the take home folder vol 128

My kids have four more weeks of summer break and I’m bouncing between

savor every moment! let’s go to the pool! what remains on our summer bucket list?

and

oh my gosh our house desperately needs to be decluttered. being back on routine will be nice. a crisp fall day sounds delightful.

I’m not wishing time away but one of my favorite simple joys is anticipating the goodness ahead. We’re in a sweet spot of being able to hold on to summer while starting to open our minds and hearts to back to school season.

Whatever the coming weeks bring for you, I hope you’re able to cling to the good stuff in the present and look forward what’s on the horizon.

What is something I can do for our home?

What is something I can do for/with our family?

What is something I can do for myself?

Today for me it’s cleaning bathrooms and tidying and vacuuming bedrooms, catching up with my parents, and going to bed early sans phone (I’ve been in a yucky habit of scrolling late at night).

here’s this week’s take home folder, enjoy!

I’m often asked how I know my kids’ teachers favorite drinks, snacks, restaurants, and stores as I sporadically send in treats and gift cards during the year. The answer? This survey! I ask the teacher to fill it out and send it back to me at the beginning of the school year, save a photo to my phone, and reference it all year.

I’ll share more about how I treat middle school teachers when I figure it out. 😜 Very open to your ideas! I think I’d at least like his homeroom teacher to fill this out?

Note: you only need to print one page, there are 3 pages because I wanted the message at the top to work for everyone. Choose the page that works best for you and print.

I know the socials are filled with teacher gift ideas. And honestly many of them feel wasteful or stress me out by being over the top. But as a person who taught elementary school for a decade, I promise you that the best ways to support your child’s teacher can’t be purchased in a store.

• get your child to school on time

• ensure your child gets enough sleep

• make reading part of your family culture

• teach patience, empathy, and skills for independence at home

• read the emails the teacher sends and answer your phone if they call you

• only speak positively about the teacher in front of your child

• vote for school board candidates who support teachers and school staff

• follow school rules. Don’t be the person who sends a bottle full of Gatorade when the rule is water only, for example.

• accountability, manners, and respect begin at home (related viewing)

my July reads

Chicago with kids favorites

our experience taking the Amtrak train - the comments are a gold mine of information if you’re considering a train trip

2026 has been a year of lots of unexciting spending for us. From a new water softener to a hefty car maintenance bill to a shower rebuild due to a leak to finally doing estate planning to a bunch of electrical work to sports gear for growing kids and more, it feels like we’ve been shilling out cash left and right with no flashy new car or Switzerland trip to show for it, ha. I shared about this on IG and hundreds of people responded saying that they’re in the midst of a myriad of home and/or car repairs, medical bills, vet bills, etc.

Of course this is all part of life (…adulting) but oof some years it stings more than others. Solidarity if you’re working your tail off to manage and pay for all the things. We’re right there with you.

While it’s fresh in your mind, now is a good time to make some notes for summer of 2027. What went well this summer and what was a dumpster fire?

Jot down thoughts as they come to you and then set a calendar reminder to review the list next spring. Your future self will appreciate the insight.

see you right back here next week,

Recent Favorites

My Bauble Bar beaded anklet and varsity number bracelet with my boys’ numbers. Genuinely look forward to wearing these! Today is the last day of the sale and this is their last big sale until the holiday season.

Suri electric toothbrush - I couldn’t believe how clean my teeth felt the first time I used it and now I get to experience that feeling every time I brush. One charge lasts over a month. A couple colors are on sale. Also, our fam loves these floss picks!

I’d been searching for a linen button up for Todd that came in tall size and wasn’t super expensive. This one is perfect and budget friendly.

Colorscience daily face sunscreen - 20% off and free shipping. I use the shade ‘light’. It actually does adjust to your skin color. Not too shiny and not too matte, perfect finish.

Travel hamper - finally got one! it folds flat. Will store with our suitcases to bring along on trips.

Liquid IV and Relyte - best feeling is taking a long, sweaty walk and coming home to an ice cold water with electrolytes. Also helpful for Todd’s marathon training. I like to do a packet/scoop in my 32oz water bottle.

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