The May Edit

A summer preview.

If you’re a new reader, the Monthly Edit is a brain dump of everything I consumed (or consumed me) during the month. This newsletter is filled with recommendations that I hope will add value to your life.

We did it! We survived the busyness of the month of May. My kids are officially on summer break for the next six weeks! Even though it’s not even technically summer, I know this break will fly by. Before I know it, we’ll be back to school shopping and meeting new teachers. For now, I’m going to try to be present with my kids on the weekends and provide plenty of fun (and hopefully memorable) experiences. It’s hard when I work outside the home every weekday to break free from the constraints of my typical hustle. Summer is different as an adult but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun for my kids.

Television

I finally started watching Kaos on Netflix. The first episode was so funny and I was excited for the series. By the second and third I was questioning with what the heck I was watching and decided to DNF.

I’m eager to watch Forever on Netflix but I’m committed to reading the Judy Blume book first. I bought it for my Kindle when it was on sale last year and it’s still sitting on my TBR shelf.

Did you see that we’re getting 3 more seasons of Bridgerton?

Movies

It’s true Sofia Carson is the lead in every Netflix romance right now. Purple Hearts was formulaic but I ate it up. I couldn’t believe I was sobbing about a long-distance military situationship. It had no reason being that good and now I’m even more excited that she’s the lead in the upcoming adaptation of Julia Whelan’s book My Oxford Year.

My husband and I started watching A Complete Unknown, the biopic about Bob Dylan starring Timothée Chalamet. We enjoyed the first half, but realistically, it may take another two to three weeks to get around to finishing it up. 🤪Navigating bedtime with kids is not for the faint of heart.

We saw the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch in theaters earlier this week. It’s been a fun tradition to take my kids to see the Disney summer blockbusters, just like I grew up doing as a kid. I remember going to see the original movie with my younger sister. The movie was cute, but it didn’t WOW me.

On a similar note, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month so I thought it would be helpful to share a quick list of some of my favorite lighthearted movies and TV shows with AAPI stars or that highlight AAPI stories:

• The Goonies

• The Karate Kid

• Everything Everything All At Once

• Wicked

• Crazy Rich Asians

• Shang-Chi

• Last Christmas

• Plus One

• Mr. & Mrs. Smith

• To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

• XO, Kitty

• Always Be My Maybe

• Raya and the Last Dragon

• Moana

• The Big Sick

• Turning Red

• Yesterday

There was no clear theme to this month’s reading. I read two classic children’s books, listened to a dark romance on audio, finally returned to one of this Spring’s buzziest books, and finished two DRCs from NetGalley. I’m planning to post my monthly reading recap next week.

This month, we listened to a lot of “Cool Family Station” on Apple Music. My three-year-old’s current favorite song is Believer by Imagine Dragons, and my six-year-old still asks to hear Taylor Swift every time we get in the car. My son is also obsessed with What's My Name, a song in Descendants 2. He marches around the house screaming, “What’s my name? What’s my name? SAY IT LOUDER!”

I’ve been listening to a few new releases this month:

Car Seat Headrest - The Scholars

Arcade Fire - Pink Elephant

Matt Berninger - Get Sunk, also this interview with Zane Lowe.

I’m also anticipating Lana Del Rey’s upcoming album The Right Person Will Stay. I’m disappointed it didn’t release on my birthday as planned.

This month I’m switching things up and sharing some ideas and tips for poolside dinners. Our two favorite meals to bring to the pool are subs and pizza. Here are a few easy ideas to keep things light on your next trip to the pool:

1. Subs and Sandwiches

Subs and sandwiches are classic! They are easy to prepare, transport, and eat. Wrap them in paper to save leftovers for later or toss when you’re done.

2. Pizza

Pizza is surprisingly easy to share at the pool. You can bake your own at home or pick up a pie from your favorite pizzeria. When we bake pizza at home, we cut it and bring it on the cutting board wrapped in foil. It sounds a little crazy, but it works!

3. Fresh Salads

Both veggie and pasta salads are easy to prep at home and pack in an insulated container. You can bring small bowls to serve out individual portions.

4. Snacks

My kids ask for a snack every 30 minutes so we pack a cooler with some of our favorites. I suggest:

• Cut Fruit: Watermelon and berries are both hydrating and sweet so they can double as a dessert.

• Chips and Crackers: I usually pack a selection of chips and goldfish in individual-sized bags.

• Applesauce Pouches: These are mess-free and a hit with kids. I’m also happy to pass these out to other families since they’re individually packaged.

• Veggie Sticks and Dip: Carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing is another great side dish for sandwich nights.

