Thursday, May 31, 2007
Graduations
As unbelievable as it is, my niece, Lauren, graduated from high school today. That I so vividly remember her as a baby, toddler and little girl is frightening. I am confident that she will do well in anything and everything she undertakes. Her determination is wonderful to behold. She's off to New Orleans this summer with her church to help with the rebuilding there. Last summer was Peru. I'm not sure of all the awards she won, but I'm sure they're abundant and well deserved. I can't wait to hear all about it.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Summer
Partially because I'm a visual person I'm also a list person. I get great satisfaction from SEEING things get crossed off my To Do list. But at the same time, seeing a list that is pages long can be demoralizing. It's summer, so my list has just blossomed. Every year I seem surprised to find myself busier in the summer than the school year. But as a stay at home mom, summer is when my charges are home more. It's also the time for doctors, dentists, orthodontists, and so on.
The Singer, now officially a senior as she so often points out, drives me absolutely crazy. Because she is way too much like me at her age. Her approach to life in our house is "keep it close to the vest and share as little as possible." I made her a skirt, she was trying it on. I asked if it fit correctly or if it was really a little too big in the waist. Her response, "It fits like the skirt we made last summer...I've learned to deal with it." Doesn't sound like a positive response, so I say "Do you want me to take the waist in?" "No...it's okay." The resounding positive is underwhelming. Trying to get her to tell me what she really thinks or feels is exhausting. She is uber polite in her words in the interactions, but the underlying attitude is "whatever...just leave me alone." She so obviously wants any kind of interaction that could be construed as involving conflict to be over that she spews out "yes ma'ams" and "yes, I'll do that" quicker than I can finish saying whatever I want to explain. At least with me, (and I believe with many others as well) negotiations don't come naturally. Life is all or nothing. If I tell her I won't buy her ...whatever...instead of trying to make a deal ("Well, would you pay for half of it?"). I get a cold "yes ma'am." Avoid conflict. It drives me batty! Relationships are all about negotiations. I'm praying that much of this behavior is her age and not hard wiring in her.
The Singer, now officially a senior as she so often points out, drives me absolutely crazy. Because she is way too much like me at her age. Her approach to life in our house is "keep it close to the vest and share as little as possible." I made her a skirt, she was trying it on. I asked if it fit correctly or if it was really a little too big in the waist. Her response, "It fits like the skirt we made last summer...I've learned to deal with it." Doesn't sound like a positive response, so I say "Do you want me to take the waist in?" "No...it's okay." The resounding positive is underwhelming. Trying to get her to tell me what she really thinks or feels is exhausting. She is uber polite in her words in the interactions, but the underlying attitude is "whatever...just leave me alone." She so obviously wants any kind of interaction that could be construed as involving conflict to be over that she spews out "yes ma'ams" and "yes, I'll do that" quicker than I can finish saying whatever I want to explain. At least with me, (and I believe with many others as well) negotiations don't come naturally. Life is all or nothing. If I tell her I won't buy her ...whatever...instead of trying to make a deal ("Well, would you pay for half of it?"). I get a cold "yes ma'am." Avoid conflict. It drives me batty! Relationships are all about negotiations. I'm praying that much of this behavior is her age and not hard wiring in her.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Work Ethic
I always enjoy reading Cindy's blog, even though she has 39 children and I only have 2, and even though most of her kids were adopted as older children and mine are my own bio kids, parenting is parenting and what she writes about usually gets me thinking. Sometimes, it gets me thinking about people I meet...we never know the other person's baggage...I think it's helped me be a little less judgemental.
Today, Cindy referenced Success Magazine. As the Singer has embarked on her summer job in an office (legal preparation of medical records) that requires etiquette I'm not sure she has encountered often, the article on business etiquette caught my eye and I've printed it out for her. The top points seem obvious to me, but I've found that nothing is obvious (except the 'out of touch with teens' mentality of parents) to teens.
