Another month, another post about what I’ve been up to! I’m back again with a post about all of the February things.
This was super fun for me to do last month and you guys seemed to like it, so I’ll keep up these monthly wrap-ups for now. If you have feedback for what you’d like to hear more or less about next month, I’d love to hear it!
For now, here’s my list of February things. I hope it gives you a little inspiration for your own life.
February Things 2025
Food & Beverage
As always, food and beverage made up a pretty big chunk of my February things. We are lighter on the beverages this month, so I’ve combined the two categories into one this month.
Old Standby – Lasagna Roll-ups
To be honest, we eat a lot of lasagna roll-ups every month. This should come as no surprise if you’ve read really any of my food-related posts in the past. I basically recommend them for everything from meatless dinners to dinners to show your love to kid-friendly dinners. I mean, if you’re a mom and you have a relatively nutritious dinner in your arsenal that your kids eat third helpings of, you’d make it and share it often too.
Favorite new recipe – Sundried tomato gnocchi
As I mentioned in my kid-friendly dinners post, my kids love gnocchi in basically every format possible. Because I know I can get them to try basically anything in gnocchi form, I try to find new gnocchi recipes often. This month, I tried How Sweet Eats’ sundried tomato gnocchi and boy, was it a winner! I even got my tomato-cautious kid to eat seconds and leftovers of this meal. If your kids like gnocchi, give this recipe a try!
Biggest food fail – Our favorite takeout place closed
A few Fridays ago, my husband was working late and offered to pick up takeout on his way home so he and I could have a little at-home date night after the kids went to bed. We chose to order from our go-to takeout place and I got my mouth set and ready to enjoy a delicious meal. When my husband got home, however, he was carrying food from another restaurant. He had called the usual place and got no answer, so he stopped by to order at the bar and discovered a sign on the door that said the restaurant was permanently closed. I miss their soft pretzel sticks already.
Dessert – Red velvet chocolate chip cookies
I haven’t baked as much as I usually do this month, so I didn’t have as many sweet treats to choose from. But the highlight of my baking adventures came courtesy of Valentine’s Day. I like to bake for my kids’ teachers for holidays, and this year I made Sally’s red velvet chocolate chip cookies. Of course, I had to eat one for quality control purposes. Y’all, these are good. The key to my success with these was a mix of regular and white chocolate chips. That combo sent these over the top.
Breakfast – Baked oatmeal
I’m in my oatmeal era. I’m not sure if I’ve ever said anything that screams I’m old as much as that sentence, but I make no apologies. Oatmeal is delicious and nutritious. It’s also super customizable and easy to make in big batches when you make a baked oatmeal. This month I’ve made berry baked oatmeal, pumpkin cheesecake baked oatmeal, blueberry muffin baked oatmeal, and apple cinnamon baked oatmeal. All have been absolutely delicious, and my whole family agrees! I like to stir in a little Greek yogurt to mine for a bit of extra protein, but you can eat it plain or with a little milk or cream drizzled over the top too.
Beverage – water
As I’ve mentioned before, my New Year’s resolution this year is to drink more water. I’m happy to report that I’m still doing pretty well at staying hydrated, despite still not finding a water bottle that I really love. If you have a water bottle that you swear by, can I ask you to share it with me?
Books
I’m really enjoying reading both physical books and audio books again! I’m on track to be ahead of my goal for the year, and I’m just tickled pink by that!
Best book of February – Happy Place
I really like the author Emily Henry and am always excited to pick up another of her books. Happy Place was, happily, no exception. As soon as I started reading it, I knew it would be one of my favorites for the month. Based on the blurb on the back of the book, I expected a light read about a couple who had broken up but didn’t tell their friends. Although it was that, it was also a lot deeper than I expected and got me thinking about what makes me happy rather than what people expect of me. I wholeheartedly recommend this one!
