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These past couple weeks have been full of lots of transition for most Mothers.  With kids going back to school and starting activities, summer has been kissed goodbye and a new schedule has begun.

There is also the change of the weather that I am so excited for.  For our family, this is our last year here in Jacksonville and that means the beginning of many changes.  First off, we are starting all that needs to be done to sell our home.

We have had our family garden here and made the big step of filling it in this weekend.  My husband dug all the remaining plants and weeds up and filled it in with sod.  All those memories, work and so much more…have been covered up and only saved in pictures and memories.

Here are a few other changes and transitions that are going on in the life of this Mother;

-  Two kids in school and only one at home….huge change!!

-  Soccer schedules and evenings spent at the soccer field with kids.

- Saturdays full of soccer games.

-  Packing early morning lunches and having time to exercise again.

-  Making a schedule so I am sure to use my time wisely and enjoy every minute I have here at home with my baby.

-  Menu planning so we can have dinner between soccer practices and activities and try to keep it family time.

I love change and that is always the one thing in life that is CONSTANT!  I am ready for this change of schedule, change of pace and all the fun memories and experiences it will bring.

What are some of the changes that have come for you with the start of school?

Woo-hoo!  We made it through the first week of school.  My tween is happy, thriving and loving it!

I was a home school Mom this past year.  Sending my tween back to school was a big deal.  He high fived me on the way out the door and there was no looking back.  I absolutely adore his teacher…she works these kids hard and I love that!!

I love every minute of being with my tween, but I also noticed that my stress level has decreased quite a bit.  I can actually think straight and even more, accomplish a few more things in a day.

I have been teaching my tween for a year now and every spare moment of my day was dedicated to school.  I feel like I need to re-invent myself in a way.  All those things that slipped through the cracks this past year can be patched up.  I even made a little cleaning schedule for myself to keep up on my home work.

The old days of scheduling school, have been replaced by getting the kids to and from school, getting some exercise and keeping up on the home and duties of Motherhood.

I still have one little one left at home and we have had fun together.  I have so much time to dedicate to her, read to her, play with her and laugh with her.  Heck, I’m even having play group in my backyard this week…..crazy!!

Although I miss the days of schooling my tween, I have learned what works for me and what doesn’t.  I have learned how I function best in being the Mom that I want to be.

Here is to a new year and lots of new experiences and adventures…wish me luck!!

This week has much in store.  A full school week for two of my children, dance open house, registering my youngest for a mom & me class, coaching soccer, projects, trying to get my youngest back on a nap schedule, fitness classes, long weekend, and gearing up for the start of our family’s favorite football team’s first game.  Wow, writing that just made me tired.

Reminder to self: One day at a time and anything can go or be given up.  We all have “game faces.”  You know the face we put on to convince those who don’t know us that well that we are OK.  It’s not always a sport related game face.  Sometimes it’s situational and we put on a persona for different roles we assume or for different people.  The ironic thing is that my tween has figured me out.    Not only has she figured it out, she has game faces too.  Now, it’s up to me to watch and discern my tween’s game face.

In this week’s schedule I know that I will have different game faces on.  Sometimes as coach, friend, mom, wife, neurotic mother of a kindergartner, volunteer, etc.  Why?  I have often wondered why we spend more effort trying to conceal our true emotions.  As a mother I have discovered that I tend to observe more and keep quiet.  Perhaps because of personal experiences.  Or perhaps and what I concluded was, that it is safer.  It is safer to be guarded and protect yourself emotionally.

Technically, as Wikipedia states, “the Game Face is an essential tactic in any competitive event. It describes any facial expression that conceals emotion.  Another common method is the “Poker Face.” This approach requires an absolute lack of facial expression. Often this technique is more difficult to master.”

Random blog I know, but I have been thinking about sports alot and learning a lot more about soccer and prepping for football season and my brain wandered over to the game face concept.  Anywho, we all have them, including our tweens.

What situations do you find yourself using game faces in?  Sports, Socially, or at work?

Do you remember mowing the lawn as a kid?

I certainly do…I thought it was fun.  It was hard work, but there was such a sense of accomplishment that came from seeing those lawn mower lines.

My tween is now 7 1/2 and just mowed the lawn for the first time.  My husband does most of the outside work, so I never even thought about letting Lincoln give it a try.  I was inside making dinner and stepped outside to check on things…this is what I saw.  My tween, cutting the grass for the first time.  It shocked me a little to think that he was old enough for that responsibility.  Man, he has grown up so fast.

Sometimes, as I drive around, I see teenagers cutting the lawn and listening to their ipods.  It makes me so happy to see that…!  I think it is important for kids to pull their weight in the home.  I have slacked in this area lately and it is something I am working on doing a better job with my kiddos.

Now my tween is officially old enough to cut the lawn…is it also time to step up his responsibilities a little bit more?  Should I start teaching him to do his own laundry and be responsible for making dinner for the family?  Maybe I should…!!  As a parent, we want to raise independent children who can function on their own in society as responsible adults.

Maybe the time has come…today he is cutting the lawn and tomorrow…he will be heading off to college (kidding)…..they just grow up to darn fast!!!

What are some of the chores you have your tween doing?

These cutie boys and friends recently went on a fun outing.

3 Moms +

3 Tweens=

A Fabulous Night out!!

We took them out to dinner at Red Robin and to a book club at Barnes and Noble.  As I have said earlier, my tween is a huge fan of the Magic Tree House book series.

Barnes and Noble hosted a book club for book # 6, Afternoon on the Amazon. They talked a little bit about the book and then made a craft that coordinated with the book.  Lincoln loved the craft that they made and loved that he was surrounded by lots of other kids who also loved the same books that he does.  I think Barnes and Noble also has a book club for the American Girl books.  I have said many times before that I want my children to love reading.  I think the most educated and well rounded people are those who read often.  I wish I could say that I am a more avid reader, but it just isn’t my season for that.

When I attended the open house for my tween’s school, I was so happy to see the great variety of books his teacher had in the classroom available for my son.  She had each book series in a different labeled basket.  I can imagine all those fabulous books he will be reading in her classroom.

Moral of the story…Barnes and Noble ROCKS!!  I never get enough time there, usually spend too much money, but always come away from there with a smile on my face!!

What are some activities you do to keep your tween excited about reading?