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Teaching Sam and Scout

Teaching, Motherhood, and Life In-Between

This & That

This is kind-of a lame post, but I feel like I’m operating in survival mode right now (only 8 days of school left after today), I’m way behind on responding to comments etc. (I’m SORRY), and this seems like an easy way to get some of my thoughts out there quickly.

– I LOVED your responses to my post on Friday about having a “perfectly – imperfect” Christmas this year.  It felt so good to know that some of you can relate to the pressure and expectation I put on myself during the holidays, and that I’m not the only one saying no to some things in favor of a simpler, sweeter season.  Also, truth be told, publishing that on Friday and seeing some of your comments come in through my email on my phone over the weekend was a good reminder/accountability about how I spent my time on Saturday and Sunday.  Sam and I both seemed to be “off” all weekend – just a little on the grumpy/emotional side – but we did manage to get our tree decorated (yay), visit Santa, take a little train ride with friends, squeeze in a date night, and nap, play games, and read lots of books.  It was far from perfect (Sam spent most of Sunday in timeout), but it was good.

– Thank you also for showing up to answer my questions and offer some feedback on yesterday’s Wish List for Baby #2.  Clearly the “Rock and Play Sleeper” is a MUST HAVE, and I’m looking into options for Sam with the Britax stroller… I’m honestly still not convinced that he will ride in a stroller long enough to make it worth investing in a double, but I’m considering a standing option (unfortunately the Britax one doesn’t have good reviews).  Coincidentally, Solly Baby sent me a wrap to try out yesterday, so I’m excited to start practicing with that… It is SO soft and cozy feeling!!  I will probably still use our old Baby Bjorn also – some of you mentioned that that is better when they are bigger and/or it gets warmer; but, I’m thrilled to have another option this time around (and determined to learn how to use it). And, finally, I didn’t include it on my list yesterday, but we will DEFINITELY be using a Wubbanub again with this baby.  Sam LOVED his, and I did pretty much just as much!!

– I don’t think I’ve mentioned here yet that my sister-in-law is also pregnant – she’s due in June, and we are SUPER excited to raise our babies together!!  Yesterday she sent me a message saying that she just bought the EXACT SAME diaper bag as the one I posted about for herself.  We even both went with a simple “C” monogram.  Isn’t that hilarious?  We will just be cute as boots prancing around with our babies and matching bags (and we’re sure to give our mother-in-law a challenge to keep up with two babies and twin diaper bags), right? 😉

– If you are still looking for non-toy gift ideas for a little boy on your list, may I suggest you visit my very favorite Etsy shop Room to Romp?  The shop has new gift sets (three “themed” shirts for $50.00) that I think are adorable. Sam has two Christmas shirts from there  that we ordered last year and still love! Plus, she will exchange for free if sizing is not right, is great about customizing order, and the quality is TOP NOTCH. (FYI: Sandy and I worked together on my old blog; but, these days, I’m just a loyal fan with nothing to gain from singing her praises!)

– I’m sorry I haven’t written a worthwhile teaching post in a while. Those of you that are teachers understand that these weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are like the last miles of a marathon… It’s all I can to show up every day and engage my students… Look for more content in that area in the new year!!

– I started reading this book this weekend – so far so good.  I really shouldn’t be reading a book right now, but I just can’t help myself… Plus, it was only $3.99 on Kindle.  I think this author might be becoming one of my favorites (she also wrote What Alice Forgot).

– I just started listening to this podcast while doing some chores lately, and I can’t soak up all the good info fast enough.  It makes me want to REALLY take my blog seriously (though that exhausts me a bit right now – as you can tell by this post).

Ok.  Hope you all have a great Tuesday!  More tomorrow…

E

A Black Friday Wish List

Hope you guys had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday! We ended up spending the (cold) morning at home in our pjs drinking coffee, and the afternoon/evening eating tons of good food and hanging out with our families. It was the best.

Today I’m opting for pjs over crowds (again) and doing my official Black Friday shopping online.  I have a strict rule that I can only buy for others this time of year, but if I was shopping for myself, here’s what I’d be ordering… (P.S. I’ve been slowly adding to this post – in between decorating, etc. – ALL day… Some of these things might be/ probably are already sold out by now!)

I’ve had my eye on this sweater for MONTHS, and it is finally marked down 50% – making in only $49.00.

They had me at “Elbow Patch and Stripe” plus I love the two-toned look and I think the side button might actually make it fit over my belly.  #wishfulthinking? (Marked down to $44 from $88.)

In case you couldn’t tell from the opening of this post, I love some cozy pajamas.  I think it will still be cold enough to wear these when baby comes in March and the button-style top would make nursing super convenient. (Marked down to $44 from $88.)

I’m totally into this layered look – especially because it makes a sweatshirt look appropriate for work. Right? (40% off of $49.99.)

I’m definitely into the “statement t-shirt” this year, and I love the heart behind these two girls’ blogs and business.  (30% off of $24.00 with code HAPPYMOMMYBLACKFRIDAY.)

I can never resist a cute hoodie… Especially one on sale for only $30.

So cute I might actually go for a jog once in a while. 😉 (20% off of $65.00 with code FIT20 – and not in my size.)

 

What kind of deals did you find today?  Did you buy anything for yourself?!? I might have cheated on one teeny tiny thing. 😉

Happy Weekend!

