Childhood

Earlier today I read an article in the newest Family Fun magazine about two moms who started a co-op day camp.  These moms got other moms involved and each mom takes a week in the summer to host a theme week of adventures and activities that focus on learning and social development.  Sounds cool doesn't it?

The reason these moms started this camp is because they remember the time when summers for kids used to be simple and splendid.  It made think back to my own childhood.  I remember summer days filled with no plans.  I'd wake and have the entire day in front of me to do whatever I choose to.  My summer days were filled with outdoor activities such as biking with friends, playing basketball, swimming, and games. 

I also remember many days of pure boredom and my mother telling me to go do something.  My mom got very tired of us kids hanging out inside and fighting with each other so we were encouraged to get outside and find something to do.  You know what?  We usually managed to do just that. 

These days it seems summer comes and goes so quickly due to so many scheduled activities.  When we are not running here or there, we are home trying to catch up on all the necessities such as laundry, mowing the lawn, cleaning, etc.  It is exhausting! 

Long are the days where you just go with the flow.  Long are the days where you tell your child to get outside and do something.  Unfortunately times have changed and now parents are forced to make all these plans for the safety of the children.  I don't know about you, but I don't feel comfortable sending my 3 year old outside without adult supervision even in the back yard. 

So...what is your favorite childhood memory?  Did you grow up with simple days of summer?

Soccer

Since we had Monday off from work, I was able to attend Maya's soccer practice and scrimmage.  I have only been able to watch Maya play one other time which was her first practice but haven't seen her play since.  I have to say, I didn't miss much.  I know that sounds awful like I am a bad mother but it just isn't enjoyable at this age.

Maya is not 100% engaged yet.  She will do the drills and participate some in the scrimmage but then gets side tracked.  Maya seems to be more interested in taking the water breaks her coaches give them or just hanging out on the field.  I think some of this is completely normal and some of it is just Maya.  I am still proud of her and happy she is playing as I think she could actually be good at this sport.  Of course she need a lot more practice but she is only 3!

Only 2 more practices to go until she plays again next spring!  One thing is for sure, Maya looks absolutely adorable in her soccer uniform!

Maya enjoyed her water breaks with her good friend Wren

Makenna also got to watch big sister and looked cute as well!

Friends

Wished we lived closer to the fabulous families were visited this past weekend.  The girls had a blast hanging out and playing with each other.  Maya is still talking about her weekend and wants to see her friends again. 

Four of the girls are only weeks apart in age and all lived in the same care center back in Ethiopia.  It is amazing to see these kids grow up into beautiful "big" girls. 

***Here are the girls having a blast at the zoo, on the bed at the hotel, and on the last day of our trip in the hotel lobby***

Weekend Vacation

What a fun long weekend away from home and time spent with some awesome adoption friends! I feel incredibly lucky to have found such an amazing group of families who share Ethiopia and adoption with us. Maya had so much fun playing with her friends. When I asked Maya what her favorite part was about her weekend, she replied "seeing all my friends". That was my favorite part too.

Here are 1o of my favorite things about this past weekend (in no particular order).

1. Attending the EKC Mehabar on Saturday
2. Spending quality time with 4 other families from our travel group
3. Seeing and talking with other adoptive families
4. Seeing Maya interact so beautifully with the other children
5. Hanging out at the Como Zoo
6. All the fun restaurants - Keys, 3 Squares, Punch Pizza, etc.
7. Eating my favorite ice cream in the entire world - Sebastian Joe's
8. Purchasing some amazing things from the vendors at the Mehaber including a necklace for Maya from A Hope and an Ethiopian soccer ball.
9. Shopping at Ikea and getting what I think I need to finally organize all the toys in our family room
10. Being with my family for 4 wonderful days!

We ended our weekend by making a quick trip to Trader Joe's before driving back home. And...Makenna slept the entire way home (3.5 hours)! Just maybe she is getting used to these car trips???

Pictures to come!

Diapers?

During my weekly Target run, I picked up two boxes of diapers.  The girls decided to use them as toys and had a blast with them in the kitchen.  Makenna is loving the fact she can pull herself up and stand!

It is really fun to watch the two girls interact with one another.  They just love each other and Makenna adores big sister.  Maya can do nothing and get Makenna to laugh hysterically.  She has the best laugh too.  What a pair!

4th of July weekend

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  We had a long fun weekend visiting with family and spending some family time of our own.  The weekend did leave us completely exhausted and a little under the weather.  Hopefully we rejuvenate quickly as we have another busy weekend in front of us.   

The girls are sleeping and the house is peaceful.  Almost too peaceful.  The long car ride overall was very good and Makenna actually did better than we thought.  She only screamed for part of the trip versus all of it so we chalk that up to a big success!  Makenna hopefully will grow out of this stage as it gets old real fast to have her scream in the car.  She is going to miss out on a lot of fun trips if she keeps this up as we will be forced to stay home (or we may invest in some really good ear plugs - ha!). 

Off to get some rest - thank you to Dave's family for hosting us.  Happy 4th everyone!

P.S.  a special Happy Birthday goes out to my brother Jon.  I was a very bad sister and forgot to call him this weekend :(  Shame on me.  Hope you had a great birthday Jon!

Holiday

Why is it when a holiday rolls around on the calendar such as the 4th of July, people feel it is necessary to make plans or end up feeling like a loser? Why is it not socially acceptable for a person to just be home doing everyday stuff? Why is that not "good" enough?

I live near lake country. Most everyone I know head to the lake on summer weekends especially summer holidays. We used to be one of those families. Most of my co-workers and some friends have family that own a lake property so it is easy for them to go without any worries of owning lake toys, upkeep of the property, etc. I have to admit, I'm jealous. As I mentioned in a previous post, we sold our camper this spring in hopes to find a new campground in the next couple of summers and to be free of the cost associate with it. Yes, we still own our boat so we can make day trips if we choose to.

When I was asked by several co-workers what my plans are for the 4th of July weekend, I told them. We actually do have plans which we are looking forward to. No, it does not involve going to the lake. Once I gave my answer, I got the dreaded "oh" response. Excuse me? What is that all about? It's sad really that plans spent outside of going to the lake are perceived as pathetic and boring.

I couldn't disagree more.

Plans or no plans should not be perceived any differently. Some people prefer to not make any official plans and instead go with the flow. I admire people like that and am working on doing more of it. I find myself more relaxed and stress free when I don't have "official" plans.

So the next time you have plans and ask someone else what they are doing, please refrain from the dreaded "oh". No one wants to hear it, trust me.

For those with plans, have fun! For those without plans, have fun!

Happy 4th of July everyone!