Some weeks ask a lot of you. This was one of them — and I mean that in the best possible way. Here’s what our week looked like.

A Big Week at With Grace and Gold

The majority of this week was dedicated to a significant project at With Grace and Gold — writing a presentation, preparing for it, and then presenting. There is a particular kind of tired that comes at the end of a week like that, and also a particular kind of satisfied. It’s behind me now, and it went really well.

But the moment I’ll carry with me longest from this week had nothing to do with the presentation itself. When it was all over, Ben and Ollie came home with a bouquet of flowers and told me how proud they were of all my hard work. After how busy the week has been, I truly understand what people mean when they say they do everything they do for their family. The late nights, the hard weeks, the presentations you pour everything into — it’s really all for them. And when they show up at the end of it with flowers and proud faces, every bit of it feels completely worth it. They are the sweetest team of cheerleaders I could ever ask for, and I don’t take that for granted for a single second.

Cold Days, Cozy Days

Minnesota was not feeling spring this week. It was cold — really cold — which meant a lot of indoor time for our little family. And honestly, I found myself leaning into it rather than fighting it. Ollie and I played and read and did all the toddler-led things (We really love making recipes together! Our latest was a coconut-crusted tofu!) that make up the best parts of a slow week indoors. There’s something quietly wonderful about a cold day when you have nowhere you need to be outside and a very enthusiastic two-year-old keeping you company.

30 Spaces in 30 Days — Day 12

Twelve days into the challenge and I genuinely cannot believe how much lighter our home already feels. Each space has built on the last, and the cumulative effect of all of it together is something I didn’t fully anticipate. The timing of this challenge has also been particularly meaningful this month for reasons I’ll be sharing more about in June — and I cannot wait to tell you.

Speaking of June — I’m getting so eager to share our big news. I’ve left a few clues throughout the blog recently, so if you’ve been paying attention, you might already have a guess. I’d love to know what you’re thinking!

If you’ve been decluttering alongside me, thank you. It means so much. And if you haven’t started yet — Day 13 is the pantry, and there’s truly no better day to jump in.

Ollie and the Paper Chain

This is the part of the week I want to remember forever. Every single morning, Ollie walks up to our Disney World paper chain, carefully tears off a loop, sings herself a little jingle, and then turns around to show us the number with the most enormous pride on her face. We used to do it together — the three of us, making a little ritual of it each morning. But she is so deeply in her doing-things-by-herself era right now that she has claimed the paper chain as entirely hers, and watching her do it independently is one of the purest and most joyful things I have seen. (Everything about Ollie is the most joyful thing I’ve ever seen.)

Disney is coming. She is ready. We are ready-ish. I still have shopping and packing to do, but the excitement in our house right now is genuinely contagious.

The Early Mornings

Ollie is starting to phase out of her daily nap, which has introduced some early wake-ups into our routine this week. I know that transition isn’t always easy, but I want to say honestly that I love early mornings in the spring. Especially on sunny spring mornings. There’s something about getting a head start on the day and watching the sun come up that feels like a small gift, and I’ve been trying to receive it that way.

How the Week Is Ending

The big project is done. The weekend is ahead. And there is nothing on the agenda except family time — which after a full and productive week is exactly everything I need. Wishing you a genuinely restful weekend. See you back here next week!

A Few Things I’m Loving This Week

The Linen Closet Upgrade Worth Making
Quince Ultra Plush Bath Towels If Day 12 of our challenge inspired you to refresh your towels, these are exactly what I’d reach for — incredibly soft, beautifully white, and the kind of quality that makes your linen closet feel like a small luxury every time you open it.

The Heart of Our Disney Packing
Newton Deluxe Travel Crib The largest travel crib on the market — which toddler moms will genuinely appreciate — and the one thing we won’t leave home without on our Disney trip. Familiar sleep away from home is everything, and this makes it possible. (Take $40 off your purchase from Newton with my link!)

For the Busy, Productive Weeks
Forme Science Arch Booster Socks The sock that changed how my feet feel on my walking pad — supportive, comfortable, and genuinely worth it for any work from home mom who is on her feet and moving through a full day.