Friday Favorites!!

Well...it is Fri-YAY!! I could get used to a 4 day school/work week!!

How was your week?  Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?  My oldest daughter has  soccer tomorrow morning and we are going to a party that is being hosted by Aaron's residency department tomorrow night.  I am also hoping to get my porch decorated for fall! :)

Here's my FAVORITES from this past week...random as usual...but that is just who I am- HA!

ONE

Have you ever had Skinny Pop popcorn? I tried the lightly salted flavor this summer and this white cheddar flavor caught my eye when I was at the store this week. Here's the cool thing- it has natural cheddar flavoring, but it is NON dairy.  I have no idea how they did that- but I was excited to try it!  My girls and I loved it!  The white cheddar is very light...if you are used to eating Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn- this is different.  Not nearly as much flavoring- but I really liked that!  

TWO

Aaron and I have been wanting to incorporate reading a nightly bible story with our girls...but knew we needed something short and sweet...my girls are pretty spent by the time they have had their showers :)  I found this 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories on Amazon for $2.10 (!!!!) and immediately ordered it.  We have been reading a story a night for 10 days now and my girls LOVE it!  They remind us every night that we have to read our bible story and because, from start to finish, it takes us about 5 minutes to read the story and answer the couple questions at the end, they are staying interested and engaged.  LOVING this new family routine of our's!!

THREE

The other night Aaron was at work late, taking a class- so the kids and I were flying solo.  The girls were watching a show and James and I were having a ball in the playroom. James is OBSESSED with my phone (what kid/baby isn't?!?), so I turned on my camera so he could see himself.  He got the biggest kick out of seeing his little face!! So then I started taking pictures and that made him laugh so hard! 

It was pretty funny :)  I am the world's worst selfie taker...but I think this one of me and my squishy, precious baby boy is a keeper :)

FOUR

I thought it would be fun to throw in the kids' favorite part of the week...a dinner date with JUST daddy!  Aaron took the kids to the park yesterday and then to McDonald's for cheeseburgers and french fries.  We are those super mean parents who don't buy Happy Meals...so imagine how excited they were when the cashier gave each of them a happy meal toy- JUST BECAUSE.  They came home with their little Hello Kitty sticker dispenser and couldn't contain their happiness.  Thank you super kind woman at McDonald's- you totally made my kids' night!! :)

FIVE
So while Aaron was out with the kids, I had 1.5 hours to myself.  I set my computer up on our back patio and was able to get a huge amount of photos uploaded for James' photo book and I took a 1 1/2 hour continuing education course.  It was WONDERFUL to have just that short period of time to re-group and hear myself think.  I think this goes without being said, but I am still going to say it:)- 

I love my family more than anything else in the world- 
but sometimes you just need a little quiet time alone to re-charge!  

Finally, I don't think September 11th is EVER going to be a day that we will forget. For the spouses, children and families of loved ones lost, I can only imagine that this day is still SO fresh in their minds and hearts.  I am saying extra prayers today for those families as well as for all the service members who were present, searching and saving as many individuals as possible.  May we never forget and may we stay steadfast, loyal and most of all grateful for the amazing country that we call home.  

Hope you have the best day and a wonderful weekend!! :)

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for their Friday Favorites Link Up!

I am also linking up with April for Five on Friday!

Joining Karli for her, Oh Hey Friday Link Up! too!