Domestic Fashionista

First Day Of School Tablescape + Back To School

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

My kids are back to school and we are getting into a new rhythm. It is always sad for me to see my kids move up a year in school but seeing them bond in new ways at school together has been really sweet. Having just my youngest at home has also been really special and surprisingly easy. I miss my kids but I am embracing a more peaceful and slower pace at home.

For our first day of school breakfast, I used our usual set up of decorative apples filled with cereal, first day paper flags, and name labels. New this year was my back to school ribbons and keeping out our American flags from the summer. We also happened to pick up these beautiful flowers at a little flower cart in our neighborhood. The mix of colors and patterns were such a delight. It made for an extra special and meaningful morning with my sweet kids. Definitely one for the books as I sent off all three for the first time.

plates | bowls | runner | napkins | wood cake stand

What a bunch of happy kids!

For dessert that night we always have a "smart cookie" cake. I made one girl and one boy this time.

My two oldest started school first and then a few days later my kindergartener started. It made for a long and emotional week with a staggered start. But it was also nice to get through one milestone at a time. So we got to do all our back to school celebrations twice! Breakfast #2...

Sending off my third was incredibly emotional. This was my day before sentimental ramblings I shared on Instagram:

Last day before kindergarten for kiddo #3 // How am I here? I don’t even know. Just the other day he was still the baby (and even the actual baby is appearing quite grown up here). The first time in eight years that I will only have one child at home with me. It feels like an identity crisis. I know he is going to have the best time. But me? Not quite ready for another step of letting them go in this mothering process. Did I give him enough? Cherish it enough? I know we have many many more memories together. But these years of giving - day in and day out. Never getting a break. They were exhausting but they were also my whole heart. I finally learned to savor it - just in time to learn to have to let it go.

My strong willed third. He changed me. A turning point for me was when I threw my phone across the room while I was nursing him as a baby. Because distracted parenting wasn’t working for me anymore. He taught me how to let go of it all. So I could be the present mom I always dreamed of being.

I cried as I watched him walk into class with his teacher - the most I have cried for all our first days of school. So many feelings. But also so proud of my sweet boy. He is having the best time and was so ready.

The boys got new backpacks this year and I added monograms. They turned out so fun.

Once the kids were off to school (and I was done crying!), I tidied up at home. I set up the table for dinner and swapped Trader Joe's alphabet cookies for the cereal.

So adorable! Why had I not thought of this before?

Here are my happy kids - all three going off together for the first time. If I can't be there with them, at least they have each other. Oh my heart!

And my older two on their first day - 4th grade and 2nd grade. I can't believe it.

It has been so sweet to hear that my daughter has been helping her little brother out on the bus and at school. To hear that they sometimes play together at recess. Or got to sit together at lunch. I hope that this time together at school only makes their bond stronger.

It is hard to see them grow up but my heart also bursts with pride as I see them growing into their own ways. Building their own relationships and taking initiative on their own. I think it will be a great year for them all.

// Shop my back to school supplies here:

Whidbey Island Day Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

For my birthday this year we took a day trip to Whidbey Island. It is not as well known or touristy as Bainbridge Island. But over the years, it has become probably my favorite island to visit in the Puget Sound.

The fastest way to get there is by ferry, which is half the fun! The kids, and myself, love getting the chance to ride on one of the many Washington State Ferries. It is truly a unique experience, having lived in other areas of the country. We try to get in a ferry and island day at least once a year and it is always a beautiful day of family memories.

We went in August and lucked out that is was a relatively cool and overcast day. It warmed up just enough that the kids could play at the beach and splash in the water.

Since we have been to Whidbey Island before, I wanted to try out some new places. The island is pretty big so we have yet to visit everything on my list in one day. So this time I decided we would try all new things and found some really special hidden gems.

Here is a little video montage I put together of our day:

To get to Whidbey Island, we drive to Mukilteo to get on the ferry. On the weekend it is only about a 30 minute drive from where we live. We usually arrive with one ferry wait ahead of us which is another 30 minutes or so. Now that our kids are a little older, the wait isn't too bad. It is just enough time to get out of the car, go to the bathroom, maybe have a snack, and then it is our turn to get on the ferry. Because Whidbey Island is so big, we drive our car on. Some of the other islands are more accessible to walk on without a car.

Driving on the ferry is it's own unique experience. It has yet to not be thrilling! The ferry ride is only about 15 minutes so we park our car and then get out to enjoy the ferry ride from outside.

The wind is in your hair and you get to see the most incredible views as you float away. I say this over and over again, but we are SO lucky to live in such a beautiful place!

All the ferries have snacks. And on the longer ones, a full on hot food snack bar. That, in itself, is another fun experience.

Our first stop was to Coffee at Dawn Cafe. The kids ran around outside with Brent while I stood in line to get myself a coffee and treat.

They serve beautiful baked items and a delicious brunch menu.

I got myself some treats and packed the kids some Costco muffins. :) We are learning how to navigate these family trips together with four kids. I packed a bunch of food to hold us over for the day but would allow us to stop at these types of places for a bite here and there. It worked out really well and saved us a lot of money. While we are all for taking our kids to fun places to eat, it is more about the experience than feeding everyone. And the kids were much happier with the food I brought them anyways.

We sat outside so it wasn't too weird that I pulled muffins out of my bag!

Wildflower bouquet from my daughter.

Our next stop was to Meerkerk Gardens. It was a $10 admission for adults and our kids were free. And you just pay at a box with cash or with your phone. For our family of six, $20 admission is a bargin! I was quite pleased that this quiet tucked away garden ended up being spectacular for the cost.

We only saw four other people there. We had the garden all to ourselves. The kids could run and explore freely. Because it was nearing the end of the summer, there were not a lot of flowers in bloom. I bet this place is even more spectacular in the spring.

We planned to picnic here so we brought all our food and gear. As you probably know, I am all about the aesthetics and photos, so we kept walking until we found a pretty enough place to picnic. And boy am I glad we did.

After we did a bit of walking, the trail opens up to the cutest little plant shop. One person was working the cash register.

And right behind it was the most incredible view...

I was like, "Brent! People probably get engaged here!!" And here I am having the most incredible little picnic with my family for my birthday. I couldn't ask for anything more lovely.

Signs that I am feeling more alive these days with older kids - I packed such an easy but yummy charcuterie and sandwich lunch. We brought sparkling lemonade. It was so fun.

We also had to get in some family pictures with my camera and tripod at this beautiful spot.

After a lovely lunch and garden stroll we drove to Coupeville. It is a charming little town full of shops and restaurants. And it is also the location that the movie Practical Magic was filmed.

Coupeville was much more happening that the last two places we were at. Lots of people out, enjoying the sunshine, and eating lunch. Again, waiting to sit in an adorable but tiny restaurant with four kids is not super appealing. I was glad our tummies were full so we could stroll the streets, walk across the water, and stop for ice cream instead.

We stopped for ice cream at the very popular Kapaw's Iskreme. Their single scoop is actually three scoops, any flavor combination. It was delicious!

I stopped in this adorable little Dutch shop, A Touch of Dutch, that I was wanting to visit. I found a cute small wood toy that I am going to hang as a Christmas ornament. It felt very nostalgic.

The kids all loved playing around this flower art installation.

After our stroll and ice cream we headed back towards the ferry and ended our day at Double Bluff Beach.

I am always amazed when we find perfect whole shells. I even had to keep a few for myself!

The ferry wait is always longer on the way home, especially on the weekend as everyone is heading back. We had over an hour wait so instead of having dinner in Mukilteo, as I had planned, we decided to just eat at Dairy Queen across the street. Perhaps not my first choice for a birthday dinner, but happy non hangry kids is way better than a grumpy late dinner. They were so happy and sweet. That's all a mama wants on her birthday anyways.

It was a lovely full day at Whidbey Island. It never disappoints. :)

// Some other places on Whidbey Island that we have visited and enjoyed:

Greenbank Farm

The next three places are all in one spot (Whidbey Donuts, Flower House Cafe, Bayview Garden). They also have a farmer's market on the weekend. A great one stop spot.

Whidbey Donuts - stop in to grab donuts or can sit down with a full menu

Flower House Cafe - adorable place to grab a coffee

Bayview Garden - flower nursery and gift shop

Langley - cute town with shops and restaurants by the water

A Prayer For Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. While I have not experienced this loss myself, I know too many friends who have. At my MomCo group this month, I shared this prayer with our group. I thought I would share it here as well.

Sometimes in the busyness of life, we can forget to stop and take a moment to acknowledge, grieve, and pray. I hope this will provide a moment to remember sweet ones who are experiencing the grief of loss.

Lord, in honor of pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, we remember and acknowledge the precious babies you have brought to our lives that are a part of us yet we did not get the privilege of meeting on this side of Earth. Be with us in our grief. Help us live and love better because of them.

Let’s take a moment of silence to remember a sweet baby you may have lost or for a friend who has gone through this. To say a prayer for them or simply giving them the gift of a moment of acknowledgment.

Encouraging My Children In Their Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

As my kids get older we have entered into a time where they are building a faith of their own. This still is a relatively new aspect of parenting for me but over the past few years I have been trying to be more intentional in how I can present our faith to our children.

Now I have a degree in Bible and Theology, along with my teaching degree. Though I did the work, wrote the papers, and took the tests, I admittedly don't remember a lot and still struggle to really read my Bible.

I also thought I needed to approach telling my kids about God by making it into a Sunday school lesson. But thank goodness for Sally Clarkson and her holistic approach to parenting. Through listening to her podcasts she taught me that I could just start talking about God in everyday conversation.

So I started saying things like, "Look at this sunset. Isn't it amazing that God created it for us?" A lot of this conversation surrounded around nature as it was an easy thing to point out. But over time, it became more of a habit that I mentioned our faith simply when it came up.

