House projects and family time are five words that can sum up a lot of life around here lately. I don’t know if it’s the elation I’m feeling about the spring weather (now that I’ve been taking allergy shots for a year and can actually get outside and enjoy it), or the anticipation of fun things to come in May (Hammock Beach and Harry Potter World, here we come), or the peace I’ve found through better balance/regulation of phone time for myself I’ve struck recently, but I’m feeling good. That was quite a run-on sentence, but in short- I’m currently experiencing a sweet spot of contentment and anticipation.

Spring 2024 Check-In Chat

The kitchen project is almost complete.

We’re waiting on a few cabinet finishing touches, then I am going to create a blog post highlighting the before and after. What a transformation! I’ll also list and link materials, vendors, etc so all that is in one place for easy reference. It will be fun to see it all shined up!

David’s brother visited this weekend and I’m so grateful. Not only was it fun to catch up, it was SO nice having helping hands for an underdeck lumber project David has been working on. Together they knocked it out; a huge check off our list!

Yesterday Hailey and I ran in her Girls on the Run 5k.

David was supposed to be the original running buddy, but had some knee issues act up, so I stepped in. I was so nervous about slowing her down. It was hot and the course was hilly, but we both ran hard. I was able to keep pace with her until the halfway point, where I encouraged her to keep up with her faster friend that was staying with us.

She ended up finishing in 29:07 and being the first girl in the program to finish! I mentally and physically willed myself over the finish line at 30:56. Hailey was so thrilled with the race and it was so special for me to get to run it with her. A highlight memory for the month for certain!

Meal Planning

I’ve hit a stride in meal planning lately. Meal plan Thursday, shop Friday, and have a stocked kitchen ready for the weekend. My more elaborate dinners are on Saturdays and Sunday, while weekdays I’ve been sticking to simple, go-to meals. Here’s a peek at what we’ve been eating. Reminder: I send out my meal plans every week in my Monday morning newsletter.

Discovering Wide Leg Jeans

Temperatures are really starting to warm this week, but I’ve just discovered wide leg jeans and want more time to wear them! I don’t know why I held off for so long; maybe because I wasn’t sure how they’d work on my 5’1″ height. But I love them; they are comfortable and cute! I love ; though I did buy the “short” size and still had it get them hemmed. It was worth it though. They are currently my favorite jeans! (The were a little wrinkled for this picture, but you get the idea ;)).

Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

One last random tidbit. I’ve been listening to podcasts about Charlotte Mason homeschooling. We’ve always dabbled a bit between different homeschooling styles, but really feeling drawn to Charlotte Mason’s philosophy lately. I’m learning as much as I can and brainstorming ways to incorporate more of her methods in our next school year, as this one wraps up. More narration, more living books, more nature study are a few of the draws for me. Maybe because I’m now at the age when I see a fabulous flower I run over to it to snap a picture. How about this yellow peony in full bloom?!

I’ll tie things up here. I hope you are doing well and if you have kids and May-cember is a crazy time for you, I hope it all runs smoothly for you! Our MAYhem wraps up mid-May, so we’re in the home stretch now of activities coming to an end, end of year testing, musical theater performances and more. I’m ready for it. I’m ready to step into this new season. I hope you have a wonderful week!