Our weekend was one of the most laidback weekends we’ve had in a while. I actually had to sit here and scratch my head when it came to thinking about what we did on Friday. I swear after Chase was born, my memory turned to mush and anything non-critical that happened 48 or more hours ago is lost. Yeesh. Clearly our Friday night was rather uneventful but that’s a good thing in my eyes! I do remember getting in bed early and beginning a new book (All the Missing Girls – one of your suspense novel recommendations on my Friday blog post).
Oh wait! Chase also had his first “official” soccer practice on Friday and it went well…
Ha!
Saturday
I do have a clearer memory of Saturday and Sunday though, so let’s start there! Saturday morning began with a family trip to the gym after breakfast. Even though Ryan and I rarely do the same workout, we like to warm up next to each other on side-by-side treadmills and it always makes me nostalgic for our Florida days when we’d workout together nearly every morning. Meeemories!
After 10 minutes of incline walking on the treadmill, I did a total body workout in the weight room before meeting back up with Ryan and picking Chase up from childcare. He had a ball and told us all about the pictures he colored and the orange train he played with on the train table.
We made it home with a few hours to spare before Chase’s afternoon nap so we decided to spend the rest of the morning swimming in the lake and playing a bazillion rounds of fetch with Sadie. She was in absolute heaven and Ryan and I once again wondered aloud how many rounds of fetch it would take to get Sadie tired. (Any vizsla owners ever figured out their stopping point?)
I will never forget bringing Sadie on my long runs (10+ miles) during half marathon training and the minute we’d arrive home, she’d go straight to her toy basket and grab a ball to try to get me to play fetch with her. If only we could bottle that energy up and sell it!
We made it home in time for lunch before Chase went down for his nap. One of my girlfriends called a toddler’s nap the “Nap Trap” on the weekends or vacations when you’re trapped at home and can’t do anything outside of the house and I thought the term was hysterically accurate. I usually don’t mind the Nap Trap and use this time on the weekends to get ahead on work but I really wanted to pick up a birthday present for a friend, get a pedicure and make a return to (aka wander around) HomeGoods so Ryan and Sadie chilled on the couch and watched soccer while I enjoyed a solo afternoon. It’s kind of crazy to me how relaxing it feels to simply be out and about on my own doing seemingly simple and even mundane things but I loved it. Especially the pedicure!
I arrived back home to find Ryan and Chase playing and was greeted with the most adorable hello from Chase. He said, “Hi Mama! Nice to see you!” and it was so grown up, pleasant and out of the blue that it made me laugh out loud and want to scoop him up and give him a bazillions kisses at the same time. He still typically talks in three- to four-word statements so such a long greeting caught me off guard!
We didn’t have too much time to spare before our evening plans took us to Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden in Mooresville.
We met up with our friends to celebrate Laura’s birthday and enjoy some tasty food and drinks together! As you can probably tell from this picture, we stayed at Barcelona a littler longer than we probably should have for Chase who was past his prime when I finally thought to get a picture with the birthday girl at the end of the night.
Our friend Ben joined us back at home once we left and the rest of our Saturday night was pretty low-key as we caught up and hung out on the couch after we put Chase to bed.
Sunday
Sunday was another rather laidback day and kicked off with the early-morning church followed by grocery shopping. I spent the early part of the morning meal planning for the week ahead so I shopped for a week’s worth of food with a giant list.
Here’s a peek into our dinner menu for the week ahead:
- Sunday: Rainbow Vegetarian Pad Thai
- Monday: Broiled Flounder with Butternut Squash and Broccolini
- Tuesday: Al Pastor Bowls
- Wednesday: One Pot Chicken Cabbage Bowls with Sesame Ginger Broth
- Thursday: Tiger Salad with Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Friday: Out
During Chase’s nap, I worked while Ryan went to the gym and the real fun happened once I logged off my computer and we headed back out to the lake and then off to Birkdale Village for some returns and train playtime for Chase at Barnes & Noble.
All in all it was a good weekend! Any weekend that combines relaxation, a fair amount of time outside, hanging out with friends and delicious food is a good one in my book.
Hope you all have a great Tuesday!
My memory went after I became pregnant with Mitch and I swear it’s never been the same (three years later). It always amazes me how kids and dogs have never ending energy. I’d love even a little bit bottled up!
Brynn(Quote)
All the Missing Girls was SO good! I loved the style of how it was written. And as always your weekend looked so fun and like a good balance of relaxing and getting out. I love walking around home goods and almost did that this past sunday too, now I REALLY want to go!
Patricia @Sweet and Strong(Quote)
Continued reading it last night and it is STRESSING ME OUT!! I love it but I am SO on edge every time I open it!
Julie(Quote)
Julie, what brand of workout leggings are you wearing in the workout pic? I’m in need of some new basic black ones! Thanks!
Cassie(Quote)
Fabletics!
Julie(Quote)
What a fun weekend! I totally agree, whenever I find myself at the grocery store or Target by myself now, I feel like I’m at a spa – it’s funny to think having to do those errands on the weekend used to feel like a hassle lol.
Christina @ montessoriishmom.com(Quote)
All the Missing Girls is on my too read list, how do you like it? I love being able to wander around stores without feeling like I’m being rushed. Sounds like you had a great weekend!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real(Quote)
It’s really good but SO freaky!