We also left a church we loved, a couple of years ago, to find a church that was closer and had a more thriving kid's program. Our hopes were that our kids would also make some friends there. This has been a challenge as the church is relatively large and I think that families aren't as consistent at attending church as we were growing up. Brent and I have often longed for a church like the ones we grew up in where there was a tight sense of community. But given our current society and our own busy life, I think we have finally accepted that we can't compare what is available to us today to the past. So we found a church that has wonderful resources for our children.

sweet kids carrying their Bibles to our new church a few years ago

They come home learning Bible stories, memorizing verses, knowing worship songs, and being loved on by caring teachers. There are fun activities and celebrations and our kids love going to church. This is a win in my book.

When they were little we had Bible story board books and during the pandemic watched a lot of Life.Church's Bible Adventure YouTube videos. But now that my older two can read, I have started to try to provide them with ways they can learn about God and read the Bible on their own. We have provided them with a variety of Bibles, regular full versions and kid ones. Even my youngest ones like to look at the pictures.

A few times a week Brent does "devotions" before bed with the kids where they read out of one of our children's Bibles. They are short enough to keep a three and five year old's attention. :)

What has been really neat is that these short toddler/preschool stories are just enough to peak my oldest's interest. Afterwards he will get out his other big kid books and Bible to follow up on the story on his own to find out more information.

My oldest is very intellectual so he definitely remembers specific things he learns at church and what he reads. It is safe to say he knows most Bible stories better than me now! It is truly incredible.

He reads in bed for about an hour each night. He shares a room with his brother so this allows them all to go to bed at the same time but he gets to stay up and read with a night light for an extra hour. He has a collection of chapter books he enjoys. But we also include his Bibles and devotionals that he will sometimes chose to read. We also recently found The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls which are fictional books based off of Bible stories. It is a similar genre to the Magic Tree House series (which he also loves) where a brother and sister go on these adventures together. They have been a huge hit and he rereads the series pretty regularly.

Found this on his bed - cross referencing his Bible story (which prompted this blog post!)

He also brings home library books from school. They are allowed to read them during the day but we have a rule that they can't have library books in their room at night. Partly so that younger siblings don't ruin them but also because I wanted him to be reading mom approved books during this lengthier reading time. The books he brings home from school are fine, but I really want his love for reading quality books to grow. And full transparency, I have told them that certain books aren't allowed to come home from school (particularly all the ones with potty humor). They can read them in their class if their teacher has them but they understand that these books aren't appropriate to our family and we have to set a good example to our younger siblings who don't know the difference.

Now, my oldest daughter, she has been the one to show more of an emotional connection with her faith, which has also been incredible. She wants to pray when she is scared and believes in God in a more emotional way. It is so beautiful and inspiring.

All my children are different and are going to approach their faith in their own way. I feel like I can barely take credit for it because it often catches me by surprise and challenges me in how I am setting an example to them.

When it comes to things like toys and crafts, I always believed that providing them with open ended materials provided them the tools for creativity and personal exploration. I am finding that approach can provide the same results as it pertains to their faith.

We also pray before dinner. We came up with a simple prayer that we all say together, as inspired by one of my friends. We simply say, "Thank you Jesus for this food. Bless our family. Amen." I wanted them, from a young age, to feel confident in being able to pray for a meal on their own. We also pray before bed and ask them what they want to thank Jesus for or pray for. It is never overly complicated or long. Honestly, Brent and I are so ready for them to go to bed, we don't have the energy for much more! So we have found repetition and tradition allow us to instill values even in our most tired state!

My oldest has started to ask about things like Satan and Hell. It's intense! It challenges me and I am grateful for my years of working in youth ministry that trained me how to lead someone to Christ. But he is not a little kid anymore and so I have to give him real answers. It is keeping me on my toes. And is my own reminder of how important this time is as he's developing his own views. I want to be available for these types of conversations. A reminder that my mission field is my own home with my own children. I am doing important eternal work. Just the thought brings me to tears!

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it // Proverbs 22:6

All this to say, here are some of the books and Bibles we have and love:

God's Big Picture Bible Storybook

I Will Follow Jesus Bible Storybook

I Can Read | My Illustrated Bible: For Beginning Readers

Bible Stories For Little Ones - beautifully illustrated board book

CSB Explorer Bible For Kids - boys leather bound Bible

CSB Explorer Bible For Kids - girls leather bound Bible

Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas

The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories - we have three of these and they are all fought over, pages falling out, binding taped over and over. This is what we use for nighttime devotions.

Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God and Science

The Garden The Curtain And The Cross

Build: Christian Picture Book On Identity

Baby Jesus Little Board Book

Twirl: Christian Picture Book On God's Love

Bedtime Blessings For Little Ones

Cutie, I Pray - a sweet prayer book you can pray over babies and little ones

God Gave Us Heaven - a gentle introduction to death and Heaven

God Gave Us Christmas

The Secret Of The Hidden Scrolls - book series based on Bible stories

// Shop all the books here:

Batgirl (And Batman) | Halloween Costume Through The Years

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I love traditions where my kiddos are wearing or doing the same thing all the others did...and then comparing them. One of those things is this Batman Halloween costume we got for our first. They all wore it at some point on Halloween. So before we passed on this beloved costume, I had to get it on my baby girl to at least photograph.

She is all things princesses so I am pretty certain she won't want to wear this to any of our Halloween celebrations. But it sure was cute to put it on her and get some photos. It actually makes her look really old. My three year old is not a baby anymore! She's just a little peanut so she fits into what her other siblings wore when they were younger.

Here was the original. Superhero family!

I can't believe this little nugget is TEN. We had some of the sweetest Halloweens when we lived in Virginia.

Then we had our 2020 pandemic Halloween. I was pregnant and had really bad morning sickness. I remember sucking on sour patch kids all night while we trick or treated. So no fancy pictures by me this year. But it was a really fun Halloween - the first in our neighborhood in Washington and these sweet cuties could both walk and get candy on their own. I remember it was a really happy night.

Then with our third, I was pregnant again! I was too tired for any type of sibling costume so I let them wear whatever they wanted and it turned out really cute. They were still so little and sweet.

It has been a fun costume over the years. I love capturing these special moments in time together.

For more Halloween costumes through the years, check out our Flintstone family Halloween costumes we did each year we added a baby.

Gifting A Self Care Flower Bouquet | Gift Cards + Chomps!

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I recently put together this self care bouquet for a dear friend - full of flowers, gift cards, and a favorite snack, Chomps! It came out so cute, I had to share.

My friend was going through a tough time so some of my MomCo ladies and I all contributed to putting this together. We wanted her to have something that would encourage some self care so we included a Starbuck's gift card for her to treat herself, an Amazon gift card to get anything she might need, and a Trader Joe's gift card for fun groceries.

I had originally wanted to come up with some kind of Chomps bouquet so when I searched online I got the idea to tape the Chomps to a skewer and place it in the bouquet. I did the same for the gift cards.

Growing up in my mom's florist, it was always my favorite whenever she put together some kind of gift basket. Yes, I grew up looking at beautiful arrangements she made. But it was the occasional box of chocolates, teddy bear, or request to also drop off coffee that brought a special delight.

I remember her telling me about one time a husband of a teacher couldn't get anyone to deliver a coffee to his wife. So he purchased a flower arrangement from my mom to deliver as long as she was willing to also deliver a coffee with it! This was long before coffee delivery! But also a reminder how far a kind gesture of a favorite thing can go.

I am very grateful for the kind and generous friends who contributed to such a beautiful and impressive gift. I couldn't have done it on my own. The creative presentation was so fun for me to put together. This truly would make such a sweet and fun gift for anyone and any occasion. I might have to start making these more often!

You can also buy so many gift cards on Amazon now that can be delivered by the next day (just make sure you are ordering a physical gift card). This was so helpful for me while my kids were all home for the summer. I ordered the Starbucks and Amazon gift cards online. Then we went into Trader Joe's for the gift card, Chomps, a card, and flowers. For the flowers I purchased one medium size bouquet and a bundle of chamomile. The chamomile brought a little extra whimsy!

I also found this little book of prayer for grief. I flipped through it and it is really beautiful.

I think about the things that have meant the most to me after becoming a mom. A coffee delivery when I was stressed out, a home cooked meal when everyone was sick, and a beautiful book to cling to when I am dealing with anxiety. Thoughtfulness doesn't always have to be grand, as small gestures can go a long way. I am grateful for others who have shown me kindness and generosity. It really inspired me with this gift.

// Shop supplies here:

Mid-Winter Things 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

As a California native, mid-winter is a new term for me. February would hit in Sacramento and it would start feeling like spring. Not so much here!

But living in Washington and embracing the concept of mid-winter has actually been quite lovely once I got past adjusting to the long dark evenings. Instead of jumping in to new year's goals and counting down the days until spring, I see it as a quiet time of hibernation. There is always plenty to do around the house, kids inevitably are home sick, and the holidays are over. It is a homebodies dream! ha!

(I am typing this out in August while my anxiety rises about the busyness of fall coming. This is a good reminder that other slow days do come. The season does not dictate my pace. I get to.)

Checking out a fun little neighborhood library...and finding a cozy place to read once we got home.

I shared in my winter/holidays post that I did a deep dive in purging my closet. Here are two dresses that I bought on Amazon - one black and one red. I loved them both. I especially love the neutral pattern of the black and white one under my jean jacket. But after wearing it a few times I realized that the identical dresses were actually slightly different.

Long story short, the red one is slightly longer on top and a different fabric which ended up making it feel more flattering to me. I held on to the black one because I liked it layered and I had just bought it. When I should have just accepted that I didn't love it.

It was my reminder to only keep and wear clothes that I absolutely love. I ended up finding a skirt that was the same pattern but worked better for me. It was a good lesson in waiting for the right piece and to be able to let go of a purchase that I later changed my mind on.

BUT ALSO - how much time am I wasting buying and returning clothes when I have plenty I already love? This is the real kicker. I am not anti cheap clothes on Amazon in this season of life where I rarely have time to shop in a real store. But I also want to be more responsible with my purchases. It is a balance that I continue to work on.

She just sat there chatting away with me and playing with her doll. She sure is a fun one. I think she will make a good buddy the next two years while everyone else is at school.

