Thursday, June 25, 2015

Not A Craft In Sight

So, after my last few "Family Book Club" posts, I've gotten a lot of "how do you have the energy to do all of that?", "You're SUPER MOM!", etc. kind of comments and emails and I want to make sure that you all know that there are lots of days around here where there's not a craft in sight :)

I always try to keep things engaging and I strive to do fun, educational things with them on the daily - but a lot of times that looks like the picture below and not a day full of fun book-themed activities.


On a lot of days we're not weaving with pipe cleaners or making paper tacos, but we're waiting out front for Dave to come home from work and I'm taking too many pictures :)








And there are a lot of days where we change out of our jammies, into our bathing suits - but not until after dinner :)



On most days I don't feel like Super Mom - and on days when I do, it's often days where we've done nothing productive, but instead we've read lots of stories, snuggled a lot and made a big mess.


Yesterday I felt like Super Mom and I never even got out my glue gun.  ;)


I know I'm rambling, but what I'm trying to say is that I don't think "Super Moms" are the ones that do it all.  Or the ones with the theme breakfasts.  Or the ones that conduct taco sauce science experiments during quiet time. 


Super Moms can do all of those things - for sure! - but I think Super Moms are the ones relishing in their children, which might happen during an impromptu tickle fight or a sweet pre-nap conversation and not during a planned activity.  I LOVE doing all of those fun, crafty things with my kids - but I also don't put pressure on myself to do them every day.  I do think that my kids will remember those special days, but more than that I think they'll remember the quality time we spent together as a family.


I do feel some self-imposed pressure to "make the most" of our time together in the summer since I work during the school year, but I've come to realize that that doesn't always mean a lesson plan.  #teacherproblems :)









  


Now, no worries.... I have lots of crafts and book clubs and other fun stuff planned out... but we also have lots of lazy days and ice cream in our summer plans as well. :)




48 comments :

  1. I love this post today! I'm not a big crafter with my kids, and during the summer we sleep late and just veg out...but my hope is that one day my kids look back and always remember it didn't matter if we were doing anything special or not, but that I was right there with them even on the do nothing days! Have a great day!

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  2. I agree that relishing moments as they occur is so important. The best times are often unplanned. I will still say your posts about various activities are still my favorites because all too often kids ar glued to electronics for hours on end. And sometimes parents don't know what else kids could be doing. It's not good to pressure ourselves to have elaborate plans daily but you do provide great ideas for kids' activities that almost anyone could use that are positive. It's nice to see a "mommy" blogger that has something to contribute besides endless selfies, shopping and materialism.

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    1. Thanks, Mary! I totally agree - electronics are soooooooo convenient and keep them occupied so well - I love being able to make simple suggestions and give a teeny bit of inspiration :)

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  3. Hope you're feeling better girl! I'm going to call you in like 20 minutes :). xoxo

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    1. So far so good! I think I may have beat this one without a steroid shot. AMEN!

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  4. Griffin in a swimsuit, there's nothing cuter. And-I'm pretty sure you are Super Mom. Think I saw your cape the last time I was over. :)

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  5. Well said, thanks for the reminder :)

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  6. So true!! Love you, friend!! Xoxo

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  7. I did The Day the Crayons Quit book club with my kids (7, 4, 1) and they loved it. Espicially Mr. Rogers video:-) I ordered the tacos from Amazon and have the other book on hold at our local library. Thanks for the fantastic ideas!

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    1. I think they should bring Mr. Rogers back! My boys ask for his videos all the time!

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  8. Just when I thought I couldn't "love" you anymore you go and post this!!! You may not want to call your self super but I will most definitely call you special. Keep on being you! Lots of us think you are pretty super indeed.

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  9. Great pictures of the kids! Love Jen's quote at the end.

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  10. I still think you are "Super mom" ;) But oh my word does G not look JUST LIKE YOU in her red shirt & sunglasses?! :)

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  11. Its obvious you are a wonderful momma, with or without the crafts! I appreciate you sharing your life with us. I first found your blog when you posted that Jen Hatmaker quote. I had a brand new baby at home and I posted that quote where I can be reminded every day to be present with my girl. You are postive & inspiring to so many. Keep sharing!

