Five on Friday

It's Friday! Really, it feels like it should be Monday to me, after our mini vacation to the beach this week. I'm all confused. But I love linking up every Friday with the girls, Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha.

1. Breakfast Treats

Let's get the food out of the way. I found lots of breakfast treats for you this week. Okay, not really for you, mostly for me, but you know what I mean. I have to share them with you. I mean, they're just too good looking not to, right? I'm especially excited about these no-yeast cinnamon rolls. Say what? I always want to make cinnamon rolls but the whole waiting game kinda kills it for me. I don't have the patience!

No Yeast Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Pumpkin French Toast Bake

2. Miss A's first trip to the beach!

You can read all about our fun adventure here! I'm already wishing we were back, playing in the sand and walking along the shore. What is it about the beach? Ugh. I just love it so much. One of my goals in life is to one day own a house/apartment/condo on the beach. And I may never leave. 

3. Weekly Menu Planning

I'm so proud of myself. I've kept up with menu planning for the last five weeks! It gets easier and easier once you get the hang of it. I've seen our grocery bills drop significantly too as I try to plan using the same ingredients so nothing goes to waste. There are also less impulse buys as I have my list in hand and I don't stray from it unless there's a two for one type of deal or something on sale for really cheap that we use all the time. If you haven't started menu planning, do it, start with whatever meals you already cook on a regular basis and try out something new a week to add some variety. I promise you'll be so happy not to think at the end of a work day about what to make for dinner!

4. Free Printables

Who doesn't love free printables? For our beach trip, I printed out an amazing packing checklist from mom Agenda to help me keep track of everything I needed to pack. It has absolutely everything you could possibly think of. There's even has a column for beach and ski trips! How cool is that? I also printed out the Monthly Spending printable to see where our money is going every month. There's also a grocery list printable, a party planning one, and so much more. I highly recommend checking this site out! 

5. weelicious Lunches

A Farmgirl's Dabbles hosted a giveaway last week for the new weelicious cookbook and I won a copy! Yay! I'm really excited to get my hands on this book. I know Miss A isn't going to be starting school for many years to come, but I bet I'll get some ideas for her now, as well as some ideas for me! Here's a part of the description from Amazon: "filled with lots of great menu planning ideas; tips, tricks, and reusable product suggestions to make lunch fun; inspiring color photographs, advice on dealing with food allergies and so-called picky eaters; and more than 160 tried and true recipes, Weelicious Lunches takes lunchtime planning from hassle to joy!"

Happy Friday!

Our Mini Beach Vacation Recap

We may have been a little late to the party. With Fall officially arriving this weekend, it was about time we were able to make it to the beach!! All summer I have been DYING to go. Not just because the last time we went was while I was still pregnant, 7 months pregnant, actually, but because this would be Miss A's first time at the beach. But with moving in late May, settling in to our new home in June, and the hubby starting residency in July, there was just no time to go to the beach. Until now.

As soon as I knew about the hubby's time off, I searched for a hotel by the beach. Luckily I found a few on Groupon and we decided on Myrtle Beach, which is a few hours away from home. Miss A did amazingly well in the car; she napped, ate lunch, and played with a few new toys and books. As soon as we arrived, we checked into the hotel and changed into our suits. It was a little cloudy, but the sun eventually peeked out and warmed us up. 

I'm happy to report that Miss A absolutely loved the beach. I swear she had the time of her life. We were so excited to see how she was going to react. She loved everything- the sand, the waves, and the water. The only thing she didn't like was when a huge wave almost rocked her over! Luckily we were tightly holding her hands. The current was very strong so we definitely didn't want to go in very far. 

She played in the sand for quite a while. We had buckets and shovels yet what she really wanted to do was use her hands. Trying to prevent a toddler from eating sand is impossible. I'm sure ate a couple of tablespoons worth!

Of course, Daddy made a giant hole and buried her in the sand. She didn't mind one bit!

We thought she was going to take off running at some point to explore the shore. Instead, she wanted to hold on to our hands. It was much harder than I thought it was going to be for her. She kept sinking right into the sand! Once she got her feet wet, she was thrilled. She didn't want to stop! Back and forth we went, and every time the current came in, she squealed. 

She also liked the seashells. She'd point at one she liked, bend down to pick it up, and hand it to me.

After we polished off all our snacks, we started getting hungry and packed up to shower and change for dinner. There were so many restaurants to choose from, all sitting right on the water. 

Miss A was by far the most behaved she has ever been at a restaurant. She must have loved the fresh air. She also loved the classic rock the restaurant was playing and couldn't stop dancing.

