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.

I didn’t realize how exhausting baking every day (well, nearly every day) December 2010 was until I didn’t do it this year.
I just pulled down “the baking box” for its location in the pantry. For the past 12 months, bits and pieces of it have been used. But what I found – coconut, cocoa, icing, icing tips, sprinkles – remained until I just dumped much of it in the trash.
We did bake this year, don’t get me wrong. And I can’t wait to try out my new cake pop maker …

Wow. If you’re a parent like me, the house looks like a tornado came through, there are dirty dishes everywhere, and dozens of new clothes and a few toys are to be put away. You know what? I’m on vacation. They kids can play with their new toys, stay in PJs all day and eat the leftovers in the kitchen. We’ll clean up tomorrow. Or not.
I hope you and yours have a very joyous post-Christmas week and a happy New Year!

Monday was the first day of fall break. All three of my kids were home. I surprised the big kids (6 and 9) in the morning with the following greeting: “After breakfast, it’s time to do your chores.”
“But it’s fall break,” they protested.
Yup, and it’s a good time to get things done.
After completing their regular chores (dishes, bathroom, toy pick up), I dragged my oldest upstairs to try on his pants to find out he needs for winter. Nevermind that it’s going to be 100 this week, this is something …

My son came home from school last Monday fit-to-be-tied.
“Mom, why did we miss Thursday and Friday of school? I have SO MUCH homework!”
With that, we sat at the table and got started on the work.
The week prior, I had pulled my first grader and third grader out of school to travel to California for my dad’s wedding. The wedding was early on a Friday afternoon, so we had to leave early Thursday in order to be there for all the festivities leading up to the great event.
Missing school was unavoidable. …

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 …

Summer learning?
At our house, I’ve taken the motto of “read, read, read.”
It’s not hard to push my 8-year-old. His backpack is filled with books everywhere he goes. In fact, it’s hard to get his nose OUT of book.
But my 6-year-old doesn’t read yet. I’ve made it a habit, though, to read to her at night. And she’s done a few pages in a summer (old) workbook, but only (to be honest) when rewards are involved.
Arizona parents can check out The Head of the Class website. We gave it a try …

I found myself thinking about my grandparents’ porch swing this past week.
As days grow longer, my kids and I are spending more time outdoors. Summer is around the corner. We better enjoy the weather while we can here in Arizona.
Growing up, summers often meant a trip to Indiana to see my mom’s parents.
With each visit, there were two guarantees: Papa would host a fish fry and I would seek out the porch swing.
My nine cousins and two siblings and I never fought for the swing (or maybe I just don’t …

Ah, summer. In our house, I now associate summer with sleep.