To those who have had the skylight for a year… do you still like it?

Not sure if this is helpful for you or your kids but the lack of routine is something that makes me anxious. I totally think a few lazy days in summer are great, but still want my kids to be used to a morning/evening routine, so I went on canva and used a checklist template to create something for each of them with the steps like “get dressed, pack backpack” etc. and sent it to print with canva in little notepads where they can rip off a sheet each day. I did just words for my 7 year old, words/pictures for my 4.5 year old, and just pictures for my 2.5 year old. Hoping this helps foster a little more independence and ownership of some of these tasks moving forward for the younger two as well!

Where are we buying a good pair of high waisted workout/athleisure shorts that are not basically underwear?? I’m a taller gal and I love my denim shorts from Abercrombie (Dad shorts) but can’t seem to find something I love that’s a more casual style or working out that is a longer inseam (4ish inches maybe?) and not bike shorts. Also don’t want to spend a fortune on something my kids will smear yogurt or popsicles on within the first 5 mins of wearing.

Yes a second vote for the Knorr’s Spinach Dip! An absolute favorite my MIL has been making for 30 years. Other store bought options include the Trader Joe’s garlic dip, a jar of the TJ’s salsa mixed with a block of cream cheese, Pam’s Pimento Cheese from HEB/Central Market.

I also love a good whipped feta (google for recipes, they’re all pretty similar) AND the Trader Joe’s version is not bad if you’re short on time!

Number one thing I do to feel more organized is wake up before my kids! Give myself 20 mins (or more) to wake up, get ready, and take a look at my calendar. Also taking time Sunday night pick out clothes for the kids and put each in a tshirt organizer hanging thing in the closet so I can also see if there are gaps and I need to do extra laundry for a certain uniform/outfit. Also taking time over the weekend to plan out all dinners and lunches for so then I can do a grocery order and pick up Monday morning after drop off!

I use the Cozi app for calendar, grocery lists, and recipes and my husband is in charge of adding anything that he has that breaks from our normal routine (work travel, happy hours, etc). If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not happening!!

But honestly when with all that, so much is just rolling with the punches and knowing that something will come up or get canceled and not everything will go to plan!

We went to Gulf Shores a couple of summers ago and it was great! We decided to drive because of all the beach gear/needing to take some things to the condo we rented, but it wasn’t too terrible. We stopped in New Orleans on the way (very nice zoo there!) and the beach is so beautiful there!

@brown-horse second vote for Zicam! I start taking the rapid melts as soon as I feel even the hint of a tingle in my nose/throat and stay on that 3 hour schedule religiously! Also hot tea with honey (maybe a little whiskey if it’s really bad) and lemon every night! Humidifier, eucalyptus, sleeping slightly elevated! Lots and lots of water!

I follow Caroline Chambers on instagram (@carochambers)/substack and she’s great about quick, few ingredient, and delish recipes! She also has a lot that are what she calls “choose your own adventure” aka bowls or tacos or meals that have several components that kids can pick and choose from. Highly recommend her cookbook, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking!

My preschoolers need to take a lunch to school each day and they don’t have a way to heat them up. The other day, my 4 year old looked me in the eye, and said deadly seriously, “Don’t EVER send me cold chicken again. EVER.” So I’m looking for inspiration for things to pack in preschool lunches that are kept cold! He doesn’t typically like to eat things cold that are supposed to be served hot (with pasta being an exception weirdly). We’ve done sun butter sandwiches, mix charcuterie (aka pepperoni, cheese, crackers, fruit) and deli meat roll up’s, each with mixed success depending on the kid and the day What are some things I’m not thinking of??

Yes! We are a road trip family - just got home from a drive from Austin to Atlanta and have done a ton of long road trips with kids (now 7, 4, and 2). We leave very early and kids eat something light/small, then our first stop is at a Starbucks on the west side of Houston. Then stop in Baton Rouge and drop off husband/kids at the City-Brooks community park playground to start playing while you drive through somewhere (when in Rome, gotta get Raising Cane's) and then take it back to the park so that everyone can have a nice picnic lunch. We've also often build in a stop at a Walmart on longer trips so kids can stretch their legs in the aisles and you can grab whatever you forgot while you were packing!

I’m so sorry you’re going through this - I also took the pills once as I’d basically had to have an emergency D&C right after I delivered my first for retained placenta that was causing me to hemorrhage. Because of that, my Dr recommended the pills vs a D&C to minimize potential scarring. It was a really rough day or so physically, but overall the pills did what they were supposed to do! Praying for your peace in whatever you decide!

Yes I would agree that right now with little kids, we’re going for quality over quantity! Honestly it helps me to plan it out which I know takes out the “romance,” but then I know to get my mind right and try to get more in the mood vs. having him spring it on me when we’re done getting kids to bed.

I’ll agree with most here that the transition from 2-3 was easiest for me (with 0-1 being the hardest). I think though that 2-3 was the hardest for my husband in those early days because he was having to juggle 2 by himself more often while I was focused on the baby and our now middle was not yet 2 yrs old when the 3rd was born. But I love having 3!! And feel like I could focus on soaking up the newborn phase knowing it would be my last.

I order pizza or Torchy’s to be delivered to the house if she’s going to be there during dinner and putting them to bed. If it’s later, then no! But I also find the eating can be a good distraction for me to scoot out of the house in front of my 2 year old without her really realizing 🤪

Depends on where I am in my cycle and what kind of books I’ve been reading ️

There’s a “younger” Nancy Drew series that my almost 7yr old is loving! Also you can’t go wrong with other classics like the Narnia books or other Roald Dahl. I recently took all the Dear America books from my parents’ house that my daughter has also been into!

I felt the same way for a long time, but now that my youngest is 2 and I have some distance from the baby years (which I LOVE), I see how my family is moving into a new phase and we have more freedom with no one on a strict nap schedule and only one left in diapers. Now, the things we could only do with the oldest if we had a baby, are easier to do with more kids or as a whole family. It’s still sad but I’m also excited for things to come!

We also use it’s a 10 but also like So Cozy Kids leave in conditioner spray. Also try to let it air dry and spray with water in the morning if you need to brush it in!

A Stitchy Fix (adds a tiny plastic stitch) is usually under the price limit for a favorite things and the BEST gadget I have in my closet. I also think of things my mother in law calls “thought gifts,” like a nice bar of good chocolate, candle, pack of stationary, etc. Basically something you would enjoy but wouldn’t always spend money on for yourself.

I like the CBD from EarlyBird for sleep but also have recently tried the “calm” from Nama (order it online) that’s a CBD/THC blend and those are great!