Today: Weekend Essentials

It’s Friday.  Which means it’s almost the weekend.  Except that I am working all day tomorrow, but… let’s pretend I’m not.

My Weekend Essentials

What I love to do on the weekend

• The minute Grace reached six months, we became those bad 21st century parents who over-schedule their children signed her up for a baby/parent swim class at the YMCA.  While the class is more singing The Wheels On The Bus and splashing than actual swimming, I knew it would be important for us to get Grace comfortable in the water (and even in some small way, start working on water safety) as early as possible.  We live across the street from the ocean, my parents have a pool, and I am, like, at least 16% mermaid.  So… It’s important.  Also: It’s really fun!
• Along the lines of over-scheduling, Grace and I take a child development class every Sunday (the session runs 12 weeks, I think) at the same place where we did our First Connections/moms’ group.  The first few weeks were a little slow, but I’m learning so much and Grace seems to enjoy each session.  There are five or six other families in attendance, and our facilitator leads us in all kinds of songs (there is a lot of singing going down on the weekends) and activities designed specifically for 6-9 month old babies and their cognitive and language development, as well as fine and gross motor skills.  Each week, I leave with something new to research or practice (baby signing, new foods to try with Grace, edible finger paint).  It feels good to be able to keep adding to my parenting tool kit.  And I fully acknowledge I am a tool box for having just said “parenting tool kit.” (But seriously, if you’re in the Boston area and want to learn more about the program, let me know.)
• Go to Mass.  Confession (how very Catholic): I don’t go as often as I would like, but when I do… it’s just the best.  We have such a warm, welcoming community at our parish.
• Be even a tiny bit social. I feel that it’s important to strike a balance between being a lazy blob on the sofa (that would be a fun business card) and being on the go all weekend.  But with our weekdays spent either in the office or soaking up as much family time as possible, it’s nice to pop out and see friends on the weekend.
• Think about our meals and snacks for the week (sometimes I even make a plan and go food shopping).  I often bring Grace with me to the market on Sunday mornings while Nick is at CrossFit.  A few weeks ago, we were cruising down an aisle when I heard a crash behind us.  And then I noticed that my daughter had somehow clotheslined a Wheat Thins display.  Can’t blame her.  Salty snacking is in her genes.
• And, you know this already, but I always try to do my Sunday things on Saturday.

What I love to wear on the weekend

• No pants.  Just kidding.  Nope.  I am very serious.
• My linen Sakura Bloom ring sling (a Mother’s Day pressie from Nick).  I am obsessed with baby wearing.  And sometimes I wonder if Clark would fit in it.  And then I think of this inventor.
• A new fitness tracker.  I don’t even want to think about how many fitbits I ruined by accidentally sending them through the washer and dryer.  I wore a fitbit flex and then a Polar Loop for a while, but I felt like I was forever charging both devices.  And neither were exactly fashion forward.  I’d often stash them in my bag (mind you, I never wore both at the same time… I hope that’s obvious) during work events or meetings.  When I read Caroline’s review of the Misfit Shine, I was like, Finally!  The Misfit Shine runs on a watch battery and looks like… a watch.  Bonus: The related app is great.

What I love to watch on the weekend

• I am obsessed with The Amazing Race and have this deluded idea that I would win the show (obviously) if I were ever a contestant.  Nick refuses to be my partner, which is probably saying something (I don’t know exactly what… but it’s something).  It’s one of only three shows I’ve watched in real time (the others being Jeopardy! and 60 Minutes) in recent memory (Hulu+ for life).  I find myself assessing the likelihood I’d succeed at each task or challenge, and weighing the pros and cons of my abilities (and lack thereof).

Potential Amazing Race Contestant Strengths and Weaknesses

Weaknesses: My own husband does not want to be my partner; Claustrophobic; Tendency towards motion sickness; Picky eater; Wears contacts; Allergic to wool (I feel like this could be especially problematic in Nordic countries)

Strengths: Knows lots of words in lots of languages; Pretty great sense of direction; I remember everything; Strong fight and flight responses

What I love to eat on the weekend

• Vegetarian chili for lazy people
• Vegan red lentil and lemon soup
• Entire bowls of popcorn x 50
• In other words: Comfort food

What I love to listen to on the weekend

• Hockey on the radio, on my iPhone (via the I Heart Radio app tuned to 98.5 The Sports Hub), it’s old school meets new school meets we canceled cable.
• Lots of Frenchie snoring
• Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! I usually listen to Saturday’s episode while out for a walk or running errands on Sunday and always catch myself actually L-ing-O-L. (You can download episodes here.)

Weekends are essentially the best.

Also On Tap for Today:

• This seems like dangerous information: How to make homemade cookie butter with any cookie from A Beautiful Mess
• Putting the finishing touches on Grace and Clark’s costumes
• 10 things you can cook inside a pumpkin from The Kitchn

What’s are the essential elements of your perfect weekend?