Spring Break is over...

The rest of spring break was slightly productive. I hate that when I have a break, I never get anything done. I wish I could either plan things better or be a better relaxer. The rest of the week consisted of hanging out with Kellen and working on little projects that I wanted to complete.

I had some planter boxes that my mom and I found last year on a walk in her neighborhood, The person who made them had left them out so we rescued them with plans to do something with them. Brien was getting sick of them taking up space in the garage, so I decided to refinish them on Tuesday and now they are ready to be hung up!

They are pretty plain, but the wood is in good shape!

I painted them with a light layer of red enamel spray paint and then immediately brushed them over with an old crusty paint brush that was soaked with water to smooth out the splotchy-ness. In retrospect I probably should have just bought a can of red stain, but this came out pretty well.

Now I am just waiting for Brien to finish trimming the trees to hang them on the back fence! I can't wait to plant some stuff in them when the weather gets nice! Finished product coming some time this spring!

Next, on Wednesday, during what can only be called a spring blizzard, Kellen and I spent the morning at Hobby Lobby shopping, and I FINALLY hung my DIY canvases where I wanted them. I think it came out great! 

The big iron scroll that was here got a new home in the guest bathroom and it fits in just fine!

On Thursday, Kellen and I took coffee to Brien and spent the morning playing on tractors at Grandma's and daddy's office!

Licorice or climbing? Life's decisions...

He was so excited to hit all the buttons!

Friday, the big day had finally arrived... The Fairy Tale Ball at Callie's school. Brien took a half day from work and we had a much needed lunch date and then headed to Callie's school for mini-prom. The whole second grade has been practicing for months and learning dances to perform, they even did a waltz to Moon River. It was seriously so cute!

All dressed up and ready to dance the day away!

Callie and her partner dancing, they were precious!

After the daddy daughter dance... Too much adorable-ness! The Ball was a success!

This weekend has been pretty tame. Brien was on call so we stuck close to home and didn't make an big plans. I am so not ready to go back to school, but such as life... How many more days until summer break??

Thrifty Finds This Month

This month was a great one! I found lotsa steals on my spring break when I had time to enjoy and shop. Just like the RE-store place when I was looking for accessories for our bathroom (big reveal coming soon, we have just a few more little things to finish up) I do better at thrift stores too, because they have a limited selection. When I go to regular stores I am overwhelmed by choices and I end up leaving with nothing.

Here's what I found...

Gap Tee shirt dress $6.99

Candies lace dress $6.99 --I am thinking this will be my Easter dress

New Bronco shirt for the fall! From Victoria's Secret $2.99

Cute little pocket tank from Old Navy $2.99

I was in need of a new yellow stripy tank after mine got bleach on it last summer. Old Navy $2.99

Gap Tank, new with tags! $2.99

Floral tank, Old Navy $2.99

V-neck  tee, Old Navy $2.99

Work out short, Target $2.99

I am so ready to start running again this summer! Last summer Callie, Kellen and I went for a long walk/run everyday and my I needed some new work out pants!

Nike, $3.99

I have never heard of this brand, but these fit like a charm and they don't move and have to be hiked up every couple of blocks when I run!

$3.99

New mint and red belts $1.99 each

Gap dress for Callie, she wants to wear this for Easter $3.99

Some new clothes for the Baby Man, he needed some new shorts and swim trunks and I thought this dino tee was super cute!

That's all for the this month. I hope next month's hunt will be as good!

Decorating for Easter

Yay for Easter and yay for spring. I am ready! Last year I didn't have much in the way of spring decor, but I keep finding cute stuff for chheeaapp! So here we go!
Last year, I made this egg wreath which is currently gracing the front door...
                                                     

DIY right here

I found this super cute bunting at Target for $5!

I feel like I probably could have made this, but not for $5!

Little egg tree! How cute are these?! Another Target dollar spot find!

Again, probably could have made these, but they were $3!!

