Play. Work. Repeat.

Because play should always come first.

Holidays

F5 :: FIVE FOR FRIDAY {01.03.20}

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Welcome to 2020, friends! Self-care comes in many forms. While there are many factors outside of my control, here are some of the ways I am setting myself up for a less stressful year.

::1:: Decluttering. The great purge is upon us, people! Toys, clothes, baby items — so much of it is being donated or trashed entirely. Why I thought it was a good idea to hold onto that sweater from college, or those baby clothes with stains on them, is beyond me. The madness stops now!

::2:: Time management, especially at work. It’s so easy to get distracted at the office, and I often find myself staying late as a result of all those unexpected interruptions. In order to maximize my time in the office, and *hopefully* turn off more at night, I’m going to try this Pomodoro Method – block out chunks of uninterrupted time on my calendar and avoid distractions at all cost.

::3:: Schedule more playdates. This is less of a de-stresser and more of a challenge. I’m an introvert, and notoriously the worst at scheduling playdates for my son. He’s an only child, so these interactions are important, but I find the anxiety of reaching out to moms to set up these playdates overwhelming at times. It’s time for me to step up for my kid and help him nurture and expand an already wonderful support system of great friends.

::4:: Take the time to learn new things. Podcasts, e-learning certificates, books…anything that I can realistically make time for in my schedule.

::5:: More exercising, less sugar/booze. I have veered far from the path to healthy living, and I’m FEELING every ounce of it. My clothes are tight, my energy is all but gone and it’s affecting my skin. My intention is to do something active — take a walk, use the Peloton currently collecting dust, run around the yard with wee man — at least 3-4 times a week. It doesn’t have to be a formal form of exercise, it just has to be SOMETHING…and I’m holding myself to that goal with my Apple Watch (I hate when it’s disappointed in me!).

And you know that Disney review I never finished here? It will be done by 2021!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

F5 :: FIVE FOR FRIDAY {12.27.19}

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Another week of holiday cheer is officially in the books!

::1:: I need more “things” like I need a hole in the head, but the sales are too insanely good right now to pass up. From Vineyard Vines to Nordstrom, Wayfair to Serena & Lily, the deals are making me want to buy in bulk and then put my credit cards away for the rest of the year.

::2:: After the heaviness of Christmas-themed meals, I’m craving lightened up Asian-inspired dishes, like these wraps and this turkey salad (despite their abundance of vegetables). Although let’s face it, I’ll be making these Korean Beef Sloppy Joes by week’s end.

::3:: I’m also craving some time with the Peloton, but can’t stop playing Luigi Mansion 3…which Santa brought for my six year old. If he excitedly watches me play, that counts as quality time, right?

::4:: I started a new skincare regimen last night that will carry me through the next couple of weeks. I’m loyal to the Biologique Recherche line, and received Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants as a Christmas gift from my husband this year. Apparently, I was very good. Will report back.

::5:: My little family, plus my mom, will be embarking on a cruise vacation in 2020! I’ve been on a handful of cruises with my husband before, but never with the little guy and only our second time with Royal Caribbean. The pricing for everything seems astronomical to me, but the time and effort to research/wait/cancel/rebook excursions, packages, etc. seems like more work to me than vacation. Recommendations are so welcome here — splurge and enjoy the ride or keep researching so no regrets later?

Post-Holiday Mom Guilt

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Typically I take the week preceding Christmas off from work each year to prepare for the holiday.  Unless I’ve gone full blown online retail hopping, it’s hard to finish up shopping and the million other to-dos on the list.

It’s also a chance for MC, my four year old wee man, to take life at a slower pace.  I didn’t have to drag him out of bed in the morning to go to preschool. I didn’t have to force feed him breakfast so that I knew he wouldn’t be hungry if he decided to be especially picky about lunch that day.  I dropped him off late and I picked him up early, but I did send him in to school each day…for a reason.

You see, MC is a highly sensitive little soul — and he thrives on routine.  We consulted professionals on how best to help him adapt to school — keeping in mind he has been on the daycare side of the same preschool since he was three months old — and five full days was the overwhelming recommendation. That being said, when my hubs and I went back to work the day after Christmas, I had never really given it a second thought to keep him home.  Many companies are closed (ours are not) and schools are out, so I’m not sure why I was surprised when he was one of three children in attendance out of 20 on December 26th.  Three, including him.

As we received updates from the school throughout the day on their app (OMG, I love that thing!), I noticed he was mostly alone or always at a different table instead of his assigned seat.  I know that he received more direct attention from teachers than he would have in a full room, but I couldn’t help but feel like I put my job and preparing for the holiday before my child.  And I felt like a monster.

He loves school.  He loves his teachers.  He loves me.  In the end, he was fine.  The experience was definitely a game-changer for me, though.  Next year, I will strive to do more early for the holidays instead of making every effort to please others with weekend commitments and holiday parties.  Next year, I will bookend the Christmas holiday with vacation days, or alternate days off with my husband or our parents so he gets more time off.  Next year, I’ll worry less about THINGS I should do and focus more on the PEOPLE that matter.  After all, that’s what the holidays are all about.

Now, on to figuring out what to do with all these new toys…..