What We’re Excited for in July…

Cara, Site Manager
Married, Mom to Braylin (6) and Joel (5)

• What I’m buying for me: Scrubs! I’m going to be working part time in the nurse’s office at my kids’ school and the dress code is scrubs. I am so happy about it, too. One of those things I dreaded about going back into a professional setting was ditching the SAHM uniform I’d grown to love over the last 6 years. Scrubs are going to be a great fit.
• What I’m buying for the kids: We’ll be buying all the back to school things. My youngest is headed into kindergarten, so he’ll need uniforms like his sister. I’m especially looking forward to NOT having the “what to wear” battle with him every morning. We order Edukits and that makes buying supplies a lot less stressful since the school sets what is in each box, so there’s no second guessing at Target if the teacher wants something specific.
• What I’m reading: Since I’m going to be working in the nurse’s office, I get to dive into vaccination requirements, first aid manuals, training, etc. Luckily my background is in the healthcare, so I am hoping it won’t be too much new information. Book-wise, I am reading The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn so I can watch the movie.
• What’s on my calendar: Lots of training, but also trying to soak up the last few weeks of summer break. We have swim and dive lessons at our local city pool and the kids have VBX at church. My husband and I are also celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary. I’ve been dying to take him to Isabel’s Amor, so hopefully their new tequila bar can help me convince him to make the trek to Gilbert.
• Where I’m taking my kids: Pending fires, I want to take them up to Flagstaff for a day trip. I want to check out the new gondola at Snowbowl since it wasn’t up and running last summer when we visited. Keep an eye out for my latest post on our turnaround trip to Flagstaff and beyond that’s going live this month!

Lindsay, contributor
Married, Mom to Ellary (8) and Emerson (2.5)

• What I’m buying for me: my first pair of Birkenstocks since I was a teenager!! I am stupidly excited that they’re “back.” Style, comfort, and quality make it a worthwhile splurge!
• What I’m buying for the kids: Ellary, my oldest, is starting 3rd grade this month, needs some new uniforms and a refresh on school supplies (which I actually love to buy, too!). I also can’t keep my bookworm stocked with books so I’m constantly adding to her library – lately it’s been the Magic Treehouse and Dork Diaries series! Emerson, my baby, starts preschool in August so I’m looking forward to some Mommy and Me time in July – play days at Giggles, painting at As You Wish, and an aquarium date at Sea Life are on the schedule!
• What I’m reading: Me and My Friendships by JoAnn Crohn! JoAnn is a local Chandler mama, former teacher, and blogger at NoGuiltMom.com. Her brand new book, meant for kiddos in elementary school, helps guide kids on navigating meaningful friendships. I’m giving it a test read and I’m excited to dig in and ultimately have Ellary read it, too.
• What’s on my calendar: Hopefully a date night with the hubby! We just celebrated our 15th anniversary and we did a good job of celebrating, but we are terrible at doing date nights “just because”! Now that life is starting to feel a little more normal, I’d love to get back to some of our favorite places, like The Brickyard Downtown or Hidden House!