The Elf Blog

Activity of the Week 7

Each week in 2012, I’ll post an Activity of the Week. They won’t be huge things, just something to move you in a different direction or give you a new perspective or shake things up in some way.

Here’s the Activity for Week 7: Read a new genre. Or at least something out of the norm for you. If you typically read biographies, maybe you could give science fiction a try. If you usually read romance, read a history. Just something new and different.

Accountability: Last Saturday, I ran the DC edition of Cupid’s Undie Run. We ran a bit over a mile around the US Capitol in the cold in our underwear to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Outside my cmfort zone on MANY levels.

Enjoying Summer

Sorry I've been away for the last week or so.  I had a friend visiting and I was doing what I recommend:  Enjoying summer!

I did some sightseeing in my own town.  I did lots of pleasure reading.  I walked and went kayaking.  I shopped.  And I ate good food.

I saw the wonderful movie "Despicable Me." Go see it.  You'll laugh until you cry.

You know what, I even did some Christmas shopping.

Summer and Kids - Part 1

Most schools are out now, so now is a great time to discuss summer activities.  Keeping kids focused and busy through the summer, while allowing plenty of time for fun, can be a challenge.  This week, we'll look at some things parents can do to make the summer fun, relaxing, and productive.

First, summer vacation shouldn't be a "no-brainer."  Teachers often complain that they spend the first few months of the school year reminding kids of all they forgot. It is possible to keep learning and to have fun. 

The most important thing is to make time for reading.  Figure a minimum of 5 minutes a day per year of age.  A six year old would spend thirty minutes and a twelve year old at least an hour.  It doesn't have to happen all at once.  You might want to break it up into 15 minute chunks.  Also, the reading doesn't need to be reading alone.  It can be divided into quiet reading, being read to, and reading aloud to others.  So, if you have two kids, they can read to each other for 15 minutes each and there's thirty minutes!  Make stops at the library part of your routine.  Discuss the books kids are reading in the car and over dinner.  Talk about what you are reading as well.  (Seeing a parent reading for pleasure is a powerful model!)

Whenever possible, incorporate learning opportunities into your daily routine.  Shelling peas is a great time for counting games.  Mowing the lawn or gardening is a great opportunity to talk about photosynthesis and how plants grow.  Visits to local historical sites or museums are a great way to make learning fun.  On rainy days, it's good to have puzzle books and learning games available.

The summer is also a great time for kids to learn a new skill.  Learning anything new keeps the brain active.  (It's good for you too!)  The new skill should be based on the child's interest.  It could be a new language, a craft, how to ride a two-wheeler or how to pitch a curve ball. 

Whatever you do, take advantage of the long summer days to let some light into brain!

Snowy Weekend

Here is DC, we're expecting quite a bit of snow this weekend.  I spent part of today rescheduling all of my weekend appointments so I had my pick of re-scheduling times.

I keep the basics (food and necessities) in my house at all times, so I don't need to brave the crazed grocery store.

So now I have a long weekend with nothing to do!  If you are in the same situation, here are some options:

• Use the time to organize a closet or clean out a drawer or a file.
• Do some cooking and stock your freezer with pasta sauce, homemade sou, chili,and stews that you can defrost on busy nights.
• Catch up on the books or magazines you've been meaning to read.
• Use the bloc of time to do some crafting.
• Watch those DVDs that have been sitting next to the tv for weeks.
• Call an old friend.
• Write some letters.
• Have a spa day -- a long hot bath, facial mask, manicure, and pedicure.
• Bake.
• Gather family and friends to play cards or board games and eat the baked goods.
• Do some small repairs around the house.

I plan to do some crafting, watch some movies, read a bit, write a letter or two, and take care of some simple tasks I've been putting off.  I'll let you know how I did next week.

Taking Time for the Little Things

Summer schedules are often a bit slower, leaving you with extra little pockets of time.  It's important to use those pockets of time to lay the groundwork to take care of the little things:

• Update your address book and calendar so that you won't miss birthdays, anniversaries, and the like.
• Stock up on stationery and cards so that you'll have supplies on hand to celebrate with or comfort those you love.
• You know those people you've been meaning to call or visit?  Use the slower summer days to do it.
• If you craft, make a few extra presents so you'll have things on hand.
• Make a stack of the books you've been meaning to read or the movies you've been meaning to watch.  Read the books on your hammock and watch the movies on rainy days.
• Take advantage of summer festivals, outdoor concerts, and the like.

Most of all, enjoy!

Rainy Days and Mondays

Rainy Mondays are the worst.

That's why, on a rainy Monday, you should curl up with a good book, a mug of tea or hot chocolate, and a soft blanket.

One of the reasons I talk so much about keeping your life in order is that it allows you to occasionally take a day off just because it's rainy.  And what's more, since you're organized, you'll have a book and tea on hand (an maybe even some homemade soup) so you don't have to go out!

A Must Read

I want to recommend a wonderful book that is a must-read for anyone who loves food: In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan.  The book is sure and reads easily and quickly.  I read it on a cross-country flight and had time to spare.

Pollan provides three rules for eating:  Eat food.  Not too much.  Mostly plants.

If nothing else, it will encourage you to think seriously about what you are eating.  So much of what we eat has been processed beyond all recognition.  If you can't look at a food item and know what's in it, it's probably over-processed.  If high-fructose corn syrup is one of the first 5 ingredients, it's probably over-processed.  If you need a doctorate in organic chemistry to read the label, it's probably over-processed.  Actually, the best foods don't need labels and ingredient lists.  The ingredients of an oraange or an apple or a turnip are pretty darn obvious.

Even better, it's great to eat seasonally and locally.  I have often heard people complain that fruits and vegetables don't taste as good now as they used to taste.  In many cases, that's because they were picked long before they reach their peak flavor and transported thousands of miles.  How different is that from a tomato picked this morning and enjoyed with a dash of salt, pepper, and vinegar tonight?

Read In Defense of Food and you'll never look in your cabinets the same way again.