Free Time and Creativity are BFFs

My husband and I have made an active decision to say no to over-scheduled, hectic family life.

Our kids are each in one major activity and a couple of other classes offered to homeschoolers during weekdays. We guard our family and free time. We are not our best selves rushing every night and weekend, passing each other by, living our lives apart.

Because we swim upstream in society, I’m often asked what my kids do with their abundance of free time. Well, some days they build forts out of logs and branches we have in our yard. Some days they make bird feeders. Some days they play video games. Some days they put a band together, have one performance, and then break up. Some days they make movie trailers or stop-motion videos. Some days they teach themselves magic tricks and put on a show. And some days, like today, they create floral faces.

One of my daughters asked if she could walk and collect natural pieces for an art project last week. She came home and put this little lady together. Isn’t she beautiful? I specifically love her eyes and lips!

I’m a big fan of free time. I’m a big fan of creativity. I believe they are often found side-by-side.

Comments

About Me

The short and sweet version: I am a 40-some year old communication consultant and homeschooling mother of three (one son, two daughters) who wakes up each morning and does her darndest to make the most of her days, filling it with shared laughter, good food, natural beauty, healthy habits, stylish clothes, and memorable experiences...while attempting to age gracefully and (hopefully) slowly. The "embrace my long-winded, Irish roots" version: I am pretty firmly settled into my 40s. And I've had a fun time getting here; I counted down to my 40th birthday with a random act of kindness each week for the 40 weeks leading up to the big four-oh. I documented the journey on the Kindness Countdown blog to entertain and hopefully inspire others to spread niceties in their own lives. This was especially important for my own family, my children being a formative 10, 8, and 5-years old during the project. It was exceedingly rewarding to bless others alongside...

A lot can change in 5 minutes

Perspective, belief, reality...they can change pretty fast. Mine were flipped upside down within 5 minutes today. Here's how: I was at my friend's gym this morning getting my butt kicked, doing 24" box jumps when he walked over and asked "Should I add the 12" on top?" I laughed, because COME ON, I just landed my first 30" jump a few weeks ago. He smirked over his shoulder as he walked away, saying "OK, we'll do it after class." I laughed and continued to jump in my comfort zone. But then, later, as I was working a heavy bag, I thought, "Hmm, Jordan has been pushing me for years in the right direction and because of it I've completed things I originally didn't think possible (pull-ups, a Spartan race, lifting heavier, punching harder...). What if this is one of them?" And so, after class, I stacked the boxes and stepped beside them. A 63" girl next to a 36" box. It was intimidating. I looked at my friend...

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

I am a faithful person...to family, friends, and products that work. Aztec Secret is near the top of my Favorite Product list; I use it religiously each week as a face mask (and many other ways that I'll get into shortly) and have given it as gifts to friends. This magical clay is a must-have in your medicine cabinet! What is it? Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is bentonite clay from Death Valley, California, that is sun-dried for up to six months in temperatures that sometimes reach 134 degrees. The unique structure of the molecules in Aztec Secret carry a negative electron charge. This comes from the valance electron count from the specific minerals found in the clay. When a spectographic analysis is done on Aztec Secret, almost every mineral found on Earth is present. When a facial or clay poultice is applied to the skin it forms a negative charge. Poisons and toxins stored in the epidermis have a positive charge - A...

Gilded Living

Search This Blog