Hi Reader,,

The holiday weekend BBQs are over and I'm launching into the final lap of "Maycember" but what I'm really ready for is to release the endless scheduling and spirit weeks and special days, close out the school year, and settle into summer break.

For me that will involve plenty of logistics (packing for vacations, camp schedules, feeding endless meals and snacks to the small humans in my house) but also *hopefully* a looser schedule, beach & pool days, family craft time, and lots and lots of reading.​

Craft

Even though I feel like the sun is pulling a trick on me every time I step out into the bright, sunny day to find it is actually 50 degrees and I need a sweater, I’m leaning into the summer vibes. That includes these neon 80s confetti polka dot earrings that are now in the shop and this summer tee that has moved into my knitting basket. Do you think I’ll finish it in time to wear it this summer?

Dance

Omg, my recital was SO FUN. There was something really freeing about being in the adult class. Our whole group was feeling a bit nervous and then collectively we were all like, we are here to have fun, let’s go have fun. And we did! It helped that the audience had been encouraged at the top of the show to cheer a LOT. So we were playing to an enthusiastic audience.

Now I’m looking ahead and realizing the day my youngest goes to kindergarten is only months away, and I’m ready to return to teaching. I’m thinking about what that looks like and starting to reach out and book events.
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In the meantime I’ve been taking class with my favorite Chicago dance company, REdance, and my body is deeply appreciating this return to my modern dance roots and my anxiety is loving my middle age acceptance of being terrible at memorizing phrasework, going for it anyway, and not caring about anything but enjoying myself.

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Read

When I was younger I LOVED getting the summer reading list from school. One required reading book plus a list of suggestions. I got to go to the bookstore and pick out a few new books and then I spent the summer reading, reading, reading.

Over the last week I’ve been putting together my own summer reading list. You can read all about what I chose, why I chose it, and whether or not I'll read all of it (it's an ambitious list!) over on the blog.

Are you getting pumped for summer reading? Hit reply and let me know what you're reading this summer.

Repeat​
A HUGE influence on my summer reading list was the Modern Mrs Darcy Summer Reading Guide. They do this annually and I look forward to it SO MUCH.

Part of what makes the guide so fun is that they go all out. The guide itself is beautiful with a magazine style layout that includes not just the new releases being recommended but also backlist suggestions, (I usually get the pdf but there IS an option to get a physical copy). And they have an official “unboxing” that walks you through every single title on the list.

If you’re looking for a great summer reading guide I highly recommend it! Ann Bogel (the creator/founder of MMD) has read every book on that list, so it’s not just a list of what’s been best publicized, it’s true recs from a big time reader. And if that’s not your thing but you love a good book podcast, Ann’s podcast What Should I Read Next is also a favorite of mine.

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Ok, I'm off to get all my ducks in a row so I can get my summer reading off to a strong start. Sending you lots of luck as you wrap up your own Maycember!

Talk soon,

Jen ​
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