Weekend in Review

Last weekend I had an extra day off and it still didn't feel like enough time. Thankfully, Spring Break is right around the corner. Friday I had the day off so I took the girls to IHOP for 77c pancakes before school. I spent the rest of the day shopping with Aspen while Everly was at school. Friday night we took the kids to watch a movie in the courtyard at Desert Ridge. They were playing Coco and we haven't seen it since seeing it in the theatre so it was fun. The kids did great and I am glad we went. On Saturday I went for a hike and then went out for St. Patrick's Day. I got home entirely too late but it was fun. Sunday we took the kids to take pictures with the Easter Bunny. Aspen seemed like she was going to do good and then decided to hate it at the last minute. We were able to get a picture without tears but she looks pissed. She was pissed. Sunday night my sister came over for dinner and I went on a 2 mile bike/run with Everly and Teddy. They are getting too fast for me! We ate dinner and played a board game and it was a great ending to the weekend.

these two!

she kills me

Ted

beautiful afternoon hike

I'm a sucker for packaging

While it is hard to see them grow up and get older, stuff like this is really fun too.

Game night with Nori

IHOP Anniversary

A couple of times a year IHOP has special short stack promotions and Tuesday was their anniversary so they were offering 59 cent short stacks. It worked out that I was off that morning so I was able to take the girls. I am actually in Sedona right now so it was nice to get a little extra time with them before I headed out of town. The kids love going out to restaurants but we don't do it very often because it is expensive so this is a win-win for everyone. HERE are some of the other times we have gone. Everly insisted on having topping on her pancakes so I spoiled her and I also ordered the girls sausage which they inhaled. They ate really well and I think Everly was in a pancake coma for a little bit when she got home because she laid down in her room for a while. Thanks for a great morning IHOP!

Dresses and saltwater for the win.

 

Everly loves that strawberry syrup

Aspen's restaurant etiquette is not quite there yet. Thank you iPad. 

LOOOOOOVE these girls. 

 

Mid-Week Fun

So normally we are pretty boring during the week and stick with our routines of work, school/day care, and home but this week we mixed it up a little. We typically eat dinner at home Mon-Fri unless something big is going on and this week we decided to take advantage of National Pancake Day and had dinner at IHOP with my mom and sisters because you could get a free short stack of pancakes. It was busy but we only had to wait like 20 minutes for a part of 11. I love pancakes and don't have them very often so I was happy. Everly and Ted like the different flavor syrups that IHOP has so they were happy when they weren't fighting over who got to sit next to Grandma. Cam devoured some scrambled eggs Aspen didn't eat a ton of her pancakes but was more than happy to help herself to Aunty Kimmy's pancakes...haha. Girl knows not to touch my plate. They didn't give Mae any pancakes but I bet you that little chunk would have loved some. It was a fun night.

Typically during the week I also bring my lunch to work and eat in my office every day. Even if I run a quick errand to the bank or to get gas, I still usually eat the lunch that I brought which is typically leftovers. Yesterday, however, was the first day of the TOMS warehouse sale in Tempe. I have been twice before and love getting the tiny toms for the girls so I planned to eat my lunch in the car and make a quick trip on my lunch break. The warehouse is right by my mom's work so she met me there. I got some neutral colors for Everly and Aspen to grow into and I found a pair of wedges for me. I have one other pair of their strappy wedges and I love them so I was happy to find another pair. I also got Justin a pair with laces and he is already wearing them today. It really is kind of a crazy shopping experience but I know what to expect and I enjoy it. I hope they have this sale here every year!

Also, for reference, the TOMS vary in pricing. Two years ago it was really cheap but has gone up a little. It is the same prices as last year. The wedges are most expensive (besides sunglasses and bags) at $35 but are marked on their website at $69-$119 so still a really good deal. The mens shoes are $12 and $19 with laces. Justin's pair are originally $69. All kids are $15. This is also better than Zulily sales if you ever see those because no shipping!

Gotta love those snapchat filters.

oh Aspen

so much tude

Waited in line to enter for about 10 minutes and then less than that to pay. Excited about those red wedges.

I know it looks crazy.

cute pair my mom bought Aspen.

The pair I bought for Justin.

Foothills Neighborhood Halloween Event (and IHOP)

As I have mentioned earlier, we were really trying to get full use out of the kids Disney costumes this year so the day before Halloween we went to an event at the Foothills Aquatic Center by my house. Before we headed up there we took advantage of the free kids scary face pancakes at IHOP. Who doesn't love pancakes? The Halloween event cost $4 but that basically paid for your candy so if you didn't want the candy you could do almost everything for free. Pottery painting and the train rides were a couple of bucks each if you wanted to do that. Next year I will definitely pass on the candy because no one needs that. They had some bounce houses and carnival type games which were fun. They also had some sort of eating contest and next year we for sure are going to enter the kids in that! They had a whole free arts area where the kids could do crafts and then a really cool train being pulled by a tractor out front. The kids loved this! There were a lot of people there but it was not overwhelming at all. If they do it again next year I think it is definitely something we will do again.

pancakes and Halloween snapchat

    

 

Minnie Mouse Aspen

 

Mae spit up on me several times but seemed pretty content in my new Wildbird sling.

 

Art projects...and yes, Ted brought the fire truck with him...

Our little Belle.

These things were too much fun!

57 Cent Short Stacks

This past Tuesday night we took advantage of the IHOP anniversary special for the second year in a row. I wrote about us going last minute last year here. This year I planned to go this night and my mom and sister came along as well. My mom brought my nephew Teddy with her, too. It was pretty busy but not horrible. The pancakes were yummy and the bill for all 8 us of was $12 so my mom treated us. We don't go out to eat often and very rarely during the middle of the week so it was fun to change things up a bit while not even spending any money! See you again next year, IHOP!

Everly, don't smile...

 

Dining with Teddy is always entertaining.