Yes, I am so far behind.

It is summer. And for some reason, we've been busier than ever (well, relative to our previous stay-at-home-and-don't-infect-the-world-with-our-germs schedule). I've been trying to keep the kids going with different park dates, and activities with friends and so far I think they've had a good time, but it means we are sure not getting much done around here. I am trying to appreciate these last days before we start the next 20 years of school, sports practice, music lessons, cub scouts, field trips, and dioramas. My sister Julia definitely put the fear of God into me regarding dioramas. Have they plagued your school children too? Anyway, even though we have been busy this summer, it's nothing we can't cancel or skip for a day or two if we start to feel burned out.

Every once in a while I get on my high horse about over-programming and over-scheduling kids. I am not a fan. I spent way too many years in California witnessing first hand kids who were under so much pressure to be the best at every one of the 12 activities they were doing each week after school. But since my oldest is now 5, and we have yet to fully embrace any specific sports or otherwise, I am sure my tune will change a little. For now, my kids need time to just play--thankfully. Play in the dirt, play pretend, ride their bikes, jump on trampolines, run through sprinklers, go to the park, you get the idea. I am sure as they get older and their needs change that the organized sports and activites will be great for them, but for now, we are happy to have our Saturday mornings open and our dinner times uninterrupted.

Here's to summer!

PS. Please send pictures of your kids' dioramas so we can start cheating ahead of time.