Welcoming The Input -

Trying ye ol' hand at openly stating the obvious here.  So, I created this blog originally to "bla bla bla" about my website but I actually want to hear what others have to say as well.  I think it is more fun to chat amongst others instead of silently speaking to myself... I get to do that enough working from home.  So, the first topic? not sure, all I want to say is keep it [semi] clean and be kind to our fellow bloggers.  After all, this is being posted to a family friendly website. 

Since I know a good portion of my fellow folks are mothers I will ask: what are your thoughts on daily routines, schedules, sports and generally keeping the kiddos busy without overwhelming them?  I see a wide array of techniques and some, I am proud to say, i would NEVER do - and others I would love to try: BUT- is it really working out for you as so it appears?  I see some extremely happy kids but when i hear their oh-so-extravagant schedules it exhausts me to even wrap my head around it.  Do they enjoy it?  And some kids i hear "i wish i could...." which breaks my heart and makes me want to invite them to our outings.  (then reality sets back in...)

What do you do, and how does it balance?

Its the Feel that's so Good....

Just recovering from a full day and evening of volunteer work. Exciting to see the community come together at our local freebie events (I'm talking about the Movies in the Park) Street vendors, community representatives, local bands, food carts, fun activities for all ages and so much more. We had a huge turn out for our event at Parklane. Formerly known as Candy Cane Park ... If you have spent more than 10 years here you know exactly why! The PTO put on a concession to fully benefit our playground project and so many showed their support. We all had a blast to boot! Being the camera person I was especially excited to rove the crowds and photograph the little things. Summer is now winding down and schools are getting ready to open their doors once again. See you all in a few weeks!

She Is Back!

As I type Cadence is on her way back home from a few weeks with her cousins & Grandparents. We talked on the weekends for a few minutes here and there but when she saw her dad today when he picked her up she melted his heart with tears of joy. Her brother missed her so much [we all did!]- each time a plane would fly overhead he would ask "is sissy on that plane?" We'll see how long the sibling love with last before the little brother big sister rivalry sets back in. I had no idea that she had so many buddies from school that missed her so much - I received at least 3 calls per week asking if she was home yet - Pretty cute if you ask me. Having only one kiddo for the past few weeks gave me the opportunity to decipher out my work-load and begin a well laid plan on how to attack the rest of the summer with both kids! It has turned out to be a super productive month! Even more exciting is that the rain has come back to refill my rain barrels. Now, I think I can do without more rain for a while... Well, we have some cupcakes to make for sissies arrival. I shall sign off on a short blog for today - More to come soon! Enjoy your summer.

And The Winner Is.....

The summer countdown is on! I just wish the weather was on track as well! Okay: how to juggle working from home and kids home from school without boredom and mid day pestering contests? I think this is going to cause me to utilize both sizes of my brain on this. I am trying to get a working schedule separated in blocks so I can interact with the kiddos, have some fun and still get my tasks completed to satisfaction!

My working position is a property manager and both of my kids have grown to know the trade with me. I try to incorporate the kids when they come to work with me. They get to turn on/off lights, open doors & drapes, read and play with newly found friends at the properties. If it is nice out we will stop by a trail or park along the way home to reward their pleasant behavior. Sometimes it works out great ... and other times not so wonderful, but, at the end of the day I am proud to say that I get to raise my children - and not a daycare provider!

So, Let the sunshine begin, let that school bell ring and let the fun out! Summer is almost here!

A new Prospective - ExCiTeMeNt

Looking through my mesh hat up at what appeared to be a speck of sunlight through the thick sky I found myself pondering: do I have some extra time? Oops, I meant "free time" but we skipped that part and went straight into the answer that, now that I am thinking straight, should have been "well, not really....."

BUT - Alas, I am glad I put myself out there [again] as now I have decided to become a part of the PTO for my Kids' school. Went to the first meeting last week and found myself heated about the involvement we all [do/don't] play a part in at the school. Even the sudden shift in attendance and familiar faces now gone and new faces filling those very seats has come to the front of my mind - Are there people that are here to stay? Is this just a landing point for some? Is there a true reason to pull your children from one school to the next? I know there are circumstances that may arise to which there is no remedy and a move out of district may be necessary but REALLY?

Reasoning for taking this personal: Our school is a good school, good people, caring staff and with more parent and community support we could make the necessary equipment and exterior fixers that will help our kids as well as give our school the outer beauty that already lies within! So my duty is to help make the public aware of what we are in need of at the school - with PHOTOS! My FaVoRiTe! Plus some good ol' You-Tube videos. Still to come .... I am pretty stoked about being behind the scene and over the next few months I am going to work diligently. First Order is our Playground. A safer place to play, a more age appropriate setting and something a little more updated because, lets face it.... the 1970's were fantastic and all but we have grown out of the wobbly sliver filled play structure and "snake" pole!

It Has Been A While .....

Oh yes, the great and glorious world wide web with communication advantages and connection opportunities abundant in our society .... and yet I am able to avoid an encounter for months! How is that for in-communicado :) I had the opportunity to make several adjustments in my work life and for coincidence I got to close one chapter and open another. Being able to adjust with my free time dwindling down and my responsibilities rising I am now able to state that I am finally getting back on the blogger bandwagon! Although I will not be blogg-ity-blogging all the time I will keep up with my [ahem] monthly blogging....

So, just what has changed in 4 months?? My family freedom has totally changed! My husband has lightened a large stresser [A+ for that!] My kids are both in school, and are learning machines/sponges/mini data collectors! With a little more time to reflect that means I get to appreciate more and more of what we all have accomplished together! Gearing up for an exciting week abroad, catching the groove of a new career adventure, learning a new computer and establishing a new respect for the local police department (someone hit-and-ran my vehicle a few weeks ago) and their distinct efforts in helping me out was amazing!

It is the small things that excite me, and I don't think that will ever spoil. Never.

So, here's to another month of loving life ~*~ Cheers ~*~