Thoughtful Thursday

When I no longer thrill to the first snow of the season, I'll know I'm growing old.

                                                                            --Lady Bird Johnson

Thoughtful Thursday

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

                                                                  -- Emilie Buchwald

Reading with Daddy

Thoughtful Thursday

So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.

                                                                - T. S. Eliot

January Sun.

Organizing Paper

I am always revamping and tweaking my organizational systems.  As I wonder why that's the case, I realize the only ones that stick are the ones that work.  There is a lot of  paper clutter in my house and I can never find the system that sticks.  In order that I don't forget things, I have to keep many papers within easy reach, but then I suddenly find that the counter is piled with bills, letters, recipe clippings, you name it!


When we moved into this house 6 years ago, I tore out a bit inspiration for the office and never used it - a wall of clipboards. It's one of those ideas that always keeps coming back to me, so I finally decided to try it in our kitchen.  To tame the paper that needed more immediate attention, I had the perfect unused space on the wall that divides the kitchen and the living room.  The only issue was the fact that this wall can be seen from most angles in our open-concept living area.  I didn't want bills and random papers creating a un-sightly mess.  It finally occurred to me that I could make the clipboards work!  I found different papers I liked that had a similar color scheme and mod podged them to the back of the clipboards.  Now I can clip the papers on the front side and simply flip the clipboard over so no one has to see all the papers.  I added sticker letters to indicate what goes where and have created some calm where there was chaos.  So far, I love this solution!  The papers are off of my counter, I've added a bit of pattern to my kitchen, and it has the clean look I was going for.  Phew.  Now onto the closets . . .

Does January turn you into a mad organizer?

Christmas Wrap-Up

I'm starting to see Valentine's Day stuff everywhere, so I thought I'd better finish up my thoughts on Christmas.  It's hard to give it up - the lights, the decorations, the activity - but I have officially put everything away for the season and have been tidying the whole house.

The last thing I do before putting the boxes in storage is write in my "Christmas Memories" book.  This book chronicles 20 years of Christmases, asking what we did, who we saw, what we ate, what gifts we received, and what special memories we want to remember!  The last page of each year has a space for a favorite holiday photo or card.  It's shocking to admit that we're half way through!  It has been such a joy to be able to look back and see what we did and how we felt over the years.  I've learned that we like to keep things low-key, love making special food for the holiday, and that my friend Becky gives the best cards (hers are in our book twice already!)  I remember Ali Edwards writing that it was the journaling in her scrapbooks that she loved the most, so I think this book will be a treasure for our family.

Do you have any traditions for putting away for the season?  How are you feeling about it all being over?

Overwhelmed with Photos

Sunshine = happy boy

It's that time of year - the time you realize you should have been on top of all of your photos all. year. long.  Well, I'm the Queen of Procrastination.  Remember when I mentioned that I have issues completing projects?  I have been stewing over here thinking about how I'm still working on the scrapbook of Beansprout's First 19 months.  A book that was supposed to be his First year, and then his First 15 months, and then I realized I would have to have it end with a calendar year in order to get back on track somehow.  I'm still not on track, of course.  It's an A-Z book, and I'm only on G, H, I.  Sigh.  

Tracking Photos

It's a lot of work documenting our lives.  So many questions to be answered: Where do you store your photos?  How do you organize them?  What do you want to do with them?  Not to mention keeping on top of actually snapping the photos!  I'm determined to make a digital photo album of 2011.  I think I may even let MyPublisher fit it altogether for me and figure it out from there.  I decided this only this evening and feeling a slight sense of relief was sent back 1000 paces when I realized that the new camera I got in January of 2011 had the wrong date.  Yes, that's right.  I set the date to 2010!  I have an entire year's worth of pictures with the wrong year on them.  OoPs.  How I went the whole year not realizing this horrible mistake is beyond me.  At this point, I will have to carry on with my plans to do something with the photos and maybe I'll slowly change the dates over.  Maybe.  When I complete the photo book, I will be sure to share.  I love that feeling when a book is complete and you know it's on its way to bringing you simple joy.

How do you approach documenting your life?  What do you do with your photos in this digital age?  Any favorites as far as photo books go?  I would love to hear you handle the enormity of it all.

Thoughtful Thursday

A Basketful!

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

                                                                               - Charles Dickens

Looking Back on 2011

Looking back

The 1st of January always inspires at least a bit of reflection on the previous year.  Here's a quick look back at some of my 2011 highlights:

January
Started Darrah Parker's Slice of Life Project - the beginning of my new-found hobby!

February

Continued to find ways to capture our beautiful everyday moments.

March

Second annual trip to the Aquarium - it was so fun to see Beansprout mesmerized by all the sea life.  I was happy to see he was especially fascinated by the belugas!

April

Hosted an egg hunt for the little ones - I had a blast putting together a kids party!

