the things we do for our kids...

We had a lovely weekend that ended in me driving all the way to Great America to pick up someone's phone... Yes. I drove 3 hours round trip because someone I know went to Fright Fest with her friends and left her phone at the ice cream shop! Oh, the things we do for our kids. She needs the phone. I PAID for the phone, so yep. Road trip time! 

Saturday night, someone called us from my daughter's phone and my first reaction was that there had been an accident. Once I got over that shock, we learned she had left it. Then I got to stew all night about making the trek to pick it up. It's an easy drive, but not a lot of fun along the way. So I began the googling and texting. 

Only one person I know truly lives along the route and she didn't answer. I decided to hit the Gurnee Mills Mall after the phone retrieval for a store or two with lunch. Then hit a pumpkin patch or farm stand on the way back. That seemed like the best use of our time and our trip. Sunday I picked up my kid from her sleepover and we were off.

Two hours after I left my house, we had secured the phone. Then we hit the mall. I figured Burlington was the best route and I could have spent hours in there smelling candles, looking at the cute things, and just wasting time. Since I don't need anything and we had just shopped days before, I settled on some grown up looking super soft p.j.s. I figured if I had to spend a lazy Sunday driving around, I deserved something good.

We were lucky there was a food court right outside Burlington, so we ate and rolled out to start the trek home. There are tons of smaller farm stands and pumpkin patches on 1-73 that we never hit, so I stopped at one. We bought a pumpkin cream cheese turnover that was to die for! I love the little mom and pop shops. We try to spend there, too, instead of the larger places that get most of the revenue. 

We made it home safely and had a discussion about responsibilities, safety, and being aware of your surroundings. How many times have you changed plans for your kid? Or adjusted the menu to have kid friendly food? Or canceled because something wasn't kid friendly? We aren't THERE any more, but using a whole Sunday to track down a phone was definitely a life lesson for her and earned me "Best mom ever" award for the week. And I still wouldn't have it any other way.

worry never goes out of style

It has been a long couple months in this house! We suffered a great loss in July. We started high school in August. We had our first homecoming in September. October started with Mother Nature losing her dang mind. 

There were lots of firsts and not all of them were good ones. I gave my first eulogy. I learned to manage my sorrow. BUT I learned a lot from that experience. Life is short and we need to embrace each day as the gift that it is.

My baby started high school with grace and confidence. She learned new routines, made some new friends, and rekindled some old friendships as well. I have no need to worry. Her grades are good. Her confidence is high. Her smiles are present.

A good change is that we got to go homecoming dress shopping. Then shoes. Then nails. Then all the girly discussions about hair, flowers, makeup, toes, glitter. All the fun things! I worried most of the time she was gone, but she came back with big smiles and said it was a fun night full of dancing and laughter. 

Onto October. I just had a birthday and so far, I am not feeling older! What do I wish for this year? Peace. Happiness. Good health. Easy living.

I am definitely looking forward to cooler temps. I miss my cocoa, bonfires, leggings and sweaters. In the meantime, I will find new things to relax and enjoy. I will also find new things to worry about. I am sure of it 🤣

showing your kids real emotions...

We suffered a real loss in our family this summer. It was rough. My heart was broken. I knew it was coming and I thought I had mentally prepared, but who am I kidding. There's no preparing for sorrow.

My family and friends rallied. I was surrounded by love. I was never alone. I was able to cry or be sad as needed. People from high school were reaching out to say nice things, check in, and make sure I was okay. 

My kid was a champion. She knew when I was losing it. She could see it on my face, despite me trying to keep it all in. There were many times that she just walked up to me and gave me a silent, tight hug. Even now, weeks later, just thinking about it all makes me tear up. 

She is old enough that she knows how to identify real emotions, act accordingly, and hear the hard answers to the hard questions. It was almost weird being so honest and raw in those moments. Little kids can't handle big emotion. You cry after bedtime, in the bathroom, or by yourself quietly. I was trying to keep it together, but if I had to lose it, I knew she could handle it.

I never hug people much, but I have been hugging a little more. Just a little longer. Just a little more willing. Each day is a gift. My family is my gift. And that is all I will ever need. I made sure to remind my kid how amazing she is and how much she helped me when I needed her the most. Because THAT is what matters.

you don't have to go far for fun

There are so many good cities to explore in the midwest. I absolutely love Galena, IL. If you need nature, then I suggest Devil's Lake, WI. That is one of my other favorite places. They're both fun, peaceful, and have lots to do.

