What's Up Wednesday / Life Lately

What's up, Wednesday? It's warm and sunny, and we are powering our way through this last week of school! Life lately has been VERY busy, but an end is in sight!

I'm not really feeling it this morning, though. I have a MAJOR case of mom guilt right now, and I can't stop crying. Dylan's 6th grade field trip is today and they are going to the Pirates game in Pittsburgh. The 6th grade band is performing the national anthem before the game and I won't be there to see it. He's disappointed, and I feel so much guilt. 

This is the hard part of having multiple kids, and not being able to be there for everything. More than anything, I hate letting my kids down. I wish I could go to every single school event, but with four kids, it isn't always possible. I make it to almost everything, but at times like this, it doesn't seem like enough.

I'm hoping somebody takes a video so I can watch it. I don't know how, but I'll make it up to him in some way. And I'm sure he will have a great time, even if I'm not there. 

Moving on from my keeping it real, not so perfect mom moment...here's a little glimpse at life lately!

{WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK}

A few notes:

• We eat salad almost every night!
• We love pasta, because everybody in my family will eat it.
• I don't eat red meat and very little of any other type of meat so I usually skip the meat portion of the meal.
• My mom watches 3 of my 4 kids and cooks dinner for us every Thursday night because Thursday evenings at the dance studio are beyond chaotic!
• The delicious recipe for the Easy Cheesy Crockpot Penne is coming soon!

{WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT}

This is so cliche, but honestly, the fact that my kids are growing up way too fast! It always hits me at the end of the school year. I swear, they were just babies! 

In a few days, everything is going to change. My oldest will be heading to junior high in the Fall, Lexie will be going to a new school, Lily will be in first grade, which means she will be in school for full days, and Liam will be at preschool three days a week. 

I'm not ready for Dylan to be a teenager, or for Lexie to be in a school that forces her to grow up, or give up my afternoons with Lily, or for my BABY to celebrate his 4th birthday. Slow down, time! PLEASE!

They were just babies...I swear.

{WHAT I'M LOVING}

I usually have a long list of things that I'm currently loving, but I haven't found many new products lately that deserve a shout out. 

I am burning this candle right now, and it smells amazing! I love anything lemon scented or flavored, so this one is perfect!



And this weather? Well, I DEFINITELY love that!

{WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO}

End of the school year events have been keeping us really busy!

Dylan had his 6th grade chorus, band and orchestra concert! His field day was last week and his field trip is today. 

Lexie had her chorus concert and did an amazing job! She also went on her field trip last week and had her field day yesterday.

Lily is currently enjoying her very first field day at school, and spends her evenings dancing!

Liam is done with preschool this year! Well, kind of. He will still go three days in June, three days in July and three days in August, but the main school year is over. We are very bummed that his teacher is getting transferred in the Fall, but we were excited to hear that his rockin' buddy, Dolly, will be in his class next year!

And dance, of course. It's taking over our lives now that the recital is just a few weeks away!

{WHAT I'M DREADING}

Honestly? The start of the next school year! Is it bad to already be worrying about it when we still have two days left of this school year?!? Having four kids leave for school and arrive home at three different times is going to be a lot to juggle!

{WHAT I'M WORKING ON}

I'm finishing up a fun post about one of the coolest toys ever! All four of my kids play with it each day, so that makes it a clear winner. Check back tomorrow to see what it is...

I'm also trying to get the mountain of clothing in the attic sorted into the correct bins. And if you think I'm exaggerating, I will share a picture later of the mountain. Send help!

{WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT}

Summer Break is thisclose! I'm very excited about getting a break from packing all those lunches, signing assignment books, helping with homework and studying, and most of all, no more waiting in line for kindergarten pickup!!!

{WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING}

Reading:

My dear friend bought me this book after I read through my last book at record speed. I'm a few chapters in and I already love it!



Watching:

The new seasons of House of Cards and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix! #StreamTeam The first episode of House of Cards was so good, and I can't wait to watch the rest of the season. And Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is just ridiculously funny!

{WHAT I'M LISTENING TO}

Currently? Liam singing! But usually my favorites list on Spotify, which includes all the songs my kids constantly request!

{WHAT I'M WEARING}

I've been wearing a lot of dresses, thanks to all the events!



And lots of cold shoulder tops!



{WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND}

On Friday, school's out for the Summer! That evening, we will go out for ice cream. It's our last day of the school year tradition to kick off Summer Break!

This weekend, dance recital chaos will hit. The girls have rehearsal on Saturday and Sunday for the recital finale. In between everything, I will desperately try to go grocery shopping, get the rest of the Summer clothing from the attic, and crank out a few blog posts!

Actually, all of our weekends in June are completely booked! Next weekend, the girls have rehearsal again on Saturday and Sunday, the following weekend is the dress rehearsal and the recital, and the following weekend we are traveling to Michigan for my niece's wedding. So long, June weekends!

{WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH}

As you can see, June is going to be a busy one! Hopefully, the weekdays will be a bit less chaotic. I'm looking forward to a more relaxed schedule and spending the Summer days with my kids. We already planned a lot of fun outings for each week!

We're really looking forward to my niece's wedding. It has been a long time since we had a family wedding, and my kids are so excited for a road trip and a hotel stay. We're going to have so much fun!

{WHAT ELSE IS NEW}

The past few weeks have been tough for our families.  

At the beginning of May, Grant's uncle, who is like a father figure to him, had a major stroke and ended up getting brain surgery. He has been in the hospital ever since and will be moved to a rehab facility at the end of the week. It was a shock to everyone because he's still so young. He's doing well, but has a long road ahead of him. 

Last week, Grant's great aunt passed away, and a day later, my great aunt passed away. Too many sad events over the course of a month!

After this past stressful month, we're really looking forward to (somewhat) relaxed Summer days and a break from the constant busyness!

What have you been up to?!?