Juggling Act

Some days the juggling act - kids, work, house cleaning, laundry, dinner - comes more easily than others. Today was one of those days. Because work wasn't overly busy, and because I did a three-bean mole chili in the crockpot (and therefore had no panicked dinner prep hour), and because the kids were in good moods, and because the weather was amazing, we were able to have a great lunch at Winstead's (even Molly was on good behavior!) and great fun outside after naptime and up until we ate dinner. Claire even had a good afternoon despite me working hard during the twins' nap time. She painted this masterpiece ...

... and we checked out the tomato growth and did a couple loads of laundry, and we even laughed together when her behavior tanked for one brief moment (instead of escalating to a fight). And the twins, in their super cute $2 t-shirts I bought from another twin mom ("Conserve Water, Drink Chocolate Milk") ...

... had a blast outside for two hours before dinner, digging in the sidewalk cracks (Molly's favorite new game),

swinging, blowing bubbles, drawing with sidewalk chalk, taking walks up and down the cul-de-sac, and petting dogs and socializing with the neighbor kids.

The moms who waste time and money on millions of "planned" activities are truly missing the point - a little unscheduled, do-as-you-please outdoor time is all that kids need to be happy.