We're two weeks into this fresh new year (how has it been a quarter century since 2000?!) and we're all getting used to new routines. My older son has a brand new school campus, and in not much time at all the teachers and staff hustled to make it a beautiful and inspiring space! It's full of books and toys and the right balance of simplicity and stuff for a group of neurodiverse kids.
My younger son's teacher barely recovered from shingles in time to make it back to school, but she did it for the kids and their sense of routine. We could not be more lucky to have such amazing care givers for our kiddos!
We spent the first week of the year on vacation with family in the desert, and while it was a great success overall, it wasn't all easy street. It's a good reminder that the holidays, while branded as care free and joyful, are not always such. There were some hard convos, as well as the three-year anniversary of my mother-in-law’s death. It’s a good reminder to always be kind, as you never know what someone else is going through.
Here are some positive links from the web.
I badly need to implement all of this:
MotherMag's most beautiful picture books of 2024 include some of my personal favorites: The Dictionary Story, If You Want To Ride a Horse (I have a story about this one), Two Wheels, Santa’s First Christmas. (And a really beautiful one that is not on the list: Frostfire by Ellie Mackay.)
shares her 2025 ins + outs. I’m also IN on: strolls, 1:1 kid time, intentional adult time, hitting the weights, sleep (except for good books :) and gratitude:
Perfect for sweater weather
I’m forever inspired by
’s reading life. Some of my top 2024 picks (to come!) are on her list, plus so many more that I didn't get to! I really admire her resolution to not buy any new books in 2025. Man that will be tough but I think I should do it too! (Does it count if I have a gift card?)
Can’t buy it, but this motherhood memoir is on my TBR
Would love to display these thoughts
After a pancake-fueled vacation, I’m loving these fun plates for the kids! Really need a whole set.
Cute cosmetics case upgrade.
Very sweet visual bucket lists for every month of the year. I could see the kids enjoying doing then crossing these off (like we did this summer!)
New year, new sheets
The most relatable part of this movie review is the reviewer lamenting the most un-relatable part of the movie: the protagonist never loses it with her kid. But, as my therapist said, see what happens to mom after holding it in….
A ChatGPT hack for 2025 vision planning from
. I am intrigued. Truth be told I’ve never used AI but I think I might have to do this! Plus, she has so many convos I want to listen to!Ready to make these my 2025 snack
Next Christmas my SIL is getting a shrimp tree:
