Monday morning usually has me feeling pumped up and ready for some serious productivity, but honestly, I’m imagining a day of taking it easy ahead. Of course when you are a mom, “taking it easy” means laundry, cleaning, and entertaining kids all day rather than binge watching Netflix, but still, no real scheduled events.
This past week has just been crazy. Full of mostly good stuff, but it had me a little stressed (which to me translates into being emotional and worn down). I’m really looking forward to getting reenergized this week.
Ok, hm, where to start?
Food? Yes, food is always good.
On Friday I loaded up for round two of the paleo challenge at Publix because we were basically out of food. I look forward to sharing more of my thoughts in a single post, but perhaps I’m not doing something right? The bill was just over $200. Yikes. That’s a lot.
I was a bit surprised to see all their salmon was enhanced with color (either through dye or feed) and they didn’t have wild caught, so I opted to buy it frozen.
On the plus side, though, I’m really enjoying our paleo meals.
We are also eating 99% of our food at home (that 1% goes to a hot tea and black coffee I’ve bought out), so that is a definite plus too.
Friday night we watched Gone Girl, which proved to be as disturbing as the book but enjoyable. I’ll admit we moped a little bit about not enjoying a cold beer with our movie. I blame it on this beautiful weather we’ve been having here in NC. 60 and sunny just makes you want to sip a brewski and soak it up.
Hailey had her first lesson in the pool on Saturday and it went swimmingly (waka waka waka!).
I could sense her anxiety in the beginning as the teacher got moving quickly, but it turned out to be SO good for her and she was soon kicking around (with the help of a noodle) “by herself.” The look of pride on her face was awesome.
Baby K and I were there to root her on (David was working), and I realized when we left that Kaitlyn felt warm.
It turns out she had spiked her first fever, 102.9 to be exact. You’d never know it because aside from some interrupted sleep, she’s been a cheerful as ever. I called the doctor and ended up taking her in- hooray for weekend hours! It wasn’t the flu or any obvious infections so we’ve just been riding it out. Luckily whatever it is/was seems to be dissipating, thank goodness.
FInally, Sunday I had my talk at the NC Fitness Expo.
I’ll go ahead and admit that I’m much more comfortable behind a computer than standing solo in front of people, but I think it went pretty well overall. I managed to yammer on for 30 minutes and the people I spoke to were fantastic… and forgiving. 
Once back home, I rallied some energy and prepped for the week by boiling and peeling some eggs, washing and cutting some veggies and brewing a new batch of kombucha. I’m hoping my SCOBY that’s been in the fridge for a while will pull through… only time will tell.
The girls crashed hard at 7:00 and David and I ate paleo dinner number 7 out of 10.
Hooray for leftover shrimp!
We ate at the table like civilized adults so we could do this…
…ok, I almost hate to admit how nerdy we are here, but…
Yes, that’s a legit presentation on our family and financial goals for 2015, complete with excel sheets.
You know you are married to an engineer when…
Ok, the girls are up and ready for breakfast- hope you all have a great Monday!
What was a highlight from your weekend?
John J. Stathas says
A delightful post to start the week. Wish I could have heard your talk. I’m sure it was as good as the lovely picture of you in front of the program board!
Melissa says
FYI don’t know if it’s just my phone but lately your pictures don’t load and not a single picture from this post loaded says it’s not available not sure if anyone else is having this problem
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks for the heads up Melissa! I am doing a lot on the back end (or should I say, I’m paying to have someone do a lot on the back end because I’m clueless ;)) and we are working out some on smoothing out the kinks. I hope this is all resolved soon (next day or so). Please let me know if it keeps up!
Halsy says
I admire how much you always get done with two kids running/crawling around! I totally can relate to the “you know your married to an engineer when” comment! That’s great you guys are so detail oriented with your goals.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
We watched Gone Girl this weekend too. I thought actually seeing the story instead of just reading it was even more disturbing. Crazy stuff!
Nadine says
I’d love to hear more about what you discuss in the “State of the Household” presenation! Maybe this is something more of us should be doing?
Brittany Dixon says
Basically we just like to comb over the past year- what goals did we strive for, what did we hit? Then get a current financial snapshot- how much do we have in checkings, savings, investments, retirement, etc. Then go over our goals for the coming year- vacation? X amount in an account for the girls? Etc.
Then we talk a little bit about how we are going to reach those goals and it helps us start the year motivated! Nerdy, but motivated 😉
Emily says
I know those spreadsheets way to well! My husband, also an engineer, busts out excel whenever we discuss goals. Nice to see we aren’t the only nerds 😉
Jen says
I saw someone already commented on it, but I’m having trouble seeing your pictures, too!
