We made it, friends. One full week of social distancing and one week as Mrs. Mom. And I’ll admit the latter was the hardest part. Teachers are saints and I have a whole new appreciation for what they do! We are thrilled to have the weekend upon us and some unstructured family time [the biggest is running a tight ship with the schedule!] Since my teaching duties are over for the week, I’d thought I’d pop in with a new The Friday Five to share a few things that have been going on around here!
Our world was flipped upside down last week with the announcement of the school closings and each day has continued to bring us surprises, startling news and constant change. But the kids are doing amazing and I’m so proud of them.
I’m the one dealing with the biggest learning curve and transition into their teacher!
It’s not an easy time for anyone, but I’m choosing to focus on the quality family time we’ve been given, the fun we’re having, the lessons we’re learning and the positivity we’re focusing on!
So here are a few tid bits of all the good stuff going on around here!
THE FRIDAY FIVE
1 || NEIGHBORHOOD SCAVENGER HUNT
A Shamrock Scavenger hunt was floating around the mom’s groups in our area and it was such a big hit on St. Patrick’s Day, that we decided to keep it going!
Today was smiley faces and we’re continuing with a new theme every 3 days. It gives the kids something to color, the task of hanging it up in the window and then the challenge of going out to count how many ______s they can find!
Fresh air for the win! My boys have been on more scooter rides around the block this week than I can even count. Now if we could just get our temps to climb out of the 30’s for good this year, we’d all be able to stay outside longer!!
2 || VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR WITH FRIENDS
Wednesday night was one of the best nights of the week! One of my friends invited a group of us to a virtual happy hour via Zoom and it was AMAZING! We laughed, we cried and we re-filled our glasses!
One friend even wrapped her nails in foil in hopes to remove her gel polish and it worked! So we had an at-home manicure lesson, too. Which is obviously a vital lesson during these times 😉
If you haven’t tried to coordinate a video chat, hang out time or happy hour with friends yet, then I highly recommend you try to get something scheduled!
If you don’t have a Zoom account, try google hangout, Houseparty, Skype or even just Facetime with a friend.
It was good for the soul and absolutely one of the highlights of my week! And if you can’t find anyone to do a virtual happy hour with you, then there’s always this option…
3 || SALES & FREE SHIPPING – YES!
What’s better than a sale?
A store announcing FREE shipping!! Don’t you agree?!
So many retailers announced spontaneous sales this week and several also announced FREE shipping!
Here are some of the sales I’ve been eyeing:
Nordstrom – 25% off sitewide + free shipping
Nordstrom Rack – 20% off sitewide + free shipping
Old Navy – 50% off sitewide
DSW – 30% off sitewide with code “MARCH30”
EXPRESS – up to 50% off
Stella & Dot – free shipping / Buy 1, get 1 50% off all necklaces & bracelets
GOLD BEADED BRACELET || HEART LOCK BRACELET || RUST LONG-SLEEVED TOP || JEANS [similar] || BOOTS || RUG
I always keep a running tab of Sale items I spot on my Sale Finds page.
Speaking of comfy, I’ll be living in my new coatigan that I shared in last week’s The Friday Five. It came in and I’m obsessed. $26 and the perfect housecoat! And when it’s time to venture out again, I can’t wait to dress it up!
I also shared a round-up of Cute & Comfy Loungewear Pieces Under $40 and quite honestly, most are under $25! From what I’ve been hearing from you all, it sounds like I’m not the only one living in sweats right now.
They might as well be cute, right?!
So many darling loungewear sets and I’ve got a couple new ones on their way to me!
4 || MY DAILY READING GOAL
Last year, I set out to read more. I know goals are supposed to be specific and set with a timeline in mind, but I didn’t quite make it that far! I did pick up a book for the first time in years and finished “Where the Crawdads Sing” and “Summer of ’69” – both I loved.
Last fall, my friend, Heather and I decided to do a book swap and mail out our recent reads to each other. You can get a media rate when you mail books, so I was able to send it to Atlanta for $3.17.
Media Mail is for shipping media items containing books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs and DVDs) and I was told by the post office that it’s the cheapest rate available!
I’ve picked up and put down the book she sent to me, Little Fires Everywhere, soooo many times over the last few months, but it wasn’t until I recently that I set a true goal.
After I posted The Best Shows to Binge Watch Right Now, a friend and follower told me that “Little Fires Everywhere” is on Hulu right now. And starring Reese Witherspoon. AHHHH!
It was right then and there that I decided I MUST finish this ASAP!
I’ve now set a daily reading goal of a minimum of 30 minutes and I hope to have the book finished by Tuesday at the latest.
Mainly because I want to start the show!! Wish me luck 😉
5 || STAYING HEALTHY AT HOME
Along with a 30 minute daily reading goal, I’m going to focus on a 30 minute daily exercise goal as well. T and I finished our 8 week challenge this week and I’m beyond thrilled to say I hit my weight loss goal of 10 pounds.
Now, comes the hard part…
I don’t have the challenge holding me accountable, so I have to remain accountable to myself. 30 minutes of physical activity and sticking with my nutrition plan and daily goals.
I want to stay healthy and active, but on the other hand…
These memes are hitting a little too close to home!!!
In all seriousness, I’m going to continue to work hard and keep going.
Would you guys want to hear more about my nutrition goals and at-home workouts I’ve been doing since the start of the challenge? I could probably put a post together if there is interest!
With the Governor’s announcement of the “Stay at Home” order for Illinois residents going into effect tomorrow, we are going to be spending time at home indefinitely. And since I’ve made the decision to stick to the positives, I strongly believe there are so many amazing opportunities for us to connect as a family and maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle together is a just one of them!
It really is a blessing and a beautiful thing to have this time together.
Stay healthy, be safe and have fun right now! And to all the other Mrs. Moms out there – we got this!
We were supposed to be in Arizona right now, so since the boys are technically on Spring Break next week, I think this teacher is going to enjoy some time off!!
And on her break, continue to literally laugh out loud at all the hilarious memes going around right now. They are certainly helping pass the time!!
Have a good weekend, friends! xo
If you’ve missed any of The Friday Five posts in the series, you can get caught up here!
