Red’s Roundup: August 2021

When I think about the month of August, I think of FAIRS, FAMILY, and BACK to SCHOOL. Also heat. Oh, the heat! August is when I start to dream about cool, fall days, but I know they are still at least a few weeks away. My August Roundup still looks a lot like summer to me.

This August looked quite a bit different for my family, as I decided to resign from my teaching job. I have been a teacher for 14 years, and overall it has been a positive experience. The past couple of years I began noticing how exhausted I always felt, and how I was constantly stretched too thin. It was getting more and more difficult to be a caring, present mom AND an effective teacher. Resigning was a big decision for me that came with many emotions, but at the end of the day, I know it is what is best for my family.

Instead of getting my classroom ready for the school year, I cleaned it out! Don’t ask me if I have gone through all of the things I brought home. Also don’t look in the garage, entryway, or basement! It is a process and takes time. I am giving myself a lot of grace and time to adjust to my new adventure at home. With fall just around the corner, it is exciting to think about all of the possibilities of what my days (with a 2-year-old!) will look like.

I hope you enjoy my August Roundup of favorite things!

1. Skippy Natural Peanut Butter with Honey – We are never without this in our pantry (okay, rarely!). It’s like the peanut butter you just want to eat off a spoon because it’s that delicious. I eat nut butter without added ingredients (sugar + oils) most of the time, but this Skippy with Honey peanut butter is too delicious not to sneak a bit every now and then!
2. Show: Alone – While looking for shows that the whole family can watch, we found this survival series called Alone. Contestants are placed out in the wilderness with minimal items and have to make their own shelter and find any food they can (so many gross things…I would not make it!). The contestant who survives the longest without calling for help wins $500,000! If you like survival shows, check it out, this one is pretty extreme!
3. Girls Gold Initial Necklace – My 9-year-old was looking for a new necklace, and we ran across these cute layered initial necklaces. I love the layered look, and have been wearing the one I included in my July Roundup a lot! These can be worn separately, which is nice too. This would be a cute gift for a birthday.
4. Hummingbird Feeders – We noticed a couple of hummingbirds around our yard, so we put up feeders and they have been visiting every day! Their preferred treat is sugar water, so it is very easy to mix up. While we see a lot of different birds, there is something extra special about hummingbirds. The way they flutter is mesmerizing and they are so pretty! Yes, I know this is an old person’s hobby, and we are in our 30’s, but we don’t care! It is fun for us 🙂
5. Quirkle – This is a fun game! You know how some kids’ games are not very fun, but you play them anyway? Quirkle is actually fun for both kids and adults. It is easy enough for children to understand how to play, but there is some strategy to it as well, which keeps it engaging for everyone. It says 6+, but I think children 4 and up would enjoy this game. Check out the reviews! Wow! I guess others agree, too.
6. Orange Crochet Handbag – This crochet handbag has been the perfect “catch-all” for the various items my children seem to need with them! It is a nice big size and comes with a removable pouch too. The orange color is not too bright, more of a rust orange, so I am going to continue to use it this fall.
7. Aussie Coconutz Miracle Detangling Conditioner – With 3 girls in the house, 2 of whom have long hair, we need a good conditioner! My oldest daughter has used this conditioner for years, and I always thought it worked well on her hair. I found myself using it more and more, so now I quit caring that it is a “kids” product, and use it every time I wash my hair!
8. Nesting with Grace – I enjoy reading home decor blogs and this is one I have followed for a long time. Brooke is an amazing designer and I love her style. She is currently renovating their new home, and it is so much fun to follow along on Instagram. She also is a fellow plant lady, so of course, I like that too! Check her out, I don’t think you will be disappointed!
9. Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera – Our daughter turned 9 in August, and this was one of the gifts we gave her. It’s like the old Polaroid days, but updated! The pictures are little and cute, and this set comes with a case and fun frames so she can display her photography! If you are looking for a gift idea, this may be just the ticket.
10. Costco Gray Sectional with Ottoman – After going around and around about what we wanted to put in our theater room in the basement, we stumbled across this sectional while on a trip to Costco. We thought we did not want a sectional, as we did not want anything too bulky or “marshmallow” couch-looking! This one was a perfect size, a good price, not too oversized, and AVAILABLE! We went back the next day and loaded up three huge boxes in the back of the truck! All 5 of us can fit on the sectional for movie night, so we are very happy. More on the basement movie theater to come 🙂

I’m still wearing this jumpsuit a lot! It was one of my favorites from June! Also, the sandals I am wearing (check out the reviews!!) have been worn almost every single day this summer. They are VERY comfortable, and a really good Birks dupe! Another favorite from a past roundup.

I hope you found my August Roundup helpful! 

Bring on fall…pumpkins, mums, apples, oh my!