Packing

I have been packing since I was seven or eight - packing to go back and forth between my mom and dad's houses, packing for camp, packing for weekend visits to my grandmother's house in East Tennessee, etc. It has never been a task that I enjoy, but it is necessary.

Now it is 25 years later and I'm packing for 5. Well, technically my husband packs for himself, but he also traveled around Greece for 2 weeks with less stuff than I take to the park with the kids so I usually add a few things to his bag. We're having the year of the roadtrip in our family, and right now I'm trying to pack for a week at Grandma & Grandpa's house. The good news is that we no longer need to include things like diapers or portable cribs. The bad news is that we need to include most other things.

The kids try to "help" by packing up toys which they wish to take along. We'll usually take about 1/3 of what they pack and they probably won't look at their toys until we return home. I think that after years of packing I have finally learned (sort of) that less is more. It is alright if everyone wears the same outfits more than once on a trip, and kids very quickly overcome any disappoinment regarding a toy which didn't make the trip. I have even cut way back on the snacks that I take along for long car trips - fewer choices usually mean fewer diagreements.

My packing latte is this, make sure you have the most important items, and the rest will (after a little bit of stress) fall into place. I always feel better about 30 minutes after we leave the house when I realize what it is that I forgot. As my mother always said, "You can just buy as you go."

Free Time

A funny thing happened today- this morning, for the first time this summer vacation, I got up, packed 3 little lunches, rushed around getting everyone ready, and took all 3 kids to day camp. I dropped them off at 9:30 (really it was closer to 9:45) and for the first time in about a month, I had 3 hours to myself. What now? They will be at camp every morning this week. I have a dentist appointment on Wednesday and a trip to the eye doctor on Friday.

It's now summer in Atlanta, 90 degrees before noon and about 200% humidity so power walking is out, and I don't belong to a gym. Of course, my first stop was Starbucks which is a treat these days. Believe it or not, I've been making soy, mocha lattes for myself at home most day. Next, I ran to the mall to make a few returns and exchanges of various kid items, and finally, before carpool line, I ran to the grocery store to grab a few things to pack in tomorrow's lunches.

There you have it, nothing earth-shattering, and nothing that I couldn't have done with the kids in tow. After 4 weeks of spending most of our time together, I think that this week is a good break for me and for the kids. We've had lots of fun so far, and I am still glad that we don't have too many things on the calendar for now. This summer has had plenty of unexpected twists and turns, we don't need lots of scheduled ones. That said, for the sake of sanity, my latte to you is to schedule some down time for yourself if at all possible. Even if you spend the time doing a few kid-related errands, it's nice to get a little time without the kids along for the ride.

Camp

Camp brings different things to mind for different people. In these days of over-scheduling, it seems that every person and place around is offering some sort of camp. $200 to spend the week building forts, cooking, swimming, etc. Last week I took my kids to the zoo where we saw campers from Zoo Camp. Mason asked me if he could go to Zoo Camp sometime, and I told him that we were having our own private zoo camp as a family.

For me, the word "camp" brings one place to mind, the summer camp I attended as a child, teenager, and counselor. I returned a few times after college for the annual reunion of former attendees, and recently, thanks to Facebook, I have reconnected with many of my childhood camp friends. This year I went to the reunion for the first time in 10 years, and I took both of my daughters. It was amazing to watch Charlotte do many of the things I once did there in a place that is remarkable unchanged in the last 20 years (flush toilets are a nice addiditon since my camper days!). Several of my old friends were also there with their children who will be campers with my kids in the coming years. My baby sister is also a counselor there this summer.

I realize that not all summer camp experiences were like mine. CJL (my old camp) provided a great backdrop to my high school years, and I love that I can now share it with my daughters. So here's my latte today - share an experience from your childhood with your children. It could be a place, an activity, even a favorite recipe.

One side note: I realize that my lattes have been anything but daily, I'm going to try to get back into a routine. Look for more soon!

A Great Big Bag

As the mother of 3 (ages 3, 5, and almost 7), I'm trying to navigate a relatively unscheduled summer vacation.  I've quickly realized that I need to be prepared for anything!  Without realizing it, I guess that I had gotten lulled into the ease and schedule of the school year.  It has been a while since I've had full days to plan with all 3 kids, but I'm quickly getting back up to speed on what it takes to keep everyone happy.  Here is a list of the things you might need with you at all times:

1. A change of clothes for anyone under the age of 10 - you just never know what type of accidents might happen and you don't want to cut everyone's day short because you don't have the right wardrobe.

