Labor Day Weekend Recap

Hey y'all!

How was your weekend? Relaxing and full of good food, I hope!

As I'm gathering up some pictures for this weekend recap post, it seems like this weekend was forever long. 

For example, we went on the boat on Saturday and it feels like that was last week. Well, technically it was but it feels more like a week ago rather than 3 days ago. 

I guess that's a good thing?

Friday night we went over to the in-laws house. Angelo's mom is 100% Venezuelan and his father is 100% Italian; so no matter which one is cooking, it's always incredible! 

Friday's meal was Pabellón criollo: a traditional Venezuelan dish with rice, beans, and shredded beef. 

Saturday we finally got a boat day and headed out to Caladesi Island in Clearwater. The weather was almost perfectly cloudy so it wasn't scorching hot. 

Sunday we had a dear friend's birthday brunch at Ella's Americana Folkart Cafe in Seminole Heights. On Sunday's their menu is Soul Food style! Think BBQ and Fried Chicken with Waffles. This is where I regretfully didn't take any pictures. 

We were at a table with 30 other people and I had Penelope on my lap. Once I got my phone out of my purse, Sophia had already chowed down on the chicken, and Angelo scarfed down half the fried pickles. I got nervous and dug in so I could get a taste before it was gone! ;) Anyone else get nervous around fast eaters!? Story of my life...

Game of Throne cake with CakePopsByLu

Monday, Labor Day, was a day of laundry, grocery shopping, and finally a cook out with the family!

We tore down the Summer Tower Garden, preparing to start all the others this month! 

We have tons of dill, parsely, and basil to use up this week! 

 This is where half the dill went - Homemade pickles! Hopefully they turn out good! 


 Mom made her famous ribs. I'm not kidding when I say she makes THE BEST ribs around. 

Then, feeling guilty for stuffing ourselves, we did some core workouts before bed. ;)

Some exciting this going on this week! 

• Sophia starts her first dance class as a 4 year old, that means she got to move up a class to Ballet II! 
• I have a race entry giveaway coming up on Thursday!
• New recipes! That's always exciting! :)

Have a great Tuesday!

XOXO

Weekend Recap: Busy Days & Disney Days

Hey guys!!

How are you doing this fine Monday morning?

I'm sorry I've been M.I.A since Wednesday, it's got incredibly busy on Thursday and Friday morning we woke up and left to go have some fun at Disney World! (Probably our best time yet!)

Thursday morning was kind of insane. It was the Teacher's Welcome Back Breakfast at school and the first board meeting for the Preschool Parent Board I'm on. I put myself down to bring in a Vegan Banana Bread, and I was expecting to make it Wednesday night, not thinking we'd be at Sophia's birthday dinner all night. Wednesday night came and went and I still had no bread to bring to the teacher's. So, at 5:30 am I was in the kitchen baking.

We dropped the bread off at the school, went to breakfast at Panera, dropped Sophia off at the last day of Dance Camp, went to the board meeting, went to Penelope's swim lesson, came back and picked Sophia up after watching their performance.

Finally at 4 pm I made it to the gym. I went there to get a few miles in on the treadmill, but when I got there I noticed people signing up for a H.I.I.T class that started in a couple minutes. So I joined the herd, and so glad I did! What a refreshing class. It was something different, and a great workout! I do a lot of my own HIIT when we're on vacation in hotel rooms, or at home when I only have 5-10 minutes to spare. It's quick, you can make it as hard as you want, and it makes you break a good sweat!

After the gym we picked up Sophia's birthday cake, home to shower, then off to Anthony's to celebrate Sophia with family over some pizza.

The rest of the weekend was pretty magical. We arrived at Magic Kingdom around 11 am and started getting our Fast Passes out of the way. I got a Fast Pass to go on Peter Pan, because its the only ride we haven't been on in the past couple years. I was so excited because the line for Peter Pan is always outrageous...usually over 50 minutes. Let's just say I will probably never wait in line for that ride again. Unless you're desperate for a 4 minute ride in A/C, it's not worth anything over a 25 minute wait. Does anyone else feel the same?

Since it was Sophia's birthday we did whatever she wanted after the fast passes. And that meant meeting all the characters she could possibly meet. We bought her one of those autograph books, and she was so tunnel minded about getting autographs! This meant we stood in line for 45 minutes to meet some people. Including these two.

