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Hi there, Loves & Happy Friday!

We are just a few weeks away from the 1st day of school and that means we will officially have a 3rd grader and a 2nd grader on our hands!!! They have both grown so much over this past year that it actually blows my mind but with that said and with Christ front and center, it gives me no doubt that they are ready to conquer this next year of awesomeness!

Today I’m sharing Five Friday Fave’s via a Back To School edition and I must confess… I kind of love back to school shopping! It’s like a great reason to shop for the kids + there is just this fresh start and new outlook that comes along with the BTS (Back To School) season and I just love it.

Be sure to comment on any great finds or tips and tricks that help you in the BTS Season.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

This is the very 1st year that I purchased all of our school supplies on-line. I can’t say that my first effort was the smoothest operation with shopping on-line for all supplies yet I will say it did beat going from one store to another because you just couldn’t get your hands on one or two of the items, needed. Not to mention between our Amazon Prime Account and Target Red Card we scored free shipping on each of the orders. The only suggestion I had for myself for next year is that with multiple kids comes multiple lists so with that you may have duplicate items to purchase for each child.

So note to self: create a joint master list of all supplies for each child and go about adding the total items for each to my cart that way. I suppose that method would also work well in the store! 🙂 haha! The other positive of on-line shopping was the ease of checking price points between multiple merchants.

I know some stores allow you to price match select items in-store however with my on-line orders I just added it to the cart and simply checked out! I believe I may have found my new way of doing our BTS supply haul – for sure!

Here is a snippet of some of our school supplies.

I legit do love back to school shopping & being all organized!

AFTER SCHOOL ACADEMICS

Our school is great and has a lot of on-line resources for the kids to utilize throughout the year. Two of their favorite’s are First in Math, they love this one as they challenge themselves and are rewarded with points and acknowledged also in class for their work. The other favorite is Compass Learning which is a little more tailored directly to them and where they are in their overall academia. This year I decided to purchase these two workbooks for them to do 1-2 pages after school M-F. I know them and they will sure challenge & encourage one another with these little resources as well.

For our 2nd Grader

For our 3rd Grader

PERSONALIZED ITEMS

I love a good Monogram. I mean I don’t know what it is but I just love everything Monogram. I have always purchased the kids backpacks & matching lunch bags from PBK aka Pottery Barn Kids and I almost picked this one up for Mackenzie this year but quite honestly she didn’t need it as her set from Kindergarden & 1st grade is still in such great shape! And that my friends is what I love about the PBK gear, they are made so great and last for pretty much ever. I always have them personalized with our last name on them. They both have the mini’s that I purchased for them in Pre-K (so cute!) also and they are still in great shape! I know they may be a ‘splurge‘ to some for a child’s backpack but to me it’s worth it. I also purchased our Diaper Bag from PBK and still have that as a cute & classic keepsake which is also in good condition. This year, my son is really growing ‘up’ on me and he really didn’t love the selection at PBK prints so instead we headed over to Pottery Barn Teen and found a green Camo one that he absolutely loved so we got this set and he is feelin’ like a little man with his big man’s backpack. (they have sold out of this green camo but you can find a similar blue camo here.)

I also picked up these personalized Monogram decals for Mackenzie’s Notebooks and what not. I just know she is going to LOVE them, I had them printed in the teal color! You can find them (here) or by clicking on the image below.

I am also going to print these sweet prints off for their 1st day pictures! Easy, Peas-e! You can purchase digital prints of these super affordable from many – many places like etsy and what not.

HOMEBOUND

Making Home our Haven is something I have really enjoyed since becoming a wife and I think with the kick off of BTS Season we know that Fall is just around the corner and not only that but after a full day of school & work we owe it to ourselves to have our Home Sweet Homes be our cozy resting place, our happy place. Not to mention Football season has officially started and well yeah – totally random but whatev’.

So, I picked up this Faux Fur Throw from Potterybarn and it is legit amazing! I have heard many people brag about these throws in past and thought ‘oh it’s just a fur throw’ & would just pick up a fur throw from a TJMaxx or Target in previous but I am telling you. . . nothing can compare to the quality and the weight of this beauty – no joke. Let’s just say it’s summer and that hasn’t stopped any of us from reaching for this cozy comfort. Since day one of it’s arrival to la casa, the kids have been in love with it so I can only imagine how it will be come fall or winter. They will have snuggle to share or take shifts 🙂 haha! I’ll opt for the snuggle! They are a bit pricey but the weight of this product really makes it worth it! I may keep an eye out for a sale on the oversized ones. I purchased the one below in grey ombre.

I haven’t picked up my fall scents quite yet but I know these will be in the round-up as they are every single year along with a few new that sound amazing! I maybe wouldn’t call myself a candle connoisseur but I definitely love candles and I am totally all about quality over quantity and the pay off for the B&BW aka Bath & Body Works candles has not legit compared to any other in our home. They are amazing, they fill so many rooms with just one candle, they last quite a while and they burn evenly. We love them and lighting a candle is pretty much a necessity when ‘back to school & fall season’ kicks off!

