Sunday, January 11, 2015
Pond Pathways
We took a trip to a small frozen pond today not too far from here, without skates, to check it out. There were 3 small shoveled ice rinks with nets set up and an assortment of hockey playing citizens. We walked past them to the pond beyond, which seemed endless and ripe for a shoveled maze of sorts. We spent the next three hours playing and shoveling and enjoying the beautiful setting - it felt like we were nestled into a cozy spot surrounded by hills and mountains. It was cold, but so delightful that none of us at all felt cold. We shoveled mazes, slipped on the ice, chopped a hole to find out how the thick the ice was (about 8" and we used an ax), climbed up to see and chop a frozen waterfall, created an icy sculpture, and took a selfie. All of it was just so good.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Cleaning Toilets, and Other Great Chores for Boys
He is on a chore binge. Today (because he wanted to) he pulled 8 chore cards from the chore bowl and happily did them...all except the toilet. They both love cleaning the toilet. I think because I am an enthusiastic teacher of chores, I might have overdone it with the toilet cleaning delight. What kills me about his comment tonight is his sincerity and his desire to really and truly clean the toilet.
We've always been challenged, Anna and I, about how to get our boys to help out more around the house. How to give them responsibilities and also keep it interesting to them. Anna thought of this daily chore idea and it's been working for a long time. We've adapted it a few times, but pretty consistently this works. We've created a list of about 20 chores that are easy to do without help after the initial training. The kids choose one a day and then complete the chore by the end of the day. Sometimes it's as simple as watering the plants. Sometimes it's as complicated as cleaning the toilet. Sometimes it really helps our house run. Other times it's more about creating a habit. All the time it makes us happy.
The surprising part about it has been how the kids have responded to it. They love certain chores...and whoop when they get their favorites. Cleaning the toilets is a favorite. Taking out the compost is not a favorite. Both boys hate that one. I don't know why, as it seems a heck of a lot easier to me than cleaning a toilet. Either way, happy or not, they do their chore and we move right along trying to keep up with our messes. Sometimes better than others.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Further Gratitudes
In about one hour the holiday vacation will have come to an end, and both boys will be in bed. The backpacks are ready, boots and mittens laid out, and it's just a matter of waking, dressing, and getting breakfast before the next round of learning at school begins.
Tonight as Anna and I prepared dinner the boys were sitting and playing with their animal assortment. I videotaped their play for later, a time years from now when they can truly admire their imaginary and complimentary play. It's pretty awesome. They also had a list by their side with the group of things they needed to do before bed...practice piano, get on pajama's, brush teeth, and write a thank you card. Without a word to Anna or I, they got up at their own discretion went to tackle the next thing on their list, happily. Which is why I am taking this moment to write. I am so conscious of how lucky I feel to be their mom. They truly are the best kids ever. Right now they are upstairs with Anna practicing and I am grateful. Grateful that I have two very healthy young boys who are full of joy, are quite agreeable, and are quirky enough to be interesting. They understood the night routine and are taking it on as if it is a piece of cake.
It's often not easy being a parent. There are countless ways that things can go wrong. So much is out of our control, but sometimes I like to think we as parents have a lot of control. Certainly about bedtimes, and dinner choices, and how to respond to them. But also about that constant underlying teaching that goes on about goodness, and kindness, and love, and doing your best. Often I feel (and sometimes I know) that my boys are truly learning these core values. They are kind and thoughtful. They are respectful and very honest. They are eager to please and do what is right. I love that. I love that I can count on the fact that my children will not be mean or grow to bully others. They are nice kids. Really nice.
I also love that they adore school, that going to school for them is easy. There is no angst, anxiety, or fear as Monday approaches. Just a quickening of the pace as they get themselves ready the night before, probably wondering what exciting thing might be happening tomorrow. Certainly they will see their teachers again and their school chums. And when they enter the classroom, I know that they are taking with them a big imagination and a giant, loving, heart of gold to share.
Tonight as Anna and I prepared dinner the boys were sitting and playing with their animal assortment. I videotaped their play for later, a time years from now when they can truly admire their imaginary and complimentary play. It's pretty awesome. They also had a list by their side with the group of things they needed to do before bed...practice piano, get on pajama's, brush teeth, and write a thank you card. Without a word to Anna or I, they got up at their own discretion went to tackle the next thing on their list, happily. Which is why I am taking this moment to write. I am so conscious of how lucky I feel to be their mom. They truly are the best kids ever. Right now they are upstairs with Anna practicing and I am grateful. Grateful that I have two very healthy young boys who are full of joy, are quite agreeable, and are quirky enough to be interesting. They understood the night routine and are taking it on as if it is a piece of cake.
It's often not easy being a parent. There are countless ways that things can go wrong. So much is out of our control, but sometimes I like to think we as parents have a lot of control. Certainly about bedtimes, and dinner choices, and how to respond to them. But also about that constant underlying teaching that goes on about goodness, and kindness, and love, and doing your best. Often I feel (and sometimes I know) that my boys are truly learning these core values. They are kind and thoughtful. They are respectful and very honest. They are eager to please and do what is right. I love that. I love that I can count on the fact that my children will not be mean or grow to bully others. They are nice kids. Really nice.
I also love that they adore school, that going to school for them is easy. There is no angst, anxiety, or fear as Monday approaches. Just a quickening of the pace as they get themselves ready the night before, probably wondering what exciting thing might be happening tomorrow. Certainly they will see their teachers again and their school chums. And when they enter the classroom, I know that they are taking with them a big imagination and a giant, loving, heart of gold to share.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Our Family Gratitude List 2014
Anders, Anna, Abe, Art camp, Animals
Brothers, Ben, Birthdays, this Blog, Beekeeping with John and Bonnie
Crows Path, Christmas, our Chickens, Calvin and Hobbs, Cousins, Chopped
Did I tell you I love you today? Drawing, Dajm, Diving off diving boards
Exercise?
Family, Friends, Friday Family Movie Night, Felix, Finley, Family meetings, First and Fourth grades
Gluten free, Grandma & Grandpa, Gus
Hinge, Hazel, Health, Hiking, Hidden beach, Holidays, Home
IAA, Instruments, Imaginary friends, Ipads
Judy, Julian, Jokes
Kuba
Love, Laurie Berkner, laughing
Minecraft, Matinicus, Morfar and Mormor, music, the MOON, two mom's
Nine years old
Owls
Piano lessons, photography, playing
Quiet
Rock collecting, reading
Sam, Seven years old, Sketchbooks, our Swedish family, Stripes, Singing, Sleeping, Summer
Teachers- Mr.T & Ms. Jen, Mr. Thomas, Tiger our cat, Tulips
Uncles- Pete, Claes, Paul, Mark and Tim
Vacations, violin lessons
Words- like gibbous and cominuladid, Bees WAX , Wild Kratts
You!
Granby Zoo
Brothers, Ben, Birthdays, this Blog, Beekeeping with John and Bonnie
Crows Path, Christmas, our Chickens, Calvin and Hobbs, Cousins, Chopped
Did I tell you I love you today? Drawing, Dajm, Diving off diving boards
Exercise?
Family, Friends, Friday Family Movie Night, Felix, Finley, Family meetings, First and Fourth grades
Gluten free, Grandma & Grandpa, Gus
Hinge, Hazel, Health, Hiking, Hidden beach, Holidays, Home
IAA, Instruments, Imaginary friends, Ipads
Judy, Julian, Jokes
Kuba
Love, Laurie Berkner, laughing
Minecraft, Matinicus, Morfar and Mormor, music, the MOON, two mom's
Nine years old
Owls
Piano lessons, photography, playing
Quiet
Rock collecting, reading
Sam, Seven years old, Sketchbooks, our Swedish family, Stripes, Singing, Sleeping, Summer
Teachers- Mr.T & Ms. Jen, Mr. Thomas, Tiger our cat, Tulips
Uncles- Pete, Claes, Paul, Mark and Tim
Vacations, violin lessons
Words- like gibbous and cominuladid, Bees WAX , Wild Kratts
You!
Granby Zoo
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Hello 2015
We took a hearty late afternoon walk on this very first day of the new year-a long stroll through the monochromatic woods finding all kinds of icy treasures. By the time we were through it was twilight and the darkness and cold made our trip back home all the more coveted. We ordered dinner out, rented a movie and are ending this first holiday of the new year, last holiday of this vacation, in our warm home all together. May 2015 be a year filled with love, health, and peace.
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