Thinking Outside of the Regimen…

Thinking outside of the regimen…

I thought I would write about gardening this week, we have tried to start some gardening projects but the weather has not been cooperative, hopefully in the next week or so I can report that our time together tackling the yard work and starting the plantings has been successful. 

This is how the week is going:  yesterday afternoon I had already logged more than 7 hours of driving children to school/activities and I was tired (violins please!)  Then the sun came out and all I could think about was being outside so when I gave the children a choice about what to do:  go to karate or take the dog for a walk.  The dog won.

I felt a little guilty about them missing their class but in the scope of things it was better for all of us we spent time together, got some exercise, got outdoors and the dog was really, really happy.  While I don’t always believe that thinking outside the regimen can be beneficial,  doing it every once in awhile gives one that much needed relief from the required tasks and commitments and from my grown up perspective I suddenly get this feeling of spontaneity that one in my position rarely feels.

These last few weeks have been rather trying on a certain level (more violins please!)  The end of the school year, preparing for summer camp, a super demanding work schedule and non-stop invitations to events all come to a head.  Why everything couldn’t just be spread out over the year I don’t know, why is it that we must plan everything for May (I mean everything!) and then in September?  Last week got so nuts for us, Noah and I actually ate cupcakes (from Jilly’s cupcakes) for dinner one night….and while this was not the most nutritious route to take, we both enjoyed it, shared a sugar rush and giggled together about all of the different kinds of cupcakes one could eat or make (something you can only do when you have a sugar rush from eating cupcakes for dinner!)

I have begun to wonder if the summer camp folks and the school administration are in cahoots with each other with all of the lists of things we as parents are supposed to provide from special lunches, picnics, items for field trips (Noah came home one night and waited until 9:30 PM to tell me he needed three items for a field trip that he was just very lucky I had on hand!)  I just pray I make it through the next 8 days until the last day of school and then it will be all downhill from there until August (right?)

Things to try with the kids this weekend include:  Missouri Botanical Garden and the Tower Grove Farmer’s Market!  All weather dependent of course!  If it rains they may just get that trip to City Museum they have been asking for!  Also, Sunday in Maplewood, Airedale Antics is hosting “Pet Fest ‘08″ on the Marietta Parking Lot behind the 7300 block of Manchester… there will be lots of rescue groups there so if you are looking for a pet or help with your current pet, go!  It runs from 1 PM to 4 PM.

We did see the Gordon Parks exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum and I enjoyed it.  Jacob didn’t like it at all but Noah has mentioned some of the photographs during the week so, they made an impression on him somehow. 

Have a fun week!