Even though it is mid October, today was over 105° F / 40° C. I really want to wear my sweaters that have been waiting in the back of my closet. The Arizona desert does not change drastically in the fall. It is a slow cooling down and not much visual change. Most of the…
All posts in Seasonal Planning
Practical Questions for Spring Reflection & Planning
[Here is a favorite from the archive. I hope it helps you as we move through this season.] It is spring. The Palo Verde trees are blooming and it is heating up during the day. As I rummage for my flip-flops in my closet, I begin to think about our summer plans. What will this…
When Spring Feels Exhausting
Most of what I see on Instagram or Pinterest is about how Spring is a beautiful time of year. I do not agree. Spring is hard for me. If I am being completely honest, spring is a lot of work. It is finishing the school year well, deep cleaning the house, organizing my home (and…
Welcoming this New Year
I love the beginnings of the New Year. I enjoy the fresh calendars, the new planners, the clean crisp notebooks, and the restructuring of my routines. I enjoy having some time for reflection and goal setting. In my time spent planning my next year, I have been thinking about 4 major topics. Ways to find…
Preparing My Heart For Christmas
I want to be fully present in this season. As I tackle the long list of all that must be done, I get discouraged. I begin to lose my energy and my enjoyment of celebrating the holidays with my family. I get through, make it special for others, I make all the special dishes. But…
Enjoying Fall in the Arizona Desert
The Arizona desert does not change drastically in the fall. It is a slow cooling down and not much visual change. Most of the local trees stay a dusty green color throughout the year. There are very few trees that actually show the change of the seasons in my neighborhood. This means that I need…
Decluttering My Home School Space
This week I am organizing our schoolroom. I am cleaning out and making room for what the next year holds. As I declutter my homeschool space my thoughts begin to change. I begin the mental shift from Summer Break to Back to School. What does your home school space look like? Where is it in…
Daily Theme Ideas for Summer
Summer can be very complicated. We all look forward to the different pace that summer brings. I always picture it being simple, full of popsicles, swimming, and fun. But it often does not end up that way. At least for me. Summer does not feel the same as it did in my childhood. It is…
Packing Questions for Summer Travel
Travel with kids is hard. Doing anything is difficult when you add in an extra personality, unique needs, and a break in normal routine. Disruptions and roadblocks happen all the time but especially on a trip. Knowing yourself, how to prepare well, and what is needed for this trip will make travel easier. It can…
My Summer Planning
How I Plan For Our Summer Break As a kid, summer vacation was full of so much freedom. No school! Backyard slip ‘n slides and popsicles that stained my t-shirt. Reading all my favorite books from the library. Playing Mario Brothers on the Nintendo. It was effortless and free. But now I am a mom,…