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    1. Thank you so so so much, Morgan!!! Give that baby girl an extra squeeze tonight! :)

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  12. This series of pictures in today's post are my all time favorite ever! Mason on the step with his hands under his chin, I can't even! Your kids are all so adorable and sweet!

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    1. Awwwwww! Thank you!!! I need to make a point to get out my "real" camera more often.

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  13. Love this post! I read here regularly and I know all your days aren't like the cool ones with lots of crafts. But I'm so glad you keep sharing those days because they are really inspirational and give fun ideas to other moms. I so agree that some of the best days (at the end of the day) are the ones where I took the pressure off of myself to get x,y,z done and just put my kids first.

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  14. I love, love your blog!!! Thank you so much for being "real" and being an inspiration to all us mommies, where we be stay @ home, working, crafty & creative, chefs, adventurous or quiet & reserved. The Lord God made us all!! There's nothing Satan likes more than to steal our motherhood!! I struggle daily, but I'm just not going to let him win...I got Jesus on my side!! God bless, Andrea!!!

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  15. I love your blog and often use it for inspiration! You are so creative! Whether it be book club craft ideas, recipes, or just fun activities to do with the kids, I think you have some of the best ideas! I love your blog because you are so real and relatable. Often times I feel like I am missing out because I work outside the home 5 days a week, all year, so I love to see that even though you work (during the school year), you still make the time with your kids special and memorable and you remind me that it's not always the quantity of time but the quality that matters most.

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth! I think that working actually makes me a better mom because I know my time with them is limited and I treat it differently than when I'm with them all the time (does that even make sense??? It's late - hahaha). Thanks so much for your kind words!

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  16. I think you are doing it just right! My best memories with my kids include playing grocery store, going to the pool, playing in the yard and things like that. Yes we went to Disney and did those things too but they aren't the thoughts I cherish the most. :)

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  17. You are an inspiration, thank you for sharing and being so real and authentic always, you have a beautiful family and wonderful faith.
    :-) xx

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  18. Love this post! So true, so true! I try to make the most of every moment I am home with the kids. Yesterday, it meant I skipped my usually workout and went swimming instead :)

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  19. Dang it, this is the second post this week of yours that made me cry (the good kind of crying lol)... I mean that as a compliment :)

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  20. I just commented a few minutes ago about crying, but I wanted to add that you are right on the money about what kind of days really make you a Super Mom. The days that I feel like I'm doing a "good job" of being a mom are when we end up having some special conversation or bonding moment. It may not be an exact memory for them, but those are impactful moments I never forget.

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    1. I relate it to teaching and what a previous headmaster used to call the "informal curriculum". Those things that happen outside of the lesson plan that are often the most impactful

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  21. Loved this post! We all look at each other and think, "wow, she has it going on" which is only partly true. We all have good moments, we all have bad moments! The important thing is that those moments are spent with our family!

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  22. I sure do appreciate you and your blog!!!! You inspire moms and are so real!!!! You for sure are working hard for God and your famil!!!!. I just wanted to let you know your readers really appreciate you!!!! God bless!!!:)

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    1. Thanks, Katie!!! You're so sweet! Thank you for the encouragement :)

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  23. I LOVE your blog! It's the very first thing I read when I wake up. I have LOVED the family book club, etc. So inspiring and fun! You are a wonderful mama!

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  24. You are so great. I do look at those posts and think you are super mom, but I don't think any less of myself because you are so awesome. You are a teacher, that is your gift. I wish I could do those awesome activities but that just isn't my thing :)

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  25. I'm a fun-loving grandma to 4 in Seattle. They say everyone has a twin I found my granddaughter's twin, your darling little girl. I call Lexi my little curly top. Always fun reading your blog and Shay's too!

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  26. I am trying to make our weekends out since I work during the week. I want to give him the childhood memories I had. My mom did not work outside the home. I am working daily to give my son a work from home mom. I pray that I can give him these memories and a 24/7 present mommy soon.
    Thank you for being real.

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