Weekly Update 3.11.22

 Hey friends! What a week, right?! I'm not sure about you- but I'm glad to see Friday! The week went fast which I'm glad for! I'm looking forward to the weekend with my people!

Weekly Update

Things have been mostly quiet over here. I got Saidey's birthday invites out and it feels good to get that task out of the way! All hail EVITES! 

We are home during Spring break and it's going to be pretty low key. We end it by going to a horse show out of town and will be staying in a hotel and so that's the extent of our fun spring break plans ha. the girls are excited because we are staying in the same hotel as some of the other kids from our stable so that should be fun. 

I am trying to plan a few activities on my days off though and the weather is supposed to cooperate so that's good! I have a few votes for the zoo, living history farms, and of course all the outside time we can squeeze in.

I think I also mentioned that we became owners of a new to us saddle. It was completely unexpected and our horse trainer texted me and said someone approached her about selling their saddle and she was offered a really great deal. We are SO new to this that we have ZERO clue on these things but googled it and found out it was really was a good deal and decided to go for it. A big deciding factor is that she should be able to use it for the next five years and then we can resell it and it should keep its value. If you aren't aware, anything involving a horse isn't cheap- and along with the saddle- we had to purchase a carrier, cleaner and conditioner, and a girth. Insert WIDE EYES. 

I am trying to find the balance of raising grateful kids while also not letting them worry about adult things- but I also want this sweet child of mine to know HOW MUCH things cost but I don't want her to worry about it either! It's a hard balance and I want her to understand that her activity is an investment and it's not just a season of soccer or dance. 

What I'm loving

I got hooked on a game called Grand Harvest Solitaire. It's so fun and now I have Will and Saidey playing it too!

I've been slowly gathering easter basket stuff for the kids- i ordered the girls swimsuits and sullivan a fun package from nixon and norman. It's a local, small shop that makes the cutest felt play things and dolls. I got him the pancake book and felt set. 

Converse high tops- I mentioned before that I want to order some converse high tops for me and I can't wait to get them. The girls also mentioned they want a pair so I ordered a black pair for Saidey for her birthday. I was browsing and saw some for toddlers too- LOVE- and so we may all be sporting converses soon. haha

What I'm reading/watching

I finished Atlas of the Heart and I really really hate to say it but it wasn't my favorite book of Brene Brown's. I can't believe I'm saying that. Another person sent me a good descriptor- it read like a dictionary- SO TRUE! and I kept thinking, this can't be all this book is?! I did find some parts interesting- especially about narcissists but I would say I was a little disappointed and glad I borrowed it and didn't buy it. 

I started The Downstairs Girl and so far am finding it interesting. 

We started watching The Gilded Age on HBO, started the current season of This is Us, and finished Inventing Anna on Netflix. 

I wrote a post for Des Moines Mom about gentle parenting and why we chose this approach- it's coming out this next week.

I also did a live with Andrea, co-owner of Des Moines Mom to talk about kids and trauma. It's coming in a very timely manner- there's SO many things going on locally and nationally that is hard for adults to process, let alone kids. I'm so glad to be part of a community that takes on these difficult topics. That should be live in a few weeks, too!

Weekly Happenings 3/4/22

Hey hey! How has everyone's week been and more importantly, how are we holding up?! Honestly, it's been up and down around here. It seems like the news is full of really scary stuff, some of it happening right here in IA. For anyone who has followed me for a while knows my stance on a lot of topics as I've been more open about sharing them. 

Being in a unique position as a therapist, too, I have to be paying attention because what is going on in the news, affects the very people that sit across from me every single week. It gets heavy and I know that a lot of people are feeling it. 

I just hope you all can rest, recover, and then get back to it- whether that's talking to your family about what's going on, having important conversations off social media, or praying, donating, signing petitions, etc. 

Weekly Update

*Conferences are over (Saidey's got pushed back to this week due to it being canceled last week) and everyone is moving onto 4th and 7th grades! :) 

*Sophia cracked a tooth last Thursday eating popcorn and didn't get into the dentist until this Tuesday. Thankfully she isn't in any pain but no is tasked with wiggling that thing out ASAP. Last night she was working on it and I went to see if I. would be able to pull it out and noticed another tooth is growing as the crack widens! So weird!!! If she can't get it out in the next few days, I might have to call the dentist again and see about them pulling it instead. 

* Sophia had her first horse show a few weekends ago.  While it was more informal, it's always a good way to kick off show season as practice. 

