1. Two of my all-time favorites, Matt and Ginny, showcased me on their podcast.
2. It's been a rough year. I could use something get excited about.
3. I mentally do it anyways, thinking about new list ideas all the time...I might as well just publish them.
4. I would love to casually drop "I have a blog" into conversation. It seems so a few years ago, and I'm usually a bit behind. Or ahead. Mostly behind.
5. My kids are old enough...they might make guest appearances.
6. Are there blog awards? I'd like to win one of those.
7. I'm always looking for a quick task for this window of time to kill while I wait for my coffee to brew, as I'm too lazy and not technologically gifted enough to care about programming the maker to brew 10 minutes earlier each day. (Is a coffee maker considered technology?)
8. I'm always jonesing to go viral.
9. My millions of fans are going to be so thankful.
10. I think I'm a completely different person than I was five years ago. I've learned so much and have changed so much. So obviously a whole bunch of new content and thoughts.
11. Mostly #1.
Thursday
Monday
Our Florida Meals
1. For breakfast every morning, the kids had some variation on cereal, milk, yogurt, and fruit. I had a Kashi GoLean instant oatmeal and a banana every morning.
2. The first night, we stopped at Senor Tequilas on the way from the airport. It was not good. I had bean nachos.
3. On the second night, we ordered Papa John's pizza so that we could just be at the house and let the kids swim. There were also strawberries.
4. Tuesday night, we were driving back from visiting my husband's grandmother, so the kids had a "supper" of peanut butter crackers, apple slices, and animal crackers. I had a late night egg sandwich when we got back to the house.
5. For lunch every day, we packed it and took it to the beach/club pool. It was usually some combination of PBJs, cheese sticks, grapes, egg sandwiches, pretzels, juice boxes, or carrots and peanut butter.
6. Wednesday, we cooked. There was grilled tilapia, baked sweet potatoes, salad, chips and salsa, and the kids had grilled cheese sandwiches.
7. Thursday, we went to Doc's Beach House for overpriced, mediocre dive-bar food. I had an egg salad sandwich and chips. The kids loved picking out an ice cream bar from the cooler for dessert.
8. The last two nights we went to TGIFridays (dorky families alert!) because it is so easy and cheap to eat there. I had a spicy black bean burger both nights. They were delicious. On the second trip there, I got crazy with a Blackberry Long Island Iced Tea.
9. On the last morning, we stopped at Bread Co. for breakfast (Panera for the non-St. Louisians out there). I had an iced chai tea latte and we all shared some cinnamon crunch bagels, which is one of the more coveted treats at our home.
10. Lauren and I had Bella Sera Pinot Grigio each night and there may have been handfuls of pretzel and peanut butter M&Ms involved.
2. The first night, we stopped at Senor Tequilas on the way from the airport. It was not good. I had bean nachos.
3. On the second night, we ordered Papa John's pizza so that we could just be at the house and let the kids swim. There were also strawberries.
4. Tuesday night, we were driving back from visiting my husband's grandmother, so the kids had a "supper" of peanut butter crackers, apple slices, and animal crackers. I had a late night egg sandwich when we got back to the house.
5. For lunch every day, we packed it and took it to the beach/club pool. It was usually some combination of PBJs, cheese sticks, grapes, egg sandwiches, pretzels, juice boxes, or carrots and peanut butter.
6. Wednesday, we cooked. There was grilled tilapia, baked sweet potatoes, salad, chips and salsa, and the kids had grilled cheese sandwiches.
7. Thursday, we went to Doc's Beach House for overpriced, mediocre dive-bar food. I had an egg salad sandwich and chips. The kids loved picking out an ice cream bar from the cooler for dessert.
8. The last two nights we went to TGIFridays (dorky families alert!) because it is so easy and cheap to eat there. I had a spicy black bean burger both nights. They were delicious. On the second trip there, I got crazy with a Blackberry Long Island Iced Tea.
9. On the last morning, we stopped at Bread Co. for breakfast (Panera for the non-St. Louisians out there). I had an iced chai tea latte and we all shared some cinnamon crunch bagels, which is one of the more coveted treats at our home.
