Friday Things
1. Last Friday, Joseph only had school for an hour (the first day the kids were there by themselves), so one of the other moms invited everyone to Starbucks across the street to kill the time. I rarely get to spend one-on-one time with Dominic, so I brought him along for the morning and it was SO nice to hang out with him (and the other moms!). He had so much fun; it always seems to put a little extra pep in his step when we get some time together.
2. Speaking of school starting, Joseph was in school for precisely one hour on Wednesday and one hour on Friday aaaaaaand he was sick by Friday night. Awful cough and cold. SERIOUSLY. Not sick ALL summer, then two hours in school, how is that possible?! It came and went pretty quickly, although he still has a cough. However, Monday morning everyone else (except me) woke up sick, ugh. Dominic, Isabelle and my husband all have colds; there is nothing worse that a poor little stuffy, coughing baby! I’m currently last man standing *fingers crossed*
3. Isabelle is looking so ready to start trying some food; she is seriously eyeing up my food and lunging towards it when I have her on my lap while I’m eating. I started purees with both Joseph and Dominic around six months, so will likely start with Isabelle in another couple of weeks, as well. I can’t believe we’re already at this point!
4. Back to Starbucks for a moment… this is probably going to sound so silly, but I am not a coffee drinker, and I get so intimidated in the line at Starbucks! Tall, venti, grande, short, etc… I can never remember them, and so I just ordered an ice water and a cookie for Dominic lol.
5. Last weekend and earlier this week, we finally saw cooler temperatures which meant I got to bust out some warm and cozy hoodies. I live for fall weather and can’t wait for it be back for good!
6. Trending this week >> Jewish Apple Cake!
7. Thank you to everyone who shared recommendations for jeans for Joseph – we found a winner! The Jumping Beans pull on jeans from Kohl’s turned out to fit him wonderfully, so I got multiple pairs in the light, medium, and dark wash. (And site note – Joseph was SUCH a trooper trying on umpteen pairs of jeans, he did it happily!)
8. Over the last six weeks or so, I’ve been trying to eat mostly Paleo for my meals during the week, cutting back on carbs and sugar, and it feels SO good. I always feel much less bloated and have way more energy.
9. Thinking about everyone in the path of Hurricane Florence and praying that there is little in the way of damage to everyone’s homes. xo
10. I’ve had Einstein on the brain this week, as this past Sunday was two years since we had to say goodbye. My husband and I were watching old videos the other night of he and Duke when Duke was a puppy, and when Joseph was a baby and toddler. So many good memories :)
Michelle,
Every week I look forward to Friday things. It’s like sitting next to a parent at dance class, you only see them once a week but it’s so enjoyable. Little kids and school is a disease stew, it builds a tolerance. My daughter was a charter member of the disease of the month club, but by 3rd grade she rarely got sick.
You are so right about Isabelle reaching for food and food readiness. I’d like to put in my 2 cents for baby led weaning. I know you are open to different sorts of diets. My granddaughter started with table food at four months. It was fabulous. She eats what we eat. In child sized portions and pieces. Except for bread, don’t watch her and an entire loaf will disappear.
I wish you all health,
Kathryn
Did you make the purees for your babes? If so do you have any recommendations?
Hi Jill! With Joseph, I did all homemade purees and Dominic was like half and half homemade and organic store bought. I would just steam the vegetables then puree in my food processor or blender and pour into silicone ice cube trays and freeze. Thaw in the fridge or microwave!
Please give good Essential Oils a try, every time you mention someone being sick in your house I think to myself you so need oils in your household. My husband and I have been using Young Living Essential Oils for almost two years and as past serious sinus infection sufferers, we have stayed on the wellness side of life, so much goodness with oils.
Sick kiddos are no fun.
Hard to believe it’s been 2 years already – I remember all to well sitting at my computer with tears streaming down my face at the news of Einstein’s passing. I have since lost my own fur baby 6 months ago, and it feels like just a few weeks and forever, simultaneously. But like you and your familly, I have so many wonderful memories of my girl that I can’t help smiling through my tears. I really believe that dogs bring us special joy that lasts long after they are physically gone. They may come into our lives for a relatively short time, but the love they leave behind last forever.
My kids are your age and I thought maybe I was having memory issues because I didn’t remember the “return to school” illnesses. Then I realized there was probably a reason: they were never not around other kids. Whether it was kids in the neighborhood or at the babysitter’s, they were always around others and keeping their resistance up. This is not to say they never had colds, but they were an unusual occurrence.
The only thing I emphasized was hand-washing. We’ve never used hand sanitizer or other sanitizing products.
I also am not a coffee drinker. When I meet someone at a coffee shop I order tea or my favorite caramel apple cider with no whip! It’s perfect with or without the caramel. It is intimidating to order when you are overwhelmed by the lingo!
Suggestions : sick kids when school starts. Try this.
