Birthday Mini Vacation.

Thank you all for your sweet wishes on my birthday! I still don't know how to feel about it, I guess this first year I'm going to feel like I'm still twenty-nine for a while, or a few more years ;)

We had planned this mini trip a few weeks before my birthday. I've always done something on this day whether it's a party, a dinner or drinks at a place and to be honest, with all of the everyday life craziness I needed something different. Plus turning thirty was a little depressing I'm not going to lie. Sometimes I feel like I should have accomplished all that I wanted to accomplish by now, travel more, have another kid, buy a car, etc. Oh well, this can happen in my thirties.

Anyway, Jack and I asked for Friday off and left that day early. The place we went to is up in the mountains in New Mexico and only a couple of hours away which is so perfect for a little getaway to a relaxing place.

We rented a cabin up high on a mountain where I have been going since I was little. The last time I was there was with my dad a couple of years ago and I knew it would bring back so many memories. I wanted to stay there anyway because they're in such a nice area with a gorgeous view. We got there and I knew that I would feel a little anxious just walking into the cabin but I felt good. Relaxed. Ready to be with my little family for the weekend without any interruptions. It's also isolated from the world, if you will, and I love that!

You get to the cabins through this castle front. I mean, how cool is that.



Once there, the view is just incredible. It relaxes you instantly.




If you follow me in Instagram, you saw that we popped open two beers almost as soon as we got there and cheered to my birthday, being there and the beautiful view we had.

We had absolutely not plans on doing anything when we got there and that is exactly what happened. Before coming up the mountain, we stopped at the store to pack up on food and snacks and of course beer!

We took naps, we played, we ate, we drank, slept some more and did it all over again for two days. We headed downtown for a little and grabbed some Starbucks, life saver!



The cabins also have an indoor pool which was so so cool, we got to take Elliot in and although the water was warm he was cold and didn't last very long but we enjoyed it so much!

It was a little windy but we didn't care! We went outside for a short walk. Just being surrounded by trees and no people, no problems, nothing, is the best thing in the world.

It was so weird, well not weird but awesome that this boy had so much fun, it's like he knew we were on vacation and he let loose. He was running around, yelling, laughing, playing on his own and it was the most amazing thing to see. He was so different and such a good boy. He didn't cry or complain the entire time! He did so good on the way there, while we were there and on the way back. Jack and I were in awe. 

We saw a herd of about ten deer and immediately ran to the balcony to see. I really wish you could have heard Elliot. The entire time he kept going "ooh ooh" in the cutest little voice.

We completely forgot to get me a little cake to celebrate my birthday but Jack put his shoes on and headed down the mountain to get me a couple of these little chocolate muffins on paper plates. Elliot totally wanted to take a bite.

This was the best way to spend my thirtieth birthday. We were so sad to go and promised to go back very soon. I loved every second I spent with my family and we had such a good time. Jack and I learned so much while we were there. He told me he wants more vacations like these because he truly enjoyed his time there with us and he says how we really need to enjoy life and stop worrying so much about everything. This did that to us. I completely agree with him. It was crazy, while we were there we didn't care so much about cleaning up, doing dishes, nothing. When we got home we unpacked and left the hamper full to the top with dirty clothes, did we care, nope. Jack even told me, don't worry about dinner this week, we will pick something up everyday. I was like, huh!? It's been a really nice break! This short trip definitely brought us closer together. We had not been on a trip as a family, and it's just such a different experience. Don't get me wrong, our Vegas days were so much fun but going on a trip with Elliot is so much fun too, a different kind of fun. 

I hope you all had the best weekend!! I know I did ;)

Taco Bowl Night.

Working all day and coming home to make dinner is not something I jump through hoops over excitement. I'm exhausted and still have a thousand other things to do. I know I've said before that I am always in search of easy, ingredient friendly, healthy meals for my family and something I can whip up in thirty to forty-five minutes. Eating out really isn't an option for us unless we have something we need to take care of that day and we pick something up on the way home.

Now I have to turn into Flash Woman since Elliot is walking and goes everywhere and gets into everything. Literally. Just the other day I went into my closet for a good second to grab a sweater and by the time I peeked my head out to check on him, he had his hands in the toilet bowl playing with the water (gross!) and was slowly lifting his hand up to his mouth to lick it, he does that when I give him a bath so I immediately saw that coming. I dropped whatever I had in my hand, ran like a madwoman, picked him up and washed his hands about a million times. Now we always keep the lid down or the bathroom door closed altogether. No access and peace of mind. Lesson learned.

