Friday Favorites {Goodbye Summer, Hello School}

Happy Friday!

Today I'm linking up with Friday Favorites!

 Hosted by: Andrea, Erika & Narci

I am SO happy it is Friday.

We are just finishing our 2nd week of school and I am starting to get my groove back. 

The first few weeks of school always kick my butt.

All summer long we sleep in, stay in pj's until noon, pretty much just wear swim suits, and have lots of family hang out time. There is a reason they call them the lazy dog days of summer and they are glorious.

But then once school starts we are thrust back into routine (which I love) but it takes all of us a few weeks to get back into our groove. I am tired from teaching & being "on" all day. My kids are tired from spending all day at school, learning new routines with their new teachers, etc. 

Soccer for all 3 kids started back up, so they are tired from 2 practices a week, 

I am driving them around town and I am coaching Claire's team, so that is fun, but also tiring. 

Kevin is coaching Luke's team, which again is fun & tiring. 

Plus, add in Back to School Nights for all 3 kids plus my own Back to School Night so

needless to say, we are TIRED!

Everyone loves their teachers and classes, but a new school year is just TIRING! 

{ONE}

The First Day of School is one of my favorite days of the year.
So much anticipation & excitement. It's like Christmas morning to me :)

The past several years, I have been taking first day photos also :)

This is Year 15 of teaching for me!!!!

 One of my favorite things about this school year is that Kate is a student at my school!
Love seeing her at school each day :)

{TWO}

One of my favorite things to give my kids teachers the first week of school is my Back to School Printable which is a list of their FAVORITE things!

 You can download it HERE for free!
It's a great way to know what your kids teachers love and it i makes giving them treats/gifts so much easier!

{THREE}

Running is my favorite form of exercise.
In May I decided that I would run a race every month until I turned 40...in May 2019.
So, for my August race, I ran the Oakland 5k.

 One of the race sponsors was the Oakland A's and proceeds from the race went to the Oakland schools.

The best part was the race was at 4pm, so I didn't have to wake up early. Haha!

We got this cute mason jar at the end of the race & a free beer!

{FOUR}

Anniversary's are my favorite and today Kevin & I celebrate our Sweet 16th!

It has been sweet, it has been sour.
We have laughed. We have cried.
There have been good times and bad times, but thankfully the good has outweighed the bad.
Marriage is a wonderful thing, but marriage is hard and takes a lot of work.
Thanks for putting up with me, Kevin!

{FIVE}

This Avocado Slicer is my new favorite kitchen tool!

 It is AWESOME & a 3 in one tool.

It cuts the avocado open.

Twist the pit out


Then slice up the avocado.

I am OBSESSED!
You can get it HERE.

{SIX}

Birthdays are my favorite!
Luke turned 6 earlier this month.

We celebrated with a Lumberjack themed party!

Throwing parties is one of my very favorite things & so are the incredible cakes my Mother in Law makes.
You can see all the Lumberjack Party details HERE.

{SEVEN}

Rodan + Fields new product Active Hydration Body Replenish is my new favorite's because it has totally healed my cracked heels from wearing flip flops all summer!

I use it on my heels & my entire body...it is like silk!
 
If you have dry or crepy/scaly skin...you need this in your life :)
For my August Special, all new preferred customers will get $20 off your order and a FREE jar of our Active Hydration Body Replenish ($60 value!)

 

We have products for all skin types.

Redefine for Anti Aging, Fine Line & Wrinkles:

 Reverse for Sun Damage, Age Spots, Melasma and Skin Brightness.

 Unblemish for acne (works on teens & adults)

Soothe for Sensitive Skin & Redness:

Click HERE to find out what regimen is best for your skin!

And, don't forget about Lash Boost! It's the best!
 

 If you used to be a customer, we are offering this deal to returning customers as well!

Email me with questions or to place an order!
melissa_larson17@yahoo.com

{EIGHT}

As you know, my  Instant Pot is one of my favorite kitchen appliances. I used it several times this summer to make BBQ ribs. SO easy & so good!

Here are some of my other favorite recipes using my Instant Pot:

Easiest Dinner EVER:


Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup 


Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken:


 
Instant Pot Rosemary Beef Stew


Mexican Chicken Couscous Casserole:

 I use my  Instant Pot 1-2 times a week, especially in the Fall/Winter.
I have been working on some new IP recipes to share with you...stay tuned!

{NINE}

Cougars on Cruisers is one of my favorite nights of the year. This is auction item for our kids Elementary School.

It is basically a scavenger hunt/competition on bikes.
 I was one of the hosts/organizers this year and it was a blast.

When I posted about this last week on Instagram, some of you asked if I would do a full blog post on this fundraiser and what we did. GREAT idea! I am working on that....stay tuned!


{TEN}
My new favorite shoes for teaching...Rothy's!!!

I blogged about them in the Spring, but had to mention them again because I LOVE them.
I love Tory Burch flats, but the style I like was discontinued last year. I need comfy (and cute!) shoes to teach in. Enter, Rothy's.

 They are made from recycled water bottles!!!!
They come in tons of colors and 3 different styles.
I love the pointed toe version, but they also come in rounded toe or loafer.
They just now started carrying kids sizes.
My favorite ones are the pointed toe/solid black.

Not only are they extremely comfortable, they are stylish. And, a total bonus that they are made with recycled water bottles. It feels like I am wearing slippers.
And, the insoles are machine washable!
I recommend sizing up 1/2 a size.
If you click HERE, you get $20 off your order!
They offer free shipping & free returns.

So, there you have it....some of my favorites!
Have a great weekend!