I’ve been working out consistently for over two years now, but it wasn’t until last weekend when something finally clicked.

Before I get into that, some background: I first decided to start working out because I wanted to re-inhabit my body. I felt so disconnected from my physical self and thought that adding more intentional movement would help me feel like I was living in my body again. Around this same time, I started learning just how crucial exercise is for improving our long-term wellbeing. I always knew this on some level, but I think a lot of it had gotten lost in the noise around exercising to improve your physical appearance.

The more I read, the deeper my understanding grew of the many ways in which strength training can help us live longer, healthier lives. This became my motivation for showing up consistently for three to five strength workouts per week, walking most days, and generally living a very active lifestyle—often hitting 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day—for the past two plus years.

Last weekend, we were camping with friends along Lake George. Camping requires a surprising amount of physical effort: packing the car, setting up camp, lifting jam-packed coolers, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, exploring, carrying tired five-year-olds and backpacks full of water bottles up big hills, etc. Even making meals involves constant physical effort. (All of this effort makes sitting around the campfire that much more magical.)

At one point, while helping Robert pack the car, I squatted down and power-cleaned the large bag containing the inflatable paddle board and all of its parts over my head so he could fit it into the Thule on top of the minivan. Together, we carried water-logged picnic tables from one campsite to another and hauled old kayaks from the car roof down a rocky hill to the water and back up.

On the drive, I had lamented to myself that I’d only managed to fit in one short strength training session during our very busy week. But here I was, using my body for most of the day all weekend long. I never once questioned whether I could accomplish any physical task. I just picked the thing up and moved it. I trusted my core and balance to keep me stable on the paddle board, and my shoulders and back to row two silly kindergarteners in a triple canoe from our campsite to a beach.

And I think that’s what finally clicked for me: so much of my purpose for working out is aimed at the future, but having a strong body allows me to live my life more fully right now. And because the future is so abstract and unknown, working out can sometimes feel like the whole point: I can count how many days I strength trained, how many minutes I spent lifting, how much weight I lifted, and how many miles I walked and feel a sense of accomplishment.

The real accomplishment, however, is building a body that lets me forget about all of that and just live. The workouts aren’t the goal, they’re what allow me to depend on my body to do the things that I love to do and gives me the confidence to try new things, too. I don’t have to wait decades to know whether my efforts have been worth it—the proof is already right here, right now.

If you’re putting in the work, but aren’t sure you’re getting the results that you’re after, I’d love to remind you to look for all of the other ways that your time and efforts are paying off. They may be harder to measure, but I’m pretty sure they’re the ones that are the most important.

A Few Sales

• Electric picks is up to 80% off — I love this website for finding affordable jewelry that makes me feel more pulled together. Use code TAKE20 for an additional 20% off.

• Helix is up to 30% off. If you’ve been thinking about replacing your mattress, this is your sign.

• Ritual is 40% off sitewide. I take the multivitamin and omega-3 daily.

• Lola blankets are 50% off + $50 gift card for a future purchase + free shipping with code OurHomePaige50.

• The Company Store is up to 30% off. If you wanted to upgrade your bedding this is absolutely where I’d start. Their comforters are my favorite of all time. This is the one we have on our bed.

What I Shared

• This kit is our kids’ favorite. I recently bought it for a 5-year-old and 9-year-old’s birthday. It’s great for a wide range of ages.

• My new wallet

• August favorites so far

• Our slow cooker

• Jars for overnight oats (recipe below!)

• This game that our kids LOVE playing with friends

• Press-on nails our girl has so much fun with these 💕

• The best floss

What I Made

Slow Cooker Korean beef with broccoli and rice. The kids went crazy for this one!

Slow cooker turkey meatballs + pasta + sautéed green beans.

Overnight Oats

Recipe: In a jar (the jars linked here are way better than the mason jars shown below) combine 2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup oats (I use One Degree rolled oats from Costco), 2 tsp chia seeds, and 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I love this one—use code OurHomePaige). Pour a few Tbsp of milk and stir to combine. Cover and store in the fridge for at least 12 hours.

Each jar packs around 44g protein and 7g fiber.

What I Loved

• Ordering this and feeling very excited about it. My code is OurHomePaige15

• Learning about parenthood from The Workspace for Children. I’ve followed Lizzie on IG since the baby/toddler years, and I learn just as much now with big kids as I did back then. She often talks about making play more accessible for kids and as simple as it sounds it works every single time. It can mean ripping out a few coloring pages and placing the box of markers on the table, or keeping toys out on the coffee table instead of tucked away in cabinets. This week I noticed we’ve had a big LEGO set sitting around since February, which is very unusual. I opened the box, spread the baggies and pamphlets out on our table, and walked away. Our 7, 9, and 11-year-old spent the rest of the evening building it together. I’m still not sure what the barrier was for getting started on their own, but I thought of Lizzie, took the first step, and that was all they needed to get to work.

• This phone case. I recently got a wallet for the first time in, like, a decade. This meant that I didn’t need a card holder on my phone anymore. This is so pretty and light!

• Leaning way in to the final stretch of summer. We have a week plus a few days before school starts and I’m all about saying yes to anything that keeps that summer feeling going. Ice cream on a random afternoon? Let’s go! Bedtimes? Anyone’s guess. A movie after dinner? Sure, why not? Once the school year starts I know how quickly we lock in to routines and predictability. So I’m riding this wave—even if it means some skipped workouts, more meals out and about, and later nights—while it lasts because it won’t last much longer.

Thank you for reading! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Discount Links & Codes

Aloha bars — use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige7

Cann — OurHomePaige10

CHOMPS — OurHomePaige20

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10

Eby — OurHomePaige15

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15

Ruti — OurHomePaige15

Stakt — OurHomePaige15

Stickerbox — OurHomePaige10

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10

Wallicases — Paigefowler10

I often talk about the “next chapter,” which for me happened around the time that our youngest turned three years old. After having four kids in six years and spending nearly a decade in the pregnant/newborn/toddler bubble (which I loved dearly), I started noticing little shifts. Instead of living in leggings, I was wearing real clothes more often. Sometimes I’d put on makeup. I was taking better care of my skin. I was pouring more into OurHomePaige. I started going for walks, and then added strength training. Many of the initial shifts were about me—not because I’d neglected myself, but because I suddenly had the time and energy to consider what made me feel like me outside of taking care of littles all day.

At first, the whole thing felt a little jarring. I’d never thought about life beyond the little years. I knew that our kids would get bigger and their days and needs would change, but I hadn’t considered what might happen when I had the mental space to explore new interests, opportunities, and different sides of myself. But over the past few years, I think I’ve found my footing in this next chapter.

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m entering a new one. Except this time it feels much less about asking “who am I now?” and more about figuring out who we are as a family.

It started this January when our youngest, then 4, got on skis for the first time and picked it up immediately. Suddenly, we were skiing and snowboarding as a family—a dream I’d held for a long time, but didn’t expect to happen for several more years. We packed last winter with as many ski trips as we could and made so many fun memories together on the mountain.

This summer has felt similar, especially with camping. It’s something we all love, and we’re finding our rhythm in making it happen. Last weekend, while camping in the Catskills, I walked around the campground taking in other people’s campsites. There were camping trailers, kayaks strapped to car roofs, and bikes on racks behind trunks. It wasn’t the stuff that got me—it was thinking about how each of these families had arrived at a place where they decided this is the life we want.

There are so many ways we can spend our precious time; so many interests and activities we can pursue individually and as a family. How does anyone choose? How do we make time for it, budget for it, plan for it, and make it happen? How do we tell the difference between something that’s fun to do and something that we want to go all in on? How do we keep seeking new experiences while also making room for the things we already know we enjoy? Does it take a few big decisions, a million tiny ones, or both? To what degree do we try to steer it and how much do we allow it to unfold? (Welcome to my brain lately 🤸🏻‍♀️)

It’s overwhelming, exciting, daunting, and fun. If there’s anything I’ve learned from the first new chapter, it’s that new chapters often feel this way at first. I really don’t know what this one will bring, but I’m pretty sure that trying new things, figuring it out, and discovering what feels like us is part of what makes it feel so special.

A Few Sales

• Up to 30% off Equip protein (ends today!) I use the vanilla in my smoothie every morning.

• Tarte is 35% off right now + free shipping with code FAM35—My 3 favorites are the shape tape concealer, tartelette mascara, and maracuja juicy lip balm gloss in peachy pink

• These pants are the best (I have them in 4 colors) and 50% off right now.

• Ruti pants are 20% off.

What I Shared

• August favorites so far

• So excited about these big kid water bottles

• New slow cooker (more below!)

• Ridiculously good floss. Someone’s hygienist described it as “a loofah for your teeth” and it’s so accurate! Coconut and mint are my favorites.

• Our kids have tried two squishy-making kits and this one is by far their favorite.

• Bedazzling supplies are still going strong

• I recently became a bar soap gal and looooove this one

• And this one is excellent for exfoliation

• All 4 of our kids have one of these now (currently 50% off!)

What I Made

More than last week, so that’s a win! With long, fun days out of the house I put our new slow cooker to great use and already know it’ll be such a big help moving forward.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken I used half chicken breasts and half chicken thighs and definitely recommend doing that. I served mine with air fryer sweet potatoes and Julie’s carrot and apple slaw — it was delicious!

Slow cooker Italian sausages inspired by @ALifeFromScratch Brown a few mild Italian sausages (the kind that you buy raw) on both sides in the slow cooker. Add a jar of marinara and cook on low all day, about 5-6 hours. At dinnertime, I cooked up some penne, sliced the sausages and added them back to the sauce, sautéed garden zucchini and made garlic bread. The kids LOVED the pasta with the sausage and sauce!

Baked chicken drumsticks. This is easily one of our kids’ favorite meals ever and SO easy!

Reading Roundup

I often talk about how keeping kids in books feels like a full-time job. We have a rare moment now where our 3 readers are very into the books that they’re reading:

• Third grader: The 13-Story Treehouse series

• Fourth grader: Fun Jungle series

• Sixth grader: The False Prince

• Current read aloud/audiobook: Adventures with Waffles

• Me: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion—this series has been my summer reading and it’s a delight.

What I Loved

• I mentioned this in last week’s post, but it’s worth repeating in case it’s helpful for planning future summers: Coordinating our open summer weeks with our close friends’ open summer weeks has been a dream. We’ve had low-key days at each other’s houses, around the neighborhood, and at the pool as well as lots of fun adventures together (like 9 hours at a beach one day this week.) Everything is better with friends.

• Stand up paddle boarding. It’s so fun, peaceful and exhilarating! Two of our kids love it and the others love kayaking. We’re planning to do more of both this weekend.

• I started the new Little House on the Prairie on Netflix while on the tread this week. Love it!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Discount Links & Codes

Aloha bars — use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige7

Cann — OurHomePaige10

CHOMPS — OurHomePaige20

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10

Eby — OurHomePaige15

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15

Ruti — OurHomePaige15

Stakt — OurHomePaige15

Stickerbox — OurHomePaige10

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10

Wallicases — Paigefowler10

This week marked the start of the second half of our summer full of wide-open days and we’ve been having so much fun! I’ve shared this before, but I really do feel most like myself when I’m with the kids, we’re on our own schedule, and there’s nowhere we have to be.

The week started very rainy so we had a slow morning at home. I got out the bedazzling supplies for the 7, 9, and 11-year-old and the squishy-making kit for the 5-year-old. The bigs bounced between the rhinestones and squishies. I’d definitely recommend any of these activities—they’d make great birthday gifts, too. (The kids have continued bedazzling all week long whenever we’ve been home.) We finally got out of the house in the afternoon for indoor climbing, and met up with friends for a pickup game of basketball at an indoor court (so fun!)

The rest of the week was hot and sunny and we filled it with so much summery goodness: a full day at the pool, riding our bikes along the river to the grocery store (about 5 miles roundtrip), playing at a park and splash pad, and getting shaved ice for the first time.

On Thursday we went to a friend’s family’s lake house about 90 minutes away in Connecticut and it was a highlight of our summer for sure! Four moms and 10 kids spent the day kayaking, stand up paddle boarding (my first time—I loved it!), swimming, tubing, and having the best time together. My dream of renting a lake house for part of the summer is stronger than ever now.

Of course, the thing about being out of the house for most of the day for many days in a row is that things fall behind at home. This is something that I typically struggle with, but I’ve been doing much better with it this year. There are certain things that I manage to stay on top of no matter what (laundry, dishes, and exercise) and other things that I’m getting better at letting go of such as making dinner every single night and keeping the house super tidy.

This year, more than ever, I’m feeling just how short summer is. And instead of worrying about all of the things that are left undone, I’ve learned that these are the moments when I’m making some of my favorite memories with the kids. When our days feel fun, spontaneous, and different from all the other days, that’s when summer feels most like summer to me—a feeling I’ve been searching for since June and finally found this week.

