The Mindful Homeschool

I heard recently that setting goals can help make dreams a reality. 

In about 3 months or so summer will be but a distant memory.  That’s why we Northerners especially need to make the most of every moment.  So in the interest of doing that, I am going to make a list of things I still want to do before the summer is over.

• Lemonade stands and more fundraising for MoMF, a foundation that helps kids who have cancer and their families.
• Swim, bike, walk and run (?) more.  Possibly train with the kids for the triathlon and participate in a 5K this fall with dh.
• Feng shui some more in the home.  Donate and sell goods we are no longer using.  Clear out guest bedroom.
• Plan out the coming school year and establish some sort of a routine.  Do more reading about Charlotte Mason and Ambleside Online.  Set up a loose daily schedule complete with time for music, Tuesday tea time, movie afternoons on Wednesdays, art on Fridays, special outings, nature walks and lots of outdoor exercise, and time for me.
• Camp at least one more time in a State Park.
• Try at least one new recipe.  Try at least one new recipe in a crock pot.
• Buy at least one new outfit.
• Hang out at the poolside and beach - lots.
• Buy some new sunglasses, sunscreen and possibly a new hat. 
• Make at least one more mosaic stepping stone with the children.
• Go on a picnic.
• Check out the deals at some more local garage sales.
• Bike to the local grocery store at least 9 more times.
• Wash the windows in my upper level.
• Make pizza on the grill with fresh basil from our deck.
• Practice yoga on my deck at least once, maybe in the morning when the sun is rising?
• Practice yoga everyday for at least 15 minutes.
• Celebrate the gift of summer and enjoy being in the moment with my family.

It has been hard to keep count of all the things I am grateful for.  I guess that in itself is something for which to be grateful! (29)

I haven’t posted for a while and thought I could quickly give an update by stating what I have been grateful for these past few days.

The glorious summer sun and summer heat! (30)  I do not want to hear complaints about the heat.  Get thee to a pool if need be.  I love being able to send the kids outside in just shorts, a t-shirt and crocs.  This is the perfect time to go to the beach, the pool, anywhere you can find comfort when the heat index gets high.

Air conditioning (31) for when the heat and humidity are too much to bear.

My new clothes dryer (32), my temporary clothesline and clothespins (33), my new window fan (34), and the new hard drive in this computer which allows me to stay connected to the world through cyber space!!! (34) 

And lastly, for our health (35).  We have been very healthy this summer and (knock on wood) hope to do a lot more activities before the summer comes to a close.

Well, I finally did it.  After weeks of thinking, and talking to the kids, and researching this charity’s website, I signed up both of my two older children for a kids triathlon, a fundraiser to help children who are struggling with cancer.  I have heard lots of good things about this organization and the kids are excited to help raise funds.  They, along with a couple of other neighbor kids, held a lemonade stand yesterday and raised $30.50!  They decided to do this all on their own.  It was a lot of fun and we helped quench a lot of thirst in the neighborhood!  My neighbor, R, made the lemonade and the kids made signs, posted them, and sold the drinks.  We had the stand open for about 3 hours and ate lunch outside on the front lawn while tending to the fundraising.  It was a gorgeous sunny day and we even had repeat customers. 

Our neighbors to our west knew the boy who is the inspiration for the triathlon.  He shared the same birthday as these neighbors who are twins.  Mitch, the inspiration for MOMF, died at the age of 9 years old and according to all accounts, was a great kid with a big heart.  He saw that other children who had cancer did not have the same kind of resources that he had and made his father pinky swear that after his death, he would do something to help other kids with cancer and their families.

The triathlon will be celebrating its 5th anniversary this month and the organizers are hoping to make it the biggest kid’s triathlon in the world.  The theme of the triathlon:  Kids Racing For Kids Who Can’t.