Not my favorite – Whisper Network
I found Whisper Network by Chandler Baker on the clearance rack at my local used book store (I’m truly obsessed with the clearance rack at my local book store) and saw that it was a Reese’s Book Club pick, so I decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately, through no fault of its own, this book taught me that I shouldn’t read books about lawyers. It just hits too close to home. If you aren’t a lawyer, you like thrillers, and you’re not triggered by sexual harassment and assault, you might just like this book. The twist at the end is good.
Best audiobook of February – The Small and the Mighty
I didn’t follow @sharonsaysso (Sharon McMahon, the author of The Small and the Mighty) before I read this book, but I do now! She is the hope we need in this time of political tumult. Seriously, this book is the glimmer of hope I needed this month with its reminder that ordinary people can do extraordinary things and truly make a difference. If you’re struggling with the state of the country, give this book a read or a listen. I loved listening to it because Sharon narrates it and the passion in her voice is truly inspiring!
TV/Movies
I didn’t consume a lot on the TV this month. I was too busy reading! But I did watch a little bit, so I wanted to include what I did watch on my list of February things.
TV – Virgin River
Don’t judge me. I know that Netflix’s Virgin River is a glorified soap opera. I do. But there is something about it that makes me keep watching. Maybe it’s old man Otter (Tim Matheson)? I don’t know, but I can’t quit it. The most recent season in particular was just ridiculous. But, if you need an escape that’s a lot of melodrama and a little romance, give it a try.
Movie – Inside Out
Anyone else’s kids get fixated on one movie at a time and want to watch it over and over again? Mine definitely do, and their February obsession was Inside Out. I can’t say I was mad about it. I love the movie Inside Out. And it’s also a great way to get your kids talking about their emotions, which can be hard to do. I haven’t seen Inside Out 2, but I am going to prioritize it for March.
Clothes
We have entered the time of the year that I just resent wearing winter clothes. I’m ready for shorts and t-shirts, but the weather isn’t ready for me to wear them yet. Despite my generally bad attitude toward seasonally appropriate clothes, there are some standouts from February.
Shoes – Target Chelsea boots
I have wanted simple black Chelsea boots with a lug sole for a few years now. I had looked at approximately 87 versions online over the years, but I never pulled the trigger because I was nervous about them being the right amount of chunky. I wanted the sole to be a little chunky so I could safely navigate snow and ice but not so chunky that I looked like a punk rocker from the 1970s. It’s a delicate balance to strike. I finally pulled the trigger when Target had a one-day deal on boots that made these like $28. That price made me willing to try. Thank goodness I did, because I have worn them everywhere the last month. They’re the perfect amount of chunky, the perfect shaft height for me, and super comfortable. If you are interested in trying this style, give these a try!
Top – Flannel shirts
Last month I was in sweaters every day as part of my winter mom uniform because it was so cold in January. February hasn’t been quite as bitterly cold, so I’ve opted for flannel shirts most days. Warm enough, but not too warm. If you haven’t hopped on the flannel shirt train, and you want to make one of my February things one of your March things, Kohl’s usually has a great selection.
Accessory – Crossbody bag
I have held out on buying myself a crossbody bag that looks like a fanny pack that you sling across your shoulder for a long time. At first, I couldn’t get over the fanny pack-ness of it all, and then I was genuinely didn’t think I needed one. Until now. You see, we went on a bit of a trip in February (more below), and I didn’t want to lug around my heavy leather purse. I took to Amazon and bought a cheap one that had good reviews. You guys, I may never go back to my regular purse. This is perfect. It fits a phone, a wallet, keys, and a pair of glasses perfectly. If I continue to use this at home like I think I will, I might be interested in an upgrade. What’s your favorite crossbody bag?
Products
Every month you just have those products that save your life, you know? These have been mine this month.
