.....it is hard to believe that February is upon us, as it is usually about now that I begin my spring count down.....this winter has not been very cold and it certainly makes a difference to have a yard as an outlet for the girls to get some fresh air while Brody takes his naps.....but February, oh February.....the month of love and the month that will mark four years since I became a momma of two.....despite the cold, I do love this month; although I think I would love it a bit more if I was taking a week or two enjoying Florida's sunshine......
......February is also the month when all of the summer camps in town are beginning their enrollment process, which has everyone talking about what to do with the kids for the summer.....now, I am certainly not judging the Mommas who choose camp all summer long.....some Mommas work, some have their hands full with new babies or caring for ailing family members......I learned a long time ago that each Momma has her threshold of what she can handle or wants to handle, for that matter......each family is different and what works for some, may not work for others......I am not opposed to camp, although only in moderation.....a day here.....a few days there.....a week of half days......
.....but there are so many options......so many places that are vying to entertain children.....there are the camps that promise to educate our children so they are completely prepared for Kindergarten......there are soccer camps, swimming camps, sailing camps, gymnastics camps.....the list goes on.......and possibly this camp idea is new to me since I never went to camp as a kid......I played......I swam.....we went to the beach......we had "wonderful Wednesdays" with my Mom when we would go on a special adventure.......we built forts, we raced our bikes, we had car washes in the driveway, practiced gymnastics in the front yard or picked lemons and limes and sold them on the corner for five cents each.......summers are what we lived for and I want my kids to have the same memories......
.....certainly, there can still be fond memories if they are spent in camp.....I know many adults who have warm and sentimental memories from their camp experiences......I suppose my disdain for being on a constant schedule doesn't help the cause.......but the truth is, I think that playtime around the house, with neighbors, at the beach and and with good friends is essential for creativity......I don't want to start the habit of having to be enrolled in an activity to have fun.....ballet, gymnastics, art and swimming lessons have been great classes that we have taken over the years; but for our family, it all has to be balanced....and summer camp would make our scale lopsided.....
....is it tempting to send the kids off while I can get some much needed only one kid on the hip errands done?......yes, absolutely.....but then I would miss out on watching them truly play......
....or better yet, the joy of actually playing with them.....
....and honestly, the times when I am the least inspired are usually the weeks when I have not fully engaged with my kids.....it is when we are busy with routine, haven't carved out enough time for play and have missed out on time with friends for all of us......their social desires to interact with new pals are not met and my opportunity for connection with my Momma friends leaves my well dry......I tend to show up to my blog on weeks like that, expecting to capture a snapshot of our life; and I end up staring at the screen with a lack of words or emotion.....
.....as exhausting as the moments with my children can be, they fuel me.....they ground me, and they remind me of the many ways for which I am grateful......
....the unstructured days with my babies are the ones that I enjoy the most.....and because of that, I simply don't want them in camp all summer.....I hope I make it worth their while and they look back on good memories spent together in the summertime.....a combination of friends, a full house, late summer nights, lazy mornings, road trips, playing in the rain and wiping the salty, sticky smell of sunblock off their skin at bedtime.....
.....and I hope for stolen moments with my babies one on one.....
....I am feeling protective and emotional about my children this week.....I registered Elsie for Kindergarten and sometimes it is the small acts in my responsibility and routine that stop me in my tracks.....
.....she will be spending most of her time here from age 5 to age 10.....
....and I am already feeling the need to hold her a little tighter, as it is only a matter of months before she is no longer all mine.....
....I also tend to feel a bit more sentimental when I am being blasted by cupid's arrow......
.....and speaking of love, what are your plans for Valentines Day?.....if you are local, consider a night of fondue.....The Melting Pot is offering a special menu the week of February 13-17th.....if you haven't tried fondue yet, it is an experience you will thoroughly enjoy.....
....we are certainly preparing for homemade cards, red hearts, pink accessories and enough chocolate to our heart's content.....