Lately 8/14/18

It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm sure you noticed and missed me desperately, right? (Ha.) Well, I'm pleased to report that I'm still alive (as are both children and the husband). We've just been busy and I haven't felt the desire to sit and write when there is so much else we could/should be doing! That's summer for ya.

Anyway, here's a quick overview of what we've been up to:

I Can't Believe You Just Said That [book review]

"But I don't waaaaaaannnnt tooooooo!" Some days, it seems like this is my 3-year-old's favorite phrase. The whiny-er she can say it, the better. So. Much. Whining. It's one of those unbearable, universal kid-isms I swore I'd never allow--but somehow, despite my best efforts, my kid is really good at whining. So I was looking forward to solid advice from Ginger Hubbard's book, "I Can't Believe You Just Said That: Biblical Wisdom for Taming Your Child's Tongue." Whining is chapter two--perfect.

Lately 5/24/18

+ We've been starting to explore our local nature classroom/"food forest," and it's proving to be an interesting experience for both of us. First I attended a little workshop they gave about how to use the nature classroom, and we've also been starting to go to the weekly community play time they have on Thursday mornings. It's not really my idea of fun to go stand in the hot sun for an hour and a half, even if it is morning, but E has been loving it. Part of that might be because her cousins meet us there (and she practically worships them), but she talks about the stuff she did when we come home--and even recreated one here--so I think she's getting into the activities more as we keep going. If you have no idea what a nature classroom or food forest is, Google it. It's a neat concept, and I'm really surprised/impressed that our city actually has this. Perhaps I'll write something more detailed another time.

Gift ideas (that don't suck and won't drive anyone crazy) for a 4-year-old girl

I have this thing with gifts: I hate when they suck. I twitch a little if I give a gift I know just isn't right for whatever reason. Gift-giving is my love language, it makes me tick, it fills me up. Christmas is my favorite holiday in part because I get to spend a crazy amount of time thinking up and seeking out the perfect gifts for people I love. The preoccupation makes giving gifts a little bit of an ordeal, with lots of brainstorming and research. But I love it.  I have no idea where this comes from, because I'm definitely the only one in my family who puts all that much effort into matching the right thing with the right person. But here I am, crazy gift-giving obsession and all.

Zoey: 6 months

Weight: 16 pounds
Length: