You know that Staples commercial where the parent is shopping for school supplies while the Christmas tune plays merrily in the background, "It's the most wonderful time of the year ...."? Well, that's not me this year.
This is probably the very first year I was not ready to send my children back to school. We were busy all summer long with sports and camps that we never did really get a vacation together. We were up early with a schedule all but the last two weeks of summer. Did my kids squabble? Yes. Did they complain of boredom? Yes. Did they miss friends and routine? Yes. But we had such a great time together all summer long, none of us wanted to return to the "grind."
We longed for routine, friendships, the more fun parts of the school year, but not the homework, backpacks, locker combinations, and lunch packing. We had enjoyed practices and games that were the main focus of the day instead of squeezed into the week.
This school year, my prayer for our family is to find balance. We need the routine of the school year coupled with the downtime of summer. When we work, we will focus and commit. When we play, we will really play. You cannot play with a smartphone in your hand, checking email. Our adventures do not need to be instantly uploaded via Instagram.
What does "balance" mean to you and your family?
Monday, September 10, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
Summer Crunch
I've heard, "Whoever talked about the lazy days of summer didn't have children." Well, there's a resounding AMEN to that phrase in our home again this summer.
Our children all participate in one of the local summer swim clubs which gives us early morning wake ups. We are up, out the door, and at the pool earlier than we get up during the school year. That is somehow just so, so wrong. The only saving grace is that the kids just throw on a suit and go. Goggles and towels are hung by the door so we grab 'em on our way out. It's a painless as possible for the non-early riser.
I use the time they are swimming to squeeze some exercise into my day, too. Yes, SQUEEZE. Because despite not having "anything to do" all summer, "the days," as Calvin & Hobbes puts it, "are just packed!" I run/walk with some other moms squeezing exercise into their day, too. I plan on doing it everyday, so I usually get three or four mornings out of it - given schedule hiccups.
My boys are on summer lacrosse leagues for the first time this year. So we bookend our early swim team mornings with lacrosse practices or games. Last week, my oldest son had a game at 9PM! I'm usually powering down for the night by then. Combining this new lacrosse schedule for our family with Saturday meets, Wednesday night meets, and lacrosse tournaments ... the days are long. And now that it's July, the days are hot, steamy, and sticky, too.
At least we have the middle of the day, right? Yep! You bet. Well, sort of. After that morning Olympic year workout, those kids are spent. The next couple hours are spent being as lazy as humanly possible and still drawing breath. The afternoons are filled with library trips, bike rides, forest wandering, $1 movies, PlayStation, Just Dance, lots of crafts (for the girl child), more swimming, Monopoly, poker, and the occasional nap. Accompanied by the usual bickering I assume is standard issue for all out-of-school siblings.
We are squeezing as much of summer as we can into the middle of the day. In a few short weeks, the swim season will wind up, the kids will head off to sleep away camp, and the remainder of August will be spent finally sleeping in. It will be insanely delightful. We are all looking forward to it. Until then, we crunch along.
The Total and Complete Upside: Relishing in these days of summer while my kids are still underfoot, wanting to play with me, wanting me to sit and watch a movie with them, wanting my company - I will drink it in like a soothing tonic. These months are clicking by just too fast for me ... I heard tale of Back to School sales beginning. I just shake my head. With all the running and the less than lazy days, I'll take the kids and crunch over empty bedrooms any day (and twice on Sunday).
Our children all participate in one of the local summer swim clubs which gives us early morning wake ups. We are up, out the door, and at the pool earlier than we get up during the school year. That is somehow just so, so wrong. The only saving grace is that the kids just throw on a suit and go. Goggles and towels are hung by the door so we grab 'em on our way out. It's a painless as possible for the non-early riser.
I use the time they are swimming to squeeze some exercise into my day, too. Yes, SQUEEZE. Because despite not having "anything to do" all summer, "the days," as Calvin & Hobbes puts it, "are just packed!" I run/walk with some other moms squeezing exercise into their day, too. I plan on doing it everyday, so I usually get three or four mornings out of it - given schedule hiccups.
