My dad has been working on lots of little crafts and projects, he has another name for them but we will keep it light 🤣. One of these fun little tasks was building a trebuchet with a group of friends—one of those things that’s equal parts creativity, engineering, laughter, and curiosity. They finally got it … Continue reading Dads Projects
Author: Erika Thompson
The Marathon That Meant Everything
This marathon was hard.Not just 26.2 miles is hard hard — but carry-the-weight-of-everything hard. I was stressed for two full weeks before race day. Like, full-body stress. I broke out in an actual rash. My nervous system was screaming. I felt the pressure of this race in a way I never had before. This one … Continue reading The Marathon That Meant Everything
Look for the Good
It’s been a tender few weeks — the kind that shift your perspective and remind you how precious time really is. Life has felt both heavy and beautiful, stretching me in ways I didn’t expect. Through it all, I’ve tried to keep doing what comes most naturally…looking for the good. It’s not always easy, but … Continue reading Look for the Good
A Race for Dad
A little bit of a change of plans here. Originally I was going to be racing my next marathon in honor of my grandfather…I still am but I’m adding a very special person to that list. I’m running the California International Marathon this December in honor of my dad, who is fighting pancreatic cancer. 💜 … Continue reading A Race for Dad
The Closest Thing to an Off Switch
Last weekend we packed up the camper van and headed out for a few days with some friends. It had been a while since our last trip, but the moment we pulled in and set up camp, I remembered why I love it so much—spending all day outdoors. I love our camper van, quirks and all. And … Continue reading The Closest Thing to an Off Switch
So I Said I Wouldn’t… But Then I Did.
On the Fourth of July, in true patriotic fashion, I declared my independence from logic and went full send: I towed my big kid up our steepest hill out of our neighborhood with the Specialized Haul. Yes, with the two littles already on the back. And their bikes decorated for the parade. Yes, after I publicly said … Continue reading So I Said I Wouldn’t… But Then I Did.
Creating a 90s Childhood in a Modern World: Our Daily Rhythms
Sometimes I wonder what kind of childhood my kids will remember. Will it be the kind that feels like running barefoot in the yard? Long summer afternoons that blur together in the best way? Chalk drawings that last until the sprinklers wash them away? That’s the kind of childhood I want for them.A 90s childhood—right … Continue reading Creating a 90s Childhood in a Modern World: Our Daily Rhythms
Why We Ditched FaceTime and Use Tech on Our Terms
I’m raising my kids in a world that’s overflowing with screens—but I still want their childhood to feel real, present, and grounded. So one of the ways we’ve started shifting things in our home is by redefining how we use technology. A big one?We’ve mostly stopped using FaceTime—on purpose. Why We're Moving Away from FaceTime … Continue reading Why We Ditched FaceTime and Use Tech on Our Terms
Raising My Kids Like It’s the 90s (Sort Of): A Modern Mom’s Guide to Simpler Childhoods
Sometimes, I wish I could just close the door on the world and raise my kids like it’s 1994. No smartphones.No YouTube.No endless comparisons on social media.Just the smell of sunscreen and sidewalk chalk, cereal boxes with toys inside, and hours spent outside until someone yells it's dinner time. I think a lot of us … Continue reading Raising My Kids Like It’s the 90s (Sort Of): A Modern Mom’s Guide to Simpler Childhoods
Designing Our Dream Home: Part 4 — Lessons Learned from Remodeling with Kids, Real Life, and a Tight Timeline
Now that the dust has quite literally settled, I wanted to wrap up this remodel series with a look back at what we learned. In the future....when the dust LITERALLY settles, I'll take some fancy photos and do a deep design dive into each space, but for now...Remodeling your kitchen and bathroom at the same … Continue reading Designing Our Dream Home: Part 4 — Lessons Learned from Remodeling with Kids, Real Life, and a Tight Timeline
My Minivan Has Two Wheels and an E-Motor: Meet the Specialized Haul LT
There comes a moment in every mom’s life when she wonders: Is there a cooler way to get from point A to point B while carrying three children, snacks, a water bottle I’ll forget, and a questionable collection of rocks someone insisted we bring home from the park? For me, that moment arrived with the … Continue reading My Minivan Has Two Wheels and an E-Motor: Meet the Specialized Haul LT
A Full Year of Preschool & Kindergarten Circle Time – Created for Real-Life Homeschoolers
If you’ve ever wished Circle Time could be simple, meaningful, and actually doable in a homeschool setting—this is for you. I just finished creating a yearlong Preschool & Kindergarten Circle Time Curriculum designed for homeschool families who want structure without the overwhelm. Whether you’re teaching one kid or wrangling a toddler while a 2nd grader reads aloud … Continue reading A Full Year of Preschool & Kindergarten Circle Time – Created for Real-Life Homeschoolers
Designing Our Dream Bathroom(s): Part 3 of Our Remodel Journey
When we remodeled the kitchen, we knew we had to do the bathroom at the same time. It wasn’t just outdated—it was deeply uncomfortable and barely functional. And the layout? Wild. It was a giant, oddly shaped jack-and-jill-style bathroom, shared between our master bedroom and the upstairs main living space. Yep, that meant every guest … Continue reading Designing Our Dream Bathroom(s): Part 3 of Our Remodel Journey
Designing Our Dream Kitchen: Part 2 — Before & After
In Part 1, I shared our vision and all the design details behind our kitchen remodel. Now for the fun part: the before and afters. This kitchen has come a long way. When we bought the house, we knew right away that the kitchen needed a full overhaul. It was built in 1980, barely touched … Continue reading Designing Our Dream Kitchen: Part 2 — Before & After
Designing Our Dream Kitchen: Part 1 of Our Remodel Journey
We knew the day we bought our house that the kitchen needed some love. Built in 1980, it had stayed mostly untouched ever since. That’s not that old—older than us—but it showed. The bones were solid, but the space had been designed for an older gentleman who lived here until he was over 100 (which is impressive … Continue reading Designing Our Dream Kitchen: Part 1 of Our Remodel Journey
Right Now: Reading, Routines, and a Finished Kitchen
A little life update on what we’re reading, what bedtime looks like with three kids, and how we’re settling back into our rhythm after a much-needed break (and a finished kitchen remodel!).
Nebraska Trip: A Vacation Series | Day 8: Goodbye Cows
We said one last goodbye to the cows, packed up the truck, and made our way to the tiniest airport known to man. We stopped for burgers and a playground pit stop, then hopped on our mini-plane to Denver. All three kids fell asleep on the flight. I sat there looking at their tired little … Continue reading Nebraska Trip: A Vacation Series | Day 8: Goodbye Cows
Nebraska Trip: A Vacation Series | Day 7: Farm Day
No big events, just slow living. Chores. Tractor rides. Planting corn. Feeding cows. Throwing rocks. The kind of day where time moves slow enough for you to notice it. We sipped coffee on the porch and just watched the kids blow bubbles and draw with chalk. The oldest walked around the farm like she owned … Continue reading Nebraska Trip: A Vacation Series | Day 7: Farm Day
Nebraska Trip: A Vacation Series | Day 6: A Second Surprise
Shhh—it was grandparent anniversary day! 60 years. SIXTY. My neighbor/sister pulled off a beautiful surprise party for her parents (whom we call grandparents—because love is thicker than blood). The look on their faces when they walked in? Worth every whispered phone call and backroom plan my neighbor had to do for the last few months. … Continue reading Nebraska Trip: A Vacation Series | Day 6: A Second Surprise
Nebraska Trip: A Vacation Series | Day 5: Birthday Surprise
Our girl turned 7! (Technically not yet, but we surprised her early.) She woke up to banners, a unicorn cake, and one very special present—earrings. That’s right, it was EARS PIERCING DAY. She was so brave. One earring in and she didn’t even realize it happened. “Wait, what was that part?” she asked, blinking in … Continue reading Nebraska Trip: A Vacation Series | Day 5: Birthday Surprise
Run Teach Bike 