A Few Sales

• Our mattresses are up to 30% off (they are a dream!) I’m taking advantage of the sale and grabbing another kids’ mattress (we get the 8”).

• Planetbox is up to 60% off. We use the Rover lunchboxes and Adventurer insulated bags. The quality is amazing—we’ve been using ours for years.

• Brooklinen’s 20% off bath sale ends soon. I got my sister this robe for Christmas. Comes in a short version, too.

• Lands’ End backpacks are 50% off. We love the Classmate style.

• CHOMPS is 20% off site-wide.

• Extra 40% off sale items at Anthropologie. So many good finds including my favorite dress that I got this summer.

What I Shared

Popular links from this week

• Most recommended water bottles: I asked for stainless steel water bottle recommendations for big kids and these were the most popular ones.

• This is the one I’m most excited to try. (Bigger size here.)

• My bike helmet

• Love these biker shorts

• Pre-ordered this cookbook. (I use the first one all the time!)

• I start my day with electrolytes, and have been adding a packet of this to my water later in the day to help keep me hydrated.

• I also add a scoop of this to one of my water bottles each day.

• We love our Peloton treadmill and full set of weights in our little home gym and these other items make a big difference as well: foldable mats (Robert and I each have one—they make an awesome gift) code OurHomePaige15, bench, yoga block, and 12lb. weights for smaller muscle groups.

What I Made

Not much! 🙃 I’ve had 4 newborns and been more on top of dinners and groceries then than I’ve been this week—ha! Last night I ordered this because I would’ve used it multiple times this week and I know it’ll come in very handy for our family going forward. We haven’t owned one in years, but it’ll be here tomorrow and I’ll be using it a lot next week.

What I Loved

• This duffle. We took it to the lake yesterday and it was just perfect. At 50% off the price can’t be beat. I’m considering getting 3 more so each of the kids can have one. Perfect for weekend trips, lugging sports gear, and much more.

• Watching the show 100 Cooks with the kids (on Hulu, I think?)

• Having unscheduled summer weeks at the same time as friends. We planned for this in the winter when camp sign-ups opened. 10/10 recommend.

• Making daily checklists for the kids of things they need to do (put away clean laundry, pack their pool bags, bring in the trash, make their beds, brush their teeth, etc.) each morning while I workout. They’ve been so motivated by the lists and have been so helpful completing them. As someone who hates nagging/repeating herself, managing people, and asking for help (working on it!) it’s been incredibly useful and freeing for me.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! We’re going camping again!

Discount Links & Codes

Aloha bars — use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige7

Cann — OurHomePaige10

CHOMPS — OurHomePaige20

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10

Eby — OurHomePaige15

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15

Ruti — OurHomePaige15

Stakt — OurHomePaige15

Stickerbox — OurHomePaige10

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10

Wallicases — Paigefowler10

This week, our kids wrapped up their final week of camps (three total) for the summer, and I feel like we found a really great balance this year. Last summer I accidentally over scheduled us and was pretty burnt out by the end. I knew that I wanted to do things differently this time. Here are a few changes we made:

• Keeping the week after school ends open and unscheduled to decompress.

• Breaking camps up—they did one week of camp, we went away for a week, then they did two more weeks, and now August is completely open for us.

• Keeping camps local—most of their camps were minutes from our house. Drop-offs and pick-ups were quick and easy. The final week required more driving, but it was fine for just one week.

• Shorter days—most of their camps finished between 11:30am-2:30pm so we still had our afternoons free.

Most importantly, our kids loved all of the camps that they chose and I love that for them. For us, the beauty of camp (especially for our older kids) is that they’re a chance to dive more deeply into their interests, especially with opportunities that aren’t available for them during the school year. Between our four kids they did a clay camp, architecture camp, art camp, farm camp, and nature/survival camp. They spent tons of time outside, got to be with friends, made new friends, learned new skills, and had so much fun.

I’d love to say that we’ll copy and paste for next year, but I already know how much our kids will grow and change and their interests will evolve between now and then. But we learned a lot about what seems to work best for our family in the summer and will keep those things in mind when planning for next year.

And, now, August feels like a big blank space standing before us. It’s a little daunting, and also exciting. I’m picturing lots of pool days, hikes, adventures, art, books, friend time, ice cream, puzzles, movies, and more. I should probably get something to cover our dining room table (like this) and let our kids use it as an art table again because there’s nothing they love more than creating things. I’ve tucked away a few activities for this part of the summer (tie-dye, squishy making, and bedazzling) and will be sure to share which ones they end up loving most.

What I Shared

Popular links from this week

• WE HAVE A CHOMPS CODE AGAIN!!! (This is very exciting because our kids eat them daily.) OurHomePaige20 for 20% off. We get the regular sizes and chomplings. Our favorites are turkey, original beef, and original chicken.

• Camping gear

• July favorites

• This continues to be the biggest hit from all of the road trip toys.

• Stickerbox We were gifted one, and the kids are obsessed. You press the button, tell it what kind of sticker you want (“a dinosaur on a beach”) and it prints a sticker almost immediately. Then they color it. The kids have been coming up with themes and making their own sticker books all week. I’m already convinced this is going to be THE gift later this year. Code OurHomePaige10

• The Camp Snap 2 goes up in price next week. Last chance to grab it at its launch price. Code OurHomePaige7

• New citrus juicer — I used it in several of the recipes below.

• The tiny sound machine we use when we travel (and camp). Holds a charge all night!

• These big kid rain boots are big kid approved

• For toddlers and little kids we love these and these

• These Old Navy pants have received great reviews and are 50% off

• Athleta is up to 40% off—my favorites from the sale are this tee that I own in 3 colors (runs big, size down) and this supportive and comfortable sports bra that so many of you love, too.

What I Made

I actually cooked a lot this week (rainy week = afternoons at home instead of at the pool = more time to make real meals). Maybe this will help spark some ideas for your family:

Loaf pan chicken thighs with Mediterranean-inspired sides: salad, olives, mozzarella, hummus, naan & roasted tomatoes. Try the loaf pan chicken method, it’s amazing!

Salmon rice bowls: Coconut rice, steamed edamame, cucumbers, air fryer teriyaki salmon (air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, brush on teriyaki sauce, cook 2 more minutes), mild chili crisp (I added way too much, oops!), and Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce drizzled on top.

Greek chicken with lemon potatoes. This recipe is SO good—the kids devoured it. I’ll be repeating it frequently.

Beef bowls with ground beef (seasoned with salt, pepper & garlic powder), air fryer sweet potatoes, salad, and guacamole

Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Changes I made: Reduce sugar to 1 cup, skipped the topping and added mini chocolate chips, start checking at 20 minutes.

What I Loved

• This mug. It’s the one I reach for every day. Big handle. Sturdy. Smooth. Keeps coffee hot. I have one in morel and am tempted to grab it in heron or blue ridge.

• Watching Project Hail Mary with Robert. We’re only about halfway through (it takes us a while to finish anything) and it’s so different from what I expected. So far it’s something I’d let our kids watch.

• Random workouts at random times. This week involved a lot of driving and some unpredictable days, but I committed to still doing 20 to 30-minute strength workouts and a tread walk every day and made it happen. I’m not following a program right now so I chose random workouts from the Peloton app. I did an arms & shoulders, lower body, chest & back, and full body plus some core.

• Listening to audiobooks in the car with the kids. I can feel the energy shift and calm as soon as I press play. We’re currently listening to Firefly Summer.

See you soon!

Discount Links & Codes

Aloha bars — use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige7

Cann — OurHomePaige10

CHOMPS — OurHomePaige20

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10

Eby — OurHomePaige15

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15

Ruti — OurHomePaige15

Stakt — OurHomePaige15

Stickerbox — OurHomePaige10

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10

Wallicases — Paigefowler10

As long as everything goes according to plan, we’re finally going camping this weekend for the first time this summer. It sounds simple, but camping has been—and continues to be— quite a journey for our family.

Robert is an Eagle Scout. He’s been camping since he was a kid. I grew up not camping. We took the kids camping twice when they were younger, but both times I felt overwhelmed and unhelpful. I was completely out of my element, had zero experience, and couldn’t wrap my mind around feeding our family without a refrigerator.

Last summer, we got to go on a cruise with Robert’s family, which was fun in its own way. But as soon as we got home something shifted in my brain. I wanted to be in the woods. I wanted to spend time with my family around things that were real and natural and slow.

I began to realize just how accessible camping was. We already had most of the gear that we needed, and there are countless campsites within a short drive from home. We’re not the best at planning things in advance, and camping is often something we can book last minute. It’s also incredibly affordable (once you have the gear). Plus, our kids love being outside, hiking, fishing, exploring, whittling, and playing around the campfire. I just needed to better understand the food situation (like how a cooler actually keeps food cold), and get okay with sleeping outdoors.

The best thing we did was go camping with friends who had a little more experience camping as a family. Suddenly, it all felt so doable. We added the Coleman stove, which made a huge difference for me. We were starting to find our groove as a camping family, and it felt like we’d unlocked something really special. I discovered a level of relaxation when we were camping that I’d never really known before.

Last August, we went camping in the woods by a creek. During the night, we heard some loud sounds that we couldn’t ignore. Robert peeked out of the tent and saw that all of our car doors were wide open. It ended up being a bear eating all of the food in our cars over several hours, but the most terrifying part is that we didn’t know it was a bear until the sun came up and he could see it scamper into the woods. (We didn’t realize bears could open car doors.)

The experience shook us all, and we haven’t been camping since. There are people who hike and camp their entire lives and never encounter a bear. Thank goodness we were fine, but we were pretty devastated. It felt like the carefree-ness that we’d found while camping had vanished.

We’ve decided to get back out there because we know how good it can be. We’re starting with just one night (we usually do 2), and staying at actual campgrounds, which maybe feels a little safer than more remote spots, for now. We have a few camping trips planned over the next few weeks. We’ll rip the band aid off, take all of the precautions, and, hopefully try to find our way back to the magic we were just beginning to discover.

{Most of our camping gear can be found here. Our younger 3 kids use these REI sleeping bags. If you have any other items we should know about please let me know!}

Sales Worth Checking Out

• My favorite protein powder is 20% off! Vanilla is my favorite, but I’ve loved every flavor I’ve tried. Code OurHomePaige

• Ruti pants are 20% off this weekend

• Tarte minis are $5 and up. The lip gloss I’ve been loving (moisturizing and not sticky) is on sale for $10 (it’s normally $27)

• Wayfair is having their Black Friday in July sale. I have my eye on this cabinet for a little extra storage in our dining area. My favorite lamp is included in the sale.

• The sneakers all of our kids have and love are 20% off right now

• Our favorite backpacks are 50% off. They’re also available in solid colors

• This beautiful robe (and many other items!)

• This duvet is an absolute dream! This more affordable, down-alternative option is also a great choice.

What I Shared

• Amazon favorites so far this month

• The top three: this activity that all of our kids love, the water football, and this travel power strip (total game changer).

• I walked through an actual flash flood with this raincoat and stayed dry and quickly remembered why I love it so much!

• My go-to deodorant

• The shampoo and conditioner that got rid of my itchy scalp and helps me go longer between washes.

• The Target sheets we love have been super popular here—if you got them I hope you love them: printed sheets, organic sheets, and charming new ones they just added.

• My 11-year-old has been loving these puzzle books this summer

• I ordered this for my 9-year-old who wanted something similar

• Every time I share this drink so many scoop it up. If you’re like me and get a headache from just a few sips of wine, it’s nice having a different option. Code OurHomePaige10

What I Made

Welp, not much lately. I tried making muffins three separate times, but it’s just so hard when I’m in and out of the house all day and prioritizing other things when I’m home such as working out, cleaning up, staying on top of the laundry, packing up for the next thing, etc. etc.

But here are two things I’ve been really into lately:

1. This chicken marinade—I love that you can make it taste different by using either balsamic vinegar or soy sauce.

2. Turkey burgers—I made them twice this week. I usually wing the recipe, but Nicole (@beginathome) shared this one that looks amazing. I cook them on this griddle and don’t even worry about getting them perfectly round because we usually eat them without a bun—I just cut them up and serve with any sides that sound good such as roasted sweet potato, salad, grilled veggies, pasta salad, slaw, chips and guac, etc.

What I Loved

1. Road tripping—10 hours on the road ended up being not only not bad, but kind of fun! It has me dreaming about where we should road trip to next.

2. My current audiobook

3. Our current read aloud

4. Afternoons at the pool. I’ve taken the decision making out of it, and if the weather’s nice we just go.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige.

Discount Links & Codes

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige7

Cann — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Eby — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20 for 20% off

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Ruti — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Stakt — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Wallicases — Paigefowler10 for 10% off

We’re packing up the car today and heading out on our first big family road trip. We’ve taken plenty of 2- to 5-hour drives before, but this one is much longer (almost 8 hours not counting stops), so it feels like a whole new adventure.

