The day after Sadie’s birthday party looked a lot like this:
Plenty of playtime with her new Lincoln Log set! Jimmy and I already have a love/hate relationship with the fact that she now has over 300 log pieces 😆
It wasn’t all play, all day. I did some Etsy work! Brownies, brownie mix, granola, and cookies were all prepared and baked.
Gluten free rainbow cookie dough 🍪
I came across this graphic sweatshirt below and I immediately thought wow… a sweatshirt made especially for me! No shelf control sums up my relationship with books.
I have books on a bookshelf, on my nightstand, in our closet, in my car. Everywhere! Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Speaking of books, I just finished The Bodyguard by Katherine Center and absolutely loved it. The story centers around Hannah Brooks, a bodyguard hired to protect a superstar actor. The actor, Jack Stapleton, has dropped from the public eye after a family tragedy. When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to Texas with his bodyguard. Instead of telling his family that he has a bodyguard, he and Hannah act like a couple.
I don’t want to ruin the story, but it isn’t your classic meet-cute, if that makes sense. It had a lot of depth, as I find all of Katherine Center’s books do. If you’re looking for a novel, definitely check this one out!
Now that I finished a fiction book, I’ll be on the hunt for my next read! As for nonfiction, I just started I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. It’s already proving to be an eye-opener about childhood acting and fame. It just goes to show that you never know what goes on in the lives of people on television, you know?
Aaaand onto the last part of this post: karate! Because what is this blog if not totally random. We have a karate school right in our neighborhood and Sadie is finally old enough to take classes. The school offers a free trial class, so Sadie went last night.
It was such a nice experience! The staff were all kind, it was a positive atmosphere, and all the students seemed to enjoy being a part of the karate community. Jimmy and I want Sadie to be involved in sports that are useful long-term (like karate and swimming).
I really value that karate teaches respect. All the kids had to bow to the teacher and say “yes sir” to the commands given during class. I also like that it teaches self-defense, which is pretty important in this day and age.
Unfortunately, Sader Tot wasn’t into it! I asked what she thought afterwards and she was like “Nah… I didn’t like it” lol. I don’t want to force her to do something she’s not into when there are many other activities she can do. I think she’s a bit of a free spirit 😉 I was checking out the schedule and saw that they offered adult classes… I wouldn’t mind learning some self-defense techniques!
I was hoping to find something for Sadie girl as a gym class for homeschool, but I’m not too stressed about it because our schedule will be upended in November when her brother arrives. Until then, we will probably be playing at the trampoline park and playground for gym class (and for fun 😊)!
Living My Full Life 
Kevin did karate for years through childhood and adolescence and he loved it. I think it played a part in making him so even headed and calm too. I want Ava and Owen to do it someday. I may even require they stick with it for six months or something even though I don’t usually do that kind of thing, because I know Ava especially will probably say, “Nah,” initially too. 😂 Maybe Sadie will want to try it again someday.
I liked The Bodyguard too. I just read the first book in a YA fantasy/dystopian society trilogy – A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and it was really good. I’m excited to get the second book from the library.
Aww, yay! I love hearing that Kevin had such a good experience with karate! Isn’t it so hard/weird being in charge of other humans as far as extracurricular stuff?! There are things I want Sadie to do… then she kind of pushes back, but I know it’s not *vital* like brushing her teeth or eating or going to the doctor…. but it’s also good for her. It’s a strange thing!
I will check out the book you just read! I always forget to check out YA books. What am I thinking: I LOVE Twilight and that’s a classic YA!
I honestly have never taken a karate class (closest thing is tae Bo with billy blanks 🤣🤣🤣)
I know for a fact I would not have the coordination.
I am currently reading ‘what your soul needs for stressful times’ by Holly Gerry and it’s AMAZING- thank you so much for gifting it to me ♥️