Happy Friday!

^{Last week I took an unintentional break because I ran out of email sends} 😅 ^{I actually switched over to a new platform this week to try it out, so I’d love to know what you think of it!}

But I’m really excited to be here this week with some updates. No, baby girl did not make her appearance earthside yet, but we are ready when she is! I am 39 weeks this week, so I have been continuing to prep our house and family for a new addition whenever she comes. Did you know that “full term” is technically 37-42 weeks? Yes, that’s a big swing! So while I would really love to meet baby girl sooner rather than later, I have fully accepted that she will come on her own timeline when she is ready, and in the meantime, I’m soaking up the last moments of being a family of 3 🥰 

While we’re waiting, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying getting outside with Shay. I bought him these rainboots because he kept getting absolutely wrecked by fire ants in our neighbor’s garden (and we go there almost every day). While he doesn’t wear shoes that often at home, in the garden was a must, so I’m super thankful he LOVES them as much as he does!

Back at home, we’ve been playing every day with non-toxic chalk like this (which means I don’t have to worry when Shay inevitably eats it like he did yesterday). I just ordered more colors so we can continue making art all over our deck, patio … even the outside of the house 😅 - the best part is that it washes away so easily!

When I was pregnant with Shay, both Gabe and I read the book, Hunt, Gather, Parent, which talks about including your children in everything you do, including chores and housework. The reason being is that when you include them from an early age, while it is inconvenient sometimes, it makes housework seem like something everyone does as part of the family, not like a “chore” that deserves to be paid in exchange for it being done. Truthfully, I just love the idea of that because I grew up absolutely hating doing housework and it made me not as enjoyable to live with when I moved out of my childhood home. It’s honestly been really fun to engage Shay in housework- he helps feed the dogs in the morning, load the dishwasher (sometimes he sneaks other things in there, it makes it interesting!), and now he dries the floor after I Swiffer. Originally, I looked for a child’s version of a mop, but then I saw on Instagram that you can just adjust the Swiffer height by taking apart the shaft! So that’s what I did, and saved around $20 in the process.

Alright well that’s all I’ve got for you today! Have a beautiful weekend 💃 

Xoxo,

Arielle