Picture an Hour: April 2024
6:15 a.m. Coffee + Devotional + Work
My alarm went off at 6 a.m. in the middle of a seriously weird dream involving a shark attack that happened where I was swimming in the ocean and several people swimming near me were bitten but no one was seriously injured or even all that scared. It was like the most apathetic shark attack in the history of the world. It was a bizarre dream (my dreams are usually much more realistic and just everyday life kind of dreams) and a strange start to the day.
Things started to feel a little more normal by 6:15 a.m. after I let Pepper out, made myself a whole milk latte and spent some time reading my devotional before working on my laptop until the boys were awake. Also, I have to give another shout out to my Ember mug, aka the Christmas gift I received from Ryan that knocked it out of the park. I still wish the mug was a tad bigger (only because I use a lot of whole milk in my lattes) but it’s seriously the best little invention for those who like their coffee H-O-T. It’s also super helpful because too often I’ll make my coffee and then get sidetracked or the boys will need me or something but when I come back to my coffee, it’s still wonderfully warm. I love it so much.
7:30 a.m. Waffles for Breakfast
Ryan had an early start to his work day yesterday and was out the door just before 7 a.m. About 15 minutes after I said goodbye to Ryan, I heard noise from upstairs and headed up to get Rhett dressed for the day and say good morning to the big kids who were already starting in on another magnetic tile creation. Eventually everyone headed downstairs when I told them breakfast was ready.
We had buttered waffles and sliced strawberries and I cannot tell you how nice it’s been to make a whole box of Simple Mills waffles on the weekends to freeze and then have them on hand to pop into the toaster on busy weekday mornings. I also finally bit the bullet and ordered a waffle maker that will allow me to make 4 waffles at a time as opposed to standing over our single Christmas tree waffle maker for 30+ minutes as I make the whole box of waffles. It should arrive tomorrow and I’m excited to put it to use!
8:05 a.m. School Drop Off
Soon after breakfast, we piled into my car to take Chase to school. No one was more excited for school drop off than Pepper! She dashes to the door when she knows it’s time for us to leave and always likes to be in the mix. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: This tiny hamster dog has been the perfect fit for our family. She’s seriously the source of so much joy, humor and love in our lives every single day and the way she is with our boys will forever be one of my very favorite things about her. Dogs are just the best.
9:25 a.m. Burn Boot Camp
After the whole school drop off routine when all three boys were settled at school/preschool, I made my way to Burn Boot Camp for a total body workout. It was a good one with a lot of solid strength exercises that challenged my whole body. I stayed after to chat with a friend for a bit before making my way back home.
10:30 a.m. Work
I spent the next couple of hours on the computer working so I don’t have any fun pictures to share unless you want to see multiple angles of my laptop.
12:30 p.m. Shower + Get Dressed
(Cardigan: Target but old / Tank: Old Navy but old / Jeans: Free People / Sneakers: Reebok / Colorful Beaded Necklace: Amazon / Tiny Heart Gold Necklace: Gorjana)
I took a speedy shower and got dressed at the last minute before I had to run out the door to pick up Rhett and Ryder from preschool pickup. I lost track of time while I was working and didn’t plan enough time for a sit down lunch so lunch looked like eating dinner leftovers out of a Tupperware container in my car.
1:30 p.m. Preschool Pickup + Target Run
During preschool pickup it was pouring outside which scrapped our plans to meet up with friends for a park playdate between school pickups. Plan B took us to Target to do a return which naturally resulted in us shopping at Target and leaving with some random groceries to help get us through the rest of the week.
2:40 p.m. School Pickup
Next up on the agenda was Chase’s school pickup. It was still raining — yesterday was honestly pretty dreary from start to finish — but thankfully the downpour lessened to a drizzle and eventually faded as the afternoon went on.
3:15 p.m. Home for Snack Time + Lunch Prep + Strawberry Planting
When we arrived home, the boys dug into a big snack plate I threw together while I prepared their lunches for the following day. (Making their lunches for the next day the minute we get home has been a game changer for me. I have not received one complaint from the boys about stale food or soggy sandwiches so I’m going to keep rockin’ with this one as long as possible.)
After snack time, the rain was dying down and we were all itching to get outside so we made our way into the backyard where Ryder got the idea to plant the tops of the strawberries from his afternoon snack. Gardening friends, any chances his technique will yield some berries? While we don’t have huge hopes for the strawberries, our whole family is getting excited for round two of our garden this spring! We’re planning to plant some new-to-us fruits and veggies and hope we’ll have half the success we did with our zucchini plants last summer. The boys and I also planted some zinnias and wildflowers in the yard yesterday and hope they’ll take off like they did last summer, too!
4:30 p.m. More Outside Playtime
The boys played outside for a solid two hours and had a great time moving from the yard to the driveway to the little beach in our backyard. Outside for our kids is the freaking best because I swear they’re all happier and brother fights are minimal. They often come up with games or “projects” to work on together and yesterday’s imagination project made me smile. They created a “fish hatchery” in the sand for baby fish to hatch and grow until they’re ready to make their way into the lake and swim with the bigger fish. I love their imaginations so much.