2. Lots of water - My kids each have their own water bottles that are with us at all times, but I have to carry a backup supply as well.

3. Sunscreen - This is a no-brainer, and it should be an SPF of 50+.  Last night, after 2 hours in the pool during peak sun hours, Mason told me that his shoulders hurt.  It is actually the 1st time he has ever gotten a sunburn, and now we all understand the need to reapply regularly.  Luckily Charlotte (who is very fair like her mom) was wearing a bathing suit with a t-shirt style top.

4. Colored pencils and paper - Summer in the south is not a good time to carry crayons around in your bag, trust me.  Colored pencils serve just as well and make much less of a mess than markers.  You never know when you'll need to entertain everyone for a few minutes.

5. The right bag - It would be great to just have one bag that went everywhere with you each day, but that doesn't work for summer outings.  You need a pool bag that is big enough for towels, goggles, toys, comb, etc., and a backpack that is comfortable to carry on trips to the mall, zoo, etc.  A shoulder bag/purse might work for trips to the bookstore, playdates, and, of course, Starbucks.

6. Snacks, snacks, snacks - Take advantage of the summer and the chance to get fresh fruit, I love when we take a snack break and all the kids eat is fruit.  Goldfish, crackers, teddy grahams, are all good choices also.  If you're meeting friends, make sure you have enough to share just in case.

Be prepared!  That's my latte today, be prepared with a bag of tricks and plenty of coffee at home so that you don't have get everyone dressed and out the door before you enjoy your daily latte.

Summer

It's here, 75 degrees and rainy, but summer is here.  I haven't planned much, and so I'm going to be back in cruise director mode for a while.  That's not a bad thing.  I'm finally learning not to over-plan for the kids.  It is possible for everyone to have a great time without alot of travel or expense.  On Memorial Day, we actually took the kids on an outing to a local gardening center.  They had a great time playing with the fountains and statues while Rob & I got some landscaping tips.  We then came home and let the kids splash in a little pool in the yard for a while while we grilled hot dogs and corn on the cob.  We all had dinner on the porch, and they told us it was the best summer ever!

Little did they know what they had to look forward to: today they helped me shop for a new bathing suit, and then we put on new rain boots and went puddle jumping through the neighborhood.  Add a newly DVR'd (recorded) Scooby Doo movie, and it was another great day!

Don't get me wrong, it is necessary to make plans each day.  Mason has already told me that he's getting tired of playing with his sisters.  Our tentative plans for tomorrow require that the weather cooperates, and so I need to start thinking of a Plan B.  I'm sure it will involve going out for a latte.  Today's latte is don't overplan.  Camps and vacations are great, but so is just plain summer fun.  If it rains, you can always puddle jump and have a mud fight.

A Graduation Latte

My baby sister graduates from high school tomorrow.  It doesn't seem like my own high school graduation was that long ago.  It was an exciting night - a streaker ran across the field just as the valedictorian was beginning his speech.  Both guys are actually now on my list of friends on Facebook.  I have to take time to say how amazing it has been to watch my sister and her friends grow into amazing women over the last 4 years when we have lived just around the corner from them.  These soon to be graduates restore are proof that, despite what the media may lead you to believe, it is very possible to raise confident, intelligent, well-adjusted, beautiful young women in today's society.

The class of 2009 is off to a very different college experience than mine of the early 90's.  I was probably part of the last wave of students who still used the library instead of the internet to do research.  We didn't have cell phones or DVRs or laptops.  Not everything has changed, and so I'll pass along this lesson learned from my freshman year - ordering pizza at 3AM may sound like a great idea at the time, but, believe me, it's not.

My graduation latte is to take it all in.  I realize that in no time at all, my kids will be having their own graduations and not just from pre-school.  I also know, and I hope my dad knows, that the nest is never really empty.  Congratulations graduates!

The Crazy Days of May

"May is the new December."  Someone used that line on Facebook last week to describe the very hectic schedule that comes along with having small kids in school just before summer.  It is a schedule that seems to be rivaled only by the weeks leading up to Christmas.  

