Reading, Playing and Spending Time with my kids...

Despite the obvious hectic schedule it seems like there has been a little more down time than usual lately. I owe a big part to the fact that we've been without cable TV for many months...and I've actually grown to dislike the TV! Finally. We still get two channels, and the kids still watch some PBS. But at night, I'd rather read a book then flip on the TV and watch whatever is on. The other thing that has slowed us down is snow. (at least for the weekend anyway) We had an excuse not to do anything but play and hang out. And that's what we did. I cooked, we played, I read, we made Valentine's, we played some more...it was great. So I finally finished Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I liked it a lot. Very inspiring. You have to get past the fact that the author is a bit anti-American and anti-Christian (though oddly accepting of other cultures and religions) but other than that...really enjoyable. I learned a lot, and I can't wait to move into the new house and begin starting our own mini-farm.

I also read Amanda Blake Soule's Creative Family. Ummm...not worth the full read. (And I love her blog SouleMama.com, so don't misunderstand...I think she's great) I'll say this, the projects are cute, and some of the ideas are good. But overall, it reads like a Waldorf-style parenting manual. I'm all for Waldorf, nature, family fun, creativity...but I don't need a manual on how to do it. I guess I was hoping for more project ideas (of which she is chock-full-of) and less preaching. But, I am one of those people that believes that the skills you need to parent just come to you naturally. It's not rocket science. (Though the occasional quick kick in the rear can be helpful...like finally ditching the TV) But it never hurts to have someone remind you to do the things you know you should be doing. And it worked...I took my kids on a nature hike two days in a row. (I can't tell you the last time I did that) And I was inspired to have the kids make their own Valentine's for eachother. So I guess I can't complain too much!
Today I have a similar type book coming, I just got the email from the library. But this one is more focused on nature, and less on crafts. Oh...AND, if I didn't mention before I'm signed up for my first Habitat for Humanity Build..I am so excited about it. I also went on my first "barefoot" run in my Vibram Five Finger shoes. I'm really liking them so far. Just walking around I do somehow feel more rooted to the ground. I know that sounds strange, but they do just feel right.