For Starters

I am a mom. With four children. And I like to have fun. I like to have fun MORE than I like having a clean house. I like to have fun MORE than I like to volunteer at school, or take my kids to endless baseball practices, or sit through curriculum night at school. I like to have fun MORE than I like to iron clothes, do laundry or change the sheets on my kids' beds.

When my children are grown-ups, I believe they will look back at their young lives, and KNOW they were loved. They will KNOW they were understood by me. They will remember the memories we've made, conversations we've had and moments we shared together...having FUN (and talking, and learning and loving). I don't think it will be a problem, or cause for therapy, that I intentionally didn't buy clothes that had to be ironed, or didn't show up for every single practice or event in their classrooms. (I do {sometimes} chaperone field trips. I show up for their games, and attend their award ceremonies at the end of the year. I just ditch the things that are THEIRS--I don't go to their classroom Holiday Parties....because those are THEIR celebrations, to enjoy with THEIR friends, in THEIR classroom with THEIR teacher. Call me crazy. Or lazy. I just don't NEED to be at EVERYTHING, and THEY don't NEED me at everything).

My best times with my four, are the times when I am choosing consciously, to give them me...my self...my time...my attention...my affection...my creativity...my fun-ness...my sensitivity...me. When I rush through a day, hustling them to and from places (practices, events and games), or get caught up in all the to-do's on my list--their talking in the van, questions about the universe and bickering over fast-food options--grate on my last nerve. And I start yelling. I want them to leave me alone. I want to lock myself in my room and hide. I want to send them all to bed (at 3:30 in the afternoon). And sometimes, I do.

But, when I am genuinely awake, aware, focused on giving them ME, it's a whole different world! And that's what I REALLY like to do. I LIKE making memories (at my own house, for little or no money). I like CREATING a home for my family. Not a Martha Stewart House. Not a Betty Crocker Kitchen. Not a perfect place....but a great, fun, LOUD, open, loving couch-like-place---or massive-dining-room-table-with-room-for-everyone-place.

That is what THIS blog is about. That is the point of this blog. I am going to write about my children. Who they are and what we do together. How we have fun. Ways I connect with them. Maybe it will be an encouragement or inspiration. Maybe I will end up looking like a loon. Or an "out-there" mom. My kids love me. They think I'm fun. And from what other people tell me, my kids are pretty great. They are well-mannered and polite. They are compassionate and empathetic. They are LOUD and funny and FUN. They are good kids. I'd like you to meet them and get to know them.

So here is another blog.
I am starting with a daily re-cap of this summer.
I am letting you know what WE do each day...because we have a lot of fun.
And it's usually pretty cheap.
And sometimes a little loud.
But we really do like each other and like to have a good time together.
We are a pretty great family.