Fall Playlist

September 22, 2021

Cool winds are blowing

Leaves are falling

Sweaters are being worn...


Happy first day of fall!!!!


This month we have jumped right into savoring all things fall like watching college football, decorating the patio in a sea of mums, making pumpkin baked goods, and enjoying a dinner date al fresco at a local orchard. 

I flippin' live for this time of the year! Need a soundtrack for the season? I'm here for you. Enjoy this playlist wherever you are!



Best paired with...

long car rides to see fall foliage / mingling over a charcuterie board / latte sippin' / a walk in the park

Listen here

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Night Before School Celebration

September 20, 2021

 

We've got ourselves a preschooler. So what do we do about this new chapter? We celebrate. 


All summer long we were hyping Jack up for the transition of entering the school world. Jack is a witty, smart kid but is not a big fan of change. Who can blame him? It's one of my weaknesses too. His preschool hosted an open house the evening before his first day, and little did we know the teachers would take the kids to their classroom so they could get a feel for it. 

 Jack was, naturally, nervous and he owned his emotion. Like legit named it out-loud for me to know without trying to hide it or bolt for the door. So when time came we went up together to his class, we met his teacher, got extra hype over the crayons/coloring book/glue stick we found in his desk, and then I ninja-style walked out the classroom door. And once the short parent meeting was over we came back to an excited, ready-to-be preschooler. 


Dinner & Dessert

On the menu was Jack's favorite meal: spaghetti. And amen to that since it's something simple and quick before we went to open house. For dessert we had my go-to skillet cookie, but made it school edition for our "smart cookie."

I wanted to jazz the table up to create a space that felt different than our normal dinners. 

I had Jack write out name cards for each of us, and we lit our candles. However those didn't stay lit for long since my kids have an obsession for blowing candles out. Happy birthday to anyone and everyone once a candle is lit.




Fun questions

We wanted to speak some encouragement over Jack and tell him how special we think he is. I had our fam answer a couple of questions about Jack like "Why do you think Jack will be a great student at school?' and "What do you love most about Jack that will make him a great classmate/friend?"  It was fun to see Jack light up over our answers. Even Peter answered in his own way which was hilarious. 

Bedtime story

We capped the night of with the book, The Night Before Preschool and extra snuggles. 
Jack was so excited to tell me they read the same book on his first day!

 

Simple enough but so special for our preschooler. Here's to a year full of big emotions and bigger growth!
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Team Nowicki Takes the Big House

September 15, 2021

 

This is my personal reminder that when anxiety kicks in and I want to bail on a fun but seemingly difficult adventure... choose the adventure! We took the boys to the Michigan opener and it was so worth the "what-ifs" and "are we crazy" thoughts. 


 


This is why Mark is a great teammate for me. He knows we can make it a memorable time if we loosen our expectations and simply have fun together. Peter's face says it all.




The boys LOVED it. How do I know? I had two little high pitched voices squealing "woahhhh oh oh oh, oh oh" (the Seven Nation Army song) that same night. 


 

Jack thinks Ohio State needs to be thrown in the garbage. A little harsh but he's not wrong. ;)



What you don't see are the 4 breaks throughout the game where we took the boys out to the concourse for a quick walk or a snow cone. Or meltdowns in the bleachers because they were hot and tired. This is when it helps to remember their ages and give grace where it's due. They were champs.



Tired, sweaty, and happy hearts. Football season is back, baby. Go blue!

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Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

September 8, 2021

This oatmeal is not for the birds. This oatmeal is for those who want comfort in a bowl and the feel-good energy of eating clean.  The smell of apples caramelizing is the best scented candle. And if you feel crazy throw some toasted walnuts in with a garnish of maple syrup and watch all your fall dreams come true.

 *chef's kiss*

 

Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal   
Serving size: roughly 2 bowls 

1 medium Apple (I prefer honeycrisp)
2 tablespoons coconut oil
3/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups milk 
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Additional toppings
Maple syrup
Walnuts
Pecans

1. In a small saucepan on medium heat add in the coconut oil. Once melted add in the chopped apples and saute for about 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
2. Add in the oats and saute for about 2 minutes to gently toast them (if adding nuts add them here to toast as well). 
3. Stir in the milk and turn heat up to boil. Mix in the cinnamon. Once the oatmeal is at a gentle boil turn the heat down to simmer for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
4. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup

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September Goals

September 1, 2021


It's been a minute on these goals, eh? I unintentionally stopped my monthly goal posts for the summer. Felt good to embrace the summer season with loose plans and hone in on the mantra I left off from my May goals: slow growth. 


I won't revisit my goals from May since I feel I am headed in a different direction as we prepare for the fall, sending Jack to preschool, and embracing rhythms again. 


September Goals

Finish reading Love Lives Here
Start a back to school celebration/tradition 
Paint the shed
Move/stretch 3x with Peloton
Set alarm for 7am weekly
Decide on a scripture to memorize as a fam for the school year 
Celebrate 6 years of marriage with a day trip to Detroit (since I was at cheer camp on our actual anni)


I am so excited for Jack to start this new chapter of life. And in the same breathe I am like how are we actually here (!!!). I am typing with glossy eyes, friends. Each milestone reminds me to love and serve my people with all that I've got. 

Do you have any back to school traditions? Do tell in the comments below. I'll be sure to share our night-before school family celebration once it happens!


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