We had dinner reservations at 4pm at Cinderella's Castle. At 3 pm I was getting desperate for Nelpe to take a nap. I knew she was going to be an absolute horror at dinner if she didn't. You know what got her to finally take a nap. The People Mover!! (Angelo's idea so I have to give him credit) A nice hour nap for Nelpe, then we were off to Cinderella's Castle!!

I couldn't stop taking pictures of this beauty. I LOVE how Sophia's eyes light up and shouts "Cinderella's Castle!!!"  every time she sees it. Never gets old!

Dinner at Cinderella's Castle is a MUST DO, at least one time. It's pretty pricey, but for a special occasion, especially for a little girl who loved princesses, you can't beat it. Look for a post dedicated to this experience later this week! ;)

After dinner, we decided to hit up the hotel. We stayed at the Disney Beach Club Resort, our first Disney hotel experience with the kids. 

I think it goes without saying it was a weekend to remember! I wish we had more time to spend in Orlando this weekend, but Angelo had to get back for a Bachelor party on Saturday night. 

Sunday was the normal routine with church, hanging out, and getting some biking in before the rain started up. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! 

This week we're celebrating something special on the blog! Stay tuned for another post later today!!

XOXO

                                                                                            

Weekend Recap: Cancelled plans

Happy Monday to you!

Hope you all woke up on the right side of the bed today to start the week! ;)

Friday night was pizza night and the calm before the triathlon storm. We got all our gear together and chilled out. We tried to call it an early night, but ended up going to bed around 10pm, after setting our alarm clocks for 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning

The girls testing out the gear.

Saturday, with an early wake up call, we headed to Fort De Soto to do our first triathlon! When we arrived and headed to the registration tent with our bikes, the nerves kicked in! I was so excited to check this off my bucket list but also still very nervous about the whole swimming in the ocean thing. 

Being our first one, we literally had no idea what to do or expect.

Where do we put all our stuff?

Where do we just our bikes?

Were do all these stickers go!?

Will I have to fight off a shark?! 

All part of the mental preparation...

My brother was with us and had participated in a Triathlon a couple years ago, so we followed him and tried not to look like total rookies. Tried...

We got our numbers, stickers, and running bibs, and headed to the transition area to set up. I looked around and just copied what everyone else was doing.

THEN Angelo says, "Alex you're supposed to put your bike in the rack with your number on it."

"Oooooh ok..." 

Once that was done and we had nothing else but our swimming caps and goggles left, we headed to the beach to hang out at the starting point. It was about 5 minutes till start time and the wind was picking up. The weather wasn't horrible, but it wasn't looking good. Then lightning stuck in the distance, and all paddle boarders and kayaks left the water. We stood around and chatted with a veteran Triathlete for a good 30 minutes before they officially canceled the race.

I was super bummed! I kept thinking "the weathers getting better!", when everyone around me was saying it was getting worse. I didn't want to believe it was going to get canceled. I wanted to do this triathlon so bad!!!

I didn't receive a medal or cross any finish line, but  I completed my own little version of a  Duathlon at the gym later in the afternoon and that would have to be good enough.

The rest of our Saturday was spent watching movies, cooking dinner, eating, and going out for ice cream!

Sunday, all refreshed from a half day of relaxation, we headed to church and then to the mall to meet Alisha, Josh, Harper, and baby Brix.

Brix slept peacefully, only waking up to eat, and the girls played and got lots of energy out in the play area.

Sophia explaining how to use her new slap band watch.

We made a stop at the Disney store were the girls were set free to pick out one toy each.

Harper picked a Cinderella Barbie doll, Sophia picked a tiara and sticker set, and Penelope picked an Aladdin doll.

Bar Louie was the choice restaurant for lunch.

Although I was majorly bummed out on Saturday after the race was canceled, it ended up being an enjoyable weekend! The sun actually shined a bit yesterday morning, but the rains eventually came back.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!

It looks like we're in store for another week of monsoons. Stay dry everyone!

XOXO

Weekend Recap: Father's Day Weekend

Hello & Happy Monday!! 

I hope everyone had a great weekend! 

It was Father's Day weekend so we gladly did whatever Angelo wanted most of the weekend. :)

Friday night we went to watch him play soccer. Sophia kept wanting to go "play with daddy" and Nelpe was having fun dangerously going up and down the bleachers. 

Saturday afternoon Sophia had her dance recital! It was at a local high school and the AC was off the entire time. At the dress rehearsal on Thursday the AC was off when we arrived, but got turned on by the county 30 minutes later. I kept hoping that was the case on Saturday, but it NEVER came on. We're talking over 200 people (guess) crowded in a high school auditorium with no AC for a good 3 hours. 