10. Lauren and I had Bella Sera Pinot Grigio each night and there may have been handfuls of pretzel and peanut butter M&Ms involved.
Sunday
What's In My Fun Bag For The Airplane
1. Magazines- US Weekly, People, and InStyle
2. My iPhone
3. Chapstick
4. Headphones
5. Christmas cross-stitching
6. Kind bar
7.Sour Cherries
8. Sunglasses
9. Wallet
10. Stickers and blank books for the kids
2. My iPhone
3. Chapstick
4. Headphones
5. Christmas cross-stitching
6. Kind bar
7.Sour Cherries
8. Sunglasses
9. Wallet
10. Stickers and blank books for the kids
Friday
What I've Been Eating A Lot Of Lately
1. Salty chips dipped in greek yogurt
2. THESE Field Roast apple sage "sausages"
3. Luna Peanut Honey Pretzel bars
4. Tacos
5. Kale chips
6. Frozen yogurt (we've been to Chill a lot lately)
7. Chili
8. Spinach, mushroom, and black bean quesadillas
9. Mushrooms
10. Cereal and almond milk as my night snack
11. Smoothies
2. THESE Field Roast apple sage "sausages"
3. Luna Peanut Honey Pretzel bars
4. Tacos
5. Kale chips
6. Frozen yogurt (we've been to Chill a lot lately)
7. Chili
8. Spinach, mushroom, and black bean quesadillas
9. Mushrooms
10. Cereal and almond milk as my night snack
11. Smoothies
Wednesday
Tuesday
The Kids "Fun Bags" For The Plane Ride
1. Ring pops
2. Coloring books and crayons
3. Calculators
4. W has a math workbook, and R has an activity book
5. Activity pack
6. Memory cards
7. A deck of cards
2. Coloring books and crayons
3. Calculators
4. W has a math workbook, and R has an activity book
5. Activity pack
6. Memory cards
7. A deck of cards
Monday
Our Teachers' Christmas Gifts
(spread out over 5 days, because of our trip and stomach flu, the kids only had 5 school days in December)
1. A little bag of festive things from the Kitchen Store in Conway- a cute little bird magnet, Caramel Praline Toffee hot chocolate canister, and some strawberry jam.
2. Panera gift card
3. Starbucks gift card with a Christmas clip clipped on and their favorite Starbucks coffee that morning
4. THESE apples and caramel cream cheese toffee dip (I used Heath bars instead of Skor because where in the world can you buy Skor bars). They turned out so cute and delicious!
5. A pair of earrings and a Christmas ornament tied on the gift bag
6. Their head teachers are also children's book collectors, so they each got a book- Mrs. B received Iggy Peck, Architect and Mrs. H received The Birds of Bethlehem.
1. A little bag of festive things from the Kitchen Store in Conway- a cute little bird magnet, Caramel Praline Toffee hot chocolate canister, and some strawberry jam.
2. Panera gift card
3. Starbucks gift card with a Christmas clip clipped on and their favorite Starbucks coffee that morning
4. THESE apples and caramel cream cheese toffee dip (I used Heath bars instead of Skor because where in the world can you buy Skor bars). They turned out so cute and delicious!
5. A pair of earrings and a Christmas ornament tied on the gift bag
6. Their head teachers are also children's book collectors, so they each got a book- Mrs. B received Iggy Peck, Architect and Mrs. H received The Birds of Bethlehem.
Sunday
What's In My Wrap
1. Whole wheat tortilla shell, 365 brand
2. Dijon mustard
3. Baby Spinach
4. Kale
5. Alfalfa sprouts
6. Red pepper flakes
7. Avocado
8. A leftover Gardein strip, cut up into little
9. Orange bell pepper
2. Dijon mustard
3. Baby Spinach
4. Kale
5. Alfalfa sprouts
6. Red pepper flakes
7. Avocado
8. A leftover Gardein strip, cut up into little
9. Orange bell pepper
Friday
Today
1. First of all, this heartbreaking shooting. I can't even talk about it. Some coward- walking into an elementary school with guns, himself wearing a bullet proof vest- he just destroyed so many people's lives. I can't even imagine.
