It’s been a packed-to-the-brim week — with 3 trips in less than 7 days (a trip to Atlanta for the Say Goodbye to Survival Mode event, a trip to NYC for my Fox Business interview, and a trip back to Atlanta to meet up with my sister and her family for a few days of fun!) + more.
Here are 5 things I’m loving this week:
1. Great Deals at Kohl’s
Kaitlynn and I went shopping for her birthday and she found some great deals at Kohl’s for some adorable clothes that she’s already worn multiple times this week. We found them on the clearance rack and they were just a few dollars per item!
I also bought some new shoes (a kind of rare occurrence for me!) and was excited to get a great deal on them! (See the shoes I bought in this picture here — I should have worn them for a few days before wearing them all over the streets of NYC because now I’m the proud owner of multiple blisters. It’s clear I don’t buy shoes often enough to know these types of things! :))
2. It’s My Pleasure*
I got to read a pre-release copy of this book and absolutely adored it! It’s short, but packed with inspiration for business owners, entrepreneurs, or anyone who would like to get a glimpse at the inner workings and core values of Chick-fil-A.
3. The Georgia Aquarium
When we went to Atlanta with my sister and her family, we debated whether or not to go to the aquarium. The tickets are expensive, but we are SO glad we splurged and bought them as we absolutely loved our time there.
It’s hard to say what our favorite parts of the visit were as it seemed like at every turn, we were all saying “woah” and “wow!” Some of my highlights were: the beluga whales, sea horses, whale sharks, albino alligators, weedy sea dragons (these are so cool!), and the shark eggs.
I also loved the exhibits where you could touch some of the creatures — including starfish, sea urchins, sea anemone, and the sea cucumber (my favorite). If I had to pick one favorite, it would have to be the Dolphin Show. It was hands down incredible. Seriously! We were in awe… And now Kathrynne is considering changing her career ambitions to dolphin trainer.
4. Coffee With Friends
My friend, Jennifer, and her husband were in the Nashville area this morning and we got to meet for a quick cup of coffee. Jennifer is the author of one of my Top 10 Books from 2014 and just such a sweet, sweet woman. She’s inspired me in so many ways and blessed my life.
I was also supposed to have coffee with my friend, Tam, this afternoon. But I was really tired after a long week so I texted to ask if I could have a rain check on coffee with her. Well, guess what she did, she went and got a coffee and dropped it off at my doorstep… because she’s such a dear person like that!
5. A Day At Home
After coffee with Jennifer this morning, I promptly came home and put on my Wonder Woman tee, hoodie, and comfy pants — one of my favorite “Lazy Day” outfits. (I had taken a shower and fixed my hair/makeup, so that I wouldn’t ruin my day!)
It was so nice to have a day to just rest, relax, and enjoy being with my people.
(Silas sat next to me for quite awhile today hard at work on his latest Loom Band* creation. He’s kind of obsessed with these right now and does a great job making them!
However, when I took this picture, he was concerned that if I posted a picture with the Loom Bands, someone might comment that “Loom Bands are for girls!!”
I told him not to worry about what other people think. If he likes creating with Loom Bands, then he should go for it, because I love to see him learning new things and trying his hand at new skills!)
What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments!
*affiliate link
Carol says
I met a boy the same age as Silas who is enjoying the loom and made me a precious bracelet made of rubber. I thought it was so sweet of him to make it for me.
Crystal Paine says
So sweet!
Laura says
Love these posts, Crystal! You are just so cute.
5 things I’m loving this week:
1. My husband will be home after being a on a 9 day work trip tomorrow! WHOO HOO! {Taking care of our 5, 4 and 2 year old is a little taxing at times to say the least} 😉
2. Coral nails. There’s just something about having painted nails {I do it myself} that makes me feel put together and pretty.
3. Coffee with waaay to much creamer {but, that’s every week!}
4. P90X workouts. Okay, maybe not “love” but good for me, for sure.
5. The “Savor” devotional by Shauna Niequist. I just love her – one of my favorite authors who’s passionate about life around the table. The devotional is easy to read and gives you a meaningful message to ponder on for the day.
Guest says
Please tell Silas to enjoy creating with his Loom band! It chaps my hide that so many toys are thought of as certain genders. My 4 year old son loves the “girl” LEGOs because they have animals and the others don’t. Already he gets that because the packaging is a certain color, etc., they’re supposed to be for girls. 🙁
Cheryl says
5 things I’m loving this week
1. celebrating 23 years of marriage
2. dancing in the kitchen w/hubby to our favorite Alan Jackson song
3. watching our wedding video from 1992, the hair, the fashions, we were so young! (tears too)
4 celebrating by 44th bday, I feel 24!
5. enjoying summer break with the kids and MSM…
Karen says
My 8 year old son has been busy making bracelets this week too?
MiaTheReader says
Number 5 is my favorite, too! This summer has been the time when I’ve realized how important it is when your children get beyond those baby years to pour into them by encouraging them in their interests and plunging in with them! That’s why we’re making a lot of cakes at my house this summer. My six-year-old daughter loves cake decorating. =)
Theresa L says
1. My sis. I mean, I’ve always loved her, but we haven’t always been at a good place in our relationship. Lately, we’ve been close and I’m loving it!