Another creative creation from one of my children - a credit card and a phone. See the apple in the middle?! Too funny.

Baking samplers.

The biggest relationship gap of my children is definitely my oldest and youngest. The middle children intermingle a bit better as they are closer in age. But it sure is cute when I see the two of them together. There relationship is growing slower than the others but I am seeing them connect more as our youngest continues to get older.

Finally lost her first tooth. Then a second one in the middle of the night a week later. She looks tired but proud. The first one got lost so we had to document the second one even if we were all half asleep.

A cute lego moment spotted.

Working on our Christmas reflection in our Christmas memories scrapbook.

Another day another outfit variation.

She insisted I make her tea after she saw mine.

Winterizing a maxi dress.

This sweet girl played a pumpkin in her school play. So proud of her.

We had to go to Coldstone after to celebrate.

Got out all our February books.

Coloring and acting like such a big kid.

Me prepping for my daughter's arts and crafts birthday party. This little mock up was actually very helpful as we made room for all the crafts.

An optional cooking class zoom call with her teacher and class during mid winter break. They made fry bread which was incredibly easy and tasty. I am so grateful we have had such fabulous teachers at our neighborhood school.

Winter creations - Martin Luther King Jr. portrait, getting pumped for Artemis, and winter friends.

Leftover Costco ice cream sundae saving me while Brent is on work travel. I personally love the chocolate vanilla swirl with strawberries. :)

Decorating cookies on the bar for the first time! I eventually paint that piece of wood white as it was driving me crazy to see it in pictures!

More birthday party rearranging.

I got some pictures of all the kids and their birth posters.

Hard to believe these little humans were all in my belly at one point.

We went to Idaho for the weekend to visit some of Brent's family. Brent and I got in a quick outing without the kids to get a coffee and check out the frozen lake.

Sweet little everyday moments together. She follows me around the house and keeps me company.

Working on class Valentine's.

My sweet little mother's helper - putting on a puppet show for the littles in the bath.

I have had this water bottle for awhile now. It was a hand me down from my mom group swap. I have been wanting to try a water bottle with the hours to drink on it but was afraid it was too gimmicky to ever buy one.

Well we are on over a year together and it has been the longest I have gone with meeting my daily water goals consistently. Being able to see how much water I have plays a huge part - versus stainless steel which I was using before. And the ability to chug - it's just so much faster! I don't love that it is plastic but the trade off of drinking more water is worth it to me. I also make a protein shake with water and often a coffee or tea that gets me even more. This is 64 oz and I try to shoot for 80 or 90 oz.

So all this to say, I highly recommend. Here are similar ones.

With the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, we were feeling the energy. It was so fun to have these Super Bowl swag shops pop up around town. We picked up some things for the kids. They were so pumped OUR team made it.

Valentine's crafting and we left up our arts and craft party decor up for a little longer.

Safe to say he loved his new hat.

An impressive portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. by this girl.

Another outfit variation with my favorite long vest.

I love this age so much!

E-bike adventures.

We love to ride on the bike trail by the river and then get off for a fast food dinner. Then we ride back home. It is a sweet and fun outing together.

Ready for the Super Bowl! Everyone was happy to get the win!

Another favorite outfit. Literally wearing sweat pants.

He is looking so grown up and like his older brother did at this age. My heart. Time please stop.

Dubai chocolate mocha with pistachio foam was a delicious treat!

Working on everyone's Valentine's Day surprises.

I had to go back and try the dubai matcha. It also was amazing.

Everyone loved their Valentine's Day surprises. I continually am reminded a small lego set (I try to get the little bag ones under $10) is such a fun and easy gift. It gives them something to make and then something to play with. And the big kids love to help the little ones because then they get to make a second set! ;)

Our annual Valentine's Day Olive Garden dinner and watching Charlie Brown.

Making Lunar New Year dragons.

Then we celebrate with $1 in their red envelopes.

I love these reusable red envelopes that we can use again each year.

I laminated some of these Chinese zodiac placemats from the Chinese restaurant for us to also reuse each year. I remember studying these things as a kid when we would go out to eat with my Chinese grandparents. While my kids won't have that same exact experience, I like that they will grow up with these familiar placemats at home.

We get our favorite Chinese take out for dinner that night as well.

For Valentine's Day I got myself a new small crossbody purse. It is a lookalike of a designer one I would love but seems too fragile for my mom lifestyle. I have been so happy with this one and that it elevates my everyday outfits.

Mid-winter break outing to the playground and lunch after picking up groceries.

We had such a nice outing but then I remember looking back at this picture seeing myself with tired and sad eyes. I had just had a rough week with an anxiety attack. I hadn't had one since I was pregnant with my youngest. So it had been awhile. The fact that years had passed since I have had one of these occurrences was something to celebrate. But it was the breaking point for me that some things needed to change. I needed to take better care of myself, set some boundaries with others, and refocus on what was important to me - being present for my family. It was a good but hard hurdle to get through and I am grateful to be on the other side again.

Watching the live feed of the Artemis II fueling and hoping for the go for launch soon.

Catching a peace lily bloom is always a pleasant surprise.

Someone's little flower collection. I try to at least get them to collect things in baskets so it's not all over the porch!

Another mid-winter break outing. This time I am rested, lighter, brighter, and maybe a little makeup. :)

I thought I'd change things up with some wide leg grey sweat pants! I really like them and they feel very adventurous outside of my normal all black. They are also thinner which allowed me to wear them well into spring without getting too hot.

More Artemis preparations.

My little stylish girl!

We went to a local lion dance demonstration for Lunar New Year. It was a smaller event so those lions were loud and got up in your face! It was very fun...but may have scared most of the children! It was also interesting to see a more traditional side of things. People really do believe in luck and I think my grandparents did too. But as an adult, it translates differently. I am thankful that we can celebrate my heritage with our children. But I am also thankful our hope is rooted in our faith and not in luck. And after experiences like these, we can have these open conversations with our children.

Same outfit as the last but looks dressier with my purse and some jewelry.

Artemis II also made the cover of my third grader's Scholastic News. This was pretty special. We kept this one for him to be able to remember.

Cutie firefighter.

Same outfit, different jacket. Deciding on my vibe for the day.

Brent was out of town and we had an after school doctor's appointment. Dessert before dinner seemed like a good idea. Just my reminder to make everyday outings a little more special.

Also we could have bought dinner for the same price as all these treats! So one or the other is usually the case and makes special treats doable with four kids.

We kept our Christmas lights on well into spring. It helps make these long winter days a little more cozy.

I found these beautiful blue melamine plates and had to get them for our kids' everyday plates. They are so pretty, look ceramic, and hand painted!

It is so easy to look back at all these sweet pictures and just have the fullest heart. I forget the hard stuff after awhile - the pancic attacks, Brent's continued work travel, and long days as a mom. So this is my reminder, and perhaps yours, that every season has it's ups and downs. To know that even if today was hard, I will still be looking back nostalgically months from now, if I choose to make the most of our everyday. There are beautiful moments everywhere. I just have to be willing to look.

Online Shopping Hack: Use Rakuten To Get Free Cash Back

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I do most of my shopping online these days. As a busy mom, it is so easy and such a no brainer for making my life easier. Even my sweet and understanding retired neighbors comment on how often they notice things get delivered to our house! :)

I tell all my mom friends - save some time and sanity - do grocery pick up, buy your teacher appreciation gift cards online, and send a friend a Starbuck's gift card via text (through the Starbuck's app).

Anyways, I hope if this landed in your inbox, it didn't appear too spammy! I promise, I think this is worth your time otherwise I would not share. I want to tell you about Rakuten and how you can use it to get free cash back from online shopping. This is not sponsored. I only get a referral bonus if you choose to use my link.

Using Rakuten, every few months I get back anywhere from $5-50 from shopping at places like Target, Etsy, Old Navy, and Ebay. I do most of my Target shopping online, either to ship to home or to do drive up pick up.

I am getting money back by simply clicking a little pop up button every time I shop with Target, activating cash back from Rakuten. It is not a ton of money but it is free money I would otherwise not be getting.

And the referral bonus has gone up! My sister in law told me about it five years ago and we each got $30. When I saw it was up to $50, I had to share!

There is no catch - using Rakuten is absolutely free. Even if you only try it once, do it for the $50 from my referral code! Sign up for Rakuten. I use it on my desktop so a plug in gets added to your toolbar. You can also use the Rakuten app on your phone to do this. Make at least a $50 purchase within 90 days at Target or other qualifying store and you will get $50 plus whatever cash back from your purchases! Then your check comes in the mail. Easy peasy.

One of my biggest payouts was booking our hotel for our trip to Florida. I picked out our hotel on my own and when I went to check out, Rakuten offered me to get cash back. If you use it on your computer, Rakuten will automatically pop up showing you that you can activate cash back. They do all the thinking and working for you. Cash back on shopping you are already doing.

It is such an easy way to make a couple extra bucks! I hope you will try it.

Use my referral link here and get $50 after your first qualifying purchase!

Updates To Our Kids' Bathroom + How To Make Bath Time Easier

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I made a couple updates to our kids' bathroom making it feel more luxe. A few small changes made such a big difference.

I saw this image on Pinterest and it got my mind running.

First, we have not had a rug in our kids' bathroom for years because it would just get soaked. We started just throwing down a beach towel to adsorb all the water. But after seeing this image it reminded me how big of an impact some pattern can add to a space. So I decided I would still have my kids throw a towel down before showers/bath which would take care of most of the moisture so I could have a bathroom rug again!

And second, I read the comments on the Pinterest post and people were commenting on how the double shower curtain helps keep some of the water in on the sides - helping our main problem. And that it even helps keep the heat in the shower with the extra material. This felt like a bonus and for how pretty it looks, I decided to add a second curtain to our primary bathroom as well.

We have used the same style shower curtains since we first got married. Thankfully Target still carries it so it was easy to double up on what we already had. I was also able to source our old shower curtain hooks on ebay so that everything matched. It was a fun little hunt that turned into such a beautiful but easy update.

