Winter Break Fun

Winter Break Activity Ideas {via Simply Happenstance Blog}

Winter Break is upon us! This is the first year that we are homeschooling… but we still have a two-week break from school. Just like many of you… it has me already thinking of how I am going to structure my childrens’ time and keep them busy so they don’t bicker incessantly, and beg for screen time {wink, wink}.

Part of the great joy of Winter Break, is knowing that you have some much needed down time where you don’t have to contend with packing lunches, getting the kids out the door on time, and rigid schedules. Although it always sounds good in your head to wake up to lazy pajama days every morning… I can almost guarantee that a few days in, you’ll be wanting a bit more structure {and a plan}, to keep their little minds learning, exploring, and creating. Here are a few easy tips to help your Winter Break go smoothly with a few additional links for great ideas and activities!  [Read more…]

Let’s Get Our Kids Outdoors!

:: Let’s Get Our Kids Outdoors ::

One of the greatest gifts of having this blog, for Nicole and I, has been the online community of other bloggers we have met in the past eight months. Not only have we gathered helpful advice and guidance from these accomplished women… we have also been exposed to their wealth of knowledge and talent through reading their personal posts, freelance writing pieces, and photography. It’s been incredibly inspiring!

One of our favorite local bloggers is Michele from Fun Orange County Parks. In addition to her amazingly helpful blog {where she highlights local places to play & explore}, she also contributes thought provoking articles to the OC Family Magazine. This month her story made the cover {Congratulations, Michele}! I was thrilled when contacted by her a couple months ago when she asked permission to use bits and pieces of my post {Family Time} to quote in her article! 

 

{click the image above for a digital version of the July, 2013 issue of the OC Family magazine}

 

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{weekend} lovelies

It’s that time again!

Here are our {loveliest} picks from the web this week!

We thought we would focus on kids this time around

{because they’re just so cute}!

Hope it brings you lots of smiles,

some ideas &

maybe even a little design inspiration!

Enjoy your weekend!

xo,

s & n

 

{Musical Inspiration // Vazquez Sounds “Rolling in the Deep”}

 

{A Thoughtful List // 40 Ways to Love Your Child}

 

{A Backyard Bungalow // Apartment Therapy}

 

{Shared Spaces // Better Homes & Gardens}

 

{Kids Style we Love // Nordstrom}

 

{Lunchbox Ideas // Family Fresh Cooking}

 

{Tips on Photographing Your Own Kids // Click it up a Notch}

 

{Do-it-Yourself // Felt Crowns by Hello Bee}

 

{Dreams for your Child // Harper Grace Designs on Etsy}

 

{A Sweet Treat // Glacier S’more by Betty Crocker}

 

{Countdown to Valentine’s Day // Craft Ideas by Babble}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A “Moment” with my Older Boys…

I recently had one of those {rare} moments that I think we all share as mothers….

maybe even as parents.

I watched my boys walk into school together after dropping them off at the side gate.

Ryan paused and waited for Seth as he got his backpack placed properly on his shoulders.

They walked into school, side-by-side, chatting and sharing what appeared to be a quiet laugh.

The sun glistened upon them showing off their auburn hair…

you could clearly tell they were brothers.

As I watched them….

for only mere seconds {as I had to keep moving with cars behind me},

I had that “moment” I just mentioned.

It was as if time slowed down and I was able to be completely present and focused on my boys.

I gazed at my children from someone else’s eyes….

not as their mother who was concerned about them getting to school on time,

or the crazy woman I was a bit earlier as I frantically packed their lunches

and prepared four different varieties of breakfast…

I was outside of my body, looking in at my boys from someone else’s vantage point

{perhaps from my subconscious}.

As I drove off, I prayed that God would imprint that precious image of them into my brain.

That He would help me remember their innocence and sweetness at that very moment.

That I could soak it all in and marinade in that feeling of being truly present.

*************************

Life has a way of consuming us and passing by too quickly.

Memories seem to get muddled and blend together.

It gets harder and harder to remember specific details of ordinary days

and special events as the days and years pass.

So, I hold on tightly to what I can…

to those everyday, routine moments that flash before my eyes.

I pray….

and silently BEG that they will stay little longer….

that I can continue to hold them in my arms…

carry them around…

tickle them…

gobble them up with my kisses…

and encourage them with my gentle words.

That they will always look up to me and be proud that I am their mama.

That they won’t shy away from my kisses good-bye and my prayers as they drift off into sleep.

That they will always look at me with love in their eyes

as they tell me I am the best mama in the whole world….

I’m holding on…

and grasping tightly to what I can.

Trying hard to remember to breathe it all in…

and be ever so present so I don’t miss these moments…