Top Six Business Etiquette Mistakes & How to Correct Them
1. Improper handshake (the firm, web-to-web handshake is best).
2. Poor eye contact (eye contact, made 40%-60% of the time, is directed in between the eye brows).
3. Lack of dining skills (when in doubt watch the host or hostess).
4. Unprofessional attire in the office (always dress two levels above your position).
5. Ignorance of other cultures (learn the customs of other nations by visiting http://www.state.gov/countries).
6. Cell phone rudeness (keep phones on vibrate or use a low ring tone and use your library voice).
PSOW National Business Etiquette Week Tips
1. Email is never private and lives forever in cyberspace. Plus, you don’t know who has been Blind Carbon Copied. Never sound angry, condescending or illiterate. (Anything in writing has more power than something simply spoken once...be careful what you write anywhere--my own comment)
2. If unsure which is your bread plate remember left to right is B-M-W: Bread-Meal-Water.
3. During business encounters (even social ones) don’t discuss “hot” topics like religion, diets or money.
4. Remember someone’s name by using it 3 times in a conversation: when being introduced, during the conversation and when saying goodbye.
5. A dirty or tattered business card is a “deal breaker”—always have a clean supply on-hand.
The good news about the Singer is that her boss (a friend of mine) called me to tell me she was impressed with the Singer's work ethic. Thank goodness. I recognize that what I see at home is not what my girls present to the world at large. But both Hubby and I feel like we've had to fight to overcome the entitlement attitude so prevalent in society to try to teach our girls a strong work ethic. Hubby's dad worked 3 jobs sometimes to keep food on the table. He did it because it was what he needed to do. Fortunately I married his son who has the same work ethic embedded in him. I know Hubby's example has been great for the girls, but with the allure of the entitlement attitude, you're never sure what's sticking with your kids. It's nice to know some of the good stuff does stick.
While speaking about success, this story is quite amazing. A homeless teen graduating with a 3.7 GPA and off to college. He's been homeless for 2 years! This is the kind of story I point out to my kids...this is what I mean when I say "It is not what happens to you, but how you respond that determines your future." This is an example where hard work and the idea of 'just keep on moving and working' brings about a better outcome. It doesn't matter what road you're on, if you stand still you'll eventually get run over.
Today, Cindy referenced Success Magazine. As the Singer has embarked on her summer job in an office (legal preparation of medical records) that requires etiquette I'm not sure she has encountered often, the article on business etiquette caught my eye and I've printed it out for her. The top points seem obvious to me, but I've found that nothing is obvious (except the 'out of touch with teens' mentality of parents) to teens.
Top Six Business Etiquette Mistakes & How to Correct Them
1. Improper handshake (the firm, web-to-web handshake is best).
2. Poor eye contact (eye contact, made 40%-60% of the time, is directed in between the eye brows).
3. Lack of dining skills (when in doubt watch the host or hostess).
4. Unprofessional attire in the office (always dress two levels above your position).
5. Ignorance of other cultures (learn the customs of other nations by visiting http://www.state.gov/countries).
6. Cell phone rudeness (keep phones on vibrate or use a low ring tone and use your library voice).
PSOW National Business Etiquette Week Tips
1. Email is never private and lives forever in cyberspace. Plus, you don’t know who has been Blind Carbon Copied. Never sound angry, condescending or illiterate. (Anything in writing has more power than something simply spoken once...be careful what you write anywhere--my own comment)
2. If unsure which is your bread plate remember left to right is B-M-W: Bread-Meal-Water.
3. During business encounters (even social ones) don’t discuss “hot” topics like religion, diets or money.
4. Remember someone’s name by using it 3 times in a conversation: when being introduced, during the conversation and when saying goodbye.
5. A dirty or tattered business card is a “deal breaker”—always have a clean supply on-hand.
The good news about the Singer is that her boss (a friend of mine) called me to tell me she was impressed with the Singer's work ethic. Thank goodness. I recognize that what I see at home is not what my girls present to the world at large. But both Hubby and I feel like we've had to fight to overcome the entitlement attitude so prevalent in society to try to teach our girls a strong work ethic. Hubby's dad worked 3 jobs sometimes to keep food on the table. He did it because it was what he needed to do. Fortunately I married his son who has the same work ethic embedded in him. I know Hubby's example has been great for the girls, but with the allure of the entitlement attitude, you're never sure what's sticking with your kids. It's nice to know some of the good stuff does stick.
While speaking about success, this story is quite amazing. A homeless teen graduating with a 3.7 GPA and off to college. He's been homeless for 2 years! This is the kind of story I point out to my kids...this is what I mean when I say "It is not what happens to you, but how you respond that determines your future." This is an example where hard work and the idea of 'just keep on moving and working' brings about a better outcome. It doesn't matter what road you're on, if you stand still you'll eventually get run over.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Birthdays and Graduations
Having celebrated my birthday and receiving multiple graduation announcements, the passage of time is being thrown in my face. I don't feel any older. More experienced (and hopefully wiser), but not older. How can all of these children, kids who I held as babies, be graduating from high school and getting ready to embark on their first true step of independence? Not possible. When did they go from toddlers to adults? Time is such a relative term, and the years have somehow slipped by. A reminder to make every minute count...it's gone all too soon.
My Mr. Lincoln rose bush is in full bloom! I've had 14 roses in the last 5 days and have at least 10 more buds developing on the bush right now. I love the smell of the Mr. Lincolns. I'm battling aphids, so yesterdays clipped roses were put on the back porch table, not in my house. The drought is oppressive. I got a crepe myrtle tree for Mother's Day and it's planted near my rose bush, so my roses have been getting daily watering...hence the abundance of blooms. Most of my other plants are indigenous and drought resistant so are surviving but not thriving. We're about 10 inches below normal for our rainfall thus far this year. The extended forecast shows the highest chance of rain for Saturday with a 20% chance. Ugh. The pool water is evaporating as I watch, as our relative humidity is down, too. Between the cost of gas and our use of water, our monthly budget has to be redone or we'll not be living within our budget.
The Imp is celebrating summer. Her last day was last Thursday. Even though the Singer is taking her last exam as I write, I gave the girls their Summer Survival Bags last Friday. They were a big hit. I always include "Unlimited Reading" coupons. The Imp has already used one of her coupons. She and the Singer hit the library Monday and each came home with an armload of books. The Imp promptly went to her room and began reading. She came out for dinner and then was back in her book(s). At 10:00 pm she told me she was using her coupon and she proceeded to read until 4:30 the next morning.
The Singer has a busy summer scheduled for herself. She is working 9-5 at an office each day, in addition she is swimming each morning from 6-8 am. I'm encouraging her to swim only 3 days a week, so she has some "down time" but she is determined to be ready to win some races come the high school swim season in August. I hate to put roadblocks in front of her goals...so I'll wait to see how things play out. I'm actually impressed with her drive to work towards her goal. She also wants to continue her piano lessons throughout the summer, but is willing to drop the voice lessons until the fall. She is excited about her summer schedule so I'm holding my tongue about her overdoing it. I am insisting she take off the week before school starts so she feels like she has had some relaxation before her Senior year begins. She was recently elected President of Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) and the president of a newly formed organization made up of members from all the honor societies. The organization is to foster more service and activity from the honor societies and to coordinate those efforts. So she's already begun to plan Pi day as an activity for Mu Alpha Theta (March 14----3.14). Her energy level is inspiring.
The Imp's summer plans include making it to Bush Gardens at least once a week. She and her cousin, Sean, want to ride Sheikra (in its newest form---without a floor) as many times as possible. She's helping with Vacation Bible School, attending volleyball camp and is continuing to swim, as well. Her swim lessons are at 4:15 in the afternoon and is only 2 days per week.
My summer plans include sewing the Singer 2 new skirts (we got the material yesterday) for her to be able to wear to work, re caulking the girls' bathroom, and I'm busy working on crocheted bookmarks. I'm hoping my sister-in-law can sell them at the fall sale they have to benefit the Sumter Muscular Dystrophy Fund. Right now I have 18 different samples I plan to bring to show her in July. Then she can pick 4 or 5 styles that I can then make 10 or so of each style (in various color combinations). A few of the bookmarks I've made are not on the selection list as they are simply too time-intensive to make to sell. One is call the Celtic Lace. It took me at least 10 hours to make that. It's gorgeous, but....