The rug I found at HomeGoods on clearance!

The kids all had robes hanging on the hooks. But because they hung so low due to the windowsill, the larger robes were dragging on the ground. Plus some of my kids weren't actually wearing the robe - they just dried off and dropped it on the floor. ;)

So I thought, maybe it was time to just switch to regular towels. We had plenty of extra white towels. And I thought about when we stay in a hotel we all share the couple of towels we have. So why couldn't they just share two towels? It made it less crowded, dried faster because there was more space, and encouraged my older kids to hang them up for their younger siblings to use later. Plus they were always accidentally using each other's towels anyways.

We are just a couple weeks in to our new setup and it is working so well! My two older kids shower on their own before dinner. Then after dinner, while I do the dishes, my older two help the younger two in the bath. It is pretty amazing to not have to be so involved in bath time - one of the hardest times of day with young kids. The beach towel laid out works great. And we have hooks behind the door for this towel to dry and get used again.

I also got rid of our bath toys that are prone to getting mold eventually. Instead I put some of my kids' plastic animals in there and they are enjoying them so much. Plus when they get tired of them, we can switch them out with another hearty plastic toy and do away with one use bath toys.

It is just another sign we are in a new season. I can have a nice rug finally! And time and experience has taught me things like a beach towel laid out and double shower curtains are just smart.

See our original bathroom renovation details here.

Cold Foam Recipe: As Easy As 1-2-3

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This summer I decided to give cold foam at home a try. While we had more leisurely days at home for summer break, I wanted to come up with my own coffee shop treat to get me through all the splash pad and lego building days.

I found a simple recipe with a ratio of 1-2-3 and added my own flavor spins inspired by some of my favorite Starbucks drinks. It does not disappoint and is perhaps one of the highlights of my day!

I love a berry matcha. For this one I used Trader Joe's matcha latte powder with a raspberry or strawberry cold foam flavored with jam.

A vanilla iced latte with more berry cold foam (strawberry or raspberry jam).

Another iced latte but with chocolate cold foam. Oh my goodness this is heavenly!

***

For the cold foam the ratio is one tablespoon of flavored sweetener which can be as easy as vanilla syrup or sugar. Then two tablespoons of milk and three tablespoons of heavy cream.

This makes quite a bit of cold foam which I don't mind! But it can easily be shared between two drinks or you can half it all for a little less. I also have played around with trying half and half to cut back on the amount of heavy cream I use. This recipe is flexible and easily can be adjusted to your liking. But if you want it thick and creamy like the coffee shop, the heavy cream does the trick.

Cold Foam Recipe

1 tablespoon flavored sweetener (flavored syrup, jelly, chocolate sauce)*

2 tablespoons 2% milk

3 tablespoons heavy cream

Add all ingredients in a cup. Using a hand frother, froth until it thickens. Pour over iced drink.

*For flavored syrups I like Torani. For jelly I like Bonne Maman. And this Torani dark chocolate sauce (that we also use for hot chocolate).

What We Did Last Winter | Holidays 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Oh boy am I behind! I am not quite sure how to intro a post about winter and Christmas in the middle of summer. So let's just jump into it! :)

These pictures aren't going to be in order either! I imagine at this point nobody cares!

Christmas Eve breakfast is a yummy waffle spread. I love my Dash waffle maker for all the holidays.

Christmas Eve service family photo. We took one inside and one outside. Sometimes we get a good picture. Sometimes we don't. I was happy with both. An early Christmas gift to me! I'm just trying to grab a photo every time we are all dressed nice in hopes I will get a couple I like each year.

Christmas Eve service with kids is always a hoot. Yes, let's give our four children flames to hold! I am both laughing and crying (and usually sweating). I look around and see other women so beautifully dressed and I'm sweating in my platform Uggs. I think at one point I even said why do we even bother. But Brent so kindly reminded me we are instilling tradition and our faith into our children. Oh yeah. ;) It is really wild though. I am sure one day I will look back fondly on these crazy services trying to entertain children, keep them quiet, and not burn the church down. :)

But gosh, they sure are cute though. And we only dress up like this a few times a year so I guess I'll take it.

Afterwards we enjoy our annual Olive Garden dinner out and I look around and count my blessings.

Christmas morning was lovely and magical. I have been learning to manage the day better and it helps keep it feel positive and light. Santa is consistently bringing the kids a book and small lego set for their gift and a few fun things in their stockings. They work on their lego set and we eat breakfast before getting into the rest of the gifts and it helps the morning to not feel so rushed.

I put everyone's gifts in separate piles so they could visually see how many gifts they had left. This worked out so much better for us this year as the older kids tend to get through their gifts much quicker. And then they each took turns opening something.

Our extended family is so generous at sending gifts for all the kids but we had years that the amount and excitement got out of hand leading to some ungrateful attitudes. I am happy to report that with experience and adjustments, it has lead to much happier Christmas mornings. I also try to be really mindful with putting together wish lists for the kids and sending it out to family. I have found that often the type of toys they receive can also lead to certain types of behavior.

I have become quite ruthless over the years about what I allow in my home. With four kids and protecting my sanity, I have to create boundaries at what we keep in our home.

I say all this because I am hesitant to just say, "Christmas was magical!" Getting here took work, assessment, changing expectations, and figuring out a system or rhythms that works for our particular family.

We got the girls American Girl dolls this year which was a very special and extravagant gift for us. But I never got an American Girl doll growing up so it has been a little dream of mine to get one for my daughters. I also wanted to get them early enough that my older daughter would have years to enjoy her doll. And so when I saw that they brought back the original historical dolls, we decided to go ahead and get Samantha and Kirsten. They LOVED them. It was really special and so fun for me.

I realize that giving a two year old an American Girl doll is pretty young! But I really wanted to make sure we got the original historical girls while they were still available. I also didn't want to store the doll for years to wait to give to her. Plus I knew they would enjoy playing with them together.

So, yes, I cringe when she holds her Samantha doll by the hair but so far she's still in good shape. I just told my oldest daughter that we aren't changing out their clothes for now and we keep them in a special spot in their room. But these dolls are also supposed to be played with so I try to only request these things within reason. They know they are special and treat them gently but are also welcome to play with them all they want.

Christmas mood (and new jacket!)

I always love setting our Christmas dinner table. It evolves every year - I am finding more and more beauty in simplicity. Also, my favorite rechargeable electric lighter that is pretty enough to be left out on the table all advent season.

The dinner table is usually pretty busy, loud, and crazy most nights. But these holiday meals that have candlelight, yummy food, and a little more leniency in what they eat, have proven to be so special and fun.

We always enjoy the local Christmas activities around our town. They are rooted in our holiday traditions each year. We feel so fortunate to have landed in such a family friendly place.

Getting to visit with Santa is always so special and sweet. Baby girl was not interested though! ;)

Our December 1st traditions include chocolate advent calendars (from Trader Joe's - they always have 4 different designs!), these little Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer finger puppets they play with each holiday season, and their ornament for the year.

I usually get their ornaments from Target but struggled to find something for the girls that I liked. I found these angel ornaments on Amazon instead and they are so sweet and beautifully made. They come in a set of three.

These handmade snow globes we all made years ago continue to be a favorite item we put out each year.

This year we set up our regular toy train and tracks out around the tree and it was such a fun little detail. The kids would turn on the battery powered train and watch it go round and round.

What started as me settling on a simple advent wreath has turned into a beautifully layered masterpiece. I love the different colors and textures.

My winter uniform in full force. I continue to love my long vest, second hand anthro scarf, and platform UGGs.

A friend got the kids some Christmas nativity stickers and it was sweet to see them all very focused on creating their scene.

Catching all the fun Christmas decorations around the neighborhood on our bus stop walks.

I read the book Wear It Well: Reclaim Your Closet and Rediscovering the Joy of Getting Dressed and it was so insightful! It helped me narrow down my style to three words and helped me see the clothes I kept in a whole new light. It felt so good to go through my closet, purge, and have my style much more defined.

I also finished reading Minimalista: Your Step By Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life. I am a big fan of the author Shira Gill who incorporates minimalism and style. It motivated me to go through some things around the house including our bedroom fireplace.

Fun holiday crafting.

These cozy winters together are so special. Once spring rolls around I often forget how we made it through the long rainy winters. But I think we did a lot of this - cozy days at home. Movies, fire, crafts....

And when the big kids are at school - Daniel Tiger and creating your own floor spot to lay down.

While purging, I went through the few real books I still keep around the house (I just read on my Kindle now). This book Lord, I Want to Be Whole was such a help during some difficult seasons of depression. I flipped through my notes and highlights. Still so applicable and helpful today. This was the first step to some emotional healing as an adult and I highly recommend it.

An english muffin pizza night. Everyone enjoyed helping.

Another holiday craft activity from a different friend - this giant coloring page was really fun for me and the kids!

I have been using some of our extra inexpensive outdoor wreaths on our dining room windows the past few years. I really like having them here and they proved the test of time. So in my attempts to have fewer decor but higher impact, I set out to find some nicer more natural looking wreaths. I was SO pleased to find these beautiful wreaths at Target. I moved the bow it came with to the side and it was the whimsical, French country Christmas feel I was looking for.

I finally decided to pass on these Christmas houses I have had for years to my mom. Thank goodness she wanted them! I have loved these for so long and tucked little battery powered candles in them. But I haven't used them the past two years and decided I liked the simplicity of just my candles.

Pizza movie night by candlelight.

I have wanted to do some sort of chapter book read aloud with my kids for awhile but just never felt like we had the time. It felt a bit like a mom fail until I realized I could read to them in the drop off carpool line at school. I also had read 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think. It was the reminder that I can make small pockets of time more intentional. We haven't finished Heartwood Hotel yet but it was a sweet and purposeful time together.

She was so cute acting independent in the elevator on our way to her doctor's appointment. Until she pushed the alarm in the elevator! Yikes!

Caught her sitting quietly playing with Barbies. She sure is growing up quickly.

Tis the season for hot chocolate in our nutcracker cups.

We are becoming pros now with our yearly power outages. Luckily nothing like the bomb cyclone but still we lose power a couple times of year when it gets windy and trees come down.

Being forced to enter the night by candlelight has a certain peacefulness.

Christmas cookie decorating - we buy the store bakery cookies and I color some frosting into pretty pastels. It is always an easy but fun tradition.

We use bladeless spreaders so the kids can eat frosting off their knives as they go. I am pretty sure more frosting is consumed than cookies!

Making some painted ornaments of her own to add to our collection. I like to give them one pastel color and white paint and then we add glitter.

I love that she is barely peeking over the table!

Taking inventory of Christmas gifts. I collect things over time and some of these were gifts from family.

Sweet baking helpers.

These girls love their Barbies! I am so glad they enjoy playing together. Our Barbie collection is all from my childhood that my mom saved for us. So nostalgic!

Trying to get a picture of her in her reindeer sweater. We were both festively dressed for my MomCo Christmas gathering.

We always do a favorite things exchange at our Christmas MomCo meeting. Some of the ladies even made us all personalized stockings to bring our goodies home in. So cute! I also used it to wrap one of my gifts in for Christmas morning.

I did quite a bit of reading this fall and winter. I also read No New Things. I thought I was going into a book about zero spending but it actually focused on buying second hand, using what you have, and encouraged me to repair instead of buy new. It was very inspiring! It felt so good to fix the handle on an old favorite basket. After I repaired it, it felt like new! It was so satisfying and an easy project to do while watching a show.

I used to have a basket sitting on the hand rail for items that went upstairs. But it always bugged me to see it sitting there. So I decided to put this basket on the floor to corral upstairs junk. It looks beautiful while still being functional! A happy update.

I put together a simple gift for our bus driver for Christmas. We had a woman this year who has been so wonderful. I often hear from my daughter about the little chats they have together. I am so grateful when others love on my kids. I gave her some of my favorites - a shower steamer and Lindt truffles.

Our friends had these cute decorations on their tree. I took a picture so we could make our own sometime. Maybe this year!

Coming home to our house lit up with Christmas lights is always so magical.

Of course when the American Girl dolls were delivered to our house, I had to open them up myself and do a little photoshoot! A childhood dream come true. ;)

They are so beautiful and precious. Just as I remember them from my childhood. I never had the dolls but I had all the books. I am sad I didn't end up keeping them. But Kirsten and Samantha were always my favorite.

I used up the last of my Stendig calendar paper that I had from my kids' monthly baby photos. It feels like the end to an era of that beautiful black and white paper. So I started saving all the brown packing paper that comes in packages. I was quite pleased with it's beautiful simplicity and that I didn't have to start buying wrapping paper!

I stuck with ribbons and printable gift tags I found online. I also have some poofy bows that I put on later. But for storing purposes, I could stack up wrapped gifts more efficiently without the big bows.

These two dressed up for his preschool Christmas performance.

And me getting a caffeine treat before school events and birthday parties these days! A little boost in my mood is helping this tired introverted mama be more social. :)

I thought this Christmas tree themed activity was really cute. Contact paper with the sticky side out so you can decorate with bows and shapes.

A special Christmas treat - M&M hot chocolate at The Woodinville Cafe. They serve this incredible hot chocolate all year but it feels extra festive during the holidays.

My little baking helper. We used premade chocolate chip cookie dough and added pieces of peppermint candy on top.

Another pizza movie night. They love lighting our advent candles every night.

We of course have to watch all the Christmas classics.

These scarf wearing cuties wanted to bundle up like their mama.

Our gingerbread house making spread. I always use graham crackers and premake them by "gluing" them together with melted white chocolate.

Our finished houses on display.

Everyday life seems more magical to the backdrop of Christmas.

A duplo Christmas creation. Looks like Elf is keeping busy.

Caught this cute little elf reading.

I started letting the kids earn Wii video game playing time when they fill up their star reward jar. They earn if for good behavior, for helping me do certain tasks, and for little things like making their beds or bringing their dishes to the kitchen.

They only get to play every so often (and when their grandparents visit and Brent and I leave overnight). When they earn it as a reward they get to play it for an hour and I set a timer. I also put it away when we are done, mostly because I don't like looking at it! But also because I don't need them to have a visual reminder of it.

I continue to be very observant of if they start getting crazy or if I see their behavior change. If it does, we go back to earning a candy from their star jar instead. When they are handling it well, it is actually very sweet to see them all playing together and having fun. It is a constant reassessment for me to see how much and how often this works for our family so that we can keep it feeling light, fun, and like a reward.

Another festive waffle meal. To be clear this is breakfast for dinner. :) I only make a breakfast like this a couple times a year. Maybe when they don't wake up at the crack of dawn starving, I'll make hot breakfasts again one day!

After Christmas Eve service and our Olive Garden dinner we waited in a very long line to see this fun Christmas light house nearby.

All ready for Santa's arrival.

Santa left the kids some candy on their trains!

Stacks of gifts were separated and organized for Christmas morning.

Everyone got a special drink in their stocking this year. I loved having an easy coffee to start a whirlwind morning!

The calm before the chaos. These sweet quiet moments are pretty magical as a parent - preparing for the joy and anticipation of my children.

Once advent was over, I switched out my centerpiece for something wintery to last through the new year. Bows on candlesticks were a favorite detail for me this year.

I love the slow days between Christmas and New Years. The kids have so many fun new things to play with and I like to putter around the house. I am still loving our Happy New Year banner.

After Christmas, Brent picked up from where we left off last Christmas break with our kitchen remodel. As you can see below, we still had a water pipe running from our upstairs bathroom to our kitchen. We had to move some things around, like my desk space to jump back in.

While Brent worked on the kitchen, the kids and I did our thing. Playground stop before picking up groceries.

Lots of cozy days at home. Brent and I watched all the Jason Bourne movies. We have been doing this almost every Christmas break for many years. It is a fun tradition. Here is my favorite Happy New Year banner.

Running the water through a different wall was a big job. But after a stressful week of work he did it!

Baby girl didn't like the loud noises.

We celebrated New Year's like we always do with a low key day at home. They get to play with the noise makers for one day and one day only! And then we have dinner at Tipsy Cow and make our NYE crowns while we wait for our food.

Cheers to a new year and some Marie Callender's chocolate pie.

Some photos from the process...

Finally the pipe is gone and water is running correctly! Things not pictured - me holding that bucket as water poured from the ceiling while Brent was trying to work something. The pictures are gratifying but the process is long, frustrating, and messy!

New Year's day with our favorite cheesy bread and a movie.

The rerouting of the hot and cold water pipes.

I am pretty sure I meant to make some pasta with our breaded chicken and cheesy bread. But kitchen work continued and we made do.

Off to the hardware store to get a kitchen island counter top!

We saved our upper cabinets that we took down last year to use as an extension of our kitchen island. We had a kitchen cart here temporarily until we were ready to put down the countertop.

More cuddles during demolition.

Building a phase one kitchen island. Using what we have and building around it.

Lots of sawdust...everywhere!

Rewiring outlets.

Letting the kids "help" put down the countertop.

Everyone is already so excited for our new counter space!

We got a beautiful and inexpensive laminate to cover the wood.

Helping the glue set.

Seeing all our books on display and so excited for a new photo backdrop!

Here are the upper cabinets on the left of the island. They were just a tad short but we made it work for a temporary fix.

After the countertop was glued down Brent put in another temporary edge. We were concerned about the wood edge getting wet so we went with something that would protect it. The lip is a little inconvenient for cleaning crumbs but it is done for now. We no longer have a pipe running through our kitchen and we have double the counter space now. Just in time for Brent to go back to work! :) It continues to be a long project but we are so pleased to be a step closer.

We ordered some more bar stools so all the kids have a place to sit.

We have come a long way from this once inclosed kitchen. The open space and light is life giving. We are enjoying it so much.

I continued with my home purging. I was finally able to let go of a lot of clothes I had been storing. It has taken me years to get here, letting go a little at a time. But this was a pretty ruthless cut. Reading Wear It Well helped me see my personal style better which allowed me to let go of some cute clothes I had loved at one point but no longer fit my lifestyle and current aesthetic.

I got myself down to just a few small storage boxes. A few pieces that are still a little tight but I was able to wear before having our fourth child. And a couple sentimental items like my high school letterman's jacket.

It felt so good to get to this place. I went from three large bins down to two small ones. It felt like a huge win. But the childbearing years are hard to know what to keep and what to pass on. Holding on to some of these clothes has been part of my journey as I have changed over the years. Each step of the way has been a growing or healing process as I have accepted and welcomed a different version of myself.

And one of the most gratifying moments of our new kitchen island was bringing home a week's worth of groceries and they all fit on the countertop! Feeding six people is no small task.

With the barstools out now I ran out of room for my exercise bike so we moved it into our room. It proved to be a nice quiet spot in the morning.

These happy kids love having breakfast at the bar! They can also holler and yell at me so much more because they are closer now! It is hilarious though. I dreamed of this space being a better place to connect with my children but now they can just bug me more. :) But I love them and it is a work in progress. And truly, I do believe this will continue to bless our family that people can sit and talk with me while I am in the kitchen.

A favorite winter outfit. Wide leg sweats, an old tank tucked under to make it crop, and my go to jean jacket, scarf, and platform Uggs. I pretty much wear the same variation of a few items and it makes getting dressed while feeling pulled together so much easier.

A Portland favorite, Voodoo Doughnuts, opened in Bellevue. We had to check it out!

I mean, it's not the best donuts ever, but we have so many Portland memories from here. The kids love the fun toppings and it takes me back to the first time we visited and I fell in love with the PNW.

We had to stop at the Bellevue downtown park while we were there.

I say this all the time but one of my most favorite things is when city and nature collide!

Making his own Wii remote!

Going through my old clothes brought back some old outfit inspiration. I loved wearing leg warmers over my boots with a dress when we lived in Virginia. This time I paired it with my long vest.

