I described how I did on my 22 for 2022 list as “bleak,” but I’m feeling much more confident about 2023. Halfway through the year and there are a considerable number of things completed (marked in green) or underway (marked in yellow). However, I may not be doing so well at the LISTEN goal I set for myself this year — open to suggestions there. 

Plus, I’m looking for something to add into my FREE SPACE if anyone has ideas about that. I’m thinking I’d like to find a way to incorporate chalkboard space outside once our deck project is completed. Please send inspiration my way. 

​My life is full of lists. In addition to my 23 for 2023 list, I’ve fully embraced daily checklists and related rewards system to make the most of our summer days. I have high hopes for making some sort of summer bucket list graphic for the kids to help with, but haven’t found the motivation for that just yet. How are you keeping the kids in your life from watching tv all day?

Bleak is the word I would use to describe how I did on my 22 for 2022 list. I am using the excuse of new home ownership for many of my drop offs -- there are several items that I was doing up until our tricky real estate transaction got underway. But, as for my word of the year, TACKLE, I feel pretty good about the number of things we took head on this year. My minimal success this year is motivating my 23 for 2023 list to make sure it's realistic, but still pushes me to make some positive changes. 

I hope to be able to share my list soon in the New Year and welcome you to get started on your own. Click here for the template.

Let’s just say the blog goals I made on my 22 for 2022 are not going to be achieved (and that’s ok). But, I absolutely love putting together my annual gift guides. So, we are back baby, to bring you some holiday gifting ideas. First up, the kiddos!

Initial Bank
I collected things to put on my dresser as a kid. I loved figurines and pretty little things to look at. I did not love sorting through them as my parents downsized over the years. So, I’m trying really hard not to start those kinds of collections for my kids. One practical item to have on a dresser is a coin bank. I think these initial banks are fun and there are lots of options on Etsy for designs and personalization. 

All Better! by Henning Lohlein + Feed the Animals by Bernd Penners
JJ loves this All Better! book that comes with reusable sticker bandages that young readers apply to the different animals’ boo-boos. Feed the Animals is on our Christmas list this year. The only down side to these is that that my children have lost some of the stickers. So, I recommend keeping these on a special shelf to read alongside your kiddos. 

National Geographic Little Kids
My kids are not as into mail as I think they should be, but I do know some kids who are. Consider a fun magazine subscription to slip into your favorite kiddos’ mailbox monthly. 

Melissa & Doug Pop Blocs Farm Animals
These were a gift for Luke’s first birthday and both of my kids still play with them — making them gift guide worthy. These guys fit into my many ways to play category and could make perfect stocking stuffers for even the littlest hands to grab. 

Stepping Stones
We received these off our Christmas list last year and they are still a hit. My kids like to play floor is lava with them and we’ve even used them as a jumping off point for a full indoor obstacle course. They are a bit pricey for a toy, but would be great family gift to someone with multiple little kids to share. 

Classic Little Critter Book Set
Luke is very into Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer right now. These are great to find on Thriftbooks, library book sales, and even garage sales; so, I always have my eyes peeled. Every once in a while we come across some problematic wording or reactions (in my opinion) in Mayer’s writing, but I use those as quick teachable moments or just skip right over them.  

Magnetic Maze
JJ gets really focused on these magnetic maze puzzles at the library; so, they will be on our Christmas list this year. She is not super into regular puzzles, but these capture her attention. 

Kite
Kites are the most underrated toy - period. I love kite flying, my kids aren’t super into it, you know, because they are way cooler than my. But, whenever we break out our kites around other friends, they are ready to play. I think a kite is a marvelous family present. 

Salariya Books
Sometimes I come across a book publisher by chance (usually at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, yes, really!) and feel like I have to get my hands on everything they create. We have some beautiful animal and dinosaur books from Salariya Books and I hope to discover some more of their titles in my holiday shopping. 

Rubber Stamp Set
I am a big fan of the Melissa & Doug rubber stamp sets. They have lots of different themes to choose from and include washable stamp pads. These have been a great addition to our project drawer over the last year. 

GeoSafari Binoculars
These binoculars convince me that my kiddos are actually seeing what I think they are seeing because they neatly (with padding) smoosh against their little heads.  

Open Ended Play Kaleidoscope / Kaleidoscope Kit
JJ loves kaleidoscopes and she is always asking to open ours — which does not open, womp womp. These beautiful kits are great for a range of ages. 

