It’s been even quieter than usual lately because I finished writing my dissertation a couple weeks ago and following the euphoria of submitting it, promptly realized all the many other things in life that had been neglected since Christmas. It felt so good, not only to deliver that stack of beautifully bound pages to my various committee members, but also to restore some order to my home and other commitments. 
And now, some random this and that from around the internet that have had my attention lately.
The whole Whole30 that we finished earlier this month (which admittedly, I have only very sloppily participated in), I fantasized about making this lasagna, or this tortellini dish. They both graced our table soon thereafter and were delicious, especially the lasagna, receiving praise from my ricotta-hating husband and my sometimes veggie-phobe toddler.
I randomly had a free Friday morning and childcare recently, as did a friend, so we acted like wild people without jobs and went to see The Greatest Showman. I haven’t stopped blasting the soundtrack ever since.
Lots of talk out there these days about combating winter dry skin. This winter I had a break through when I ran out of my day lotion, and started applying my night cream during the day too. Game changer. As always, I swear by this night cream that is both wonderful, and doesn’t cost you as if it was made from diamond dust mixed with Beyoncé’s tears.
Loved this article about the obnoxiously sponsored falseness of the “influencer” mom culture. It’s why I don’t follow many “professional” moms on Instagram or read their blogs- I am not living in a world of white kitchens and glam vacations, and if they were really honest- they aren’t either. I don’t care how much you are sponsored- your kid still breaks your stuff and makes messes. I hate the lies that it seems the internet over lets themselves be paid to spread, or worst, we decide to believe and then perpetuate them further.
Perhaps it is because Henry is currently the sole boy in our posse of friends with kids, but this really resonated (and the article that goes with it here). I know it isn’t politically correct these days, but it reflects so much of what I see in my active kid. Furthermore, I don’t want my daughter neglected in school because teachers are having to focus all their energy on disciplining boys. I have no solutions, but I definitely see the problem. (Obviously, this is not a defense of the “boys will be boys” excuse for inappropriate behavior, but rather recognizing that general boyish activity and energy in young children is not inappropriate.)
And on that note, this article was so good. I already worry that my energetic and inquisitive kid will be over disciplined in school, internalizing a narrative that he is a bad kid because he doesn’t want to sit still and do rote exercises at the age of 3. This article gave some great food for thought about what doesn’t help kids advance (rigorous preschool curriculums) and what does (talking to them and fostering creative conversation).
These words were so good: “The fruit that makes us guilty before God was actually a fresh, local, pesticide-free, hand-picked, heirloom variety grown in the family owned and operated Garden of Eden…The Christian life is not about what we’re putting in our mouths, but what has come out of God’s. Our food choices are of some value, but not eternal value.”
This podcast ripped my heart into a million little pieces. Babies are amazing. Science is amazing. So glad to live in a world where the one can be employed to help the other.
Any good book recs? I’m taking a trip sans toddler this weekend and looking forward to some good reading time.
Happy Monday all!
The Art in Life 
Find yourself a copy of The Girl Who Navigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. It’s delightfully strange and wonderfully whimsical.
Book recommendation: Give Your Kids A Break by Kim Fredrickson – since you seem to be into parenting reads. I really enjoyed this book on compassionate parenting. Otherwise, I read Gone With the Wind for the first time last year and it was awesome.
Have a great trip!
he’s growing up so fast 🙂
I made the mistake of listening to that podcast episode on a plane. Luckily, I was by the window so (hopefully) my row companions couldn’t see/hear me weeping in the corner.
Lots of great food for thought! I have an almost 2-year-old little boy, so I will have to dig into these articles. And the Juniper French story — amazing. I heard it on radio lab several years ago, and if you look her up now it’s glorious what a strong and happy little lady she is growing into. Best wishes on the last few months of pregnancy, and CONGRATS on your dissertation!!
Lovely post. Congratulations on finishing your dissertation! Well done.
My latest favorite read was Welcome to Fred by Brad Whittington (free on Kindle). I also highly recommend The Spy Wore Red by Aline, Countess of Romanones. I never quite know where to stop when people ask for book recommendations, but I’ll leave you with just those two titles.
Also, congratulations on your HUGE accomplishment! 🙂
Hannah, If a few words over the internet can offer encouragement to you or another reader here regarding thoughts on boys in academic settings and preschool in general – I’m more than a decade older than you, raising 4 children, 3 of them boys, in a smallish town in the Midwest. The oldest 2 are twin boys who are now 12. I was not nearly as wise as you when they were little. One of them especially (but really both of them) are super high energy. We were fortunate enough to join a cooperative play-based preschool, where we found a wonderful community of like-minded parents. When my kids were learning numbers we would run or walk through our neighborhood and trace the numbers on the mailboxes. We counted while I pushed them on the swing. I read to them all the time, all different kinds of books. In early elementary school, I tried to ensure they got more physical activity in their days – I would drive them to school when I could and park a few blocks away and walk/run the last few blocks. After school we would practice spelling words or math facts while bouncing a ball. Today the oldest are both in honors classes and one is accelerated. Recently we have been asked by teachers and other parents how we are raising such engaged kids. Read the articles, but trust your instincts – no one knows your child better than you do. I would say much of our parenting would be considered “old-fashioned” with an emphasis on active outdoor time, books and encouraging curiosity in the world around them.
Congrats on your dissertation, enjoy this precious time with your little ones!