January Coffee Chat

Hi Friends!  We have lots to catch up on today.  Grab your coffee and let's chat!

1. I have a stay at home date night tip for you.  Hiring a babysitter and going out to eat or to an event is expensive.  So we've been changing it up.  We order Door Dash dinner from a nicer restaurant (Wasabi if you're local), eat at home and then watch a show together (still watching and LOVING Chicago Fire) after the kids go to bed.  It's not quite as much fun as a date night, but it still feels like a treat.  We also like to head out to our backyard fire pit after the kids go to bed and chat.  We haven't done that in a bit because it's been so cold and icy.

2. I'm feeling ahead of the game for Valentine's Day.  I ordered a small little something for each of the kids on Amazon and ordered our Valentine candy with my grocery pick up order yesterday.  I also grabbed Kevin's card last week.  Now I put it all in my holiday basket in my closet so when February 13th rolls around I won't have to scramble to get everyone's gifts ready.  We also ordered Fletcher's class valentine's on Amazon and I'll be sure to share them if they work out like we hope they do.

3. Fletcher stayed home yesterday with a stomach ache.  That doesn't happen very often so he tagged along for our Monday grocery pick up, rested and we went through the Tropical Smoothie drive thru to get him a little smoothie treat.  We had to postpone some plans with friends, but I'm thankful I'm home and that it's not a big deal to clear our day to take care of him.

4. I just finished reading Heirloom Homes by Erin Napier.  I really loved their first book - Make Something Good Today.  And I would say that I enjoyed Heirloom Homes, but I didn't love it.  It was a quick read with beautiful pictures, but I was expecting something different.  I thought it would be more of Erin telling HOW TO design heirloom rooms in your own home.  Instead it was more of a collaborative book of 20+ people all over the country and Erin sharing special rooms in their own homes.  It was good, but not exactly what I was hoping for.  What are you currently reading?

5. The kids and I are reading The Wild Robot Protects at bedtime.  It's the 3rd book in the Wild Robot series and we have loved all of the books so far.  I read 1-2 chapters a night and I love that the book comes up in conversation throughout our days.

6. I'm trying something new in February.  I'm going to schedule each of the kids a week to help me in the kitchen.  Olive will help me with the first week because she's the first child.  Then Fletcher and Leo.  The last week of the month will just be our usual mom's in charge of dinner routine.  They will help me set the menu for the week, help me cook dinner and set the table and help me with dishes.  That way they'll each get practice doing those skills, but don't have the chore of doing it all month long.  Wish us luck!!

7. Where are your favorite places to buy kid swim suits?  Boys and tweens, please.  Target and Walmart have been good options for us in the past, but I haven't loved them recently.  I'm trying to think ahead so I'm ready with swim stuff for Spring Break.

8. Who are you cheering for in the NFL for the playoffs and Super Bowl?  The games have all been pretty exciting so far.  I'm already dreaming up a delicious appetizer menu for Super Bowl Sunday.

9. Did you see my unpopular opinion on Instagram this week?  I said that I LOVE WINTER!  What's an unpopular opinion that you have right now? I also don't have a Stanley cup to drink out of, no super wide leg jeans and I don't love the super dainty jewelry that seems popular right now.  Give me a stack of bracelets or statement earrings any day.

10. My kids are currently begging for another pet.  Hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, kitten, etc.  No dog requests because we aren't a dog family, but you'd think our 3 cats didn't count as pets.  I'm holding strong and saying that we really do not need another mouth to feed.

11. I'm feeling extra productive for tackling projects that I've been putting off - cleaning our white couch, signing up to bring a family from school dinner, decluttering our toys, scheduling appointments, etc.  Now if I could just tackle my list of phone calls I need to make.  My house never feels quiet enough to make phone calls.  Do you put off making phone calls?

12. Fun Fact - My most complimented outfits and clothes usually come from Walmart.  I have found the cutest things from the Time and Tru clothing line - jackets, tops, sweaters and dresses.  I've found great jeans and a pretty dress or two from other Wal-Mart brands.  But it makes me laugh because these clothes are so affordable - often under $20 - and I've worked hard to find styles and colors that look best on me.  So if you aren't shopping Wal-Mart's clothing department (especially the Time and Tru line for women and Wonder Nation brand for kids) you should check it out ASAP!

13. I have a show to recommend - You vs Wild.  Fletcher found it for us and we all had fun watching it.  This man goes on adventures and gives you options to click to help out his mission.  Should he repel down a clif or slide down the waterfall?  Should he make a snow shelter or sleep in a cave?  You click your remote to choose the options and it was so entertaining.  We wish there were more seasons!

14. What do you put on your front door for January and February?  I have a giant snowflake that I found at HomeGoods and I love it. 

Let's chat in the comments!