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29 April 2016

Gotta get down on Friday

Linking up with Kelly once again because I just can't quit her.

1. I went through the vast majority of yesterday really and genuinely thinking it was Friday so today feels a little redundant and extra celebratory. We have family coming to visit and it's like Julia born yesterday because Simon and I told the kids about the visit weeks ago ... mistake. Until you can measure the arrival countdown in minutes ... it's best to just say nothing or risk nonstop questions and vocalized disappointment over the visit that is still a milllllllion years away. But, today's the day! Thank goodness.

2. I didn't want to type about it last week because Simon is big on jinxing things BUT the van broke down (again crying face emoji) two weeks ago and Simon totally took charge, YouTubed how to fix it, bought the part, borrowed a necessary tool from a neighbor, and fixed it! It might not be that impressive to you who are skilled at that sort of thing but color this girl impressed and grateful that we were spared a rather costly repair.

3. In the middle of the van break down and Simon having the big kids take turns turning they key in the ignition while he diagnosed the problem ... the troops were hollering for dinner and Theo wanted to be held for many minutes on end and refused to give up the dream.


So, I strapped him on my back (probably reallllly pushing the Beco carrier weight limit) which led Phoebe to garner an interest in being worn (she tolerated it at best as a baby) because that's how little minds work around here.

4. Something other than Patton prattle!! I hope you saw this floating around Facebook but it deserves all the e-accolades, standing ovations, and amens in the world. Worth the click and read. I promise.

5. I'm in a terrible, terrible book rut. I've started 1/2 a dozen books only to have them be disappointing duds. I'm months away from getting any of my holds at the library but I'm tempted to but this new release by Curtis Sittenfeld. I've read a few meh reviews though. If you'd read anything great - I'd love to hear about it!!

6. I loved this post by Bridget on easy activities for young kids + toddlers. I will definitely be copycatting. No shame, ever.

7. My favorite skincare line is having a sale right now (and they have the best return policy -- so I love trying out new things risk-free after scouring the reviews) ... if it weren't for this system I think my face would still be sadly reminiscent of my acne ridden high school and college days and this exfoliant has cleared up the vast majority of said acne scarring. You can get $10 off your first order using my link but no pressure, ever - of course!

7.5 Bless Theo's little heart because he takes thee best naps but wakes up in thee worst mood. But! We've come to an understanding in the past couple of days that if he can get up and have an apple (or banana - kitchen inventory dependent) and some time alone and away from Phoebe (lol) then he's good. Life changing for everyone, crazy at it may sound. I snapped this yesterday of our newly minted happy post-nap camper ...

 yes, this was a blog worthy development. truly.

And with that, I will leave you. I've got a pack of baby wipes calling my bathroom cleaning name. Don't tell me you don't do it TOO. Please don't.

Have a good one!

32 comments:

  1. Books: anything by Lianne Moriatity "Big Little Lies" "husband's secret" "what alice forgot"

    Anthony Doeer- "all the light we cannot see"
    Kristen Hannah- "nightingale"

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    1. I've read all of Moriarty's books - cannot get enough! will check out the others - thank you!!

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    2. I also binge-read all of Moriarty. Modern Mrs Darcy recommended Kate Morton books for Moriarty-lovers. Just finished The Secret Keeper and it did not disappoint!

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  2. Ha! Costco sanitizing bleach wipes for bathroom cleaning is a must. Now if I can get the kids to stop using them on their face (and other body parts) and flushing them...:)

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  3. I just finished A Man Called Ove and really enjoyed it:) Sometimes the author used "as if" to describe something too many times, but otherwise I thought it was good!

    And my walls are still bare. Can you help me decorate?!

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    1. haha sometimes I think bare walls are better than the situations I've got going on -- and I've never heard of that book -- going to Google now!

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  4. if you like mysteries, the Babylon Rising series by Tim Lahay is really really good. (can get pretty intense though, so if you don't like intense, maybe not the series for you!)

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  5. You got me hooked on Paula's Choice! Do you have an ebates account? If you do, make sure you go to the Paula's Choice website through ebates. They give you 5% back. :)

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  6. The Royal We was great, so was Luckiest Girl Alive, I've got Eligible on the kindle for my flight on Sunday - will report back! @mybookstash on Insta for my random book reviews - Caroline

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    1. I always love your reviews!! can't wait to hear your thoughts!! I'm on the longest wait list for Luckiest Girl Alive -- might just have to buy it!