2. My daughter did a great job at chapel this morning as part of the "heavenly host". She said her line! So proud.
3. We went to Nordstrom Rack afterwards and found her some sandals (perfect for our trip) for $5, and a blouse that I saw for her a long time ago at Nordstrom, but didn't buy it because it was too expensive. Found it today for $7. Win.
4. I forgot about my dog's grooming appointment, and had to race him over there to just get a bath. The kids and I picked out some things for his stocking- a cookie, a dog toy, and a new Kong.
5. I saw this quote this morning that said, "Do More Of What Makes You Happy," and I've been thinking about it all day. What makes me happy? I spend so much time worried about everyone else being happy. I need to work on that.
6. We have a freshly-baked pan of chocolate chip banana brownies. Perfect for 2 days before a bikini.
7. I want to go to bed at 7:00.
8. I have to work on getting the stains out of a load of laundry that was washed with a green crayon. I am armed with ammonia, WD-40, Oxyclean powder....I'll try anything.
9. The last of the Christmas presents are coming today-my husband's-via Amazon. Thankful for Amazon Prime this holiday season.
2. My daughter did a great job at chapel this morning as part of the "heavenly host". She said her line! So proud.
3. We went to Nordstrom Rack afterwards and found her some sandals (perfect for our trip) for $5, and a blouse that I saw for her a long time ago at Nordstrom, but didn't buy it because it was too expensive. Found it today for $7. Win.
4. I forgot about my dog's grooming appointment, and had to race him over there to just get a bath. The kids and I picked out some things for his stocking- a cookie, a dog toy, and a new Kong.
5. I saw this quote this morning that said, "Do More Of What Makes You Happy," and I've been thinking about it all day. What makes me happy? I spend so much time worried about everyone else being happy. I need to work on that.
6. We have a freshly-baked pan of chocolate chip banana brownies. Perfect for 2 days before a bikini.
7. I want to go to bed at 7:00.
8. I have to work on getting the stains out of a load of laundry that was washed with a green crayon. I am armed with ammonia, WD-40, Oxyclean powder....I'll try anything.
9. The last of the Christmas presents are coming today-my husband's-via Amazon. Thankful for Amazon Prime this holiday season.
Thursday
R's Stocking Stuffers
1. A whole bag full of Squinkies
2. 3 bigger race cars
3. Some big woods-themed Schleich figures (moose, wolf, grizzly, elk, can't remember the last one)
4. A Spiderman t-shirt
5. A Mickey Mouse cereal bowl
6. Stuart Little movie
7. A deck of cards
2. 3 bigger race cars
3. Some big woods-themed Schleich figures (moose, wolf, grizzly, elk, can't remember the last one)
4. A Spiderman t-shirt
5. A Mickey Mouse cereal bowl
6. Stuart Little movie
7. A deck of cards
Wednesday
What's Coming Up That I Am Thankful For
1. Number one, beach vacation next week with our friends! We haven't been on a family vacation since our car accident, so Feliz Navidad to us!
2. W's class is leading chapel at school on Friday. She is an angel and has the line: Now we don't have to live in darkness anymore! I'm going to be the proudest momma.
3. Obviously, Christmas...celebrating God sending his son, and JOY, to this world. (Cue my favorite Christmas song!)
4. Celebrating the holidays in Arkansas. One of the most precious things to me is my children's relationships with their cousins. It's going to be all ten of them for the whole weekend, and wildness will ensue.
5. Christmas Break from school. We need it. Mornings are so insane during the school year. I will be thankful for a bunch of relaxing mornings, pajamas all day, and not having to leave the house.
2. W's class is leading chapel at school on Friday. She is an angel and has the line: Now we don't have to live in darkness anymore! I'm going to be the proudest momma.
3. Obviously, Christmas...celebrating God sending his son, and JOY, to this world. (Cue my favorite Christmas song!)
4. Celebrating the holidays in Arkansas. One of the most precious things to me is my children's relationships with their cousins. It's going to be all ten of them for the whole weekend, and wildness will ensue.
5. Christmas Break from school. We need it. Mornings are so insane during the school year. I will be thankful for a bunch of relaxing mornings, pajamas all day, and not having to leave the house.
Tuesday
What Is In W's Treasure Basket
1. Her 3K photo album
2. Her photo album from her zoo day with her teachers and 3 friends from last summer
3. One Razorbacks pom pom
4. A pink quartz
5. A blue rock that her brother brought back for her from Petit Jean
6. A Minnie Mouse plastic ring
7. A Bible verse cut-out on a ribbon
8. Her last summer pool pass that has her photo on it, so she calls it her drivers license
2. Her photo album from her zoo day with her teachers and 3 friends from last summer
3. One Razorbacks pom pom
4. A pink quartz
5. A blue rock that her brother brought back for her from Petit Jean
6. A Minnie Mouse plastic ring
7. A Bible verse cut-out on a ribbon
8. Her last summer pool pass that has her photo on it, so she calls it her drivers license
If You Are A Sick Kid At My House
1. You get to eat whatever you want (can, really)- today W has only chosen smoothies and Cinnamon Crunch cereal.
2. You get to watch Looney Toons and Tom & Jerry all morning (my kids love that slapstick humor)
3. I make you a little pallet on the sofa and bring you books.
4. I will play as many games of Go Fish and War that you want.
5. You fall asleep, and I carry you to my bed for a nap.
6. I let you take a bath and fill the water up all the way to your neck and put in a little epsom salt.
7. You get a lot of back scratches and leg rubs and I might pat your back until you fall asleep.
8. Pajamas all day!
9. You can eat your lunch on the sofa under your blanket.
10. You can play on mom's otherwise off-limits phone.
2. You get to watch Looney Toons and Tom & Jerry all morning (my kids love that slapstick humor)
3. I make you a little pallet on the sofa and bring you books.
4. I will play as many games of Go Fish and War that you want.
5. You fall asleep, and I carry you to my bed for a nap.
6. I let you take a bath and fill the water up all the way to your neck and put in a little epsom salt.
7. You get a lot of back scratches and leg rubs and I might pat your back until you fall asleep.
8. Pajamas all day!
9. You can eat your lunch on the sofa under your blanket.
10. You can play on mom's otherwise off-limits phone.
Wednesday
Today's To-Do List
1. No school today! Should I expect the kids to sleep in?
2. Pick up my car at the body shop
3. Drop Puddy off at the groomers
4. Bake an apple crisp
5. Pick up my jacket at my friend's house & pay her for it
6. Pack for Branson/Arkansas
7. Go to the library with the kids
8. Eat the rest of our huge tub of Greek yogurt
2. Pick up my car at the body shop
3. Drop Puddy off at the groomers
4. Bake an apple crisp
5. Pick up my jacket at my friend's house & pay her for it
6. Pack for Branson/Arkansas
7. Go to the library with the kids
8. Eat the rest of our huge tub of Greek yogurt
Tuesday
W's Stocking Stuffers, Because I'm That Much Of An Early Bird
1. 5 pairs of earrings (Christmas marks the two-month mark when she can take her starters out)
2. BrainQuest cards
3. Domino set
4. Old Maid card game (my kids are bonkers for card games lately)
5. Annie
6. Minnie Mouse cereal bowl
7. Bunch of Squinkies
2. BrainQuest cards
3. Domino set
4. Old Maid card game (my kids are bonkers for card games lately)
5. Annie
6. Minnie Mouse cereal bowl
7. Bunch of Squinkies
Sunday
This Weekend's Purchases
1. Arpilleras tapestry from John Burrough's "Unique Boutique"
2. Small ceramic bowl from a local potter from Unique Boutique
3. Sweet M's cookies- our favorites!
4. Ornament set from the Disney Store that are vintage-inspired from some of our favorite Disney films- The Aristocats, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, etc. for the kid's tree
5. Gift card from Anthropologie for a friend
6. Jellycat stuffed owl for part of a baby shower gift
7. Groceries at Schnucks
2. Small ceramic bowl from a local potter from Unique Boutique
3. Sweet M's cookies- our favorites!
4. Ornament set from the Disney Store that are vintage-inspired from some of our favorite Disney films- The Aristocats, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, etc. for the kid's tree
5. Gift card from Anthropologie for a friend
6. Jellycat stuffed owl for part of a baby shower gift
7. Groceries at Schnucks
Thursday
Things I Am Loving...