Where We’re Going

We’re heading to The Greenbrier in West Virginia with Robert’s parents. It’s a place that’s been special to their family for many years. The last time Robert and I visited was in 2012, just before we got engaged:

Fourteen years later, we're returning with our four kids. I’m not sure these two could’ve imagined that! We'll also be there with his sister, her husband, and their girls, who are the same ages as our kids, so it'll be a fun week together with family we don't get to see often enough. We’re excited for lots of fun experiences, getting to explore a beautiful part of the country, and making new memories together.

Surprise Stop

A few weeks ago, Robert was looking at our route and realized we'd be driving right by Shenandoah National Park. If you know us, you know there was no way we could just keep driving—we had to work it into our trip. So we made a last-minute change to our plans: we're leaving a day earlier, driving about six hours today, spending the night at a hotel, exploring Shenandoah tomorrow, and then finishing the remainder of the drive to our destination the following morning.

What We’re Wearing

The thing about The Greenbrier is that it's a little old-school. Think: dress codes. As someone who lives in comfy clothes and feels most like herself that way, dressing our family for this trip has definitely stretched me a bit.

Thankfully, many of you came to my rescue and pointed me in the right direction (I can’t thank you enough!) I landed on these shorts and these shorts for our boys. For collared shirts, they surprisingly okayed this one with buttons and this polo style from Target (they come in lots of colors and are currently on sale for $10.50.)

My girl hasn’t been into dresses, but when we looked at the Quince website together she was curious about this one. We ordered it in a few colors and when they arrived she fell in love with them right away (phew!) I also grabbed this romper in a few colors and she’s super happy with them. She picked out these cute sandals to wear.

I’m wearing a mix of items I already own and a few new ones. I’m most excited about this dress from Anthro (I got the pink floral in a small). I got this dress (in a medium) in a few colors and I think it’ll work for daytime. I was hoping to bring this dress and this dress to wear during the day, but I ordered the wrong sizes and the correct ones won’t be here in time, unfortunately. If you order either one, I’d recommend sticking with your true size.

For the Road

I wouldn’t say our kids love long car rides. Most of the places we visit are about two hours away, and they're usually very ready to arrive by then. I think once we get settled they'll do just fine, though.

We aren’t using any individual tablets, but Robert loaded one with some movies and shows and we’ll use this headrest tablet holder so they can all watch the same thing. I have a few audiobooks loaded onto my phone that we can listen to as well and we’re bringing our Yoto players, Yoto cards, and headphones.

I also packed a big bag of activities that I’ll hand out throughout the drive. We already tested this one, and all of our kids love it already. I’m hoping to save a few surprises for the trip home since we’re planning to drive the whole way back in one day. I think the kids’ lap desks will be useful for drawing and coloring. Plus I packed snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. When we’re back, I’d be happy to share which items worked best for us.

June Favorites

Before we hit the road, I thought I'd round up the items we all loved most last month. These were the most-purchased finds across Amazon and ShopMy—from everyday favorites to a few things that completely surprised me (the mini cooler!) If you’re looking for a link I recently shared, there's a good chance you'll find it below.

On Amazon

• Conditioning spray for hair that also keeps lice away. Not fun to talk about, but way less fun to deal with. According to dozens of messages I received and our own experience (so far) this stuff works!

• Sunglasses—I own multiple pairs of these. Lightweight, comfortable, (relatively) inexpensive, and the most universally flattering ones I’ve tried.

• Butterfly shorts are a staple in my 7-year-old’s wardrobe.

• The Stanley mini cooler makes a great adult lunchbox, or can hold some healthy snacks and drinks for a family picnic/beach/pool day. Some colors are 30% off right now!

• These laundry hooks for hanging wet swimsuits. We use them at home and I ordered extras to bring on our trip. No more wet swimsuits on the floor or flung over the shower bar!

I’ve linked the full list here.

On ShopMy

• The Ninja Creami. I looooove soft serve (like a ridiculous amount) and I can make a healthier version at home with my Creami. My recipe: Fairlife milk, a heaping scoop of protein powder, blend with a handheld frother, and freeze. I then add 1-2 Tbsp of milk on top, hit lite ice cream, then add mini chocolate chips, hit mix-in, and enjoy!

• I can’t say enough great things about the CampSnap screen-free digital cameras. The pictures our kids take with them (especially when they use the waterproof case in the pool or at the beach) are amazing and so special. Code OurHomePaige7.

• I got my sister and I these boxy tees for the 4th (they come in other prints, too.) They’re breezy, slightly cropped (but not a belly shirt) while also being a little oversized.

• The sweatshirt was also a best seller this month. Just perfectly big and cozy.

• Our go-to backpacks for school are 50% off. I recommend the size large for kindergarten and up.

I’ve rounded up the complete list right here.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you have a wonderful week!

Subscribe now

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige.

Discount Links & Codes

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige7

Cann — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Eby — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20 for 20% off

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Ruti — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Stakt — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

State — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Wallicases — Paigefowler10 for 10% off

Between slowing down in our schedule, hours at the pool, and a heat wave this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about summertime meals and how they’re just different. They’re simple, fresh (sometimes), and quick. For me, there’s more of a laid-back feeling when it comes to dinners in the summer and I love it.

A few years ago, I received DMs introducing me to the term “component-style meals” when I realized that making a bunch of random things worked really well for our family especially this time of year.

How it works: Instead of making a single, cohesive meal such as salmon bowls, soup, or a sheet pan dinner, I think about dinner as a handful of simple components: a protein, a grain or bread, and fruits and vegetables. Sometimes I’ll prep a bunch of different things—grill chicken breasts or bake drumsticks, cook up some ground beef, roast sweet potatoes, make a pot of rice, or pasta salad, or pesto pasta, prep all the fresh veggies, slice watermelon, make a salad, etc.—and the rest of the week becomes a bit of a free-for-all emptying the fridge at dinnertime, using the various components in whatever way everyone chooses, and putting whatever’s left back in the fridge for another day.

Most importantly, if dinner looks different in the summer than it does the rest of the year—good! The way meals change throughout the year is one of my favorite parts about the seasons. Summer is all about taking the imaginary pressure off, enjoying ourselves, and just making sure that everyone we’re responsible for is fed.

What I Shared

Popular links from this week

• Camp Snap sent our kids the Camp Snap 2 + the new waterproof case and they’ve been a huge hit. The kids have loved playing with them at the pool, and so many of you grabbed them this week, too. I can plug the camera directly into my phone and import the photos to my photos app (so easy!) I’m so excited for all of the pictures they’ll take with it this summer. The camera is $10 off right now + my code OurHomePaige7 stacks. {Sale ends July 5th!}

• This magical foot cream is like a pedicure in a tube (and currently on sale). I rub it into dry, cracked heels at bedtime and when I wake up they’re so much softer!

• I recently started using this dental floss and it’s unlike any other kind I’ve tried—it gets anything that may be lurking between your teeth.

• I shared this video, which felt very validating because those are the exact supplements I already take every day: omega-3, multivitamin, vitamin D, creatine, and magnesium (I take two 30-60 minutes before bed).

• This sports equipment organizer was one of the most popular things I shared during Prime Day. We’re so happy with it and it’s still on sale.

• Our kids have spent hours coloring with these markers (note: they’re not washable so make sure they have something underneath whatever they’re coloring).

• These laundry hooks are essential for dealing with wet swimsuits. We take them with us when we travel, too!

• Speaking of travel, these 6 items are my travel must-haves. They always live in my suitcase so they’re ready to go when packing.

A few Sales for the 4th

• Athleta is up to 60% off: my favorite sports bra, my other favorite, and the lightweight tee I’ve been living in lately

• Chappywrap is up to 40% off. These are my go-to for when I’m sitting on the couch. I love that there’s a lightweight option for summer, too.

• Geometry House is 20% off plus my code OurHomePaige15 stacks for 35% off

• Lands’ End is having a 4th of July sale: My favorite one piece, two-piece, backpacks for school, and canvas bags (I recommend the long handles and zip top).

• J.Crew Factory is up to 70% off. I love their dresses and just bought our boys a bunch of these shirts for a trip we’re taking soon.

What I Made

In true summer fashion, cooking has been simple and minimal lately, but here are a few meals that kinda sorta required recipes:

• Pinch of Yum air fryer chicken thighs (I even made the sauce!) + Near East rice pilaf + salad.

• Breaded chicken cutlets (I have a highlight on my IG with my method) + pesto pasta (we love the Kirkland pesto from Costco) + cucumber salad (cucumbers, red onion, tomatoes, salt, pepper, dried oregano, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh lemon juice.)

• Taco skillet served with the classic taco fixings: shredded lettuce, red onion, tortilla chips, salsa, and guac,

What I Loved

• Legs up the wall: I’ve been doing this every night for about a month now, and it’s become one of my favorite ways to end the day. It’s exactly what it sounds like: I lie on my bed facing the headboard and rest my legs up against it (or you can do it on the floor with your legs against a wall). There are plenty of benefits, but for me it’s all about how it makes me feel. It helps me transition out of the busyness of the day, feel more grounded before bed, and my legs and feet feel noticeably lighter and less restless after spending so much of the day on them.

• These shorts: I decided it’s going to be an elastic waistband summer and these are so darn comfy I got them in 3 colors. They’re 30% off!

• Voicemails for Isabelle: Have you seen this new Netflix movie? Robert and I watched it last weekend and I’ve thought about it every single day since. It has all of the classic rom-com feels and is so well done. I love a quirky female main character and Zoey Deutch nails it (love her!) I already can’t wait to watch it again. Love love loved!

I hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige.

Discount Links & Codes

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige7

Cann — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Eby — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20 for 20% off

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Ruti — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Stakt — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Wallicases — Paigefowler10 for 10% off

Yesterday I wrapped up 4 weeks of a strength training program on the Peloton app and absolutely loved it. After two years of consistently doing Peloton workouts, I was feeling a little stagnant. So many of you recommended instructor Jermaine Johnson, and when I saw that he recently released a new 4-day split I decided to go for it and it ended up being the biggest and most unexpected gift for myself.

What surprised me most wasn’t that I got stronger (though I did), it was how much easier the program made it for me to stick to my goals. It removed the mental load of deciding which workouts to do each day. Since I was committed to doing all 4 workouts each week, I felt more motivated to show up every day than if I were doing random Peloton classes on my own. During one of the busiest stretches of the year, that structure helped me keep a promise I’d made to myself when I first started strength training: to never ever stop.

I loved proving to myself that I could do this even while making so much happen for everyone else. Instead of feeling like I just made it through the month, I came out feeling stronger than ever. My biggest takeaway from this experience that I wanted to share with you is that busy seasons don’t have to mean we automatically put our own priorities on the back burner. Sometimes we can still stick to them if we make them a little simpler and keep showing up.

As for what’s next, I’m not entirely sure. Next week is the last week of school (FINALLY!) and it’s packed with half days, daily end of year events, and Prime Day. I may focus on walks and recovery for the week before jumping into something new for the summer.

What I Shared

Popular links from the week

• This ring and tab system for organizing Yoto cards has been a game changer. It’s less than $9 and our Yotos are already getting so much more use already!

• Geometry House (the kitchen tea towels we love!) is 35% off right now with my code OurHomePaige15

• The basic tank I own in 3 colors.

• Did you know that Nutrafol makes men’s products? They’re running a really great sale right now that ends soon!

• Ruggable’s 20% off sale ends this weekend! We have 5 of their rugs on our main floor alone: Entryway, kitchen runners, dining area, and living room.

• This $16 dress I wish I could wear every day.

• These pants have been popular here. They’re pricey, but are truly so flattering and the kind of pants you can wear over and over. They gave us a code (yay!) OurHomePaige15

• This puzzle was so quick and fun to do. We always use our puzzle board so we can move it around. I’m thinking about this one next!

• The Hoka sneakers I wear for outdoor walks are so comfortable and supportive and 20% off right now! They come in so many colors and I find they fit true to size.

• New iPhone case is sparking joy! WalliCases has been my go-to for years. I love the strap that keeps me from dropping my phone and the magnetic wallet for my drivers license and credit card. Plus there are so many cute prints! Code Paigefowler10

• I get asked about this Apple Watch band from Quince often (I love it!)

• These Bubble products are often recommended by dermatologists for tween and teen skin (and available at Target!): cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF.

• Three items I never grill without (these could also make great Father’s Day gifts if you’re looking for last minute ideas): Bristle-free grill brush, digital meat thermometer, and $9 oil sprayer.

What I Made

Recipes from this week

Charlie Bird’s Farro Salad (again!) with air fryer salmon

Marinated grilled hangar steak - the recipe is for pork tenderloin (and it’s amazing that way), but I saw Caro use it for steak last week so we gave it a try and it was incredible.

Lemon chicken orzo soup - the weather cooled off just a little and soup felt like a great idea.

Avocado toast with fried eggs, EBTB seasoning, and bacon. The kids had grilled cheese (some with bacon in it), plus fruits and veggies.

