This is My Forties

Generally speaking, when our children learn a new game it becomes an obsession for a bit of time.  Monopoly is one of those games to which Mommy and Daddy say "yeah I'll play" fairly often so it's gotten even more attention from the wee ones. Our random snow day last Wednesday (apparently an inch of snow followed by tons of rain constitutes a snow day) we dealt Tristan in for his first ever Monopoly game.  He was so stinkin' happy!!  He was paying rapt attention during our other games and required very little direction.  Of course,  he can't add, subtract, or read yet so I don't know how much you can really credit to him as far as "playing" is concerned, but he counted those dots on the dice and moved along the corresponding number of spaces like a ninja warrior. He was filled with pride for every purchase, regardless of not knowing the property names or their worth.  He was ecstatic with any change he received from the bank, not realizin...

I decided what I would give to my Mom for Mother's Day one day last month as I was watching my little boys destroy something, and I was taking pictures.  I always think about my mother when my kids do something crazy that makes me laugh because that's what she did... we did get into trouble once in awhile, but most of the time we just had fun.  She saw the big picture, she understood children, and she taught me that nothing is as important as "making memories" with your kids.  So, I started thinking about my childhood and my time thus far with my children and here is a list of everything, a little perspective to help us all remember what's truly important. Making a memory is worth Mopping a floor Taking an extra bath A ruined pair of shoes Wasting water Cuts & bruises A dirty house A cluttered basement A cheap rug Missing Church Missing school Missing work Stains that will never wash Another pair of shoes A sunburn All your craft supplies ...