And that was a wrap on our holidays of 2025! I will share more mid-winter things in another post. :)

How To Make Oatmeal In A Rice Cooker (So Easy And Delicious)

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I rarely make a hot breakfast for my kids as mornings are usually pretty hectic. But over winter break, when we had the time, I tried making oatmeal for the first time in my rice cooker. It came out so good!

I tried a maple and brown sugar inspired recipe as that is what we usually have for instant oatmeal. The flavor is subtle so don't feel locked in to this flavor profile. It is a great base with just enough sweetness to appease my children (I usually let them put a couple of chocolate chips in anyways because they were hesitant about trying a new version of their beloved oatmeal!).

But it only takes 10-20 minutes (depending on how much you make) in the rice cooker and preparing it is done in minutes. So as long as I plan slightly ahead of time, this has made it into even our regular school day breakfast rotation. Dump it all in and let it cook. So easy.

And I love to add chopped apples and dried cranberries in mine. SO GOOD!

I have four kids so I double this recipe. Sometimes we eat it all and sometimes we have leftovers for tomorrow.

Rice Cooker Oatmeal

1 cup dry oats (old fashioned/rolled oats)

1 cup water

1 cup milk

2 teaspoons maple syrup (or other sweetener)

1 tablespoon brown sugar (or regular)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pinch salt

Pour all ingredients into rice cooker and stir. Cook on rice setting for 10-15 mins.

*To double: I cook for 20 mins

When it is done cooking I turn it off, stir it, then close the lid again until ready to eat. This gets the oats just a little more soft. We usually add more milk to serve so it is not too hot for my kids.

Back To School Ribbon Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I am not sure what to call these little ribbon decorations we made. Garland...tassel...they are similar to wreath ribbons but mine are not on any wreaths. Either way, my daughter and I made these back to school ribbon clusters to decorate the house and our tote bags with. They came out SO cute!

They are inspired by the ribbons from House of Turnberry. They were unfortunately out of stock at the time so I hunted down some similar ribbons to make our own. We ended up making a bunch so it worked out so well and now I am obsessed!

As I shared before, we are mixing our back to school decor with our American flags and it is filling up my end of summer heart. It doesn't have to be one or the other - we are embracing the present and the future.

I purchased three ribbon sets - back to school, gingham, and rick rack. I also had the white pom pom ribbon. We used ten strands total. And each was cut to about 12 inches. Here is a close up of the ones we used:

I taught my daughter about cutting ribbon at an angle and it was so sweet to have her help me. I am trying to be better at including them in my everyday projects and it is proving to be so worth it to stop and include them.

After cutting, we grabbed the ribbon from the center and used a white twisty tie to tie them together. Then we used either the twisty tie, a ribbon, or a clip to adhere it to an object.

Here is the design my daughter picked out. Hers came out so beautiful!

And how fun that we have matching ribbons for our tote bags. We were all set for the local parade that was taking place in our town the next day.

Then I tied the rest to our American flags for around the house. If you are looking for American flags to collect for next year, right now is a great time to find them discounted. I bought a bunch on clearance last year from my local Safeway.

The house is looking festive, fun, and cheerful. I love those primary colors with just a pop of pink!

// Shop more back to school supplies here >>

Back To School Picture Books

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

With back to school right around the corner for us, I got out all our picture books for the kids to look through. This is such a sweet collection and we have added a few more since last year.

With a wide range of ages at our house, I try to keep to really sweet and innocent picture books. There are so many beautiful and thoughtful books out there - these are just vetted by me to simply get my kids thinking about and excited for school. They brought a lot of comfort to my daughter when she started kindergarten and so I really see the value of providing these to them ahead of time.

If your kids' school participates in Scholastic Book orders, I also recommend keeping a list of seasonal books you would like to add to your collection and then checking for them when it is time to put in an order. They are often a great price and help support your teacher!

Richard Scarry's Great Big Schoolhouse

This Is A School

Time for School, Little Blue Truck

End Of Summer + Back To School

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

A common theme in my life right now is in between. I find myself standing in two places.

I shared about feeling in between at the beginning of the summer/end of the school year and I am feeling it again as summer wraps us.

My mind is thinking about getting ready for school to start again. But my heart wants to be present right now for every moment of summer we have left.

And then I read this post from House of Turnberry and it put my predicament of in between at ease.

Back to school calls for more flags. 🇺🇸

Hear us out.

We love fresh florals as much as anyone… but there’s something about this time of year that makes us reach for little American flags instead.

Maybe it’s the last stretch of slow summer mornings.
Maybe it’s football season around the corner.
Maybe it’s that classic, all-American feeling that still lingers long after the Fourth of July.
Maybe it’s our children learning the pledge of allegiance for the first time.

Whatever it is, swapping florals for flags just feels right, this time of year.

And if you ask us… we’ll keep them around for a little while longer.

American flag

So here I am taking decorating advice and making it a life metaphor. It felt like I needed to "clean up" summer in order to get ready for the next season. Instead of just embracing where I am at - one foot in one season and my other foot in another.

House of Turnberry has this vintage Americana feel that I really love. Feels a bit Ralph Lauren but I have a bunch of kids and want to be whimsical. And it so naturally transitions to the more subtle elements of fall (not all the Halloweeny stuff). All this to say, it was permission to embrace where I wanted to be: present.

pencil banner

I'm nostalgic. I'm a planner. Sometimes it feels like I can only be one or the other. And then I get sad.

So I am learning that maybe being present means enjoying the right now that is so good and full and beautiful. But reminding myself that change is also so good and full and beautiful.

Being a mom feels like constant heartbreak. I can choose to be busy and do all the things and then miss it. But slowing down allows me to be present and savor. But it also is a slap of reality of how quickly the days pass away.

So I am just going to be right where I am at. American flags still out and also sharpening pencils. I also think that decorating early allows me to enjoy things. I will continue to be in denial about school for a couple of weeks and then it will hit me and we are going to need to get ready. But when we are rushing around, little moments of happy back to school vibes will already adorn our home. Reminding me of the goodness and joy to come.

It is a reminder of what is coming and what is going. For me...and my kids. Two seasons at once is okay with me if it helps me be more present and enjoy right where I am at.

I also love this other quote my friend Caley of Alexa Lily shared:

Planning has never just been something I do – it’s how I create space for what matters most.

So I am planning now so I can be present later. Creating space for what matters.

Using Bird Baths As Flower Stands In The Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I love using bird baths as stands holding hanging flower baskets to add seasonal color while we wait for flowers to bloom at different times. It blooms all summer long and adds height while the rest of the garden grows bigger over time.

We have three bird baths around our yard and I buy one of those hanging flower baskets every spring for each one. The hooks come right off and I just set it right into the bird bath! And because we have mild summers I have beautiful flowers from spring to the end of summer.

I also store my kids' glitter beach balls in the garden. They look like decorative orbs but are really just clever storage!

These flowers are one of my favorite garden features that bring me so much joy every year!

What I Am Learning About Motherhood This Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I am currently recovering from double carpal tunnel surgery. Everything went really well but the recovery has been harder and has taken longer than I expected. And honestly, being limited with my hands with four children is a challenge. I imagine if my circumstances were different, it may have been quicker and easier.

I had my surgery a few days before my kids got out of school so we have been spending our whole summer with me on the mend. The first few weeks were good, finding what I could do, having my kids help, trying to rest when I could, and getting into a summer rhythm together.

But after awhile I found myself getting a little depressed. Though the pain was bearable it continued every day throughout the day. We were spending so much time at home but I couldn't feel very productive. It was a reminder of how much we take our health for granted. And what a blessing it is to feel like my body can keep up with how I want to live my life. Which was the whole purpose of my surgery! But still hard to grasp when in the moment.

And so I had to have a heart to heart with myself. I was mourning that each day of summer was slipping away. This time I covet with my children was not turning out how I expected. So I had to ask myself, what do I want from this summer? And my answer was - quality time with my children.

It didn't matter what we were doing or if we even went anywhere. But instead that I chose to be present with them. So I shifted my mindset.

When I leaned in to focusing on time together, things changed. My mood lightened. And I was reminded that they will be back in school and we will be covered in rainy days soon enough. I can be productive then. Now is the time to be together, to make memories, and to spend simple days outside.

I am great at not over scheduling my kids. But I love being at home so that I can be productive. When my worth is based in productivity, I forget what is important. What is important today is to rest so I can heal. What is important today is that I take this time to bond with my children.

Yes, I am the old mom now that says, "enjoy it! It goes too fast!" But it is time and experience and doing this over with multiple children where I literally can see the years passing with a little perspective.

So even I needed this reminder this summer. To slow down and enjoy what is right in front of me.

Such A Homebody

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

"You're such a homebody."

Yeah...

I prayed for this home

and everyone in it.

Everything I've ever wanted

is right here.

- Her Everyday Motherhood

Family Trip To Apple Hill | Placerville, CA

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Growing up in California one of my most favorite places was Apple Hill in Placerville. We went many times when I was growing up and then Brent and I took lots of trips during our dating and early marriage years. It is a place close to our hearts. And when the heat of summer is still lingering into early fall, it feels so good to drive up the hill to get that long awaited fall experience.

Apple Hill is the home of over 50 family owned farms offering apple orchards, pumpkin patches, bakeshops, wineries, breweries, Christmas tree farms, and family activities. You can drive the scenic route, stopping at places along the way. It is a pretty spectacular place and I have been wanting to bring our kids here for many years. So we finally made it happen during our visit to Sacramento last fall.

High Hill Ranch is one of the most popular stops. We came midweek and had almost the whole place to ourselves. Their little fishing pond feels iconic to Apple Hill.

There are a variety of apple stands, shops, restaurants, and activities at different spots. It is fun to see so many of the same things from my childhood while also experiencing new current attractions.

One of my favorite treats from High Hill is the carmello - a marshmallow covered with caramel. It makes the marshmallow extra soft and creamy. It is so yummy!

From High Hill we usually stop at Rainbow Orchards for hot, fresh apple donuts and corn dogs. We also often buy a jug of fresh apple cider and grab enough cups to enjoy over the course of the day. They have a family friendly seating area with picnic tables and grass for kids to run around in. There are other places to buy apple donuts but getting them hot is a next level experience.

