hot parenting

I mean we now have hot yoga and hot pilates.

This is the first July in my six years knowing Neilson where he won’t be racing the Tour for the month of July. It’s a bittersweet occasion because it marks a goal he’s had all year to be back and ready to race for, but it’s upon consideration by him and the team’s medical staff to save him from a grand tour at this time of year. For the sweet part of the bittersweet he’ll be back racing for the first time since February next week in Austria.

In other news, I realized today that Charlotte no longer has school at her crèche except for one week in early August, and after that she officially starts maternelle in September. My baby is too big 😭 Sometimes it takes an afternoon away from her to all the sudden realize she’s talking so much and grown so big all the sudden.

Anyways, a looming 7 days dad-free and childcare-free next week had me panic texting all my mom friends today asking for their ideas of activities with littles when it is very hot out. I have a trip planned to the dollar store to appropriately prepare for next week.

It’s all about preparation and my plan is to treat it like my own summer camp. We’ll see how it goes ha. In the meantime, panic reading and going on impromptu walks with friends, coffee/spin dates as much as I can while I have the flexibility to bop in and out and be unplanned and untethered.

hot parenting

the note running in my phone with recommendations from friends + today’s hema haul

• just add water-splash pads, plastic bins of toys, water guns…for us in apartment living it’s finding parks with fountains and misters

• my friend recommended lots of ice play-freezing toys and using pipettes to de-thaw with room temp water, food coloring in ice trays, we made popsicles tonight and ice cubes with berries in them

• baking soda cubes and vinegar to make volcanoes

• washing rubber ducks in the “bath” in the sink or letting them “do the dishes”

• cafe/park runs in the early mornings

As far as what to wear? tank tops, jean shorts, graphic tees, pajama-esque shorts, beaded necklaces birks, flip flops, linen dresses that touch in minimal places, an open button down for sun protection + breeziness, and always a straw hat or bball hat. a tote filled with changes of clothes for everyone, sunscreen, water bottles, snacks, sunhats and misters. ha did I miss anything? oh, an asos phone strap that makes it possible to find my phone at the bottom of any bag.

+ a photo journal

shea mcgee’s strawberry tabouleh

a favorite mirth set

a fun straw tote to add some color

sunbathers at 9pm

unpacked a necklace from nelida jewels that included a sweet little postcard from athens.

apero post-mortum

packed picnic dinner for a less frequented park up the hill

and a few things I’m loving

• stayed up way too late finishing June Baby last night

• started this quilt for a friend’s baby due in October

• read this article about slow parenting and enjoyed getting lost in the archives of cup of jo

• if you haven’t caught up on good hang with amy poehler, greta lee and mindy kalig have entered the building

• been watching fleabag for knitting/stitching entertainment in the evenings

• these sleepers flip flops are the comfiest

Leaving you with this view out our window after a little rain shower. xxf