How Much Freedom?

So my oldest is now 8. And I am struggling with how much freedom to let her have. For example, she loves riding her bike. When I am on the porch, I let her ride up and down our street a block or so in each direction. I have let her, a few times, ride around the block by herself. She wants to do more.

I am torn. Part of me remembers tearing around on my bike at her age all around the neighborhood. I also remember my mother letting us out of the house in the morning and expecting us back at lunch, then back out until the street lights came on.

But that is not our world anymore. On the other hand, I want my kids to have a sense of independence. To KNOW they can do lots of things on their own. To not be afraid (but be aware and careful) of the larger world.

HELP! How much is too much and how much is too little? I have a book on my Amazon Wish list - Free Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry. Maybe it will help?

Those of you with older kids - how do you decide?

Cowboy Birthday!

We had a busy weekend, K turned 8! She wanted a cowboy party (absolutely no idea where that came from but, ok!). We had 18 kids, a successful party, and an exhausted mama. What did it take?

• 1 cowboy boot cookie (K doesn't like cake)
• cowboy hats, bandanas, and sheriff badges (thanks Oriental Trading!)
• holsters (hand made by yours truly!) with water guns
• hobby horses (again, made with love)
• western tableware (local party store)

It was all worth it - K loved it and all the kids had fun!
Happy Birthday, baby! Can't believe you are 8 years old already!!

Great Deals!

I am a big fan of Groupon. It is a website that sends out a daily deal for things near where you live. Recent group-ons that I took advantage of include:

• $25 for $50 at a local greenhouse
• $75 for a family photo shoot, including 1 hour of photography and 20 images on CD with printing rights!!
• $20 for $40 at a local trendy restaurant for brunch
• $10 for 3 games of laser tag

Groupons only come weekdays and are only good if enough people commit to buy. They often have deals for spas, golf outings, and eating out (everything from gourmet restaurants to ice cream parlors!) They cover many areas of the country, and are expanding all over. If you haven't tried it, I recommend it! Here is a link to join up (full disclosure - I get $10 of groupon bucks if you sign up through my link!):

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu404290

Getting great deals on stuff I want - that's what works for me! For more works for me ideas, visit We Are That Family!

Hydrangea and Butterflies

I saw this awesome wreath, and knew I had to do it. It took a lot of scalloped circles, but was done in less than an hour, while I watched the girls ride their bikes. I think it came out great. May make another one for my office. Have seen it done with old book pages too and think that would be cool.

Stand Up and Be Counted

Fill out your census people. It takes about 3 minutes (a minute more or less depending upon the size of your family). It is very simply basic questions. Very non-intrusive. In fact, I can't believe they aren't asking more! There is lots of data that it would help if they collected. The reponse rate is only 60% nationwide. My community is at 62%. That is pathetic, people!

PLEASE answer your census. The Constitution talks to the importance of the census. If you lost your form, go here for help.

"Sick" Days

So Big Man was sent home from preschool with pink eye on Wednesday. The Dr confirmed pink eye and also diagnosed double ear infections. Big Man could break a toe and the Dr would find ear infections!! Anyway, he was feeling fine, but couldn't go back to school til Friday. So we had a day to ourselves yesterday.

It was GLORIOUS here - with blue skies, and bright sun - probably 75 degrees. We decided to go on a picnic down by the airport. At first Big Man didn't like the loud noise of the planes taking off right over our heads, but he soon got used to it. He loved watching the boats on the river, and some ducks found us and he loved feeding them. He also learned ducks aren't crazy about bubbles and they also are not interested in being read to.

Having a sick day when nobody is really sick is pretty cool!