco restaurant.  30 minutes away.  It sounds like they at the best tacos of their life so it was all good.  Of course we couldn't help giving them a hard time about driving 30 minutes for tacos!  But secretly I thought it was adorable and was more than happy to pay for their dinner so they could have some sister bonding time.  

Plus, the hubby and I had a lot of fun at the party but were still home by 10pm since we had to get up early for a soccer game today.  Like I said, it was a fun Saturday night for all of us.

 

4.  I feel like I crossed a mysterious threshold last week...that of college searches.  Yep, #1 and I attended our first college fair.  I literally told the girl at the first booth that it was our first fair and I had no idea what I was even supposed to ask her!  Thankfully, she was super nice and it was fun to visit all the different colleges.  Of course #1 has zero desire to stay in-state so we didn't even visit one Kansas school.  Instead, we hit University of NE-Lincoln (my favorite!!), University of MO, University of Arkansas, Purdue, University of AL, both Oklahoma schools, ASU, and a few more.  The two questions #1 asked each school was 1.  What is the Greek life like?  and 2.  Do you have an Environmental Science major?

 

It was a good start but I think we need to do a little more research to narrow it down a little more.  I can't believe it's starting, though.  I'm too young!

 

5.  I ran a few errands today and stopped for this:

My $1.09 guilty pleasure.  I adore McDonald's unsweetened iced tea.  Also, it also feels like the start to spring/summer because I've moved on from coffee to iced tea.  I love it!

 

6.  The hubby and I were able to knock out a few things around the house today and it felt really good.  He cleaned the car out really well which was so gross!  I'm thankful he did that because I hate doing that.  He also mowed the lawn for the first time this season and changed the oil in the cars.  (Both, I think?)  Meanwhile, I sorted out a bunch of things to send to Goodwill and deconstructed the second chair I'm reupholstering.  (I hate that part.  It's hard and now my hands are sore from pulling out a million and one staples.  Ugh.)  

 

Well, there you go!  That's all I've got for you.  Have a fabulous week!

 

Make-up Monday

Hello!  Sorry I was MIA last night but we didn't get home from soccer until after 8pm and then I had to get two little girls showered and into bed.  So, I delayed this post by a day.  Oh well.

 

1.  We have a blooming Fashionista in our house.  Yep, #4 is all about her ensembles.  I never discourage her, even though some of her outfits are a little wacky.  I just love it!  I love that she is asserting her independence and really getting into fashion.  It's awesome.  For instance, this was her outfit tonight she chose to wear to tennis:  

If you look closely, you may realize that is actually a PJ shirt.  Nonetheless, she wears it as a layering shirt.  All her idea.  And totally adorable.  Sometimes (OK, all the time) I wish I could freeze her at this age because it's adorably innocent and precious.

 

2.  #2 had a soccer tournament in Manhattan, KS this weekend.  They only played on Saturday and Sunday which meant only one night in a hotel.  Let me tell you, she had a BLAST!  I was so happy her team chose to go to an out-of-town tournament.  I have ranted and raved about all the girls and their families before (they are all AWESOME) so I won't do it again.  But suffice it to say the parents and the kids all had a fabulous trip.  And to top it off, the girls won their division - in a nail-biter shoot-out!  

The hubby was keeping me up to date on the championship game while I was driving #3 to her soccer game last night.  So #3 and #4 were taking turns reading me the text messages and responding.  They were hilarious because at one point the hubby said a swear word and they didn't know if they could say the word out loud.  (Duh - of course.  I don't care about swearing as long as it's used in the right context.)  Anyway, Team Bolt ended up winning and it was seriously so cool.  It was fun to follow along via his texts.  Here are the winners:

Two girls were missing but other than that it was almost a perfect weekend for them.  A little soccer, a little hanging out, and a lot of fun!

 

3.  The hubby turned another year older last Wed!  We didn't really celebrate until Friday night because our weeknights are so busy.  So we set up a special table in the dining room Friday night and did dinner up in style!

He requested filet mignon so we made those plus scallops, roasted asparagus, and mashed potatoes.  Delish.  Of course we had dessert, too.  The girls made brownies and I bought ice cream to go along with the warm brownies.  So good.  

It was really a fun night because we were all home together.  I think those are my favorite nights.  I just love having my family all together under one roof.  And celebrating the hubby was just the icing on the cake!

 

4.  After the fun birthday dinner, the hubby and I took the little girls to bed about 9:30.  Because we are such rockstars these days (NOT), we followed suit and were in bed before 10.  Yes, on a Friday night.  Try not to be jealous!  Anyway, that left the big girls to their own devices.  Normally, that would not be a problem since they are teenagers, after all.  However, the night before April Fool's Day is not the night to leave them alone!

They had a little fun!

• They put half our spoons in a loaf pan and made jello thus burying the spoons.
• They froze the other half of the spoons in a glass of water.  
• They switched all the cereals.
• They ate all the brownies and left a bunch of notes with brown "E"s on them.
• They put Saran Wrap outside the little girls's door, thus "locking" them in their room.
• They froze all our beer.  I went to get a beer Saturday night and they were gone.  I don't know what prompted me to look in the freezer but I did.  There they were.  All of them.

Well, I was not going to be outdone.  Just because the hubby and #2 were gone did not mean I couldn't get even with #1.  So I did:

Yep.  That's her car.  In the garage.  Sideways.  (And we have a pole in the middle that made that park job about a 15 minute park job.)

 

5.  One of my running friends got married this weekend.  The whole affair was held at this adorable barn in Lenexa.  I had never heard of it.  But it was adorable!  If you are looking for a seriously cute reception site, I'd recommend it.  The inside was gorgeous.  Anyway, it was beautiful and Sarah looked gorgeous.  Plus, it was fun to hang out with my work-out buddies outside the gym!

 

6.  So I posted this recipe a week or so ago.  Let me tell you, it was a hit and it's delicious!  If you like meat and eggs, make this!  (And let me know what you think.) Crispy Crockpot Carnitas with Egg and Avocado.

 

All right, we are all caught up!  Have a great week.