I’m not going to lie, I’ve been feeling a bit like a party pooper when it comes to summer this year – I haven’t been in the mood to do a thing. I’m not sure if it has to do with Covid restrictions or just what, but I need to get over it otherwise we will completely miss out on a fun summer.
We had so much fun last year (you can read about it here) and I’m determined that we can still make this one great too. I have added some new things this year, but I am also keeping some things on the list from last year as well.
Also, in case you’re new here, I have a 3 year old little boy. I wanted to point that out in case you’re wondering why a grown adult would want to do some of these things, haha.
Food & Drink
Make homemade salsa
Bake a pie
Make peach cobbler
Make homemade lemonade
Buy a treat from the ice cream truck
The last one here is a maybe. There’s usually a cute ice cream truck that goes by, but the ones driving by this year are a little sketch. Buying ice cream from someone’s mini van isn’t quite what I had in mind…
Out & About
Feed the ducks
Check out books at the library (via curbside pickup this year)
Go to a farmers market
Visit a new park
Try a new restaurant
Fun in the Sun
Run through the sprinklers
Have a picnic
Play T-ball
Decorate our deck
Paint rocks
Rain or Shine
Go puddle jumping
Pajama movie night
Hand-write a letter and mail it
Play a new board game
Make a summer scrapbook
For those who want to create your own, you can print a blank list here:
I skipped last month’s post on purpose. With current events and everything going on in the news it just didn’t feel right at the time, so I’m combining the two months together.
May was stressful. Between work, planning a cross-country trip during a pandemic, and heartbreaking news headlines, it was a roller coaster for sure. We were also still working on the refinance of our home, which was also a bit of a roller coaster as well. Thankfully we finally closed!
As for June, it’s actually been quite a fun month. I flew across the country to my dear friend’s wedding. It was seriously so nice to put my phone away and soak in all the fun of what turned into an amazing girls weekend.
I came home completely exhausted and yet refreshed all at the same time! Mikey and Gryffin were troopers while I was gone for nearly 4 days! Which, by the way, was the first time I had been away longer than a day trip.
Here’s what else we’ve been up to the past couple months…
Currently Watching
The BBC version of Pride & Prejudice. This is a small spoiler of my next section, but since I was reading the book I also wanted to watch the movie as I’m going through it. Amazon Prime split the 6 hour movie into episodes, which is perfect since I barely have more than an hour or two sit down and watch anything. It’s perfect to turn on while I’m folding a load of laundry.
Finished! I’m pretty picky when it comes to buying books. I’m very happy to report that I enjoyed this book so much I ended up buying it half way through. As it turned out, I THOUGHT I was only half way through when I ordered the book, but instead I was only 2 chapters from the end. I would have been more disappointed except for the fact I know I will read it again.
Even though this was a self-help type book, she really drew me in with her stories. I really appreciated her point of view that overthinking also encompasses a variety of things that generally take up brain space, like clutter, for example. She covered a variety of topics and subjects that all related to overthinking. I really enjoyed it.
Look at me being an over achiever here…
I’m also listening to the audio book “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend.
I already know I’m going to have to check it out again, probably as an e-book. I’m only 8 chapters in and already want to refer back to a couple things he’s talked about. I might even just end up buying this one too.
I also chose Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen for some light reading before bed.
I actually just finished this! I have read this book once before as a requirement for a class. To be honest, I did not enjoy it at the time but I knew it was only because I required to read it. 15 years later and I finally picked it up for fun. I’m happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I actually had this book on hold at our library before the Covid-19 shutdown, so I was happy to receive an email last week letting me know the book was available via curbside pickup! I believe the book recommendation came from Anne Bogel after reading on her blog, but I could be mistaken. Since I have 3 books going right now the timing isn’t the best but it’s causing me to get some serious reading in this month!
My husband loves cheesecake, so on his birthday I try and make him one every year. This was an easy recipe and it turned out as good as it looks!
This particular recipe calls for 2 pre-made oreo crusts, but since I couldn’t find any at the grocery store I ended up having to make my own. I wasn’t disappointing though, because just look at that!
Current Favorite
I’ve been on a shopping kick via Amazon lately. After discovering I was in need of a new lip color I decided to branch out and try something new when I found this Milani lipstick. It arrived and I immediately fell in love.
At just under $5 I figured I couldn’t really go wrong and chose the shade called Rose Femme – the name sounded lovely. The color is perfect! Slightly dark for summer, but rosey enough that I can still get away with it. I loved it so much that I ended up purchasing a second in a different color. It goes on so smooth and doesn’t leave my lips dry or flakey. Oh, and it smells good too!
This month has been an absolute blur! I’m still working mostly from home aside from going into the office once a week. The only other real news is that we’re in the process of refinancing our mortgage – which I’m not going to lie, was a little more stressful than I was anticipating. We’ve been working extra hard this month out in our yard and doing a LOT of spring cleaning so we could make our house look pretty for the appraiser.