Okay, question: I haven’t read Gone Girl yet but I want to watch the movie, should I wait?? Should I read the book first, or could I read it later? Usually I do like to read the book first, but the movie had such good reviews I’m tempted to just pick it up and check it out now.
So sorry about Kaitlyn’s fever, but I’m so, so (so) glad it’s not the flu or anything else that seems to be a big deal.
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks Jen- working on the picture issue now. They aren’t all loading for me either- blah technology! 😉
It has been a long time since I read the book, so I might be off on this, but I felt that the two were very much in line. Of course, the book is always a little better, but I think you could go either way on this one!
Heather says
We are definitely overdo in terms of having our yearly goal meeting. We used to be so much better about sitting down with our budget and discussing our goals. I’m kind of a nerd and love creating presentations!
Our highlight was probably going to see Sesame Street Live. The kids had fun, although we also learned they really don’t handle “late” nights well or staying still for too long. Ha ha. They loved what they last through, though!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I totally feel ya on missing a beer. That is the hardest part of a paleo challenge! OMG, Gone Girl was so disturbing. David and I both loved the book and after watching the movie we were just feeling…weird! It was super creepy. I wish my engineer husband would make excel spreadsheets for our budget. haha. Instead I’m left to the finances. 🙂
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
What a weekend! And you had a speaking engagement — very cool! I love that you share the outcome of your grocery shopping trips, I agree $200 is alot, but you got all the shopping done for the entire week and you eat 99% of your food budget is spent on what you eat at home? I can only hope for that one day (I’ll have to keep working on my collection of recipes if we’re going to do that!)
Have a great week!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I still remember how nervous I was at my first swim class. But once you get the hang of things, no one can stop you! Good luck to Hailey!
And congrats on a successful presentation. Public speaking is no joke!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
Aw that’s so awesome that Hailey loved her swimming lesson! And glad to hear that Kaitlyn’s fever is going away. What a trooper!
The highlight of my weekend was coming back to Boston University after winter break and getting to see all my friends again! I won’t lie, eating apple crisp a la mode last night (…and uh peach cobbler just now) was pretty fantastic too. I swear, those are my last dining hall desserts for a while now. I think.
Danica @ It's Progression says
A whole presentation on the state of your household? Amazing. The planner in me loves that 🙂
Matt says
I need to make some homemade kombucha!
char eats greens says
Love that yellow top on you!! Hope your kombucha pulls through. I haven’t put my scoby in the fridge ever yet (I usually just brew a new batch and then dump it if I don’t get around to it quick enough), so I hope that it works out for you! I want to start getting adventurous with the flavors I use for kombucha…one day haha!
Sarah S says
Hehe I am married to an engineer too 🙂 If my little one had a fever that high I would have ran to the ER! Then again she’s my first and never had anything above 100.
jodie says
Man and I were just recently discussing financials too. Admittedly, I like to save but also have a spending weakness, particularly food items. I’ve decided to take out money at the beginning of the week after my grocery shopping, fuel, etc., has been taken care of and he will hold my debit card. 🙂 he would love the idea of this spreadsheet:)
Your eggs always look so amazing.
jodie says
Ps- if there are any MN readers you know of who have a scoby for me, connect us!
Katie says
Know I’m a day late on the commenting but I experienced the same higher than normal grocery bill when I did a Whole30. It was much more expensive b/c of all the meat I had to eat to fill myself up versus eating more meals with beans and grains (I generally like to use meat as more a condiment). Just one reason paleo eating isn’t for me but was an interesting experiment (I’d say fun but I missed chocolate, wine and cheese too much to call it fun 😉 ).
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Hahahaha I’m married to an engineer too, and every thing is always in a spreadsheet format. Even when we were wedding planning he’s like “I need this in a spreadsheet” haha.
Congrats on your talk! I’m sure you were fantastic!
Elizabeth Evans says
Umm… I love the ‘State of the Household’ financial meeting! Please elaborate! (e.g. do you have a monthly meeting to recap actuals vs. budget, do you have a set date that you meet each month without the kids, etc.)
My husband & I are both #s people and both work in Finance. I specifically report on business profitability for a living and really wish I did the same for my household. In 2014 we started using the app/website Mint.com & I LOVE it.
Lisa says
Hi Brittney,
I really enjoy your blog. Even though I am sure I am of the vast minority on here because I am late 30’s never married and no kids. However, yours is a fun blog. I like seeing your recipes and shopping trips and pictures of your delicious looking food. I am currently getting my B.S in nutrition so I love to read about all things food that you share! I also enjoy your family snap-shots!
Just wanted to drop in and let you know that your blog is great!
Cheers!
Lisa
Lauren says
haha! I just laughed out loud at the last bit about being married to an engineer. (Me too!) Excel spreadsheets are very popular around our place, too 😉