We are joining our stable's leasing program- right now, she rides a lesson horse for lessons and shows. Leasing a horse would mean that she would ride one horse only for shows and private lessons. Lesson horses are typically more slow and well, they use them for lessons and teaching kids to ride. They just are a different level? You can tell I'm not an expert on this haha.  

Her first official show is coming up in a few weekends and we're excited!

We all are really excited about her progression and serious love for horse riding, which we never would have guessed in million years. 

*Saidey tried ice skating lessons this winter and it was a 6 week session. She has improved so much! I signed her up for another 6 weeks and then soccer will start right after. It will be interesting to see if she wants to continue or if it will just be a fun winter thing here and there. 

*Sullivan is talking like crazy and growing so fast it seems. He's also entered the 3 year old, I sometimes forget to use my words and freak out and no one knows what's wrong, stage. And then come to realize- it's a really simple thing- like he wanted a different pair of pants or wanted milk instead of water. Fun times, over here. 

* It's officially Saidey's birthday month and we decided to have a friend party for the first time since covid. It feels weird and wonderful all at the same time! She decided she wants to do a birthday party at the ice skating rink and so we're in the planning stages for that!

What I've been loving

*I can't believe I haven't talked about it before now! Will stopped drinking soda at the beginning of the year and kept looking at Sodastreams. His sister had gotten one at Christmas so I think he was intrigued. Anyway, he kept looking at them, would tell me if they went on sale, etc.. but never bought one! So, one day Sophia and I were at Target and bought one. Since then, we've all been slightly addicted. 

*The replacement parts for our roomba, Betty, came! She's like a new woman! It's the little things, people! 

*A few weekends ago, I took Sophia on a little day date, just her and I. I let her pick where we ate  (she chose Panera) and it was one of the first times we've eaten anywhere in a long time, and then we did a little shopping. Will and I plan to take turns taking each of the big girls out on a one on one adventure every month. 

What I've been eyeing

This blazer at Madewell

Easter is coming up and so I've started my Easter list for the kids. We always do Easter baskets of non candy things and it's so fun to fill them. I usually do a spring/summer theme- bubbles, chalk, etc. but then also swim suits, sandals, etc.. and a few other fun things. The girls will need summer sandals- we always love these Birkenstocks  and Target also has a version that I love for Sullivan. 

All my kids have also lived in Natives during the summer months and all of them need bigger sizes this year. I'm not sure if the girls will want a pair or if they'll stick with the ones above. 

What I'm watching/reading/listening to

*I finished Educated and it was a wonderful read. The journey to be where the author is today is amazing and shows how resilient people truly are. I started Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown and so far I'm enjoying it but also, a lot of it is a review. We finished the finale of Euphora and WOW. Have you guys watched it? It's about high school students, their lives, and let's just say I can't wait until next season comes out!  We finished part 1 of Ozark, Season 4 and started Inventing Anna on Netflix. 

*With all the news going on this week, one thing that helps me is knowing how I can handle taking in the news. For me, it's reading it only. I follow NPR and BBC and then on Instagram, I have been following Jessica Yellin, Sharon Says So, and Emilyinyourphone, as well. I only allow myself to check in with updates about the news a few times during the day. 

Two weeks in a Row- Look at me!

This must be a record! Two weeks in a row. I know, not so impressive but to me it's a big deal haha! 

How was everyone's week?! 

I'm Back- Maybe

Well, hey blog. It's so nice to see you. It's been awhile. As the new year came and went, I've been doing a little reflecting on my little space in the world wide web. I used to blog consistently and it was not only a creative outlet but it became in a way, my kid's baby book, and our family's diary of our daily lives.  But as I became more active on Instagram- it sort of replaced my blog. I could do a quick post with my thoughts or expand on stories- I could do minute by minute updates if I wanted of our weekend. So this little space right here- became a fading light in the distance. 

Easter Baskets 2021

 Spring is here and Easter is near! Easter is one of my favorite holidays. We do Easter baskets, easter egg hunts, dye eggs, and normally visit the easter bunny. we do it all. to me, this holiday really kicks spring off to a start and it's all about remembering why we celebrate this holiday and spending it with the ones we love. all that extra stuff is just a bonus! 

Happy 8th Birthday, Saidey Marie!

 Wow, 8. It's Saidey's 8th birthday and we're already well into celebrating the special birthday girl! 

A Little Life Lately

Welp, we're well into 2021 already and it definitely hasn't been boring! My goals for returning to blog regularly went out the window as quickly as they were formed. I am trying here! :)