We’ve only had our house for a little over 2 years, but with a baby I didn’t do a great job of keeping up our garden areas. There also was quite a lot of stuff left under our deck from the previous owner that we were able to get rid of. It looks much better now! We still have a few more things to get done, but I’m hoping to get some before and after pics posted.
Anyway, here’s what else we’ve been up to this month.
Currently Watching
Yep, there you have it folks. This is what quarantine has done to me. I’ve watched some Jeopardy too.
I’m only 3 chapters in, but it’s already a good one. Even though this is a self-help type book, I can’t help but be amazed at what a good story teller she is. I have been so tired at night I haven’t been able to bring myself to read, but I’m determined to keep going, no matter how slow.
I found this recipe on Pinterest and tried it last night and it was so so good! I added mushrooms (yuck, but my husband likes them and I’m trying), subbed with pepper-jack cheese, and added chipotle ranch. They tasted A-mazing!
Current Favorite
The feeling of accomplishment.
That might sound cheesy, but getting so much done this month has been so refreshing. I’ve been feeling extra blessed with what we have and extremely thankful.
Wait, it’s April?! Ha, just kidding…kind of. I actually had tried really hard to get this post up last night but the site has been glitchy for me lately (side note, if the pictures are not centered, I tried my best to fix it). But hey, better late than never!
Anyway, this year is starting to feel like a bad dream. I refuse to let this post be a downer though, so I will do my best to keep it light and talk about the happy things of the last month. :)
First of all, Gryffin turned 3 years old!!! We had planned on having his first big birthday party with friends but we will have to reschedule. We ended up getting him 3 balloons (paw patrol, spider man, and a cupcake) and a mini birthday cake. I’m sad we couldn’t have a real birthday party for him but I’m glad we were able to make it a little special. Thank goodness he’s 3 and didn’t quite know what all he was missing yet.
Second, I got to start working from home this past month! Granted, not exactly under the circumstances I was hoping for. It’s definitely made me realize I’ve taken some things in life for granted. I look forward to the day everything can go back to normal…I realize that could be a while and I’m not quite sure things are going to exactly the same again in some respects.
The month also ended with some crazy weather. lots of rain, hail, snow, heavier snow, sunshine, and an earthquake, all in one day. I was sitting down and suddenly felt dizzy and thought my vertigo was back. I looked up and saw the door was swaying, and the cabinet door, and the blinds. I was so relieved it was only an earthquake haha. But seriously, this month has been nuts.
Aside from the obvious craziness that we’re all dealing with, here’s what we’ve been up to this past month…
Currently Watching
The Office.
I’m leaving this one up here since I’m still watching an episode here and there.
Also, I’ve started watching the news lately. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but it feels like the right thing to do. It has also led me to watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune…
My mom sent me the link to her recipe and I’m so glad she did! I usually stick to what I know and like, but by her suggestion I decided to give it a go. So glad I did! Super easy with minimal ingredients and they taste delicious. I will definitely be making these again. :)
Current Favorite
Gryffin!
Yes, he’s always my favorite but he gets a special shout out this month because my baby turned 3! He is seriously the best thing that ever happened to us. He has the best imagination and loves to laugh. Kind, funny and smart – we are seriously blessed. We love you our little Gryffin!
Anyway, these were the highlights of the last month. These are really challenging times we’re facing and my heart hurts for many of you. I’m thankful we’re not alone in all of this – we’re in it all together.
Now that my life feels consumed by our new schedule, I thought I would share my daily routines that help me keep up with it all. I love “day in the life” posts, so here’s a little mini half version of mine.
After having a baby, I always wondered how other full-time working moms handled life. How do they get it all done? How do they balance it all? How do they keep from going crazy? This is going to sound dramatic, but I was afraid I was going to absolutely hate life and/or die, if not from the heartbreak from leaving my baby, then from sheer exhaustion of trying to do it all.
I had to take it one day and one week at a time. Every day got a little easier and slowly, but surely, I finally developed a routine and we sunk into a new normal. And guess what…I didn’t (and don’t) hate life. :)
Routines help make sanity possible.
While I don’t have a nursing baby now, I do have a different kind of challenge where I have an active toddler and my husband, who is now going to school full-time and works graveyard, isn’t able to help out nearly as much. All I can say is, preparation is key!
For a quick glance, I have a short run down of my routine. Feel free to keep scrolling for the full detail of my evening, from the moment I get off work to the time I go to bed.