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  7. Check out uprooted or six of crows!

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  8. Books - The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner. RUN AND GET IT. It's a memoir and sooooo good. I literally know about 50 people who have read and every.single.one had LOVED it and said they couldn't put it down - most read it in 1-2 days.

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    1. I started AND finished that yesterday. It is So. Good.

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  9. Baby wipes ftw! I use them for EVERYTHING, and I don't care that my kids will someday be grown and no longer need them...I will still be buying them.

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  10. Books I loved (most are not new so likely available at the library sooner than a million weeks from now): The Orphan Train (Christina Baker Kline), The Language of Flowers (Vanessa Diffenbaugh), The Invention of Wings (Sue Monk Kidd), Attachments (Rainbow Rowell), The Glass Lake (Maeve Binchy), Before I Go (Colleen Oakley), The Paris Architect (Charles Belfoure), Amy & Roger's Epic Detour (Morgan Matson). Whew. I recommend all of 'em!

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  11. our youngest had the post nap grumps too--it was terrible screaming whining crying and we found immediate snack and a good drink of water were miracle workers--it sounds little and unimportant but when you have one bellowing everyone is just cranky and grumpy too it's really nice to figure out how to solve it

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  12. When I get out the wipes my toddler says, "Oh is it time to clean the floor?" That is, unless there's a smell emanating from her little brother. You're so not alone!

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  13. I just finished Eligible and I think you'll love it. It reminded me of how I felt while reading The Royal We. Go for it!

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  14. Is there a moisturizer you like from Paula's Choice? I'm excited to try! Thanks!!

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  15. I'm on the wait list for Eligible at the library. Loved The Royal We! I think that was your recommendation, too.

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  16. The best book I've read in a while is Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle. Loved it!!

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  17. You had to tell me there's a new CS book! Love all her books -- currently about to start Sisterland. Though American Wife has been my fave so far. Also great summer read -- the Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder! By Rebecca Wells! It was amazing!

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  18. thanks for the paula's choice promo code! I'd been thinking about buying the 2% bha exfoliant and i finally did!

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  19. Hi Grace - Hooray for Simon's fixing ability! Just wanted to comment on your books question. I read about a book a week and refuse to read anything less than AWESOME. So from the past few years - these are my light-enough-to-be-entertaining, deep-enough-to-feel-like-you're-using-your-brain finds - Me Before You, The Nightingale, Maybe In Another Life, The Light Between Oceans, Station Eleven, My Berlin Kitchen (non-fiction, but I love this blogger, Luisa Weiss, so much! And it's part love story, part finding yourself, which I'm a sucker for), The Aviator's Wife, Where'd You Go Bernadatte, Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani. More "literary" books I loved - The Goldfinch, A Little Life, Beautiful Ruins.

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  20. Thanks for linking up darling. And I can't stop admiring your gallery walls full of art with no fingerprints on any of the glass??? Is that a phone filter or do your kids really not leave sticky prints all over everything? If so, could they please help instruct my older savages?

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  21. when breath becomes air is suuuuuchhhhh a good book! you will cry but its worth it!

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  22. I read Eligible and LOVED it. It isn't Pride & Prejudice (which seems to be the critique I've read repeatedly), but Curtis Sittenfeld acknowledges that over and over! It reads like a beach read, albeit one of much higher literary quality. Recommend!

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  23. I really did love Me Before You by JoJo Moyes...loved it and hated it. A good conversation starter (also going to be a movie in June). I have also been addicted to audiobooks and “read” so much more this way. There’s a free app for your phone that links you to your local library - which is just awesome. One of those audiobooks that I loved was Jewel’s audio biography entitled “Never Broken.” Believe me when I say, it was so, so good. Also good: Call the Midwife, Nutureshock and Brooklyn.

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  24. I just read "After I Do"...I got it for like 1.99 on Amazon and didn't have the highest of expectations but it was really good!

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  25. I clean bathrooms, my table, even my mirrors with baby wipes. They are what I have all over within hand's reach, anywhere.

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