I am counting my lucky stars that we are still in a place where we can celebrate our children’s birthdays in a simple way. 

Despite the fact that we have been to lots of birthdays at jump houses and gymnastics places, Henry is still okay with the idea of having a birthday party at a park or our house. I gave those two options to him, and he said, “Our house, of course.” 

So there you have it! It will be a simple celebration planned by Henry. So far he has decided: 

So, camping. I think it was mainly positive! (I’m still working through the calculations in my mind.)

We squeezed this trip into an already-crowded weekend because I wanted to be able to check off our camping goal for 2017. I got home from the Magnolia Makers Market around 2:45pm and then wanted to help Henry process everything. We put away everything, and then we used these manipulative to calculate how much of his money should go to college, his future car, the Elephant Sanctuary, and then to his own wallet. Then he wrote a letter to the Elephant Sanctuary. Next I had to respond to some emergency things related to

I recently finished reading a book about the epidemic of over-parenting, and one of the things I’m majorly guilty of is approaching parenting like a project. 

I definitely don’t want to over-parent. I believe in its ill effects. I am constantly trying to find the line between being intentional and thoughtful with this one life I have and approaching parenting like a project that negatively impacts my children. It’s hard for me! 

So please chime in with your sincere feedback any time on any post! I mean it. I only ask that you say it with a kind tone (but the actual feedback can be straight to the point). 

But