Bucket list

Everyone has a bucket list. Or so I've heard. In all honesty, mine currently includes having a maid come clean my house, a fairy to do my dishes, an au pair to watch the kids for a bit. 

Then, while all those good folks are working hard, I'll crawl into bed and sleep. My ambitions aren't all that big these days.

My kids have a bucket list too.  Every day as they go to bed, their dad is at work. And they ask, "Does Papa work tomorrow?"  Because their bucket list is shorter than mine. For both, there are two items. 

1. Spend time with Papa

Every Papa is a Superhero...

2. Spend time with Mama

"Mama" as taken by the kids

We've been working on their bucket list. And that's calmed down my restless drive to go somewhere on Jason's days off.  Instead, we've been planning family days at home, and peppering them with fun projects.  

Like this one from Homemade Modern.  If you love DIY, modern design and concrete, this blog is for you!  (http://homemade-modern.com/ep8-2-revisit-bucket-stool/)

So, we started our day with a trip to Lowes for Quickcrete and posts, and a trip to Nana's house for a bucket.  An hour later we were home and ready to go.

We love stirring cement. And pouring water. 

In all honesty, the kids helped measure the concrete, pour the water, stirred for a minute and then decided to dig mud holes in the front yard.  

And in all honesty we were ready to get annoyed at their lack of interest in the project, and make them keep participating. Because that's what family bonding is all about, forced interactions, right?

But we talked and decided to let it go and finished out ourselves...

Ahem...himself, that is...

Everyone cleaned up and had popsicles. And even though the kids were done about 5 minutes in, all they talked about through dinner and bed was "their stool" that "they built."

And they rushed outside to see how it was doing the next morning.  It's hard to wait 24 hours for it to cure.  

And when it came time to remove it from the bucket, all hands but Papa's (he was at work), were on deck...

Jumping Jacks

It took a bit of work to get it out of the bucket...but those tenacious kids didn't give up...

"You ride it like a horse while I pull..."

And eventually...

Ta da!

We had our stool.

And they were so proud.

Once I read that when we major on minors, it's like moths are in our lives, eating holes in the fabric that weaves our days together.  

I'm so glad we swallowed our words of frustration at the kids who weren't spending the time as we intended.  I'm glad we left the fabric of that day whole.

Because now all that's left is a beautiful memory of a fantastic day.  Together.  Two bucket lists, complete.

Til next time!

Monotony...brings freedom

I just washed out my cast iron dutch oven for the third time today.  Rubbed oil in, put it in the oven to cure.  

Rubbed the oil over my dry hands.  And looked at my cleaned kitchen.  

I've cleaned it at least 4 times today. 

I don't like to.  I'd really rather be doing something else.  

But a lot happens in my kitchen.

Food. School.  Food.  Crafts. 

The kitchen is the hub of our home. And as such, it gets a workout.  And when I don't keep up with the dishes and floors and whatever else is happening, a little bit of stress and decay creep in. And they begin to take our joy.

I cook everything from scratch.  Just about.  Not because I've ever aspired to be an amazing kitchen diva (although I'd settle for a baking diva).  But because my son has a bunch of severe food allergies.  And when your kid has them, you can't buy pre-made food. I don't really like cooking meals.  But I do it. Every day.

And I make all our snacks.  And breakfast cereal. And so forth.  It's monotonous.  It's hard.  I stay home a lot because our lives revolve around my cooking schedule.  

I've learned a lot about food.  And cooking.  

I would have never chosen this for my son or our family.  It's really hard sometimes.

But the monotony has brought freedom into our lives.  

I'm learning how to be content at home.  Caring for my family.  

We do less, and enjoy each other more. 

And there are little joys like helping other families as they learn to negotiate life with food allergies.

I've always heard that discipline brings freedom.  And I'm learning that it's hard to be disciplined.  But I love the freedom of tasks completed and not waiting; of food ready to nourish; of a family whole and healthy and strong because of the long road of sameness; I could call it monotony.  

But I think I'll own it and name it freedom.  

Sunbutter turkey wraps

GF, Egg free, dairy free, nut free cinnamon rolls!

Taught my husband how to make gravy...

School!