Why (and how) I bring my kids to my Zumba classes
I started noticing something at my Zumba classes lately. There really weren’t many people like me — as in, “30-something parents of young children.” Some of them make rare appearances, but no one comes consistently.
I’m always asking friends to come to class with me. I’m sure they’d love the great music and the disco lights — plus, of course, getting a full workout while dancing like nobody’s watching. (The great thing about Zumba class is that nobody IS watching anybody else, because we’re all focused on the instructor.)
Oh yes, they assure me, they would definitely love to go.
“It sounds so fun!”
“It would be great to exercise again!”
“I’ve always wanted to try it!”
“I’m soooo out of shape and need to do something!”
But no one comes. Read More
My big FAT nightstand makeover
***Thanks to The FAT Paint Company for sponsoring this makeover. All opinions and sloppy work areas, as always, are my own.***
Curb cleanup week never disappoints. Every time a new piece of old furniture appears at the end of a driveway, it’s like a DIY angel gets its wings.
My best curb hauls in the past were a coffee table, a side table and two antique wooden chairs. This year I only got one piece, and I didn’t have to travel far. It was sitting at the end of the driveway across the street. Score!
While the kids ran up the driveway to fetch their buddy for the bus, I stumbled across the street with my mug of tea and checked out the treasure: a chunky wooden nightstand with aged brass accents. I gave it a quick inspection and saw the drawer opened smoothly, and the whole thing was pleasantly heavy. Yes, please!
Weekly wrap-up: Old tables + new pants + secret spying
THE WEEKEND
It was a busy weekend with SO. MUCH. FOOD. The prep work actually started Friday evening as I chopped onions (and crieddddd) and celery and “staled” (that’s a verb) three loaves of bread so I could cube it for stuffing.
(Rifle Paper Co. herb garden recipe tin*)
We hosted Thanksgiving dinner here on Saturday and it was delicious — thanks mostly to my mom, who promptly took over the actual cooking duties while I went thrifting. Woohoo!
Modern rainbow baby quilt
When my friend had her baby boy a few years back, I’d sewn him a little blue baby quilt with his name appliqued on the front.
So when had her daughter this past spring, of course I couldn’t wait to make her one. (A beautiful baby girl after THREE boys!)
Be cool to your (child’s) school
I signed up to volunteer at our elementary school on our son’s very first day, two years ago. It was a spur-of-the-moment, totally emotional decision.
I could barely concentrate on my work because I couldn’t stop thinking about what he was probably doing at that very moment. He’d barely been gone two hours before I messaged a friend who coordinates volunteers, and begged her for a job — anything to GET ME IN THAT BUILDING WITH MY BABY.
I filled out a lot of paperwork to ensure I was not a criminal and/or someone who shouldn’t be around kids, and then I started working at the school’s breakfast program one morning a week. Read More
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Heather's Handmade Life 