MY PERSONAL BTS CHECKLIST

Here is my checklist that keeps Mommy-Me on task between the school years. When I calculated the years, my nino’s will not collectively finish high-school until 2028 – Say What! I mean that kind of sort of makes me feel so crazy inside – like lots of emotions of awesomeness. Well here is a glimpse of my ‘keeping it together list’ for operation BTS’.

I like to keep track of this in my Erin Condren Planner.

Now, the only things I have left to do is to get some more ‘clothing’ shopping done for BTS and then kind of go over the extra-curricular schedule with the family to finalize everything and then we will be off to a great start! Oh and deep clean la casa.

Well that’s all for now loves, enjoy this weekend the weather is expected to be great so planning to make the most of it!!! #BeachBum here I come.

XOXO,

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BACK TO SCHOOL | PREP LIST

August 9, 2017August 21, 2017 StephanieRaeOrtiz

Happy Back To School Season!

Each Year My Husband Will & I cherish the first day back to school. It’s the reminder that fall is near and summer is about to clear another year. But more importantly it’s the reminder that change can be beautiful and that growth is inevitable.

I remember the Pre-K days where we would ease into the school year so to speak. It has always been something I like to savor as our precious ones jump from the slower summer days into their busier school days. But this year we are geared up and ready to go, much like last year, Busy Bee’s are we working hard for the honey, honey 🙂

Today I’m sharing a few of my Sanity Savers if you will, for the hustle and bustle of the Back To School Season. Tiny checkpoints I review before the start of each school year and I thought, I’d share them with you all!

START FRESH

Start Fresh! Make a conscious effort to leave any negative residue behind that may have presented itself last year in your child’s classrooms, friendships, leaderships, whatever it may be. Make the decision to start a fresh and a new with a fresh perspective. Don’t be the Duke of Doubt or allow last year’s challenges determine this years successes!

SCHEDULE DOWN-TIME

Schedule down-time! Schedule? Yes – trust me on this. Schedule at least one weekend day a month where you just chill! Not only for you but also for your little ones! And do not feel bad for saying ‘no’ this ‘no’ is an important ‘no’!

Ease your way into Commitments, Do not over-commit yourself or your children in the beginning of the year. I love to write things down as I know I’ve mentioned before in my Erin Condren Planner it is a true life-saver as it just helps me to write it down and then to schedule it in our joint e-calendar. Quite honestly, I’ve learned one to many times that what may look good on paper is not actually a good fit for our family life and those are the harder no’s! (So if you can make sure those first few months have at least one free day.)

GET A YEAR AT GLANCE

I don’t know about you but I am a P-L-A-N-N-E-R, yes folks! I’m a planner. I love that our school district releases the entire year at glance so I can properly plan the kids time off. So go to your school districts home page and look for their calendar to see what your school year at glance looks like. If you attend RUSD then the calendar can be found linked (here). But this really seems to help me get into the planning mode.

COMMUNICATION STATION

Communication is key I believe. I like to remind our children of our expectations in the coming year. I like to give them a reminder talk about not just their now but their future. I use this time to check in on the hopes and aspirations they have shared with me the previous years. Are we still on the same trek, do you still want to be a doctor, teacher, musician, ect. when you grow up? Who’s responsibility is it to do this or that? We take some time each year to discuss our hopes and goals for the coming year with our children and then we allow for them to share their hopes and goals for themselves for the coming year with us. It’s kind of one of my favorite talks of the year.

I then take that conversation to analyze what I need to do as their Momma to assure that they are set up for success. I like to ask them what they think they may need or what may help them accomplish those goals and then I come up with a little plan as needed.

I’ve learned over the years that it does no one any good to just assume that either of them would just know and understand what our expectations of them are without us communicating them and vice-a-versa. I don’t structure this as a formalized meeting or anything, I just make the time to do it. Actually most of the time this happens when we go grab a sweet treat to eat and then sit at a park so after our talk they can run and have some fun!

PLAN FOR GROWTH

Consider what ways your little ones have grown in responsibility over the last year and figure out what new responsibilities they are ready to grow in this year. This is apart of life in our home (preparing them for growth and then giving them the opportunity to exercise it). Each year for example we add a new chore to their chore chart and we give them a fresh perspective on their role in society, being a living light and testimony to themselves and to all of those around them. Just taking the time to see what areas we can allow them to grow in whether in understanding and or responsibility has been a great service to us.

