Weekend Reading #55

August tech backgrounds, back to school, a unicorn nanny, new dresses, and the last of summer.

Happy Saturday! What’s everyone up to this weekend?

It was a good week. I feel like I got a decent amount of work done and I actually devoted some time to my blog, which felt nice. I updated my back to school list, and launched some new August tech backgrounds, too. The girls and I drove to Milwaukee to see the Broadway performance of Wicked. It was their first show, and they loved it. I shared 10 things you don’t want to miss yesterday, too.

I started slowly ordering a few back to school outfits, too. The girls don’t really need much — we have the omiebox and 2 of the stainless lunch boxes, and the State snack bags for both. We just needed one new backpack and fall clothes. I’m taking a different approach this year and going to try to get simpler, cute things that can be mixed and matched.

I finished The Better Sister and really enjoyed it. Who watched it? What did you think? And has anyone started Dexter: Resurrection? I loved the original series, although I was really disappointed with the finale. The newer series with his son didn’t really do it for me, but I’ve heard this new one is fantastic. I’m not necessarily in the mood for something dark, but still want to watch it.

I’ve been feeling really good lately. I don’t know how to describe it, and I honestly get a little anxious when I feel this way after all I’ve been through. I feel so grateful to be where I am, after everything with my childhood, parents, and then my daughter’s cancer treatment. It’s scary to say that, because I’ve had it all come crashing down before, but life feels good.

I got some solo time with my baby last night since Conor took the girls to a movie. He requested “cozy mommy Toy Story” which means snuggling and watching Toy Story, and then we read a few books from this series like we do every night.

I love that this resonate with so many people, because being open and talking about the real stuff is what matters most to me, so I’m feeling better about work than I have in a long time. I want to help other women feel less alone, and share what I’ve been through, too, because that’s what connects us. It was the push I needed to start this podcast. I’m still really scared to do it, but now I’ve said it enough and it feels meant to be.

I’m going to put this out there into the universe but if anyone reading this has launched a podcast, I’d love to chat with as many people as possible to learn what I can. It’ll probably be a little scrappy and all over the place at first, but that’s ok! We’re going to talk about the real things, and that’s what matters.

I said that one day I’d do something with the hard, and I’m doing it.

The nanny I really loved is coming for a trial day on Tuesday and if it goes well, she can start right away. This would be closer to full-time, but she had glowing references and I really connected with her. We talked for an hour and a half! Her last family actually wanted her to move to FL with them, but her kids are here so she didn’t want to leave. It felt so good having her in our home, and I loved the way she talked to my son, too. I’ll share more but with the things she said she’d take on, I’d be able to really focus on work which would be nice. And I’d have her start at 9 so I’ll get a little 1:1 time with Jack every morning.

Conor has showings downtown all day today, so I’m solo with the kids. I’d love to take them to the pool but I can’t do 1:3 with the kids at these ages, so my friend is coming over with her girls (11 year-old twins who my kids love). That will be fun, and will get us through until nap time.

My in-laws offered to babysit tonight, so we’re going to dinner which we haven’t done in way too long, and I’m going to wear my new dress. Is anyone good about going on regular dates? If so, what’s your secret?

Recent Finds and Purchases

This is so random but fun. My MIL sent a link to this kids’ power washer and my kids love it. My 2 year old loved washing our cars and watering the flowers with it yesterday.

I really want to get these for both of the girls. They’re so cute and washable.

This is brighter than I’d usually go but I love this dress.

And I ordered this since it’s so easy to wear, and a nice transitional piece, too.

My 7 year-old loves Elphaba and my 5 year old loves Glinda, so I caved and ordered the really good Wicked costumes for them. I wish they weren’t so expensive but I’d rather invest in something good that they’ll use to dress up in, and found a discount code online, so that helped a little. I really don’t like thinking about Halloween this early but Glinda’s crown has already sold out in a few places, and I tend to wait on these things and then miss out. Not this year!