Balancing the Plates

I'm talking about the ones spinning in the air.  You know--the Laundry Plate, the Homeschooling Plate, the Wife Plate, the Mother Plate, the Meals Plate, and the list goes on.  Occasionally one slips and crashes to the floor, but some glue and a flick of the wrist soon gets it back in the atmosphere.  By glue I mean realization that something is out of balance and then thought and insight to bring it back in balance.  By flick of the wrist I mean actually doing something about it, like cutting back on commitments or seeing a 10yo with new eyes of compassion. 

In the coming posts I'll share some systems that work for us in balancing these areas of life.  There's nothing new under the sun, but hearing how others "just do it" can be helpful.  My maxims will be "Less is More," "A Place for Everything," and "Good is Good Enough."  That said, there are probably other blogs that expound on "Ironing Sheets," "Making Your Own Bread," and "Sewing All of Your Family's Clothes."  I have ironed (but never a sheet), I have made bread a few times, and I am actually a very good seamstress, but these activities are unfortunately not what you can anticipate from future posts.  I'm not opposed to frozen pizza and it's been years since our laundry baskets were completely empty, but we've managed to function with a fair amount of efficiency and order over the years, so I'll go with reality and truth over making me look good. :-)

Celebrating a Birthday

We have lots of birthdays at our house, but believe it or not, there are some months with none.  April is a light month with only one, and this year it happens to be a daughter who is turning 12.  *sigh*  I won't go in to the bittersweet thoughts of a mother who is watching a little girl grow up before her very eyes.

The day will begin with the birthday cereal chosen by the lucky birthday-ee.  Yes, I know that junk cereal is a poor choice for a healthy breakfast but it's a cheap thrill and a tradition.  Usually it is something sugar-laden like Marshmallow Mateys or Cap'n Crunch.  Then it's time to open a number of presents, the more the better.  Lest you think we are spoiling the child, let me hasten to add that most of these presents are things like a candy bar or a bottle of Fiji water.  One year a small sibling wrapped up a used pencil to give a teenager.  Pennies are popular with the preschoolers, too. 

Sometimes we go around and tell something we love about the birthday child.  Meanwhile, everyone waits for the right moment to attack with a good-natured free-for-all and "pinch to grow an inch."

This particular birthday will involve a little party in the afternoon with some sweet little girl friends, two brown-haired sisters who make a matched set with our two blonde sisters.  The theme is currently being kept secret from the Chosen One, but since she doesn't read this blog I'll let you in on it:  Picnic with Bugs.  They will play outside and make little houses in the grass for their Pet Shop animals, hold the new baby bunnies, do a craft project making bugs out of "Bendaroos" and eat pretzels (sticks), pudding (mud), crushed Oreos (dirt), and pond slime (some sort of juice). The decor will be a red checked tablecloth strewn with plastic bugs from Dollar Tree. 

The day will end with pizza and a family movie chosen by the birthday girl.  I think she'll like it.  I hope it makes her feel loved, because she is.