1. Hudson and I had a great week at home with very few commitments. It has been a few weeks since we’ve been able to just sit at home and relax, but it has been nice to have a quiet, restful week with my boy.
2. I haven’t done a post of our meal planning for this week, but that’s another reason why we’ve been home so much. We’re buckling down and really sticking to a family budget in an effort to save for rainy days and exciting projects, so we’ve been trying hard to cut where we usually spend the most– eating out. I made a delicious chicken pot pie last night and I’ll share the recipe soon. I can’t take credit for any of the delicious meals I make because they’re not my recipe. My cooking philosophy is: “Follow a good recipe and you can’t go wrong.” So that’s what I do! If you’re able to make off the cuff, find whatever is in your pantry and turn it into a masterpiece meals, I envy you. Share your secrets!
3. While Hudson isn’t technically starting school, he is going to be attending our church’s weekday program two mornings per week. This falls at the same time that Junior League things start to pick up, so it will be good for both of us. He’ll get a morning of learning and fun with other kids and I’ll get a chance to run errands and take care of some of my weekly tasks without disrupting his day. He even has a backpack that Kim gave to us!
4. My wonderful mother-in-law had a birthday this week and we’ll be celebrating tomorrow morning! And my dad will celebrate his birthday on Sunday. We’re so lucky to have such great parents and Hudson is so lucky to have fantastic grandparents nearby and far away.
5. Todd and I are going out to dinner with some friends tomorrow night, but we’re planning to stay home tonight, eat leftovers, and watch Dateline. A typical Friday night at the Carroll house!
6. My DVR was full of shows from the almost three weeks that I was in and out of town. I spent my nights this week catching up on Rachel Zoe, Flipping Out, and Project Runway. If I could have two new people added to my BFF list, I’d pick Brad from Rachel Zoe and Jeff Lewis from Flipping Out.
Also- I’m addicted to The Bachelor Pad. It’s terrible, I know, but I can’t look away. It’s like the new Real World/Road Rules reunion shows.
7. I have a list a mile long of movies I want to see. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The only thing I miss about my pre-mommy days are running off to the movies when ever I feel like it. But we have Netflix and we use it. So I’ll be waiting for most of these movies to come out on DVD and be delivered to my doorstep.
8. My mom received some exciting news today from her dermatologist, so be watching for her to update her blog!
9. My dear friend Emily will be celebrating her daughter (and Hudson’s girlfriend), Cate’s first birthday tomorrow! Happy Birthday, Caterbug!
10. The biggest success of the week was finally getting Hudson’s cubbies and shelves completed in his playroom. We’ve slowly been turning our office into a playroom for Hudson. There are so many toys and I can’t handle the chaos of having the toys scattered in every room. I’ll do a post soon with my plans for the room!
Did you all have a great week? Tell me something exciting! Any great weekend plans?
Toodles, Poodles!
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Your dad and I share a birthday and my dad’s birthday is the day after, Monday! Looks like a busy weekend for all.
I know what you mean about movies and tv. Since Gillian Grace’s arrival we hardly watch television anymore.
I think it’s great that you’ve got Hudson enrolled in school a few days a week. How does he cope with separation when you leave him? I’m worried about that with GG. I know you’ve talked about dropping him at the church nursery before. I’m hoping when the time comes, GG will be fine!
Hope you have a great weekend. Oh and Emily’s daughter is just so precious. I love her blog too! Didn’t realize y’all were friends…small world!
Friday night at home w/ leftovers, Dateline, and my hubby…sounds likes heaven
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Great news about your momma! I saw it on your Twitter! So happy for you and your dear family!
I TOTALLY agree with Bachelor Pad. I am 100% addicted to which is embarrassing to admit. I tried NOT to watch it, but I just can’t look away. There is something so good about it. I’m with you in that!
Awesome news about your mom! You and I could be tv watching buddies, those are all my favorites too! (I tweeted to you about Jenny’s jumpsuit on Flipping Out
) I’m addicted to reality television of any kind. I saw your tweet last weekend about Keith Morrison on Dateline and laughed because my husband and I always crack up at him, he is so dramatic! Can’t wait to see Hudson’s playroom!
One thing I LOVE about being a little older is that movies no longer take 9 or 10 months to make it to DVD, as they did when DVDs first came out. I put a movie in my Netflix queue when I see previews; three months later I’m watching it on my sofa! B and I really only see movies in the theater now if we know we’ll both love it. Otherwise it seems like a waste – babysitter, big ordeal. That’s how I know I’m an old lady/mom now.
