My One Little Word of 2020 is RESTORE. Now that my parents returned home — after living with us for the better part of three months while I got back on my feet after injuring my ankle — it has been time for me to start restoring different parts of my life. Last week, I resumed more parenting duties (e.g., chauffeuring, cooking meals) and working in my office instead of sitting in bed with my laptop. As a result, I was exhausted. Next week, I have my first
overnight work trip to work with second, third, and fourth grade teachers. So this week, I’m trying to take it easier.
It’s hard to take it easy when you spend your mornings running with a three-year-old boy. But this morning, I found the perfect activity to enjoy with Ari that allowed me to sit around a bit too. We went to story time at Lancaster Cupcake, which is a local bakery that selects a different read aloud each week and continues with book-inspired cupcake decorating.
I wasn’t sure how the morning would go, but it went really well! Ari listened to a staffer read The Good Egg by Jory John and Pete Oswald, decorated an egg cupcake, shared the cupcake with me (because I was wise-enough to ask for a gluten-free one!), decorating a coloring page, allowed me to read the book to him again, and played in the bakery’s play kitchen for nearly an hour. And what did I do while Ari was playing? I sat on a cozy chair and sipped a vanilla latte made with almond milk. Perfection.
Not every morning this week will be this tranquil and perfect. BUT, I can live on mornings like this one all week!
Raising Literate Humans 
I want to go to that story hour–what a great idea! So glad things are restoring in your world! Good luck next week with an overnight.
Stacey, I would love to take my granddaughters (yes, #2 arrived on Jan. 9th & of course, I wrote about it). I am so glad that you had time to sit and be peaceful sipping your latte. I cannot believe how big Ari is. It is so much fun watching children’s growth through stores and digitals. Feel better and continue to be involved with self-care.
Sending you thoughts of restore! Sounds awesome – I love how little ones slow us down by forcing us to play, create, and rest. Take care of yourself.
Sounds lovely. I absolutely love The Good Egg, how fun to decorate a cupcake along with a story.
Yes! We missed yesterday’s since I was working, but we are going for The Day the Crayons Quit next week. 😊
What a wonderful morning! Just the way to start your restoration. What a lovely community event.
So glad you are back on your feet, so to speak, Stacey. What a lovely moment with Ari. And a bakery with story hour? Sign me up!
I was working yesterday so we missed it. But I’m home next Monday so we will go again!