I can’t remember where we got this but this is such a simple little something to share. Hold up 3 fingers and share this with your kids. (builds accountability & so much more)

I : TALK LESS
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. | James 1:19

II: LISTEN MORE
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. | John 14:26

III: DON’T BE A FOLLOWER, LEAD
Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong . . . | Exodus 23:2

PRAY

Lastly & Most Importantly, Pray! We know there is power in prayer – turning our worries into prayers and activating our faith as we are confident in God’s plan for the lives of our children and those who surround them in their day to day is essential! Our family prays our way into the ‘new year’ and this serves no different as it’s a ‘new school year’. Some things that we Pray for is for Protection, Friendships, Leadership & Growth Opportunities, Wisdom &, Insight.

Well that’s all for now loves.

Love,

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The Ortiz’s 2016 at Glance

May 6, 2017July 12, 2017 StephanieRaeOrtiz

Hello My Beautiful Friends,

Thanks for visiting my blog! You are truly appreciated. Here is a look over our last year. I wasn’t able to capture the best parts as I really focused on enjoying the year by being more present however get ready to see lots of me and the family in this coming year! I have a lot of fun and exciting things planned to share with you all!

So I hope you enjoy this little highlight reel of what I was able to capture!

Enjoy!

chicago a

(The Kids at the Chicago Children’s Museum while Mommy auditioned for The Voice)

(Me with my Audition Pass, just outside of the auditions in Chicago! This is not the best of quality in pictures, but a memory that will last for a very long time!)

100daysofschool16

(The kids dressed up in honor of 100 days of school, aren’t they just the cutest! I mean I can just so see them this old, still the best of friends and super stylish! Haha! Probably my favorite picture of the year! They totally got into character here, love their faces.)

littlemannbabigcourt

(This young man truly excels academically and so he received a free Milwaukee Bucks ticket for his Academic excellence. We bought three additional tickets and enjoyed the game, that night they happened to host a few leads from Nickelodeon, so we were sure the head up to Milwaukee early to enjoy all the festivities. We made an entire night of it and it was so fun for Will because he had the privilege of shooting a few hoops on an official NBA Basketball Court! The kids soccer coach Mike actual is security for the Milwaukee Bucks games so he is seen here in the picture to the right, so that was fun!)

willandbucky

(My handsome with ‘Bucky’ who is not actually Bucky, but I was calling him that all night and was kind of cracking myself up while the hubs was a little less enthused about it! However, every time I would say it, I would crack up inside! So, to be proper here is My Handsome with Bango, the Bucks’ mascot.)

bucky

(The kids with Bucky aka Bango, 😉 to funny!)

rednoseday

(Here is a pic of the kids with their IB Coordinator, they love her and were super excited to share the awareness of Red Nose Day! As soon as we seen these little red noses hit the shelf we grabbed two of them right away as they sold out the year prior and we were bummed. They sell for only $1 at Walgreens and the proceeds contributed to tons of projects for children. To name a few over 860,000 children in Africa have been given life-saving vaccines, eye exams and glasses for children in need here in the USA, it’s just a fun way to have a fun day fundraising to help fight for kids’ poverty in America and around the world.)

brewcrew

(Take me out to the ball game, the kids with “Hank” the Milwaukee Brewers Dog Mascot)

porlagente16

(Every year I seem to capture a shot of this guy going up for a jump shot in the Por La Gente Tourney)

colorrununicorn

(My girl and I along with some of her besties, did the color run this year. This was our 1^st of many!)

july416

(My little Loves on the Fourth of July)

julylove

(My Husband and I down by the Fireworks! Such a grand old time!)

(At Lambeau, on our way out of their Practice! Go Pack Go.)

lambeau16

(The family on our way into Lambeau)

footballpracticeday7

(Our little man gave football a go this year, he’s the first one in line there!)

myboy

(Little Man at his first football game)

(Will & Landon celebrating Will’s Birthday Party at Jo-Don Farms!)

beautycutiemgo

(My Beautiful Girl showing off her braces)

(Quality Time Date Nights, are Divine)

pumpkinfarm

(Pumpkin Patches & Petting Farms, I love Fall!)

(My love and I on an Autumn Walk)

birthdaygirlteapartyfancy

(The birthday girl, got fancy like Nancy this year and hosted a Tea Party)

(I turned 32 this year!!!)

(My Love and I after our Towns Holiday Parade & Community Tree lighting)

(The kids annual pic with the Turkey who is always lurking at Racine’s Rendering Thanks! 😊 We serve every year at our Community Thanksgiving and it is a true blessing and real treat to give of ourselves in this fashion. This was our fourth year of the Ortiz Thanksgiving Tradition and we just love it!)

(After Serving we head home to cook our entire Traditional Thanksgiving Feast!)

besties

(Mackenzie & Brooke, love being twinsies – love those girl & all those curls!)

decglam

(YouTube’s Holiday Glam Makeup Tutorial Cover Pic – this was a fun one to record.)

ortizchristmascard16

(Our 2016 Christmas Card)

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Have a great rest of your day Gorgeous!

Love,

Stephanie Rae

Tag: hope

Back To School | Shopping Haul

BACK TO SCHOOL | PREP LIST

The Ortiz’s 2016 at Glance