Deep South Moms

The Speed of Summer

As a child Summer was a time of freedom.  The days were long, endless, and full of adventures with friends, lightning bugs, and, a total escape from school.  We would spend our days sleeping in, swimming at the community pool, playing in the hose, and running around the neighborhood until well after dark.  Often times we'd head outside to play shortly after breakfast and would only make an appearance to refuel at lunch and dinner.  Summer seemed magical somehow.  It seemed to take forever to arrive, but when it did it meant we all had time to be kids - play, run, jump, laugh, and experience anything and everything that comes with warmer weather. 

We always seemed to know when Summer was coming to an end without even looking at a calendar. The weather began to feel slightly more crisp in the mornings and in the evenings.  Stores suddenly smelled like scotch tape, paper, and crayons.  Parents even seemed more serious and focused rather than carefree.  We were told we must go to be earlier to prepare for school and pot roast would suddenly replace grilled chicken for dinner.  We began to taste the joys of Autumn.

That was twenty years ago.  

It isn't the same now. 

Preparing for the Family Vacation

Next week we will embark on our first family vacation.  We will be closing up the house, stopping the mail, setting out the extra litter box, and heading away for a week.  We will be stepping away from cell phones, Internet, play dates, karate lessons, and the multitude of other things that fill our days.  We will relax on the beach and watch the kids experience the ocean for the first time.  We'll try new restaurants, explore local haunts, immerse ourselves in a world where the clock doesn't control anything, and we'll build new and crazy family memories.  

We will do all this because it's beyond necessary; it's completely overdue.  Other than a short weekend away before we had children six years ago we've never really taken a family trip.  There's always something that stops us - one excuse or another.  Maybe next year.  We really need to save the money. The kids aren't old enough for that.  The list goes on and on...

But, next week the excuses stop and we hit the road! 

Of course I actually have to prepare a family of five before there will be any road hitting.  

Waiting is the hardest part

Last week I took my daughter to the pediatrician for her 6 year checkup.  She was actually excited about this appointment because she knew there were no shots on the horizon.  She was all caught up on her immunizations and in her mind nothing was better than knowing she was done with those for now. 

The doctor asked routine questions about her appetite, activity level, how she sleeps, how she does at school, and if she knew how to tie her shoes.  She listened to her heart, checked her lungs, and completed all the steps we've seen a hundred times for both sick and wellness visits.  Congratulations, Mom.  You have a healthy 6 year old.

Oh, wait.  

Making Fitness a Family Affair

In the past few years both my husband and I have gained a little weight.  Part of the weight came when we both quit smoking and part of it came simply from poor choices and a lack of exercise.  But, recently we decided it was time to make some changes. 

We didn't want anything too drastic, too limiting, or too processed.  We honestly just wanted to take it day by day and learn to make healthier choices.  We wanted to learn to live healthier for the long term and just hoped that weight loss might be a benefit.  

So we made a commitment to do this as a family.  

School lunches? What about School Fundraisers!?!

Most parents are aware of the big push lately to improve not only the food we feed our families, but also the food we feed our children in school.  First Lady, Michelle Obama is working to improve the quality of school lunches across America as well as childhood obesity.  Jamie Oliver is working with an entire town to show the benefits and quality of eating fresh, natural, and less processed food.  And, more families are trying to improve their overall health by trading in processed foods and chemicals for more wholesome, homemade, and natural choices. 

So where does cookie dough fit?

Welcome to Girl Scouts

One of the bright spots of watching my daughter navigate her way through kindergarten was watching her excitement over joining her local Girl Scout Chapter.  She showed interest in the organization during her school open house this past Summer.  It didn't take much to convince us to allow her to become part of the organization.  We believed in their ideas of respect, community, and friendship.  We knew that being part of something that worked to reinforce these ideas in a positive and growing way would only work to benefit her development and self-esteem.  

We were placed within the school's Daisy Troop, the youngest level involved in the Girl Scout organization, and it didn't take long for me to join on as the troop co-leader.  I wanted the opportunity to experience this time with her.  I wanted to be involved and use this time as not only a chance to bond, but also a chance to take advantage of some very teachable moments.  I wanted this to be our chance to do something together. 

And tonight we became Scouts.  

What does it feel like?

I was recently walking on campus when I was asked about motherhood by a 20-something graduate student.  He and I were headed to our gender class when he suddenly became curious about my role as a mother.  Being single and what he considers years away from parenthood he was curious to know what what it felt like.  

What does what feel like? I asked.  

Being a mom? What does it feel like to have something you created living and moving around outside your body? 

I took a deep breath and realized in that moment that no one had ever really asked me to vocalize what it is I feel for my children.  

I almost didn't know what to say. 

Southern Weather

A week ago we had three inches of snow on the ground.  The kids bundled up in every possible make-shift winter clothing item we could find and headed out to explore the delightfulness of snow.  I made pot roast and chocolate cake and spoiled them with hot cocoa and warm cookies.  We donned our best flannel pajamas and hunkered down for a snowy night of movies and picturesque views of the our very own wonderland.  

Today it was 65 degrees.  

The Dread of Shopping

My oldest child is just a few months away from turning six.  She woke up one morning recently and it seemed as if she'd had a growth spurt. Overnight.  The clothes in her closet no longer fit quite right.  Her shoes seemed tighter.  And, her skirts and dresses seemed much too short for my taste.  I knew this meant it was time to add a few new things to her wardrobe.  

Shopping for her is no easy feat to begin with.  Her legs are short while her belly still resembles the roundness of a baby.  She has no rear-end to help hold up her pants and tends to be sensitive to tags and fabric.  She's recently become concerned with what others think and wants to dress like a 'fashion girl.'  While I do my best to comply with her 'fashion girl' needs and still come out with clothes that fit I find that task getting harder and harder.  

It doesn't seem like young girls are dressing like young girls.  

"Hi, I'm a teacher. I work on commission"

I have lived in Georgia for ten years.  Before I began staying home with my children I was a teacher within the Georgia public school system.  I worked with the kids during the day and spent most evenings and vacations planning, grading, and preparing lessons that would meet the expectations of the school, the county, and the state.  For the few years I was teaching I was spending even more time pursing a higher degree, not only for the pay raise I knew it would bring, but also so I could say with confidence that I was good at my job.  I worked hard.  I worked very hard.  

I recently read that our state's governor is hoping to bring about legislation that would require teachers to be paid based on student performance and not on their education and experience. 

Then I attempted to keep myself from gagging.