Oxiclean
Like I mentioned in my January Things post, we have been potty training my 2-year-old. Well, one of our biggest February things has been to remove the pull-ups during the day. We are in undies baby! And although she’s doing great in her undies, we have the occasional accident or the less-than-ideal wipe. Oxiclean to the rescue! Seriously, this stuff is magic. If you’re potty training or you just have kids who get messy in general, you need Oxiclean in your laundry kit.
Travel backpack
Y’all, traveling with kids is no joke. Even when you don’t have diapers to contend with, you still have to bring so much stuff with you. You need travel activities, extra clothes just in case, and of course your few personal items. To successfully bring all this stuff, you need the right bag. And boy, have I found the right bag! I can’t take credit for this find. I was influenced to try the Vera Bradley XL Campus travel backpack by @itsjessicabraun. She took this bag to Egypt (sans kids) and sang its praises. I gave it a try and I can attest that it’s so good. So many pockets, so easy to wipe off, so comfortable to wear. I won’t take a plane trip without it.
Experiences
As usual, my favorite February things were experiences, not products. I’d love to share a couple with you, if you’ll indulge me.
Trip to Florida
You know when you just need a vacation? Yeah, that was us. All four of us. It’s been a cold winter where I live and we needed some sunshine. We also needed to celebrate my husband’s pretty big milestone birthday, so that made a trip to Florida a no-brainer. We combined a trip “home” with a quick adults-only trip to the Florida Keys and had a great time. If you haven’t taken a vacation in a while and you have the opportunity to do so, please do it. A change of scenery can be more helpful than you can believe.
Valentine’s Day GYN appointment
Obviously, you should be staying on top of going to the doctor. So, it doesn’t really matter which day of the year you go, just go. This is something you have to remember, especially when your gynecologist calls to reschedule your annual gynecological exam for Valentine’s Day. That’s right, folks. I had a hot date with my gynecologist on Valentine’s Day. I’ll give you a moment to laugh. It’s a gynecologist appointment I won’t soon forget and definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my month.
Kid stuff
If you have young kids like I do (my son is 5 and my daughter is 2), you know that there are certain kid-specific things that make your life so much easier. Here are my favorite kid-specific February things.
Eye Found It
We are 100% in our game era around here, especially with my 5-year-old son. We play sports games, board games, card games. You name it, we play it. The game we played more than any other game in February was the Disney version of Eye Found It. Everyone gets five scene cards and then you look for specific objects in the cards. The first person to get rid of his or her cards wins. It’s super fun, my kids love the Disney scenes, and even my 2-year-old can kinda sorta play it (with parent help). If you don’t have this, it’s definitely worth the $8.
Safety Scissors
If my 5-year-old’s favorite thing to do these days is play games, then my 2-year-old’s favorite thing to do is cut with scissors. Honestly, the 5-year-old likes to cut with scissors too, but the 2-year-old is usually the ringleader for this activity. She wants to cut anything I will let her at any time. Junk mail? She wants to cut it. My daily to-do list? She wants to cut it. Her brother’s birth certificate? She wants to cut it. Her favorite scissors are pink classic kids’ scissors. And don’t you dare try to give her the blue ones.
High-back booster seat
In January, we transitioned my 5-year-old into a high-back booster seat in the car. He was absolutely thrilled about it. He has been so proud to use the car’s seatbelt. It’s adorable. Although the high-back booster seat makes my list of February things because it marks a new stage in my son’s life and not because of the seat itself, if you’re looking for one, we like the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus 2-in-1 Belt Positioning High Back Booster Seat. It does the job well, can transition to a backless booster seat, and is light enough for travel.
Blog posts
Lastly, here are the blog posts that Sara in Season readers have most enjoyed this February. If you missed any of these posts, here are the links so you can catch up!
I hope you were able to find some inspiration from my February things. What have your favorite February things been? Please share in the comments below or over on Instagram @sarainseason.
[Note: None of this content is sponsored. The links above may be general affiliate links, which earn me a small commission so I can keep making great content for you!]