August! Summer Forever!

What We Did - 

We all went school shopping for Norah and miraculously found shoes for every child. (if you've ever glimpsed the shoe section of Target in August you know what a feat this is.) Went swimming. Tried a new sno-cone place. I did a solo trip to Malad for my cousin's baby shower. (and listen, I won one of the games and felt more proud about it than I should have.) I volunteered at one of the branch BBQs. Norah started 1st grade and we all dropped her off. RIP to me when she no longer wants a full family affair for the first day of school. There were some rainy days and I took the kids on a puddle walk. More swimming. We popped in to Back to School night, which was held, inexplicably, during the second week of school. I had dinner with Syd and Em and Sara at Slackwater where we got our meal comped because the ticket got lost in the kitchen. We watched a bit of the Tony Hawk Vert Alert which was held for free at the fairgrounds. Brian set up the tent outside and then the kids and their friends played campout for the afternoon. Even more swimming. Norah got her covid booster and Ev and June got their first dose! I went to the South Jordan AND Daybreak farmer's markets with Sara. Had brunch at Oquirrh for Ashley's birthday. 

Inspired by - 

Incoming fall weather. All the art I have saved and want to buy someday. Interior design TikTok. 

Watching -

Finished the new season of Never Have I Ever. Glow Up. 101 Places to Party Before You Die (I love Gabrus forever), started the new seasons of Reservation Dogs and Only Murders in the Building. And most important of all, the new season of Bluey!!

Reading - 

I read two books and completely loved both of them. This Time Tomorrow (I guess I'm an official Emma Straub stan now) and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. (it was unintentional that the titles matched)

Thinking about - 

Nostalgia. The last couple months of all my pregnancies. Fall clothes I want to buy. 

Listening to - 

Maggie Rogers, new singles from Marcus Mumford and Santigold, and boygenius. 

Researching - 

A new crockpot lid because maybe I accidentally threw ours away in a fit of decluttering. Pottery classes. Crocheting. 

Organizing - 

Nothing and everything at the same time. 

Cooking + Eating + Drinking - 

Please don't talk to me about cooking. 

Grateful for - 

I have been living in a moment of extreme love and appreciation for my kids. Which, obviously, one would hope is generally occurring, and it is! But lately I've just felt so so lucky to have them and overwhelmed by how sweet and smart and funny they all are. They take most of my time and all of my energy, but what a wonderful problem to have. Seeing June's face of pride after showing Brian something she drew, having Norah read her to do list to me (it included coming up with a name for her recess drawing club and playing a full game with June without them fighting), and hearing Ev gleefully say "hello!" when we walk into a room are all moments I'm trying to hang on to.

What the girls are into - 

Playing animal hospital. Putting on "concerts" in the living room. Being annoyed when I try to get them excited to clean up their room. SWIMMING FOREVER TALK TO THEM ABOUT NOTHING BUT SWIMMING.

What Everett is doing - 

Being the cutest. Sleeping with his baby doll. Copying everything the big kids do. Somehow always finding a marker.

Magic - 

When the kids trail in our room in the morning in a little parade. Hearing the details of their morning games. A recent one was where they all had color element powers. June's was purple so she controlled anything purple and gemstones. Norah's was blue so she controlled everything blue and THE WHOLE EARTH. A big power imbalance, I think.

Missing - 

The moments with my kids I'm currently existing in. This is normal right??!

Looking forward to - 

Do I even need to say? Fall! Halloween! Fall things! Kids in costumes! Birthday season!

Finally, this quote that felt like it came right out of my heart.

Taking care of children may feel like drudgery — and, fair, it often is — but I know that the repetitive circle we walk every morning wears a groove into their consciousness, their souls. It is precisely this intimate, bodily knowledge — specific to each child, cultivated day by day — that gives them a sense of security, safety, and love. We feel like we are going nowhere, but time marches forward whether we notice or not, so imperceptibly that it can feel like a betrayal.

The Morning Rush Is Mothering At Its Most Essential (romper.com)

A June AND July Double Feature.

What We Did - 

Norah finished second grade! Family date to King's English and Sweetaly Gelato. June started ballet and Norah started karate. Some playground trips and yard time. We met up with Brian's sisters for a taco-celebration. We went to a Bee's game for my summer work party. We did a quick Malad trip for the 4th of July. Regina Spektor concert!! A lot of library trips. The girls did two 4 day stints in Malad for swimming lessons. I spent a couple of days home with Ev while daycare was closed. For one of them he got to meet my coworkers when I went in to grab my powercord, we got bagels, and stopped at a playground. And finally, a morning walk and breakfast picnic.

Inspired by - 

A book on decluttering. Then doing some decluttering! 

Watching -

Fire Island! The second season of The Other Two. Our Flag Means Death. Summer Camp Island with the kids. We finished Seinfeld and started Frasier. THE BEAR OH MYGOD. Also re-watching I'm Sorry and Never Have I Ever.

Reading - 

Anatomy: A Love Story. (a YA that was a tiny bit too gorey for me. But if there's a sequel I'm definitely reading it.) We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. (I did not know what this book was about and also I loved it.) Book Lovers (Count me among the Emily Henry groupies. LOVED THIS SO MUCH). You'll Grow Out Of It. (a re-read before I read her new book)

Thinking about - 

The beauty industry. Childhood, and how to savor it more. 

Listening to - 

Still have Harry's House on repeat. Adrienne Lenker. Old episodes of You're Wrong About as a comfort listen.

Dream life - Stress dreams where I'm trying to go on a trip but can't get packed or organized in time and then at the very end I realize I didn't even apply for a passport?!

Researching - 

Sheen action figures. Whatever the current covid guidelines are. Monkeypox I guess?!? Halloween decorations (i am who i am...). THE REMAKE OF DIRTY DANCING THAT I JUST FOUND OUT EXISTED!! 

Organizing - 

The papers of my children. The coat rack/shoe bins. My dresser drawers. MY CLOSET. All my makeup and beauty products. I'm having a reckoning with the skincare industry, but also, I have a lot of makeup I never use. 

What the girls are into - 

Swimming!! Ever since the complex pool opened it's truly all they want to do. But somehow the interest grew even MORE after they were done with swimming lessons. This year's lessons have already made a huge difference in their bravery in the water. I truly love to see it. 

What Everett is doing - 

Starting to have some interest in talking! He's saying bye, and night night, and a vague version of "love you". He has also really gotten into making the noises for cows, horses, cats, pigs, and dogs. The dog sound is just him panting. He prefers to be fully accessorized when leaving the house, and if he gets the sense that anyone is going outside he will panic run to find his shoes. 

Also, he won the baby race at the fourth of July and I've never been prouder.

Magic - 

Going outside after dinner and just watching the kids as they run up and down the sidewalk, and do somersaults on the grass, and roll down the hill together.

Looking forward to - My favorite season. Halloween!! Hopefully going on an anniversary trip with B.