Before we called it a night, I had to find myself a vanilla ice cream cone. With sprinkles of course. Isn't that the happiest face you ever did see? 

The next day we woke up to chilly temperatures. I was disappointed, but I expected it. It was too cold for Miss A to get in the water so we walked along the shore until it was time to check out of our hotel.

Even though our trip was short, it was so worth it. Seeing her squeal, laugh, and play in the sand and water was too precious for words. I'm going to remember this trip forever. She had so much fun! My husband said it was one of the best days of his life. It was one of mine too. Now I can happily embrace Fall with open arms. After all, it was 60 degrees when I woke up this morning! Thank goodness we made it to the beach just in time.

Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

I love a classic banana bread. Without all the bells and whistles. Pour in a cup of chocolate chips and I'm one happy camper.

Today I'm guest posting for a friend who just had a baby. You can find the recipe for this chocolate chunk banana bread on her blog, Never the Same Spice Twice. This would be a great treat for any new mom. I hope you stop by and pay a visit and offer some well wishes for her new bundle of joy. 

Crushed Oreo Vanilla Pudding Parfait

Sometimes you just want something simple. And tasty. Very tasty.

Something that isn't going to take 30 minutes to make and doesn't require you to turn on the oven. Something that's easy to whip up on a weeknight so your husband can say, "Wow, how'd you find the time to make that?" I made these Oreo parfaits one night while I was simultaneously cooking dinner, with Miss A on the floor, with no husband in sight. That doesn't happen very often around these parts. Making dinner is hard enough on it's own!  

I had some heavy cream in the fridge that was getting ready to expire. I also had a giant box of Oreo's that the hubby and I couldn't pass up on our last visit to Costco. And I had a box of vanilla pudding! Winning. Miss A was able to "help" me by smashing up the Oreo's. I put them in a ziploc bag and had her whack away at them with a wooden spoon. This kept her entertained for quite a while. I was able to make the pudding and whip up the heavy cream from start to finish and then layered them in these tall glasses.

Serves: 2
1 box of vanilla pudding
2 cups cold milk
6 Oreo's
3/4 cup of heavy cream

First, crush cookies in a ziploc bag. Grab a bowl and prepare the pudding according to package directions. In another bowl beat the heavy cream on low, gradually increase to medium, and lastly high. Beat until it begins to thicken, about five minutes, until your desired consistency.  To layer the parfaits, start with the pudding, cookie crumbs, and whipped cream. For the next layer, pour cookie crumbs, pudding, and then whipped cream. Garnish with a cookie if desired.

Life as a SAHM

Miss A and I had so much fun this week. With only one rough day and plenty of play dates, we had lots to keep us occupied. Starting with last weekend, we went to a friends house for a cookout. I can't believe we have a picture of her seeing like this! It's so hard to get her to look directly into the camera, let alone smile!

Miss A's new favorite thing to do is play in the bathroom cabinets and with my jewelry. It's actually working quite well, I can get ready in peace while she plays and takes everything out. Sure, there's a mess to pick up, but at least I can get dressed from start to finish! 

The weather has been a mix of really hot temperatures with high humidity to mild and nice and breezy. I love going for a walk at the end of the day, before it's time to start dinner. We usually take our walks on our neighborhood trails. It's so peaceful!

Our dog Sandy doesn't receive the attention she deserves! Miss A is really interacting with her now, from petting her belly lovingly to shaking her paws. It's absolutely adorable and my heart melts every time! 

We went to the library twice this week and I love their new "baby corner" area. Full of board books for her to pull down right by a colorful comfy rug.

We also go to story time at least once a week and we both get to socialize with other moms and babies. I look forward to it every week!

On one of our play dates, we went to check out a cafe that is 100% baby friendly and has SO many toys! We had a blast. 

Her favorite thing was this wooden aligator walker. She went back and forth many, many times. I can't wait to take her back here soon. 

To round out the end of the week we spent some time outside in our front yard. She was having a bit of a cranky day and a change of scenery always seems to help. 

Also new this week- walking independently and new words! Her confidence with walking has grown tremendously and on Friday night she walks laps around the house without stopping to catch he balance or to hold on any furniture. I think it's safe to say we have ourselves a walker!! She is also saying new words- "hi", "bye", "baby", "ba" for ball and "sa" for sock. She's changing and growing her fast and I'm loving every minute! I can't WAIT to take her to the beach this coming week, it will be her first time, and also our first mini family vacation.

Hope you're having a great weekend!