Here’s the quick run down:
5:00 – 5:30: Get off work and pick up Gryffin from daycare
5:45-6:00: Get mail / eat snack
6:00-6:45: 30 minute work out/warm dinner (I batch cook on the Sunday so I don’t have to cook nearly as much during the week. Funny story – I always hated the thought of batch cooking and now I can’t imagine doing it any other way!)/Gryffin watches a show/plays while I work out
6:45 – 7:30: Eat dinner (Gryffin takes forever to eat!)
7:30: Wake Mikey up
7:30 – 7:45: Playtime with Gryffin until bath time
7:45 – 8:15: Gryffin’s bath and bedtime routine
8:15: Gryffin’s bedtime (more on this below)
9:30 – 10:00: Wash dishes/ pack lunch/ pick out clothes and shoes for next day/ jammies/wash face/brush teeth, etc.
10:00 – 10:30: Quiet time (read bible, journal, pray)
10:30: lights out
**Now for the long explanation with all the juicy details!
5:00 – 5:45/6:00
Get off work and go pick Gryffin up. I have a 20-30 minute commute from work to daycare and we’re usually home around 5:45 (sometimes 6:00 if I stay and talk at daycare).
I love that it’s light when I get off work now!
While I don’t like the drive time (I know, I’m lucky compared to some of you!), I find that it at least gives me time to decompress after work. I usually listen to a podcast on my way home. My go-to podcasts are “Happier” with Gretchen Rubin and “What Should I Read Next” with Anne Bogel.
I’ve been a bit behind on the Happier podcast
5:45 – 6:00
Both Gryffin and I are pretty hungry by the time we get home, so we’ll eat a snack to hold us over until dinner. Usually I’ll make a half peanut butter and jelly sandwich or we just have some crackers.
During snack time we usually sit together and I ask Gryffin how his day was and just hang out with each other.
Being silly :P
6:00 – 6:30
I let Gryffin watch a show during this time – usually Blippi or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. For me, this part varies a little depending on what day it is.
I have started incorporating workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so if it’s one of those days, I will start heating up dinner and workout while it cooks or I’ll throw it together after I’m done working out.
I got some new dvd workouts over Christmas. I switch my workouts between these, Blogilates, and Kathryn Morgan’s ballet barre’s
If it’s not a workout night, I save the more time-consuming meals for those days and I sit and play with Gryffin for a little bit.
6:45 – 7:30 (sometimes earlier)
Taco night! He knows how to eat those olives right ;) P.S. Don’t mind his crazy hair.
Dinner time. Anyone else out there have toddlers that take FOREVER to eat?? Gryffin can take up to 45 minutes sometimes. It’s also hard to know when he’s done because he will say “all done” and then immediately start shoveling more food in his mouth the second I go to wipe his hands *sigh*.
Anyway, dinner time ends usually anywhere between 7:15-7:30
7:30 – Wake Mikey Up (sometimes earlier, it just depends)
7:30 – 7:45
Dirty Kitchen / Clean Kitchen
Clean up the kitchen while Gryffin plays. Sometimes I’ll wait to clean the kitchen after Gryffin goes down to bed, but it’s always nice when I get it done early.
7:45 – 8:15
Gryffin’s bedtime routine. Bath, jammies, brush teeth, pick up toys, read a book. Pretty simple.
8:15 – 9:30
Gryffin goes down to bed around 8:15. This part of my night also varies depending on if I’m the one putting Gryffin down to bed. He is very afraid of the dark and has separation anxiety, so bedtime is rough and we usually have to stay with him until he falls asleep (there’s no crying it out, because he gets so worked up that he throws up). Unfortunately he can take forever to fall asleep.
If Mikey’s the one putting Gryffin to bed, I’m up and usually watching a show. Lately I’ve been watching either The Office, or When Calls The Heart on Netflix.
9:30 – 10:00
This is when I start getting ready for bed and Mikey gets ready and goes to work. I wash my face, get my jammies on, pick out my clothes for the next day, and get my lunch ready to go.
I keep my products pretty simple and I’m perfectly satisfied with drugstore brands. The bottle that looks like olive oil is actually jojoba oil. I use it in place of eye cream. It keeps the eye area moisturized and I feel like it helps with dark circles as well.
I am not a morning person at all, so I would much rather do it all at night rather than the morning.
10:00 – 10:30
Quiet time. I do my best to head downstairs right at 10:00 and read my Bible, but occasionally the above routine might take me a bit longer or I get sidetracked with my phone and start scrolling through social media. I’m working on being better disciplined, but for the most part I’m able to stick with this.
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So that’s what our evenings look like. I plan on also do a really short morning routine, and a weekend or Sunday routine as well.
![Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life by [Anne Bogel]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/4152o04wWuL.jpg)
![Pride and Prejudice by [Jane Austen]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41TYCIYe2-L.jpg)
![The Fifth Avenue Story Society by [Hauck, Rachel]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ot6SyXYML.jpg)
Simply Blissful 