Jar o'eggs! I have been wanting a huge glass jar forever and then I finally caught it on sale at Hobby Lobby for $20. I can see using this to change out the seasons and putting cute things in it all year! The eggs were also calling my name and they were $2 for an 8 pack!

Kellen want to play with them real bad, this is why they are on a sturdy surface far away from his precious hands. I feel like "Don't touch it, you'll break it!" Will be our motto for awhile round here.

That's all for now. I saw so many cute things, but I will have to add those in over time, I guess. I saw this adorableness at Target and almost bought it... But you will have to wait until next year breakable bunny!

                                           

Ritz Toffee Bars (Otherwise know as white trash brownies)

This weekend for family dinner, I made this deliciousness. I had to get them out of my house, otherwise I would have eaten the whole dang pan! There is nothing nutritiously redeeming about this dessert, seriously not. one. single. thing.
They are super easy too!

You need:

For the bars:

2 sleeves of Ritz crackers. I went with the low fat kind (healthy?)

1 bag of heath toffee bits

1 can of sweet condensed milk

Frosting in a can or you can make your own, I did!

Frosting:

1 stick of butter room temperature

1/2 cup of shortening

3-4 cups of powdered sugar

1/2 cup of heavy cream

1. Crush up the crackers, we used the standard gallon bag and a rolling pin.

Thanks Super Girl!

2. Pre-heat the oven to 350 and grease up an 8x8 pan.

3. Mix the crushed crackers and toffee bits up with the condensed milk right in the pan, less dishes=good idea!

4. Pop it into the oven for about 10 minutes or until it is solid.

5. Next whip up the frosting. I forgot to take pictures...sooo. Cream together the butter and shortening until it is all smooth in a mixer

6. Gradually add in the powdered sugar.

7. Next, add in splashes of the heavy cream until you get the texture you want.

8. After the bars are cool, add on a thick layer of frosting. I even had some left over, which I am currently eating as a type this!

9. Enjoy, be sure to share, you do not want these sitting around!

What I wore Wednesday

This week it has been mostly a t-shirt and jeans or workin'/paintin' clothes, so this was actually some of last weeks choices from school...

What I am hoping will be the last time I wear boots this year!

Cardigan: Target

Tank:?? Thrifted

Jeans: Target

Boots: Target

Belt: from another dress that was probably also from Target

I have not worn this dress in FOREVER! Last year it wasn't fitting so well, the year before I was knocked up, so I am thankful to be able to use it again!

Dress: Francesca's

Cardigan: Old Navy

Tights: Very Jane

Belt: Target

Flats: Target

Warm but springy!

Long sleeve tee: Target

Tank: Target

Scarf: Gift from Callie

Jeans: Target

Flats: Old Navy

And there you have it! See you next week!

Spring Break So Far

Well I wouldn't quite call it a break. Although today has been marvelous, but we are off to a good start!
Friday-- We feasted on a pot roast that I had stuck in the crockpot that morning. It was super yummy and easy. See recipe here
Then we played an awesome game of chicken foot...

aanndd I won! I never win, but alas it must have been my night.

Saturday-- While Brien worked on the master bath project, My sister in law, Kellen and I ventured to the habitat for humanity REstore to look for some treasured for our bathroom. It is such a cool place. If you haven't been to one, you should. They have the coolest stuff. I find I do better at places like this, because I have a limited selection it forced me to make a choice. Whereas if I go to Lowes or Home Depot, I am overwhelmed by decisions and I have to go home and think about it and come back. 

I ended up getting a new mirror  for $40 and shades for our new light fixture for $2. I mean let's be real. I would have paid well over $100 for a mirror and those glass shades are like $12 A PIECE! Woohoo for saving!

Don't mind my horribly messy garage...

Since it was such a glorious day the kids played outside for most of it until it was time for family dinner at my parents construction zone...

Callie is OB-sessed with the idea of Brien building her a tree house. We shall see...

Kellen loves his bike. Just sitting on it though, not riding...

