WHAT A WEEK. Andrew was traveling for work (which super rarely happens) and I am so glad it is over. Seven nights of back to back bath time duty without him was A LOT. Actually, it was too much. I told him if he has to do this again the trip needs to be shorter. BUT, we made it through and we’re about to go get him from the airport and I’m so excited he’s coming home. Some of you will know that Andrew and I dated long distance for 4 years in college and him being gone reminded me of that time, which was a time I did not like. Glad we’re to the other side! Some parts of him being gone felt like an experiment in what do I like without him here? I ate out way more and stayed up late watching reality TV…so I did enjoy that!

I had a lot of events planned and babysitters lined up because I was scared of getting lonely without Andrew here.

First up, I asked my sister if we could come over for dinner Saturday night. They made us pasta…yum! The girls played with their cousins and we did night one of trick or treating. We ended up trick-or-treating 4 nights in a row haha and that was a blast. It made for a fun activity to help the week pass.

On Halloween Eve I picked the big girls up from school with hot chocolate in these cutie cups from their Pickles (MIL). Jojo proclaimed, “You are the best mom!” She lovesss it when I am prepared and think ahead. I had some mom guilt over this and wishing I could always be more prepared for her, but mostly just happy I’ve been able to become more and more organized of the years.

I really love the transition from Halloween to Holiday. The week started with Halloween candy and moved to Target Holiday Haul. So fun.

The Target haul day was yesterday and I ended up sitting down and having a snack before shopping and taking stock of my life in the Starbucks inside of Target haha. It was quite a week. Leah ended up getting pretty sick, so I needed to stay home with her more than expected, but she was so cuddly and still (fever sickness over stomach bug sickness…yes, please) and it ended up being such a sweet few days, but I was ready to have a break from the constant responsibility of kids by Friday. Starbucks pumpkin loaf is fantastic, amiright?

One easy dinner of cereal + walnuts.

Halloween night we ordered pizza from Luna.

I had a date night planned with Jojo. I ended up taking Leah with me too bc she was seeming like she really needed me and my Dad took Ella on a fun date of her choosing – Chick-fil-A + the grocery store, where she told him, “we need snacks that don’t go in the fridge.”

Crepe date for Jo and me! While Jo had a great time, she isn’t a foodie. I think for our next date I’m going to suggest some non-food related options for her.

With Andrew gone, while I mostly just missed him, I realized I do miss going out to places and just lingering. Going out just to be out and “be where the people are.” That’s something I enjoy more than he does, so I want to bring that in more for me.

An easy lunch was almond butter english muffin + apple slices.

For other meals at home, I made a rice dish.

breakfast sandwiches + pumpkin loaf.

a breakfast sandwich taken to-go on the way out the door.

I’m dying over this picture – my Dad + one of my nephews, Sam <3. Or, was it Isaac? I think it was Sam haha. I already can’t tell them apart.

Pizza again! At this meal Jo came over, grabbed a handful of arugula off the top, and ran off eating it. It was awesome. I was like, praise the Lord she’s eating a vegetable!! Intuitive Eating win. I of course said nothing about it to her.

Our routine at this place is ice cream appetizer and then dinner. It’s a good rhythm that works for us. One of the girls got this chocolate sorbet push pop and didn’t like it, so Leah and I ended up sharing it and it was delish.

For ease, this morning I UberEats’d some kolaches + a latte, mostly bc yum but also bc we’re out of milk and eggs.

And that’s our week! We’re heading to the airport now to scoop up Andrew and we made a sign so one of the girls is going to pop out of the sunroof with it :) I can’t wait. I hope you are well and enjoying this first weekend of November.