School Shopping

A couple of weeks ago we were not ready to begin our school shopping, we wanted to enjoy the rest of summer. This week the girls decided they really wanted to buy their backpacks and lunch boxes. We made a quick list of items we needed and off to Target we went.

As we made our list there were a couple of items Tara needed and a couple of items Lily needed. Let me stop here. While raising two girls I have always felt this "need" to be fair, to treat them equally. If one girl gets something the other girl should get something. Not only is this approach expensive, we end up with too much stuff and many times two of the exact same item. But I always feel so bad buying something for one girl and not getting something for the other. I have asked my sister-in-law who is raising five children how she handles this situation. She bought me a book titled Siblings Without Rivalry, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. In the book the authors discuss "that children don't need to be treated equally, they need to be treated uniquely." Although I agree with this nugget, I find it hard to do. Let me give you an example. On our list was a white pair of sandals for Tara; yes, she needed them. However, guess who also walked out of the store with a pair of white sandals? Now Lily has two pair of white sandals, both size 11.

We have two hooks in our laundry room for each of Tara and Lily's backpacks. All summer long their old backpacks have been hanging since the last day of school; I am not sure we have even cleaned them out. Yesterday morning I walked into our laundry room to do my daily load of laundry and paused when I saw Lily's new backpack hanging on her hook. She had taken her old one down and had her new backpack hanging and ready to go. This was a 'crystal in the air' for me. Lily is so excited to start Kindergarten, she is so proud and she is ready to begin this next phase in her life. This of course made me think of Tara, "hmmmm wonder where her new backpack is?" I found it on the floor in her bedroom.
Tara is less enthusiastic about starting school, she would much rather stay home, hang out with Mom and watch TV. This 'crystal' reminded me how "unique" they are, how they have their own preferences, their own experiences, their own feelings, their own needs and how they do not have to have everything be the same.

Now, if only I can remember this the next time I am shopping.

Better to Give or Receive?

Although it is fun to receive, I do try to teach my girls the value of giving. Last week Michael took the girls to Target (favorite store) to buy me a couple of gifts for my birthday. While they were browsing the store the girls would find items they would like to buy me. Each time they found something, Michael would ask hesitantly "are you sure she will like it?" Their answer, "she will love them." Although these were not gifts Michael would have bought me or items I would have picked out for myself; the girls wanted to give them to me. They were eager to come home and wrap their gifts. We celebrated my birthday in the usual way; eating cake and opening gifts.

That evening after the celebration was over and after I had put the girls to bed, I had a 'crystal in the air.' I looked at my gifts one more time and I realized just how thoughtful they were. Tara bought me a white shirt and black skirt. My two favorite colors together are black and white. I also love to wear skirts. Lily bought me a necklace, earrings and bracelet. Whenever I get dressed I will say something like "this outfit needs a necklace." The girls were right about the gifts...I love them.

My friend Lysa and her 3 daughters delivered me the beautiful bouquet of flowers. Michael bought me the book I have listed on my bookshelf, The Glass Castle. I have only read a few pages, but so far so good.

So I would have to say...it was better to receive.

Summer Fun

On Sunday I came across an ad in the paper for Toys R Us. They have backpacks and lunch boxes on sale. Is summer really coming to an end? I was relieved when I checked my calendar and saw we still had 6 weeks left of summer.

The girls and I made a list today of everything we still want to do before school starts. Afterwards, we talked about everything we have done thus far; like going to the movies, swim lessons, gymnastics, the mall, library, Arizona Science Center, birthday parties, swim parties and spending time with family.

The girls and I also took a 1400 mile, 10 day trip together to Utah. With only 1 flat tire, thank goodness we were at my brother's house and he got it fixed for me.

First stop...Nevada. We spent the night with a dear friend of mine from grade school. Thank you Janet, Trish and David for a fun evening of swimming and catching up.



Next stop...Utah. When we got to Granny and Grandpa's house; cousins Davy, Darci and Littlebit were already there. Grandpa set up a pool and the 3D shark for some water fun. We spent 3 nights with Granny and Grandpa before going to Lehi to stay with my brother David and his family in their new home.


Darci and Lily swimming. Davy tries out the new 3D Shark.



During our stay in Lehi we attended the Lehi Days Parade. The theme of the parade was "If I Could, I Would..." My favorite float was "If I Could, I Would Cure Cancer." The float was decorated as a lab and the children were wearing scrubs and working in the lab. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a picture.







We also celebrated Darci's birthday.

After 4 nights in Lehi we returned to Granny and Grandpa's for a couple of nights before heading home. However, the fun was not over...David followed me home. We were able to spend the 4th of July weekend with him and Nicole, Davy, Darci and Littlebit. We spent most of the weekend swimming.



When I was growing up my favorite memories are those spent with my cousins. I am still close to many of my cousins today and enjoy my time with them as adults as much as I did when we were kids. I am so grateful my girls have such wonderful cousins and I hope they are building friendships with them that will a last a lifetime.

Davy, Nicole, Tara, Elisabeth, Darci & Lily. We missed you Bekah :(

Sorry Toy R Us, we are not ready to buy school supplies. We are going to enjoy the second half of summer!