Little Lessons by Chelsea

the start of daylight saving time brings with it the feeling of a season’s end — warmer, brighter days ahead. (and for some reason.. a rather stubborn attachment to that hour of sleep I lost, but alas.)

a midwestern winter isn’t for the faint of heart. temperatures low enough to warn you inside, snowfalls that rival your greatest athletic feat just to clear the driveway.

and while I truly brace for impact every time I step outside, winter is a beautiful season. it’s often a slow down — more time spent cozied up under warm blankets, eating soup, watching the snowfall. or a movie. or both!

but as the cold blanket slowly uncovers the midwest, I find myself grateful.

grateful for the unexpectedly gorgeous days when we couldn’t be kept inside.
for the indoor sports that kept the boys active, challenged, and having fun.
for the lush, bright, warm escape to the botanical gardens.
for libraries and books to get lost in.
for hours and weekends spent with loved ones.

I’m grateful for the changing of seasons — the reminder that each one brings its own challenges, and if I’m willing, its own beauty 🌿

february, you were full.

from wearing a sweatshirt 👉🏻 8” of snow in 48 hours..

a nowhere to be snow day is the best.. but this morning, that wasn’t in the cards. first came shoveling and then a trip downtown to update my headshots (after 14+ years, it was time). even pulled my 2005 ugg boots out of the archives for the trek.

here’s to a productive day before 9:30AM 🙌🏻😂❄️

the boys are in a busy season—although it feels like all of our seasons are busy. our calendar is busting at the seams. we’re squeezing, dividing, competing, playing, celebrating, practicing, driving.. you get it.

on monday, we unexpectedly had a “stay home” night, as we lovingly call them. to make it feel a little extra special (and relaxing), I made us a plan — from dinner, to our activity (chocolate-covered fruit), to the timing of our spa + movie night.

the best part? I already had everything on hand except bread for grilled cheese + the printable. simple, quick to pull together, and still so fun + special for the boys and I.

it’s the little things, my friends 🤍

this season wasn’t about doing more—it was about being present. soaking in the faces, the laughter, the moments that go way too fast.

we kept things smaller this christmas so we could be flexible and make space for what mattered most. it wasn’t the biggest or most festive, not even our “usual” — but it was perfect in its own way.. intimate, cozy, and full of what truly matters.

📷 this was taken on christmas eve, and I swear I can still hear their giggles when I look at it.

it really is the little things.. 🤍

it’s giving “my christmas list is finished” as i add five more things ..😏✨🎁

is there ever a fully checked-off list… or do we just throw things into “we’ll get ’em next year”? 👀🎄

there’s something so magical about stepping into a world filled with tropical, luscious, flowering plants.. but even more so when it’s cold + grey outside 🌿 — on a recent trip to omaha, I snuck over to their botanical gardens — absolutely beautiful and so good for the soul✨

did you know? many botanical garden memberships are reciprocal — my Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden membership got me into omaha at no charge 🙌🏻

can’t wait to come back — and definitely in the warmer months with the boys so we can explore all of their outdoor gardens 🤍☀️

tis the season to squeeze as much christmas magic into our already crazy weekends 🤪 — like squeezing in the christkindlmarket between sporting events. there was whining (because we were all exhausted) but once we got there… absolutely worth it! and then it started to snow — the magical, white-christmas kind of snow ❄️🥹

here’s to squeezing it all in + soaking it all up! 🤍

JANUARY 👉🏻 NOVEMBER — look at this little plant baby go! 🌱 I sure don’t know what I’m doing, but I keep trying + get so dang excited when it grows.

I propagated clippings from a big, full pothos and got brave enough to plant them nearly 12 months ago in this sweet highland cow pot. she’s thriving 🥹

don’t ask about my fiddle leaf fig that was making a valiant comeback until it took a direct hit during an intense game of brotherly dodgeball .. I’m fine.. 😫

TRAVEL RULE: always try the local spots.. because sometimes you strike gold 🤤 — this is the “aloha express” from in lee’s summit, MO + it was so good we went back the very next day! pineapple, ham, jalapeño, drizzled with buffalo sauce… say less 🙌🏻 ( swap: red onion for ham)

so whether you’re traveling for kids’ sports or whatever the occasion.. take a chance on the local gems — they might turn into repeat stops 😉