May

Started my blog on May 3rd and enjoyed a play-filled visit with Grammy and Papa.

June

Quality time with Dad gave me a boost into summer.

July

Spent a week on the Sunshine Coast - really enjoyed exploring a new place with Beansprout!

August

Visit home to Michigan for my 20-year reunion - still having a hard time admitting that one.

September

Put away my German dictionary to teach Psychology and have loved every minute of it!

October

31-day Challenge inspires me to write about play all month!  A wonderful experience that showed me I've  found something I'm really passionate about - writing and photographing.

November

An overnight conference at Harrison Hot Springs reminded me how much I love learning about and reflecting on teaching!

December

Celebrated Christmas in our home with Opa!

What are your highlights of 2011?  I would love to hear about your own personal successes!

Half-finished Projects

Advent Calendar 2011

Sometimes I just can't follow through.  I have many half-finished projects to attest to this fact.  Though it's much more fun to write about and feature the stuff that I do accomplish, it's definitely more realistic to let you in on (at least a few) of the things that don't get done.  I mentioned here in late November that I was using Pinterest to inspire my Advent Calendar for Beansprout this year.  It looks great!  I used old socks of Beansprout's and filled in with a few socks bought at thrift shops, the dollar store, and Superstore.  I printed pictures to represent  the activities we would do each day, cut small pieces of scrapbook paper, added a number sticker, and stuck them into each of the 24 socks.

Counting Down 2011

Little Stocking All in a Row

Oh, how I had big ideas!  I thought I'd take a picture of each activity we did and feature them weekly to show all that we'd been up to in December.  Big ideas.  The truth is, we probably only did 3/4 of the activities and somehow the recording and posting of the activities dwindled out of sight.  I guess it's a lesson learned?  I now realize that a mixture of small gifts and activities would probably suit us better.  Luckily, Beansprout is really just too young to actually grasp the concept of counting down everyday, and so this year the Advent Calendar was more for me.  I also realize that prioritizing "me" time is difficult.  When things get busy and hectic, photographing and blogging are the to-dos that get cut.  To look on the bright side, I guess I have some built-in resolutions for the New Year!

Thanks for reading!  I love your comments and would love to hear how do you handle finding "me" time.  Also, are you able to balance the big ideas with realistic follow-through?  Share your secrets!


Wishing you love and joy as you ring in the new year!  All the best in 2012!!!

Thoughtful Thursday

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. 

                                                                                                        ~Edith Sitwell

Thomas the Train Christmas Tree!

Thoughtful Thursday

A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.

                                                                      -- Allen Klein

Children's Hospital Allergy Clinic 2011

Talking about Santa

Picture with Santa 2009

Our Beansprout has really been interested in the Santa aspect of Christmas this year. Since he was born, I've been wondering how we'll approach this topic with him.  Luckily, I have the examples of others to take in as we continue to work out the what and why of who Santa is.  My favorite post is actually a mom's letter to her little girl, who wants to know the truth about Santa; it's a real heartbreaker and definitely worth the read!  I've also read some really great blog posts about how different people describe Santa, and I especially like this one and this one from Not Just Cute.  At this point with Beansprout, I've sort of let the books we read do the explaining - it's easy now because he doesn't ask a lot of questions.  I love hearing how he sorts it all out through his limited language and have to share our most recent conversation:

Beansprout: I go to North Pole.
Me: That's right, what that actually means is that you're going to have your picture taken with Santa.  Do you want to sit on his lap?
Beansprout: I talk Santa.
Me: You can talk to Santa when you're on his lap.  You know, you could tell him what you want for Christmas.  *long pause*  What might you tell Santa you want for Christmas, Beansprout?
Beansprout: Ba-bars.  (snack bars)

We've been talking about Santa, but Beansprout has yet to sit on Santa's lap this year.  I've been trying to prep him and show him pictures from previous years, because I really think this is the year he'll boycott Santa when it actually comes to getting the picture taken.  I had made "Visit Santa" an activity in our Advent Calendar, but that's another story I will have to share soon.

Is anyone else astounded at the fact that Christmas is one week away?!?  I would love to hear your stories about Santa!  How did you find out the truth?  What are your thoughts on Santa now that you're an adult?

Thoughtful Thursday

Christmas Cookie Baking

How did it get so late so soon?  It's night before it's afternoon.  December is here before it's June.  My goodness how the time as flewn.  How did it get so late so soon?

                                                                                                                     --Dr. Seuss

Advent Calendar Traditions

Advent Calendar 2011

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was working on a Pinterest-inspired Advent calendar!  It is (finally) complete, albeit a few days late.  I hope you'll come back for a weekly post showing all that my little Beansprout did to countdown and prepare for Christmas!

