I saw this quote over on instagram the other day and it really resonated with me:

Everyone is applauding everyone but our children. These little heroes have stayed indoors more than they’ve ever known.
Their world’s have been turned upside down and they don’t know why.
All these rules they’ve never known.
Not being able to see family or give hugs.
Vacations, sports and activities, play dates and school canceled.
Adults talking about others becoming unwell, news reporting deaths.
Our poor children’s minds must be racing.
Every day their resilient little bodies get up and carry on despite all that is going on.
So here’s to our little heroes:
today, tomorrow, forever

It’s funny how easy it is to get wrapped up in our adult world, thinking about the ways the past several months have impacted us… when it’s also hugely impacted the little ones around us… and often in ways they’re unable to articulate.

So over dinner on Friday night, when we were talking about what we wanted to do this weekend (… with relatively limited options…) I brought up a hike and Harper’s eyes lit up. We used to hike all the time with her and it’s something we haven’t done since the start of the pandemic. To see how much fun she had, how proud she felt of herself after we were finished, and all the observations she made during the hike made me feel so happy for her. And our whole family. It was as if a small part of who we were had been re-established.

And so tonight when I was putting her down, after a relatively monstrous meltdown (she was overly tired) I sat in the room with her and rubbed her back until she fell asleep, with the words of the quote above floating in my head. For all the changes she (and all the little ones around us) have undergone, they’ve done so well, and I can’t wait for their little lives to return to what they remember.
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I hope you all had a good weekend and have a great week ahead! xx

(Typically wait until October 1 to decorate, but felt we could all use some fun and festivity this year… web, crows, bats)

(Lazy Saturday morning…)

(Our first family hike in over 6 months… felt so good to get out early… even if we had to take turns carrying the girls… leggings, top, pullover (20% off $100 or more with code VERIFRIENDS)

(Pizza takeout from our favorite- North Italia…)

(Lived in these comfy black joggers + henley top at night this weekend… 20% off with code SHANNON20)
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I’m still loving the oversized faux leather puffer jacket look for this fall… the puffer I bought last season is back in stock in several colors (I have saddle and thinking about black for this season)… but this black one is under $100 and I love the ivory color of this one.

I just bought these high waisted, straight leg, white jeans for fall and I love the fit and feel of them… they have a slight stretch to them and aren’t see through, which is amazing.

Thinking we might venture out for a date night this coming weekend (it’s TJ’s bday)… haven’t done that in 7 months. I love this one shoulder bodysuit, beautiful puff sleeve cami top, and this camel slipdress with knit pullover as possible outfit options.

Today is the last day for 20% off of Madewell… my oversized black denim jacket, tie dye sweatshirt + shorts, gauze beach pants, and this leather jacket are all personal favorites that are great for the fall season. I don’t own this oversized cardigan but think it would be so warm and cozy.

Free People has some cute new pieces… love this high low lounge/workout top, ribbed sweater set (so many great colors), and these joggers.

I bought this little gadget for opening doors and pushing public buttons… works pretty well!

We got these matching Halloween pajamas for the girls! Trying to make things as festive and fun over here as possible!