Pasta with meat sauce

Chocolate chip muffins - I make them regular sized in my favorite muffin pan and start checking them around 15 minutes, adding time as needed.

Daily Smoothie

I’ve been drinking a smoothie every single morning for months and I feel like I’ve perfected my smoothie recipe. It’s cold, creamy, packed with over 40g of protein and 11g of fiber.

Unlike smoothies I’ve made in the past, it actually keeps me feeling full (but not bloated) for hours. I feel like it sets the nutritional tone for my day, and because of it I have no problem getting more than enough protein and fiber into my diet.

Here’s my go-to smoothie recipe:

• 3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (I love Fage)

• 1 cup frozen Wyman’s mixed berries

• 1 cup (a handful) of baby spinach

• 1 scoop Equip vanilla protein (it’s SO GOOD!) — my code is OurHomePaige

• 1 scoop creatine

• 1 Tbsp organic PB Fit

• 1 Tbsp chia seeds

• A few ice cubes (I like it cold!)

• Enough water to make it blend (you could use milk, but it makes the protein crazy high. If you want to use milk you could skip the yogurt.)

This is the blender I use to make it! (You do not need a Vitamix for this!)

What I’m Reading & Watching

Reading: I finished The Shippers audiobook this week. It was sweet and cheesy and delightful—classic Katherine Center. I think I’ve read most of her books at this point.

Up next: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. I’ve heard so many great things about this series, but apparently you need to make it through the first two (short) books to really get into it. I love the idea of it all (Bridgerton meets Gilmore Girls?!) so I’m going to do my best to stick with it. I finished the first audiobook last night and am starting to get the feel for it. I’m excited to dive into the second!

I found this post from one of my favorite bookstagrammers super helpful.

Watching: Robert and I finished the fourth season of Bridgerton this week, which partly inspired my desire to read Emma M. Lion so I can stay in that world a little bit longer. This was actually my favorite season of the entire series. TBD what we’ll watch next. Open to suggestions!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Just a quick note that there won’t be a newsletter next week since I’ll be covering Prime Day all week long. I hope you’ll stop by stories when you have a chance and then I’ll see you back here the following week!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige.

Discount Links & Codes:

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige5

Cann — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Eby — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20 for 20% off

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Ruti — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Stakt — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Wallicases — Paigefowler10 for 10% off

Here in New York, we’re crawling to the finish line of this school year. If you’re already on summer break it might be hard to believe that kids here go to school until almost the end of June, but we’ll be joining you soon enough (9 more school days to be exact.)

Since this is my fifth year doing this end-of-school-year thing I’ve come to expect the craziness that is this final stretch. It’s full of so many events, concerts, shows, games, moving up ceremonies, field days, field trips, class parties, watermelon sign-ups, picnics, needing to be at school for various things in the middle of the day almost every day, and more.

I’ve also learned to expect nothing in June to feel normal or routine and so far it’s following that exact pattern including three unexpected trips to doctors’ offices for the kids this week.

But we’re doing it. I’m showing up and soaking it all in and suddenly realizing, too, that this needing to be everywhere and getting to see everything isn’t something that’ll last forever.

I saw a clip this week where a 90-year-old grandmother said that her happiest days were when her kids were young and she was busiest and it really put things into perspective for me. I hope there’s so much happiness to come at every stage, and I also know that this feeling I have—between the very tired and a little frazzled—is most definitely the deepest kind of happiness I’ve ever known.

What I Shared

Popular links from this week

• 10 Fun Finds for Summer (including my favorite set I’ve ever tried, our family’s new favorite game, and more!)

• Our go-to SPF for the whole family + the one I use on my face daily (code OurHomePaige10)

• A kind follower introduced us to these fun dive toys. They also have an option with gems or rings!

• This is the most popular thing I shared this week (so many parents, teachers and school nurses swear by it), these girls’ shorts are the most popular item I’ve shared this month, and this 4th of July puzzle is a close second.

• The screen-free digital cameras our kids love. The digital camcorder (currently $30 off + my code OurHomePaige7 stacks) makes a great Father’s Day gift!

• The book my second grader read in a single sitting (this new one came out in May!) and the book my 5th grader is enjoying (this one is new to me, but so many of you have read it and loved it!)

• I always keep these in the car for the kids and they came in very handy this week. Great for restaurants, travel, sidelines, and more!

• I’ve been wearing these earrings and this bracelet almost daily. I’ve been so happy with everything from this brand. There’s a lifetime guarantee and code Take20 saves 20%.

• The very pricey pants are, in fact, as amazing as everyone says and always make me feel like a more pulled together person when I need to be. They’re currently 20% off so that helps!

• The new Versed Everything Balm is so pretty and lightweight. Every time I wear it I feel like it gives my face so much more color while still looking very natural.

• I did some heavy adulting last weekend and wiped down our washing machine and then threw in a cleaning tab to take care of the rest. We use these for the dishwasher, too. I try to do both monthly.

What I Made

Meals this week have been a rotation of simple family favorites including tacos, chicken cutlets, pizza, and 2-ingredient chicken marinade in the Instant Pot. (I made a reel with directions here!)

Cold Brew Iced Tea

I’ve been loving keeping a big pitcher of homemade cold brew iced tea in the refrigerator. It couldn’t be simpler to make (just water + tea bags!), has no added sugar, and tastes way more fun than plain water.

Cold Brew Iced Tea

Supplies:

• Glass pitcher

• Any tea you like (I use herbal tea so it’s caffeine-free. This hibiscus tea is incredible and they gave us a code OurHomePaige20 for 20% off.)

To make it:

• Fill the pitcher almost to the top with water (regular tap or filtered water)

• Add about 1 tea bag per 8oz of water. For the 2 quart pitcher I add 8 tea bags.

• Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 24 hours (with practice you’ll figure out how strong you like it.) Remove the tea bags. I often fill to the top with more water.

• To serve: fill a glass with ice, pour tea, and enjoy!

What I Loved

• Doing my nails…? This was the second week in a row (in my life!) painting my nails and I’m still surprised at how much I’m enjoying how it looks. Thank goodness my kids are all eager to help me with my right hand because my left hand is out of control. I’m really loving this subtle color this week.

• Culture Pop—Sometimes I want a drink that has more flavor than a seltzer, but isn’t a sugar bomb like soda. This is the only healthier soda (especially the raspberry lemonade, it tastes like summer) I’ve tried and truly loved. I also don’t mind our kids having some and the ones who like carbonated drinks love this! There’s no weird aftertaste and it makes a regular afternoon feel a little more special. I just reordered online this week using my code OurHomePaige10.

• Collective joy/collective effervescence: It’s one of my favorite things and I’ve been feeling it in so many big and small ways lately. From inside the theater while watching two of our kids and the entire cast perform in a local musical to the buzzing around New York as the Knicks play in the Finals. I’ve never followed basketball and haven’t seen a single game, but I’m so here for the happiness and hopefulness that’s in the air right now.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige.

Discount Links & Codes:

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige5

Cann — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Eby — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20 for 20% off

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Stakt — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

I hope you’ve had a great week. One thing I’ve mentioned in stories recently is how much we’ve been loving the Gizmo watches for our 9 and 11-year-old. It felt like such a leap when we got them earlier this year, but they’ve allowed us to give our kids more freedom in safe and age-appropriate ways. (The Gizmo is a watch that they can use to call or text us. There’s no internet or camera.)

I read The Anxious Generation a while ago and while most of it reinforced what I already believed, one thing that really stuck with me is how important it is for our kids to have more independence and real-world experiences without a parent hovering nearby. We’ve always gone everywhere with our kids, but it’s a different experience for them to do these things independently and they’ve been asking for these opportunities more and more as they get older.

Since we have a way of being in contact with them (without a phone—we plan to put those off for as long as possible), the watches have allowed us to say yes to longer bike rides, adventures with friends, walking into town after school, and more. It’s been really fun to see their excitement, confidence, and capabilities grow with each new experience.

If something like the Gizmo has been on your radar and you’re like us, it can definitely feel like a big step. But for our family, it’s been such a positive thing.

What I Shared

Links from this week

• The most popular items I shared in May including this sneaky best seller

• Our favorite read aloud books for ages 7 and up

• Our favorite read aloud books for ages 4 to 7

• This puzzle would be amazing for the 4th + the one I ordered

• I bought each of our kids one of these to celebrate the end of school later this month. I can’t wait to see the concoctions they make!

• My 7yo girl is loving these—these from Target were highly recommended and very popular, too!

• Camp Snap just came out with an updated version of their screen-free camera. It has filters and is a little slimmer than the original. They also have bags for carrying the cameras (great for kids)! Code OurHomePaige5

• Alert: My favorite one-piece in a brand-new color!

• Highly recommend adding one of these + a set of these for endless outdoor play.

• This tank is the closest I’ve found to wearing nothing for workouts and when it’s hot out + this tee has become my new uniform. It comes in a tank version, too.

• I used this kit on Saturday and am loving how it came out. So many of you recommended this one so I’m looking forward to trying it soon, too.

• This new everything balm adds color and glow and is so pretty!

• The Pokemon x Target drop goes live Saturday 6/6!

What I Made

• Breaded chicken cutlets — I finally shared and saved my method in my chicken cutlet highlight

• Viral chuck roast + smashed potatoes + salad + corn on the cob

• Ground chicken lettuce wraps with bone broth rice, edamame, and topped with Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce and mild chili crisp.

Favorite meal of the week:

Air fryer salmon (season with salt and pepper, air fry at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes on these for easy cleanup), steamed green beans (in this pan) sautéed in a little olive oil, with salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice, and THIS FARRO SALAD. Apologies for shouting, but it’s out of this world! Make it for your BBQs, baby showers, lunch meal prep—so good and packed with so many healthy things. You can skip boiling the farro in apple cider like the recipe says and just use water if you like.

What I Loved

• Exploring a nearby town. Last Saturday, our 9-year-old had a soccer game about 30 minutes away. We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the town and had so much fun: we packed a picnic, played on the soccer field after the game, walked along Main Street, got iced coffee and ice cream, and I even ended up buying ski boots at the ski shop. He’ll have more away games this Fall, and when possible we all hope to do more of this instead of always rushing home afterward.

• This game!! Instant family favorite. If you’ve been playing this one nonstop like we have I think you’ll love this one, too!

• This skincare line (plus this)— the company recently sent me some products with zero obligation to share. But when I ran out of nearly everything I was currently using I opened them up and love them so much. They’re made with clean ingredients and my skin just seems so happy with it all. (I’m not sure if this is weird, but I love using thicker face moisturizers on my neck at night so I apply this one, and still use this under $20 moisturizer on my face morning and evening because it’s just the best for my skin.)

• Just Add Magic — a show on Prime that our kids are loving! I like it because it almost feels like a movie where the storyline continues through each episode.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Ours will be full of soccer practice, a soccer game, taekwondo, play rehearsal, trips to the pool, and I’m sure much more!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige.

Discount Links & Codes:

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige5

Cann — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Eby — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20 for 20% off

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Stakt — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Our kids were off from school on Wednesday this week and it felt like a dress rehearsal for summer. It was hot, our schedule was open, and we were heading to the pool for the first time this season.

Throughout the day, I asked myself: what do I need to figure out before summer officially starts so it can feel even more enjoyable and run a little more smoothly?

I realized there was one clear answer that I need to get really specific about:

What are the kids actually responsible for?

Not chores, necessarily. I mean: what things should our kids (ages 5, 7, 9, and 11) realistically take full ownership of in order to become more responsible humans and lighten my load a little?

Things like (most of these apply to our 7, 9, and 11 year olds, but the 5-year-old likes being included):

• Putting away their clean laundry (they’re already pretty good about this).

• Making their own breakfasts during the week and cleaning up afterward. I find they get hungry for breakfast at different times. I can’t be serving up meals all morning, but if they’re able to do it independently then they can eat when they want to.

• Being fully in charge of their water bottles—filling them before leaving, bringing them into the car, and carrying them back inside after. Water bottles drive me a little crazy so I’m ready to hand this off to them entirely.

• Packing and carrying their own pool bags, and unpacking them at home.

I know there are more.

We all have things to work on here. Our kids are helpful, but I often fall short in reinforcing the things I hope they’ll do because I really, really (like, realllllly) hate nagging. So instead of repeating myself, I often just do the thing, which, of course, isn’t teaching anyone anything useful.

So that’s my pre-summer homework: deciding exactly what tasks and items the kids are fully responsible for, how I can support them in successfully taking ownership of those things (without constant reminders), and what happens when they don’t follow through.

I’m tired just typing all of this, but I know the payoff is important and will be worth it. We talk a lot about working together as a team in our family, and this feels like an opportunity for them to become helpful not just when asked, or when it occurs to them, but in consistent, reliable, and age-appropriate ways.