Counting down the days 'til Christmas is such a wonderful tradition.  I can remember having the paper link chains and my fair share of the chocolate window variety, but it was my year studying in Germany many years ago that opened my eyes to a whole new way of approaching the Advent calendar.  My "German Mom" sent me a fabric calendar with 24 little gifts affixed to round red rings.  I was in heaven.  I learned what Raffaelo candies were, gave walnut cracking a try, and learned that sometimes the simplest gift can make your day.  A new tradition was born.

Upon returning home, I began to gift one to a family member or friend every year.  It was so much fun thinking of little gifts that would fit and to imagine the delight of the person who got a nice treat throughout most of December.  In recent years, I have only had the energy to create them for our niece and nephews, and as more nephews came, I decided I had to have an age limit.  This year the two youngest of the group get to keep the tradition going.  I pulled out the flat rate shipping box, the Santa treat bags, and some tissue paper, wrapped everything up and sent them off via USPS.  I hope the little guys are enjoying the socks, Christmas crafts, stickers, and books that will help them count down!

Do you have any Advent Calendar traditions?  Do you remember counting down until the big day as a kid?

Thoughtful Thursday

The Little Blue Truck

"Now I see a lot depends on a helping hand from a few good friends."

              -- The Dump, in The Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

Lists

I know it's the season for making a list and checking it twice, but I happen to be in the habit of making lists all the time.  Especially when I'm feeling stressed and/or slightly out of control of my life, I make a list.  Or two.  Or three.  I love lists!  I make them to organize life-goals, to make a plan for shopping, to write down all my wishes, and to remember whatever it is that I need to remember.  I guess that's how it works for me - I write it down so I that I don't forget.  Of course, I often find I've left the list or lost it altogether; but for me, the act of writing something down usually helps me recall what I need.

The lists pictured above are definitely the trying-to-gain-control kind.  You can tell by the scratchy writing and the crazy cross-outs and circles.  The bottom of one of these lists actually says, "Aaaaaah!"  Stress.  And now that I've shared these "crazy" lists, my mother will be disowning me.  Her lists are perfect.  She has just the right notepad, just the right pen, and gorgeous script!  Oh, and I think she re-writes them when she makes a mistake.  Maybe she won't notice.

How do you deal with stress?  Are you a list maker?  I'd love to hear about what you list!

Thoughtful Thursday!

I can no other answer make, but thanks, and thanks.

                                                     -William Shakespeare

Thankful.

Wishing all of our American family and friends a lovely Thanksgiving!  We will be thinking of you and counting our blessings.

"Me DRIVE!" Letting kids do dangerous things.

At the wheel.

We have a new driver in our house!  He's a bit short, can't quite touch the pedals, but he "drives" almost everyday.  It's hilarious to watch him.  He gets into the driver's seat, puts on his daddy's sunglasses, turns the wheel back and forth, and pushes any buttons he can find.  We figure this game will have to stop once he finds the horn!  Though he's not anywhere near moving the gear shift and Matt assures me that cars have to have the brake engaged in order to put a car in gear, I admit that I feel like a bad parent for letting him do this.  Beansprout's utter delight in "driving" and then "coming home" (through the back hatch of the car) make me put my worries aside.  The role-playing of him telling us he's home is priceless.  It's amazing how much they want to do all the things that we do when they're young, and believe me, I realize this is only the beginning.

Do you remember doing things just like your parents as a kid?  Did you get to "drive"?  I've heard that it's one of five dangerous things you should allow your kids to do!  Here's Gever Tulley's quick video about it on TED talks.  Do you agree with his list?  Anything you'd add?

Pinterest Inspired Advent calendar

I've mentioned before how much I love Pinterest!  The trouble is, I collect a lot of ideas, yet rarely do anything with them.  So in the spirit of the Pinterest Challenge Sherry from Young House Love started with her friend, I've decided to create my own diy goals inspired by this wonderful website!  

First up?  The Advent calendar.  After receiving the best Advent calendar in the world from my "German Mom", I have been creating Advent calendars for family members for years now, actually for over 15 years!  More on that soon . . .  Now that Beansprout is old enough, I want to start the tradition for him.  And though I'm holding to my pledge to avoid decorating for Christmas too soon, with December 1st fast approaching, I need to have a plan.  

There are a ton of creative ideas out there, but I've decided on a combination of the following:  

Simply ADORABLE!

An activity for every day of Advent.

I can't resist the baby sock Advent calendar, and love the fact that I really would have to stick to buying a small gift that could fit inside the little socks.  However, I have read over and over again that it is the experiences of life that bring us happiness, so the idea of creating a special activity for the first 24 days of December sounds lovely!

It's taken me this long to come up with a plan, because I've felt slightly paralyzed by the fact that I want this to be a tradition for Beansprout.  Once I finally let go of that and realized that I can change the what of the Advent calendar anytime, I was ready to embrace my idea for this year.  By December 1st, I'll have a row of 24 baby socks filled with an activity for the day hanging just out of Beansprout's height.  I can't wait to show you how it looks!!!

Thoughtful Thursday

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough."