This and That

1. We have been stuck inside a lot lately. Mostly because of rain, but also because getting 3 kids out of the house is just SO HARD. Rowan has reached the age where it is getting harder for him to nap well on the go (that is what happens around 4 months) and so I feel a bit stuck at home all of the time. The girls really need more outdoor play. I plan on getting a sandbox set up on the deck and the water table set up too so we can play more easily while Rowan sleeps.

2. We did finally get a walk in yesterday morning. Our neighborhood is so very pretty, especially in the morning with the long shadows and birds chirping. It was a work out to say the least. Pushing 70lbs plus the stroller (30lbs) and carrying a nearly 20 lb infant is not easy. And it is a slightly hilly neighborhood. But I was so glad we got out because it really did put me in a good mood to get some fresh air. We stopped at the little playground on the way home and the girls LOVE that little playground. Mostly because of the sticks.

3. We have been busying ourselves with going to the library every week and taking swim lessons Monday night. It is currently our only regularly programmed activities.  Let me tell you, I am not cut out for the life of a mom who chauffeurs her kids from activity to activity. Because getting us all to swim lessons one night a week is nearly too much for me! I have decided that we will only ever do one activity at a time until they can drive themselves! So you won't see my kids burnt out from activities. 

4. The girls both have a little cold. I hate spring/summer colds. I had a bad cold 2 weeks back and am hoping I don't catch this one too. So we are oiling and resting and watching a few extra movies.

5. We chose a church. Y'all I am so excited. Just the act of choosing a church makes me feel so much more at home here. But this church feels right. We really like the pastor and each week we have attended the people have been so nice to us. We were very intentional about our church choice but one of the top things we considered was how well the church helps to foster community beyond just home groups/life groups. We really feel like this church doesn't just have good theology but also has great community. I already signed up to volunteer at VBS 'Scar Force' this summer!

6. My favorite two podcast this week were this one from from Risen Motherhood on community (I also loved the one last week on decorating!) and this one from a few weeks ago on Jamie Ivy's Happy Hour.

7. I started reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I needed a read that would really interest me and I have missing learning regularly about science. So this is a good compromise. The science in it is all stuff I know, which makes it not heavy or confusing for me to read, but also keeps my interest because I love microbiology and a good human interest story.

8. I also really liked this essay from Coffee + Crumbs about the Ebb and Flow of being a working mom. Reminded me how hard that season was for me. And I liked this thoughtful essay on What it really means to be a minimalist. I do not consider myself a minimalist (for a lot of the negative reasons in this article) but I do strive to slow down and live more intentionally.

9. Daniel and I have been doing Date Box once a month and loving it! This one was maybe my favorite. Perhaps because we got to make hot cider and caramel apples (two of my favorite things) but also because we played an Escape The Room game right from our couch. It was really fun and despite a few 'disagreements' about clues (haha) it went really well and had us wanting to do A real Escape the Room activity. He has never done one, and I did it once for my friend's bachelorette about a year ago.

10. June is a big month with Elise's birthday, our first family camping trip, our 10th anniversary and both my parents and Daniel's parents visiting. So expect some regular updates which I am sure will keep you at the edge of your seat.