If you have any thoughts, tasks your kids are fully responsible for, or ideas for helping them follow through, I’d love to hear about it!

What I Shared

Popular links from this week

• The toys our kids and cousins played with for 3 days straight — all of these are great for summer

• Favorite Amazon workout shorts

• Favorite Amazon workout tanks (this one, too)

• Boys swim trunks — these are all our 3 boys wear

• Our go-to sunscreen (code OurHomePaige10)

• My pool bag

• New Aerie shorts

• UPF dress coverup

• Mini Aloha bars — the perfect size for kids

• Camp Snap cameras (code OurHomePaige5)

• This is the best dry shampoo I’ve tried—absorbs quickly, no messy white powder or streaks, and it doesn’t make my scalp itch

• Reusable containers that I store cut fruit in

• The razor I’ve been using for years (the blades last a long time!)

• The plates that were meant to be outdoor plates, but have become our everyday dinnerware because we love them so much

• The best peeler

• Favorite glass food storage containers

What I Made

• Ground beef bowls: ground beef seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder, roasted sweet potatoes and salad.

  • For the sweet potatoes: preheat oven to 400 degrees. Scrub and dry sweet potatoes. Cut off the ends then cut in half length-wise. Lay flesh-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray both sides with avocado oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes or until soft to the touch. Remove from oven and let them sit on the pan for a few minutes to finish caramelizing.

• Fried rice & chicken teriyaki bowls: I loosely follow this fried rice recipe. (Our kids prefer it with edamame instead of frozen mixed veggies.) We had leftover cooked chicken that I sliced and heated in a pan with store-bought teriyaki sauce. I steamed broccoli in this pan (perfect every time!) I served mine with avocado, Bachan’s Japanese bbq sauce, and Fly By Jing mild chili crisp. This meal was a hit!

• Roasted pork tenderloin with roasted sweet potatoes (same method as above), and steamed green beans (in this pan). For the kids: pork tenderloin, green beans, Annie’s mac and cheese and raw veggies with ranch.

• Chocolate chip cookies

What I Loved

• Tru fru raspberries — so good and much easier to eat than the strawberries.

• The kids getting to spend 3 days straight with their cousins over MDW. My sister and I didn’t even plan it, but the kids were so happy playing together (the grown ups, too!) so we just kept it going day after day. Watching our kids, who are all the same ages as their cousins, get to grow up together is one of the greatest gifts and something we never ever take for granted.

• These make my feet happy when I’m wearing real clothes, otherwise I’m living in these.

• Jermaine’s 4-day split on the Peloton app: Thoughtfully planned workouts, straightforward but super effective exercises, and for the first time in a while, I actually worked my muscles to failure. I’m planning to repeat it for the next few weeks as long as I don’t get too bored.

Thank you so much for being here. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige.

Discount Links & Codes:

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige5

Cann — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Eby — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20 for 20% off

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Stakt — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that Memorial Day Weekend is here. Although, apparently, so is the weather—it was in the 90’s here in New York earlier this week, but this weekend will be in the 50’s and rainy. Womp womp.

It’s okay, though, because we have some fun things planned (we may even go into NYC one day). And, if I’m being honest, I’m definitely not in pool-mom mode yet so I’m not mad about a little extra time to prep our pool bag, and order a few odds and ends (sunscreen? check. little kid goggles? check! bigger kid goggles? check. Zip pouches for all the things? Need to restock. Where did all the towels go…?)

If the school year is finished or winding down for your family, I’m wishing a happy end of the school year to you! We still have a month left here, but it feels like we’re inching toward summer.

MDW Sales

A roundup from some of my favorites

• Athleta is 40% off—here’s everything I ordered

• Geometry is 35% off with my code OurHomePaige15

• Camp Snap cameras are $10 off + my code OurHomePaige5 stacks

• Old Navy is up to 50% off. This $6 dress and this are in my cart.

• The OurPlace pan that I love (especially for steaming veggies) is $40 off right now!

• Eby is buy one get one free. This and this are my faves.

• Lands’ End is 55% off sitewide. I love their swimsuits—this is my go-to one piece. More here.

• Equip is 25% off—I use the vanilla protein powder in my smoothie every day.

• Ruggable is up to 25% off. These are our runners and doormat (makes me smile every time I walk in the door.)

• Cann THC seltzers are buy one get one 40% off.

• Chappywrap is 20% off with my code OurHomePaige20 (ends soon!)

What I Shared

Popular links from this week

• Kids outdoor chalk play and mud kitchen supplies — our kids and their friends spend hours outside playing with this stuff.

• I finally found shorts (Old Navy) that fit my tall and very slim 11-year-old boy (medium). These Target shorts (currently $10) fit my shorter and very slim 9-year-old boy (small).

• All of the supplements I take.

• I dyed my hair again this week—7 weeks since the first time—and I still can’t get over how easy it is to do at home. I can’t help mentioning it because I wish someone had told me sooner! You can take a quiz to find the best color match for you.

• The cups I use when the kids’ friends are over; they’re all different colors so everyone can remember whose is whose.

• The game we’ve been playing a lot lately. It’s so easy to pick up and play a few rounds one-on-one with a kid or they play with one another.

• I started wearing these for 30 minutes/day around the house and they feel SO GOOD! I’m beginning to learn about the importance of foot health, mobility, strength, and function for our overall wellbeing. I’m totally new to all of it, but these feel like a good place to start.

• We love these oversized bath towels from Target ($10 right now!) and so many of you do, too.

• This time timer makes such a huge difference with the kids’ bedtime routine and helping them stay on task.

• On Amazon, the most popular links this week were this tween/teen skincare set, these magnetic blocks, the graphic novel series my second and third graders are loving, my bike helmet (25% off!), the walking pad a friend who WFH recommended, dinner table conversation cards, and chalk.

What I Made

• Burgers and burger bowls.

• The viral giant chicken cutlet. It was…ok. It was pretty messy, the prep was time consuming, and we prefer regular breaded chicken cutlets. Probably won’t make again.

• Teriyaki salmon bowls. Always a favorite.

• This chicken shawarma bowl is the best thing I’ve made in a while.

Here’s exactly how I made it:

• 1 package of Trader Joe’s chicken shawarma (find it in the meat aisle) baked on a baking sheet at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. I broiled for a minute or 2 at the end.

• Cucumber salad: a few mini cucumbers, peeled and chopped, handful of grape tomatoes, chopped, 1/2 a red onion, chopped, 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, olive oil, red wine vinegar, juice of 1/2 lemon, salt and pepper

• Yogurt sauce: 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, salt and pepper. I loved this, but you could buy tzatziki for an even easier option.

• Creamy dreamy hummus from Trader Joe’s (or any kind you like)

• Trader Joe’s tandoori naan (follow package directions for heating).

I had a second package of chicken shawarma and made this (all of it in the rice cooker!) the next day with the yogurt sauce above plus a salad and loved it, too!

What I Loved

A simple joy in life that I don’t hear people talk about nearly enough is when you’re loving all of the media that you’re currently consuming. When I’m obsessed with my audiobook, my kindle book, the show that Robert and I are watching, and the book that I’m reading aloud to the kids, it feels indescribably good. It’s like my brain has little treats waiting for it all day long.

Here’s my current lineup:

Show: Love Story on Hulu. Robert and I’ll probably finish this weekend; I’m already devastated knowing how it ends, but I haven’t enjoyed a show this much in maybe years. Give these actors all the awards!

Audiobook: Yesteryear. It’s uncomfortable and mind-twisty, but I’m totally absorbed. I finished this last weekend and loved every moment.

Book: Not That Kind of Proposal by Victoria Lavine (it comes out in July—sorry!—but if you haven’t read this book by the same author I loved it, too!)

Read aloud: We just finished The Last Mapmaker this week. It was a little more serious than most books we read, but an excellent middle-grade fantasy story. We started this book the next night and were all in from the very first chapter.

If there’s anything you’ve been reading, listening to, or watching and loving lately I’d love to hear about it.

I hope you have a wonderful long weekend!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them—at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige.

How’s your May going so far? You’re doing it!

Remember the bike I mentioned a few weeks ago? Well, I’ve had it for about 2 weeks now and it’s been everything I hoped it would be. I’ve been loving riding along the river to the grocery store, riding laps around the block with the kids, riding next to our 5-year-old when everyone decides to go much faster, and I even ended up on a dirt trail with the kids last weekend.

I’m so glad I didn’t talk myself out of getting it. Above all, it’s been so much fun, and who doesn’t want more of that? If there’s been something on your mind that you want to do just for the fun of it, consider this your nudge to go for it.

This is the helmet that I wear and I just grabbed this basket for the front.

What I Shared

• My favorite Aerie pieces are on sale right now plus code SHOPMY20 takes an extra 20% off. I live in the fleece shorts, sweatshirt, and vintage tee this time of year. I ordered this in two colors because I am who I am.

• Supergoop is 20% off! This is my family’s go-to sunscreen. It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly, and I love that it comes in a variety of options — including a large pump (I stocked up), a non-aerosol spray version for reapplying, and a stick. Unseen Sunscreen is what I wear on my face every single day. The sale ends Monday!

• Tarte is having their biggest sale of the year: 7 full-sized products for $11 each plus free shipping. I love the shape tape concealer and tubing mascara.

• A friend and former editor who works from home recently messaged me to say that she got this and it has helped her stay active throughout the workday. As someone who feels her best when she takes a gazillion steps per day, if I had a desk job I’d get this exact one, too.

• Someone recently asked how I print photos from our kids’ Camp Snap cameras. I don’t have a photo printer at home (yet!), but it’s so inexpensive and easy to print from here using the app.

• The most popular items I’ve shared from Amazon so far this month are: this, these (we have 5), this, these (so useful if you have an air fryer!) and these (I use mine every day!)

• Three of our kids now have these sneakers. I heard from so many of you whose kids have and love them, too!

• My (rare) Chappywrap code is active through the end of this month: OurHomePaige for 20% off.

• I received this new washable rug for our laundry room. I’m excited to get it set up this weekend.

• Our second and third graders can’t get enough of this book series. They both describe it as very dramatic and have reread them multiple times.

What I Made

There have been lots of tasty things happening lately! And, apparently, we’ve been eating A LOT of chicken:

• Our favorite marinated chicken recipe

• Lemon pepper shrimp and orzo. (I made the kids chicken noodle soup when Robert and I had that.)

• Italian wedding soup

• Thai chicken curry served with white rice and edamame

• More chicken cutlets

• Pasta salad served with leftover grilled steak and chicken thighs

• So much popcorn. These are the kernels I’ve been using lately.

• Mini chocolate chip muffins

• The best chocolate chip cookies

• Thai peanut chicken ramen

One more food-related thought: as it (hopefully) gets warmer, I love making weekend meals feel as simple and low-effort as possible.

One routine that works especially well for our family is: Friday tacos, Saturday pizza delivery, Sunday burgers (or burger bowls). It checks so many boxes. Everything is relatively easy, Friday’s taco leftovers make a great Saturday lunch, and leftover pizza is perfect for Sunday lunch.

Plus, burger night uses a lot of the same toppings as taco night (shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, etc.) so nothing goes to waste. We keep burger patties and buns in the freezer, which means there’s very little grocery planning involved, too.

And, bonus, Robert grills the burgers on Sunday, so he basically makes dinner while I just prep the toppings.

What I Loved

• The Artemis II crew on Oprah’s podcast. She asked so many of the questions I’ve been wondering about. The most poignant moment, for me, was when Oprah asked the crew about how they talked to/prepared their families in case the worst should happen during their mission (it starts around 40 mins into the video above). What Christina said about her Robert (starting at 41:11 in the video) was the most beautiful moment and had me sobbing while trying to walk on the treadmill.

• Love Story on Hulu. Robert and I have been watching an episode or two on weekends and I’m completely captivated. I knew almost nothing about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, so it feels like I’m learning the story for the first time (I realize, of course, it’s not perfectly accurate).

• Candy snap grapes—have you had them? We got one of those rare containers from Costco where every single grape was perfectly firm and ripe. They were so small and sweet and tasted like candy. We ate the entire package in a single afternoon.

Thank you so much for being here. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them—at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige.

Discount Links & Codes:

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige5

Cann — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Eby — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20 for 20% off

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Stakt — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

I’m looking forward to this month and I can feel the busyness of May knocking at our door. One intention that I’m setting for this month (and June) is reminding myself that it’s here for me to enjoy, and not just get through. Our kids are doing some really cool things and I’m excited to be here for all of it.

A few things I’m doing to prepare:

• Putting everything in our calendar (synced to our Skylight) so we’re all on the same page and nothing sneaks up on me—I have a tendency not to look ahead.

• Keeping open time open for playing outside, playing with friends, family time, and down time.

• Relying on simple meals and repeating favorites each week.

• Family movie nights on weekends.

• Sticking to the habits that keep me feeling my best: strength workouts 3-4 times/week, 15,000-20,000 steps/day, and going to sleep most nights by 10pm.