We stopped at Apple Ridge Farms for the first time and the kids got to try out gem mining. This was a huge hit and the kids loved discovering colorful gems.

Our next stop was Boa Vista Orchards. They have a big apple and produce shop that we enjoy. They give out free samples of apples to try and also sell delicious tri tip sandwiches. There is also often local artisans selling handmade goods. They are one of the few places that is open year around so even if you visit during the off season, you can always grab some produce and something to eat here.

Don't underestimate the value of getting to choose your own apple! Such happy kids.

Across the street from Boa Vista was the cutest little tractor train ride.

And that amazing view of Apple Hill behind it.

The kids loved the train and the owners were exceptionally kind.

Our last stop was Abel's Acres which is also one of the larger locations and a long time favorite of ours. They sell pies, food, and gifts. This is a great place to grab a meal. They also have a lot of kid activities out back.

We ended our Apple Hill adventure that day at Abel's. It was just enough for our crew but there are so many other fun places to explore if you have the time. I will share my list of all our favorite places over the years at the end of this post.

While we were in Sacramento we also had to do a drive by of our old house. I still take pride seeing some of the trees and plants I planted years ago doing well.

Another necessary stop is to get some ice cream at Leatherby's. They serve up giant, incredible ice cream sundaes. We have yet to find a place like it anywhere else we have lived.

It is also a big highlight for the kids. They always ask if we are going to Leatherby's when we are in Sacramento. Of course we will!

Here are all our favorite Apple Hill locations:

High Hill Ranch - the main event! shop local venders, see apple cider being made, pictures by the pond, we love eating carmellows, we loved hitting up the thrift store nearby which is unfortunately no longer there

Boa Vista Orchards - best price to buy apples, food, tractor train

Delfino Farms (Previously Kids Inc.) - can go on a small hike, sell pie and ice cream

Larsen Apple Barn - museum, had turkey sandwiches

Rainbow Orchards - our favorite place for hot apple donuts and corn dogs

Denver Dan's - gift shop and jam, cuts spiral apples and puts it on your thumb!

Grandpa's Cellar - country feel gift shop and crafts

El Dorado Orchards - train ride and crafts

Plubell's Family Orchard - nature trail, carnival, animals (not sure if this is still open)

Mill View Ranch - large gift shop, donuts, caramel apples

Bill's Apples/Felice's Dolls - life sized dolls sitting in abandoned cars out back, snow run, gift shop

Abel's Apple Acres - get lunch here, garlic fries, pies, gifts shops, local vendors, kids activities out back, last stop before getting on the freeway to go home

Florida Trip: Artemis Launch, Kennedy Space Center & Disney World

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Over spring break we were in Florida for the Artemis II launch. We lucked out and the launch went off the first day of our trip, allowing us the rest of the week to hang out at the beach, do a day at Kennedy Space Center, and a very special first trip to Disney World.

Brent works on the Artemis program and we were so fortunate to be able to attend the launch in person. It was a life changing experience that I shared about in this post.

We stayed at Crowne Plaza Melbourne-Oceanfront and had a wonderful experience. It was one of very few hotels that still had availability during the launch that provided access to the beach. When we originally booked the hotel I was looking for a safe place that me and three of my kids could see the launch by ourselves. We ended up all being able to go to the launch as a family, but our hotel still proved to be a great choice for some low key beach and pool days.

It was over an hour drive to get to Kennedy Space Center and Disney World which was a long drive while on vacation. But the comfortable, low key vibe was so nice on our hotel days that we didn't bother trying to move once the launch was over.

After a very fun but long launch day, we needed some down time. We spent the next day just enjoying the amenities at our hotel which was so lovely. It has a wonderful restaurant on site right next to the pool and beach access.

Our kids had so much fun at the beach. We have taken them to the beach in the fall but this was their first warm weather beach trip and they had the best time ever.

After a well needed day of rest, we had the energy to head back to Kennedy Space Center the next day. Our launch tickets included an additional day's admission so we made sure to take advantage of the full experience.

We started off with the bus tour which took us all around the Kennedy Space Center, getting a close up look at things you only have access to on the tour.

It was so cool to see the VAB (vehicle assembly building) up close from the bus. This is where they assembled the Artemis rocket. Brent had the privilege of going inside and seeing the Orion capsule in here last year on another work trip.

There were lots of interactive displays that we all enjoyed.

Then we got to drive all the way out near the launch pad. This would have been pretty incredible to see the rocket here before it took off, but still pretty neat a few days later.

The different exhibits had so much to see and do. A few also included videos portraying dramatic retellings of past missions. Some of them brought me to tears. It was so well done and truly moving. My knowledge and interest in space grew exponentially on this trip. It was really special.

The kids loved "walking" on the moon. Their motion provided a digital image of footprints.

I loved that all the bathroom signs showed people with space helmets on!

After a fun and full day at Kennedy Space Center, we stopped in Cocoa Beach on our way back to our hotel. We ate at Fishlips for dinner and loved this surfing photo op!

Being on the "space coast" it was fun to see so many space themed places. We spotted Brent's original Sacramento company (it has changed hands/names over the years) on this wall of stickers at Fishlips.

The bar and grill ended up being a pretty family friendly place. We got to sit outside and enjoy this beautiful view of the water.

Afterwards we stopped at the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop. Brent has brought kids swag from here in the past so they were really excited to see it for themselves. It was my first time as well and it was gigantic and almost Vegas like. So crazy and interesting!

The next day we had another low key day at the hotel. Mama got her yummy coffee and the kids enjoyed swimming and playing all day. It was so nice to have a day in between activities to rest and enjoy our hotel. We have not done a big trip with the kids like this in a long time so I am taking notes for the future.

We ate at the hotel's restaurant, Longboards Oceanfront Grille, for yummy food and a beautiful view.

The next day we surprised the kids with a trip to Magic Kingdom at Disney World. Brent and I planned that as long as time allowed, we wanted to take this possibly once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Disney World while we were there. It has been a bucket list location for me forever, and growing up in California with many visits to Disneyland over the years, it was really special to be able to to experience this together.

Look at those excited faces!

And in full transparency, after we paid a small fortune to buy tickets for our whole family, we got in line for the monorail, and then one of our children stated they felt like they were going to throw up and wanted to go back to the hotel! Thankfully one of the kind cast members overheard and told us about the first aid station in the park. So once we made it through the gate, we had to immediately head to first aid. Everything ended up being okay and they gave a dose of tylenol. These first aid workers are EMTs and I was so impressed by there help.

I think, much like at the launch, it was an exciting, busy, and hot day. The emotions were high. Thankfully it didn't put a huge damper on our day at Disney. It just was a slow and not so magical start to our day!

But once we got to our first ride, the mood definitely lightened. Everyone was having the time of their life and it was an incredible experience to have with our children.

These happy faces says it all. :)

We took a break for lunch and it was so cute to watch them look through the map and decide where they wanted to go next. Brought me back to some of my own childhood memories.

We also caught a couple of parades. The kids got so excited to see some of their favorite characters.

It was fun to compare what was the same and what was different from Disneyland. I think the most surprising for me was that It's A Small World was inside. The iconic outdoor line in Disneyland was always one of my favorite attractions.

But it was all as sweet and nostalgic as I remember.

We did bring a small tripod for our camera that we could set up on our stroller for a couple of family photos.

Mickey Mouse ice cream was a big highlight!

We mostly did rides we could all go on together but Brent and I each did a few with just some of the big kids. Here we are in line for Tiana's Bayou Adventure (Splash Mountain). I asked my four year old if he liked it. He said, "yes, but I don't want to go on it again!" I held so tightly on to him during the whole ride! Definitely a different experience to ride rides as a mom worried for your children!

It did end up raining for a short period of time but we were poncho ready. According to what I had read up about how much rain Florida gets, I found ourselves pretty lucky that we only dealt with a few downpours.

We closed the place down, with a last stop to pick out souvenirs. I'm so glad the girls wanted Minnie ears. They were so cute!

We had a really fun and long day at Disney. It will forever be such a special experience together. It definitely was a new level of vacation for us as we tend to keep things more low key. But I get the hype. Disney is pretty magical. I am grateful for the experience and that it meant so much to my kids.

We ended our last day in Florida back at the hotel. Standing with Brent in the sand, watching our kids have so much fun in the waves together, is always such a sweet time of reflection. Simply having long lengths of time together is such a gift, no matter the destination.

It was now time to head home. The kids always ask if we will come back one day. Maybe. :) For now we have the memories close to our heart.

We landed back in Seattle an hour before our son turned five. We took our night before your birthday photo in the airport. And then when it hit midnight in the car we all sang happy birthday! He was pretty tired and delirious but a fun memory nonetheless!

We collected a lot of treasures on our trip. Most of the Artemis swag we got for free which was so fun and special.

I used our Artemis and Disney World postcards to write some highlights from our trip. I know I will love looking back at these special memories for years to come.

I also showed the kids my Disneyland buttons that I had - one from when Brent and I got engaged and then another from our one year anniversary.

After we got home, the astronauts were to splash down a few days later. Brent's team had a splash down party where we got watch all the astronauts return home together.

And the owner let the kids play pool for free. They said it was the best day of their lives! It was pretty hilarious.

We had a wonderful trip to Florida. I am so grateful for the time together and to be able to experience this historical launch together.

In Between Seasons

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I get an email newsletter from a cute local touristy farm and shop. I don't actually get the chance to visit it often but I continue to subscribe to their emails because the writing they include is so thoughtful and inspiring.

They recently talked about in between seasons and the produce that comes between spring and summer.

But "in between seasons". I wanted to settle on that phrase for a bit more pondering.

Summer is it's own season in itself, but as a parent, it is a bit of an in between season when you have kids in school.

I'm in between having two kids at home with me now which will be changing to just one kid at home in the fall (I'm so sad about this by the way).