We all smiled through our sweaty lips and watched all the ballerinas perform. They did great and I'm so mad I didn't record any of it on my phone. They told us no recording at the beginning, but does anyone else REALLY listen? No, because other parents were uploading videos on Facebook afterwards.  

Part of Sophia's cheer squad!

Penelope was such a trooper and did great the entire time! Hot, sweaty, and still wanting to pose for pictures. 

My only pictures from the recital were afterwards when we got out of that hot box auditorium. Sophia was all smiles! She's the cutest :)

When we got home from the recital, both girls feel asleep for a few hours. Angelo & I took advantage and asked my parents to watch them while we ran out and enjoyed one of the last days of Tampa Restaurant Week. (Post on that coming soon)

Sunday morning we woke up early, put on our running shoes, and headed to Ulele for Richard's Father's Day Family Walk/Jog

Angelo was the fastest dad with a stroller! When he crossed the finish line, a lady said "Congrats! You're the first stroller to finish!" So he has the unofficial 1st place bragging rights. :)

Sunday afternoon was spent with the family playing in the pool and cooking out. I didn't get any pictures of the food spread, so did it really happen?!

We enjoyed gourmet burgers, sweet potato fries, rosemary potatoes, and a Greek artichoke salad. Everything was delicious and the Father's Day Weekend was a success!!

How did you spend your weekend?

XOXO

Frozen On Ice & Weekend Recap

Just another manic Monday!

It's not even noon yet and I feel like it's been such a long day, but a productive one! This week is Sophia's last week of school and I should have done some errands yesterday but it was Sunday and nobody wants to do a bunch of stuff on Sunday, right?! 

So this week is going to be filled with crafting, putting together gifts, and other last week of school shenanigans. 

This weekend was a more relaxing weekend than the past couple ones.

Friday night my mom and I took the girls to see Frozen on Ice. It was about two hours long with a 15 minute intermission in between. When tickets went on sale a year ago, I didn't buy them. I honestly thought the whole Frozen thing would be over by then. Then Stonyfield yogurt offered 50% off tickets, so I bought some!

Turns out, Frozen is still very popular and Sophia was excited to go see Elsa & Anna. Nelpe was all like "yeah whatever, give me popcorn". 

We have been to a Disney on Ice Production before that incorporated a lot of different Disney movies and characters, but this one was was exclusively Frozen. 

The girl's were engaged most the time but Nelps started getting antsy the last 15 minutes. The songs are what kept her interested for so long.I think all the good songs are at the beginning anyways. ;) The cutest part of the whole thing was hearing all the kids sing along to "Let It Go" and hearing the screams when Elsa came on. Why is everyone Team Elsa? A little girl behind us yelled out "It's all Anna's fault!" when Elsa went bizerk and turned the town into ice. I kinda felt bad for Anna! LOL

While the girls appreciated the singing the most, I appreciated the skating. I found it most appealing to watch the skater play clumsy, awkward Anna, and do it with grace. It was overall a great show and I'm glad we got to experience it (for 50% off).

Saturday was a boat day for us. If you know about us and boating, you know there is rarely a time when SOMETHING doesn't go wrong. We thought we were done with all these rookie mishaps when we sold our first boat. But, no. We got to the dock at 9:30, put the boat in the water, and it doesn't start. We switched out the batteries, jumped it, nothing worked. Turns out both our batteries on board were completely drained. Luckily we were right next to a marina and able to buy two new batteries in no time. Fortunately there was also a park near by where we took the girls to run around and play while Angelo and Jay (brother) got the boat ready. We finally got on the water around 11:30. It's always something with these darn boats! :) We live and learn with each boat outing. 

Once we got on the water, the day was great! We are currently in love with boating over to Egmont Key because the water is unbelievable! 

Sunday was a day of rest for some and work for others. I'm part of that "work" group. I brought my computer home from the office on Friday to catch up on some things. Normally when I say I'll get stuff done over the weekend, it rarely happens. This time I actually got stuff done! A bunch of data entry and time consuming lame stuff. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend! 

Great debate over the weekend: Is Sunday the beginning or end of the week? Technically if you look at a calendar Sunday is the beginning of the week. But our culture treats it like the end of the week. What do you think?

XOXO

Weekend Recap: Mother's Day Weekend

Hey guys! How was your weekend? Ours was fantastic and as always...busy!

