jack is seven

these are ten of the things we love about you: 

1. the enthusiasm you have for making peanut butter crackers, your first culinary masterpiece

2. you've been requesting more responsibilities, like pushing the cart at the grocery store and helping with house projects

3. you catch on to new games quickly and are always up for playing

4. you are silly and fun

5. snuggling is still one of your favorite things

6. you love collecting pokemon with dad and checking cards off your list [and you have good binder behavior too]

7. you are observant and notice the people and world around you

8. you enjoy your friends and are always excited to spend time with them

9. you know the whole hamilton soundtrack and were so excited to go see it with mom

10. you love playing with archie just as much as he loves playing with you

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anniversary number thirteen

this year we ended up with a snow day anniversary, so after a chill day at home jack and archie accompanied us to an almost empty pizza ranch for all the fried chicken we could collectively eat. 

the next night we enjoyed a fancy bucket list night out after donald snagged an elusive reservation at 1587 prime, the new mahomes kelce steakhouse at the loews hotel. it was indeed a dining experience, complete with white coated waitstaff and a delightful lounge singer who knew how to work the room. just before dessert we got an extra surprise when biscuit the babysitter sent us a text letting us know that jack had lost his first tooth!

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what's saving my life

one of my favorite podcasters [kendra adachi - aka the lazy genius] has a regular practice of noticing and naming what is making life good in any given season. she calls it 'what's saving my life' and her recent list inspired me to make my own. so here are the things bringing me little bursts of joy in the fall of 2025: 

• laughing with archie [he is easy to engage with and loves to have fun and laugh.] 

• giving myself permission to spend money on things that bring me joy [i recently realized i was often putting experiences off for 'someday' when there was no real reason not to enjoy them right now.] 

• ted group [some friends from church are getting together to eat dinner and watch ted lasso while the kids enjoy their own movie upstairs. sinking into that couch and hearing the theme music begin is a highlight every week.] 

• marta the food fairy [my friend has been clearing out some pantry and freezer food and we have been the beneficiaries. we are always excited to see what will show up next and it has made cooking feel like less of a chore.] 

• my yellow new balance tennis shoes [these were such a delightful find and they make me smile every time i put them on.] 

• the life of a showgirl [admittedly my interest in taylor has increased since she and travis became an item, but i genuinely can't quit this album. it has been the soundtrack of our fall.] 

• a weekly rhythm with lots of white space [i'm so thankful for a flexible calendar that has room for both adventure and slow days at home depending on what we need.] 

• word searches [i wanted an analog activity i could do outside while jack and archie play that wouldn't get derailed by multiple interruptions, and word search books have been the perfect thing.] 

• a very warm coat [we had a sudden early cold snap and i was so happy i had finally gotten myself a long cozy coat last winter to make it more bearable.] 

• simply doing what is mine to do [this has been a heavy season for many and it's easy to feel helpless. i can't fix it all, but i can do what is mine to do. i am starting small and helping the people right in front of me.] 

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