The big 3-0 ...

Oh yes, I have officially joined the 3-0 Club {as of May 16}. I will be the first to admit that I was a little apprehensive to reach this milestone birthday - 30 just seemed, well so old to me. I wasn't looking forward to it one little bit. 

So, as a coping strategy I decided to declare a "Birthday Week" of celebrating. I mean, if you're celebrating something for a whole week it can't be that bad right?!?

The hubs jumped right on board and got me two new chairs for our front porch - I love them!

Of course my kinders were a little confused when I told them I was so excited to be gifted chairs - they probably think it's the lamest thing ever, haha!

I woke up the day before my birthday {Friday} and found flowers from the pooch in the kitchen. He's a smart pup that guy!!

And who would have known it there were flowers waiting for me at school, along with a super sweet note, from the hubs as well!  Another very smart man ;)

To top things off in the flower department I also had flowers from my school secret pal delivered! Now I love fresh flowers but hardly ever have them so I was in heaven - and the smell of the in the house brings a smile to my face!!

A birthday isn't complete without a birthday treat - so homemade ice cream sandwiches it was!

And let me tell you, these bad boys were GOOD!! One of my kinders said, "Wow Mrs. Webb, your mom makes really good cookies!" Because of course in their mind my mom would make my birthday treat. I just cracked up and said it was my moms recipe but I made them. He assured me she had a good recipe then :)

Some of my kinders brought me in the cutest gifts too {they were all so excited for my birthday}. One was a stepping stone that she assured me "Otis will know not to go past it." ;)

Friday night my parents surprised me by stopping on their way downstate to have dinner together. A welcomed surprise in deed!

On my actual birthday the hubs and I headed up to TC. We did some shopping and I got to pick a movie to see {Pitch Prefect 2}. I was able to FaceTime my little loves too who were so excited to give me some birthday wishes. We then met friends back in town for dinner. 

I have to admit, this turning 3-0 thing wasn't really that big of a deal. I mean, age is just a number right? That means I can still refer to myself as 25 ... Right?!?! :)

Almost 5 Ingredient Pizza Spaghetti Pie ...

I love to bake, cooking - not so much.  So, I'm always trying to find new recipes that might peak my interest.  When a friend on Instagram put together a sign up for her Paleo meal planning for the week, I knew it was a must!

Tonight I tried a new recipe using one of our favorite things - Spaghetti Squash!  After finishing dinner the hubs proclaimed, "Add that one to the rotation!".  So, it's a keeper for sure!

Almost 5 Ingredient Pizza Spaghetti Pie

What You'll Need:

1 Large Spaghetti Squash

1 poud Italian Sausage (I used pork sausage)

1/2 Yellow Onion, diced

1 cup pizza sauce (No sugar added if you can)

1 teaspoon dried basil

Salt & Pepper, to taste

3 eggs, whisked

(Optional is any additions you like with pizza - veggies, etc.  I didn't add anything extra this first time)

The Process:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise.  Place spaghetti squash cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the skin of the squash gives when you press on it.  Then reduce oven head to 350 degrees.

3. Once squash is done cooking (typically an hour total cook time), remove threads and place in an 8x8 greased baking dish.

4. Place a large pan over medium heat.  Add Italian Sausage and onion.  Cook until pink no longer remains in the sausage and it is broken up into pieces.

5. Add pizza sauce, dried basil, and salt & pepper to the pan and mix well.

6. Add sausage mixture to the 8x8 dish and mix well with the spaghetti squash threads.

7. Lastly, add whisked eggs to the baking dish and mix everything together until you can no longer see the eggs.

8. Place in oven and bake for 1 hour or until the top of the mixture forms a slight crust that doesn't give when you press on it in the middle of the dish.

9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

ENJOY!

Still kicking ...

We're still around here - keeping busy as ever. And since we don't have any human children this update includes a lot of pictures of our fur baby. 

Like when Bo came to visit ....

The two really enjoyed the window seat :)

They were partners in crime!

And I'm pretty sure they miss each other while they're apart. I love how theyplay so hard yet two seconds later they're passed out on the couch together :)

We've been enjoying warmer temps and the beautiful outdoors!

Who doesn't enjoy a good stick or two?!?

Otis visited my parents while the hubs and I were at the state forensics tournament with the team. 

My dad was pretty excited to have a furry one in the house :)

And the students rocked it! Two state finishers, one semi-final finisher, and as a team they took 5th in the state!!

Otis was pretty excited when we picked him up!

Grandma and Grandpa must have kept him busy because he passed out the whole way home!

We did make a pit stop at petsmart to get Otis a new animal to destroy - I don't think this duck knows what he's in for!! Haha!!

And lastly, we've been taking LOTS of walks. I love that we are still so close to water - can't wait to see Otis' reaction to being IN the lake once it warms up!!