What's Up Wednesday

Hey friends! It's been a while since I've participated in this link up! It's always a fun one so I'm back at it this month!

1. What we're eating this week: 

Monday- Memorial Day cookout...burgers and hot dogs

Tuesday- My dad's 70th birthday party 

Wednesday -take out

Thursday - Chicken broccoli rice casserole

2. What I'm reminiscing about:

The boys last day of school was last week and I'm thinking about how little Jack was just 9 months ago! His cheeks were so chubby and he looked so baby, now he's so tall and thinned out 

3. What I'm loving: The pool finally being open and Jack learning to swim! He is doing so good, and can swim without holding on to me, this is huge! 

4. What we've been up to: We've been in Charlotte since last Friday visiting my parents and celebrating my dad turning 70! 

5. What I'm dreading: the heat!! It's coming and will come quickly...I hate how hot and humid NC gets. By July it will be too hot to even go outside and the pool will feel like bath water. 

6. What I'm working on: In blog news..I'm working on growing my social media following. I want to gain genuine followers and not just follow for follow so it's proving to take awhile but ultimately that I'd rather have less followers who like my feed and I interact with than thousands that I could care less about. 

7. What I'm excited about: Our trip to Michigan! We just booked our tickets and head up there in July! (I am going to be looking for some guest posters, if you're interested leave me a message!!) 

8. What I'm watching: 

A lot of Trolls and Moana. And when I'm not watching that I'm watching Southern Charm and Southern Charm Savannah {still undecided on how I feel about this one} and PLL..I can't believe the final season is almost over, there are so many questions I still have! 

9. What I'm listening to: 

Moana soundtrack! It's really so good so I don't mind! 

10. What I'm wearing: These old navy rockstar Jeans and off the shoulder top. They are both so comfy and until it gets too hot I will be wearing these on repeat when not in my daily workout gear! Also still loving the ON swing dresses! 

11. What I'm doing this weekend:  Spending the weekend at the pool! 

12. What I'm looking forward to next month: The boys will start camp which is always a favorite of Jacks, and I know Graham will love it just as much! Followed but lots of pool days and play dates with friends! 

Bonus Question..What is your favorite trip 

I'd say my favorite summer trip is always our trip to Michigan! You can see my recap from last summer here. 

Linking up with Mix and Match Mama

Friday Favorites

Happy Fri-YAY! For some reason this has seemed like a really long week.

Lets hop right on in to my favorites from the week...

O N E | Last day of school...this picture makes me happy and sad. I can't believe how much my baby has grown over the last 9 months! He really has gone from a toddler to a little boy! I can't wait to see what he looks like at the end of next year.

T W O | Hydrangeas are my absolute favorite flower. I have wanted them all over our yard for years. We have several planted around different beds in our backyard. Each year we like to get a few pots to put on our porch and then will plant them at the end of the season. This year the blooms are huge! I love looking out on my porch and seeing them.

T H R E E | Graham had his 18 month check up this week and is 24 lbs and healthy as can be! I can't believe he will be 19 months old this weekend. He's growing so fast.

F O U R | My sister got a Peloton bike a few months ago and has been obsessed with it. Literally its all she thinks about! I have loved doing spin class for many years but due to the schedule and child care situation I haven't been able to do it much. We decided to take the plunge and buy a bike of our own and it was delivered this week. I am loving it! It has so many different options as far as classes. You can even take live classes and it feels as if you are actually there.

F I V E | Jack has taken tumble weekly all year and on Tuesday he had his parent observation. It was so cute to see what he has been learning! He's the only boy in the class but his two little best girlfriends are in there and he never seemed to mind.

We are headed to Charlotte this weekend. We will be celebrating my dads 70th birthday with a fun party! Speaking of this weekend, I know that it is also Memorial Weekend. Everyone is excited about the long weekend and official start to summer. My sweet friend Sarah who I've met through blogging wrote this on her Facebook page and I wanted to share it with you all. It really spoke to me and reminded me exactly why we celebrate Memorial Day. It is not about the red white and blue cakes, the pool parties, or the three day weekend...it is about SO much more! Thank you for sharing Sarah and for being so open and honest with all of us. Your husband is among the true heroes of our country!!

This is Jane, one of my best friends. Jane is just one of thousands that lives with Memorial Day every single day. 

Just imagine, being in your 20s, sitting at your husband's funeral and being handed a folded flag that you are told is on behalf of a grateful nation, and then to realize that many people in that very grateful nation, don't even understand the one day a year we dedicate to our fallen heroes. 

I spoke to another friend this morning, she was hysterically crying because it's not even the weekend yet and she'd had her fill of "Happy Memorial Day" and all of the talks of beaches, sales, and BBQs. For her, the folded American flag that she now has in place of her husband is something that has gone unnoticed by the American people as we approach this sacred holiday. 

As for me, I've already read too many emails and blogs that reference "Happy Memorial Day!" and talk in detail about the red, white and blue desserts they'll make or clothes they will wear with not a single mention of the reason behind those most precious colors. 

I think the point is this: no one begrudges celebration, and I am confident that the Fallen would want those closest to them to live life - and to live it well. But what I think we owe them, and their families as a country who has benefitted greatly from their ULTIMATE SACRIFICE is to take a moment before the festivities and excitement of a 3 day weekend and really pause and consider the weight and significance of those who raised their hands and were killed preserving the American way of life (beaches, sales, and BBQ included).

* Linking up with Andrea, April, and Katie

Father's Day Gift Guide 2017

Since Father's Day is right around the corner I thought I'd share with you a few ideas for the Dad's in your life! I love to do something homemade for Patrick from the boys but I also enjoy gifting him something that I know he will use! He hates getting gifts and in fact is the hardest person to shop for. He never wants anything so I'm always just trying to figure out something he will like and use! Here are 6 things that I know he, and any other man would love to get!

ONE | sky caddy- for all the golfing dads! My hubs has one and it comes in handy when he is out on the course! 

TWO |  Yeti lowball rambler - Patrick has one of these and it's the perfect size for a cocktail. It keeps the drink nice and cold!

THREE | Moscow Mule Copper Mugs - These make a great gift and bonus if you put them in a basket with the liquor and recipe you've got the perfect total package gift!

FOUR | Grilling Tools - What man doesn't love to grill? A new set of tools is always nice for this time of year!

FIVE | Burga Box - Christina posted about this awhile back and I have been wanting to order it ever since. I thought Father's Day would be the perfect excuse to give this a try. Its a meal delivery kit but with a burger...that just screams "man" to me!

SIX | Jord Wood Watch - These watches are so cool! I gave Patrick one for his birthday and he loved it. They have so many different styles and even make ones for women too!

So there you have six different ideas for all of the dads in your life!

*Linking up with Jenn and Pumps & Push-ups

Mama Love Fellowship Goodies

Good Monday morning, friends! I couldn't get my act together last night so this post is coming a little late today!

When Justine from Little Dove Blog announced that she wanted to do something fun for moms I knew that I wanted to join in. I have loved doing things like this in the past and didn't want to miss this opportunity. I was paid with Stephanie from Wife Mommy Me. I was super excited to be paired with her and get to know her even better. She and I are both #boymoms, so it was really fun to get to do all things girl for her! Head over to her blog to see the fun things I sent her!

 Steph really knocked it out of the park for me. I loved everything she sent!

 This infinity scarf and bracelet were darling and something I will totally be wearing on the reg!

Steph didn't know this but I love a coffee mug! I can't use a regular mug around my boys because #spills so I love a cute mug with a top on it. This one is ceramic so it will keep my coffee extra hot!

This yummy smelling candle and chocolate were a favorite! I actually had already dug into the chocolate because I just couldn't wait to get the photo, haha

I just loved the cute stationary, note pads and clothespins. I definitely need to write more cards "just because" and this challenge has inspired me to do so! 

I thought this was the sweetest thing of all. She knew that we had just had family pictures taken and sent this frame for one of the printed photos. So thoughtful!

I absolutely loved everything Stephanie sent me and loved getting to know her even more! Thanks for being my partner, Stephanie!

Friday Favorites

Happy Fri-YAY!! I can't believe this was the last full week of preschool {insert sobbing emoji here} The boys go Tuesday and then are done.   Thankfully the last week in May and first week in June Jack can go to camp at his school.

If you follow me on insta (@threeboysandagirlblog) and happened to see my instastories on Monday you saw that I made a big trip to Trader Joe's! We don't have one in our town so I drove the 35 minutes to Raleigh and went to theirs. They have so many yummy things and my cart was packed full by the time I went to check out!

I always love seeing what others buy from there so today I thought I'd share my 5 favorite things from this weeks trip!

O N E | Everything But the Bagel Seasoning...this stuff is so good! if you love an everything bagel you will LOVE this! I put it on roasted broccoli and potatoes the other night and it was delish!

T W O | Chile Lime Seasoning Blend... I wasn't sure about this  but wanted to try it! I used it in the oven fajitas I made on Monday night and it was yummy! It added just a slight kick with a tart punch from the lime. The cashier said its great on pineapple and other fruits too!

T H R E E | Teeny Tiny Avocados...I don't know about you but I hate that avocados are so big because I never end up using the whole thing before it goes bad. Well I was browsing the avocado section and saw this bag. They are baby Hass avocados and the perfect size to use all in one sitting. I used one for my avocado toast this morning. They are just the cutest!

 F O U R | Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip...I was interested in trying this and it did not disappoint. It's great with veggies and also pretzels (how I ate it this week)

F I V E | I can't wait to try this! I've been so intimidated by making my own cauliflower crust so when I saw this I knew I had to grab it!

S I X | What's better than dark chocolate AND peanut butter? I grabbed this and luckily I haven't eaten the entire container yet. I love a little something sweet in the evenings and I find that just one mini cup satisfies me! 

And now for 2 bonus favorites from this week! 

S E V E N | This was one of the gifts that I got from Graham for Mother's Day from school...I just love it! 

E I G H T | Is there anything better than happy mail? Sweet Caroline from The Whimsical Pineapple sent me this happy and it just made my day! 

I hope that you have a great weekend! Jack and I are going to see Paw Patrol Live on Sunday..we will see how that goes! 

*Linking up with Andrea, April, and Katie

What's Hap-pinning Wednesday: Outdoor activities

It's Wednesday and I am linking up with Jessi and Jenn for a fun "What's hap-pinning Wednesday" post.

Since Spring {Summer} is officially upon us I thought I would share all of our favorite outdoor activities. My boys love to be outside. They wake up wanting to go out and beg to go out as soon as we come back in. Now that the temps are warm {HOT} there are lots of fun things that we can do besides play on our swing set or ride our ride on toys.

We have all of these toys or a variation of them and my boys absolutely love them. I can't wait to get our fun pool set up. Jack has been begging for it daily since seeing the box sitting in the garage. I usually just use it for one season and then pitch it. You can find them on sale pretty cheap at the end of the season.

Here are what my boys would say are their favorite outdoor activities!

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven

$10 at Target

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! We had a great Sunday spent with family. Today I am co-hosting a fun link-up! Each month we will share how we spend $10 at Target! Since I literally go to Target at least once a week I figured this was a no brainer for me! All you have to do is share how you spent $10 at Target!

My $10 was quite random this time. I needed some essentials as well as a few things for Jacks end of year party!

I love the dollar spot at Target. They always have the best seasonal finds. I am in charge of Jacks end of year class party and knew I wanted to get bubble wands for everyone. I had several that I had bought on clearance last summer so I only needed 3 this trip so that everyone in the class would get one!

I also needed to grab a pack of wipes. I usually buy a box of refillable ones but this time I grabbed a single pack. I need one to keep in the car. It's funny, I only use pampers diapers but when it comes to wipes Huggies Natural Care are the only ones I will use. I can't stand the pampers wipes for some reason.

We have lots of pots on our porch and two new ones by our front door. Jack loves to help water so I found this cute kid size watering can that he can use. He loves having the task of watering!

Lastly, I was in need of laundry detergent for the boys. I admit I am still using dreft for their clothes. Before Graham was born I had been using a Free and Clear for Jack but once Graham came along it was time to bust out the Dreft again. I love the smell and have continued using it! Now I have to give a disclaimer..I got the dreft for free!! Otherwise my budget would have been blown! I have mentioned before that I love love red perks. If you are not apart of the red perks program you have got to join! You just scan your phone every time you shop and you build up points. Once you reach 5,000 points you get a reward. This time I decided to use "choose any laundry detergent up to $15"

If you really have no clue what I'm talking about when it comes to red perks just ask whoever is checking you out, they can get you set it! It's totally worth it!

The breakdown of what I bought

Watering Can- $5.99
Wipes - $1.97
Bubble Wands -$3
Dreft- $15.99

Total - $26.95
Subtract Redperks reward - $15
Redcard 5% off

Grand Total- $11.35 

Ok so I went over... $1.35 but I consider this a win especially with getting the detergent basically free!

Now it's your turn to link up! Show us what you spent $10 on! Give some love to the other hosts of this link up and check out their pages!

Meet Your Hosts! 

Stephanie | Wife Mommy Me

Beth | Our Pretty Little Girls 

Becky | By BMG 

Tif | Bright on a Budget 

Christine |Sword Fights and Starry Nights

Ashley | Ashley Newell

Emily | Three Boys and a Girl

Shani | Sunshine and Munchkins

Sarah | Foxy Domesticside

Johannah | Johannah Sirois

Stephanie | The Gifty Girl 

Kristyn | Everyones Sleeping But Mom

Danielle | Sparkles and Lattes 

Jess | Secrets of a SAHM

An InLinkz Link-up