It’s all about the Friday vibes over here. With a transition out of vacation mode back to reality, I’m happy to report we’ve survived and made it to yet another glorious weekend. This week wasn’t all sunshine ☀️ and roses ?though. A few low notes were the shock to our systems on Tuesday morning when we didn’t relax in our pajamas all morning or take a nature walk {up north vacation routine}– AKA – Maven refusing to change out of her jammies and get back into the swing of things – and also the fact that I was in a car accident yesterday. I am so incredibly thankful that it was minor in the grand scheme of things, that I was alone in the car and that no one involved was injured, but it surely was not a fun experience. I’m quite shaken up from it and my body is pretty sore, but I walk away from that life experience with a reminder that no matter how much you try and plan and protect, life is surely not in your own control. We are counting our blessings over here!

And, because sometimes it takes focusing on the positives to make it through, I want to highlight some of my favorite things from the week. I thought this may be a fun contrast to the low points we had! (Some of the following are affiliate links.)

FRIDAY FAVORITES

1. MAMA

Sweet Sylvie had the “ma” sound emerge from all her little screetches and babbles, finally.

Her eyes, hugs & kisses, love, snuggles, needs and attachment to me always scream mama, but I’ve been patiently waiting for those mmmm sounds to actually arrive. I’m over the moon that they’ve finally started and it warms my heart as I hear the “ma ma mas” out of that sweet little mouth of hers. Now to get her to actually call me mama… The time will come, I know.

2. SWIMMING LESSONS

Maven and her big girl swimming lessons. I mean, for real, how hilariously adorable is this little girl?!

Maven attended her first swim lesson sans parent {yay for me not having to get in the pool!} and did SO well. She was nervous at first as she is always a little shy in new situations, despite her bold personality, but I walked her in, the teacher scooped her up and once she was in the pool, she quickly entered fishy mode. Mark was able to attend for a while as well, so we could both watch our little girl grow up right before our very eyes. We watched from the waiting room and Maven was so thrilled for herself that she kept turning around to give us the biggest grin and wave. I couldn’t stop smiling because I knew she was just in her glory. At the end of the class she raced out to meet me, shivering, and shouted, “Mom, I get a REALLY special treat for that, right?!” Needless to say, she can’t wait to go back again next week.

3. CLEANING

Magic Eraser sponges. Have I told any of you how magical these are? Yes, I realize having a cleaning supply on my favorites list makes me quite nerdy.

I’m kind of a neat freak. Okay, maybe totally a neat freak, but I’m also all about the best cleaning tricks and time-savers. Did you see my Instagram post a while back about fels naptha? Buy it and try it ASAP! Everyone else who has tried from my recommendation LOVES it. But back on topic- Magic Erasers save me soo much time scrubbing and are so versatile when it comes to cleaning. This week, I’ve used them on pots and pans to remove some cooking stains, to clean a few marks off of our white woodwork in our house and to clean Maven’s shoes. I’ve been neglecting to clean up her shoes for too long, nearly to the point of stinky toddler feet, but I finally did it and oh wow did it make a difference. A little soap, warm water and the magic eraser and her shoes are as good as new. So, if you haven’t tried them you should and if you have tried them please tell me you love them as much as I do.

That’s a wrap for me. What about you? What were your favorite parts of the week? Any fun weekend plans? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below, send me an email, or connect via Facebook or Instagram!

TGIF ☀️

XO