Cherishing Moments with My Little Men: This past year has been a truly special chapter in our family’s life. After much contemplation, we transitioned our youngest, C, from full-time daycare to preschool right as he turned two— a whole year earlier than we did with his older brother, G. Reflecting on this decision fills me with joy, as I treasure the magical ages of two and four. While the baby years posed their challenges with seemingly endless efforts and little immediate payoff, these toddler years are a delightful reward. My boys are at their sweetest—yes, managing their energy is still a Herculean task sometimes, and debates on the stress levels of stay-at-home versus working moms abound, but the joy I derive from this time is irreplaceable. G and C are all about hugs, kisses, and the cutest little sayings. Sure, there are sibling squabbles and the occasional tantrum, but the beautiful moments far outweigh the fleeting storms. As we approach their summer break, I’m cherishing these final school days, contemplating how to keep their summers enriching and fun.
Reviving My Cold Brew Ritual: With the return of warmer days, I’ve rekindled my love for homemade cold brew. Truth be told, I’m a year-round aficionado who really should indulge in this ritual more consistently—especially to avoid those tempting $6 splurges at local cafés. I’ve reintroduced oat milk into our home, initially having cut it out due to unwanted additives. Interestingly, G, who used to drink it by the gallon, has now lost interest, allowing me to savor about half a cup daily as my little guilty pleasure. I’ve also perfected my homemade brown sugar cinnamon syrup—just a couple of squeezes transform my cold brew into an exquisite concoction. Today, I ventured to enjoy it plain, and it was surprisingly satisfying.
Finding Our Show: “Killing Eve”: On the entertainment front, my husband and I have stumbled upon “Killing Eve.” While it veers towards the silly at times, I just love a good spy thriller and 4 seasons will keep us entertained for many nights. There are seasons where we don’t get time to watch anything, but we have been making time, sometimes staying up later than we should.
The Magic of the Hatch Lamp: A recent life-changer has been the introduction of the Hatch lamp into our nightly routine. Following a particularly restless night courtesy of a squirmy four-year-old, I purchased this wonder-lamp. It ushers in bedtime with a soft yellow glow and gentle music, shifting to a soothing red with white noise at the perfect bedtime. By morning, a green light signals it’s okay to wake up—a feature my boys are perhaps too enthusiastic about! Since its arrival, I’ve been sleeping wonderfully, finally catching uninterrupted sleep until the morning light instead of waking up with a 2-year-old and 4-year-old on top of me.
Embracing Spring and New Garden Adventures: Spring is here, marked by abundant rain and the gentle warmth of gradual temperature increases. It’s been the perfect spring so far. Not too hot and plenty of rain for the grass and plant. On the home front, my husband has gifted me new raised garden beds, sparking an eagerness to upgrade our family garden. This week, I went plant shopping, and we’re all set to assemble the beds, fill them with dirt, and plant.
Suburban Sprout 