Five for Friday!

Hey Y'all! I am linking up with the fabulous Kacey from Doodle Bugs Teaching for another Five for Friday!

So, this week was weird. July 31st, an 18 and a 16 year old arrived at my house. Sadly, on the 12th, they left. These boys are two of the sweetest, most helpful and polite teenagers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and, they happen to be my boyfriends brothers. I took off from work last Wednesday-Friday to spend some extra time with them because they live in Massachusetts and we don't get to see them as often as we'd like. O, the 18 year old will also be leaving on September 9th to join the United States Air Force. I know that I haven't known him for that long but, I have developed a certain fondness for him. I could not be anymore proud of him but, I am also very sad/worried/excited/nervous/etc. (it's the motherly side of me) BUT anyways, here goes my five for Friday! 

So, I got was gifted a Nikon D5000. I have always loved the art of photography and, I have always wanted to buy a nice camera to take pictures with however, I'm a fan of the $800+ price tag that comes with a DSLR. My sweet, sweet sister is a photography minor and had an extra DSLR "laying around" that she gifted to me! I am IN LOVE! The quality that this camera puts out is incredible! 

My first two pictures with my new tech-baby. Princess Chloe and Mr. Yoda

Naturally, these northern boys that were staying at our house wanted to see the number one beach in America while they were here so, here it is for you folks as well (again, courtesy of the Nikon D5000) Siesta Key Beach-Sarasota,Florida. It's funny how much of a reality check I get every time I go to Siesta. Living here, I try to stay as far away from the beach as possible because of the tourists, traffic and... tourists but, when I do get down there, I realize how lucky I am and that I truly do live in a beautiful city! 

There is nothing that fills my heart like some good ol' family time! I decided that we would have everyone over for dinner since the boys were in town and of course, that called for a photo shoot! Here are a few after dinner shots!

my beautiful momma&I

the brothers and one set of grandparents

 birthday selfie&&birthday kisses from my chlobug

Oh, hey! I am also 23 now! Yep, yep that is right..the big 2-3! 

My birthday actually started on Wednesday night. J told me to pick any restaurant I wanted and he would pick up take out. I ended up picking Chili's because I was craving crispers and I also ended up meeting him there because, they have one of our favorite desserts that is best served hot! But I was still very impressed with the thoughtfulness and sweet gesture.
Margaritas, Chicken Crispers and a Skillet Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie.

The lovely ladies at work surprised me with teaching my kids to sing "Happy Birthday" to me upon my arrival, cupcakes and a sweet card. 

My adorable boyfriend also WAY out did himself and shocked and spoiled me with two cookbooks-one being from Chopped, which is our favorite tv show, Pandora charms and rings, roses delivered to my school, 10 cards, a sweet note, and he says there is more to come!

how perfect is this wrapping paper?!?

We went to dinner with my family at my favorite Thai restaurant in the next city over from us. My parents/sister also way out did themselves with a brand new Stainless Steel pot and pan set, pandora beads, mixing bowls and cookware, a coffee mug, 14 cards, agenda, and the most amazing German Chocolate cake I have ever tasted!

This little guy and I happen to be birthday twins! He turns 5 years old today! 

Are you in love with his birthday bandana as much as I am?!

Yoda will be treated to a Wendy's cheeseburger  and a "Pupcake"-dog friendly cupcake- on Saturday after spending the day with some other furfriends and perusing the downtown Farmers Market. (we may both be a little...a LOT spoiled) 

J and I have decided that starting tomorrow (Saturday) we will try to go vegetarian. We are not necessarily committing to a total lifestyle change but we both want to start eating better and although we don't eat terribly bad now, we want to be a lot more cautious of what we are putting into our bodies. I plan to keep track of how we do via here and my Instagram. I think this will be fun and excited especially since we are doing it together! 

I hope you all have amazing weekends! 

-Sarah

Five for Friday!

Happy Friday, fellow bloggers! 

It's crazy that it is already Friday! I took off Wednesday-Friday this week at work because J's brothers are in town and time has just been flying by but, we have been having a great time! 

O and Keeg arrived Saturday the 31st in Tampa, J and I drove up to pick them up and we had dinner at Red Robin (yummmmm!) My heart is just so full when they are here. J moved down to Florida from Massachusetts 7 years ago and since then, they have only seen each other a handful of times. Plus, I have always wanted brothers and these two welcomed me into their family very quickly and didn't waste anytime before starting to mess with me haha! 

Anyways, this Five for Friday linky with Doodle Bugs Teaching is mostly a picture montage filled with family fun! 

