Happy Friday y’all! Remember when link up parties were all the rage in blogging? I loved them but now it’s been years since I joined in on one- until today! I know other might be looking for new blogs like I do, so I’m joining up with April, Christina, and Natasha for Five on a Friday. Basically, you write about the top five things on your mind and link up. Check it out if you’re in the market for some new blogs to follow.
ONE
Apparently I had the flu. And instead of resting, the second I felt not so terrible, I jumped full speed back into life. Life didn’t take kindly to that and brought back my fever in order to get me to chill out. It’s not been a fun week, but I’ve embraced it, cancelled all my plans, and started in on a new (to me) book.
Luckily it’s (knock on wood!) only hit me. I’ve been trying to keep the girls entertained at home with crafts. We restocked at Hobby Lobby and have had a ball (quite literally- we made bouncy balls) filling our afternoons with projects, like making sun-catchers.
TWO
All the charter school lotteries in our area are complete. We were wait listed (somewhere in the 300s-thus why I don’t buy lottery tickets!) for the one we liked. We are now excited to see what homeschooling will look like for us. I have a million jumbled thoughts, a multitude of emotions, and plenty to sort out. I’ll share more as the journey unfolds.
Unrelated picture but goodness this was one of my favorite #whole7 snacks.
THREE
I feel like I’m going through a big life transition phase right now. I don’t even know how to describe it. Things are definitely changing though. Maybe it’s everyone registering for kindergarten (seriously all our friends are going in a different directions/schools), or the fact that Kaitlyn is now sleeping in a big girl bed (sniffle), but I just feel that this season is changing.
I’m craving to SLOW things down, as life continues to speed up with every passing year. Part of how I’m doing this is disconnecting a bit from technology. I’m realizing for me I need physical separation from my phone to be successful. I’ve been leaving my phone in another room lately so I’m not tempted to react to every vibration and tone. My girls are at ages they notice when I’m on it and am trying to embrace not being as instantly available as I used to be.
FOUR
Local Charlotte/Lake Norman area friends, have you been to Discovery Place Kids lately? I took Hailey last week and LOVE the update the did to the grocery store area. First of all, the giant microscope and wall of different herbs/spices/seeds is incredible.
And the checkout that really works? SO cool. Hailey and I couldn’t get enough of checking out, then paying. Since we’ve been working on money lately, it really helped bring it all together.
FIVE
I’m thrilled that spring is on the horizon (March 20th!). Though I’m bracing myself for allergies, I also am giddy at the glimpses we’ve seen of longer days. I’m dreaming of picnics, garden planning (I use that term loosely as it will most likely be cherry tomatoes and snap peas because those pretty much take care of themselves), and outdoor exploring.
I’m craving some connection (flu isolation has me going stir crazy), so please share with me…
What is one thing at the top of your mind right now?
Have you avoided the pesky germs this winter?
montessoriishmom says
I’m sorry to hear about the charter school, but admit I’m excited to read about your home school adventures!
I’ve never been to Charlotte, but your pictures of the play grocery shopping at Discovery Place brought me back. The grocery shopping part of the Children’s Museum in Houston was always my favorite part…I have no idea why lol. I do still like to grocery shop though, so there you go!
Kristen says
Hey Brittany! So we live closer to the Greensboro/Winston area. I was going to take my daughter Addie down to Charlotte for the day sometime soon. She will be 4 in April. Would you recommend the Discovery Place Kids or the Discovery Place Science for her? I thought I read on their site that the Kids one was for really little kids, but maybe that information was incorrect? Thanks so much!!
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Kristen! At 4, you could do either, but I still might lean towards DP Kids in Huntersville. She could do EVERYTHING there and it’s all really interactive/hands on. At DP Science there is more to see but less to touch. It’s geared towards slightly older kids (I’d say 6+). I really think you and your daughter would enjoy both, but DP kids feels more like a giant play area and she might get more out of it. Plus it’s closer to WS so you don’t have to go all the way into the city 🙂 Let me know if I can offer any other insight. We love them both!!
Taryn says
I too have been all too aware of the fact that life seems to be speeding by at a rapid pace. Luckily I was able to change my work week and take fridays off to spend with my 3 1/2 year old. When my son started kindergarten last September it really showed me how limited my time would be with my daughter once she startled public school. So we are now spending fridays just the girls, and it has been awesome!
John J. says
Glad you’re feeling better! A new developmental stage opening up for you. Will be interesting to watch it unfold and hear you describe it. Life is a journey, not a destination.
Donna says
Just found your blog from the Five on Friday Link-up. I’m looking for some new blogs to follow along as well, so I was excited to come across your blog!
We haven’t been to Discovery Place Kids since last summer, so I’m excited to see those updates. I’m thinking we’ll have to go soon! Thanks for sharing!
Cassie says
I can’t wait to read about your homeschool journey! Please share all your resources! I’m considering homeschooling but mine is 18 months so I’ve got a minute. I’ve gone through my phone, turned off notifications, and deleted social media apps. I like to use my phone for audiobooks but was often finding myself unengaged and cranky. This helped a lot.
Heather @Lunging Through Life says
Aww I hope you feel better! Take the weekend to rest up and get better. I’m embracing the fact that Rita’s Italian Ice opens today. It may be snowing and freezing out, but that’s a sign of spring and I cannot wait!
Landon says
The flu has been going around my daughters day care badly but thankfully we’ve only had to deal with a moderate cold with the cough and CONSTANT runny nose. I’m a big believer in essential oils and have that going in the house and using on us and believe that has helped in side stepping anything major, sickness wise.
Spring has sprung here in Arizona, we’re already in the 80’s most days and my garden is on my mind a majority of the time. I have found that having DD help pick out herbs and vegetable plants, help plant them, care for them and then pick them for dinner entices her to eat them so our variety is growing this year. I’m also planning on some summer activities to keep us busy when the extreme heat arrives such as camping, trying our hand at canoeing and some road trips. I’m getting really excited!
Christina says
i need to find those chips! aaand I kinda want to go to that museum.happy friday love!
Carrie This Fit Chick says
I’ve certainly found unplugging helpful. It’s SO easy to get caught up and check my phone every couple of minutes, but it can really get to me! Definitely a goal I need to work on…
Elizabeth Evans says
When Wyatt’s number was picked for the GA PreK lottery at our elementary school, I literally felt like we won the lottery. Turns out it has been incredible!! Now I’m just wondering what I should be volunteering for at the school to make my chances of getting Lana in the program (in 2 years) better – if there is such a thing as making your chances better (there are rumblings of that).
You’re good to put you phone down. I try to do the same.
I also feel like we’re having a big life change with our kids right now, becoming older & more independent. It’s exciting 🙂 I admit that I’m thrilled to be having another baby because it makes them getting older less painful.
Heather says
Totally get the life transition thing. It’s hard for me with my son getting ready for kindergarten this fall and while my threenager still needs me, watching my son becoming so independent can be bittersweet at times. We recently combined their rooms in the hopes that they would sleep better if they weren’t alone, and while our son is actually doing better, our daughter still struggles to stay in bed. I feel like my life revolves around sleep right now… or rather the lack thereof. Haha!
Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! says
I’m so glad that you’re starting to feel better! And I can’t wait to hear about your homeschooling journey! Haley will have a fantastic teacher 🙂
Glenda says
Glad to hear you’re on the mend! I read that book too, possibly pre- kids when I had time to read 😉
On top of my mind right now is getting organized for holidays. It’s our first flight with two kiddos ( 8 months and 4 years old)
Hope you have a relaxing weekend
Christen says
The top of my mind is just trying to slow my mind down. I feel like I’m moving in a million different directions all the time and not slowing down. But if I slow down, then I’m behind (either at work or home life, etc.). Yeah, so a lot on my mind 🙂
Heather says
I can totally relate to how you are feeling about wanting time to slow down a bit. I feel it very acutely these days now that we are firmly decided on “two and through” with our kids and with our oldest in her first year of school and the younger turning 3 soon. Abandoning technology and spending quality time with them is really the best idea and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on that. I also recently read “Happier at home” and loved some of the concepts there – like how can you feel nostalgic or lonely when you are all together? It is somehow possible…anyway, just thought I would share that. Hope you are feeling better soon!!!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
One thing on my mind and the major thing is wanting spring to be here. We’ve had one of the wettest winters on record here since 1904! So, I’m dying for sunshine and warmth. I’m also really excited for our Eurotrip in the beginning on May. I need to be researching more!
Katie @ Live Half Full says
My son is definitely moving into a new phase as well and it’s crazy! He’s been talking a ton and “getting” more lately which has been so fun/crazy.
Sharon says
I am feeling the need to disconnect too. I find that I am more anxious when I am attached to the internet more than real life.
Spring isn’t for another 3 weeks. Girl, I feel like your always rushing the next thing. SLOW DOWN and enjoy this moment 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Haha, yes I know, slowing down is always on my mind and I think I’m starting to figure out how to make myself CHILL OUT 😉 Thanks for the reminder!
Jessica says
We were at discovery place kids last month and I was so excited about the grocery store update. So cool!!! We definitely want to go back soon. I can’t wait to hear how things go with your decisions on school. Being a teacher turned stay at home mom I know I can’t teach my kids. We do fun learning activities but to actually teach them I already know it’s not in their best interest. Ha ha! More power to you for that route. I’ll be reading!!
Amber says
Selfishly, I am excited to hear your homeschooling journey is about to begin! I plan to homeschool my son when he start preschool in 2 years and now I feel like I have even more in common with you! I really enjoy reading your blog and look up to you for your positive attitude, strong family life, and your creativity. Your girls are beyond blessed to have you as a mama and now as a teacher! Thanks for your willingness to share 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you so much Amber! I can’t tell you how much that means to hear as I embark full of nerves and excitement on this next adventure. 🙂 Thanks for reading mama!
Natasha says
Top of mind…incredibly sore toothache with a side note of don’t chew on your own teeth when you think you have chipped it, it’s not salt 😉 I was chewing on salted nuts when it happened…
I would love to hear about your homeschooling journey, a friend of mine here in SA did it with her two boys, she put them in school when the eldest went to high school, but the kids were super happy when they were homeschooling.
Kaitlyn looks so tiny in her big girl bed!!
Ahhh picnics, we had to stop ours for a while now, “safety issues”, we used to love having a picnic under the stars, and on a Sunday a braai (BBQ) and play the whole day with our girls (doggies), but now we have a daytime creepy crawly problem (ants), LOL, so the playing is there but paired with a lot of running, cause you are under attack by them…we live on a hill, and I have a feeling it might be an actual ant hill 😉
Lauren says
Hi, I saw your note about homeschooling and was curious if you’ve looked into online charter schools? Not sure if your state is the same but in mine we have online public charter schools and there’s a lot of flexibility in how they run. I’m enrolling my son next year for kindergarten at one and they’re giving me the flexibility to choose a curriculum (or not, this one is unschooling friendly too). Once a month I’ll work with a teacher to make sure he’s meeting the right milestones, etc and once a week he actually gets to have some in classroom time. They also give us $2600 a year to pay for extracurriculars and supplies. Anyway, figured I’d mention it. I’m going this route because I’ve heard amazing reviews and I think it’s going to make my life a bit easier on this homeschool journey.
Brittany Dixon says
I have never heard of this!! It sounds really amazing. I am going to google it now. Thank you for sharing!!