If it's free its for me!

Last week was a wonderful week of FREE entertainment! It was super fantastic!

First off I won tickets to see Disney Princess on Ice - a 4 pack. Since I was already headed to my monthly Pokeno game, my lovely husband took Sarah. Her friend Gabriella and mom used our other 2 tickets. The girls had fun watching the princesses. at least that is what I hear since DH forgot the camera in the car - UG

The best freebie (for me anyways) was one ticket to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. That's Chrissy, Faith, Laura, me and Kelly. They send one every year.. one per household...

Lots of my other friends got the free ticket also. We decided to have a ladies day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. No kids, no husbands, just us. No strings attached. We went on Sunday and man oh man was it a jolly good time! There we NO lines at either park and we were able to enjoy both parks without pushing a stroller, stopping to pee 1000 times or be responsible for anyone else but ourselves. It was Wonderful! We rode the coasters, stopped for a sweet treat, ate lunch at Margaritaville. I think my fav rides were the Hulk and the Mummy.

And back home by 6:30pm. It was a dream day!

Since my last post I got my Studio Calico September Kit Cotillion and been having a great time playing with it! Here are some layouts I have made using the kit. The first layout was for the Scrapping the Music challenge. Hope everyone is doing well! Have a great day!

Family, Friends, FUN!

This weekend was spent making lots of new and fun memories!

Saturday: Scrap, clean, repeat :) College football on in the background. I finished the Lo of my nephew for the title challenge on the BASB blog. And made a yummy salad! Lovely day.

Journaling reads:

When Aidan came over one day, we decided it would be hair day. He decided on a Green Mohawk. Pretty fitting for a boy whose last name is Green. He thought he was the coolest ever!

Tomato Chicken Stack Salad (photo and recipe courtesy of Publix Apron Meals:

Ingredients12–15 fresh basil lea

ves (rinsed)
4–5 fresh It

alian parsley sprigs (rinsed)
1 small shallot (rinsed)
4 large red a

nd yellow (or heirloom) tomatoes (rinsed)
1 Deli chilled

rotisserie chic

ken (plain or flavored)
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup extra-

virgin olive (or avocado) oil
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta, goat, or blue cheese

Steps

1. Slice basil into thin strips; set aside. Chop parsley coarsely and shallot finely. Cut tomatoes into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
2. Remove meat of chicken from bones (discard skin and bones). Chop chicken coarsely (wash hands); measure 2 cups (reserve remaining chicken for another use).
3. Prepare dressing by combining in medium bowl, vinegar, oil, Italian seasoning, pepper, parsley, and shallots; whisk until well blended.
4. Arrange salad on serving plates, alternating tomato slices, chicken, basil strips, and crumbled cheese. Drizzle with dressing and serve

Sunday: Day trip to Manatee Springs State park where we spent some time strolling through the campgrounds, marking down our favorite sites for reference for a future camping trip we may take there . We watched the canoers and kayakers enjoying the beautiful day paddling the Suwanee River. Other park visitors spent time in the cool Manatee Springs on the hot summer Day. Sarah also finally "swung" by herself on the swings at the park playground. She FINALLY got the "bed your knees, straiten your legs while leaning back rhythm and she was a-swinging all by herself (she is almost 5!). Sarah enjoyed an Italian Ice while John and I went straight for the Oreo Cookie Good Humor Bar! YUM-O!

Sunday Evening - Spent at our local hang out, International Beer Garten - great beer with great friends. After that we all went back to one of their houses and the kids got to hang in the pool (some adults had some pool fun too!) More great beer and conversation with AMAZING friends!

Monday - To my Mother In Law's (the best one on Earth I tell you - I am SOOOOOO lucky) for a family party with more pool fun for the kids. We were there when our Miracle cousin Ian got to get in the pool for the first time (he is 5!) Yea Ian!!! Love spending time with the family. Such a blessing to have such a loving family!

I love weekend's like this.. fun, fun and more fun.

So behind

I am sure you all think that it is all doom and gloom around here lately.. at least that is what all of my blog posts seem to be focused on... but it is so not true. SO much fun stuff happening lately!

1. Sarah started VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) at a new school at the end of August. I am IN LOVE with her school and her teachers are beyond amazing. Such an improvement over my experience last year with her preschool. Here she is a LO I did of her first day

2. Sarah started dance class last Thursday. WE have been on the waiting list for one of the programs in Tampa and we finally got in (super great rates and terrific program)

3. We booked our 3rd annual winter North Carolina Trip with our friends the Taylor's. This year we are changing locations. For the past 2 years we have stayed at the Cataloochee Mountain Cabin and LOVED it but this year we are going to a different part of North Carolina. This is where we are staying at this rocking cabin.. Doesn't it look amazing??

4. I started nannying the cutest little 5 month old girl 2-3 days a week and she is a real gem. I am enjoying taking care of her and Sarah is LOVING having a baby around. I wish I could show you how cute Sarah is with her!

5. I have been doing lots of scrapping lately. This LO in particular was featured here and it also earned me a spot in the Scrapping the Music Hall of Fame. How awesome is that! Here is a LO I did yesterday about my dad

6. I have been spending time praying for a few of my cyber friends. Zorina and Carrie.

7. Sarah got an ADORABLE haircut

8. I signed up for an amazing 2 day holiday workshop at my LSS, Ruban Rouge. WOO-HOO!!! I love this event so much last year and I can't WAIT for this one.

9. Our cousin Rachel just found out she is expecting baby #2 - Congrats Rachel and Caleb!

10. It's a LONG holiday weekend and we will spend Monday with family! YEA!!!

We had a Dr appt on Friday but I won't go into that now. Happy Labor day all!