MONDAY. We got in at 6am. Our friend bumped me up to business class (I had BIG feelings about being the only one in business class while my family languished in Coach, but my husband insisted) so I actually slept a fair amount. Still, when we got home, the husband and I promptly passed out until noon. We spent most of the day futzing around the house, but I did get all the swim wear washed and rinsed out all the scuba and snorkel gear (we went snorkeling on our last day, so we had to pack all that stuff wet and I wanted to deal with it quickly). I ended the day on the elliptical, where I started the Maui 2026 post.
TUESDAY. I can’t really remember what we did Tuesday but it wasn’t much. Actually! I wrote it down in my new planner, which I got right before this trip. Tuesday was chore day. I unpacked everyone, vacuumed the floors, and finished the Maui 2026 post. I also lazed around a lot and took a little nap on the couch. And got in a 30min Intervals and Arms workout! We felt, in Hawai’i, like we were pretty much staying on California time – we would go to sleep between 9 and 10pm every night and be up by 6 or 7am most mornings – but Tuesday I felt pretty jet lagged. Maybe that is just because of the red eye on Sunday night.
Tuesday night we went to the Valkyries game. I got the sequins jacket that sold out immediately last season and was just back in the stock for the first time this season. It was definitely a pricey purchase, but I love it and have no regrets. Also the game was great! The Valks won and we had a fabulous time!
WEDNESDAY. Wednesday was a doozy. I was at Costco by 9am for the Executive Members hour, and back in time to get the 12yo up and ready for his sports physical at 10:45am. We got their early, and were seen early, which means I was ready for my 11:30 mammogram early, where I was also seen early. The 12yo is crazy off the charts for height – he is just shy of 5’10”! – and cleared to play baseball. My mammogram came back clear, and I’m glad I got it over with.
After our appointments I made sure the kids knew what to make for lunch, then I stopped by Nordstrom to pick up something I ordered during their Anniversary Sale, before heading to work for a three hour AI Task Force meeting. I have to admit, I assumed we’d just be kind of talked at the whole time, and when they tasked us with creating a slide deck I could smell by brain burning. I also had a chance to look at my classes and boy are they big! I will have 130 6th graders (on an A/B) schedule in my two 6th grade periods! I’m also teaching zero period, which I’m happy about.
While I was at that meeting, my kids had to get themselves to the dentist on public transit, and that is where I picked them up afterward. I finished the day at the dojo, and I have to admit, I was struggling to keep up both mentally and physically (stances!). Wednesday was the first jam-packed day I’ve had in a while, and I was tired afterwards.
THURSDAY. Friends from the dojo had invited me last minute to a sauna/hot tub/cold plunge on Thursday morning, and I decided that I should finally do it (they’ve asked me a few times before and it never worked out). So I did a 30 minute Pilates class on Peloton, then headed over. It actually felt really good push my body to some temperature limits (both hot and cold) and I realized that I will be saying yes more often if I’m invited in the future. I was back in time for a 20 minute Arms and Shoulders class, before I showered and took the kids to see Spider-Man Brand New Day. We really liked it! Afterward, I wanted to get a lot done around the house, but I found myself struggling. I’m definitely not getting as much done this week as I had wanted. Le sigh.
FRIDAY. I had to be back at work at 8:30 for a second AI Task Force meeting (yes, I am getting paid for these extra hours). We worked for about 3.5 hours, then I ran four miles on my way home. I did NOT feel great on my run (it was a little warm and my heart rate was pretty high. I also hadn’t eaten much before hand). Back at home, I showered, made sure the kids were set to make themselves a real meal, and headed to the dojo. My best friend at the dojo spends a LOT of time their most days, assisting and teaching classes. She went on a trip to our Seattle dojo, and I promised to cover for her on Friday and Saturday, so I was there from 4-7pm on Friday and 9-Noon on Saturday. It was a lot of time to be assisting or teaching at the dojo! I don’t know how she does that most days (and after opening her bakery super early each morning!)
SATURDAY. Saturday I did my dojo time and raced home to shower and change for OUTSIDE LANDS! The husband, 16yo, and I got one-day tickets and I was excited to go. I was there to see Ethel Cain, the 16yo wanted to see Pink Panthress and the husband wanted to see xX. We all got to see who we wanted, and we saw lots of other great performances as well (Trixie Mattel was a highlight for sure). The Strokes were headlining, and I will admit that I did not realize that a band I listened to in the early aughts was so popular again. Tik Tok can do crazy things!

SUNDAY. Today was pretty low key. We slept in. I snuggled with the cats on the couch. My parents brought the 12yo home (he stayed at their house since we were gone most of Saturday). The husband and I tackled a project in the kitchen that we had been avoiding for a long time. I made pancakes for the 12yo’s lunches. The husband went to TJs to do some much needed grocery shopping. I repacked the summer clothes. I did a 45 min bike bootcamp. We watched some episodes of the Simpsons.


I start work for real this coming Thursday. The kids start next Monday and I have students in my seats next Wednesday, 8/19. Let the new school year begin!



















































