Summer Kick Off: Big Sur

For the past 4 years, we've taken off for Big Sur the day after the children's school year ends to mark the start of their summer vacation!   For 3 nights we camp along the Big Sur River, where the kids catch crawfish while mom and dad chill with a book.  The water, although a bit cold, is quite refreshing whether one is tubing it or not.  Camping really brings out the "kid factor" in our children.  They become even more free spirited, open to meeting new people and simply content to hang around the fire.  This year we invited family and a dear friend making this annual trip more special than usual.  I'm so grateful to be living near such a beautiful place where mountains, rivers and ocean converge.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer filled with lots of family, friends and new experiences. Take a look at some of my favorite images from the weekend:

Life Happens: A Birthday Celebration

Earlier this month, I celebrated my 45th birthday (omg).  It's hard to believe that's my age now.  Strangely enough, I feel no different that when I was 25.  The in-between years were sprinkled with the usual insecurities: am I pretty enough, successful enough, will I be a mom and if so, will I be a good one???

At 45, I know I'm a good mom, successful in ways I never imagined and enjoying a new, confident attitude.  I feel ready to take on next adventures, be they personal or professional, even if they mean surrendering to the moment; to chilling like never before.  I've learned that Life can be unpredictable, that we need to live more in the moment and release our own personal demands on Time. 

To properly celebrate what I considered the "big one", Alex planned a dinner party for quite a few people; some from the past, others from the right now.  Together we laughed, shared food, enjoyed good wine and feted the 'me' I cultivated through the years. I so loved seeing our friends come together, naturally mingling with one another with a common link that evening.  I only regret I couldn't make that moment last longer.

Many thanks to my husband, friend, lover and confidant for creating a truly memorable evening for me.

I love you, Alex!

Scenes From New York City

We just returned from the East coast where we visited family and friends in both New York and New Jersey.  The timing for this trip was perfect.  The air was chilly but not frigid, the trees were still holding on to their Fall colors and signs of the coming holidays were all around us in a typically flamboyant NYC style.  Being back home feels really good and realizing that we got to spend precious time with people we love feels even better.  Here are a few images from this past weekend:

 

Slow Parenting In A Routined World

 

Summer has officially ended.  With the start of school this week, our calendar is quickly filling up with volunteering obligations, after school activities and doctor appointments.  While I enjoyed  our  non-scheduled summer, I must confess experiencing a moment of panic a few days ago.  This happened as I was learning all about the amazing camps my children's friends attended this summer.  Our children didn't go to any!  Granted we did travel up and down the New England coast during July, but for the rest of the summer we stayed pretty local and took each day as it came.  We camped out some, hiked some, we ventured into the city some, went swimming some and entertained friends some.  Some days we just stayed home and enjoyed being lazy. Granted, my work allows for a flexible schedule, but l still prefer to keep our days as free of routine as I do during the school year.  I limit sports and other activities to the degree that the kids don't feel over-scheduled and I am not running/driving around like a harried maniac.  At times, I wonder if my "slow it down" approach to parenting is inhibiting my kids' experiences, and whether they are able to keep up socially and physically with the children that are involved in more activities.  I guess time will tell.

Managing time and maintaining a feasible routine no matter how many children in one's family, can be challenging and difficult for any parent.  How much is too much and how little is too little.  I would love to hear how other parents handle the demands of a "routined world".

This could be the beginning of an interesting dialogue, don't you think?