Claiming Thanksgiving

I've felt a little vague about the big holidays since becoming an adult; in part I've known that this was because I did not live in the States as a child, and that the way of celebrating, the very holidays themselves, are not my own. Its always felt difficult to put my own mark on holidays traditions when the holidays aren't 'mine'.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and the kiddos and I had the morning to ourselves. Baby Girl asked what our plans were, and when I told her that I had planned to go to a local park for a walk, The Little Guy piped in with 'That's what we do to celebrate'.

And I realized that he is right!

It is what we often did to mark the big holidays when I was growing up: go for a walk as a family!

And that one comment helped me realize that we DO have our own family traditions around the holidays.

We do one big feast with friends and family, simple meals and snacks for the rest of the day.

We go for a walk as a family.

We spend our time together, slooooow down and enjoy each other's company.

There is usually a board game or two involved ...

We have FUN!

But more over we keep it simple. Not much hoopla, not too much fanciness beyond getting out the nice glasses and digging through the stack of cloth napkins for the nicer ones.

I'm realizing that we do have traditions throughout the year, but they are simple ones for sure.

What do you do to celebrate the holidays? Simple or fancy?!

A Year of Gratitudes

I've been actively working this year, on gratitude, on being more grateful, and slowing down to say thank you more. All good things.

I recently heard about a different way of looking at gratitudes from Julie Bogart (the owner of Brave Writer, and all around homeschool advocate and Wonder Woman). Her advice was to look for the surprise of happy each day - the little things that make us happy. Isn't that lovely?!!

One of the things Julie Bogart mentioned was that finding things each day to be grateful for can start to be a burden ... "oooh! the stress of finding three things to be grateful for today ... "

So! It's Thanksgiving! Perfect time to be thankful, look for gratitudes, and start paying more attention to those Surprises of Happy!

1. Dinner ready in the crock pot at the end of a long and busy day.

2. Being invited to the museum that The Little Guy had set up in his bedroom ... it was pretty amazing! He set up different exhibits and artifacts, created a tour guide brochure and a map. It, and he, are pretty awesome <3

3. Sunday night with my Scholé Sisters; wonderful friends who amazingly share my love of things literary, cerebral, goofy, raucous and irreverent. They're wonderful.

4. Children old enough to do painting projects without making a huge mess. 

5. Moby Dick. 

Yes - I'm reading Moby Dick (well, technically, I'm listening to it on Audible), and so far I'm enjoying it. Let's see if it lasts. 

6. Being mostly caught up with laundry. 

7. Half an hour at Target. Alone. It was pretty glorious. 

8. Having friends who challenge me to think outside my box, push me to go beyond my own preconceived ideas. 

9. Branston pickle. 

10. Scalding hot showers.

And you?! What is on your Gratitude List these days?

I'd love to hear from you! 

Birthday Interview: Baby Girl at Four

On my children’s birthdays, I interview them, asking them the same set of questions each year. It's fascinating to see how they’re changing and if they have interests that remain the same.

I first heard of these Birthday Interviews on the Sparkling Adventures blog (which is worth checking out, for free range, unschooling, travelling inclined folks).

A few weeks ago I posted Little Boy's Birthday Interview, and now here is Baby Girl's. She was so so excited for her interview!

                           

What are you going to be when you grow up?

I don't know. Maybe I'll turn seven [years old].

What’s that going to be like?

I don't know.

What are your favorite toys? 

Kitty toys and building stuff.

Who are your best friends? 

Ronan and Niko. 

What makes you happy? 

I love holding hands and hugging.

What makes you sad?

When people are hurting me. 

When you dream at night, what do you dream about?

Kitties.

What do you like to do with Papa? 

Hold his hand!

What do you like to do with Mama?

Sit with her and hold her hand.

What’s your favorite color?

Red. 

What’s your favorite book?

The Pumpkin book.

What does Daddy do during the day?

Goes to work. 

What does Mama do during the day?

Stays with me.

What do you do during the day?

Stay around and read some books. And play. I play a lot.

Birthday Interview: Little Boy at Four

On my children’s birthdays, I interview them, asking them the same set of questions each year. It's fascinating to see how they’re changing and if they have interests that remain the same.

I first heard of these Birthday Interviews on the Sparkling Adventures blog (which is worth checking out, for free range, unschooling, travelling inclined folks).

Anyhoo, Little Boy and Baby Girl just turned four (FOUR!!) last week. And I'm finally getting around to posting part one of their interviews. Enjoy ... these guys are so cute! (I'll be posting Baby Girl's interview in a few days).

                           

What are you going to be when you grow up?

A monster. 

What’s that going to be like?

I'll probably be a funny green monster. 

What are your favorite toys? 

Race cars. And nothing else. 

Who are your best friends? 

Feeny and Niko. 

What makes you happy? 

Building stuff and carving pumpkins. 

What makes you sad?

When people hurt me. 

When you dream at night, what do you dream about?

Riding my bike and pumpkins and that's it. 

What do you like to do with Papa? 

Hold hands and take a walk to the playground. 

What do you like to do with Mama?

Work on things. 

What’s your favorite color?

Red. 

What’s your favorite book?

The Star Wars books. 

What does Daddy do during the day?

Goes to work. 

What does Mama do during the day?

Stays with us.

What do you do during the day?

Ride my bike and climb trees. I can climb trees now because I'm 4!