April Favorites

Here are the most popular things I shared in April

Target boys’ shorts I bought in every color (except for white)

Organic cotton sheets So soft and cozy!

Air fryer parchment that makes cleanup a breeze

Favorite warm-weather pajamas I wear a medium

Comfy mom shorts I wear a small

Camp Snap — the screen-free digital cameras are $10 off right now! Code OurHomePaige5

The little game that goes everywhere with us

Shower caddy and shower lamp have vastly improved my shower experience

Favorite sports bra is 25% off

Hair color kit that works so well and is so easy to do.

These pants I have in 3 colors— up to 60% off right now. I wear a small short.

New doormat so pretty! Code OurHomePaige15

Our favorite first chapter book read aloud series

Family conversation cards we love using at the dinner table

The helmet I plan to wear on my new bike (I pick my bike up next week!)

What I made

Last weekend, I had a few days where I didn’t make dinner, and it was a much needed break. On Friday, Robert grilled burgers. Saturday, we celebrated Teddy’s birthday with friends and ordered pizza delivery and Carvel ice cream cake. I usually love making a hearty Sunday dinner for my family, but I couldn’t motivate myself to come up with something, pick up the ingredients, and spend the afternoon in the kitchen. We decided to go to the restaurant inside our local grocery store with friends (our big kids biked there!) instead and it felt like a relief.

By Monday I was ready to dive back into making meals again. It was such a good reminder that you can love and value something and still need a break from it sometimes.

Teriyaki salmon bowls—we eat some version of this a few times every month. I marinated the salmon in teriyaki sauce (I love the 365 brand from Whole Foods; Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce works great, too), for about an hour and then cooked it in the air fryer skin side down on these at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. I made rice in the rice cooker, steamed edamame in this pan, chopped cucumbers and sliced avocado, and put everything on the table so everyone could serve themselves. I piled everything onto my plate, plus a spicy mayo (mayo, sriracha, soy sauce, and sesame oil—measured with my heart) and then topped it with mild chili crisp. The two sauces took it to a whole new level! For the kids: they actually love this meal! A few made sushi bites using seaweed.

Chicken cutlets. I need to share my recipe soon!

Roasted sausage and veggies served over bone broth rice. I topped mine with chili crisp again—so good! For the kids: They don’t love this meal so they had chicken cutlets, Annie’s mac and cheese, pear, strawberries, and raw veggies with ranch.

Rigatoni with meat sauce plus a big salad and raw veggies with ranch.

Stovetop popcorn—ever since I started following this method from @_thefamilytable it comes out perfectly every single time. For family movie night I serve it in these fun containers. We’re all popcorn obsessed right now!

Applesauce muffins with mini chocolate chips.

Breakfast for dinner: scrambled eggs with bacon, homemade sourdough biscuits, strawberries, and veggies.

What I loved

• Playing Rummikub and laughing with our friends on Saturday night while our kids ran wild.

• Watching the New York Times Magazine Taylor Swift interview about songwriting. Anything she gives us feels like a gift.

• Calming Instrumental Covers station on Spotify. Nothing puts me in more of a zen state than this station playing in the background in our kitchen (we use this).

What I’m reading

Audiobook I finished (and LOVED) This Story Might Save Your Life last week and then dove into Into the Blue. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but it’s starting to pick up for me so I’m excited to continue.

Kindle The History Between

With the kids The Last Mapmaker

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them—at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige. Thank you for reading!

Discount links & codes (by popular request!)

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off

Camp Snap — OurHomePaige5 for 5% off

Culture Pop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

Eby — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Equip — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Geometry — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige27 for 27% off

Koala Eco — OurHomePaige20 for 20% off

Redmond — OurHomePaige for 15% off

Ritual — OurHomePaige for 25% off

Ruggable —OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Stakt — OurHomePaige15 for 15% off

Supergoop — OurHomePaige10 for 10% off

What started as a little idea—maybe I should get myself a bike?—turned into something much bigger this week. Now that all of our kids are riding two-wheelers, I’d love to ride with them around the neighborhood, to their favorite fishing spots, to the playground, and even along the river to the grocery store.

I thought I’d grab a bike online. When I asked for recommendations in stories, I received so many (thank you!!) including a few steering me away from the beach cruiser style I thought I wanted because it would be too slow and bulky for longer rides (thank you again!)

I quickly realized this was a bigger decision than I anticipated.

On Tuesday, I took myself to a local bike shop and got to test ride bikes in the back lot. As I fastened the loaner helmet, I felt silly and a little awkward. I haven’t owned a bike since I was a kid. I’m a little rusty. Sometimes it takes me a few tries just to get started. But as I shifted my cross-body bag behind me, kicked the kickstand, settled onto the seat, and pedaled across the empty back parking lot, I felt something else: fun.

All of a sudden, choosing a bike felt like choosing a future for myself. Was I just going to pedal around the neighborhood next to (or, more realistically, behind) the kids? Or could I be someone who bikes instead of drives to the grocery store for small shops? Could we be the type of family who loads our bikes onto a bike rack, drives to a bike path, and rides together for longer distances, stopping along the way for a picnic?

At first, I hadn’t thought beyond our neighborhood, where something cute and cushy would do. Now, I found myself picturing a future for myself and our family in which I was…a biker? I landed on a style that works for riding loops around the block, but also gives me space to grow into whatever this might become.

I shouldn’t have been surprised that this experience surprised me like it did. Everything about this next chapter of having bigger kids has played out in a similar way: everything happens faster, and each choice feels like trying to decide what works for the moment while also leaving room for whatever may unfold next—even when I don’t exactly know what that may be.

What I’ve learned is this: I may not always get it right, but I’m always happy to be along for the ride. Except this time, instead of wearing, pushing, or carrying someone we’ll each be on our own set of wheels.

What I Shared

Some of the most popular links from this week

• My comfy spring weekend uniform (above): shorts, t-shirt, sweatshirt, sneakers.

• Camp Snap Cameras—we love these screen-free digital cameras for capturing in-the-moment pictures. They added new colors this week! Code OurHomePaige5

• The helmet I’ll be wearing on my new bike.

• One of my favorite purchases this year.

• The sunscreen we use and the SPF I wear on my face every day (Code OurHomePaige10).

• Boys’ shorts from Target that I ordered in almost every color for our 9yo (I sized down to S for his slim waist.)

• The humidifier you can clean in the dishwasher!! Code Springcleaning for 15% off sitewide.

• This may be bringing me even more joy than it should, but I love it! (Code OurHomePaige15)

• Adorable new weighted stuffies (an axolotl!) from Target.

• One of the things our kids love to play with while I read to them.

• Our mattresses—we have the Midnight (love!) and two of our kids have the Kids mattresses. You can take a quiz on their website to find the style that works best for you. Code OurHomePaige27.

• The magnesium I take 30 to 60 minutes before bed every night.

• These basic Quince tees are it. I wear a medium.

• Our kids’ shampoo and conditioner that I reordered.

• These for wearing under pretty tops and dresses like this one.

• A pretty and unique Mother’s Day or birthday gift for someone special (or for yourself!)

What I Made

It was a busy week in the kitchen

• Dutch baby pancake for Sunday morning breakfast.

• Healthy chicken & cabbage vegetable soup from @alifefromscratch—I follow the recipe (using rotisserie chicken), and cook some pasta separately on the stove (not in the recipe). Together, it tastes like delicious chicken noodle soup with chickpeas and extra veggies. The kids actually eat it (even if they leave most of the veggies behind.) It makes amazing leftovers for lunch! I served it with bread and butter.

• Viral shredded chuck roast (incredible!), roasted potatoes (these were spectacular!), and steamed green beans. This was one of the BEST things I’ve made in a while, and it was SO easy! Truly—if you’ve ever wanted to cook a big piece of meat and have felt intimidated (raises hand), this is the recipe to try. For the kids: the meat, homemade sourdough with butter, and raw veggies with ranch.

• Chicken cutlets! For the kids: I served them with Annie’s mac & cheese, strawberries, salad, and raw veggies with ranch.

• Smitten Kitchen Pumpkin Bread — a one-bowl wonder!

• Loaf pan chicken—I guess this was my week for trying viral cooking methods, and this one was SO good! I followed this Mediterranean-inspired recipe using about 3 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs (I trimmed the fat with these) and it was super easy and delicious. I’m planning to make this chicken shawarma version next week! For the kids: The chicken, rice, salad/raw veggies & hummus, applesauce, sourdough with butter.

What I Loved

• Our new curtains and curtain rod in the dining area. I can’t get over what a difference they’ve made! I ordered the same curtains and rod for the sliding glass door, too, so that’ll be this weekend’s project.

• Reading again! I haven’t been reading much this year—barely any audiobooks and just a few pages on my kindle at night before falling asleep. I guess my brain has been busy processing other things (nothing major, just life.) Recently, I started listening to audiobooks again—and it feels wonderful. It started when I finished (and loved!) The Night We Met. Then, inspired by all things Artemis, I dove into Atmosphere and devoured it (omg that ending!!!) I could feel the reading joy seeping back into my days. I then downloaded Strangers after hearing so many people talk about it, and finished it in 2 days. I’m currently listening to This Story Might Save Your Life. It’s addictive. And I finally found a book on my kindle that makes me want to get into bed earlier and read for longer: The History Between. Up next: Into the Blue, Yesteryear (maybe? I’m intrigued, but have heard mixed reviews), and Our Perfect Storm (out 5/5).

• Apple watch band—the lightest, comfiest band I’ve ever worn. Robert removed a few links (it comes with everything you need to do that), and it fits perfectly. I wear it while walking, working out, etc. Highly recommend.

• Picking out presents for our youngest’s 5th birthday (it’s on Saturday)! I’m not sure if I loved this or if it broke my heart a little, but something about it made me feel so tender. I can share the full list next week, but the two things I’m most excited for him to open are this (I’ve always wanted one for our kids!) and these (always a hit!)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them—at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige. Thank you for reading!

Hello! Happy Friday!

I did a Q&A in stories this week and two of the questions especially made me think. I wanted to give more thoughtful answers and this feels like a great place to do that.

Q: How have you fostered closeness between your kids over the years?

A: I love this question. They’re really close, and I don’t take that for granted. I think a big part of it is that we’ve always treated them—especially when they were little like in that picture (tear!)—as a unit. We did everything together. I wasn’t signing them up for a bunch of separate activities or constantly running them in different directions. Most days, we were just at home or outside, having little adventures together. Being with each other is what they’ve always known, and I think that really set the foundation.

Now that they’re older and friends play a bigger role (which we love!) I think it’s helped that when they’re playing with friends, there are often siblings involved. So they’re usually in these big, mixed-age groups with kids ages 4–11 instead of orbiting in their separate worlds.

One thing I’ve been mindful about from the beginning is trying not to interrupt our kids when they’re playing together. I’ve always noticed how much adults can shift the energy and direction of play just by showing up (once you notice it, you can’t unsee it), so I try to give them space when I can. It means their relationships with each other aren’t dependent on me being there to direct things. They have something that’s uniquely their own, and I love that.

I’m sure there’s more to it that I don’t fully understand, but if I had to point to one thing, it would be all of the unstructured time together over the years.

Q: Are you still running? I know it was bringing you joy!

A: Yes…and no? I’m in a funny place with running right now. I started in December and it’s still hard, but I enjoy it. I’m also extremely worried about injury. I feel like I watch people who run get injured all the time, have to stop what they’re doing, and end up in months of PT, and it really freaks me out! Sometimes after I run I can feel a little something in my hip or knee and I don’t love that.

Strength training and walking are so important to me and make me feel great. If I were to get injured from running and not be able to do those things, then running wouldn’t feel worth it for me at all.

So for now, I’m doing it—often in the form of walk + run classes on Peloton, or running a mile or two at the most on my own, but I’m not really pushing any limits, and I wouldn’t say I’m making much progress.

Sometimes I find myself wondering, though: Am I being smart or am I allowing fear to hold me back? I’m open to your thoughts on that one.

What’s On My Radar

• My favorite swimsuits are on sale: This is my favorite one-piece (they just added new colors!!) and my go-to two-piece.

• Lola blankets gave us a code for 50% off for a short time—OurHomePaige50. These are the softest blankets ever! Our kids each have the small on their twin-sized beds and we have the large on our couch.

• I heard from so many of you who have and love these popular linen pants. The black is on sale! Everyone says to size down.

• If you ever need a mattress, I can’t recommend the ones we have enough! You can take the quiz to find the one that works best for you (we have the Midnight—it’s a dream) and two of our kids have the kids mattress. OurHomePaige27 will get you the best possible price.

What I Shared

• This is the most popular item from Amazon so far this month followed by the Mercy Watson book set, and these conversation starters.

• Pretty jewelry that makes my outfits feel more pulled together including these earrings, these smaller almost weightless earrings, this bracelet and this one, too. Code TAKE20 for 20% off.

