What a difference a year makes!

We are on vacation on the shores of North Carolina!  Last summer we were here, about this same time, and it is amazing to me the difference a year makes!

Last year, the boys really couldn't read...This year, books and independent reading helped make the 13 hour drive a smooth one!

Last year, it took the boys a while to warm up to the idea of playing in the surf...This year, they ran directly into the waves and giggled in glee.

Last year, while on vacation they learned to ride on two wheels and were scared to go very far... This year, we are going on bike rides for miles.

Last year, they always wanted me to get into the pool with them...This year, they get in all by themselves and could care less if I am there or not.

Last year, there were tears when buckets of sand did not turn into a perfect sandcastle...This year, the buckets of sands are still not perfect sandcastles, but there are no tears, and the sandcastles are spectacular!

It is fun to watch them grow.  Sometimes I miss the cute babies, toddlers, and preschoolers that they were...but mostly I am enjoying who they are now!

Just Beachy!

Does life get better than this?

My keep-the-kids-busy Travel Book

All the goodies, ready to go!

Tomorrow we will be traveling.

A thirteen hour drive. 

With six and seven year old boys.

Yep, from 6am-7pm,
all four of us...   In. The. Car!

So I planned and prepared for this "adventure!"



The car is packed full of goodies!
     Car games - that the boys only get to play with when we travel.
     DVDs and books - from the library - new to them!
     And the Keep-the-kids-busy Travel Book - my favorite creation!

The Keep-kids-busy Travel Book is simple but SO useful for, well, keeping them busy!  It is easy to create too...I went online and printed up free games (Mazes, Hidden Pictures, Math Problems, Word Seeks), stories, maps (of all the states we will travel through), and state worksheets (that I purchased from http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/) and GBC bound them into a book.  One for each boy.

I created similar books the last time we traveled and I was pleased at how much the boys enjoyed them.  And, more importantly, how long it occupied them!

So I am crossing my fingers, and hoping, that Travel Books, plus the other goodies make for a quick 13 hours!

Wish us luck!

"I'm Having a Bad Day!"

It drives me crazy when my boys say they are having a bad day!

A Bad Day...Really?  It's only 8:00am! 

A Bad Day...Really?  Just a minute ago you were laughing!

A Bad Day...Really?  Earlier today, you were playing and having a blast!

So, I have tried to teach my boys to say, "I am having a bad moment!"

Because, a moment doesn't have to last 24 hours.
And, because, in a moment, everything can change.
One moment can be bad, yet the next can be extraordinary!

So, today, when Owen, with tears in his eyes, looked at me and said "Mommy, it's a bad moment!"  I could help but smile as I wrapped my arms around him.

Been around the block...RIGHT?

It's not my first time around the block...or is it? 

I mean...I have been around the block many times - I have walked it, driven it, ridden my bike, and even ran around it a few times.

It is a simple block - just 5th, to Maple, to 4th, to Beech and back to 5th.  No curves.  No hills.  And only a few bumps in the sidewalk.

This time, it's the same block, but it is very different. 

This time, I didn't go.

But, they did -
All. By. Themselves.

Multiple times.

Four wheels, two helmets, and two pedaling boys.  (With no mom!)

How did this happen?  When did they get old enough to hop on their bikes and just go??? 

Not that long ago...
they couldn't even walk.

Not that long ago...
their little chubby legs couldn't even reach the pedals.

Not that long ago...
they were afraid to take off their training wheels.

Not that long ago...
they were so wobbly that they didn't ride very far.

But, I know, I know...  I watched them - as they learned to walk, and grew tall enough to pedal, and the training wheels were removed, and they said "Look at me mom!  Just 2 wheels!"  And, I saw them become more and more confident. 

So, I let them go.  Encouraged them, even!

Yep, today, was their first time around the block.

And, I guess, in a way, it was mine too!

This summer, by the senses...

Tonight, as a member of the You Can Do Anything coaching group, I participated in our monthly call.  And, Jamie Eslinger, our fearless leader, led us in a visualization about the possibilities of this summer!

So, for me...this summer is going to...

taste like pop rocks

sound like ocean waves

smell like menthol

feel like the warm embrace of a blanket

and

look like fireworks!

Why?  ...All because I am adding more JOY through my CREATIVITY!

What is your summer going to

taste, sound, smell, feel, and look like?

Having the right tools and the right attitude...

My sister is moving.  And, she owns an elliptical (which she actually uses!).  So she planned to move the machine to her new place.  Simple enough, right?

But, much to her dismay, on Friday, the movers refused to move it becasue it wasn't taken apart.

My sister called the store she bought the elliptical at, and they couldn't get anyone out for 5 days - which would be too late.  She also called another business, that specializes in workout equipment, but they would only help on their products - which it wasn't.  And, as a last ditch effort, she called her trainer and asked for suggestions, but he was no help.

So, she decided, "Dammit, I will take it apart myself!"

Coincidentally, yesterday, I and the boys were scheduled to helped my sister with the remainder of her move.  Yep, you guessed it, the main task at hand was to take apart that stinkin' elliptical.

She had found directions to disassemble the machine on the internet and they seemed easy enough - so we grabbed the necessary tools (as listed on the directions) and started.  The first few steps moved smoothly - remove a few screws and take the protective covers off of the machine.  There were about 6 covers to remove and each came off in a snap...UNTIL, one particular cover was awkwardly placed and the 8 inch long screw driver was too long to be any good.  We tried other screw drivers...but each were too long. 

The directions never said anyting about needing short, STUBBY screwdrivers!!!!

Both of us started to get frustrated.  The boys, who were trying to help, started asking questions about why we were having troubles.  And, I snapped at them.  My irritation was showing, and it was not pretty.

My sister, on the other hand, refused to let her frustration get the best of her!  She smiled and said - "Come on, we're going to the hardware store to get the right tools."  She turned the whole experience into an adventure.

All four of us piled into my car and off we went to Ace Hardware.  We grabbed some stubby screwdrivers (about 2.5 inches long), made a quick pit stop at Dairy Queen for a little treat, and then headed back to work on the elliptical.

Those stubby screwdrivers made all the difference in the world!  In short order, we had that elliptical into three movable pieces!  It felt great to succeed!

But, this experience was about more than just unscrewing and unbolting the machine...it reminded me of two important life lessons that I had lost sight of... 

Those lessons are:
1)  Having the right tools for the job is incredibly helpful, and
2)  Maintaining a positive, can-do attitude - even when things get frustrating - (like my sister) makes all the difference!

It was a great reminder!
Thanks A!