While I've stopped sharing my "photo a day" project of my kids, I haven't stopped shooting it- all the images from early September onward sit unedited on my computer and I'm looking forward to catching up after the holidays. I need to tell these stories before I start to forget the details! I was scrolling through them this morning- stories of fledgeling independence, resilience, and love. Stories where I fear it's the last moments of true childhood, of growing up, and so many mundane, messy, everyday moments that I will treasure a decade … [Read more...]
beginner
I am a complete beginner in my mindfulness journey, and I already feel like I am learning so much about myself, about today's culture, and the way we program our brains in a manner that encourages stress. I can only speak for myself, but I don't believe my experiences are unique. I've learned I don't know how to simply BE. I've allowed my brain to get addicted to constant input- but it's not even valuable input. It's junk knowledge. I was listening to The Minimalists recently and they said "Scrolling is the new smoking." Wow- let that … [Read more...]
an announcement
I've been preoccupied lately with seasons and change. Not just weather-related seasons, but the seasons of life we go through. We start with one identity, get comfortable with it, and things shift. We reassess. Perhaps redefine ourselves, and get used to the new normal. And things shift again. Nothing stays the same- but that's also what makes life beautiful and exciting and everything but boring. I took my kids to see Frozen II recently and I found the same sentiments echoed throughout the movie. Everything from Olaf waxing poetic: … [Read more...]
little moments are what matters most
When you reflect back on to your own childhood, what do you remember? Is it just a highlight reel of your milestones? Big birthday parties and Christmases, vacations and awards? Or is it a stream of little moments- the mundane, the normal. Except it doesn't feel mundane when you remember it, coated in nostalgia. Milestones are wonderful, but the magic of childhood lies in everyday moments. Riding bikes, exploring the woods, building lego towers. Endless days of imagination and exploration. When I look back on photos of my … [Read more...]
I don’t need to do it all
Evenings used to be so stressful. I'm frantically packing up the leftovers, doing the dishes, wiping down the kitchen, sweeping, and chasing the kids up to showers late on a daily basis. Sure, I don't have to scrub down the kitchen each night, but I like waking up to a clean kitchen, even if the rest of the house is a total disaster. There's something about having dishes piled high and all the counters covered in crap and crumbs all over the floor sticking to my feet that just makes my anxiety levels sky rocket. Sure, I could wait … [Read more...]
our kids are actually listening
I am my youngest's den leader in Cub Scouts. She's a Lion right now, and we have a den of 4 girls. When I am sitting with the girls to do the "talk time" - the actual lesson between the activities- 3 of the girls are sitting quietly and listening while my own daughter is rolling around on the floor and pretending to be a cat. Last fall, we had a meeting on hiking safety. We talked about what to do if you are separated from the group- it's called SAW. What is SAW? S- Sit down, stay still. Don't walk around- let the grownups do the … [Read more...]
sleepovers
Every night, these two are begging for a sleepover. We have a general rule that sleepovers are allowed only on non-school nights, but they try every night regardless. When we actually say yes, they spend a good 15 minutes "setting up" - arranging pillows and blankets and toys all over the floor. There is much discussion about where they will sleep- her floor, in his closet, next to his bed, in his bed- and much planning about which blankets and pillows and toys they need. When we finally get them tucked into bed, we know they aren't … [Read more...]
the “I love you, I hate you” of Sibling Dynamics
Let's start this out with a key piece of information. I am an only child. The concept of siblings dynamics is completely foreign to me and I completely do not understand it at all. My husband is the middle kid of three, so I look to him to tell me what's normal and what isn't. But he also has stories growing up of chasing his brothers with an ax so I'm not sure how much I should trust his viewpoint to be normal. My kids were very close as toddlers and preschoolers. Up through about ages 8 and 10 were the golden years for the oldest two- … [Read more...]
the magic
After what has felt like the longest winter ever (admittedly, I say this every year) it's been so relieving to have some actual spring weather recently. We've had days of sunshine, of shorts, and of course, the steady wind that accompanies the change of seasons in our neighborhood. The downside of a home with a view is you get that view from zero wind-blocking. While the kids protested being kicked outside at first- "But Moooo-ooooom I'm going to be so bored if I can't play Xbox or watch YouTube! It's not fair!"- they eventually adapted … [Read more...]
especially the ordinary
When it comes to telling the story of my life with my kids, I've realized I keep falling into the same patterns that are keeping me from actually telling authentic stories. For my oldest, it's all about milestones. She's the first to do everything- so I photograph it. This doesn't show anything about her actual day-to-day life. I don't feel too bad about it, however, because I want her to know I'm proud of her. For my youngest, it's the knowledge of how fleeting those "little kid moments" truly are. This means most of my storytelling … [Read more...]
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