This is what my day looked like yesterday:  It was one of those days on which by the time I got out of bed, I was already running behind.  I still haven't learned to take my own advice and get things ready the night before.  I had to remember to take about 6 things with us to the preschool for an outdoor arts & crafts day - there was no regular school, parents helped out the whole time.  This was followed by a class picnic (more things to remember).  

All of that was before noon, and then the day got really busy.  Honors day for the 1st grade class followed by a class party/playdate in my backyard.  Yes, I had all 19 kids from Mason's class over to play.  It would not have been possible without the help of other moms, a patient husband, and a jumpy which the class rented.  We survived, house & yard intact, with the help of a plunger and lots of juice boxes.  

Today, aside from the fact that it is unseasonably cold and everyone had to wear jackets to school, the reality of summer is settling in.  I have given money to every room parent around for teacher gifts, and Mary Jane had her last day in the Older 2's class.  By this time next week, I'll be trying to figure out exactly how we are going to keep ourselves entertained without spending too much money on activities.  

Today's latte (an espresso truffle latte for my step-mother who is celebrating a birthday), is to get ready, summer is upon us.  Enjoy the change of pace from the crazy days of May.

Birthdays

I know alot about birthday parties.  I've been to hundreds and hosted at least a dozen in the last 6 years.  I started a birthday blog at one point, but I haven't found the time to keep it updated so I'll just go back to birthday lattes.  I've just survived the big birthday weekend in our household.  My girls' birthdays are 3 days apart.  This is the 2nd year that we've had parties for them on the same day.  I managed to use many of the tricks I've learned through the years, and I will now share them:

1. Buy food that is already prepared - hot dogs from the Varsity were a big hit with the 3 year old crowd, and quesidillas from Willy's worked for the 5 year olds.

2. Keep it practical - I let the kids at both parties decorate their own cupcakes, it saved me from having to do it, and it served as the obligitory "craft project" for both groups.

3. If you're inviting more than 6 kids (as we did for the 5 year old party), you probably need good weather, great entertainment, and beer for the parents.  We had all 3!  Great entertainment from Brainy Tunes  brought in all the way from California.

4. Know going into it that 3 year olds aren't going to be able to get a pinata open without a little help.

5. It helps to have Grandma around to bake all of the cupcakes for the parties at home and at school the next week.

Here's what I've learned for next year, I'm going to try harder to convince the kids that they don't need presents from their friends.  It's not an easy idea for a child, but I'll keep trying.  My post-party week latte is this - keep it simple!!  Less is more and kids are happy to just run around in some semblance of organized chaos.  On that note, I will be sending Thank You emails this year, I'll chalk it up to living a greener life!

Happy Mother's Day!

It's not just Mother's Day, it's also my baby's 3rd birthday.  Charlotte will be 5 on Wednesday, and we had big parties for both of them yesterday.  It has been quite a weekend around here!  The kids gave me the adorable cards and gifts that they made for me at school, and my sweet husband had a gift for me as well.  He also made a Starbucks run for me as soon as he got up this morning.  It was a good day!  

The kids were actually more interested in new birthday toys and the fact that Nana was staying in a hotel with a pool than in celebrating the day with me.  After hosting 20+ kids at 2 parties yesterday, I may be a little celebrated out anyway.  A few minutes alone by the pool with my mom were enough of a celebration, next time I'll wear sunscreen.  Happy Mother's Day!

Proud Moments

One of the great things about being a parent is the strong sense of pride you get to experience as you watch your children reach their goals.  An example I've used in the past is potty training - a big step for the whole family.  Yesterday, after a week off due to illness, Mason returned to karate and earned his next belt.  He worked hard, and it paid off.  Somehow it made all of the hours that I've spent trying to entertain the girls and keep them quiet during karate class seem worthwhile.

Of course, by this afternoon, we managed to run the gammut of emotions as we do every day - there were tears, anger, laughter - and that was just in the first 10 minutes at the park after school.  It's more fun to be proud, so find a reason - instead of being upset by a bizarre clothing combination, feel pride at the display of creativity; celebrate the displays of indepence that your children show several times a day even if they are only 3 years old and some might call the independence defiance.  Enjoy a proud parent latte.