it's my girls' world

Don't you just love those low key weekends with just a whole lot of chill and many little adventures. As the next few weeks are going to be crazy, these past few days have been a welcome respite.... a little calm before the storm if you will

Our whole bunch of glorious nothingness included:

-a girls lunch on Friday with another mom friend and her two girls

- margaritas and nachos for finger food Friday (apparently the Olympics are being held in Mexico)

- watching the Olympics opening ceremony as a family ( watching the races is becoming a nighttime tradition that we are loving)

- mama sneaking out for a spin class and a quick trip to the market on Saturday morning

- the girls and me going to the library to pick up some books for our trip. A talked nonstop while C read quietly

- heading out to ribfest where I invested in a $10 blooming onion and if we had a 1/4 of it, it was a lot. #notworthit. We had other stuff too  like a nutella covered jumbo ear!

- a quick visit to the playground after

- our friends Dani, Jason and their girls coming to visit on Sunday and ending up spending lots of time soaking up the sun and fresh air.

- and of course someone swimming every.single.day.

Linking up with  Biana

Happy Friday! Is it just me or are the days just flying by? Just like the days in February just drag by....

Here are our random bits of happy from this week.

1- My basil plant has really bloomed this year. I've been making some simple summer fare like this  easy app but it's still way more than I have use for especially as it doesn't freeze well. Any recos for recipes? 

 (not pictured is the dollop of balsamic glaze and drizzle of olive oil right before serving.

2- I didn't do too much shopping in the US on our last trip as our CDN dollar is $1.32 to $1 US. Loft did have some 50% off sale items so I scored some major summer finds. These two also were on super sale-- a glass kettle as our old one conked out on sale from $89.99 to $29.99 and this PB dispenser from $69.99 to $22.00.  Is it sad that I feel majorly accomplished finding these deals?

3- Our 10th wedding anniversary trip is coming up and I'm getting very excited. Any recommendations for must-see or do experiences in Napa?Any must-visit wineries?

4- Sushi bowls are the best--- I'm already trying to strategize when I can get my next one! 

5- Although I wasn't a fan of this season, my friend Jenn hosted a super cute outdoor finale party for The Bachelorette. Lots of ladies, laughs and sugar made for a good time. A few of us might have gotten into her heated pool for the After The Final Rose portion. #thatswhattheshowwouldwantustodo

Have a wonderful warm weekend, lovelies!

inking up with 

Andrea, Erika and Narci for Favourites on Friday

Amy for Hey Friday

  and Amanda for Friday Favourites

This past weekend was a long one in Canada so with our friends, another family of four, we headed out to Rochester. It was a beautiful weekend filled with sunshine, fun, a bit of hangry and a smidge of shopping.

We headed out bright and early on Saturday morning. This 3.5 hour trip was a bit of prep for the 9 hour trip to NYC we'll be doing soon. The girls were great along with the help of the iPad, some books, snacks and the British voice on my friends' GPS that A loved imitating.

After a quick mall pit-stop (very quick: bathroom break and a kettle/perfume purchase) we met our friends at a restaurant in Charlotte, NYC where we had lunch at a Waterfront restaurant. We then walked to Ontario Beach Park where we had some famous Abbott's frozen custard. The kids went on an antique carousel and the ladies took a long stroll on the Pier.

In the afternoon, we dropped the kids and dads off at the hotel and then headed to Target for just a bit of cross border shopping. We then picked up our families and headed to PF Changs for dinner where 8 cranky, hangry people had to wait over an hour to be seated. Dinner was delicious but right after that, we called it a night.

The next day, we headed to the Finger Lakes for a long drive and we stopped at two wineries for a some tastings. We've been to the Finger Lake regions before and we love a few of their wineries.

The Strong Museum of Play, our next stop, was definitely the highlight of the trip for the kiddos (and a couple adults). So many toys from so many generations and so little time. Think old school video games, loads of sensory play, a whole sesame place, a miniature town with a 'real-life' grocery and so much more. We could have easily spent a couple more hours there.

This was a kaliedoscope  hall that A walked through.

I made a quick stop at Trader Joe's for my healthy snacks to transport across the border and to buy some simple food to make for dinner after the long day the kids had. We hung out at the hotel, cooked and swam for a bit.

The next day it was a quick stop to the mall and then we headed back home.

Such a wonderful outing for our little crew!

Linking up with Annie and Amanda.

SaveSaveSaveSave

This is a good one with variations floating around the internet that my friend Kathryn brought over one night. Super simple, not the best for you but so easy in a pinch.

1 packet of instant pistachio pudding

1 can of crushed pineapple drained

250 ml whipping cream mixed (I only had a can that my MIL left here)

1/2 container of mini marshmallows

1/2 cup of crushed walnuts or pistachios crushed (optional)

1- Mix the pudding and the crushed pineapple together

2- Add all the other ingredients. 

Even though it kinda looks like coloured dog food, this is a popular one with the kids and adults alike! And so, so easy. It takes more time cleaning up than it does making it-- seriously.

Linking up with Courtney, Elizabeth, Jamie, Sarah, Jamie and Whitney. Though this isn't really a meal (well in our house, anyway), it certainly is a quick one if you're having friends over on a weeknight!