- I’ve become obsessed with the idea of going somewhere warm for spring break. Preferably Puerto Rico, but perhaps Fort Lauderdale. The airport near us doesn’t have many great options but I just want to be WARM. December was so mild, then a few days of cold and I was to the Kayak to explore where I can go for cheap.
- Speaking of travel, we drove back from Ohio on Wednesday – the 10 hour trips have been surprisingly less terrible than I expected. (Though I did say on the way to Ohio, “I hope everyone appreciates how hard this is for us!” Ha.) Leaving before sunrise and arriving before sunset is key for us. I might write a blog post about the tricks I’ve learned having logged over 5,000 miles traveling with a toddler by car over the past 6 months.
- I completely changed my blog – the layout, the design, the structure of the permalinks, and the categorization. I am pretty happy with the change – though I’m sure I’ll discover little things that are off. It was a lot of work – months worth – to go from almost a hundred categories to 60 to 8 or so.
- Work is happening and I’m drowning a little – but mostly because I always struggle post-vacation/taking time off. I’m tired and sluggish and just need to nap.
- We got a Pure Green latex mattress from Sleep On Latex for Gabe and it was fun to open. It was like a giant can of Pillsbury rolls, just waiting for it to spring open at any minute. I also am super impressed with the company so far – ethically produced (in Chicago with latex foam from Sri Lanka) and the CEO himself signed the card that came with the mattress. It’s only been a few days, but the mattress seems great – really supportive and perfectly firm. I’ll keep you updated!
(Opening the mattress was a whole-family activity)
- My 2016 goals include learning JavaScript, teaching Gabe how to read, and moving to a walkable area with a vibrant downtown. That last one has proved to be a rather daunting prospect in this area. There simply aren’t make walkable areas and the ones that are, are incredibly expensive with limited housing options. It’s really not something I want to compromise on, and we’re continually feeling frustrated by the lack of choices with where we can live next year. It’s really disheartening, even though I’m still thankful Mike has a job, etc etc.
- I bought a pair of Sorel boots in my effort to Accept Winter, and next on my list is a warm coat that isn’t hugely bulky. Did you know that good winter coats are quite expensive? Wondering if $200 would make winter go away.
Also:
I made scrambled tofu – boring, but I need boring after sugarfest 2015.
I discovered Marriage is Funny – a funny and encouraging podcast for anyone in a relationship. (Though I do wish there was a version of this where the couple doing it has kids.)
I read Produce More Content in Less Time, which was super long but also full of amazing content.
I favorited this tweet. Yes. Wise.
I got this app which keeps track of how much data I’m using and helps me not go over. Genius.
I bought a Water Pik with my Christmas gift card. And some mascara. And moisturizer with SPF.
I watched Veep and Making of A Murderer – we’re looking for our next series to watch nightly!
I love the new design! I need to do a serious overhaul on my blog but I get so caught up in the design stuff that I forget to blog for like a month or two at a time. Writing is sort of the whole point of having a blog … so I’ve decided to live with it. For awhile, at least!
I taught Topher to read last summer using the book”Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons” – he was reading simple sentences by the 10th day or so, and he hasn’t stopped since! I bought him the BOB books – he’s already gone through all the kindergarten ones so I need to order the next set!
We used the Bob books as well and taught my daughter to read as a young four. I wish I had them for my first two children.
For the winter coat: do it! I know they’re painfully expensive, but I’ve had my Northface Artic Parka for 10 years now (!!!) and still wear it almost daily in the winter. It still looks nice and continues to be warm and fluffy, making winter sooo much better.
When I moved to Chicago from Austin, Texas 8 years ago, I bought a $200 down coat. It was a lot of money, esp since I was quitting my job during the beginning of the recession to go to grad school, but it was WORTH EVERY PENNY. I still have it eight(!) years later and I wear it every day during the winter. Doooo it!
ooh, what kind do YOU have?
It’s from J Crew, but they’ve changed the design since then and I actually don’t recommend it anymore :( BUT I have been looking for a replacement (mine sprung a leak!) and the REI 600-fill down parka (that’s currently on sale for $200) looks to be the best/warmest/etc. I’ve, ahem, done a lot of research on this.
I love the new blog design!
As for winter coats, I agree with others who wrote that buying a well-made winter coat can be worth it if you think of it as an investment piece that you’ll wear for many years. That being said, I bought a winter coat at Costco last year for less than $80 and it has lasted well so far and is wonderful. I bought the anorak jacket style (http://www.costco.com/1-Madison-Ladies'-Anorak-Jacket-with-Hood-Brown.product.100109818.html), but they also have a down coat that would probably be warmer (http://www.costco.com/1-Madison-Ladies'-Down-Coat-with-Faux-Fur-Hood-and-Inner-Vest-Stone–.product.100161364.html). (Also, sometimes there are limited sizes online, so I tend to go to the store.) I live in Oregon so water resistance is more my concern in the winter. :)
re: new series to watch
Are/were you fans of Lost? I highly recommend The Leftovers! :)
Love the new design! Also BOB books are great for teaching young children to read (both my older kids LOVED them and Case is enjoying them at 4.5!). And Moosejaw — I get almost all my Patagonia jackets through them.
Thanks for the tips! I reserved the BOB books from the library to see what they are like!! :)
Re: Jacket – check out Lands End. Very warm, and under $200!
Hi Ashley! I have to say, I am with team “buy an expensive coat”. I live in a northern climate and cannot say enough good about my Helly Hansen parka and about their amazing customer service.
I will also say that I live in a central, walkable area although it costs a premium. I love it- walking to the bank, the drugstore, for coffee, food or drinks. I know you are still adjusting to the new cost of living but consider how much your quality of life and everyday wellbeing is worth :)
I will now stop encouraging the money spending!
Hi Ashley,
You have a beautiful family. Congratulations!
I am curious about a few things:
-Do you like working from home?
-How / when do you manage to work on your business with the children?
-Did you drink any coffee during your pregnancies? (I, too, like coffee… :-) )
Best wishes.
Oh, I love the new layout. Well done. How did you go about narrowing down your categories? I think I might have to do the same.
I tried to write out what people usually come to my blog for, then just kept tweaking until I came up with what I was happy with. It was a LONG process. (I also converted a lot of categories to tags with a cool plugin!)
I love your blog’s new look. I mean, it might not be that evident but the way it loads now, a bit faster than before. About the categorization, ahhh, sounds like a lot of work! And oh, I favorited that tweet from Allison Fallon too!
Thanks for the link to that Neil Patel post! Truly helpful!
I say go for the winter coat! I’m a firm believer of splurging on good winter coats because not only will they keep you from freezing, they also last for a very long time!
Any recommendations? :)
Love the new layout! But … I think your blog redesign unsubscribed me from your list. Can’t find a resubscribe button. Help?
Oh no! I forgot to put a new subscribe box – I’ll add your email to the list! :) Sorry about that!
Got your email :) Thanks!
Amazing ! Beautiful family and happiness you got very interesting content with lovely pictures , that’s the perfect life my thought everyone jealous you and appreciate for your sweet life ,
I am really appreciate thanks for sharing the post !!!!!