The Pumpkin Patch....

Today Luke is at the Pumpkin Patch on a field trip -- once again! -- for school. He is LOVIN' the field trips.  He was as happy as can be to go to school today.  I think the reasons are two fold: 1) field trip to the pumpkin patch! and 2) Ms. Joann was there when he was dropped off.  He loves his Ms. Joann.  He is sporting a super cute pumpkin shirt and pretty pumped about picking out his pumpkin.  I asked him if he was going to get a BIG one and he responded "No, I'm just going to get one I can carry to the bus by myself."  Practical.  ;-)

I haven't gone on a field trip with him yet.  The very first field trip was on a Thursday, and I don't work... but that first time around, I wanted him to have that experience without me around.  I wanted him to interact with the other kids... and not cling to me. Then... all the other trips have been work days for me... and it's not that I can't change that... it just seems that this is his thing to do with school and I need to be accepting of the fact that I don't have to be there for "every little thing." 

It is so important for him to have experiences without me - in my opinion. I really believe a mom can hold a kid back on some levels...... if I am always, always there.. his experiences just won't be the same.  And as much as I want to experience everything with him... and be there for his "firsts" all the time.... it's just not good for him as he grows older. I want him to gain independence... and be okay with me there.

In so many ways I am fine with this.  I want it.  But, there will always be a part of me that wishes I was there. I am human. I am a mom. I am not made of stone.  But... it's the selfish me that wants to experience that. It's not for him. It's for me. I need to let him be sometimes.

It's the same with Ally.  I do a lot with her. But, there is a lot I don't do... and that's a good thing! She has a lot of experiences without me.. and I am glad for that.  It's hard to strike that balance... but it is important to find it! I think that is something I do a great job at lately.  :-))) Not to toot my own horn or anything..... but I really do find that we have a good balance going lately.

We give the kids so much of our time. That is as it should be. We want them to feel safe, loved, secure, and that they are in a home where they are a priority.  But... they are not always the center of our world.  I have time for me. I work.  Daddy has time for him. He works a lot more. And Mommy and Daddy have time without the kids.  All important things to teach your kids. They are a priority... but the world does not revolve around them. Balance, balance, balance.

Peolpe say I am so lucky to have my in-laws so close... to have the money to afford babysitters.... and I say "yes I am !"  I am truly blessed.... but everyone can make time on some level... if it is truly a priority.  All moms need to make it one.  Dads do a better job of this.......

I was just talking to another mom at Ally's school....... telling her of my plans for a girls' get away and my concerns for what I was going to miss (event at school).... and she looked right at me and said...... "go... you MUST go... she will be fine... we will take care of her....."  She went on to say she never made her girlfriends, or even herself a priority... and now her girls are in high school... and while she loves them to pieces, she longs for that piece of her that she lost.  She longs for girl friends who want to do that sort of thing.

So moms....... go out with your girlfriends! Go away for weekends together.  Go away for longer!  Have drinks on a Wednesday night after the kids go to bed.  Spend a day shopping.  Go to New York... Chicago... the Keys......just do it.  It will hurt at first... but in the end, you will be glad you did.  :-)

Girlfriends are more important than you know.  Husbands are amazing. Our kids are our life.  But there is nothing like a girlfriend..... and nothing like time away with them... or just time with them.

I am looking forward to some time with one of my best girls this weekend!

Then, there's the hubby.... I would be remiss if I didn't mention he and I are going to get away the first week of November! YAY!  I am grateful to my in-laws who never mind keeping my kids for long stretches of time... and allow Scott and I to get away and reconnect!  Scott is going to San Francisco for work... he leaves Oct. 30. Now, I can't miss Halloween.. so I will join him Tuesday, Nov. 1... and we will stay through the weekend. Cannot wait!

Neither of us has been to San Francisco and it's on our list of places we really want to go.  We haven't been away just he and I since last March when we went to Mexico.. so we are due for some couple time.  We've been slacking on date night lately too...... so this trip is much needed!  Life keeps us busy... we need to carve out time for our relationship! 

Happy times......... go plan something with your hubby today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!