Celtic Lace:
Tasseled:
Cross:
Elegant Shells:
Snowflake:
Lace Fan:
Butterfly
The Singer wants to buy a digital camera with her summer earnings. I'm excited as I should then be able to post more pictures.
My Mr. Lincoln rose bush is in full bloom! I've had 14 roses in the last 5 days and have at least 10 more buds developing on the bush right now. I love the smell of the Mr. Lincolns. I'm battling aphids, so yesterdays clipped roses were put on the back porch table, not in my house. The drought is oppressive. I got a crepe myrtle tree for Mother's Day and it's planted near my rose bush, so my roses have been getting daily watering...hence the abundance of blooms. Most of my other plants are indigenous and drought resistant so are surviving but not thriving. We're about 10 inches below normal for our rainfall thus far this year. The extended forecast shows the highest chance of rain for Saturday with a 20% chance. Ugh. The pool water is evaporating as I watch, as our relative humidity is down, too. Between the cost of gas and our use of water, our monthly budget has to be redone or we'll not be living within our budget.
The Imp is celebrating summer. Her last day was last Thursday. Even though the Singer is taking her last exam as I write, I gave the girls their Summer Survival Bags last Friday. They were a big hit. I always include "Unlimited Reading" coupons. The Imp has already used one of her coupons. She and the Singer hit the library Monday and each came home with an armload of books. The Imp promptly went to her room and began reading. She came out for dinner and then was back in her book(s). At 10:00 pm she told me she was using her coupon and she proceeded to read until 4:30 the next morning.
The Singer has a busy summer scheduled for herself. She is working 9-5 at an office each day, in addition she is swimming each morning from 6-8 am. I'm encouraging her to swim only 3 days a week, so she has some "down time" but she is determined to be ready to win some races come the high school swim season in August. I hate to put roadblocks in front of her goals...so I'll wait to see how things play out. I'm actually impressed with her drive to work towards her goal. She also wants to continue her piano lessons throughout the summer, but is willing to drop the voice lessons until the fall. She is excited about her summer schedule so I'm holding my tongue about her overdoing it. I am insisting she take off the week before school starts so she feels like she has had some relaxation before her Senior year begins. She was recently elected President of Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) and the president of a newly formed organization made up of members from all the honor societies. The organization is to foster more service and activity from the honor societies and to coordinate those efforts. So she's already begun to plan Pi day as an activity for Mu Alpha Theta (March 14----3.14). Her energy level is inspiring.
The Imp's summer plans include making it to Bush Gardens at least once a week. She and her cousin, Sean, want to ride Sheikra (in its newest form---without a floor) as many times as possible. She's helping with Vacation Bible School, attending volleyball camp and is continuing to swim, as well. Her swim lessons are at 4:15 in the afternoon and is only 2 days per week.
My summer plans include sewing the Singer 2 new skirts (we got the material yesterday) for her to be able to wear to work, re caulking the girls' bathroom, and I'm busy working on crocheted bookmarks. I'm hoping my sister-in-law can sell them at the fall sale they have to benefit the Sumter Muscular Dystrophy Fund. Right now I have 18 different samples I plan to bring to show her in July. Then she can pick 4 or 5 styles that I can then make 10 or so of each style (in various color combinations). A few of the bookmarks I've made are not on the selection list as they are simply too time-intensive to make to sell. One is call the Celtic Lace. It took me at least 10 hours to make that. It's gorgeous, but....
Celtic Lace:
Tasseled:
Cross:
Elegant Shells:
Snowflake:
Lace Fan:
Butterfly
The Singer wants to buy a digital camera with her summer earnings. I'm excited as I should then be able to post more pictures.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Like-Minded People
Saturday the whole family went to a picnic with a group Hubby and I belong to. The group is a couples' prayer group, Teams of Our Lady (TOOLs). Normally, just the couples (6 couples on our current Team) meet once a month for a meal and then sharing on a spiritual book we are studying. Occassionally, we get the families together. Hubby and I have been on this team a little less than a year, and so our girls have not had a chance to interact with the children of the other couples. We met at a house on a lake. Lots of oak trees providing shade, a huge yard, a dock to fish off of, a swimming pool, etc. It was absolutely gorgeous. There were about 20 kids there and after the first few minutes of awkward introductions, they were off and running (literally) and were acting like they'd known each other for years. The Imp came home with an email address to keep up with one of the girls she met. It was so wonderful to share an afternoon and evening with other families of like values. We didn't hear any swearing (from adults or children). It was rejuvenating for me as I didn't have to fight an uphill battle with my children. They didn't come asking to do things I disapproved of. All the children have similar home rules. There was no peer pressure to be worldly cool. They all know they have strict parents and they all know they'd have serious consequences for misbehavior. So I enjoyed just sitting back and not worrying about what my kids were doing as they ran around the yard, even when I couldn't see them. In addition, Hubby and I got to spend time with 5 other couples and talk and share about everything and nothing. Lots of great conversations including one about the Christian symbolism of Spiderman 3. And every so often you would hear an adult say, "It is so nice to have this group to support us as we try to live Christian married lives." If you want to run a marathon, a great way to ensure success is to train with other marathon runners. If you want to lose weight, join a support group. If you want to work out, get a buddy. The research is there. We are social people and social support for our endeavors increases our chances for success. The same is true for marriage. If we want to have healthy, successful Christian marriages and families, we need to get support from others. It's hard upholding Christian morals with the commercialism and materialism and ME-ism that abounds. Last night I heard one little boy tell another, "My parents won't let me see that movie." and the reply was "Neither will mine." End of conversation.
Hubby and I really believe that marriage is a work of art in progress. In order to keep the art beautiful you need lots of tools. Good communication is a key tool required for any successful relationship. We talk to engaged couples all the time about adding tools to their marriage toolbox. We've used that analogy for years. When we joined Teams of Our Lady and found out the acronym was TOOLs we thought, "Perfect. This organization is a great tool to keep a marriage tuned-up." There are lots of different marriage support groups, some formal and some informal, but getting together with like-minded people is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon/evening.
Hubby and I really believe that marriage is a work of art in progress. In order to keep the art beautiful you need lots of tools. Good communication is a key tool required for any successful relationship. We talk to engaged couples all the time about adding tools to their marriage toolbox. We've used that analogy for years. When we joined Teams of Our Lady and found out the acronym was TOOLs we thought, "Perfect. This organization is a great tool to keep a marriage tuned-up." There are lots of different marriage support groups, some formal and some informal, but getting together with like-minded people is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon/evening.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Andrea
Subtropical Depression Andrea is churning in the Atlantic. Let's hope that this is not indicative of the Hurricane season which doesn't officially begin until June 1. The winds from the storm are actually making the winds in Tampa come off the Gulf which is a good thing. There were over 250 wild fires in Florida yesterday. On Monday the wind was from the north and the air was thick with smoke. Even going outside to simply get the mail caused my eyes to water and my throat to burn. No sitting out at the pool on Monday.
Yesterday and today were gorgeous days. Unfortunately, no rain. We are experiencing serious drought conditions. And unfortunately, Andrea is not dropping moisture on us. We could use a small tropical storm to sit upon us for a day or two and drop some rain. Wildfires are a serious problems. One in Sarasota on Monday was apparently caused by someone throwing a cigarette butt in the median of I-75. The windy conditions are making containing the fires difficult.
The in-laws' 60th Anniversary party was wonderful. We arrived home about 1:30 am on Monday morning, totally exhausted but very happy we went. They were very surprised and having most of their children show up at 7 am Daily Mass on Saturday was probably the best gift we could have given them. It was great to see so much family. Hubby's sister, Chris and 6 of her 7 (one is in Iraq) children (plus their children) all showed up. It was heart-warming to see all the little cousins running around. And all but 2 of my in-laws' children came, too. It was a full house and lots of laughter and catching up.
The girls are in the middle of exams so the house is full of stress. Mother's Day is fast approaching and they are torn between working on things for Mother's Day and studying. They'd rather work on Mother's Day things, but know that school comes first. The temptations to procrastinate abound. The best part of Mother's Day is that my birthday follows shortly afterwards. SO I get a whole week of "Queen of the House." The best part of being queen is that I don't have to plan any meals, grocery shop or do laundry. I get a week off! Normally, I end of doing some of all of these things, but to know I don't have to is quite rejuvenating. I think a trip to the beach come Sunday may be in order.
Yesterday and today were gorgeous days. Unfortunately, no rain. We are experiencing serious drought conditions. And unfortunately, Andrea is not dropping moisture on us. We could use a small tropical storm to sit upon us for a day or two and drop some rain. Wildfires are a serious problems. One in Sarasota on Monday was apparently caused by someone throwing a cigarette butt in the median of I-75. The windy conditions are making containing the fires difficult.
The in-laws' 60th Anniversary party was wonderful. We arrived home about 1:30 am on Monday morning, totally exhausted but very happy we went. They were very surprised and having most of their children show up at 7 am Daily Mass on Saturday was probably the best gift we could have given them. It was great to see so much family. Hubby's sister, Chris and 6 of her 7 (one is in Iraq) children (plus their children) all showed up. It was heart-warming to see all the little cousins running around. And all but 2 of my in-laws' children came, too. It was a full house and lots of laughter and catching up.
The girls are in the middle of exams so the house is full of stress. Mother's Day is fast approaching and they are torn between working on things for Mother's Day and studying. They'd rather work on Mother's Day things, but know that school comes first. The temptations to procrastinate abound. The best part of Mother's Day is that my birthday follows shortly afterwards. SO I get a whole week of "Queen of the House." The best part of being queen is that I don't have to plan any meals, grocery shop or do laundry. I get a week off! Normally, I end of doing some of all of these things, but to know I don't have to is quite rejuvenating. I think a trip to the beach come Sunday may be in order.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Summer Time
Summer fever has hit. I don't want to be inside. The pool calls me. Unfortunately there is much to be done in the house. Ugh. I'm busy cleaning because friend (distant cousin) is coming to stay with the girls this weekend as Hubby and I are off to his parents' 60th wedding anniversary. This nice young lady will be staying in our bedroom (the room that traditionally doesn't have to be spotless when guests come). So I scrubbed the bath down yesterday. Today the bedroom (including dusting the ceiling fan and washing the curtains). I'd hate for someone to feel like the house was dirty. We're really not going to be gone long but having someone here to be an adult and a deterent to poor choices brings peace of mind.
Next weekend is Mother's Day. One of my favorite holidays. I've received some great gifts over the years. One year, the Singer made me a powerpoint presentation about how she was glad I was her mom. Another year, the Imp made a poster board with drawings of our whole family being happy together. In many ways, Mother's Day is a celebration of family, not just me. The added benefit for me is my birthday is just a few days after Mother's Day, so I tend to get a week of celebration and the two sort of mesh together. I enjoy being the center of attention and look forward to see what creative things my kids have done for me. This year, I've asked for a crepe myrtle tree and various other plants as well as a Dirt Devil broom/vac. Coupons are big gift items in this house. That is, homemade coupons. I've requested a coupon for someone else to clean the kitchen floor and a week of someone else planning the meals (I'll even help cook them, just someone else please decide).
