good things lately.

The weather is changing and it's been rainy and cold this week and I mostly love it. Mainly because I can finally wear my favorite sweats and hoodies at night and also because Tessa wore baby tights to church for the first time on Sunday and it was adorable. Other good things I want to remember:

• We scored two Tessa-sized zuchinis from our neighbor and have been slowly working through them. I've made zuchini parmesan a few times, at least three double batches of muffins (our freezer is stocked), bread for the home teachers, and zuchinni pizza. And there's still half a zuchini left! I think I may have met my match.
• Watching my kids become friends is one of the best feelings I've had as a mom. I didn't expect it to happen until they got older, but Rhett and Tessa are becoming best buddies. She loves watching him and gets the biggest smile when he is around. Rhett smothers Tessa with kisses and loves to play with her. "She's just so adorable"--Rhett, about five times a day.
• We're almost done with No-Spend September. This is the second year we've done it and it is so so good. No extras, just spending on essentials for the entire month. A few things came up (like a broken sprinkler valve and as wasp attack), but our bank account has enjoyed the much-needed rest about all the house projects, furniture, etc. But what I'm really excited about it re-evaluating our finances and being more strategic in our saving/investing. So adult! Definitely still on the lookout for good personal finance tips, so sent them this way!
• We're getting really excited for Halloween around here. It's Rhett's favorite holiday, and I want it to be extra special for him this year. It's also the first year he is going to help make his costume, and I'm super excited for us to work on it together. (But please, send patience when it actually happens. Preschoolers + spray paint + hot glue could be a trying combination).
• I'm officially a soccer mom and I don't hate it. I volunteered to be the "team mom" aka treat organizer and put way too much thought into putting together healthy snacks for the first game. It is seriously hilarious to watch--we spent half of the first game laughing and the other half yelling at the kids to kick it towards the other goal. But Rhett was so so happy. The parents made a tunnel for the kids from both teams to run through after the game, and their little smiles were so worth it.
• I'm getting back in my workout groove and it feels good. I've switched to night workouts after the kids are in bed, except for weekends and a few mornings where I just started working out with friends from church. Cranky babies and preschoolers aren't anything some endorphins can't fix!
• Tessa is the sweetest baby. We put her in the bumbo for the first time this week and I think she loves the new perspective. She'll just hang out there and watch everything for the longest time. And smile--she is so smiley. 

I could go on and on about exciting work projects, furniture shopping, holiday plans, the great shows we're watching, Andre's new side hustle, and so much more. But that's for another time. 

The two faces of Tessa--she's either super smiley or super serious