Button Making Kit
I like the idea of giving kids a gift they could use with their friends. I would have loved to invite a friend over to make buttons for our backpacks or gym bags — and I might still enjoy doing that ;) 

Bubble Machine
Our bubble machine was a COVID purchase, but it has proven to be exciting on a Tuesday morning with just us and with a bunch of neighbors after school too. 

Hungry Hungry Hippos
This is basically the only game that Luke really gets really into because he can just whack something, but it also gets him counting and comparing numbers.

Magnifying Glass Set
I like sets like this to keep outside. It’s nice to have a bunch to share if friends are over to play. Magnifying glasses are such an open-ended play toy that can lead to the best kid adventures. 

Bluey Trouble
This is on our list this year. I’m hoping that getting to whack the trouble bubble will fill Luke’s tactile demand, but also gets him counting and thinking. I like Trouble because all the pieces have a place on the board and kids will like it because it's Bluey.

No Stress Chess
Thanks to a Bluey episode all about Chess, my kids like to play with our Chess board. If you have a school age kid on your list, this teaching version of the game may get them into chess with a little less frustration.  

Chuckle & Roar Tangrams
Luke got these for his birthday and he really enjoys figuring out the puzzles. This tangram set is great because the pieces are magnetic and kids can complete the puzzles directly on the tin. 

We are over halfway through January and I’m finally reporting back on my word of the year, as promised. I think I’m going with TACKLE. It seems fitting that we just tackled COVID in our house — what a way to start the New Year. Anyway, I love a word that is both a verb and a noun.

verb
make determined efforts to deal with (a problem or difficult task)
noun
the equipment required for a task or sport

My focus is to TACKLE goals and tasks both big and small this year. Big, like find our next home. Small, like clear clutter daily and avoid leaving miscellaneous administrative tasks lingering. If I’m feeling tired or lazy, just reminding myself to TACKLE the thing at hand may kick me into gear. 

The other aspect is to build my TACKLE box. I want to continue curating and building up our household resources and our network of support, while ridding ourselves of items that are getting in our way. This last idea plays into Michael’s word for the year, LESS. He is focused on working on what is in front of him and what he wants to be doing, instead of seeking out or agreeing to sidetracking responsibilities.

I’m trying to adopt yet another Gretchen Rubin-ism that ties nicely into my word for the year, the “one minute rule.” Children make this hard, but it is more often that I get in my own way; so, I’m trying to improve. Essentially, if a task in front of me takes truly only a minute, I need to do it right then. One thing I can think of that I failed at this morning — we ran out of wipes in JJ’s diaper drawer. It is going to be annoying when they aren’t there when I need them later, so I really should have followed the rule and re-filled them immediately — TACKLE. 

I’d love to hear if you have a set an intentional word for the year <3 

A few weeks ago, I detailed my underwhelming completion rate of my 21 for 2021 list. But, that’s not stopping me from trying again with a brand new 22 for 2022 challenge. I am still certainly pushing it this year, but have included a few items that I should be able to tackle quickly and check off without inducing too much anxiety. I hope you will continue to join me in creating your own list and the template is live and available for you to fill in now. Here’s my list: 

​I haven’t landed on a word of the year yet. Previously, my words have been FLEX and HELP. I’m going to give myself some time to think about my overarching aim for 2022 and will report back.

On another self-reflection front — Michael likes to tease me about trying to be a momfluencer and in some ways I guess I am. But the truth is, I’m not trying very hard and I’ve never worked to make my website an income-generating side hustle. I post to my blog sparingly and I do it mostly as a hobby for myself. I have been trying to post more to social media with quick ideas because those are the posts I find most helpful from others on a daily basis. I’ve been thinking more deeply about what my goals are for keeping the site live and I figured I would share my thoughts and see if you, my readers, have ideas for me.

I publish to the site for myself because I like: 

• Having a space for creative dumps and getting some outside validation for my ideas.
• Creating a documented history of what our homelife and my thought processes for organizing our little world look like.
• Thinking I’ve still got the ability to work the internet in the hopes of being able to rejoin the workforce at some point.

I publish to the site and social media for others because I hope to be:

• Providing intermittent ideas or reminders to make life easier, different, and/or more efficient.

Long story, short, I plan to keep going without a schedule or an end goal. If you want to collaborate on anything that evenly remotely touches the content I’ve been producing since 2012, just reach out.