you're never too old for the zoo

I took the day a couple weeks ago to hang out with my kid and some of our favorite little friends. We decided to drive to Madison, WI to catch the free zoo and then enjoy lunch at MAC's. The forecast was all over the place, so we planned for wind, snow, rain, AND sun. Sure enough, during the zoo, it started to lightly sprinkle. It was okay because we were halfway done and there are plenty of overhangs.

I have been going to the Madison Zoo for over 30 years. Despite all the other daytime options, the kids embraced the zoo. You just can't go wrong! It has a nice play area, lots of animals, and it's an easy walk. There are donation boxes everywhere and it is always really clean.

Then we were off for lunch. If you could have seen the excitement on the girl's faces when they saw the menu at MAC'S! They make the creamiest macaroni and cheese in every possible option. We got really excited to learn they have a restaurant in Madison and NOT just the Wisconsin Dells. It is worth every single bite and certainly worth the drive. 

On the way home we got snow and sleet. I mean, why not?! We had sunshine and rain, so we were due for something different. Since 1 out of 3 girls did not have a cell phone, so we kicked it old school. Back in my day-style. We played I Spy, Hot Seat, Would You Rather, and the Road Trip game (it is a boxed set with prompt cards). 

All in all, it was a great day. Everyone got along and laughed. We had good entertainment and tasty food. It was worth taking the personal day knowing the kids had off school. Even driving to the zoo in late February was worth it. Good days can be fleeting, but memories are forever. We are working on making all the memories now while she is still young!

do NOT head down the rabbit hole!

It all started with me jumping on Facebook last night... I was just killing time and relaxing as per usual. Adam Sandler won the People's Icon Award. I love Adam Sandler, so I google the award and yep, it's what I thought it was. They showed part of Jennifer Aniston's intro speech for him and part of his acceptance speech.

Upon reading the comments, I realized his actual speech was hilarious and much longer. For some reason, it was not allowing me to click through the Facebook post and watch it all. And here we go. Down the rabbit hole I went! On to YouTube to find that speech! 

I watched Jennifer Aniston's whole intro speech and Adam Sandler's whole acceptance speech. As I backed out of those videos, I saw that Adam Sandler also won the Mark Twain award for comedy. What is that you ask? I had to Google that, too. Then back to YouTube to see what they had to offer for entertainment. 

I watched a ton of funny comedians give speeches honoring Adam Sandler and I laughed so hard I cried. Chris Rock, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Pete Davidson. Lots of funny folks. Then as I backed out of THAT, it was showing videos for 9/11. How the heck??? Ah, Pete Davidson. There's the connection. If you don't know, just Google it.

So here I am, 8 o'clock at night claiming I am jumping in the shower and I see "Live with Regis and Kelly on 9/11". Wait. They aired that day? Oh, yeah. It was already airing while the national disaster occurred. And click. They are talking, opening the show and cut to the Twin Towers. Tower 1 is burning and they're trying to figure it out. Kelly Ripa is clearly distraught, but no one quite knows what is happening so they keep talking. Then tower 2 gets hit and you can see the pain in Kelly's eyes as she struggles with what she is viewing. And now I AM CRYING. 

I went from relaxing on Facebook to Adam Sandler winning awards to reliving 9/11 through Kelly Ripa's eyes and I am bawling. And what is the point of all this, you may ask??? Our KIDS. How many times has my kid clicked through on YouTube and it just keeps feeding her algorithm with videos it thinks she likes? What is SHE actually viewing? Man, I hope she is using discretion and common sense and good choices as SHE keeps clicking and clicking along. 

You know what else you can click through? ALL the live footage of 9/11. Crime. Violence. Scary stuff. Granted, there are awards and commercials and skits and bloopers and funny stuff out there, but for some reason, the search last night started funny and ended in tears and sorrow and sad memories. It really made me think. 

We had a solid discussion today about making good online choices. We reinforced the idea that Facebook messenger kids and YouTube truly IS good enough for now. I reminded her anything that goes online never actually disappears and she needs to make good choices, be honest and say something if she sees something wrong. Fingers crossed other kids get the same speech and understand the rules. You just never know what is out there waiting behind your next click!

we got a family safety app

We got the Life 360 app so that we could originally keep track of our teenager once he got a job. It gave us peace of mind to know he was being safe. It is a free app and easy to use. There's not much effort to it. Even someone like me can figure it out!