6:20 p.m. Boys’ Dinner + Board Game
The 5 o’clock hour passed by in a blur of wrapping up outside playtime, bath time, pajamas and making dinner. Once all of that was done, the boys ate dinner and then we played a couple rounds of a new-to-us game my mom sent to the boys for Easter. They are loving Snug as a Bug in a Rug because there are instructions that allow you to make it easier for younger kids (Rhett) or more challenging for older kids (Chase and Ryder) so all three boys think it’s fun! I swear Peaceable Kingdom makes the BEST games because they’re collaborative so all of the boys are working together to win which eliminates intense sibling fights that can go along with board games when they’re younger. Hallelujah. (Hoot Owl Hoot is another collaborative game our boys love!)
7:15 p.m. Bed Time + Dinner
Ryan arrived home right before 7 p.m., just in time to say goodnight to Rhetty Roo! I put Rhett to bed while Ryan hung out with the big kids and then we dug into our dinners while playing another round of Snug as a Bug in a Rug with Chase and Ryder. Then Ryan put the big kids to bed just before 8 p.m. while I did a cleaning sweep in the kitchen before we both let Pepper out one last time.
8:20 p.m. Reading with Chase + More Reading
Once Ryder fell asleep, Chase slipped out of their room and met us in our room to read another couple of chapters from The Lost Hero, the latest book we’re reading which a continuation of the Percy Jackson series we recently finished and loved. At this point, my phone was plugged in across our room so I didn’t snap any additional pictures but after we were done reading with Chase a little after 9 p.m., we said goodnight to him and then Ryan and I read our respective books before falling asleep. I ended up finishing Practice Makes Perfect, the sequel to When In Rome (one of the best books I’ve read so far this year), and thought it was another lovely lighthearted gem!
As for today, it should be a fairly typical Wednesday with school, piano and our usual weekday routine. I hope you all have a fantastic day!
Ailish says
Hi Julie! Long time reader here. My husband and I just moved to Charlotte from NYC last week. We really like it here so far! We don’t have kids yet but moved here to have a family and better cost of living. Just posting to ask if you had advice on making new friends/connections for transplants? I remember you moved here from Florida & wondered if you had any advice 🙂
Julie says
Hi!!! Aw I am so excited for you guys and really hope you continue to love living here! It truly is our favorite place we’ve ever lived. Before we had kids, I met my closest friends through workout classes actually! I was going to the same pure barre class at a certain time and connected with some of the women going at the same time. It can be awkward at first, but suggesting grabbing coffee after class can make it a little less weird!!
Ailish says
Thank you so much for the recommendations!!! <3
I know this is kind of random but the apartment complex we moved into sent an email alerting tenants to a crisis at Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Control. The shelter is being mandated to do construction to stay up to code for the city & currently have 47 dogs at risk in their kennels. So basically if they can’t adopt or foster those dogs out before 7pm tomorrow they will likely be euthanized :/ We are trying to see if we can foster (we already have a dog) but we don’t know many people here and wanted to get the word out. I know you have a large community in Charlotte and through this blog. Just reaching out as a last ditch effort before tomorrow to see if you could spread the word!
Mary says
I lived in Charlotte a long time but have moved away. My husband and I agree that it really is such a friendly city because so many people are transplants. Depending on your interests, I recommend joining one of the many excellent YMCAs, running clubs, or like Julie said, other fitness studios. Also there are many volunteer opportunities around the area.
Cooking classes at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen are also super fun and you might be paired with another couple to be friends with!
If church is your thing, there are plenty, and many have young adult groups.
Ailish says
Thank you so much for all your help!! <3
Julie says
YES! We did one of Chef Alyssa’s classes and had a great time!
Holly says
I saw your story with the song ‘This land is your land’ tagged. Do you know the real meaning of the story and its artist. I’ll link an article, but it was a rebuttal to ‘God Bless America’, written by Woody Guthrie. It speaks to the inequities and imbalance felt throughout the country both at the time it was written, and much can be said for today.
https://www.npr.org/2000/07/03/1076186/this-land-is-yourland#:~:text=Some%20have%20called%20%22This%20Land,first%20sung%20by%20Woody%20Guthrie
Elise says
Hi Julie! Can you write a post about your boy’s lunches and meals? I know you have talked about how they don’t always eat the same foods as you and Ryan, but we’re in a bit of a lunch rut with our little here at home. I would love to see what types of lunches you’re sending the boys. Even better if you have nut-free suggestions, as our schools in Canada are pretty strict no-nuts at the elementary level.
Julie says
Yes!! I’ll try to do this soon! We also have to do nut-free for Chase, as his elementary school is nut-free, too.
Ruth says
I love that Ryder is into gardening. I don’t think he is going to get strawberry plants, or if he does, it will take a very long time. But I suppose you could buy a couple plants to grow some. Our Grandson loves checking to see if there are any strawberries growing. LOL, we had to stop him picking the green ones, but he’s only 2.
Megan says
We got two Peacable Kingdom games per your recommendation (Hoot Owl Hoot and Duck Duck Dance) and our boys love them both! Will have to try this one too!
Julie says
I’m so glad they’ve been hits!!! They truly are great and fun for all of us!
P.L. says
Hi Julie, I’m a reader of your blog since 2011! The post of the book you read Chase shows several layers and textures of what looks like bedding. I love your taste in home decor. Would you mind linking your bedding selections? We have a grey/neutral palette in our master bedroom too, and I’m in the market for new bedding. Thank you!