what's saving my life

because summer is already the most wonderful time of the year my life doesn't require much saving in this season, but it's always worthwhile to pause and notice the things that are making life a little extra enjoyable:

• water [easily one of the best parts of summer. being in or on the water just makes everything better.] 

• archie's delightfulness [he has been so enjoyable lately. it's this great combination of being hilarious and adorable.]

• sleeping in [i love sleep. i love it so much. and i really, really love not setting an alarm.] 

• hawaiian roll sandwiches with salami [there are a few lunches that taste like summer to me, one of which is ham and cheese on a hawaiian roll. a friend recently inspired me to add salami and it is next level.] 

• community [we have a regular rhythm of hanging out with other families and we collectively have a whole bunch of kids from babies to high schoolers. the way they all play and interact together is just magic.]

• daily movement [i've never been great about consistent exercise, but i've been hitting a modest daily step goal and doing squats while brushing my teeth.]

• our summer vibe [we intentionally don't put a lot on our calendar in the summer so we can enjoy a loose rhythm with lots of flexibility for whatever fun comes along.]

• games with jack [he recently learned five crowns and we've been playing almost every day.] 

• sour cream [potluck situations sometimes stress me out, so this is my decide once. if sour cream is even remotely appropriate, that's what i'm bringing.] 

• letting things be good enough [as a recovering perfectionist this is sometimes easier said than done, but i'm trying to let good enough be good enough.] 

bonus: i was inspired to start making these lists by the lazy genius. i have listened to her podcast for years and read all of her books. i am a big fan. earlier this summer i submitted a question for one of her office hours episodes, and was delightfully surprised when she answered my question on air! it happened the same week the kansas city episode of ted lasso dropped, and getting to be a small part of two of my favorite things was definitely a summer highlight.

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things archie says

this one has a bit of a feisty side, but gosh is he hilarious and hearing him laugh is just the best. here are some entries from the dictionary of archie:

• pack pack = backpack [he loves to make sure dad doesn't forget his "pack pack" before work]

• golden fish = goldfish crackers [he later started asking for "gold fish, blue fish, and regular fish" based on the color of the package and the fact that he was introduced to pretzel fish first]

• pitar = guitar [he will also call a guitar a violin]

• bing bing bong = the song "axel f" by crazy frog

• lellow = yellow [i kind of hope this one never stops]

• puh-jammies = pajamas

• tennis shoe = tissue ["i need a tennis shoe!"]

• next-en = next to ["i want to sit next-en to you"]

• minja chucks = ninja turtle nunchucks

• primacy = privacy ["i need some primacy"]

• extra love bonus = an extra anything [this started when he'd ask for an extra bonus book at bedtime and i'd say "yes, because i love you" and now it applies to books, snacks, etc.]

and these are some of our favorite funny phrases and conversations:

• "mommy my feet are blazing cold!"

• "can you buckle me out?" [aka please unbuckle me]

• "my hope is in the Lord!!!" [he gets VERY excited every time this song comes on]

• "please may you?"

• "i had a good rest!" [every time he wakes up in the morning or from nap time]

• "i want to go in the ball center" [aka the activity center at lakeland camp]

• "i kind of made a little mistake" [when he accidentally gets some pee outside of the toilet]

• "but...and i'm not saying the private word" 

• "dear Jesus, thank you for our food. bless you to our bodies. help dad go to work. amen." 

        archie: "i really want some milk."

        shelly: "how bad do you want it?"

        archie: "i don't want it bad, i want it good."

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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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