Currently in love with. . .

+ a vacation from camp

+ productive errands

+ Nordstrom's anniversary sale

+ new planner/organizer

+ organizer inserts found at organized home, mom agenda, the project girl and frugal living

+ time for more organizing of school stuff and recipes

+ amazing housewarming ideas and party ideas on pinterest like...






+ the idea of a school year's eve party





+ exciting weekend plans that include Josh Turner and a birthday brunch

+ the promise of my soldered wedding ring tomorrow

+ my running hubby

from a Newport wedding to a birthday barbeque

Last weekend was Rachel and Adam's Newport wedding. The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner were in Middletown and Newport, Rhode Island. After hair and makeup in New Bedford, it was back to the Hyatt to relax before getting ready and taking the trolley to the church. We had gorgeous weather and a fabulous time. I am always eager to see a couple's planning and vision come to life. The trolley ride and late-night snacks at the reception were perfect!

hair and makeup: complete!

the bride and groom after the ceremony

xoxo

We couldn't say goodbye Newport quite yet, so Sunday morning we walked the cobblestone streets for some shopping and Cupcake Charlie's. Mmmm....





Justin's birthday was Monday and we enjoyed his meal-of-choice--Papa's apricot chicken, scalloped potatoes, and corn. Cheesecake Factory cheesecake was a dessert surprise!

Leah came over Thursday night for a bbq and some DVR. Quality time with a sister is always nice.

Friday night Becca and I ventured to Derby Street Shoppes for dinner al fresca at Rustic Kitchen, some gf time, and pinkberry. Yum.



Saturday was Justin's birthday barbeque, and we had a houseful! (We also have an insane amount of food left over. Guess who will be cooking out every night this week! :) ) It's always nice to entertain and fill the house (and backyard) with so many friends and our families.

Today we hiked Blue Hills and enjoyed one heck of a workout! It was a lot of fun, and I'm excited for our next hiking adventure! After lunch at Panera and a well-deserved treat at pinkberry, we enjoyed a movie in the den to wind down another busy, fun-filled weekend.

I have a "vacation" from camp this week and will be taking a computer class at the middle school. I'm looking forward to seeing a few of the teachers and taking a break from foam, glue, and glitter for a few days.

By Thursday night I will have completed 5 graduate courses in 5 months. Phew!

Rollercoaster week

For better or worse.





We're one heck of a team and we'll overcome this.


I love you. Every day.

downtown, cupcakes, and a whole lot of mud

With school over, I have a bit more free time....

Wednesday was spent in the city with Sarah. After we shopped 'till we dropped, we dined at the amazing Sam LaGrassa's.


Met the flower girls for some catching up and gossip at Zack's Pizza.

Thursday I met Justin for a lunch date at Fallon. That afternoon I whipped up a batch of chocolate cupcakes for Christopher as a belated birthday treat. (His request was for chocolate cupcakes with a hockey theme.)




That night we celebrated the end of school and a pay raise at Wicked in Legacy Place with the girls and their respective boys.


Friday was spent doing camp prep and unpacking the new order. That night we set up the new fire pit and fired up s'mores with Joe and my parents.


Saturday morning was spent at a camp meeting and our lunch plans at Castle Island got postponed because of the overcast.

Sunday was the Warrior Dash in Amesbury and it was a blast! We trekked a 3 mile course through thick mud, maneuvered around barbed wire, tire swings, leapt fire, and climbed 15 foot walls. I can't wait to get a big team together for next year.

before--nice and clean

climbing down the first of two walls

putting our best foot forward

about to cross the finish line

And that was "vacation." Ready or not, here comes camp...

pork lo mein and the start of summer

For Field Day, I contributed watermelon cupcakes for the parent volunteers.


And just like that, school is out-of-session.

We successfully did the Massachusetts: Delivered! pizza box project with success. Of course there are things I would change for next year, but overall it was a success!

Saturday Justin and I ventured to Martha's Vineyard for the day and had an amazingly relaxing day on the water.







Yesterday was the last day of school and for the end-of-the-year luncheon, I made pork lo mein cupcakes.




To a summer filled with day trips, cupcakes, and fun memories...

a successful "grill-warming"

We hosted about 20 of our closets friends and family members Saturday at our first Raynor Ave bbq. It was a "grill-warming" before an official housewarming. We thought it was a great success!




I am currently taking only one graduate level course right now and I have to remind myself what how to use down time....

Data meetings tomorrow...
Field trip to the MFA Thursday...
Field Day Friday...
Only one more full week of school...

And the school year is winding down...

TGLW

Thank Goodness for Long Weekends

There truly are not enough hours in the day to complete my ongoing, never-ending to do list. In a concerted effort to complete more tasks on my to do list, I have been staying up later and later--and I sure have been feeling it. The house gets awfully warm too, so we are looking forward to the days after our air conditioners are installed. I have recently discovered a Dunkin Donuts I conveniently pass on my way to work, and not only are they friendly, they have never served me a coffee I have been dissatisfied with! Some days, it's the small things that count the most...

On Thursday my class Skyped with their pen pals and while some were a bit nervous once they were "screen to screen" with their pen pal, I think it was a valuable and memorable experience for all of them. That night was my last writing class, and while it was time-consuming (class meetings, creating lesson plans, writing reflections, and creating a portfolio) it may have been one of the most beneficial classes I have ever taken.

That night after picking up a few more teacups for RO's shower, a flat tire changed our evening plans. Instead of a quiet night in of teacup cupcake experimenting, Justin met me while the punctual, friendly AAA serviceman switched the tires. We ended a long day at Texas Roadhouse with an iced cold beer and frozen strawberry margarita.

Friday night Mom, Dad, Sarah, Leah, Matt, Justin, and I dined at the Stockyard restaurant in Brighton for Leah's see-you-soon dinner. The food and the company were fabulous. I look forward to our next family meal--be it north or south of the Mason Dixon line. :)

Late Friday night and early Saturday morning was spent prepping for RO's surprise shower at All Things Tea in Plymouth. I created teacup cupcakes for a dessert favor.






Last night, Justin and I triple dated with RO, her fiance Adam and another couple in the North End. We drank and dined at La Famiglia Giorgio's on Salem Street.


In appropriate fashion, our evening ended with sweets from Modern Pastry.


Leah left this morning for Teach for America induction in Memphis. While I will miss her terribly, I hope Skype, phone calls, pen paling and blogging will help us remain in the best of touch. xoxo

After a viewing of Mean Girls, so kindly downloaded from my tech savvy husband, I will write a case study and analysis on bullying and enjoy another day off tomorrow!


TGLW