Happy Friday! I am excited for this week’s Friday favorites because I am heading to one of my favorite places – the beach!! It’s going to be cold because we are going to Delaware beaches, but anytime I can lay my eyes on the sand and the sea is a favorite!!

I am linking up with Erika, Narci, and Andrea to share this weeks favorites.

Favorite 1: SELF-TANNER!! I shared the Rodan and Fields self tanner at the second Favorite Things Party. After joining the gym last month, I noticed just how pasty and yellow-ish I was looking. I decided it was time to break out the self tanner for a hint of summer glow. The Rodan and Fields goes on so smoothly and doesn’t get streaky. Any hint of summer is always a favorite!

Favorite 2: GAMES!! The weather has either been rainy or freezing lately so we’ve been inside playing a lot. Jack and Luke got some new games for Christmas. The whole family has been loving Rubik’s Race and Trekking Across the National Parks. The boys have been playing NFL-opoly and Monopoly too.

Favorite 3: BOOKS!! I finished two great books last week. The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White was so good. It was a back and forth in time book about two characters on the Lusitania and one researcher in current time trying to figure out the ways some of the passengers on the boat were related. I totally didn’t see the ending coming, or even a few of the twists towards the end. It kept me on my toes the whole time. This is the book that Jeff’s mom and I read together for Jolabokaflod. We both decided that we really liked it!!

I finished A Long Pitch Home by Natalie Dias Lorenzi. This is the story of 10 year old Bilal who moves to the United States from Pakistan. He only has a few days to prepare and has to leave most of his belongings behind. Bilal has been learning English at school, but not English in the way that his peers speak. Everything is new to him. The story is told from his perspective as an immigrant. There are so many themes and messages that I took to heart as a teacher and a citizen. The story is heartwarming and I shed a few tears while reading it. It is a Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee in Maryland for students in 4th – 6th grades but I think so many more people would benefit from reading it.

Favorite 4: OUTSIDE!! Like I said, our weather has been rough lately. On Thursday afternoon, there was a break in the rain and Jack headed outside. It was cold but he toughed it out for a few rounds of golf.

As I was looking through my Facebook memories, it seemed that one year ago on Thursday Jack was excited to be outside.

Favorite 5: BAGS!! I am working on paring down my bag collection. I tend to collect or purchase more totes, purses, etc. than I could ever need or use. I do come by it honestly, thanks mom 😊, but I am trying to thoughtfully consider my bag purchases. This one was a definite NEED and WANT!! She’s beautiful. And monogrammed. And bright colors. And expandable! She is Stella and Dot and I got her from Jamie. I have it packed for my weekend away with the girls which makes it a double favorite!

I have some favorites in the works right now and I am excited to share more about them in the coming weeks:

Augmented Reality – bringing our curriculum to life at school

The Rock Star Fellow Flowers Virtual Run with Jamie! This picture is our strength run.

My items from the Lilly Sale!!

Favorite Things Party Number 3 with these girls

This book

Declare It Day! See last year’s post here.

That’s it for the week! I hope you have a weekend full of sunshine and books!!