My niece who is a teacher swears by this:
When she and her kids get home from school, they change clothes in the mud room, putting on clRan play clothes. wash face and hands. It doesn’t prevent all but it really helps Keep car seats sanitized. Wash hands and face immediately after preschool. Even if just a baby wipe. Hope this helps
It’s all I’ve got. You’re children are adorable. Thanks for keeping us updated!😀
Hi Michelle,
I was curious to know what a typical day looks like for you food-wise while you are eating Paleo. Would you mind sharing a quick rundown of what a few breaksfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks look like? Thanks. Vicki
Hi Vicki, Sure! So most mornings I don’t really get around to a proper breakfast and will grab a handful of almonds and a piece of fruit. However, I have made egg muffins with veggies and those are good, but I just wasn’t eating them all the time. Lunch I’ve been making a fantastic salad with a mix of kale and spinach, chopped chicken, pecans, apple, and dried cranberries with a maple vinaigrette. For dinners I’ll usually put a large piece of meat in the crock pot (pulled pork, pot roast, etc.) early in the week and then make a huge batch of roasted veggies to eat with it. Snacks – handful of almonds, beef jerky (I buy ones very low in sugar), celery with almond butter, dates with almond butter (in the evening if I want something sweet), hard boiled egg (sometimes I’ll do hard boiled eggs and fruit for breakfast too), carrot sticks, etc. I hope that helps! :)
So Sorry that the little ones are sick! The first time my five year old twin grandchildren went to the three hour preschool they were sick every week. That was when they were three. When they were four they had a great teacher who made all children wash there hands after hanging up their book bags. When my daughter would pick them up she would sanitize their hands as soon as they got in the car and wash with soap and water when they got home. I think they may have been sick only once that year. They have been in school since August now and no sickness yet! I think the hand washing worked plus they have built of a resistance to a lot of germs after two years. Good luck!
oh my goodness, the picture of Einstein brought tears to my eyes…
Michelle, I think you would love Starbucks’ carmel hot chocolate! Or a chai tea latte (no coffee in there)…they even have a pumpkin addition!
Ahhh yes, I do love their hot chocolate! However, I wasn’t feeling it last week since it was warm and so early in the day!
Michelle- you are such a beautiful, inspiring woman. I have been following you for 5 years (wow I can’t believe it) and have watched you grow from a newlywed into a wonderful mother. I’ve chatted back and forth with you several times and you are always so wonderful and a joy to chat with and get advice from. Several of your recipes are staples in my kitchen (top of the list are your meat sauce and meatballs!) and I just so enjoy your weekly updates on your beautiful family! Praying your kids and hubby feel better and that you remain last man standing!!! Have a wonderful weekend, lady!
Thank you so much for the incredibly kind words, you are so sweet :)
The same thing happened to us when my son went to daycare, but it got better, I promise! I’m also totally with you on Starbucks intimidation. Are usually just say large and then pier that with a defensive look as well, hehe.
Einstein was such a handsome boy. Pets are the very best and even when their sweet souls leave this earth, they always remain deep within our hearts…never forgotten.
Hi,
We recently had to say goodbye to my 15 year old Wheaten, Murphy. It was devastating. I am happy that your new pup fits in with your family so well!
Question…Have you ever tried making your challah, or other breads, in the food processor? Last week I was making a batch of challah dough and my kitchenaid died mid-mix. I tried kneading by hand but i didn’t like the consistency. I had read something, somewhere about using the food processor. I put another batch in, and processed only until the ingredients formed a ball. I was able to do a quick knead by hand very easily afterward. The results were fantastic. The bread tastes exactly the same, but it took half the time to get it together. Would be curious to hear your thoughts.
Thanks,
Sue
Susan, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know how devastating it can be :(
I have used the food processor for pizza dough, so yes I think it does work well!
Thank you for making me feel not alone! Our six year old (we have two boys and a girl too!) was in school for all of three days and got sick…except passed it to the rest of us a couple days later too! We were sick ALL last year when he was in kindergarten and it was the worst!! Sending healthy vibes your way and hoping we get through it all. LOVE your blog. Keep up the great work!
Ugggghhhh I’ve heard that it’s really bad in preschool and then once they get to kindergarten the immunity is built up a bit? Last year he literally got sick every 3-4 weeks the ENTIRE year, it was awful! I hope you all feel better soon, too!
So sorry to hear you all are sick! Please try some essential oils to help Joseph stay well, which will in turn help your entire family. There are tons of different brands out there (and everyone has an opinion about which is best). I use the “Immune Boom” roller ball by Plant Therapy for my preschooler – I just roll it on his spine every day before school – and he rarely gets sick. Best under $15 investment I’ve made!
I agree with this and was gonna say the same thing!!
Our Starbucks serve smoothies, too. You’d have to check the ingredients for the boys, but maybe that would be a beverage for you.
Love the picture of you with straight hair! Looks fantastic!
Re being sick: same here; my kids were fine all summer, then school starts & they both got sick a week later! Hope everyone feels better soon!
Aww thank you so much! And I hope your kids are feeling better as well!
I feel the same way about Starbucks! I only want an unsweetened ice tea and even ordering that is intimidating . I have decided I am just not cool enough to go there (which is actually true 🤓). But on the other hand look how much money we are saving!
Thanks for sharing your family with us. Have a great weekend .
I am DEFINITELY not cool enough, lol!