Friday night we had a little parent's night out/ double date with Angelo's sister. She got me Kevin Hart tickets for my birthday, so we were celebrating my February birthday in May. :) (That's OK) It was a hilarious show and Angelo even bite my shoulder one time trying to not make so much noise laughing. When we left my cheeks and jaw hurt from laughing and smiling for basically two hours straight. They had a very strict "no phones" policy once the show started so we snapped this quick selfie before the show. 

Saturday we went to a little boy's 1st birthday party and had a blast! It was Mickey Mouse themed and had everything a birthday party should have! Food, Drinks, popcorn machine, cake, face painting, and a clown! They went all out and put all my birthday parties to shame. It was possibly the longest and elaborate 1st birthday party I've ever been to. We left after four hours and the party was still jamming, and people were still arriving! They know how to party! 

Sophia was in heaven getting her face painted like a butterfly and would of been completely satisfied with just that.

Nelpe enjoyed dancing around, but wasn't too sure about that clown. She would go up to him, stare, and wait. Once he looked at her she would run away. 

Then Mother's Day started with a trip to church with the family. 

Followed by grilling steaks and hanging out in the pool. Daddy's the best for pool time fun, while I sat back, took pictures, and sipped on a Blueberry Cucumber Collins, in true Mother's Day fashion.

That Blueberry Cucumber Collins I speak of. 

To make: Muddle some cucumber and blueberries in bottom on glass. Add ice, 1 tbsp of lime juice, 2 tbsp simple syrup, gin, club soda, and mint leaves. Garnish with blueberries & cucumber and you've got yourself a Blueberry Cucumber Collins!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and spoiled a mom in your life!

XOXO

Weekend Recap: Sports & Tampa's RiverFest

After a fabulous weekend, we are here again at Monday. Our weekend was filled with everything except rest, which is a reoccurring thing these days. 

Saturday we went running, took the girl's to the splash pool, watched the Kentucky Derby, ate chili, and went to my brother's house for Fight Night. 
The girls and I left around 10 pm to go to bed, but I woke up from a text at 12:45 a.m. that read "Lame". So there you have it, the "Fight of the Century" described in one word. I knew that was going to happen because the past 3 fights we have ordered at the house to watch were all very anti-climatic.  

Can't have the Kentucky Derby on the TV without wearing a hat! :)

Sunday we crammed as much fun as we possibly could into one day! And so did Tampa!
All weekend long the Tampa RiverFest was going on in downtown along with new RiverWalk. 

We left our house at 9 a.m. for the Inaugural Cigar City (Fun)Run. The run started and ended at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park behind the Amalie Arena. 

We got there a little early to get our wristbands and shirts but they were out of t-shirts. Such a bummer! So we walked around with the girls to explore since we had never been to that part of the Riverwalk before. 

We ran from the starting line in Cotanchobee Park to Curtis Hixon Park and back. It was approximately 2 miles. The Riverwalk is so pretty and a great place for runners! 

The bottle opener medal and beer at the end were great. :) 

After the run we stayed at the Downtown Carnival to let the girls ride some rides. Their absolute favorite was the Fun Slide. We must have gone on it 8 times and the girls could of stayed there the entire day, but we had the Bloody Mary Festival to go to!

At the top of the Fun Slide 

Nelps cooling off with an Italian Ice. 

We walked along the RiverWalk back to Curtis Hixon where the festival was going on. It was extremely family friendly with a lot more than just Bloody Marys. The only problem for us was the heat and little to no places providing shade. I'm not complaining though, because It's Florida! Duh, its hot outside! 

We went around to some food trucks first to get the girls food, then walked into the fenced off area to sample some bloody Marys.

Let me first admit that I am not a bloody Mary person. I would probably never order one at a restaurant as my go-to brunch drink is a mimosa. 

So having said that, I actually enjoyed a few of the samples! My favorites were from Datz, Roux, and James Joyce Irish Pub. 

I think the garnishes were incredible on all of them and probably made the drinks so strangely enjoyable for me.

I learned that I LOVE pickle juice in my Bloody Marys. If i ever make one at home, it will definitely have pickle juice in it!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! 

*As a member of Tampa Bay Bloggers, I received complimentary registrations to all Tampa RiverFest events mentioned in this post.in exchange for social media and blog love.All opinions are my own.

If you went to the Bloody Mary Festival, which one was your favorite? 

If you went to any event at Tampa's RiverFest, how'd you like it?

XOXO