I sat around the table with the women from my Bible study this week and someone asked us moms, “What are the kids doing this summer?”
“Well,” I started, “Swim team practice begins at 7 a.m.”
It’s almost here: Less than 30 school days until summer beings. Since I started working part-time last summer, I have to admit, planning summer activities for my big kids (9 and 7) is a little more difficult. Before, it was just: You’re going to camp Monday through Friday and swim team after. I had to keep …

I pulled the picnic blanket – an old bed cover – from its storage spot (aka my daughter’s floor – don’t ask), and carried it out under “my” tree on Saturday.
That’s where I spent a good six hours this weekend with the kids.
We played at the park, kicked a ball around, even tried to fly a kite (which should have worked with the wind Sunday, but the kite was defective).
We grew together, played together, laughed together. Two baskets of laundry still need to be put away – and the sink …

How did this happen? The calendar is really almost ready to turn APRIL?
It’s abundantly clear if you’re trying to register for summer camp. Schedules are already out (you can find out what field trips are available). Discounts are being offered through the end of this month for some camps and through April for others. Check out your local school districts’ schedules. So hop to it before the Easter Bunny gets here if you even think you’re going to use a week or two (or nine) this summer.

Normally I start this post: checking in on …
But I liked the subject of AZ Plant Lady’s post so much, I wanted to make sure you all saw the title.
A member of our EVMom Bloggers Connect page, this mom is a certified arborist. I decided to see what she had up her sleeve since our plant bed (which has never been successful), is empty again.
Sure enough, here you will find ideas to start seeds with kids. Have fun! I know we will.

What’s your escape when the house is messy, the dishes are calling your name and you have no idea what’s for dinner?
Life is chaotic. It’s messy. Sometimes, it can be loud.
I felt all those things this weekend. So I sought an escape.
I threw on my shoes, put baby in her stroller and stepped out the door.
My pulse calmed as I stepped outdoors. A sweetness filled the air in the late afternoon. It wasn’t quiet outside (yes, I AM the mom whose children started the water gun fights), but there was …

There’s only two weeks left until school starts. So I thought I would check back to see how much of our to-do list we’ve accomplished.
Not half bad – and I guess we have a few days left to fit in a few more. I checked them off tonight:
X Participate in summer reading program.
X Picnic day with friends. (One of my favorite days this summer!)
X At least five visits to Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center.
X Ice skate (the kids went with camp, but I haven’t made it… but we did get to a …

I’m sitting outside a coffee shop, feeling the heat of the Valley’s summer start to bare down – and it’s only 9 a.m.
I miss our vacation.
For 10 days, the kids and I enjoyed the coolness of the pines at my parent’s cabin “up north.” We waited anxiously for the afternoon rains to come in. Our adventures took us hiking through the trees, looking for every color of the rainbow in the flowers around us. We went fishing, did crafts, read books and actually had sit down meals together.
Hopefully in the …

Twenty-six days.
That’s how long before school starts again for my kiddos.
That’s how long I have to get them ready for the reality that first grade and third grade will be a lot tougher than kindergarten and second grade.
In that time, I have school supplies to organize, after-school activities to schedule, music lessons to plan and a work calendar to finalize.
Last year, we welcomed a new baby just weeks before classes started. And with that, I was home after school. I really enjoyed it. Once I returned to work full-time, having …

Remember my white board when summer started? On it I wrote our daily activities when we had to be at camp or swim lessons or theater activities.
This is what it looks like today.
We’re taking some time off. I have nothing planned.
Maybe we’ll read books, or play with toys. Maybe we’ll paint rocks or bird houses.
I am personally hoping for some time on the porch swing my parents bought us for my birthday (they saw my blog post on my love for my grandparents’ porch swing).
Maybe we’ll take naps or make …

In the past few weeks, the kids and I have hit several public pools in the East Valley. This weekend, we hit three: Mesquite Groves in Chandler and Mesa’s Skyline and Brimhall.
Mesquite Groves is a favorite because of the lazy river, play structure and multiple pools. I love it because the play structure provides shade for me and the baby. We arrived at 4:30 and, while busy, it wasn’t overwhelming. Then the 6 o’clock hour came and it was packed. Apparently, it was free swimming. I had a hard time …