2. My business. I’m a consultant with Usborne Books and I’ve been waffling about it, but things are looking up. Still praying if I should continue it long term, but for now, it’s working!
3. Coffee. Enough said there.
4. Little Women. I picked up this classic as part of an Amazon Kindle deal ($1.99 for 39 works by Louisa May Alcott). I’ve never read, but I’m really enjoying it!
5. Dreaming of Disney. We’re planning a trip for next year and I’m loving just thinking of it!!
Staci says
GA aquarium is well worth the $! I agree. Glad you had a great and memorable time. The dolphin show was awesome…..now go to dolphin show Sea World in San Diego! AMAZING!
Kaye Murphy says
1. Bridal showers with my oldest daughter.
2. Homecoming at my aunt’s church and seeing the smile on her face singing in the choir as she saw rows of family in the pews.
3. Getting my walking on with an old friend!
4. Being accountable to someone to walk even when I didn’t want to.
5. Getting to hug my sister and niece!
Emily says
Where did you get your Wonder Woman shirt?? I need to get one for a friend!
Dona says
Just piping in to let your little man know..my eight year old ALL boy loves making loom bands. Handy crafts are awesome for boys. Another thing he might enjoy is Ducttape Warfare books…they were written by two teen homeschooled boys and they have been a huge hit for all the boys in our homeschool coop. They dive into the true names and history of various times in history and they weapons that were used during such eras as Medival Times, Greco/Roman times, vikings and many more. I have found many of the boys love such handy crafts 🙂
leisa Parker says
My sons love loom band. A good place to buy boy colors is at hobby lobby. They have blue, green, yellow, orange, and brown and camouflage color refills. And my boys give them to their friends.
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
What a sweet friend to bring you coffee! It’s a good reminder for me to be on the lookout for ways to help others.
This week I am loving…
1. Grilling out. My husband is an excellent grill master, and we’ve been enjoying some good eats!
2. Summer evenings. Tonight we let the kids stay out a bit later than usual, just playing in our kiddie pool. We ended it all with a freeze pop on the porch. Wonderful.
3. Inspiring kids to read. I am teaching summer school, and three boys have caught the reading bug. They’ve read two books in one week–which may be more than they read all last year in sixth grade!
CeeJay says
Please tell Silas that loom bands aren’t just for girls. They are for artists.
Christy says
My 8 year old loves the loom. He had a Market Day project for school and he had to make a good (or service ) to sell for fake money. He wanted to do the bracelets and charms. I was afraid too many people would make him but he told me other kids were always asking him to make them some because he did unique ones. He taught himself on you tube videos. He also makes cool snake and lizard charms!
Mel H. says
Please tell Silas loom bands aren’t just for girls. Both of you should poke on over to one of my favorite kids blogs. www. frugalfun4boys.com They make some cool things!
Amber Woods says
You can let Silas know that my 10 year old son loves to play with loom bands. It doesn’t have to be a girly thing, just a creative thing:)
Ann says
This week, my hubby and I visited Amish country in Ohio and had a wonderful day out!
Carol@simple_catholic says
We went to the Georgia Aquarium a few years ago and had such a blast! We thought it was very expense as well, but the memories we made were so worth it!
Beth says
Hey, Silas, I think my 14 year old son has spent more time experimenting with the loom band than his younger 11 yo and 5 yo sisters put together! Go right ahead and enjoy it!
Kariane says
This week I’m loving working in the garden with my kids. I wrote about it here: http://everydaymindfulliving.com/working-in-the-garden-planting-irises/
Christine says
Tell Silas when the looms came out 2 years ago my sons who were 10 and 7 at the time loved the looms and made over a hundred different designs.
Victoria says
I LOVE playing along on these posts. (oh and coffee to your door so sweet, we all need friends like that)
5 Things I am loving this week
1. 3 birthdays in 5 days. My daughter turned 13, my son 15 and my hubby 44.
2. I am now a mom to all teenagers! When you asked me as a young mom what stage of parenting I dreaded most it was the teenage years but so far I am loving it!
3. An $8 dress from Old Navy. I feel really stylish in it.
4. An afternoon all by myself geeking in it out by comparing prices for an upcoming post I am working on.
5. How helpful teenagers can be we have had 2 parties this week and I really didn’t clean a thing my teenagers took care of all the cleaning while I took care of the food prep. (they did have a little help from their dad).
Paula says
My 10 year old daughter and her friends were totally into loom bands for most of last year. And some of the boys in her grade and most of her friends’ younger brothers were hardcore loom banders. Silas is definitely not alone in his love of loom banding.
Jessica Westphal says
I took my pregnant self and two girls two years and under to the Georgia aquarium just two weeks ago. I was nervous about a new city and doing it alone, but my oldest daughter’s desire to see dolphins won out and I went for it (and it didn’t hurt both my little ones were free) I cannot brag enough. Everyone was helpful. The exhibits were amazing, even to toddlers. I loved the experience. It is a splurge, but it was worth every penny we spent!