E

What I’m Wearing: Thanksgiving Edition

Every  year, I take great care to plan an outfit for Thanksgiving lunch that will be both cute and, more importantly, comfortable.  This year is no exception. 🙂 Last week I discovered a pretty great sale at Pink Blush Maternity – a shop I had heard  a lot about but never purchased anything from before – and fell in love with this top.  Paired with skinny jeans (hello elastic maternity waistband!), boots, and a gold necklace, I think I’ll be dressed just right for turkey and relaxing with family…

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What are you planning to wear tomorrow?

 

Our Thanksgiving plans this year involve the customary 5K “Drumstick Dash” in the morning, followed by some cooking and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and an afternoon at my in-laws’ house with my entire family and Jeff’s.  (We are so fortunate to have families that are in town and love each other, so we get to celebrate these kinds of things together.) Then, Friday, I will hit the big sales from the comfort of my pjs via the internet and, hopefully, get the house decorated for Christmas over the weekend.  I’m so looking forward to it all! What are your plans?

Have a great one!

E

YOUR Favorite Quick, Easy, & Inexpensive Crockpot Recipes

Last week I shared my go-to crockpot recipe in this post, and yesterday I wrote about six more that I’ve been enjoying this fall over at Liberating Working Moms… Can you really go wrong with a crockpot?!?

Today, I’m posting some of YOUR favorites that were shared on my blog Facebook page a while back… Thank you to all who contributed!!

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Chicken Caesar Wraps – from Trista Yopp (Recipe originally found at The Girl Who Ate Everything.)

Cover three chicken breasts with water and cook on low for eight hours. After work, remove and shred chicken and discard remaining water. Then return chicken the crockpot and stir in 1/2 cup of Caesar dressing plus a 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Serve in wraps with chopped romaine, croutons, and a little extra dressing & cheese.

Italian Beef Sandwiches – from Stephanie Garrett (Recipe originally found in 5 Ingredient Cookbook: Taste of Home Books)

Add a beef roast, one packet of italian salad dressing mix, and water or beef broth to cover to your crockpot and cook all day on low. Just before dinner, shred the beef and add banana peppers. Serve on sub rolls with provolone cheese.

Mexican Chicken – from Carey Mottett (Recipe originally found at True Life Kitchen)

Cook chicken breasts, one can of Rotel, a packet of ranch dressing mix, a can of black beans (undrained), a bag of frozen corn, and one package of cream cheese (cubed) for eight hours on low. Stir and pull apart chicken when ready to eat and serve in tortillas.

Bean Chili – from Jennifer Westfall Kee

Mix together one onion (chopped), two cans of diced tomatoes, four cans of any type of bean you like (kidney/black/pinto/etc.), and one packet of chili seasoning.  Cook at least eight hours and serve with cheese, sour cream, etc. 

Applesauce Porkchops – from Jennifer Holland (Recipe originally found at Peanut Butter Fingers)

Cover porkchops in cinnamon applesauce and let cook all day… (Also make sure to use a disposable crock pot liner – no clean up other than to throw the liner away!)

Pork Barbecue Sandwiches – from Sarah Ross-Koves

Cover a pork roast with water and cook all day.  After work, shred pork and discard water.  Stir in your favorite barbecue sauce and serve on buns.

 

If this doesn’t make you want to pull out your crockpot, I don’t know what will!! What’s your favorite? Please share!

E

2 New Beauty Products I’m Loving (& Two I Want to Try)

As I type this, my amazing husband is downstairs fixing me chicken noodle soup, and I can hear my wild boy (who has been cooped up in the house for the last five days) giggling from the table.  It seems I wasn’t lucky enough to escape Sam’s flu virus after all.  I started feeling bad Sunday night with what I thought was just a bad cold (after all, I got the flu shot like a good pregnant woman, and the pediatrician assured me that I should be fine), but by yesterday it gotten much worse and I felt like a train had hit me.  Just to be on the safe side, I went to the doctor and my official flu test came back positive in a flash.  The doctor ordered me to bed for the rest of the week – which feels like an eternity.  It’s hard being the mom and being stuck in bed totally helpless, and I don’t think I’ve missed three and half days of work consecutively since I started teaching; but, for now, I’m trying to focus on getting myself healthy and doing whatever I need to to protect this little baby in my tummy.  So here I sit.

All that to say… I’ve got all the time in the world for blogging and no energy for writing about anything worthwhile.  So, despite the fact that I’m feeling anything but beautiful today, here are two new beauty products I’ve been using lately and enjoying:

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Tarte Airblush Maracuja Blush in Shimmering Poppy – I ran out of blush recently and decided to give this one a try because I’d heard such great things. It has not disappointed.  The color is great for my skin tones, and it seems to last longer than other brands I’ve used.  (Where do they get the names for these things?)

Cover Girl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation – I was going to stick with Tarte and go for the Amazonian Clay that seems to be so popular lately; but, my sister convinced me to try this drug-store brand instead.  It is literally 1/6th the price of the Tarte foundation, and I really like it.  According to Kathryn – my beauty expert – people are comparing it to Tarte and like it just as much!!!

And two I’d  like to try:

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Tarte Amazonian Clay Matte Waterproof Bronzer – Because bronzer goes a long way on this pale skin, and Joanna Goddard wears it. 😉

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream – Lately I’ve noticed a lot of wrinkles around my eyes especially, and I don’t love it. This one was named one of the “5 Best Eye Creams” by Elle Magazine and promises to both prevent new wrinkles and decrease the appearance of the ones that are already there. #what30doestoyou

 

What about you? Do you have a favorite beauty product right now?  If so, please share!

E