If you want big city fun, then you will not be without choices in the midwest. Chicago, Peoria, Quad Cities are just a few good choices for Illinois folks. Wisconsin has Madison, Milwaukee, Lake Geneva, and so much more. You just never know what you will find around each corner. You can find choices around every turn.

Milwaukee is one of my favorites! We recently took a boat tour around Lake Michigan, which is something I have never done. I grew up near those views and they are still wonderful to see. The art museum, children's museum, Summerfest, Harley Davidson museum, Miller brewery tour, and restaurants are just a few of the millions of choices for anyone to enjoy. It is a city of choices, for sure. 

We have seen concerts, ballets, comedians, and performers in Milwaukee. Gambling and the state fair are more options. And you have to catch a game at Miller Park! Yes, I said Miller Park. It will never be anything else for this girl! 

There are so many fun museums and options for kids, too. We love the children's museum and aquarium. The lake front is so much fun. The dining and hotel options are endless. I try to see as many places as I can. 

The world is a big place and there is so much to explore! I want to go everywhere, see everything, and squeeze it all in. I love nature, cities, adventure, tourism and all the things. However, if I want to stay close to home and have endless opportunities for fun, then Milwaukee it is! 

mixing and matching experiences...

There are many occasions we experience in a big group. There are also experiences that are better suited for smaller groups. It kind of depends on a personal preference. One year we had a sleepover with all the friend groups: cousins, camping, sports, school, and OH BOY. It went great, fortunately, but it very easily may not have. 

We like to hang out with friends and do things, but just like matching an outfit, you have to match the friend to the event. We found out last year one of my daughter's friends doesn't know how to swim, so she doesn't get invited to the pool with us. And rightfully so! They do tons of other things together to have fun! Those girls paint and make slime EVERY time they're together. And other kids? They hate slime, so we bake, shop or watch movies. It's just a simple matching game of fun. 

Today we decided at the very last minute to have some water fun. I gave a list of suggestions on who to invite and my kid flat out said, "No. I just want to invite E. She loves water and we have had so much fun this summer. Please don't invite anyone else. I want her all to myself." Uh, perfect!!! And guess what?

Those girls are having a blast, laughing and enjoying. Everyone helped with sunscreen and snacks. No one is fighting for attention. No one got the bad seat in the car or is being ignored. My kid is wise beyond her years! 

Yes, groups are fun. Big or small, having fun with friends is fun. But on the water is different. Now we have to think about safety and sun, too. My kid knows when she wants to go all out or just pay one friend attention for the day. And no one's feelings are hurt. No one is disregarded. She just sees them on separate days for separate events and spreads out the fun!

I love this. I really do. It spreads things around. Summer never gets stale. I can slowly take in the moments instead of getting anxious, doing head counts, and scolding my kid for ignoring others. I am not constantly cleaning up after large groups or preparing gobs of food for larger groups. 

Summer equals fun. Summer equals memories. Summer equals experiences. Summer equals laughter. And if you try to cram it all in, then sometimes you get overtired kids who are overstimulated and overwhelmed. No thank you 😀

when your kid can make her own plans

When your kid starts to make their own plans, EVERYTHING changes. I am no longer on hold, text-a-athon participating, and voice mail leaving. She just lets me know, I confirm, and then it goes on the calendar. This means time. And anyone grown woman knows that time is a valuable asset. Time is money. Time is key!

On the second week of summer, my kid went to a Wednesday afternoon "party". They grilled, played volleyball, baked a cake, hung out. I gutted the basement and cleaned every last cobweb, bagged garbage, bagged and delivered donations, and reorganized some stuff. It was wonderful. When I was finished, I drove to grab her and didn't even have to get out of the car.

Now let's not overlook camps. When she was younger, we would sit and discuss all the fun opportunities she had in this area. STEM camp was a hit 2 years in a row. Art camp and painting camp also scored big. We have never really done sports camps until this year. Free day camp was great when she was younger. All I needed was 8am-12pm to run errands or go to some trainings. 

Now she goes to camp at her gym. She will randomly pick a day and I drop her off with snacks and a smile from 10-3. This is also a great plan because it's just down the road. She comes home sweaty, sore, exhilarated from running, bouncing, jumping, and playing. BUT... last Friday, she went to camp and I went to get a pedicure. She acted like it was the end of the world! 🤣

I use my time wisely while she is gone. I try not to just clean or organize. I make simple plans, read, nap, swim, whatever. Now I know NOT to tell her what I did while she was gone, though. Who knew?? As sad as I get knowing my little baby face is growing up, every time we unlock a new chapter it goes great. And I must say, there is nothing better for my sanity than her coordinating her own social life! 

letting your kid be themselves is the best way to go

We just spent a fantastic week together having the best kind of family fun. When you're in public, in large crowds or in close contact with others, you notice things. My kid is polite and well spoken. She is learning social etiquette and general life rules. She is also a teenager...