I'm in between saying our goodbyes to beloved teachers who invested so much for my kids this past year and anxiously await to hear, meet, and get to know new ones.

I'm in between being at home all the time to bringing my baby sidekick along for the ride for all the big kid things to come.

In between seasons feels like a time of slow transition. I often love the lull after the holidays - the Christmas season is over but we have the slow days of winter that linger. It is a quiet break before the next thing.

I used to love looking ahead to whatever is next. But I have learned to actually feel quite comfortable in the in between.

Growing up it was the next step in schooling, getting a job, becoming an adult, getting married, having kids...and for us it was moving (and having a baby) and moving (and having another baby) again. All this uprooting and adjusting. It was good and right and exciting.

But there isn't much new on the horizons for us (at least that I know of!). And I am quite happy in this in between. Brent and I are raising kids and surviving on 8 pm grown up chats, ice cream bars, and a favorite show. And it is the highlight of my day!

I don't mind the in between. There will be big days to come for our kids and for ourselves, I am sure. But until then I want to take these in between days slowly. Let them be what they are and all their glory.

Mother's Day Beaded Bracelets | Easy DIY Gift

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

For Mother's Day this year we made simple beaded bracelets to gift to grandmas and myself. They were so simple to make but so sweet and beautiful. I really think it is all in the presentation so adhering the bracelets to note cards with a bow made them feel extra special. The kids also signed the inside of the card making it a complete gift and note.

So here are a million pictures because I thought they were so beautiful. We love pastel wood beads. I'll link some of our favorite supplies at the end of this post.

Shop supplies here:

Thoughts On Mom Friendships (After 10 Years Of Being A Mom)

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Back when we had two kids and we had just made our second cross country move to Washington state I wrote a piece about friendship after becoming a mom and moving. It was for a parenting website I used to write for that is sadly no longer. I also did not manage to keep a copy of that post to be able to come back to. But my main point was that I learned that friends come in seasons. That they are put in our life for a time and that it was okay to let them go when they naturally do.

I wanted everyone to be a close friend and I wanted to keep in touch even if years or miles separated us. I think maybe the internet and social media gave me the illusion that this was possible. But instead of feeling hurt that friendships didn't always last the test of time, I grew to accept and appreciate that some friends were simply for a season. I still think lovingly about these friends I am no longer in touch with. But I have needed to allow myself to give my social energy to new friends who were right in front of me and available.

I had tried multiple mom's groups when we lived in our last home in Virginia. It took trying three different groups over the course of three years to finally find people I clicked with...only to end up moving again. But those friends I had for a short time were worth continuing to look for and invest my time into.

Fast forward six years since I shared all this - I am now a mom of four and have entered into the world of school moms. My oldest went to a half day kindergarten so we entered into our elementary school a year behind in meeting people. He did great in making a few close friends while I struggled to feel like I could keep up while balancing little ones at home.

And while I won't go into all the details, I have continued to feel some of those sad and isolating feelings I felt all those years ago, in Virginia, feeling like I was not welcome or fit in. Thankfully this time around I have a few established friends. We also survived moving to a new state right before the pandemic which was it's own social experiment of not knowing anyone and no one willing to open their quarantine circle up to our family.

But I am a couple years through this, feeling more established and connected at my kids' school. We have a handful of friends and neighbors who we feel genuine love, support, and a willingness to be our emergency contacts! And while I wish I never had my feelings hurt, it has been working through uncomfortable relationships that I have learned the most about friendships.

I have learned that I will not connect with everyone. As a people pleaser this is so hard. I would pour extra energy into people, trying to get them to like me, only realizing that they maybe weren't someone I wanted to be friends with anyways. I am getting better at spotting people who are genuinely caring and interested. And when I start to see the circles of women form, I am learning to be okay being by myself. Because I don't want to fight to be heard or seen.

There is something about finding security in myself. I want to teach my daughters to know there is always room at our table and that we shouldn't have to perform to be loved.

I am learning to be even more grateful for the few sweet friends that I have. To be better at seeing them, appreciating them, and showing up for them. Instead of spreading myself thin trying to get in to all the different social circles in my life.

I want to have the energy to say hi, ask the questions, and welcome people in. But that starts with investing in myself, caring for my family, having my own interests and hobbies, and then finding like minded people who want to simply do life together.

I also realized a few years ago, that being a part of my mom community, MomCo, continues to be such a welcoming and loving place - even though I am a mom of older kids now. I am going to a place that is designed for connection and it is a community like no other.

I am looking forward to the coming years where I can be more involved in my kids' school and activities but there is a different pace of life as kids get older. I can't keep up with all the extracurriculars and if that is a requirement to having friendships, I am looking in the wrong places.

Moms of littles at the playground are looking for someone to talk to. I still feel this at times myself, desperate for an another grown up to talk to - making friends with my grocery pick up workers and UPS driver! But I am finding that having young children is a unique time to make friends. You might be exhausted but there often is a more open schedule that allows for making friends and connecting.

So I am over here, stuck in the middle - still with little ones while also balancing the life of school age children. I treasure my big family but it also sets us apart at times. But through these years of raising kids over and over has come experience and insight I am so grateful for.

It is the friends who get me, are willing to show up, and genuinely care that are worth making time for. We don't always have the same age kids, our kids go to different schools or choose different types of schooling, and we have different hobbies and interests. But we share in a way of connecting that bonds us in a really special way.

Find your people, love on them, and make time for them.

I will end with this quote from At Home With Shannon that has really helped me reshape my mindset on relationships:

Teaching my daughters that we do not sit at tables we weren't invited to, we do not chase people who ignore us and we stop inviting people who don't show up. We create our own table for people who truly love us for who we are and WE KNOW OUR WORTH.

See her Instagram post here (it's so powerful!):

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shannon Doherty (@athomewith.shannon)

Father's Day Flags | Free Printable

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

My dad will be staying with us on Father's Day this year as my parents are helping us out during my carpal tunnel surgery. We already have a little collection of Father's Day flags that we use for my husband so I wanted to make one for grandpa this year as well.

I used my go to #1 Teacher flag that we give for teacher appreciation and just changed it to dad, grandpa, and papa. Print on cardstock, tape to a stick and add some ribbon if you want! They are fun to tuck into a gift or use for decoration. Either way, I hope these help make Father's Day celebrations feel extra special!

Click on the image below to download:

Shop paper flag supplies here:

A Summer Rhythm

noreply@blogger.com (Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

My kids have a couple more weeks of school but summer will be here before we know it. It feels like we are the last in the country to get out of school some years, but we do love our pacific northwest summers and will wait patiently for this magical time of year to arrive.

It seems like the common question in small talk as a parent is, "what are your summer plans?!" I'll admit to filling in the silence with this question but it's not my favorite. My current answer is - "I am having double carpal tunnel surgery!" It's a great way to kill the lighthearted conversation. ;)

Kidding aside, even if I wasn't having surgery, this question still stresses me out because we aren't doing what everyone else is doing. We don't go on vacation. We don't sign up our kids in a bunch of camps. We don't even go camping (I know, sorry world, please don't hate us).

And it is a reminder, over and over again in conversation for weeks, that we prefer a slower pace. And while I am very certain and happy with the way we live, having to explain it to people who don't understand feels draining.

So today I will not be sharing my summer bucket list, but instead our summer rhythm. I am sure we will be doing plenty of fun things but making a long list to complete only gives me anxiety.

So we are more of a take it a week at a time. And especially this year, when I will have two hands in recovery - I am reminding myself that if we do nothing, I still can savor this summer with my children.

Because the time goes by too quickly. It is not what we do together that matters but that I am present and spending time with them. For me, that has been the key to cultivating happy and close bonded children.

Our Summer Rhythm

+ Once a week we go to a different playground before we pick up our groceries. Depending on the day, and how often we frequent that playground, we can spend 30 minutes to an hour. It is not extravagant. But the fact that the playground is a surprise is what makes this feel special and fun.

+ Last year we started weekly "mommy adventure days!" On the same day each week, we go visit a fun, often free, local place. We went to flower nurseries, splash pads, and strawberry picking. We would get a special drink or treat, enjoy the activity, eat our packed lunch, and then head home in time for nap/quiet time.

+ Nap and quiet time is still a regular part of our lives. Even for my big kids, they do quiet times on the weekends and it continues through the summer. I need some downtime to recharge and I think it is really good for them to get some alone time as well. They each get their own space - our youngest still naps in the laundry room when everyone is home and my oldest hangs out in our bedroom. We have four kids in a three bedroom house and I am determined to make it work!

+ We don't do a lot of play dates. I actually think it is easier on me to have all my kids together because they entertain each other. I also find it really hard to socialize while keeping an eye on four kids and usually just leave feeling exhausted. So instead we spend most of our days just together.

Sure there is arguing at times but given the time to work through it (which means an hour or so for a rough morning or a week adjustment period for a schedule shift), they fall into a really good rhythm when I give them the space to work it out. This often means I make everyone go outside for "outside time" or they finally get into some kind of creative play together that is a mix of building and pretend (usually legos or magnatiles).

And my older kids are great conversationalists now! They keep me company and feed some of my social needs. When I just had little ones, I remember feeling very lonely. Having older kids really changes things.

+ Tea time! One of my favorites of the summer - after nap/quiet time, I get out my tea pot and we have tea and a little treat. And by tea I mean milk or lemonade with a cookie. :) It is just served like a fancy tea time. We quietly enter back in to time together and everyone looks forward to it. It also forces me to stop and sit with them for a few minutes.

+ If we are at home for the day, I start a movie before lunch for them to watch and eat. It gives me some quiet time to clean up the kitchen and get dinner ready so come nap time I can do something I actually want to do!

+ I try to take a break from the hurry - we are not in a rush to get out the door. I wake up when the children do for the chance that I might get to sleep in. I try to cut back on caffeine and rest or sleep at nap if I need it. I ride my exercise bike after everyone is awake and playing or eating breakfast (instead of before they wake up). I make delicious salads for myself everyday. I have the time to make more time consuming dinners because I want to. This is my time to rest, slow down, and take care of myself.