Snow Day Sunday Thoughts

I'm procrastinating going outside to shovel. More coffee might help, as well as a bit more light outside.

The last week or two, I've been trying to use up things in my cupboards: all the rice, dried beans and peas, and baking supplies that have languished a while between moves and a busy work schedule.

Clearly, my technique is out of practice: even though it tastes good, textures and appearances are a bit off. Kid approval ratings are low. I have lots of lunch fodder for work this week.

With the kids being in preschool and elementary now, life has changed. I'm looking forward to fall when Rosie gets on a bus, since she's always finding ways to delay getting in the car--just like her siblings used to do. It's harder to argue with a bright yellow bus.

Activities for children at this age abound. My policy has been never to push the kids into anything, but to offer a wide variety of options and allow them to pursue their own interests. So far, all four have really latched on to Stebens (children's theater), MacNider (art classes), tumbling (although Sam's interest is waning a bit) and swimming (although Salvadore's been taking a break lately). We did a bit of Scouts and pre-4H last year. It was good, but I think they get too worn out with activities that start at 6 or later. However, they'd still like to do camp this summer.

Well, I might be giving them a slight 'nudge' tomorrow night--I'm taking them to the high school choir department's Follies, a long-standing variety show in which I participated as a student. The kids love music, but have some anxiety about singing or joining a children's choir.

Sam hopes to try youth basketball next year at the Y. Salvadore wants to learn piano, percussion, and strings. Maya and Rose beg for dance lessons. I see that life may be quite busy and full for a while. I'm grateful that these activities are available locally, and many have short seasons--taking a break for summer, or a month-long course at a time. That's helpful for the pocketbook, but also for reclaiming a bit of downtime and sanity in a parenting world that is increasingly competitive, expensive, and 24/7.

--

I've finished the sidewalks ("finished" is a relative term, as it's still snowing), and am hoping our kindly neighbor will bless our driveway with his snowplow once again. Coffee is brewing. Children are chilling. There may yet be pancakes this morning.