Last week I was catching up with a friend, discussing the new school year. While chatting, I was surprised to hear the detail of her daughter's extracurricular activities. It was so full, we could scarcely find a night to have the two families together for dinner. She justified the enrichment, like many parents, as simply the way to keep her child well rounded. My advice to the mother was to be careful not drive her own-self crazy, in the process of attempting to keep her daughter exploring … [Read more...]
Life Lessons from the Lawn Mower
September 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I love to cut the grass. Okay, so I just started taking on the chore, but I've been swept off my feet. You see, I am a stay-at-home mother of three. I feel like I run around all day trying to get organized only to crawl into bed with just as many toys on the floor and just as big a stack of dishes in the sink as there was in the morning. There's a perfect quote that reflects this honestly, that says, "Picking up after your children when they are home, is like shoveling when it is still … [Read more...]
Simple Tips for a Productive Summer
June 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Most of us want summer to be relaxed, carefree and fun, but often we feel just as stressed out as the rest of the year. The best way I've found to maximize the openness of the vacation weeks is by putting a little thought into the time management of your days off. Often, we find the most satisfaction in accomplishing something, so by planning the ways you'll be productive, you can actually feel more relaxed overall. Trying a few of these simple steps can help even the busiest of families … [Read more...]
Local Father’s Day Finds
June 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Forty years ago, President Richard Nixon signed into law the proclamation of Father's Day as the third Sunday in June. Ever since, children of all ages have clamored around department store tie racks, decorated coffee mugs, and bought untold quantities of grill tools in attempts to show dad that they love him. This year, if those ideas don't fit the bill for your father, check out the construction progress in town, support our merchants, and pick up one of these great local gifts that dad is … [Read more...]
Walking with Little Feet
April 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
When I'm with my kids, one of the most frequent comments I hear is, "Enjoy it now, they grow up so fast!" Time does seem to have a miraculous way of slipping by, and although statements like that can become easy to disregard, they are good reminders to take full advantage of the moments we have. Sometimes though, it seems we get so caught up in just making it through our day, we don't know how to redeem the little opportunities we have to draw closer to our kids. I often see … [Read more...]
First-Grade Philosophy
March 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I had the absolute joy of speaking to 24 first graders this week about the writing process. Our talk centered around the fine art of revision, and how important it is to the quality of our work. The early learners were eager to point out mistakes, chime in details to add, and cut out ones that didn't sound right. This innocent visit to the world of six-year olds encouraged me to reflect on how in life we also need to take the time to revise ourselves, too. When writing, the first thing the … [Read more...]
Clear Out Your Clutter
March 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
It may feel like summer outside, but the calendar is officially proclaiming spring. I love spring, for the promise of fresh beginnings, for shedding off layers, and for seeing more of the neighbors again. I also love it for cleaning. To put away the coats, organize the garage, and renew the landscaping are all welcome chores. I especially relish the glorious results of cleaning that are often found in garage and attic sales that will quickly be popping up. The time is here to give away, hunt for … [Read more...]
Happy Medium
March 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Being in the middle of things seems to get a bad rap. A middle child often gets the "acts out for attention" label, even if both other siblings do the same kind of things. Starbucks doesn't label their middle size "medium." They go from tall to venti, completely skipping the word that implies being in between. And no one wants to be caught saying "I'm in between jobs" because that generally implies an undesirable negative situation. Personally, I am usually wishing I could be in the middle if … [Read more...]
A Pin for your Thoughts
February 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
It's almost embarrassing how many of my conversations now start with the line, "So I saw this really cool idea on Pinterest...” By now, you too have probably at least heard of this new site and application that combines searching for things and social media. Some say it's addicting, while some say it wastes time, but I say it's inspiring. Pinterest is easily explained as a virtual corkboard where you can "pin" your interests. You can search for just about anything, follow things other … [Read more...]
Cherish Each Encounter
February 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Life's unpredictability has its way of turning my emotions upside down like a roller coaster. Yesterday, I found myself starting to cry, feeling completely discouraged in regards to a difficult situation that has no end in sight. Oddly enough, in that same moment, I felt like I had an unrelated revelation about my life. A quiet realization that caused incredible happiness to coexist with that sorrow. I was fortunate to have caring and dedicated parents growing up. In addition to them, I was … [Read more...]
