Happy Friday y’all! What a week. A good week, but a crazy week as we stumbled through our new normal and kept an eye on all these natural disasters.
Currently Watching: Irma.
I follow several blogs from the islands and the devastation they are showing is truly mind-boggling. Windtraveler is unable to locate their boat at all, meaning it probably sunk completely. I’m sitting here in North Carolina, watching until I see a way our family can be most helpful to the recovery effort. We are praying for our Floridian friends and even grabbing a few extra bottles of water ourselves. Yesterday the stores where we live (3 1/2 hours inland) were wiped out of bread, milk, and water. It’s crazy.
Her path keeps seeming to change so it feels like a quarter of the country is just waiting.
Such a bizarre thing to see such gorgeous weather outside and knowing something terrific is on its way. Stay safe friends!
Currently Eating: Everything.
Anyone else go through different phases with food? I know that my body craves different foods as the seasons change. On warm days I’ve been all about salads. Trying to fit in that last of summer freshness I suppose.
Other days bring cool mornings and leave me craving the coziness of fall dishes, like ricotta and spinach stuffed shells. They’ve also been a lifesaver as we adjust to evening soccer practices because they are a dinner both girls gobble up quickly.
Another time saver this week? Frozen tater tots! Since these veggie burgers took quite a while to prep, I was grateful for the quick and easy side. You guys were right though: the burgers are worth the prep, as they are packed with flavor and make about 11 patties, so I had leftovers for the next day!
Currently Kicking Myself For: Poisonous Caterpillars
Trying not to pass on my own personal distaste for creepy crawlers to the girls, I was super adventurous mom yesterday and cheered them on as they played with a fun and fuzzy caterpillar.
10 minutes after we left my friend called me and blurted into the phone, THEY’RE POISONOUS! We scrubbed up right away and when I posted this tale on instagram I was informed that YIKES, they do indeed sting and apparently can hurt like hell. Total mom fail on my part, so consider this your PSA.
Currently Wearing: Real Clothes
Morning workouts are cool, guys. Being showered and in real clothes during the day makes me feel like an adult. Yes even jeans, my favorite boyfriend tee, and converse make me feel a million times more put together than wearing workout clothes with dried sweat (imagine that).
My new dress also came in and it feels just like fall and makes me so happy! I’m wearing a small and I feel like it runs a little big, in case you’re in the market for a transitional fall dress too.
That pose? The fashion bloggers made me do it. I’m not too proud to copycat! Now talk to me about accessories. Is there one necklace I can buy and just wear with everything all fall long? Send it to me please!
Also, the Nordstrom Summer Sale is going on through Monday. They have deals up to 40% off and it’s worth checking out! I snagged this romper for 40% off– very flattering for shorties like me that need things to have structure.
Currently Listening to: Brene Brown
Again. I’m on my second run through listening to the Power of Vulnerability. Are any of you self-improvement junkies too? Would you be interested in my favorite takeaways from her teachings? I’m really working on implementing my favorite phrase of hers in my own life: “Don’t shrink; don’t puff up; just stand your sacred ground” and would love to blab on and on about it in a full on blog post.
Currently Adulting: Haircuts for the Kids
Kaitlyn has needed a haircut for months. Months!
Yesterday we finally made our way to Birkdale for haircuts (kids get a birthday coupon for 20% off at Snip-Its which was probably my main motivation for making it there). Afterwards I was kicking myself for waiting so long because it probably should have been done before the first day of school and all, but oh well. At least I can check it off the list now.
Currently Giving Myself Grace with: Homeschool
We’re doing it but that doesn’t mean we have it down yet. The support I’ve received and your encouraging words have been more helpful than you guys know! I’ve doubted myself a million times but believe comfort in the process will come with time. The good news is that Hailey seems to love it and doesn’t notice that I’m completely winging it right now.
I’m looking forward to getting further along with math because it’s pretty dull at the moment as we move through the basics. However, it’s a blast being able to do 20 minutes of math, followed by reading and mind games, followed by “home ec” in the kitchen (I use this sourdough step by step).
I think it’s easy to forget as parents how much our children are learning from us at all times, not just in an official school/learning environment. Life skills are hugely important and math can be taught with baking. It’s pretty amazing.
Today is FIELD-TRIP FRIDAY and we are heading to an apple orchard. We’ve read Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie and Hailey is set on baking the same pie as Amelia Bedelia (the recipe is in the back of the book). I hope the orchard has granny smiths!
The girls have a gymnastics party this weekend and we have a Panther’s Kick-off party with friends. Kaitlyn also has her first soccer practice and game on her team of ALL BOYS, so it ought to be highly entertaining. I hope you all have a great weekend stay safe! <3
Pick a “currently” and play along- I’d love to hear what is happening in your neck of the woods!
montessoriishmom says
I made those same veggie burgers last night! Time consuming, but so good. Have fun at the apple orchard!