While Mother's Day is on my mind, I've also been busy working on the girls' Summer Survival Kit. It has become a tradition they won't let me drop. It started probably 7 or 8 years ago. Both girls were in school and I bought a small tote for each of them and put in a gift card to the movies, a gift card for the book store, a gift card for an ice cream, sunscreen (each having their own personal bottle has helped them put it on), sand toys for the beach, some sort of activity book, all-day TV coupon, PJ day coupon, no chore day coupon, and a slip of paper for each camp (usually one or two) they were attending that summer. This has helped them not ask for so much over the summer as what's in their bag is what I'm willing to give towards their summer entertainment. In addition, when they were younger, this is where I introduced however we would track their summer reading. One year I made a bunch of circles out of construction paper (about 3-inch diameter). I turned one circle from each girl's stack into a bookworm's head. As they read a book we'd write down the title and author and add it to their worm. It let them see how many books they'd read.
I love the summer when schedules are calmer and there's more time to just be with each other. The school year gets so hectic. It's hard to balance having time to do nothing with having the girls participate in things they enjoy. Even with as busy as they are, both have given up activities they enjoy. There is so much out there. Swim is their big activity, requiring 3 practices a week per girl (M,T,W for the Imp and MWTh for the Singer) but requiring someone to be at the pool 4 days a week. It's such a great activity for both of them but it certainly is time consuming. Summer is the time for them to get bored and then figuring out something fun to do. TV, computer and video games have pretty strict time limits over the summer (during the school year they're so busy, it's really not necessary to limit it...but summertime would have them become coach potatoes. Not because they don't enjoy other things, but it's the path of least resistance.) The Imp's last day of school is May 17. The Singer has exams until May 23. The countdown has begun around here. The Singer is preparing for her AP exams now and is trying hard to control her stress level.
Next weekend is Mother's Day. One of my favorite holidays. I've received some great gifts over the years. One year, the Singer made me a powerpoint presentation about how she was glad I was her mom. Another year, the Imp made a poster board with drawings of our whole family being happy together. In many ways, Mother's Day is a celebration of family, not just me. The added benefit for me is my birthday is just a few days after Mother's Day, so I tend to get a week of celebration and the two sort of mesh together. I enjoy being the center of attention and look forward to see what creative things my kids have done for me. This year, I've asked for a crepe myrtle tree and various other plants as well as a Dirt Devil broom/vac. Coupons are big gift items in this house. That is, homemade coupons. I've requested a coupon for someone else to clean the kitchen floor and a week of someone else planning the meals (I'll even help cook them, just someone else please decide).
While Mother's Day is on my mind, I've also been busy working on the girls' Summer Survival Kit. It has become a tradition they won't let me drop. It started probably 7 or 8 years ago. Both girls were in school and I bought a small tote for each of them and put in a gift card to the movies, a gift card for the book store, a gift card for an ice cream, sunscreen (each having their own personal bottle has helped them put it on), sand toys for the beach, some sort of activity book, all-day TV coupon, PJ day coupon, no chore day coupon, and a slip of paper for each camp (usually one or two) they were attending that summer. This has helped them not ask for so much over the summer as what's in their bag is what I'm willing to give towards their summer entertainment. In addition, when they were younger, this is where I introduced however we would track their summer reading. One year I made a bunch of circles out of construction paper (about 3-inch diameter). I turned one circle from each girl's stack into a bookworm's head. As they read a book we'd write down the title and author and add it to their worm. It let them see how many books they'd read.
I love the summer when schedules are calmer and there's more time to just be with each other. The school year gets so hectic. It's hard to balance having time to do nothing with having the girls participate in things they enjoy. Even with as busy as they are, both have given up activities they enjoy. There is so much out there. Swim is their big activity, requiring 3 practices a week per girl (M,T,W for the Imp and MWTh for the Singer) but requiring someone to be at the pool 4 days a week. It's such a great activity for both of them but it certainly is time consuming. Summer is the time for them to get bored and then figuring out something fun to do. TV, computer and video games have pretty strict time limits over the summer (during the school year they're so busy, it's really not necessary to limit it...but summertime would have them become coach potatoes. Not because they don't enjoy other things, but it's the path of least resistance.) The Imp's last day of school is May 17. The Singer has exams until May 23. The countdown has begun around here. The Singer is preparing for her AP exams now and is trying hard to control her stress level.
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