This past week we took a spontaneous trip with friends to visit our mutual friends in the DC area.  It was fun, educational, and SPONTANEOUS!  My tween especially loved how I woke up one morning and said, we are leaving a few days earlier to maximize the time and visit.  I think it’s important for children to learn to love spontaneity and to learn that the only thing constant is change.  Change is a hard concept to understand and appreciate, especially when you are looking forward to something.

We packed our combined suitcase and said goodbye to Dad and were off.  Knowing that there are many people we knew in the area and that we wouldn’t have a car once there, we went with no expectations.  We had late night talks, ran errands, saw some of our friends’ new found favorites, shared in special memories and have no regrets!

The best part of spontaneous trips and friends are the memories created!  We were all able to be together and it was truly like time hasn’t past.  Another benefit was the realization how military friends truly are like family.  It was so hard leaving.  My tween had a blast having “sleepovers” since we stayed with friends.  My son loved seeing a boy friend since he tends to be surrounded by girls.  (although he is not opposed to that either:))  I got some “mom time” and reconnected with several friends, including one from middle school/high school.

With the spontaneous trip we were able to also visit the Marine Corps Museum with an expert tour guide.  My children loved the museum and exploring a little bit more of our military heritage.  Since my children’s father was unable to accompany us, my children were “adopted” by other marine fathers who were with us.

What type of spontaneous summer fun have you had?  Any last minute summer plans?

A couple of weeks ago while the kiddos were having their afternoon quiet time, I heard a knock on the door.  I rushed to the door to be sure whoever it was didn’t ring the doorbell and wake my baby up (that makes for a very unhappy Mama).  This is what I found…four darling kids on my porch with plates full of baked goods.

After I said hello, they politely asked me if I would like to buy some baked goods.  Hello…of course, I am just so impressed with this little business  they have going.  I grabbed a couple dollars and let the kids come and pick out a couple of treats.  They sold all the treats for fifty cents each.  The kids picked out two treats and I gave them a nice little tip.  They graciously thanked us and moved to the next house.

I was flabbergasted….brilliant, absolutely brilliant!  Whoever their Mom is has to be pretty neat!  This is why I think their little business is so brilliant.

First, they probably spent hours cooking all the treats and at the same time had fun baking together.

Next, they had to step out of the box a little to be confident and get out there and sell their ‘product’.  It was probably a great self esteem boost for them.

Finally, they are learning how money works and getting the wheels turning in their mind about how business, customer service AND money works.

All in all, I was so impressed by these kiddos and it was such a fun little surprise for myself and my kids.

What do you think of this little business venture?

I know it is not even August yet, but am I the only mom already (sort of) wishing it was closer to the first day of school? I love my boys but something happened to them about a week ago. I think the carefree summer has gotten to them and they need some structure…and I need a break!

Jake and Sam ready for their first day last year

I have tried to let the boys have lots of free time this summer and I know they need it, but I think they need a little “organized fun” as well. We have started with thirty minutes each day or reading or writing or some other academic pursuit. It gives them some time to wind down and it gives me just a sliver or peace in the house…even if very short. Now that I have started them thinking about back to school, I wondered what else I should be doing about a month out from the first day back and I came up with a little list:

• Try on last years school clothes to see what fits and start replacing what they need (watch for those sales!)
• Check the school supply lists and start getting what they need
• Let your child select a lunchbox, backpack and first day outfit
• Schedule a physical exam if needed (be sure to take the school medical form with you)
• Make before care and after care arrangements if needed
• Organize any carpools
• Sew name tags or place name stickers on their items
• Take time to sit with your child and talk about the nervousness and excitement of the first day back

I think that last point is so important…I remember how excited I was to head back but also a little scared too about new teachers, new kids….all of the unknown. It is a wonderful time of year…take some time to enjoy it amid the chaos of getting everything ready.

One of our favorite family travel games to play is, I spy.  On our recent weekend adventure, I was reminded how observant my tween is.  While the family was looking at the obvious she had wandered over a little and was looking at something.  At first glance, it seemed like nothing.  Then I realized that she had discovered a bird making a nest.  We watched for a good 15 minutes and the bird finally came closer to her.  It made me realize again… that often the most significant memories are often the small and simple things we do.  We can get caught up on thinking that the bigger the experience or the more money we spend, the better the reaction and consequence.  Not true.

I am realizing that my tween and other children often discover the coolest things.  However, in my often slow reaction time I may miss it.  My goal as a mother is to be better at response time.  I don’t want to teach them that I always drop everything at the drop of a hat.  However, I do want them to know that they are important.  What they think is important is.  I want to gain the moment of discovery back.

Somehow as adults we lose sight of the excitement of discovery.  We are in such a hurry to complete and accomplish that we often miss these moments.  We have agendas and goals.  Not bad things, but “things” that could hold us up from moments of discovery.  Life is a journey of discovery.  By encouraging this trait of discovery it teaches more than just to be observant and to discover your surrounding, it teaches appreciation and learning to find the beautiful in our surroundings and the people and ourselves.

I love the following quotes:

“When it’s time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.”

Henry David Thoreau

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

Andre Gide

What has your tween discovered lately?  How do you foster a sense of discovery in your daily routine?

I don’t know about you, but this summer is flying by WAY too quickly.  There are only a few weeks left in July…What??  We have made lots of fun memories this summer, but I have lots more fun to check off before we get back to school.

Here are a few things I have learned from my tween this summer;

- His little brain gets rusty when he is away from school too long.  I need to keep up on math especially or he will forget.

- He LOVES The Magic Tree House series.  He will read them over and over again and never gets bored of them.

- He needs structure even if life is crazy and we travel and have visitors….when we get back to our ‘normal life’ he needs structure immediately.

- If he runs around barefoot too much, his little feet start to get all dry and crackly.  We have to keep them moisturized so he can spend another day running around barefoot.

- He needs quiet time every day.  Even if he fights it, he is alot happier when he has it.

- It isn’t fun to be outside in the heat for him if there is not water involved.  He gets hot and grumpy and tired….it isn’t fun!

- He loves meeting new friends and laughing and playing with friends as often as possible.

- He has a blast with his sisters, even though they fight, they really love each other and at times make the happiest memories together.

What are some of the things you have learned about your tween this summer?