My boys are on summer lacrosse leagues for the first time this year. So we bookend our early swim team mornings with lacrosse practices or games. Last week, my oldest son had a game at 9PM! I'm usually powering down for the night by then. Combining this new lacrosse schedule for our family with Saturday meets, Wednesday night meets, and lacrosse tournaments ... the days are long. And now that it's July, the days are hot, steamy, and sticky, too.
At least we have the middle of the day, right? Yep! You bet. Well, sort of. After that morning Olympic year workout, those kids are spent. The next couple hours are spent being as lazy as humanly possible and still drawing breath. The afternoons are filled with library trips, bike rides, forest wandering, $1 movies, PlayStation, Just Dance, lots of crafts (for the girl child), more swimming, Monopoly, poker, and the occasional nap. Accompanied by the usual bickering I assume is standard issue for all out-of-school siblings.
We are squeezing as much of summer as we can into the middle of the day. In a few short weeks, the swim season will wind up, the kids will head off to sleep away camp, and the remainder of August will be spent finally sleeping in. It will be insanely delightful. We are all looking forward to it. Until then, we crunch along.
The Total and Complete Upside: Relishing in these days of summer while my kids are still underfoot, wanting to play with me, wanting me to sit and watch a movie with them, wanting my company - I will drink it in like a soothing tonic. These months are clicking by just too fast for me ... I heard tale of Back to School sales beginning. I just shake my head. With all the running and the less than lazy days, I'll take the kids and crunch over empty bedrooms any day (and twice on Sunday).
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Quick & Easy Pleasing Dinner
Practice schedules and late work nights wreak havoc on everyone's schedules. Ours is no different. Here's what we had for dinner tonight. For those of you with peanut allergies, my condolences. DH and I could lick the bowl clean on this one!
Easy Peanut Satay
Combine 1/2 c smooth or chunky peanut butter
3/4 c half n half (could substitute coconut milk or plain milk)
3 tbs brown sugar
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
dash of garlic seasoning
2 tsp grated onion or 1/2 tsp dry onion
3 tbs soy sauce
(optional: splash of fish sauce)
Combine all ingredients in sauce pan over medium low heat. You can give everyone their own dipping bowl or share. The kids love anything they can dip. And yes, the apples, snap peas, and bagels all got dipped, too. YUM!
- Rotisserie chicken (from Costco) cut into cubes
- Apple slices & Sugar snap peas
- Bagels cut into cubes
- Skewers for dipping in Easy Peanut Satay
Easy Peanut Satay
Combine 1/2 c smooth or chunky peanut butter
3/4 c half n half (could substitute coconut milk or plain milk)
3 tbs brown sugar
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
dash of garlic seasoning
2 tsp grated onion or 1/2 tsp dry onion
3 tbs soy sauce
(optional: splash of fish sauce)
Combine all ingredients in sauce pan over medium low heat. You can give everyone their own dipping bowl or share. The kids love anything they can dip. And yes, the apples, snap peas, and bagels all got dipped, too. YUM!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Banana Muffin Goodness - Mix Up Some Love!
I mixed these up spur of the moment last week in less than five minutes. They bake up in less than 15 when you use the mini muffin pan (or your convection oven). The kids loved 'em. I'm going to make them again tomorrow adding mini chocolate chips to the concoction!!
What I like about this recipe: I can assemble all the dry ingredients in the blender at night, add the wet in the morning, and VOILA! What I love about this recipe: it's made in a blender and you pour it into the muffin tin! What makes this recipe even better: no flour!
What I like about this recipe: I can assemble all the dry ingredients in the blender at night, add the wet in the morning, and VOILA! What I love about this recipe: it's made in a blender and you pour it into the muffin tin! What makes this recipe even better: no flour!
The Toothpaste Tube
When I brush my teeth every morning, I scrape off the hardened mass at the end of the toothpaste tube. My DH doesn't put the top on. Today, I bought new toothpaste, the kind with the top attached - a flip top. While this toothpaste may not have saved my marriage, it is the little things that mean so much!
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