Today I'm over at herKentucky talking about Patti's 1880 Settlement. It's an institution in my neck of the woods complete with giant pork chops and pies entitled "boat sinker."
It is NOT to be missed.
In defense of the summer list
But when you think about it, summer break is really pretty short. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to fill so little time with so much activity?... a neatly checked-off “summer bucket list” isn’t a requirement of being a good mom.
On the one hand, I agree. Of course, one doesn’t need a summer list to have a season filled with sunshine and happy memories.
However...
I have a summer list and I love it.
The Secret to Independent Play
Most mornings my boys play together in their room for an hour and a half to two hours. After we have breakfast, I send them back to play and I have one to two blissful hours to get things done.
Now, Griffin and Amos are only four and two. I still get the occasional question or request BUT, for the most part, I can depend on that time to get work done or projects completed around the house.
How do I do it?
The answer is so simple it’s going to shock you.
My journey to a goodnight's sleep
As a parent, you learn quickly that there are certain topics that are universal. Whether you've known the mommy next to you for five minutes or five years, there are subjects we all use to relate to one another: how long ago we saw a movie in an actual movie theater, the latest and most disgusting experience with bodily fluids, and - perhaps the most popular of all - sleep deprivation.
I learned early on that I don't always have the response my fellow parents want to hear.
"Really? Griffin sleeps about 13 hours a night."
(Insert the sound of crickets.)
Flashback Friday: All About Us
Tomorrow my husband and I will celebrate our ten year anniversary. Surrounded by our nearest and dearest, we plan to renew our vows in the front yard and then party late into the night in our back yard.
When I look back now, I realize marriage really intimidated me. I was a child of divorce. Even though my mother had remarried and her and my stepfather had (and still have) a great relationship, I was worried. I knew I loved Nicholas. I knew I was ready to be in a committed relationship but, in a way marriage seemed like a roll of the dice.
How could I stack the odds in my favor?
The Marshmallow Test
In the lat 1960's, psychologist Walter Mischel led several experiments on delayed gratification involving four year olds and a bunch of marshmallows. The premise is simple and I explain at the beginning of the video.
The characteristic these experiments test - basically self-control - has been to be a fundamental predictor of success in life.
The Amos County Fair
I'm over on Salt & Nectar today sharing the details of Amos's second birthday. I chose a county fair theme complete with pie, games, and a petting zoo!
If you just can't get enough of these babies eating pie and having fun, I've included some more pictures below.
