Work The Plan

Does your mom say that?

Mine does. At least I think she does, otherwise I don't know where I got that.

I've made a plan and I'm feeling good.

To be frank, I have not been looking forward to this summer. In fact to be really frank, I have been dreading this summer. And it all boils down to 3 reasons.

For the past few months I have had plenty of time to ruminate on why this summer is going to be the worst. And don't worry this post has an up side.

1. Though I am feeling so much better now (Hallelujah!) I was really not feeling well a few weeks ago. It is hard for me to enjoy anything, let alone being a mom when I am like that. Now that situation has remedied itself for a major part, but I am still factoring in my tiredness, occasional sickness, and my growing belly in the growing heat.

2. No more preschool. I hear lots of moms express their excitement over school being out and having lots of free time. And I understand that I am not them. I do not fit their frame of mind (someday I hope to) nor do I fit their same scenario. And that is okay. It has to be okay.



This means lots of free time with my Ava. Probably only 3 people who read this will understand what I'm saying, but this is a most demanding endeavor. She loves school and she needs school. Hopefully my plan will help out with the need for structure and meaningful work.

And the other part of this worry factor is that in recent weeks Luke has poured on the combination of irritability and major fit throwing (terrible two's?). So while I was mostly worrying about Ava, now I am worrying about Luke too.



3. Finally, my best friend is gone- the person I could call at any hour, last minute or weeks in advance, and say "Hey you wanna do this with me?", the person who'd call and invite us over when we needed out of the house, the person who would make my grumpy kids and the fact that I was sweltering and pregnant not really matter so much- is gone.

So like I said, I have had this stuff in my mind for months. I have worried for months. And now it's go time! Summer is here! And I decided I could sit by and let my fears play out or I could try my best to make it really great.

I signed Ava up for a ballet/tap class. I have been trying to be more involved in my local mom's group activities. And I made a plan.

I kind of felt like a preschool teacher as I sat down with my notebook and jotted out my ideas. And this is what it boils down to:

I will have an small container with filled with activities (the everyday box) that we can do at home with materials we have on hand. We can pull from this box once or twice a day. It will include activities like the following: (and I would be ever so appreciative if you would leave any additional ideas in the comments)

play in the sprinkler
play with the water table
"paint" the fence with water
play a board game
build a tent
play hide n' seek
have a tea party
make cookies
read stories
play hairdresser
write letters (watch your mailbox!)
rent a movie

And the other portion of the plan involves approximately 3 (we'll see how it goes) special activities per week. These are ones that require more or specific materials or are more messy, that I will prepare for week by week.

First up for June 8-12:

Making homemade pretzels
printing with food
making bean collages

Also, I am hoping to follow a general schedule each day and when I figure out what will work best I will write it down. I also have a list of local places to go and see and do as well as activities that can happen on the same day each week.

It's all a little different for me, because while I really appreciate organization, I fall in the middle of the continuum of winger vs. planner.

My notebook has become a little peace of mind. In my researching of activities I have been reminded of what really makes me tick as a person (making things) and I have even gotten excited about the summer! Excited! I could hardly believe that myself after how doomsday I've been feeling.

So now all that's left is to work the plan and have fun!