Providence Bruins, Hiking Trip, and a Pats Win!

Hey everyone! I hope you are enjoying what's left of your weekend and if you have Monday off as well- enjoy it! While I'm sitting here with a heating pad on my shoulder and neck wishing that I had tomorrow off I thought it would be a good time to catch you up on what happened this weekend!

Friday at work a small group of us participated in #Dstrong which is a movement for a local boy name Dorian who is diagnosed with cancer. They have chosen to stop treatment since it wasn't working and his one wish is to be famous around the world. If you are reading this please post a picture of yourself with the hashtag Dstrong from wherever you are- it would mean the world to this little boy.  To read his story click here.


On Friday night I took my high school dance team to perform at the Providence Bruins.

They did a great job and I was so proud of them!

Doreen and I always have a blast doing these events together.  It was a great night but we were super tired by the time we arrived back at the school.

Saturday I spent working on a project I will be sharing with you this week. It was a very low key day watching my Pats win!

Then today, I headed off on a hike with my papa, both my uncles, my cousin Andrew, and my brother Dan.

It was chilly but was a nice hike around Beach Pond. I haven't been on a hike in quite awhile so it was nice to get out and move around. However right after this picture was taken I slipped down a little hill and fell flat on my back. (Hence sitting here with a heating pad on my shoulder and neck)
I hit my head on a rock a little bit which wasn't fun but I'm doing alright and continued on our hike with little trouble- just soreness in my right shoulder.

We stopped to cook some hotdogs and chat with one another and it was especially nice to see Andrew who is in the navy. We haven't seen him since last Christmas so it was great to hear what he's been up to!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Life Lately

Oh hello blog world! It's nice to see you again!

I have been the worst at updating this blog lately, but I am following my new years resolution of only blogging when I feel like it! I am trying to truly be present in my life instead of spending more time documenting it. So here's what I've been up to lately.

My friends Katie and Devan got married! It was a very fun wedding with lots of wonderful people. I helped set up for the wedding as well the day before and it was great to be able to help out. Katie and Devan had old time photos set up which was a fun twist on the photo booth at weddings bandwagon.

I got to meet Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots! He high-fived me as well which was pretty awesome. My friend Julie from work brought me to the camp her son was attending which was a great experience!

I participated in a local paint night! It was so much fun and our paintings actually came out super nice. I was impressed with my ability to actually paint because I am not an artist at all! I highly recommend trying a paint night at least once if you have them in your area!

 I also got to see my adorable cousins participate in their annual dance recital! Cailean participates in a boys hip hop class and Annabel is part of a dance company. They are both growing up so quickly!

I've also been spending quite a bit of time outdoors too, taking walks along the water in local areas. I also went kayaking on Memorial Day with my dad which was super fun and relaxing. I have been trying to get outside as much as possible on the weekends, it's so difficult to be stuck at a desk all day!

What have you been up to lately?!

Zumba Fitness Party for American Diabetes Association

I had a blast yesterday afternoon at a local Zumba Fitness Party!

 This fitness party was actually located at the middle school that I attended as a student which meant it was nice and close. I don't get to attend Zumba often since I work weird hours but I'm always thrilled when I do. I enjoyed a nice afternoon of booty popping and gained over 12,000 steps just while at class!

It was also a treat to see the CHS Dance Team. I know a bunch of the girls since I previously had them as students. They are all so grown up now! They did a terrific job during the intermission of keeping us entertained. It was also nice to chat with them throughout the break.

After the afternoon was over, I left with sore muscles, and 6 m&m cookies. I only bought a package of two, but someone I know was selling them and continually handed them to me. I did donate the money back to her, despite her protests. They are delicious cookies!

Now, I've got some sore muscles and a few of the songs stuck in my head =)

Did you workout over the weekend? What did you do?

The Boston Ballet Nutcracker

Last year I went to the Boston Ballet Nutcracker with one of my friends, Kristin.  We decided a couple of months ago to attend it again this year and I was super excited to head there on Thanksgiving weekend.

I grabbed a large coffee from Dunkin Donuts, met up with Kristin and we were off!

Kristin and I booked a room at the Hilton Boston so we were able to drive right into the city and stay nearby. 

If you've never been to Boston before, I recommend that you go at Christmas time because the city looks so incredibly beautiful. We were able to see the tree all lit up.

After taking this first picture, I decided to walk around to the other side of the tree since this side was missing a whole section of lights.

They do such a beautiful job making the city look beautiful and festive.

After checking into the hotel, we headed to dinner at Bertucci's and then drinks at Zuma Tex-Mex Mexican restaurant where we had delicious pineapple margaritas!

After a quick drink it was time to head to the show!

The theatre is absolutely beautiful!

Ready to enjoy the show!

I snuck a few pictures during the final bows, figuring they could kick me out at that point if they really wanted to ;)

When the show was over, we headed back to the hotel to get a good nights sleep...until we woke up to someone singing!!! The women across the hall from us was singing at the top of her lungs... she was completely bonkers and she had her door propped open and all. Crazy people.

At least we had breakfast in bed!

It was a wonderful night at an amazing show! I highly recommend going to see the Boston Ballet version of the Nutcracker if you are in the area, I have seen other versions of it, and this one has been the best!

Have you ever seen the Nutcracker?

Has anyone ever woken you up being crazy at a hotel? =)

Disney- Day 4, and Disney Haul!

Saturday was our last day in Disney, and we decided to spend it in Downtown Disney shopping! Doreen and Jess had been telling me about an amazing store in the Marketplace called Basin and I was super excited to check it out- along with the usual Disney Stores on property.

I ended up purchasing a ton of items and receiving a few things during the trip as well!

One of my students bought Doreen and I mugs so we could refill and get free drinks every day. We also received the Disney performing arts bag after our students performance. I ended up purchasing a scrapbook kit, 2 postcards and a nail polish set for myself. I purchased a stuffed animal Sully (from Monsters Inc) for my friend Kristin as a birthday present and also purchased two mugs for my parents that I will be giving them for Christmas- all of which are un-pictured.

In Basin, I purchased a Pink Sugar bath bomb, a Pink Sugar moisturizing stick, and Mosquito Repellant Soap...I wanted to purchase a Pink Sugar Body Butter but it was too large to be allowed on the plane since it would be considered a liquid. I think I may place an order on Basin in the near future =)

After shopping, we headed to the airport and then back home to Rhode Island. It was a great trip with some amazing students and I am so proud of them! =)