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FIGS Week 2

I've continued to be so glad that Elisabeth is hosting the FIGS collective this month. I think since the last week in January someone in her house has been sick consecutively, so it's been a bit of a slog here, and practicing gratitude has definitely helped in this season. In week 2, I’m trying to be more organized and capture each day’s good things chronologically.

Monday, February 9th
I’m grateful for the parents in my youngest daughter’s preschool class. It was definitely a tough drop off, and having friends who have been there and were so kind when the morning was a struggle definitely made the day better. Also grateful not to cook dinner since we have all the super bowl leftovers.

Tuesday, February 10th
I’m grateful for the Olympics! It was so fun to sit and watch the men’s short program with Joel. We both got really into it, and it was fun to analyze the costumes, music, and performances together.

Wednesday, February 11th
I’m grateful for M’s laugh. Today she asked “are you just kidding?” which was a phrase I didn’t know she had. And then when I said I was, she laughed her head off like she was in on the joke. Little things like pretending to eat fake food really crack her up right now.

Thursday, February 12th
I’m grateful that my sister and brother-in-law came all the way from the DC area to visit. It was so nice to hang out with them, get takeout, and catch up!

Friday, February 13th
My sister and brother-in-law took A out to lunch and then came home and worked on in-depth arts and craft projects with her (see the above photo of their prototype of a claw machine that actually is designed to give out prizes). It was so special for her to have so much dedicated one-on-one time with her aunt and uncle, and so thoughtful of them to make such a special day for her.

Saturday, February 14th
I’m grateful for “vacation sister mode,” which is what Joel and I call it when we bring the girls to a different space and they play together extra well. We went to the Safari Park about 35 minutes away from us, so it wasn’t actually a vacation, but it was so fun to see the girls run together along the path and do obstacle courses in the play area.

Sunday, February 15th
I went to bed the night before feeling not great and had chills this morning. Since we had visitors this weekend, there were enough adults that I was able to take most of the day as a true sick day. I drank tea, watched lots of tv (The Beast in Me and Nobody Wants This), and napped. Having time to truly rest when you are sick feels rare with little kids, and I am so grateful for the time.

I'd love to hear all the good in your week too! What's one thing that made your week a little better?
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Comments

  1. ElisabethFebruary 16, 2026 at 12:28 PM

    I love reading FIG posts. I'm sorry your sick, but being able to actually rest when you're sick is DEFINITELY a FIG. As a parent, especially, it can be brutal to push through illness and keep up with daily life.
    Your time with family sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SamFebruary 20, 2026 at 6:18 AM

      I appreciate this exercise so much! I'm glad you've made it a tradition.

      Delete
  2. Lisa's YarnsFebruary 16, 2026 at 2:40 PM

    I’m sorry to hear you are sick! I am glad you had some extra hands around to help. It sounds like your sister and BIL are great with the kids. I’m thinking they do not have kids which means they have tons of energy for little kids! I was the childless aunt for so many years and spent so much time with my nephews when they were young.

    I haven’t officially been participating in the FIGs challenge but I have a page in my planner where I write one thing down each day. My FIG for today was a great OTF class.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SamFebruary 20, 2026 at 6:17 AM

      They do not have kids, so I think you're right that the extra energy makes the time together extra fun. That's awesome that you had so much time with your nephews when they were little. My first niece as born last summer, and I'm excited to build a relationship with her as she grows older. There's such joy in being a part of someone else's village and seeing kids grow that you don't see every day.

      Delete
  3. NicoleFebruary 17, 2026 at 3:06 PM

    Oh I hope you're feeling better! That sucks. It's so hard to get rest with little ones so I'm happy that you did. I also really loved when we would go somewhere with the kids, they would always have so much fun exploring together!

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    Replies
    1. SamFebruary 20, 2026 at 6:14 AM

      Yes! Maybe that's what it is--they lock into exploring.

      Delete
  4. NGSFebruary 18, 2026 at 9:16 AM

    The Olympics are everything! I usually only have 20-90 minutes a day to watch it, but I am doing my best to really enjoy this time. It's so much fun!

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    Replies
    1. SamFebruary 20, 2026 at 6:13 AM

      It really is! We've started watching after dinner for a bit with the kids and it's so fun! I also like the compressed time constraints--it's easy to prioritize it because it's such a short event that happens rarely.

      Delete
  5. JFebruary 18, 2026 at 12:46 PM

    I hope you are on the mend, and also think having time to properly just BE SICK when you have a busy life, especially with young children, is indeed a big FIG.

    I laughter at Vacation Sister. Our daughter is an only child, so I never had to deal with bickering…but I bickered as a child for sure.

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    Replies
    1. SamFebruary 20, 2026 at 6:12 AM

      I definitely need to remember this if they are in a tough spot--just take them somewhere novel.

      Delete
  6. StephanyFebruary 19, 2026 at 5:45 PM

    Oh, you just can't catch a break with all the sickness in your house, can you? I hope you're on the mend! That's so sweet that your sister and BIL took your kiddo out on a one-on-one date.

    One thing that made my week a little better was this new lamp I bought for my living room. I don't know why it's bringing me so much joy, but it is. It's adorable and casts this cozy glow over my living room.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SamFebruary 20, 2026 at 6:10 AM

      Yeah this cold and flu season has been really tough for us. I think that just might be the case with little kids some years.

      Isn't it funny how one small thing can make such a big difference? We actually do need to buy a new lamp, so this is a good reminder!

      Delete
  7. SanFebruary 20, 2026 at 9:05 PM

    I love reading everybody's FIGs. I am sorry that you're sick but I am glad you have people to help out and are able to rest. Hope you feel better!

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  8. JennyFebruary 21, 2026 at 4:54 AM

    I'm late in commenting, so I imagine you're feeling much better now. Yes, being able to just stay in bed and rest when you're sick is something to be grateful for! Yay for having family there to help, and a huge YAY to the Olympics- I'm so sad it's almost over! Luckily our month of FIGS continues...

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