
Today marks one year, or 52 weeks, I’ve been doing This Week at the Brennan’s!
Here’s what happened this week:
I think the biggest thing I absolutely need to mention first is Brooke, my sweet and only daughter, had her birthday this week! She turned nine and we had a small little family party for her. She asked for “squishies and LOL dolls” so after some googling, I discovered what they were and Brooke gave me plenty of reasons as to why it was important that she get as many as possible for her birthday. So, I ordered some from china and they still aren’t here!! Haha! But I was able to find some other LOL dolls and she got some other gifts from her grandparents. Raise your hand if you’ve never heard of squishies orLOL dolls before!!
I made a cookies and cream ice cream cake (except really it was pie) which was to die for and it went over really well! I had to apologize to her because she wanted a specific ice cream cake from the store and I decided to make it from scratch (with store bought ice cream and hot fudge…haha!) because IT’S JUST WHO I AM. It turned out to be the better option because she LOVED it and thought it looked amazing and tasted even better. But of course it did! It’s hard to go wrong with store bought cookies and cream ice cream, covered with hot fudge, Oreos and whipped cream all served together in a graham cracker shell, right? Took about 20 minutes to make, start to finish.
I’ve been having the hardest time this past week finding time to get to the very last few things on my to do list done. They are the things that totally get neglected week in and week out because I just don’t have the time. Well, this week I discovered that there’s a reason they are the last things on my list: because I hate them and they take me forever. It was a lot of website stuff I couldn’t for the life of me figure out, and after this week of working 6 hours straight on it, ugh! Still couldn’t figure it out. Frustrating for sure.
By Friday this past week, I was in a funk and just had to get out of the city. Sometimes I feel like I’m an extrovert and the city helps me thrive, but lately, I’ve been wanting to be more of an introvert. The city has felt a bit…suffocating. So, I took the train north, past city limits and found some quiet spots with no honking or sirens. It was actually great! I was gone all day and I came back refreshed.

Eddie is slowly starting to get a cold with a low-grade fever to go with and every so often will cuddle with me, which is so so sweet! But one day this past week, he didn’t want to cuddle with me at all! He just wanted to lay across my lap so I couldn’t do anything. It was the weirdest and funniest thing. He knew he was being such a ham, but refused to move regardless. What a stinker!
Here’s what’s Coming up this week:
I’m starting a workout routine with my friend Anne! I went tonight to meet her at the gym. We hardly did anything and I’m already sore. #toomanysquats
I am finally going to fold the four loads of laundry that have been sitting in the basket for a few days. Dishes I’m forced to keep up with, Laundry not so much. So I will hopefully stay on top of that laundry game this week.
Tomorrow, I’m doing an instagram live about how to make perfect chocolate dipped strawberries at 9pm Eastern. Yes, its a pretty simple thing to do, but I’m going to give you all my tips and tricks that all add up to make unforgettable and easy-as-pie chocolate dipped strawberries.
And, of course Valentine’s Day! I didn’t realize it was so soon! It just snuck up on me, so we’ll see what I can come up with for my kiddos. Always a little candy with a small toy or something random I find at the Target dollar spot. (Love that place)
That’s it 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
And don’t forget to find me on Instagram Stories for more NYC fun in real time.







547 Comments
Lindsay
February 13, 2018 at 5:12 amCommented on the pressure cooked baked ziti recipe.. I can’t wait to try it!
Lynne Whittington
February 13, 2018 at 5:15 amLeft a comment on the “Top of the Rock” post.. Enjoy reading all your posts.
Tina F
February 13, 2018 at 5:27 amHi Lauren! Just left a comment on your Chocolate & Peanut Butter Bars post. Can’t wait to make those! I don’t post very often but love reading your posts & especially watching your kiddos grow! Started following your blog back when Brooke was a little teeny girl & now she’s an older sister to 2 rambunctious brothers! So sweet!
Laurie K
February 13, 2018 at 5:33 amHi Lauren!
I left a comment on your Disney trip with your daughter. I really do enjoy going through your blog and this was a post I hadn’t read yet!
Marcie
February 13, 2018 at 5:37 amSkinny White Chicken Chili was where I left some love.
Donna Abell
February 13, 2018 at 5:38 amLeft a comment on your Disney trip
Alane
February 13, 2018 at 5:39 amI commented on the Chocolate Cobbler recipe…perfect Valentine’s Day dessert!
Catherine Smith
February 13, 2018 at 5:40 amI commented on the pressure cooker ziti! I cannot wait to make it! Just love your blog.
Mireya Martinez
February 13, 2018 at 5:42 amHey Lauren. I commented on your Skinny Baked Spaghetti. Thanks.
Melanie
February 13, 2018 at 5:45 amI commented on your 2017 Review post. Thanks for this opportunity 🙂
Kory Hawk
February 13, 2018 at 5:46 amCommented on your chocolate chip peanut butter bars since it was the most recent recipe I made. I love your blog and keeping up with your family adventures!
Holly
February 13, 2018 at 5:49 amI commented on the freezer rolls post. I sure enjoy reading about your adventures, family, and food.
Kelsey
February 13, 2018 at 5:50 amPosted on your roasted red pepper goat cheese alfredo! (The first recipe of yours I ever tried, we LOVE it)
Your “This Week at the Brennan’s” posts are some of my favorite to read
Kate Brinkley
February 13, 2018 at 5:53 amHappy Birthday, Brooke! I commented on the Mom and Daughter Disney post 🙂
Saralyn Buck
February 13, 2018 at 5:54 amI commented on the pressure cooker baked ziti post. <3
Diana T.