• These shorts ($20 right now) and these t-shirts are my warm-weather comfy uniform. If it’s chilly I add this sweatshirt.

• So many of you took advantage of this 25% off sale when I shared it. (On a weekend evening, I like one of the little ones over a glass of ice.)

• I got these to get bottles off of the bench in our shower and they’ve made a huge difference. I don’t know what took me so long!

• I’m loving these Target organic sheets.

• Keeping with this week’s unintentional sleep theme: Our duvet cover is so lightweight and perfect for this time of year. It washes so well, too!

• And someone asked for a mattress protector recommendation. This one is what we have (peep the reviews!)

• I wear this SPF on my face every day and will be ordering a bunch of these in the biggest size. Code OurHomePaige10

• I finally ordered one of these this week. (Happy early Mother’s Day to me?!) I love that you can switch out the covers with the holidays or seasons. Code OurHomePaige15

What I Made

• Chicken cutlets (again!), except this time I used a completely different method. I received regular chicken breasts in my grocery order instead of thinly sliced ones. I had no desire to butterfly and pound them and remembered a method that so many of you sent me and took it as a sign to finally give it a try. It’s a little unusual, but the result was the crispiest, tenderest chicken cutlets I’ve made yet. I totally recommend giving this method a try!

• Egg roll in a bowl. Nicole from Begin at Home shared this recipe and it looked amazing. I used ground chicken instead of pork and doubled everything. I served it over rice cooked in the rice cooker plus avocado and edamame. If you’re the meal-prepping type this meal works so well for that! For the kids: most of them had leftover chicken cutlets heated in the air fryer plus the rice, edamame, and raw veggies with ranch. (They would’ve eaten what I made, but I offered the chicken cutlets.)

• Quesadillas for the kids with lots of prepped fruits and veggies—cantaloupe, strawberries, peppers, cucumbers, and sugar snap peas. (I had leftover egg roll in a bowl and Robert worked super late and had something at work.)

• Pasta salad and air fryer salmon with a balsamic glaze. For the salmon: drizzle olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook in the air fryer at 400 for 8-10 minutes. Pasta salad is a flexible recipe: Start by cooking a pound of any pasta (I used fusilli), drain, drizzle with olive oil, and let it cool. Chop any veggies your family likes (I used cucumbers, peppers, celery, red onion, and added a can of sliced black olives) and add them to a big bowl. (I used this to chop most of them.) Add the cooled pasta. For the vinaigrette, combine in a jar, shake, and pour over the pasta salad (or you could use your favorite Italian salad dressing) and mix to combine:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil

  • 6 Tbsp red wine vinegar

  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • pinch of sugar

What I Loved

• When kids learn how to ride a bike. This week, our almost 5-year-old taught himself. He’s been on a balance bike for a while, and one afternoon while I was making dinner, he grabbed an old two-wheeler in the garage and just…figured it out. The big kids came running in to tell me—it was the best, most unexpected surprise on a Tuesday afternoon. He’s already riding loops around the block on his new bike (he has the 16 inch). I’ve been following behind just to make sure he’s safe (the running has come in handy!) and have been hitting well over 22,000 steps daily as a result—ha! Next up: I think I need a bike so I can keep up with the kids. Please send any recs!

• Atmosphere—I’m still riding the Artemis space joy high (can’t wait to watch yesterday’s press conference) and started this audiobook this week. I know that it’s been out for some time, but it feels like the perfect moment to dive in. So many of you recommended it (especially the audiobook) and I just wish I could pause everything and listen all the way through. I’m loving every minute!

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Discount links & codes (by popular request!):

Aloha bars —no code needed, use the link for 20% off
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Helix mattresses — OurHomePaige27 for 27% off
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Is anyone else completely enthralled by all things Artemis right now? I can’t watch a video about it without tears in my eyes. This book has suddenly moved to the top of my TBR.

I never considered the mind-bending experience that being in the vastness of space has for astronauts—and for us—as they look toward our planet and fully realize the preciousness and uniqueness of earth and how lucky we are to inhabit it with one another.

Between The Dinosaurs on Netflix and now this, there’s been some light existential contemplation happening here lately—ha! Now I just need those astronauts to land safely back on earth tonight so we can release a collective exhale.

Meanwhile, we, happily, had a very regular week here. I’m feeling caught up on some things and wildly behind on others, which totally tracks for this time of year.

What I Shared

• This Gap sweatshirt that I wore to the zoo. I haven’t bought it in more colors yet—but I want to!

• March favorites on Amazon — the top items were the ultrasonic cleaner for dental appliances, the magnet game that even people who don’t love games enjoy, the foxtail (a great toy for big kids, tweens, and teens), and the pens I’m loving!

• My Shokz headphones are $35 off right now (!) —they’re so comfortable and lightweight and perfect for walks outside. I have the mini.

• The conversation starter cards we often do during dinnertime—one of my favorite things we’ve added in the past year.

• Aloha bars are 30% off right now! No code needed—the discount appears at checkout. Our favorites are peanut butter cup, maple sea salt, and oatmeal chocolate chip.

• The Sephora sale starts today. If I had to pick one item to buy it would be this hair towel that basically cuts my drying time in half. Use code SPRINGSALE at checkout.

• Some Quince basics that I ordered for spring and summer including the shorts version of my favorite jeans, solid tees for $13 apiece, a more casual strap to go with my favorite bag, and this new watch band that so many of you messaged me saying you have and love.

• The drink I occasionally drink on the weekend when I want the feeling of having a drink without having a drink. (25% off right now.)

• My new favorite organic cotton underwear is on sale for $10! I also have and love this style.

• These pants have been super popular—I have them in a few colors and have been wearing them daily.

• Tarte is having a build your own mini kit sale that ends soon—4 items for $32! The mini items are so great for travel, trying new products, as gifts, or just for fun. I heard from several people who always get the mini mascara because it tends to run out when it’s time to toss it anyway!

• These beautiful organic sheets (from Target!) arrived and they’ll be going on our bed next week.

What I Made

• Burger bowls — they’re a staple for us this time of year. Robert grilled burgers on Saturday night. The family had them on buns, but I love turning mine into a bowl. Here’s a recipe if you want one!

• Yellow cake with chocolate buttercream for my sister’s birthday—I’d definitely make this recipe again!

• Chicken cutlets (again!)—I’m really getting the hang of it now! I saved the steps I follow to a highlight on my Instagram.

• Date bites—I loosely followed this recipe from Naptime Kitchen (I skipped the hemp and pumpkin seeds). They’re so good!

• Air fryer salmon—seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked in the air fryer (love these parchment sheets for easy cleanup) at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted broccoli, and a sauce made with 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt, a few cloves of chopped garlic, salt, pepper, juice and zest of half a lemon, and fresh thyme (fresh dill is even better). For the kids: the salmon, pasta with Kirkland pesto, raw veggies with ranch, and sliced strawberries.

What I Loved

1. Full-body workouts—for the past few months I’ve been dividing my workouts into 2 upper and 2 lower body Peloton strength classes per week (plus core, some Pilates, weekly yoga, and walking/running.) Things have felt a little stagnant lately so I decided to switch it up with a few full body strength workouts this week instead. I find that full body workouts sometimes include compound movements that aren’t in the upper and lower body ones and they feel just different enough from what I’ve been doing to help me stay focused during the classes. It’s always a good reminder to switch things up from time to time to keep your mind and body engaged.

2. Relaxing showers—we’re not quite there yet, but the journey is underway. Most evenings I rush through my shower routine so that I can get into bed sooner. However, I realized that evening showers could actually be a really nice opportunity to slow down and reset the nervous system. My first step is lighting. I ordered this dimmable shower lamp that’s been lovely. I have this circadian night light on its way to me. I also got this stone bath mat. Next I plan to work on the other senses: smell (maybe eucalyptus leaves, shower steamers, a diffuser, or oils), and sound (like a bluetooth speaker that plays spa music.)

3. Kids playing outside. One of the things that brings me the most joy right now is looking outside at our yard full of kids playing until dark or catching up with neighbor friends in the driveway while our kids ride loops around the block on their bikes. I feel so keenly aware of how special this is. I know that this experience isn’t guaranteed just because you have kids, and I’m so grateful that our kids get to experience it as their childhood.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, whatever you have planned!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them—at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige. Thank you for reading!

Our kids are on spring break this week and it’s been so good. As much as I’ve settled into this chapter of having all of our kids in school, I’m always happiest when they’re home and I’ve really been soaking it in.

We lucked out with beautiful weather for most of the week, which meant lots of time outside—bike rides, driveway science experiments with whatever we could find around the house, endless games of four square with friends, and even a full beach day. We’re hoping to squeeze in one more little adventure today.

Yesterday turned cold and rainy, which ended up being perfectly timed. I used the slower day to finally tackle the kids’ dressers and closets (a project that was overdue by about a year…) and then we went to Old Navy to pick out some t-shirts and shorts.

This week felt like a little preview of what's to come this summer, and I think we’re all super excited for that.

What I Shared

Some of the links I shared this week

• What our kids are actually getting in their Easter baskets (along with some fun snacks and treats that I haven’t bought yet…)

• More Easter basket ideas here.

• This game almost knocked the ultrasonic cleaner out of the top spot for the most popular items last month (love them both!)

• These pants are so comfy and perfect for spring. I ordered them in 2 more colors: denim and khaki.

• I got this spray to help keep my new white sneakers white.

• Did you know that these were one of the top sellers during the entire Amazon sale? (They’re still 25% off.) We have them on every bed in our house.

• Our kids had so much fun playing with this in the driveway. I love that you can save it and reuse it!

• We’ve been loving these small stainless steel bowls for snacks, desserts, etc. (The rainbow ones are so cute, too!)

• I shared the tools that make it easy to get salmon rice bowls (I make them often—you could always use chicken if your family doesn’t love salmon!) on the table in under 15 minutes: Rice cooker that I set ahead of time, this pan for steaming edamame, broccoli, or green beans, air fryer parchment sheets for easy cleanup, and our easy bake oven for air frying.

• From our beach day: Our go-to pool/beach bag, the Target beach towels we’ve been using for years, and my favorite large foldable picnic blanket.

• My all-time favorite glass food storage containers are still on sale!

What I Made

• Instant pot shredded salsa chicken: 2 to 3 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs into the instant pot with some taco seasoning and half a jar of salsa. High pressure for 10 minutes followed by natural or manual release. Shred the chicken and add it back to the pot. It makes a super versatile recipe that you can use for tacos, burritos, taco bowls, quesadillas, nachos, and more.

• Breaded chicken cutlets (again!) — this time I really felt like I was getting the hang of it! I used Bell & Evans thin-sliced chicken cutlets and they were actually sliced thinly. I seasoned them with salt and pepper. I skipped flour this time (didn’t notice any difference), and dipped them in eggs and then a mixture of plain and Italian breadcrumbs with some freshly grated parm. Pan-fried in avocado oil. Here are the two things I’m working on for next time:

  1. Getting the temperature of the avocado oil and timing just right for a consistently golden exterior.

  2. Using less oil (I think I use too much).

• Miso salmon rice bowls: I followed the recipe for the salmon (I’d make it again) and cooked it in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 8-10 mins. I served it with jasmine rice, edamame, and avocado.

• Quick Instant Pot chicken noodle soup: Set the instant pot to sauté, add some olive oil, and sauté half a diced onion, 4-5 chopped carrots, a few stalks of celery, chopped, and season with salt and pepper. After a few minutes, add 2 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (1.5-2lbs). Season with salt and pepper. Pour in about 6 cups of chicken stock. Cover and seal. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook egg noodles in a pot on the stove according to package directions. Once the soup is done (you can do natural or quick release), remove the chicken breasts, shred the cooked chicken and add the chicken back to the pot. Discard the skin and bones. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste and the juice of half a lemon. Add some noodles to bowls, ladle soup on top, and enjoy! (I like to add baby spinach to my bowl.)

What I Loved

1. Dyeing my own hair. If you thought this wasn’t something you could actually do at home, hear me out—I had zero experience before, and it worked beautifully. The grays around my hairline were popping, and I knew I either needed to go back to the salon (which I haaaate) or try it myself. Encouraged by messages from some of you who’ve done it before, I went for it.

   This kit came with everything I needed, and the whole process took less than an hour: a few minutes to prep, 10 minutes to apply with a squeeze bottle, 35 minutes to wait, then a quick wash in the shower. It didn’t smell at all, and it honestly felt empowering not to depend on someone else for this. I’m excited for the time and money I’ll save going forward.

   This is the exact color (Dosolo Brown) that I used. I guessed and then realized later that the website has a quiz you can take to find the right color for you (tap “find my perfect shade”). If you have any questions about doing this, feel free to message me. I wish I’d known sooner how simple it is!

