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Around the Valley 3.28.19

By Jennifer Chasse March 28, 2019

Hey neighbors! Last week I challenged you to be mindful of shopping local and supporting small business for the purchases you'll make anyway. How did you do? I was able to support Souvlaki,  Heavener Hardware, Plant Night Roanoke, and Snuffy's. I also reached out to Quest Floorcare and Back to Nature Landscaping for services we need this spring. If you need local business inspiration, Erin has been working hard to organize a new Business Directory platform, and you can take a look HERE

Let's talk teens. I have two, and much as I love them, I often wish they were little again. It was easier to keep them safe and happy, and Joe and I were able to fix most problems that popped up in their young lives. I miss them making forts and being able to climb into our rocking chair with a book and talk about what a silly little monkey George is. 

It was not long ago when the bathroom was not constantly occupied and laden with hair products, I stayed up later than my kids, and a family-size box of Lucky Charms could last a day in the house. In the blink of an eye, my children are turning into young adults, and it's pretty scary to me sometimes. The Noodle has transitioned from playing with dolls to spending hours trying to create the perfect smokey eye, even though she's not old enough to wear makeup! She's turning into a fierce advocate for equality and talks about going to college in Boston (!). The Boy's primary goal in life seems to be to get big muscles, and it's working. You've seen the stereotypes on television with stinky boys lifting and eating everything in sight, and it's become my reality. Every once in a while I catch a glimpse of a grown man in the house and need to do a double take to see it's my son. Slow. It. Down. 

Neighbors, if you've got little ones who still fit on your lap, enjoy reading an extra book this week and savor it!