What to Cook This Week + Family Ideas

Happy Monday! Today is going to be a great day and I’m so glad you’re here. 🥰 

I had the most wholesome, jam-packed weekend. We hit the pumpkin patch (tractor rides included), visited great grandmothers at assisted living, checked out an outdoor festival with toddler cycling courses, and wrapped it all up with a 4-year-old’s birthday party. I swear I’ve lived nine lives since Saturday morning.

One of the highlights was visiting the same farm we’ve gone to three years in a row. I love a good tradition! Something about going back to the same place year after year just feels grounding and I love looking back on photos. As the holiday season creeps closer (anyone else already sweating from the thought?), I’ve been thinking about creating more meaningful traditions for our family.

Right now, our main tradition is traveling somewhere festive each year. We’ve done Boston (highly recommend!) and The Greenbrier- both magical. This year, I’m considering something more service-oriented, like volunteering at a soup kitchen. My almost-4-year-old is finally at that sweet age where they get it and genuinely love helping.

So I’m curious: what holiday traditions have you created with your own family? Or which ones stuck with you from childhood? I’d love to hear from all 1,108 of you — tell me in the poll at the end of today’s newsletter!

And speaking of polls… last week, 42% of you said the biggest thing holding you back from taking a kid-free trip is not having reliable childcare. I feel this so deeply. We have amazing babysitters for date nights, but overnight help? Still working on it- thank goodness for local grandparents.

Let’s get into it:

🍽️ What’s for Dinner

❤️ What I’m Recommending

This section contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them—at no extra cost to you (thanks for supporting the newsletter!).

• These gorgeous non-stick and non-toxic pans have glass lids so you can easily see through. I’ve been super impressed with the performance of this new line and the little details (stainless steel handles with silicone grip nodes) make them that much better.

• Why did I switch out my phone case to this matcha green case and add the matching green chain and immediately feel cooler and younger?! I don’t make the rules!

• My kids have been obsessed with their water bottles and mostly for the handle. They love carrying it around! Comes in so many cute colors and they also have a soft straw and are leak proof, which is great for me.

• Oh my gosh I could live in these whipped track pants forever and ever. The material is truly unreal, like you have to feel to believe. So soft and airy and perfect for sleeping or lounging around the house! The waffle knit pullover is super comfy and light and perfect for running errands or lounging. Love all of the button details.

• This brand is becoming one of my favorites because I keep getting introduced to more of their products- like this salt sphere that instantly elevated my kitchen and looks so chic sitting next to my stove. My gateway drug to this brand was this amazing cutting board that is plastic-free and dishwasher-safe. You can use code ANNWOO20 for 20% off your order!

💸 In This Economy? (Mom’s Version)

This Georgia Mom Pays More for Childcare Than Her Mortgage

In This Economy? is a weekly series showcasing the costs of motherhood from real moms. Want to share your story anonymously? Submit here — no names, no judgment.

Thanks again for being here. If you love it, forward this to a mom friend—more voices make this better. And if you ever want to share, vent, or suggest something, just hit reply. I’m reading every email!

Woo you next week,
Ann

✅ This Week’s Mom Poll