2. Not to make this all about hair, but when I took the pic above I also realized how huge of a difference this has made over the past few months. I had noticed that when wearing a ponytail, my hair was getting so thin on the sides that you could see my scalp. I’ve been super consistent and there’s so much new growth. It’s currently 25% off site wide, so if it’s been on your mind, it’s definitely a great opportunity to give it a try.

3. Yasso Fudge Chocolate Crunch Greek Yogurt Bars for my dessert every night this week. They’re a DELIGHT!

Thank you so much for being here! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, whatever you may have planned.

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them—at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige. Thank you for reading!

Our kids’ spring break starts today and we’re going…nowhere.

I’m totally good with that. I love being home. I love when our kids have long stretches of unstructured time together, and I’m hoping for some warmer days where they can run, bike, and just be outside for hours each day.

At the same time, it seems like almost everyone we know is going away and more than once I’ve found myself thinking, wait…when did everyone plan these cool trips? It never even crossed my mind to plan something for spring break. This also happens to be one of the busiest times of the year at work for Robert so it would be tricky getting away anyway.

Still, there’s a small piece of me that thinks it would be exciting to go somewhere, have new and fun experiences, and do something different together. Just shake things up a little, you know?

For now, I’m tucking these thoughts away in case we want to consider them for future breaks. Maybe down the road I’ll be better able to tap into that plan-ahead brain space that’s needed for planning a family getaway many months in advance. (We go places, but most of our camping and ski trips have been cobbled together last minute.)

At the same time, I really am looking forward to this wide open week ahead. We have a list of things we want to do and we’ll see where the week takes us. Once the kids return to school the following week they’ll have 12 (twelve!!) weeks straight with fewer than a handful of days off here and there until they finish school at the end of June. I already know I’ll be glad that they had this downtime (with some adventures sprinkled in) before diving back in for the longest stretch.

Whether you’re heading somewhere fun for spring break, staying put, or returning home and settling in I hope it is/was everything you hope(d) it would be.

What I Shared

Some popular links from this week

• My top picks from the Big Spring Sale including what I actually bought.

• Easter basket ideas (it’s in 9 days, if you celebrate—plenty of time!)

• Today’s the last day the Yoto mini is on sale from Target for under $50—the lowest price I’ve seen it in years!

• These little race car launchers have been a big hit.

• We’ve played approximately 500 rounds of this and are still going strong.

• The best glass food storage containers I’ve ever used are at their Prime Day price right now.

• It makes me so happy that this is one of the most popular items this month (second only to this!)

• I grabbed three sets of these from the Spring Sale—one for our youngest and the others for his buddies’ birthdays this weekend.

• I wore this pink Gap sweatshirt (comes in lots of other colors, too) and love the oversized look, but more fitted fit.

• While this Aerie sweatshirt is big and roomy and oh so comfy.

• A rainy Monday inspired me to grab this adorable kids umbrella for our almost 5-year-old’s birthday. Speaking of rain, these are our favorite kids rain coats.

What I Made

Here’s what happened in the kitchen…

• Zucchini muffins. I added a grated carrot and it made them even better!

• Roasted salmon & asparagus with dilly sauce (page 40 from one of my favorite cookbooks) and smashed potatoes. For the kids: Salmon, some leftover rice, raw veggies with ranch, and applesauce. (I put everything on the dinner table and everyone helped themselves to whatever they wanted.)

• Breaded chicken cutlets — ohhhhhh we’re in it now! I’m on a journey to learn how to make amazing breaded chicken cutlets so I can always have them in the fridge for my family. This is my second week making them. I started with this recipe to learn the method, but have since gone rogue while finding what we love best. I served the chicken cutlets with salad, pasta with either butter, marinara, or pesto, roasted broccoli, and raw veggies with ranch.

  • Win from this week: Using a combination of plain breadcrumbs and Italian breadcrumbs with a little grated parm. I’ll do that again.

    • Lessons learned:

      1. Even if you buy thinly sliced chicken breasts you may need to pound them even more to get them super thin.

      2. Do all of your prep work first. Let the breaded chicken sit before heating the oil on the stove. Don’t try to do it all at once.

• Japanese BBQ beef bowls: I browned 2.5lbs of ground beef in a pan and seasoned it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. I added some soy sauce and Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce to taste. It was so good! I served it with rice (that I cooked in this rice cooker—so happy with it!), steamed frozen edamame, sliced cucumber, shredded carrot, avocado, and chopped green onion plus extra Japanese BBQ sauce drizzled on top. Yum!

• Breakfast for dinner: German pancake, bacon, and fruit. I have one kid who doesn’t like German pancakes so he made his own scrambled eggs with bacon and shredded cheese served with a toasted Dave’s Killer Bread bagel with Nutella.

• Pinch of Yum chicken meatballs. I doubled the recipe and instead of the parm I added 1/4 to 1/3 cup of Kirkland pesto—it adds such great flavor! I served them with sautéed green beans (this pan has been a game changer for steaming foods such as green beans, broccoli, edamame etc. The steamer basket plus spouts for draining make it so easy!) For the kids: the chicken meatballs, Annie’s Mac and cheese, mango, and veggies with ranch for dipping.

What I Loved

1. Shokz headphones (currently on sale!)—the more I wear them, the more I love them. I got the mini size and I’m so glad I did. The sound is amazing, and at the same time I can hear what’s going on around me so they’re a safer option for outdoor walks. I’ve worn them with a hat and with glasses and they still fit perfectly. Thanks to those of you who encouraged me to try them!

2. Nevermoor, the best book I’ve read to the kids in a while and we’re not even 100 pages in! It’s full of magic, mystery, and so much more. This is the first book in a long time that I wish I could keep reading after we stop each night so I can find out what happens next.

3. Weekly yoga class with friends—for the past year, a yoga instructor friend has been teaching a weekly yoga class for a group of friends at another friend’s house. Every week when we unroll our mats in my friend’s basement, I think to myself how lucky we are to have this. It’s really hard to put into words just how special it is—definitely a highlight of every week for me and I hope we continue doing it for a very long time.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a fantastic spring break if that’s happening for you, too!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them—at absolutely no cost to you. Using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige. Thank you for reading!

I had a kid home sick for most of this week, and something I’ve learned over the years is that I’m just not great when a kid is sick. I do my best to take care of them and make sure they’re comfortable and well cared for. But mentally, no matter how many years I’ve been doing this mom thing, it doesn’t seem to feel any easier.

I worry. I spiral. He had a high fever Tuesday evening and I stayed awake most of the night listening for if he needed anything (more Motrin at 1:30am). I was mentally rearranging our plans over the next 3 to 5 days in case he was still sick. I wondered if it’s strep (again), flu, or something else. (It was a virus.) I was worrying about the rest of the kids getting sick and how long that would take. The hardest part about having 4 kids, for me, so far, has been when we get stuck in a sick cycle that slowly takes each person down.

Even when I know that, logically, he just needed some time to rest and recover and even if the other kids get sick it might be hard, but we’ll get through it, apparently even mild sickness has a way of temporarily bringing all logic and reason to a screeching halt. (And I know how lucky we are that in the scheme of things it’s always been mild.)

I don’t have any great wisdom to share except that knowing how I am when a kid is sick has helped because then it doesn’t surprise me every time. I remind myself of the other times the kids have been sick and we’ve gotten through it just fine. And, thankfully, taking care of kids when they’re sick is exponentially easier as they get older. There are often bright spots, too—getting some one-on-one time together, chatting, sitting down and watching a few minutes of a movie with them, or playing a game when they’re feeling up to it.

So while I wish I had a grounded knowingness that all would be well whenever the thermometer beeps red, the reality seems to be that I take my little tailspin, lean hard into routines, accept that sleep might be spotty for a bit, disinfect some things, and keep showing up the best that I can.

(Happily, he’s better now.)

What I Shared

Popular links from this week

• Geometry is 35% off with my code OurHomePaige15 right now. The tea towels are my favorite—the prints are beautiful, they’re super absorbent, and they wash really well. Now is a great time to try them if you’ve been thinking about it!

• Things I bought recently that are 100% worth it. I shared a post highlighting them here.

• This small game that’s so fun and simple to play, and entertaining for kids and adults alike. It’s perfectly purse-size and great for restaurants, sidelines, travel, and more.

• Comfy shorts that are 30% off. I have a feeling I’ll be living in these when it’s warmer! I ordered 3 colors. To go with them: this tank and this lighter-weight sweatshirt.

• Guardian Bikes—our 7-year-old got one for Christmas and it’s fantastic—the bikes are sturdy, but lightweight, have great safety features, and the customer service is amazing. I heard from so many of you whose families have had Guardian Bikes for years and love them as well!

• $8 oil sprayer— I’ve been eyeing this for a while, and after feeling like I douse vegetables in too much oil before roasting plus a DM I received about how I need it, I finally ordered and it’s living up to the hype already.

• Beast Blender—Robert’s daily protein shakes got an upgrade for his birthday! We love the sleek design, small footprint, stainless steel materials, and quieter (though still powerful) motor. He uses it to make a post-workout, pre-work smoothie every morning with frozen banana, milk, protein powder, and creatine.

• What else I got him: This for sore muscles (I paid full price, but it’s on sale right now) and this Quince lighter weight coat for wearing to work this spring. So handsome!

• Kids arts and crafts kits—our crafty kids love any kind of kit they can open and start creating. They’re great for gifts and when friends are over. There’s no age limit to any of the items on this list. Our 4-year-old can do them and our older kids bring them up to their own abilities.

• My new tread desk so I can turn my treadmill into a walking desk when needed. It’s perfect—no notes.

• Have you tried Culture Pop? This is by far my favorite healthier soda. They contain real fruit juice (similar to Spindrift) plus probiotics, and no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. The new raspberry lemonade is amazing—like spring in a can. Black cherry is another fave. You can grab them from their website and save with code OurHomePaige10 or on Amazon.

• The Target cloche for storing baked goods is on sale for under $18! Not only is it pretty, it helps keep them fresh.

What I Made

This was a busy week in the kitchen so let’s do some quick hits:

• Friday night tacos (taco bowl for me) became Saturday lunch burritos and quesadillas. This is my go-to taco meat recipe always.

• Zucchini muffins—this recipe is incredible. I added chocolate chips. If you hate grating zucchini, the rotary grater makes a huge difference. It’s easy to clean and can go in the dishwasher.

• Garlic butter steak bites with white rice, roasted broccoli and roasted tomatoes. I made the steak bites on our stove-top griddle and I’ll definitely be doing that again. For the kids: The steak bites, rice, and raw veggies with ranch.

• Breaded chicken cutlets (I followed that recipe and used panko breadcrumbs), plus penne with Rao’s marinara, and salad. More breaded chicken cutlet thoughts below!

• Minestrone soup with garlic bread. (I make this soup all the time.) To make it in the instant pot, I sauté the vegetables for a few minutes, add the remaining ingredients, and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. I cook the pasta separately on the stove.

• Energy bites—recipe is at the bottom of this post.

• Breakfast for dinner—I cook bacon earlier in the day, and then chop some up and add it to the eggs while cooking. Our kids eat way more eggs this way. I served the egg scramble with strawberries, cantaloupe, orange juice, and Dave’s Killer Bread bagels toasted with butter and jam.

• Pinch of yum air fryer chicken thighs (amazing!), roasted Brussels sprouts, and the viral sweet potatoes.

What I Loved

1. Koala Eco cleaning products—this whole line of natural cleaning products is spectacular. The kitchen cleaner is my favorite thing to clean our island and counters with. It makes them sparkle and smells so fresh (the products are made with essential oils). They kindly gave us a code that I’ll be taking full advantage of: OurHomePaige20 for 20% off.

2. Our breaded chicken cutlet journey—I have dreams of always having homemade breaded chicken cutlets in the fridge and I loved hearing from so many of you who share this dream or are already living it. While I really wish that I had an Italian grandmother to lead the way, thankfully I have so many of you who are PROS! I may try them in the oven and air fryer just to experiment, but I feel pretty sure that thin cutlets > flour > eggs > breadcrumbs > fry in avocado oil in a deep skillet on the stove is going to be the path for me. Based on all of your suggestions, next time for the breadcrumb mixture I’m going to use half panko and half Italian breadcrumbs plus some grated parm. I’ll be making them again ASAP.

3. Shrinking—This is one of my favorite series everrrrr (it’s on Apple TV). Robert and I are watching the third season now. It takes us a while to get through a show, watching 1-2 episodes per weekend. The dialogue is amazing; every character says exactly what’s on their mind, honestly, hilariously, and with no filter. The connections, friendships, and relationships are so rich.

The kids are off from school today so we’ll see where the day takes us. We have a bunch of taekwondo events—a tryout and a belt test—over the weekend that we’re looking forward to and hopefully there will also be lots of time outside. I hope you have a great weekend!

The above links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you choose to use them—at absolutely no cost to you. In fact, using my links is one of the easiest ways to support the work that I do here and at @OurHomePaige. Thank you so much for the support.