Nothing screams summer in Texas during a pandemic like blazing temps and nowhere to go. To say that we’re all over this would be the understatement of the millennium. And honestly, sometimes it feels like my family is the only one that’s still not out and about. I’ve done a lot of reflecting about the last few months and I’ve come to realize that the “big” things won’t be remotely normal for a while. So here are the little things getting me through the pandemic summer.
Good, Old-Fashioned Consumerism
I’m not proud to say it, but this is one of those seasons in life where USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL have become my lifelines. It’s a cornucopia of acronyms! I wish I could tell you that this time has been one of sacrifice and paring down, but the collection of cardboard boxes in my entryway would suggest otherwise… Here are the best “little things” I’ve gotten my hands on so far.
- A mug that keeps your coffee warm. Extravagant? Yes. Overpriced? Maybe. Imperative to improving my quality of life? Definitely. Listen, when you have an infant and a preschooler and very little help, coffee is life. And I got sick of finding my half-drunk mug of tepid coffee at 2 p.m. So I got this mug. And I am happy.
- Workbooks. So many workbooks. My older son is on the cusp of 4, and I’m trying my hardest to reserve the use of screens for those moments where I just can’t anymore. So I’ve been relying heavily on workbooks of every type and size to keep him busy. These are my favorites: 1 (scissor skills), 2 (writing skills), 3 (general), 4 (tape).
- Tape. Yes, tape. The amount of tape we have gone through in this house is astounding. Tape is the MVP of this summer. My preschooler uses tape for everything. Sometimes I find tape in my hair, but it keeps him so entertained, I’ll allow it. Trust me, get your hands on some immediately.
- Splash pad. This splash pad has kept my kiddo happy and cool all summer. If you don’t have a pool at your house, consider getting this.
- Luxury self-care items. When you’re washing your hands 68 times a day and there’s not a manicurist in sight, you do the next best thing and find yourself an amazing hand cream. This one is my favorite. And this exfoliator and body wash make my 5-minute showers feel as luxurious as they possibly can.
- Happy water bottle. I need to hydrate, and this water bottle keeps my water cold and makes me smile. Enough said.
The Little Moments
And here are the other little things that have been getting me through, the things that don’t cost a dime.
- Morning walks with my crew. Early morning walks with the kids in our new neighborhood are wonderful. The fresh air, the sunlight, and the physical activity are good for the soul.
- My kids making each other laugh. Now that my baby is over 5 months old, he and his big brother are quickly developing their rapport. They make each other laugh and it’s the sweetest sound!
- Watching my kids master new things. One of the beauties of parenting is watching your kids learn new skills and gain self-confidence. And it never stops.
- Connecting with friends. If there’s one good thing about this pandemic, it’s that we are doing a better job of staying connected even though we are physically far apart. Unexpected phone calls, Zooms, and FaceTimes keep me going. This is something I’d love to continue even after all this craziness is over.
So that’s it for my favorite little things getting me through the pandemic summer. What are yours?