Once the teenager became a man and moved out, we stopped using the app. As fun as it is to track my husband, it's really not. We both work, camp, and hang out with friends. Not a ton of traveling without one another. Although it would be fun to track our dog, I don't think they offer that!

Now that we have a new teenager in the house, we are back to Life 360. This time it is to make sure she gets off the bus safely. It is to make sure the bus gets her to school safely. It is to double check she is at her sleepover/practice/fun night with friends. I feel much better with this extra piece of technology keeping our family in the know.

HOWEVER... that kid is keeping tabs on US! I love it. I will randomly get a text, "Where are you heading?" And I know she has checked the app. Somehow she is always ready and waiting for me to pick her up at the gym. Somehow she always knows when I am almost home so she can have the next round of, "I was wondering..." or "Is it okay if...". 

I am guessing someone turned on notifications or checks her phone too much. I use my app in an appropriate mama bear manner for safety and I don't get obnoxious with it. Either way, this free app works for us. Safety first and I appreciate the ease of feeling safe. Even in our cute little small town, you just never know. And if she feels like she is sneaky and one up-ing me by keeping tabs, then so be it. She likes it and she feels included. WIN! 

the new trends I can get behind!

This family does not follow trends. Only one of us wears Crocs, I don't watch the Real Housewives or The Bachelor, and I don't give Boo baskets. That is okay. I do me, you do you, we all win. I appreciate all the effort others put forth and I enjoy all the pictures, stories, and posts, though! 

There are two new trends rolling through these parts and I am pleased to say that we jumped on board. In true fashion, they're non traditional. I jumped in wholeheartedly and I am pleased to say my family appreciates all the effort. Trend one is sourdough. Trend two is no more big birthday parties! Both of these bring me joy ;)

This sourdough thing... you feed your dough and when it doubles you bake/make/create with it. All I had to buy was parchment paper, a digital scale, and bread flour. I enjoy baking and creating something from nothing. The fact that I can make things my family actually eats and can pronounce every single ingredient also makes me feel good. Baked bread, sandwich bread, tortillas and flat breads are the only things I have made so far, but in 2 or 3 weeks of effort, I have done so much.   

Stay tuned for continued photos of baked goods. I am always on board for food and snacks. The measuring can be a bit much, but it's an easy way to ensure my family eats cleaner. It also gives me something to do each night that is just for me. No music, no TV, just focus so I can mix, measure and create. I love it.

Trend two: The party thing. I can name about 6 kids who do not have birthday parties. They do a special activity or just have friends over for pizza or do a small weekend getaway with family. How great is that?! I loved hosting parties, but the prep work and RSVPing and matching lost items to the proper child was a but much when it was all said and done. 

We are on year two of nontraditional birthday fun. Last year it was a sleepover with 2 friends and a fancy dinner. This year it was 24 hours of her bestie, so we shopped, went out to eat, and got a great rate at Mt Olympus to beat the winter blues. I made a banner and brought some balloons. The "cake" was homemade brownies and it went great.

Whether or not these trends stick through the new year is fine by me. I am always willing to try new things as long as it is not a waste of my time or efforts. So far, so good. No one is sad, lonely or hungry, so I would say it's working out quite well. Happy trending out there! 

being smart with your fun

I feel like kids need fun, new opportunities, and options. With that also needs to come calm, downtime, and the ability to get bored. I cannot stand the, "I'm bored!", because we took a pause to refresh and relax. We definitely have a good time in this house. Winter break has been full of family, fun, and lots of new things. We embraced opportunites as they came and managed downtime in between so as not to burn out. 

On Friday, my little person had plans change. She ended up creating a new plan and enjoyed it! Who knew that you can roll with it and try new things AND enjoy?! (It's almost like I know what I am doing as a parent! 😂). Saturday it was the same. When your bestie is sick, you either chill at home or roll with new plans. She went out with a new friend and enjoyed every second. 

Today is also new for us. I went in to see what she was going to do today. She informed me she was taking an all day, chill out, at-home spa day and she did NOT want to do a thing. She will only be leaving her room for food. I said OK and left her. I only wish I was that assertive and aware of my own mental health, happiness and needs when I was younger (sigh). 

With winter comes wisdom. We know fun is fun! We know downtime isn't always fun, but it's essential. I love having a happy mix. I love that she loves the happy mix. What I really love most of all??? We are able to love and take care of each other so that we start this new year happy AND rested.