February 13, 2018 at 5:55 amThank you!! I left a comment on Lemon quinoa soup. Seriously drooling!
Katie S.
February 13, 2018 at 5:56 amI left a comment on the pressure cooked baked Ziti, it looks amazing and easy! Thanks for the real and delicious recipes, and your family is super cute, love your weekly family posts!
Alycia
February 13, 2018 at 5:58 amI left a comment on your pressure cooker baked ziti. I love your blog.
Maria
February 13, 2018 at 6:00 amHi Lauren!
Happy birthday to your beautiful little girl! Ice Cream Pie looks delish 🙂
I commented on your skinny spaghetti bake recipe – thanks!
Susan R
February 13, 2018 at 6:01 amI left a comment on the post with your cutie pies in the laundry basket. 🙂
Samantha Garner
February 13, 2018 at 6:01 amCommented on the SHREDDED MEXICAN PORK. YUIM!
latanya
February 13, 2018 at 6:04 amI commented on the LOW FAT LEMON POPPYSEED LOAF.
Sharidan Dillon
February 13, 2018 at 6:07 amI left a comment on the Pressure Cooker Baked Ziti post.
Lori Theisen
February 13, 2018 at 6:12 amI left a comment on the Ramen Stir fry recipe
Malinda Chaney
February 13, 2018 at 6:12 amI left a comment on the February 5th This Week post. I just love the picture of Eddie standing on the clothes hamper. Too cute!
Angie
February 13, 2018 at 6:13 amI commented on your NYC tourist travel guide post.
Susan Ginter
February 13, 2018 at 6:14 amEddie at TWO! Love hearing about the kids (well, I love the recipes too) but the fa!it is a bonus! Enjoy, I mean REALLY enjoy this time. They grow up so quickly. You’re a good Mom!
Dawn
February 13, 2018 at 6:14 amI commented on the Skillet Sheperd’s Pie recipe. So so delicious!
Skylar Munster
February 13, 2018 at 6:14 amI left a comment on your February 5th post for “This week at the Brennan’s”. They are my favorite to read and I always sit down with a cup of coffee to read them when they are published. 😊 can’t wait to try your cauliflower rice and veggies recipe when it is published 😍
Serena
February 13, 2018 at 6:16 amIt’s fun to see what’s going on with your little family in the city and your kids are so cute! I commented on “PRESSURE COOKER BAKED ZITI” because it looks so good!
Kelly Russill
February 13, 2018 at 6:17 amCommented on your baked rotini lasagna! It’s sooooo so soooo yummy!! ❤️
Christina Zsoldos
February 13, 2018 at 6:18 amLeft a comment on your NYC FAQs post.
Happy Year to “This week at the brennans”!!
Laura Cross
February 13, 2018 at 6:19 amI commented on the white chicken chili post! Thanks!
Natalie Howard
February 13, 2018 at 6:20 amI left comment on “Getting Kids you eat Veggies” post! ❤️
Jennifer Hoffman
February 13, 2018 at 6:20 amI left a comment on the Pressure Cooker Baked Ziti post. Can’t wait to try that recipe! Love your website
Susan Kucharek
February 13, 2018 at 6:21 amI commented on the Christmas sugar cookies bars.
Angie Morgan
February 13, 2018 at 6:21 amI left a comment on your NYC travel guide post. Thanks for the info!
Cortney Longfield
February 13, 2018 at 6:21 amCommented on the Peanut Butter Chocolate chip cookie bars. Can’t WAIT to try them this weekend!
Stacey B
February 13, 2018 at 6:26 amI commented on your Cinnabon Cinnamon rolls! I’ve been following your site from the very early days, and enjoy reading your family posts in addition to the recipe posts.
Heather
February 13, 2018 at 6:28 amCommented on your easy dinner ideas!
JIll
February 13, 2018 at 6:28 amCommented on HOW TO MAKE STROMBOLI, our favorite!
Carolyn Duncan
February 13, 2018 at 6:29 amI left a comment under your Whole Wheat Freezer Rills Recipe.
Lauren J.
February 13, 2018 at 6:30 amLove your blog and honesty. I commented on your 45 minute spaghetti and meatballs which I need to try soon for my kiddos!
Diane
February 13, 2018 at 6:32 amI left a comment on your post about your blogging journey:)D
Sonia
February 13, 2018 at 6:34 amI left a comment on the Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Butter Crescent Rolls because YUM!!
Regarding the city, I cannot tell you how many times I tell people that I was an extrovert before I moved to NYC and now I feel extremely introverted because the city will, quite simply, just wear you out. It’s also just so many people, all the time, which allows for some incredible experiences but is also just incredibly tiring at the same time. There are also some amazing places in Queens/Long Island that are quiet and green, if you know where to go!
Brenda Brown
February 13, 2018 at 6:37 amI commented on the Easy Peel Eggs post
Monica
February 13, 2018 at 6:38 amI left a comment on the Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs blog post. Happy Birthday to Brooke! I hope Eddie is feeling better, and I’m excited to hear more about your workouts with Anne. ;o)
Leslie F
February 13, 2018 at 6:39 amI commented on the make-ahead chocolate chip cookie mix. It’s the best! Thanks for the giveaway!
Jessica McKenzie
February 13, 2018 at 6:40 amI commented on the peanut butter chocolate chip bars. I love your blog!
Peggy
February 13, 2018 at 6:41 amI commented on How Blogging Became My Career. Didn’t know you had only done This Week at the Brennans for one year! Love love reading these stories! I found your blog by accident when Eddie was born. I am so happy I did! Have a great week!