This taco bowl recipe is the easiest in the world and I can get it done in about thirty minutes. That's about how long I can keep this boy entertained somehow by bribing him with fruit, crackers, a smoothie or cucumber, his new favorite. It takes him about 1.7 seconds to finish whatever I give to him so I have to resort to healthier alternatives although he does get the occasional banana or sweet potato cookie.

I also try to make meals that I know I can feed Elliot or make him a separate meal with almost the same ingredients. This is perfect because I cook the ground turkey and before seasoning it I separate a little batch and mix it with veggies for him. I cook the veggies while I'm cooking the meat that way it's all done and ready to go when they're both ready and I can easily, and quietly, finish dinner for Jack and I while Elliot eats his. I then give him some fruit for dessert while we eat dinner.

Here's how I prepare them.

I use:

Taco bowls - You can get these pretty much anywhere.
Ground turkey- One pack is enough for four since I prepare lunches for the next day.
Lettuce- Finely cut.
Black olives- Yum.
Shredded cheese- Any kind you like.
Beans- We switch this up, I usually cook my own beans in my pressure cooker but we sometimes buy black beans or mild chili beans.
Sour cream- We don't always use this as we try to keep it healthy but a dollop never hurt anyone :)
Salsa- I make my own if I have the time. I toast some jalapeños, a clove of garlic, a little bit of onion and a tomato on a pan with a little olive oil, once they're nicely toasted I throw them in the blender with a tiny bit of water and salt. You're done.
You can pretty much add any veggie you want, you can add avocado or if you make guacamole!



To season the ground turkey I use paprika, cayenne pepper, pepper, oregano and garlic powder very freely. No need for salt, the spices are enough. It seriously tastes better than the packs of seasoning. I promise.

I also heat up the tortilla bowls in the oven for a couple of minutes. They're so much better that way.

Once everything is done, arrange them in a little assembly line and go to town! They're so good. The bowls usually come in fours so we eat one and save one for lunch. Jack always helps me out and that reduces our cooking time as well, he either helps me cook or entertains Elliot.

This one below was made with black beans and yesterday we tried them with chili beans, they're both so good!



I hope you enjoy them! They are so easy and quick and delicious!

Catching Up.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm turning thirty this month or what, but it just seems like everything has been on fast forward I can barely catch up. From now on, I'm turning twenty-nine every year okay? Thanks.

For this birthday, I'm still not sure if I want to celebrate or go on a mini trip with Jack and Elliot. It will probably be the latter.

I am going to admit it, working full time and being a mom is the hardest shit ever. I have zero time for anything. I get home and as soon as my boots are off, I'm making dinner, loading the washer, making dinner for Elliot, cleaning up, preparing lunches for the next day, playing with Elliot, throwing the laundry in the dryer, giving Elliot a bath, putting him to sleep, iron a shirt for Jack if I haven't already, fold the laundry and finally get ready for bed. All in a couple of hours. I get home at five and I'm in bed by nine or nine-thirty. Pure craziness. I'm not saying my life is so hard but it's adjusting that has been so tough aside from the fact that not being at home with Elliot seems to be getting harder and harder for me instead of easier. And although I wouldn't change one bit of it, it has been kind of taking a toll on Jack and I. I have to say I'm pretty darn fortunate to have such a good hubby. He cleans, does laundry and helps me out as much as he can. I have no idea how I would do it without him. Kudos to all of you who do it on your own or with more than one kid!

We have both been getting sick often, something that has never ever happened before. We would get the usual cold that lasted for a few days and that was that. We were done for the season. Now it seems like something is wrong all the time! My head hurts, my stomach hurts, everything hurts! Has this happened to any of you? I know it's also probably because I haven't even lifted a finger to work out and I know I need to get my booty back in shape.

This is why the weekends are saviors!! We look forward to them since Sunday night and not because we don't like working but because we really appreciate that time we have with each other and Elliot. We try to do fun things and be out but we also like to have days where we get to be home and do nothing.

Anyway, these past couple of weekends have been just that with such busy weeks we have been having at work. I'm hoping to go back to my regular blogging pretty soon but I just wanted to let you all know that I'm still here! I have a few posts planned so stay tuned!

In the mean time, here's a little pick me up for the beginning of your week. Well, I should say my pick me up. All of you with kids have such beautiful babes and I can't say enough how happy I am to see you guys on my Instagram feed! (@shadiabrown). I also have some blog reading and catching up to do! Have a great week!