Sunday--More trips to the hardware store, but we are in the final stretch! Then Brien's parents came over and his dad helped him almost finish the bathroom. We are so close! More playing outside happened and lots of great family time!

He just saw an airplane! He was so excited, I think he peed his pants screaming about it!

Monday-- Callie played hooky with me and we went to dentist for the first time in forever. Good news we are good brushers so nothing major there. However, Callie has such a small face that they do not know where all her teeth will go, so it might be a turbulent road to straight teeth for this girl. After our crazy long appointment we grabbed some lunch and headed to jumpoline to get some energy out!

Then we headed home and watched Big Hero 6 for the 48th time this week. Then I cleaned out all of our closets that felt good! Much was accomplished!

Tuesday--I am all about relaxing today! I cleaned up the basement a little, went spring thrifty shopping and now I am about to start a little project, that I can't wait to share when the weather warms up!

So far, so good!

Favorite things this week

This week has been a little wild with testing and such and now we have finally made it. Just one more day until sweet spring break. It's weird to think that last year we were on the way sunny San Diego for Auntie Mack's wedding. Now that was a GREAT spring break. This year I am really looking forward to doing nothing but relaxing, a much needed house cleaning and catching up on sleep!

Some of my favorite's this week have been...

                                             
Not the best for you, but they are delicious! Last year my co-teacher found these and we were going through a bag a day, no lie. We finally laid off a little because my grocery store stopped selling them. But, I stopped by some rickety old King Soopers last week to pick up a treat for my kiddos who were testing, and there they were... calling to me. Seriously best thing ever!

                                                 
The Maze Runner. Such a great book. My boys at school told me this was the best book ever and they were close. It's very intense and mysterious, plus they are really into dystopian novels right now, and this one does not disappoint. Bonus, I found out it's a whole series. Looks like I have my spring break reading list!

                                                   
Brien and I needed a new show and we stumbled upon this little gem a few weeks ago. Every night, after we put the kids down we run to the couch and Brien says, "Start the show!" It's a little graphic, very little humor, but so addicting. The episodes are about an hour long and we have been staying up way past our bed time to watch. They always end in a cliff hanger so you HAVE to at least start the next one. However, I think we will need a comedy next.

                                     
It's no fun being pasty with the warm weather coming. So in an effort to not blind people, I have started my nightly tanning regimen.  Target brand build a tan, this lotion is great! It give a little color, definitely not orange and it doesn't rub off on the sheets or your clothes. I have been using it for years and it is my go to, plus it's like $6, you can't beat it!

What I wore Wednesday

It is slim pickin's this week in the clothing department. We have been testing, so comfort is winning over fashion. Sad times.

My LAST observation of the year occurred in this little outfit. I am finally done being watched by administrators the for year. Yay! It's a huge stress relief to know that all I have left is a pile of paper work!

Top: Loft, thrifted

Skirt: Target

Silver heels: Target

Necklace: Christmas present from Brien

Callie had to make up for one of my outfits. I mean, how cute is this? 

I am pretty sure that all of her outfit comes from the Carter's outlet from when she spent the week with her grandparents. I think she came home with more clothes than she left with. Also check out the mani! She was pretty proud of it!

Sometime this week when it was so nice!

Lace top: Forever 21, thrifted

Tank: ?, thrifted

Capris: Target

Leopard peep toes: Target

St. Patty's day. I think I wore the exact same outfit last year. Ooops!

Tank: Old Navy

Cardigan: Old Navy

Skirt: Target

Boots: Sheplers

Necklace:?

Wait, this isn't clothes! What? It's the tile in the shower in my new bathroom. Done. How amazing is that?! I love it! Thanks Husband who is awesome.

Now just flooring, toilet and installing all the little things! More to come this weekend.

This isn't clothes either. I know. It's flowers!! How exciting! Callie and I planted some tulip and daffodil bulbs like 2 years ago and they are finally coming up! Hurray!! Bunnies, if you could do me a favor and not eat them this year, that would be perfection, thanks.