She has the best of intentions, but sometimes she says the wrong thing or does something embarrassing in public. Don't we all, though? That's a parent's job. We lead by example. We demonstrate. We guide and make corrections. Otherwise, how will they know? 

This whole week, my kid was aware of being on her phone in lines or in public. If we were checking out, she was ready and didn't make people wait. She paid attention and took it all in. She observed and asked questions. 

And, she rushed ahead or got bored and let us ALL know 😂. She did cartwheels through the parking lot. She country line danced while she waited for her pancakes in line. She was simply herself. Unapologetically her. And I love it. 

She is polite and gracious. She lets her freak flag fly and runs to her own drummer. She isn't interested in how the other girls are doing it. She just wants to be herself. THAT is all that matters to me. And we are so proud of her for it! 

when your kid wants to try new things, you go all in!

Both of my kids have always been very consistent in their habits, hobbies and beliefs. Not much seems to shock me any more. However... My kid came home last week and said she's making some changes. Just like that. Straight to the point. She had a plan and a back up plan already laid out. 

She wants to start a fresh path. She wants to try something new. She has new ideas. I love this! In the past, we have always mentioned camps, tryouts or activities that she always wrinkles her nose up to.

What does this mean? Summer camp! Or two! A trip to Target! Some choreographing of open gym times. New things are fun to think about and plan for.

I hope wherever this kid's plan takes her, she embraces it. I hope she thrives. I hope she makes new friends and memories. I am proud of her doing a reboot all on her own. We always encourage trying new things. 

Here's to having a high schooler. Here's to having a kid who can make her own plans. Here's to the future. Here's to growth, fun and adventure. Here's to my wallet, sanity and parenting to last and be the best! 🤣

when your bedroom is your haven

When your kid's collection becomes... a lot, you just roll with it. The pillows, the squishamallows, the decor. It just keeps multiplying! It's a girl thing. A teen thing. A my kid thing 🤣

She keeps it neat and organized, which I love. She loves painting again and it is apparent with her new decor trends. New paintings pop up here and there as time goes on. She actually enjoys making her bed and "decorating" it with all the cute things. Her room is her space, for sure.

We finally finished the squishamallow collection. We found the frog, the pig, and even the cow she wanted. She loved these ginormous squishamallows and then she didn't. Then she did. And now we have completed the collection! 

New bedding and yet another pillow means the bed is set. She even used her own money to buy the vines. Apparently vines are in! We just couldn't go without the vines 😂 

All I asked of her was no new paint any time soon. She's on her third bed in 7 years. The poor bunkbed just didn't fit and then we found a better frame for more storage. We are on our third paint color and I intentionally chose a pretty gray to grow with her tastes as she got older. 

I love what we have done here. I love what SHE has done here. There are so many unique little features and decor that she has saved up for or hand created. I love seeing her hand paint a new frame or pot a new plant and smile. It's all the little things that count!!!

teen baskets are better!

When your kid is getting older, but not too old for an Easter basket you get to have some fun! I shopped at our small local shops that we both love for some small fillers. I rounded it all out with a trip to the Dollar Tree. That store has everything! I just needed candy and anything I missed.

It was fun walking our downtown with a coffee and a smile. We love to support local. I got stickers at the local bookstore Inkwell books. I found a cute flower pillow from a vendor shop, Frosted Farmhouse. I grabbed a dip mix from our absolute favorite store, Ric Rac Embellishment. Then over to DeeDee's coffee shop for a gift card. If that doesn't scream teen basket, I don't know what does!

The Dollar Tree was easy. Watermelon Sour Patch kids and chocolate covered pretzels were obvious choices. They are her favorite! Since she doesn't really eat a ton of candy, I got cookies and cream chocolates and a box of fruit snacks for filling the eggs. It took me longer to find funny socks than it did to do anything else.

I bet I picked up every food themed sock they had. I landed on Pop Tarts and Sprite since I know she loves the color blue and those foods. Even though the magic of the day is gone, my work has gotten SO much easier! Shopping for quality items instead of trinkets is always more fun.

I don't have to color eggs any more. No more bunny visits and pictures. No more pinning her down to do her hair for church. It's just a fun basket, I hide the eggs and church. No more obligations, just fun. And I love it!