Cristina Rojas says
How cute are you in that dress! Perfect for fall for sure! I laughed about the caterpillar because OF COURSE it would happen to me too- God’s protection and im so glad your gals were OK! I am also craving all the foods- the minute the weather changes I want to make soups, crock pot meals, warm stews, spaghetti (?carbs comfort food?) and apple crisps! We are going to try to hit the apple orchard soon too- Im only in it for the cute apple picking pics of my kid (shameless), apple cider donuts and bringing home 100 apples to bake with! ha! have fun!
JOHN J STATHAS says
Like the dress, the pose, and especially the beautiful woman modeling – and the kids new hair style. Pay attention to Irma. Looks like we may get some of it as well. Watching closely!
Brittany Dixon says
Y’all stay safe- looks like it is heading more towards you now than us! <3
Nadia says
We did math outdoors yesterday, which included running and exercises in between math problems! We also made “bread in a bag” and learned about yeast. Science actually is fun, as opposed to dull old math -ha!
Brittany Dixon says
Love the math outside idea!! Especially in the nice weather. I think it will take me a bit to shake off this “recreating school” mindset and ideas like that help- thanks!
Jenn says
I am so upset about Windtraveler! I started following her blog after you mentioned it before. I cant stay off the internet just looking at all the destruction of Tortola. I had been dreaming of going there for awhile now. Its so sad. We live in Houston and are trying to recover from Harvey, I cant imagine being on an island. And now poor Florida!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my goodness isn’t it terrible? I saw footage shared showing the destruction of the Bitter End, a place we visited and fell in love with a few years back. I can’t imagine how long it will take them to rebuild the islands. Hoping you are recovering well in Houston <3
EmilyS says
Currently….relieved our VRBO rental in Charleston allowed us to reschedule our trip next week. Especially since I totally splurged on this house and didn’t buy trip insurance! Also thankful that last minute plane tickets to Colorado were reasonable and we were able to salvage a vacation next week! Now just need to do some planning so we have a place to stay….
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wow that’s crazy and I’m so glad it worked out for you!!
Heather says
So glad the girls didn’t get stung or have a reaction to the caterpillar!! Who knew? I’m currently scoping out some apple orchards to take the kids to as well. I am ready for apple picking and lots of apple pies as well!
Brittany Dixon says
They didn’t have granny smith yet (October) so we may be back because I want to make pies too! Maybe we’ll start with apple sauce 🙂
Laura says
Currently I am way excited about getting into making authentic Asian dishes, with a focus on Thai and Indian curries. In the past I’ve bought the paste and simmered with coconut milk, but I’m realizing with the right ingredients and an authentic cookbook, making a homemade paste is much better and not too difficult if you have an Asian market nearby. So yesterday I braved a new market with my two little boys (one behaved like an angel, the other like little devil) to gather up galangal root, keffir lime leaves, lemongrass, Thai basil, fish sauce, and lots of other goodies. My idea is to make the paste in bulk and freeze then utilize in a crockpot. Also on the list is homemade pho, and some Japanese noodle bowls, which are delightful when it is cold out (or when you have a cold!).
Brittany Dixon says
That sounds INCREDIBLE! Pass any good tips you have along to me. We have a great Indian market nearby and I’d love to explore other cuisines for in depth too. Have fun!
Kate says
New reader & LOVE your blog!! Since I’m catching up, do you have any posts that highlight your decision to do homeschooling?
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Kate! Welcome and thanks for the kind words! I did write a little about why we were looking into homeschooling here: https://www.ahealthysliceoflife.com/why-we-are-exploring-homeschool/
Jamie says
Hi! I am in South Florida and Irma is quickly approaching. Get prepared!
Would love a post on Brene Brown! I love that type of stuff
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my goodness, stay safe!! Are you evacuating or hunkering down?
Erica says
Great post! Love the dress, makes me wish I weren’t breastfeeding…maybe next year! After two days of convincing me the storm may be a big deal here, I sent my husband out to Sam Club last night because we are nearly out of milk. I think he didn’t think that through when he talked me into thinking it was a big deal LOL! I have never understand the run for bottled water?!? I have quite a few water containers I can just fill up, eco friendly 🙂 Here’s to hoping we don’t lose power. I’m most worried about my freezer stash of breastmilk. But I suppose there is always more where it came from. Weekend weather looks fabulous at least! Happy fall 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
I don’t really understand the bottled water either, but yet I bought some. I’m such a sheep! Hope your freezer stash stays frozen; that would be some milk worth crying over!
Katie says
I’m currently trying to get back to routine after summer!
sherry says
You are so right about every time you are with your children is a teaching opportunity. Math in the kitchen making apple sauce, pies, etc. is a fun idea. They always like to eat what the make.
The dress looks great on you–you have that model pose down! You even pull off the ankle boots well! Guess the caterpillar didn’t feel any fear from the kids, thus no need to sting 🙂
Looking forward to trying out the vegi burgers too!
Lee says
I love that dress. It looks great on you.
We’re supposed to get pretty heavy rain and wind later this afternoon. Ugh.
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks Lee! I know my brother in Roswell has lost power a few times today. Hope you and your family are safe and cozy… and with power!