5. Beverages

Staying hydrated is key when spending time in the sun (especially for anyone taking an SSRI). Here are some easy drink options:

• Juice Boxes: A convenient option for kids that’s easy to pack.

• Sparkling Water: A refreshing fizz without the sugar of sodas.

• Reusable Water Bottles

Packing Tips

• Use a Cooler Bag: Keeping your food and drinks chilled is essential, so pack everything in a cooler bag with ice packs or in containers that can sit on ice.

• Avoid Glass: Most pools prohibit glass bottles, so opt for plastic or cans to ensure safety.

• Clean Up: Be mindful of leaving no trash behind. Pack a roll of paper towels and bring a few extra bags to collect any waste or bring home leftovers.

As you may have guessed from the kid-friendly kitchen section of this newsletter, we’re spending a good amount of time at the pool. It’s honestly one of my favorite ways to relax and unwind after a week at the office. We wrapped up our first year of Girl Scouts with a pool party at the local Salvation Army Kroc Center and presented the colors at the church that hosts our troop meeting. We have a bridging ceremony coming up soon to mark my girl’s move from Daisies to Brownies, and then a break for the summer (except for sleepaway camp)! In preparation for camp, we had a crafting day at home on a rainy Saturday afternoon and made some SWAPS. Girl Scout SWAPS are small, handmade items exchanged between Girl Scouts as tokens of friendship. They are a long-standing tradition in Girl Scouting, with SWAPS often standing for "Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere". We first learned of them at a Girl Scout Discovery Day.

We rewatched the original Lilo & Stitch animated movie on Disney+ this month and my kids laughed so hard at all of Stitch’s mishaps. I love how much they look forward to popcorn and movie nights at home. A big plus for me is that it’s a virtually free activity.

I signed up our family to participate in our library system’s summer reading program. They’re using Beanstack, a web and mobile app platform used by libraries and schools to promote reading and engagement through challenges and activities. It allows users to track their reading, earn digital badges, and participate in reading programs, with opportunities for prizes at the end of the summer! I’m enjoying the built-in reading timer so far.

I turned 35 this month, and for some reason, it is hitting me harder than 30, but not in a bad way. I feel like I’ve learned more about myself in my 30s than I ever did in my 20s. I’m more self-aware and confident, but that also means I’m more aware of weaknesses I want to work on. I’m wrinkling, sagging, and getting grey, but I’m still happy to jump in the pool in front of a bunch of neighbors and swim with my kids. After 8 years at my job, I’m focusing on career advancement. I can hold my own in a room and push back without fear of repercussions. I completed a leadership course this year and got comfortable traveling for work. In the past, travel anxiety has been something that has held me back, and I feel especially accomplished overcoming some of my fears. I actually miss being on the road and having a bit of me-time to listen to audiobooks and popping into the local bakery for a cappuccino chocolate chip muffin. Later this year I’m planning to begin studying for a professional certification that I hope adds a layer of credibility to my work and role. My goal for the next five years is to prioritize my health first. I’ve learned that self-care can be as simple as daily meditation and painting my nails at home every Sunday. I don’t feel guilty saying NO to things that don’t serve me, but I’m also more apt to say YES to things that help me build closer relationships with friends, especially parents of our school-aged kids.

Earlier this month I had my daughter write a few words of thanks in an end-of-the-year card for her teacher. She asked me to read to her what I wrote. I thanked her teacher for her positive impact through a mid-year departure of my daughter’s previous teacher and for being instrumental in her reading progress. As an avid reader, I felt like I had failed as a mom because my daughter still struggled to read at the beginning of 1st grade. Now she reads signs and captions on things we see, not to mention whole paragraphs of books on her own. My daughter looked at me with the biggest grin and said, “Why does it feel like I should be blushing right now?!” and I told her she should feel so proud of herself! It was the sweetest parenting moment.

⏱️In case you need some ideas for how to SLOW your scroll, Caitlyn has a whole list. Journaling has been my preferred method of getting off my phone in the evenings this year.

🍴Some asparagus recipes for Spring in case you also bought a giant bag from Costco this week and aren’t sure what to do with it.

🫑I love these simple tips for starting a vegetable garden. We’re going to have peppers and tomatoes on our front patio soon! The targeted ads finally got to me, and I ordered the Fruit & Veggie Grower Bundle from Arber to try to solve some issues we’re having with pests and leaf spots.

🌻This list of ways to have a bit of fun without spending a ton of money this summer is a great resource. I echo Kyli’s sentiments about the local pool.

What was the best part of your month?

Elsewhere on the Internet: Goodreads / Storygraph / Pinterest

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