10 Things I Learned This Week, Vol 65

I hope you’ve had a great weekend of BBQing, outdoor fun and celebration. But most of all, I hope you’ve taken a moment to remember why we all get an extra day to spend with the people we love.

Lesson #1: While my dad didn’t talk much about his time in Vietnam, I know the fact that he represented our country and protected the freedoms we all enjoy was among one of his most proud accomplishments as a man. It’s thanks to people like him that some of my greatest worries are how will we keep busy with so much free time this summer, and did my kids (and I) eat too much sugar this weekend. While I certainly do fret about the little things—it’s just my nature—I know it’s because bigger people are worrying, and working, on the big things. And for that, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to military families everywhere.

Lesson #2: While logically I’m not so into the every-kid-deserves-a-trophy mentality, seeing the pride on your kid’s face when he comes home with his first one—and prying it out of his sleeping hands—is heart bursting. And, if you happen to be in Big’s class, you’ll see this first hand at sharing on Wednesday. Yes, we’ve been in countdown mode for a week.

Lesson #3: The little girl in the Punky Brewster getup who makes hearts with her name on them for Big better clap extra loud. He will notice.

Lesson #4: When teachers tell students to wear sports gear for field day (which was about 45 minutes of really fun activities out on the playground), they listen. I saw kids ages five to eleven sporting cleats, baseball uniforms, soccer uniforms, football jerseys and some seriously competitive glares.

Lesson #5: When yarn jewelry—as in white yarn cut to fit around your finger/wrist/neck and then taped together—catches on, Big is finally going to make his millions.

Lesson #6: Sometimes when I see people posting their exotic travels on Facebook, I’m tempted to write SFWY–>PRSCHL–>DOC–>SFWY–>HOME (Thank goodness for upgrades…in my minivan)

Lesson #7: I figure why buy Pink new clothes? Her pants have become capris and her long sleeves short just in time for the warmer weather. (This weekend does not qualify, I realize.)

Lesson #8: Pink’s had enough of being dragged to all the boys’ activities. Her whole why should I bother crawling/standing thing has landed her some quality with mommy in her own activity. Physical therapy.

Lesson #9: Camping is not the poor man’s vacation. Just ask they guy at REI who earned his quarterly bonus thanks to our family gearing up for a night in the backyard.

Lesson #10: Lenny gets me. The proof? He only came home with 3 sleeping bags. (And, no, it wasn’t because he thought we’d share his.)

Happy Memorial Day! Happy last week of school (for those of you with a crazy short year like us)! Happy kick off to summer! I have a feeling it’s going to be a great one…