Hello, festive fall Mamas,

Is it just me or is the whole world smelling like Hobby Lobby right now? 😄 That cinnamon-spiced tinge… and…

So. many. events!

So many things tugging on your time, asking for your attention, requesting your precious energy. I bet we can all use the friendly reminder, now say it with me: “I am allowed to say no, thank you!”

Of course, I can’t say no to doing the dishes or paying the bills, or things that are required for my or my family’s well-being, BUT I can say no to things that aren’t actually required. I can say no to the family gathering that is just too far away, I can say no to the request to volunteer, I can say no to the event that is smack-dab in the middle of my toddler’s naptime. Maybe I really want to go to the festival with my kids, but I can say no to running the PTA booth this year. And I can deliver that no with a kind and grateful heart.

Because saying no when you need to—heck, saying no when you want to—is actually saying yes:

When you say no to things you feel lukewarm about, you can say yes to things that light you up. When you say no to obligations, you can say yes to priorities.

So, ask yourself: is this actually required or am I making up a story about how I should? What are my priorities and does this align with them? What does my body need right now to be at my best?

Say no to the people-pleasing and say yes to your heart. Say yes to what your children need most: you, contented and present.

What’s happening this week: Events in Bastrop County

For Mamas:

🥞 Every Friday morning, a group of local ladies meets for Smithville Breakfast Club. I attend any week I can; everyone is welcome, so don’t be scared to just show up and make friends. [Insider tip: if you feel nervous, ask for Jill.] This week the Club meets at Comfort Cafe, Friday 8-9:30 am.

💫 Bastrop’s Enchanted Market sells witchy, weird crystals, candles, cards and oddities. Salon Arcanum in downtown Bastrop. Friday 6-9pm.

For the family:

📚 Today, enjoy the Colorado River Reserve with your toddler at Books and a Blanket:Children’s Outdoor Storytime. Librarian Jackie will read a few hand-curated stories and lead a song or activity to get the wiggles out in between. Conservationist Laurie will lead a short but sweet nature walk through the nature preserve along the Dragonfly trail in Tahitian Village. Thursday 10:30am, free or small donation. Must register beforehand.

Big Smithville Saturday:

🏡 City Wide Garage Sale - Start at the Chamber of Commerce steps (106 NE 1st St) to grab your map of all the sales happening around Smithville. They estimate over 60 concurrent sales happening… be still my thrifty heart!

🌿 Sustainable Home and Garden Show by Keep Smithville Beautiful features activities for the kids, demos, a mini farmer’s market happening alongside the Homestead Swap where you can give or get seeds and plants, tools, supplies, and goodies for your homestead. Both happen at Railroad Park in downtown Smithville, Saturday 10-2. Free!

🎶 Smithville’s Music Festival kicks off on Main Street as well, featuring lots of beloved local musicians like Brianna Adams, Phil Hurley, and Ben Zuniga. Saturday 1-10:30pm. Free!

I’ll be down there garage sale-in’ and swappin’, so if you see me, come say hi and get a Mama Network sticker. I would love to meet you!

🍎 Rosanky’s Fall Fling includes face painting, bounce house, and fried chicken lunch happens Saturday 11-5.

Meanwhile, in Bastrop:

🎨 Celebrate the beloved Bastrop Bridge at the First Friday Art Walk. Lots of live music and art downtown, drum circles, and live drawings in front of the Bastrop Visitor Center and Museum (right near the bridge at 904 Main Street). 6-9pm. Free.

🍁 Harvest Fest is happening with bounce houses, dunk tanks, food and wholesome fall fun. Open to the public. Bob Bryant Park. Saturday 12-5pm.

🎥 Movie in the Park at Fisherman’s Park will show Pixar’s Planes, and the Fire Department will be there showing their trucks and inflatable escape house. Hot dogs available for sale, bring a blanket. Saturday 6-9pm.

A few more notes:

🎃 All the pumpkin patches are happening now! You can get all the details including pricing and location here. Someone called me the “pumpkin patch lady” this week. I’ll take it!

💌 We reached 100+ subscribers in less than a month! I was really nervous that “no one would care,” but I see now, there is a need for mamas in the area to connect and feel in-the-loop. This response has made my heart full and set me on a path to serve you mothers in more ways. So be on the lookout for more local guides, meetups and more! Take the poll below to shape the future of this newsletter. 👇

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Thank you for reading!

Warm regards and a big bowl of soup,

Elise