Tuesday, June 24, 2014

The Happiness Project :: First Fish


The boys, Roger, and my dad
have been going fishing together in the evenings.

Yesterday Koen caught his first fish!
He casted and reeled it in all on his own!

I just love the look of pride and excitement
on his sweet little face. 

 


Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness in our lives?
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makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Rythm of the Summer '14 :: Week 4

Summer is in full swing
and in an effort to make sure
that I don't just plop my kids in front of the TV all day,
I am pulling out all the stops
to keep my children engaged and entertained.

I plan to document some of our
simple summer adventures here each week.

Here's what we've done recently...


Played a game of Monopoly.


Made an awesome fort.


Played corn hole.


Had an awesome time at Legoland.


Checked out books at the library.


Went to Chuck-E-Cheese.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

The Happiness Project :: Father's Day

We had a great celebration for Father's Day at my parents' house.
 There were awesome home made decorations 
and some super yummy BBQ. 
It was a great day. 





 


Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness in our lives?
Simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
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Thursday, June 12, 2014

Rythm of the Summer '14 :: Week 3

Summer is in full swing
and in an effort to make sure
that I don't just plop my kids in front of the TV all day,
I am pulling out all the stops
to keep my children engaged and entertained.

I plan to document some of our
simple summer adventures here each week.

Here's what we've done recently...



Played at the Splash Pad.


Made "potions" and a mess in the bathroom.


Swung on a trapeze.


Dressed up like superheroes
and ate lollipops
with our best friend.


Played an epic game of The Inventors.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The Stay at Home Mom Chronicles :: 9 is Fine


My days around here seem to run together.
Ordinary moments unfold around me daily
and I need to stop and relish in them.

One day, my boys will be out living life
and I will miss these everyday experiences.

So, I am taking the time to document
the simple moments that pass between us.
I'm calling this little collection of memories...

Photobucket

9 is fine.


It's a privilege to be "the banker"
 when playing a board game.
You have to be a trusted player.
You can't sneak some money for yourself when no one is looking.
You have to really know your addition and subtraction.
So, Roger and I have held the esteemed spot of banker
whenever we've played a game together as a family.

Until last night.
Griffin was ready, I could tell.
So we entrusted our rainbow of cash to him
while we played out favorite game
The Inventors,
(which I scored at the flea market for 5 bucks)

Griffin was thrilled and he did a great job.
He had such pride in handing out the money.

I am truly enjoying Griffin as a 9-year-old.
 This summer, I've been asking him
to help me out by doing a few things
that I would normally do.

I made a promise to myself, long ago
that I would never leave my kiddos
alone in the car while I ran into a store.
I'll admit that it's a helicopter parent move
but one that I hold firm to.

This is a challenge in the summer.
Taking both of my kid in a store
for a few short minutes just seems tedious.

So, the other day we needed to pick up
Subway sandwiches for a picnic at the pool.
We were in a hurry, so I pulled
into the parking spot in front of the Subway,
gave Griffin some money,
told him our order,
and sent him inside to do the job.

He took in a deep breath as
he exited the car, saying the order
under his breath.
I watched him through the window.

After he had the sandwiches in hand,
he came barrelling out of the store
with his arms in the air in victory.
His face was flushed
and as he got in the car he let out a loud
"Woo hoo! I did it"

He got a little rush from
his new found independence.

He shouted
"That felt good! I was scared but I did it!"

So innocent.
So eager to take on more responsibility.

He then very seriously said,
"Hey, maybe I could park the car
for you when we get to the pool!"

Yes, I dare say that 9 is fine.






Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The Happiness Project :: Grocery Shopping


My mom is giving me the greatest gift this summer.
Every Friday she watches the boys
so I can go grocery shopping alone.

I love my children but trying to grocery shop
with them in tow is like torture.
Between the begging for candy and knocking
everything off the shelves their little hands can touch,
I am a nervous wreck by the time we leave.

So, Nana has come to the rescue.
This is the highlight of my busy week.
I wander the aisles alone and enjoy the solitude.
Sometimes I stop and flip through a magazine,
just because I can with no distractions

It's a little dose of "me time" during our hectic summer.
I'll take in anywhere I can get it.

 


Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness in our lives?
Simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
Then, steal my button and include it in your post.
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Thursday, June 5, 2014

Rythm of the Summer '14 :: Weeks 1 and 2

Summer is in full swing
and in an effort to make sure
that I don't just plop my kids in front of the TV all day,
I am pulling out all the stops
to keep my children engaged and entertained.

I plan to document some of our
simple summer adventures here each week.

Here's what we've done recently...


Played at an awesome playground.


Saw a "Chemical Magic Show" at our local library.


Made our own slime.


Logged some reading time for summer reading. 


Played a rousing game of Uno.


Took swimming lessons.


Had a blast at Vacation Bible School.


Played with paints.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The Happiness Project :: Morning Light


The other morning I looked out my kitchen window
to see the most amazing morning light drenching my backyard.

It had rained all night and the leaves glistened in the sunlight.
It was breathtaking, so I managed to sneak outside
onto our back deck with my breakfast
and enjoy the view all by myself

It was quiet.
It was peaceful.
It was the perfect way to start the day.

 


Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness in our lives?
Simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
Then, steal my button and include it in your post.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.