Um, my dad and I are addicted to watching Bachelor Pad together. My mom says that we are so trashy! Ha! Talk about bonding!
I am addicted to the bachelor bad too! I think it is like the real world/road rule and the gauntlet!
Totally jealous about organizing the office/playroom! We need to do some organization, but we need the space first!! I can’t wait to see the pictures.
We’ve been eating in more often these days, too. I’d rather have that extra $$$ for traveling around our new country!
Can’t wait to see photos of the cubbies & shelves
Your blog posts always make me smile!! You always are positive and share great tips. Seeing Hudson grow up is great….he’s adorable!!!
“you’re” …. sorry…hate when I have typos on comments. Sorry!!! : (
You had me at #6. I feel as though my full time job is keeping up with Bravo reality TV – and I really couldn’t be happier about it! I adore Brad, but I seriously DIE over Jeff Lewis. I want him to be my neurotic, yet hilarious boss/best friend and I want us to spend our days laughing at people over martinis (made by Jett, obvi) and Chicken McNuggets. LOVE!
Erin— Sounds like a GREAT week! I just posted a yummy recipe on my blog today! Go check it out! It’s sure to please! I can’t wait to try the chicken pot pie you made. Sounds yummy!
Ahhhhhh I wish my name was spelled with a “C” – I love my name (and HATE when people call me “Katie”) but always thought it’d be fun to be “Cate”!
{this is likely the randomest comment you’ll get on this post}
Sounds like a fun, relaxing week!
So happy to hear about your mom!!
Ditto about Brad from Rachel Zoe! I was dying when they showed him doing pilates last week, and all of his comments about short shorts seriously crack me up.
i’m glad things are going well for your mom and can’t wait to see the new playroom!
i feel like i could have written this exact same post!
1. lovin the bachelor pad and embarassed at my love for it at the same time
2. just started budgeting and cooking for the family again
3. avery starting church school next week
4. BUT we are Netflix addicts and go through the movies and series So quickly that our que is a little puny now so go ahead and list some recommendations- im all ears!
have a great weekend!
Sounds like you had a great, low-key week!
Those are the best sometimes. I spent the week with my youngest sister (she’s 9). She stayed with us for a couple of days then I headed out to western Michigan to continue “babysitting” her and to spend time with my parents! So, it was a good week up here, too! Looking forward to a beautiful weekend 
Hope you guys have a great one!
Toodles, poodles? Ugh…no annoying. As is your “Holy ____ Batman” saying. If you think you’re being cute, you’re not. AT ALL. Stop trying so hard. It doesn’t look good on you.
Dateline tonight was sad, poor sweet old man
First of all, Natalie is a hater.
Second, I’ve been a lurker of your blog for about 6 months and I’ve heard about “Junior League” a lot. What is that?
Getting ready for my last baby shower….the anticipation is killing me…(thus I’m reading blogs at 2:00 am)!
I cannot wait to see Hudson’s finished play room…I know it will be beautiful and functional.
What a sweet post – looking forward to hearing about the chicken pot pie!
Cxx
Sounds like an awesome week! Love the ones at home myself. So I can’t get into Bachelor Pad. I think it’s because I don’t know all of the people since I haven’t watched all of the seasons. I’m such a fan of that type of show too. I can get down with some Real World/Road Rules Challenge! (I even watch re-runs of that one.)
I love to read your post, they always bring a smile to me! Great news about your Mom, saw your post on twitter, prayers contine too you and your family. Looking forward to your post about the chicken pot pie, yummm.
Feel the exact same about #6 and Bachelor Pad!!!! LOVE IT!
Saw on Twitter you are heading to Takosushi. The one in downtown Greenville is fantastic. Enjoy!
I’m just so glad you guys can use the back pack!!
I read your post Friday and could not get chicken pot pie out of my head, so I caved and made it last night. I made the Pioneer Woman’s recipe. Have you tried it? It’s the best I’ve ever had! Just thought I would share. Hope you had a great weekend!
I think the secret to cooking without a recipe is to have a number of simple standby recipes that can be altered according to what you have at home. I make a very simple tomato sauce and depending on my mood (and what is in the fridge) I add different things. Sometimes I use fresh basil and sometimes I don’t, sometimes I add grilled eggplant and chili flakes, sometimes cream and frozen peas and sometimes if I am really ambitious homemade turkey meatballs. I think the trick is to start with a good recipe, think of things you have eaten in the past and liked, and be willing to experiment. You definitely have to be prepared to have a few disasters on the way to glory though. Good luck!