Julie(Quote)
I love your bikini! That is so adorable. Flounder sounds delicious! Can I come over for dinner tonight? 😉
Carrie this fit chick(Quote)
Sounds like a great weekend! Getting a pedicure is always such a nice treat.
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups(Quote)
My favorite part about the weekend “nap trap” is taking a nap at the same time! haha! I work during the week and am always tired when the weekend rolls around so I take full advantage and try to fit in at least one nap for myself on the weekends!
Laura Swanson(Quote)
I love your bathing suit so much! I thought All the Missing Girls was a great book and written SO well – hope you enjoy it!
Ashley(Quote)
Sounds like an awesome weekend! I’m laughing about Sadie and playing fetch – our girl is only 8 months but I swear she never gets tired. All she wants to do is play 🙂
Erinn(Quote)
Seems like a fabulous weekend! I love your black and white tank in the restaurant picture! Would you mind sharing where it is from?
Taylor(Quote)
Thank you! It was actually in my most recent StitchFix delivery and is super comfy. I’ll report back on the brand — I cannot remember at the moment!
Julie(Quote)
Okay, first of all: that bathing suit is the cutest! I don’t know about the Nap Trap yet except for when our pup naps, which lately has meant we’re napping too. I can’t even imagine life with kids yet! 🙂
Vanessa | The Real Life(Quote)
Chase with the cone is so hilarious and cute at the same time! I remember when you shared the bikini; it looks so good on you! I got the shorts from AE you told us about and you’re right…they’re the best shorts I have ever owned! Love them! I grabbed some jeans from there too that are Tomgirl and they feel great. Love the last pic of Ryan and Chase BTW. Have a great day, Julie!
Marie(Quote)
Thank you!! And I’m so glad you like the shorts, too. Such a good length!
Julie(Quote)
All the Missing Girls is on my to be read list. You’ll have to let us know how you like it.
I totally agree – the perfect weekend combines the right amount of relaxing, socializing, and being productive.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona(Quote)
This does seem like the best weekend! I had one very similar with a low-key Friday night equipped with BBQ chicken pizza + an Oktoberfest beer and an early morning Saturday couple workout. The weekend concluded with Top Golf with friends on Sunday and grocery shopping and meal planning. Tonight’s dinner will be homemade black bean tostadas with mushrooms and peppers, and I am so excited. FOOD IS THE BEST.
Kaitlyn @ Powered by Sass(Quote)
This sounds like the perfect weekend!! Weekends spent outdoors are the best!
Alexis deZayas(Quote)
Omg, I love that bathing suit! It is SO cute!! Sounds like you guys had a great weekend! Relaxation, family/friend time, and outside time always sounds good to me! Ooooh, I am definitely going to buy that book, I need a new one to read!! I hope you are having a great Tuesday! Xoxo
Kayla(Quote)
I totally relate on the mom brain thing- ever since having Benaiah my brain has turned into a ‘Swiss cheese brain…’ 😉
Also, your swim suit is adorable! Where is it from?
Bethany @LuluRuns(Quote)
Thank you!! It’s from Amazon — super cheap 🙂
Julie(Quote)
Please report back on that Pinch of Yum recipe! I’ve been eyeing it 🙂
Julie(Quote)
I’ve read All The Missing Girls – I LOOOOOOVED it but it totally creeped me out. I was reading it one night at home by myself and had to stop reading because I couldn’t take it while I was alone at home. Such a good read!
Torry(Quote)
YES! It’s so, so creepy. It’s totally freaking me out!
Julie(Quote)
Little kids in athletic gear gets me every time! It’s just so adorable!
Laura @ Laura Likes Design(Quote)
Looks like you guys had a great weekend! Also, I love your swim suit! where’s it from?
Katie(Quote)
Loved this post as always, and that pic of Chase’s head in the orange cone is extra adorable. lol
Also, just want to add that I love that huge dock on the lake in the background – I love it when parks and lakes have public docks for visitors. It would be inconvenient for other people, but I always want to park a lawn chair on one of those things (but then that would block it…..so I don’t.) How is the weather so warm still (country wide)? It’s warm here too! Almost 90 last weekend!
Great post as always. And since you’ve mentioned that burger place….now all I can think of is a really good restaurant burger!
Kim from MN(Quote)
That is the cutest little greeting ever! I love it!
Bethany(Quote)
The weekend sounds like it was so fun! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us =)
Kelly Mahan(Quote)
Nap Trap. I love it and it’s so true! That is now going to be part of my daily lingo!
Josie(Quote)
I just finished All The Missing Girls. I could not put it down and finished in about 2 days. Such a good book! My sister ended up reading it twice, I think I might do the same!
Kristin(Quote)
I need to order that book! I keep seeing it mentioned! I’ve been borrowing books from my parent’s house since they have TONS, but most of the books aren’t very good. I loved the story about Chase greeting you! I LOVE having a toddler! My son is younger than Chase, but whenever he says new things it just melts me! He says “Yellow” “Blue” and “Green” and it is the cuuuutest thing ever! I can’t wait until he starts saying more words! And he calls oatmeal “miomio” haha. How far do you live from the lake? It seems like you can always get out onto your boat so quickly! I told my husband that I want some solo time this weekend! My husband lives in another state so I always want to spend time as a family on weekends and get NO “chill” time alone, so that’s my plan! It’s so nice to be free!
Liz(Quote)