In my heart and in my cart + other things

In My Heart -

Folks, summer is HERE. We are under a heat advisory this weekend which is so wild because we’re swinging from maybe 55º a few days ago, straight up to 91º this weekend. I’m a beach gal raising a beach family, so my cooler is already pulled out and I’ll be making sammies and packing Pringles for a weekend in front of Lake Michigan. My husband is at a bachelor party all weekend, so if you see me solo chasing my kids with life jackets and sunscreen, please just avert your eyes from the drama.

Oh that just reminded me of something interesting. A couple of days ago, my 8 y/o admitted to me that sometimes he likes to watch when kids at school getting in trouble. Not like, tattling or actively getting them in trouble, but if he happens to notice someone getting told off, he’s curious and interested. How do we address this friends? I was candid with him that this isn’t abnormal, but it is kind of frowned upon. I taught him the phrase “rubber-necking” and told him how much a lot of adults like to see an accident on the highway, so much so that traffic will often slow to a crawl even on the unaffected side of the median because we’re all slowing down to look.

A poor quality for sure, but arguably human nature I guess. I’m not like, worried about him or anything, unless I want to take up worrying about most people in general. Anyway, I don’t have a perfect answer here, but I did ask him how he feels if people are watching when he gets in trouble and we agreed it makes the whole thing more embarrassing, so maybe it’s really best to just move along and let people have their privacy. We’ll just see how well that piece of advice sinks in.

Parenting! It’s a blast! It engages me regularly in conversation I didn’t even consider having all those years ago when two pink lines appeared on a pregnancy test. Although to be honest, all I thought of were newborn snuggles and cute onesies, so I sure had a lot of humbling and learning in my future.

In My Cart -

A brief report out on some items from the Old Navy haul mentioned last week // these crinkle cut high waisted shorts are ELITE. I am considering going back for a few more pairs. The inseam is perfect (short but not hoochie), the waist is loosely fitted (not uncomfortable, but not gaping) and the crayon blue is so bright and cheerful. Just a good, comfortable daily driver to add to the summer uniform lineup.

I wound up ordering the fitness tracker ring I mentioned last week. It’s scheduled to arrive today so I’ll keep you posted. I was sold on the $40 price tag and that it doesn’t require a subscription. I have a nice watch that I far prefer to wear over a fitness tracking watch, but I’ve been missing the step tracking and obsessing over my sleep. Not kidding haha.

Are crocs this generations Adidas slide? I think so, just anecdotally based on how often I see them on little kid’s tootsies. My son wanted a pair and I picked up this $20 pair in the black and white marble color way. Also on the docket to arrive today and I’m just hoping I picked the right size.

I have been prowling around for a backyard badminton setup. I had one as a kid and now my boys are getting big enough to play (and be decent competition!) so I think we’d have a blast with this over the summer. Anyone have a good rec?

I want to make a red, white, and blue candy salad for the 4th and I’ve got these Swedish Fish and these gummy bears in my cart. Still hunting around for additions. What I really want are red, white, and blue nerd clusters. I’m just gonna put that into the universe.

I live in a tourist town and get to enjoy sartorial choices from far trendier visitors all the time. I saw a mom, in the flesh, wearing the viral pink GAP sweat suit yesterday. She looked like a regular mom, but she influenced me like an IG-er with a million followers. It really looks as chic as the internet suggests it does. Both pieces - top and bottom - are $29 at press time - this is not a drill!

Other Things -

The Minecraft movie is available to stream on Max now. My kids woke up at 5:35 on Friday morning (the day it hit) to watch it again. It really is pretty funny for what it is.

Currently reading.

We are having a 90’s summer which is a more romantic way to say that I can’t spring $800/week for summer camp and my kids will be hanging around the house all summer. There’s gonna be a whoooooole lot of riding bikes with the neighborhood kids, but I am also keeping a pin board of crafts and activities that will hopefully fill some hours. I like this bouncy ball DIY, this fishbowl drink, and these perler bead patterns. I will be a fun mom, GD it.

More thoughts on a 90’s summer.

Related: Lifeskills you can teach your kids in under 5 minutes. Printing this sucker out.

Haha. With my birthday coming up, I’m clinging to this theory. Still in practice mode, baby!

Visuals that hit me like a train.