1. Necklaces like this and this.
2. White potatoes. I've just been craving them like mad lately. I guess it could be worse.
3. Christmas shopping!
4. Speaking of, this article. I cannot quit laughing. Forgive the profanities. They do make it funnier.
5. The jewelry at Geranium in St. Louis
6. Dry Lavender Soda
7. Quilt patterns. I'm going to have one made soon, and can't stop looking for beautiful patterns.
8. These boots
9. I stumbled upon W just singing this song so sweetly a couple days ago. Who can blame her? It's beautiful, Annie Lennox is intoxicating, and she was named after David Gray, for goodness sakes.
10. Reading to my children chapter books that I treasured as a child...The Boxcar Children, Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web...
11. Nashville on ABC Wednesday nights
12. Chai tea soy lattes from Kaldi's Coffee or more conveniently drive-thru-able, Starbucks
13. Kale
14. The latest Avett Brothers album
2. White potatoes. I've just been craving them like mad lately. I guess it could be worse.
3. Christmas shopping!
4. Speaking of, this article. I cannot quit laughing. Forgive the profanities. They do make it funnier.
5. The jewelry at Geranium in St. Louis
6. Dry Lavender Soda
7. Quilt patterns. I'm going to have one made soon, and can't stop looking for beautiful patterns.
8. These boots
9. I stumbled upon W just singing this song so sweetly a couple days ago. Who can blame her? It's beautiful, Annie Lennox is intoxicating, and she was named after David Gray, for goodness sakes.
10. Reading to my children chapter books that I treasured as a child...The Boxcar Children, Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web...
11. Nashville on ABC Wednesday nights
12. Chai tea soy lattes from Kaldi's Coffee or more conveniently drive-thru-able, Starbucks
13. Kale
14. The latest Avett Brothers album
Wednesday
What My Children Ate Today
1. Breakfast: Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal in milk
2. Lunch: Hard-boiled egg, greek yogurt, Clif kids bar, walnuts, and almond milk
3. Snack: Grapes and mandarin oranges
4. Supper: THIS beautiful farfalline pasta that I bought at the olive oil store in Clayton, sweet potatoes, carrots, and buttered toast
4. Water throughout the day and a few Cat Cookies to snack on
Monday
What I Just Picked Up At Target And Trader Joe's
1. Kodiak Cake waffle and pancake mix (2 boxes)
2. Toothbrushes for the children- a Batman and a Hello Kitty
3. Oregon Chai tea concentrate
4. 3M picture hanging tabs for my long mirror on the bathroom door
5. Trader Joe's Cats Cookies
6. 2 pizza dough balls
7. Jar of pizza sauce
8. 2 bags of shredded cheese mix
9. 2 dark chocolate bars- one coconut caramel and one caramel black sea salt
10. Bag of prewashed, precut kale
2. Toothbrushes for the children- a Batman and a Hello Kitty
3. Oregon Chai tea concentrate
4. 3M picture hanging tabs for my long mirror on the bathroom door
5. Trader Joe's Cats Cookies
6. 2 pizza dough balls
7. Jar of pizza sauce
8. 2 bags of shredded cheese mix
9. 2 dark chocolate bars- one coconut caramel and one caramel black sea salt
10. Bag of prewashed, precut kale
Sunday
What It Takes For Me To Find The Perfect Swimsuit
1. Prayer/the hand of God
2. Contortionism
3. Liquid dieting
4. The ability to stealthily maneuver past the "juniors section" that produces swim bottoms that offer enough coverage for the bottom of my heel
5. Black magic
6. Strategically placed ruffles
7. Mental questions that sound a lot like, "What waterproof material could I stuff here that would not disintegrate or float away when submerged?"
8. Countless dressing room hours
9. Countless internet orders
10. Optical illusions
2. Contortionism
3. Liquid dieting
4. The ability to stealthily maneuver past the "juniors section" that produces swim bottoms that offer enough coverage for the bottom of my heel
5. Black magic
6. Strategically placed ruffles
7. Mental questions that sound a lot like, "What waterproof material could I stuff here that would not disintegrate or float away when submerged?"
8. Countless dressing room hours
9. Countless internet orders
10. Optical illusions
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