A Weekend Full Of Celebrations
Elijah turned four over the weekend!
Every age brings new adventure, firsts, and also lasts. Being a parent is wild, and I’m so thankful I get to be his mom.
To celebrate, we took Amtrak down to St. Louis to see where his dad works and go to a game. We got a really cool behind the scenes tour of Busch Stadium, met some of his coworkers, did a lot of walking, a lot of eating, and a lot of celebrating.
Other highlights of the trip included:
Elijah experienced his first Bidet at the hotel, which he named “Toto the Robot Potty”. There are worse ways to kick off another trip around the sun.
When we were at the game, there were people selling drinks walking up and down the aisles. One of them was yelling “Get Your Vodka Lemonade Here!” so naturally, Elijah wanted lemonade. Explaining to a 4 year old why he can’t have that lemonade was challenging to say the lease.
When I asked him what his favorite part of the trip was, he said “ chocolate ice cream but also the train”. Its hard to compete with chocolate ice cream, I’ll give him that.
August Thoughts
I recently finished reading “That’s a great question, I’d love to tell you” By Elyse Myers and I really enjoyed it. Its been a while since I’ve read a book start to finish, but it has felt more important to do so with the backdrop of all this AI garbage. Anyway, the book: It was such a cool way to document a life lived so far. Non-fiction, but through stories, and journal entries, and doodles.
I find it ironic that the older you get, the more you realize that its ok to start something new, and its better to start it today than wait for tomorrow. I remember being in my mid 20’s and thinking…I wish I could start over in school, make different choices, take different paths…as though my fate was set in stone already. I suppose that’s what the whole “hindsight 20/20” phrase is about.
I’ve fallen in love with crafting and creating for that reason. The cycle of feeling inspired, having an idea, the challenge of figuring out how to execute it, and then completing it, is such an exciting journey. And as the parent of an almost 4 year old, the speed at which these can all happen in 20 minute chunks in between meals and books and baths and life is quite convenient as well.
Yesterday was a weird day: busy, feeling like I was constantly in a hurry and forgetting something, a little anxious. One of those days where at the end I think “no regrets…but glad to be done with it”
Things in my head right now:
I wish I had more time in the day to create and do the things I want to do: make beautiful things, build comfy spaces in my home, writing, all of it. Any of it.
Elijah is so cool. He’s kind, and funny, and smart, and I couldn’t think up a better kid for myself. Things he did today that I love:
He walked up to me, rubbed his face on my arm and said “Mommy, I love your arm. I think its beautiful”
He invited his dentist to his birthday party; a dance party that was inspired by when he first heard “Who Let The Dogs Out?” two weeks ago
He told me that because he’s 4, he’s too old to flush toilets
He stomped around in shoes two sizes too big, insisting that his feet were bigger than they were yesterday because he is a big boy now
He lifted a piece of cucumber to his mouth, put it down, and said “Mommy, I was listening to my body and my belly and he said ‘I don’t like cucumbers right now, I’m just needing a crouton’”
My sleep has been not great. I wish I could be a sleep queen who has a blissful beautiful bedroom, cozy matching pajamas, a 5 step pre-bed routine, complete with a bath etc etc. Alas, that is not the era of life I am in. And I refuse to take a bath in a tub where my knees and boobs can’t be submerged simultaneously. But I’m trying. I have an eye mask. And I take magnesium. When I remember. I don’t think much of that is helping the actual poor quality and lack of sleep thing. But its not hurting it.
I wish renting a house wasn’t an absurd cost. Apartment living in this stage of life feels…squished. I have zero desire to own property though. Not in this economy LOL.
I want to help people and I’m annoyed by all the reasons why I can’t. Thank you capitalism.
What’s Blooming On Harrison 2026
Though I’ve lived in Oak Park three years, this year was my first time at What’s Blooming On Harrison. I didn’t get to experience much of the actual fest, but I enjoyed the incredible Jazz music and had some great conversations during the happy hour hosted at Serendib House.
I didn’t get to take many pictures - something I am trying to work on and remember to do more - but it was a beautiful evening, perfect weather, and I was fulfilled and exhausted by the end.
The first graduation
Friday was Elijah’s last day of school at the little kid daycare campus. The swirl of emotion is something that feels so unique, and yet something every parent experiences. Proud, sad, excited, nostalgic. Having a child really is like hitting the gas pedal on life. But wow, its an incredible journey.
So proud of this dude. He rises to meet every challenge, does not fear change but welcomes it, and is kind to everyone he meets. Incredibly proud and thankful to be his mom.
pictured: the outfit he very proudly picked out and put on all by himself, and the end of school celebration
Well, I’m a soccer mom now
Elijah had his very first ever organized sports experience - a soccer game. Well, it was less a game and eight 3-4 year olds squealing with joy and kicking a soccer ball on occasion. It was very cute and he was filled with joy, which is really all that matters.
Its Memorial day weekend, and as usual I’m trying to strike a balance between productivity, and hanging with the family. I have so much I want to do with my creations and now that my work is in an actual store, I’m excited and finding it difficult to pace myself. This however, is a good problem to have. Its been a fun journey to find what brings me joy - not as a mom, wife, or employee - but just as me, Larissa. Its not something I’ve mastered, I’m always learning of course, but I feel so much more fulfilled these days.
Here’s my brain-dump for today:
Take photos of my stickers and stationary to list on here
Buy patio furniture - the executive function that is required to turn my patio into something cute and comfy is apparently more than I can muster
Get rid of a bunch of crap in the storage unit - getting rid of things has really become a hobby of mine - especially when I can bring it to the free store, it feels so much better than holding onto stuff we don’t use
May your long weekend be filled with pockets of peace, moments of joy, and making the slice of world you live in 1% better.