Can I just tell you what a sickening obsession I have with salted caramels? Well it is way over the top! The last time we were in MA, in June, we went to an ice cream place called Putnam Pantry-oh my goodness!- This place is an ice cream shop with all homemade ice creams and then they have a 'do it yourself' toppings bar like at a frozen yogurt place. After you're done stuffing your face with ice cream, they also have a candy shop where again, everything is homemade. When we went, I bought a box of 6 salted caramel rectangles (the bottom box) and I was in salted caramel heaven! I was so shocked when the boys arrived with 12 salted caramel logs AND chocolate covered salt caramels. yum yum yum! 

So flip side of me gorging on salted caramels...I have started using the It Works wraps! I am not (at least yet) going to do a review or post result pictures because 1. I am super self conscious and 2. I have noticed a changed but, I want to see a bigger change and more visible results. 

So, last week, I talked about the flesh eating bacteria that has infested the Florida salt waters...yep we are still steering clear of the beach! (Well, we went an walked on the sand but, we are not touching the water!) 

Thankfully though, my momma has a pool at her house so Wednesday, the four of us spent the whole day beachin'...poolin'! We also all have Lifeproof cases now thanks to J so naturally, we all tested them out! They definitely did work! 

Well, of course I decided to play Susie homemaker again and I will be making dinner for 7-10 people tonight. I have taken the challenge to make dinner for everyone 8-12 people before and I just love it! J's grandparents on both sides live here and my parents live here so a home cooked meal for 8 is not big deal! This time, I chose spaghetti and homemade meatballs! I prepped and made the meatballs last night so that today, all I have to do is make the sauce, heat the meat balls, make the spaghetti and garlic bread! If it was up to me, I'd make everything but the relatives are stubborn so my momma will be bringing salad and J's grandparents will be bringing dessert! 

Of, course, we have been taking many selfies and group pictures as well! I just love having them here and wish time would stop going so fast! 

I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable weekend! 

-Sarah

Five for Friday!

Hallelujah it is finally Friday! This week has been a rough one. Weeks like this almost make me want to transfer into the school system but then I realize I would miss my little babes too much! It does get difficult sometimes though working in such a close environment with all female co workers-YIKES! Anyways, I am linking up again with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday! 

 I am so SO excited for this weekend! J is a die hard Massachusetts sports fan and this weekend the Red Sox will be in town playing against the Rays. I bought us tickets for our one year anniversary back in June for the Sunday game and I can not wait to go! And after the game, we are going to a Hibachi Grill dinner because...why not? We are also going to find time to see the new movie Lucy which we have both been anxiously awaiting 

Us at Fenway during our trip up north! 

http://www.fandango.com/lucy_170271/movieoverview

 I finally have all of my Back to School/Parent Information forms completed and ready! *whoop whoop* With the help of some items from Lindsey Johnston's TPT store my 'newbie' folders are all done! (can I get a high five drink for being the first one on staff to be completely finished?) 

Many people don't know that I am a Fur-momma and a Fishy momma. J bought me a 28 gallon biocube for my birthday last year because I have always wanted a salt water tank. I have a "nemo" fish, a blue spotted watchman goby, and a cleaner shrimp but I am mostly interested in corals.

 This would be my ever growing Ricordea rock! I am so obsessed with this rock and Florida Ricordea is very inexpensive at the moment! 

My shrimp chillin' on my hand while glueing corals. 

But let's not forget about my adorably cute fur babies. 

I have been so addicted to glitzing up my clipboards! These are two more that I did this week! 

I am now in the process of making one for each of my co teachers. 

I think that EVERYONE needs to head over to Miss Lindsey Johnston's Blog and congratulate her and Jason on their very recent engagement! 

Congratulations pretty girl! 

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! 

-Sarah 

And on Sundays...

We Veg!

At our house, Sunday is really the only day that J and I have to fully veg and do absolutely nothing as his job requires him to work six days a week and I typically spend my Saturdays babysitting for the parents at the preschool or close family friends.

Today, we took full advantage of resting! We  J, slept in while I took selfies and worked on my blog and gorged myself in Orange is the New Black with Yoda, we went to breakfast at this delicious place by our house, picked up some amazing cupcakes from Gigi's, and slept some more.

We finished the night off by meeting my parents for dinner at an Italian retaurant where my father and boyfriend continued their bromance over cars. 

This weekend, I also scored some Vera Bradley bags at a serious discount-I mean, what teacher or any female for that matter, can resist a Vera sale? 5 bags for $85...uh, yes please! 

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable weekend! 

-Sarah