Saturday Snapshots {7.12.14}

Happy Saturday.... the hours are winding down on Saturday.. I'm a little late to the party today. We had a great family gathering today at my Grandmother's house.  After Grandpa passed away in December she decided she wanted to sell the house.  Well it happened, and next week she moves... so we had one last big crazy gathering.  I'm exhausted both emotionally and physically from the day, and Hudson wasn't exactly in the best mood.  There were a lot of people around (my dad is one of 8, so when we all get together and the kids come, I have over 25 first cousins on that side, it gets a bit crazy) and it was very humid.  He is much better now and ready for bed, so I thought I would share a few of my snapshots from the week.  I'm linking up with Miss Nelson for her weekly linky Saturday Snapshots.  Be sure to check it out!  Hope everyone had a great weekend!

We had a lot of family time this week.  Jeremy's family from Michigan came to visit and meet Hudson.  We were able to take him swimming for the first time at the hotel they were staying at.  He loves the bath so we thought he would love the water too....

He didn't hate the water but was a little confused.

Just look at that sweet face staring at his dad!!!

I had a great moment with him too! Thanks to my mother-in-law for this picture!

A few weeks ago I posted a few pictures from our flower garden.  I am just in love with how pretty everything is looking.  Well more have begun to bloom and I had some fun taking a few pictures this week of my favorites. 

Lastly I leave you with my favorite picture from this week of my sweet boy.  I have seen on pinterest a decorating idea for the bathroom of using pictures of your kids during bath time.  I would love to get this one on a canvas in black and white.  Those eyes just tell such a great picture!!!

Have a great week ahead all!  :)

Positive Thinking Thursday *7.10.14*

Happy Positive Thinking Thursday!! The linky that helps put a smile on your face no matter what mood you're in.  Visit Jennifer at Mrs. Laffin's Laughings to get some more positive thoughts, or join to link of some of your own!

This week's thought came from my facebook feed.  As soon as I saw it I knew that I wanted to share it with you all!

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Life is all about perspective... and sometimes it's easy to get caught up in something that is wrong or things that you 'want'.  Slowing down and appreciating what you have is the right medicine.  I know that sometimes I need to be reminded of this when life gets hectic.  I know I need to stop and smell the roses! :) 

Have a happy day!

Monday Made It: 7.7.14 -S'more cookies & Running Board

Fist of all how many of your are taking part in Blog Hoppin' 2014's scavenger hunt??? If you aren't be sure to check it out. I had a blast this weekend working on finding some items on the list to check off.  Maybe that's why I only have 3 things to share today.  It's Monday, and that can only mean one thing.....

I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It!!!  Weeeeeee!

The first thing that I want to share are the S'Mores Cookies I made for the 4th of July

Ingredients

1 C Butter

1 C Brown sugar

2 Eggs

2 teaspoons Vanilla

2 C Flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup Hershey's bar, chopped

1 cup mini marshmallows

1 package Graham crackers

Directions: 

First I creamed the butter and sugar together.  I added the eggs and vanilla next and mixed together.  Lastly I added 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the baking soda.  

When everything mixed, I folded in the chocolate chips and marshmallows.  

When the mixture was done, I placed a small ball of the dough on top of a graham cracker and baked at 300 for about 11 minutes.  The recipe I followed you can find here.  It said to not cook for longer than 11 minutes or the graham cracker would burn.  I did have to cook just a little longer because I think my cookie balls were too big.  They weren't all the way done at 11 minutes. 

They turned our great, however I would suggest to double the marshmallows and chocolate!!  

Running Board: My husband and I have done a handful of running races.  Nothing major, just a 5K here and there.  I have seen these boards on pinterest that allow you to hang your race bib from them.  I thought, huh I could do that!!  I put two of them together.  One of them for me and one for my husband.  His isn't done being painted so I'll have to share later.  Here is mine!! 

American Flag Fruit Tray:  If you follow me on instagram you saw that I made a fruit tray for the 4th of July.  If you don't follow me on instagram, what are you waiting for???  :)  You can find me @mrsbentinsblackboard.  I put a very simple American Flag fruit tray together for our outing and it turned out great.  I did rub a small amount of lime juice on the bananas after I sliced them to keep them from going brown.  It worked out super nicely and I also love how the tray turned out!  If you're looking for something easy, this is for sure the way to go!  

Can't wait to see what everyone else has been up to! :)  Have a great week!

Saturday Snapshots 4.5.14

Oh I'm loving these summer days and nights! I'm so excited to share with you my week in snapshots. I'm linking up for the second week in a row now with Miss Nelson from 'Run, Miss Nelson's Got The Camera' for her Saturday Snapshots Linky!  She is an amazing photographer! Be sure to check out her blog, along with all of the others that link up.  I am inspired to get out and take more pictures because of them!

I took Hudson to the park for the first time this week.  We enjoyed a very nice day in the shade watching the other kids play.  The sky was beautiful and the sounds of the kids playing were great!!

Happy 4th of July!!  Hudson's first 4th...and the first year in I can't remember how long that we haven't really had a million plans (which is fine by me!)  We really look forward to spending time with family and friends, and hope you had a great 4th as well!

Our whole family!!! Ellie, our furbaby didn't want to look at the camera though!

A fun homemade tiki torch!

My fruit creation for the evening!

Enjoying the beautiful weather.

Our friend's dog, Willis

Ahhhhh Sunset awesomeness!!!

Five for Friday {4.4.14}

It has been FOREVER since I've linked up for a 'Five for Friday' post with Doodle Bugs Teaching! I'm so excited to be linking up with the fun and randomness of summer! Happy 4th of July Everyone!!! :)

I am super excited to be signed up for a postcard exchange for next year.  I have never heard about one before, until I read this post from Pinkadots Elementary. The short version of the story is that you sign up along with teachers from all of the other states in the U.S. (and even some out of the country) to send postcards to each other during the school year.  You either create or get a postcard that can highlight what is special about your state so others can read and learn about it.  I'm super excited to be doing this.  If you think that it's something you might be interested in, there are still several spots available in the exchange that I'm doing.  Please click here!  How fun! :)

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Tuesday was Hudson's first day out at the park. Granted he doesn't enjoy the park yet, but it was so nice to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.  Hello breezy 80 degree weather and goodbye 99% humidity and air conditioning.  

With the cooler weather we enjoyed a nice walk in Lake Geneva.  We try to get out and enjoy our town as much as we can, but in the summer it can be soooo busy that it's hard to get around.  If we go during the week it's much more tolerable. 

I did some work at school this week with some other colleagues.  We are working in our school's book room.  We spend some summer hours putting new books into the system and organizing what is already there.  I really love working in the book room because I always find a title or two that I didn't know we had!

Happy 4th of July!!!  It's hard to believe that last 4th of July my hubby and I were running free with plans plans plans.  I swear we had like 4 parties to go to in one day.  This year we didn't really have plans....just relaxing and enjoying the babe.  It feels nice not to be running all over the place, but still enjoying some time together.  

I hope you all had a wonderful week.  Happy 4th of July!!