Mystery Trips
My best friend shared a creative idea with me that she uses with her children. Here’s the idea: eliminate the fighting over where we should go and announce that we’re embarking on a Mystery Trip. The name alone is enough to elicit a gasp. Explain that it is a place we haven’t been before (so they …
Nature walk?
We have four young children, and, as most children do, they have a lot of energy. Especially in the morning. The boys wrestle, push each other, and play hard, and my daughter loves to be chased. It’s pretty much a zoo. One day, I decided to do something bold: we’d walk my first grader to school. It was thirty-something outside, and a …
Holiday focus
One night, as I was reading to my three year olds (one on each side), we decided to read a Christmas story. The story was about Santa and was beautifully illustrated. The two were mesmerized by the pictures; there was one, however, in particular, which captivated them. The picture took up two pages, and it depicted …
A Walk in the Woods
Today, all six Grahams entered the woods for a nature walk. There was a walking path, but we didn’t stay on it much. The boys veered off with their prized, “mine is better than yours” sticks, and just kept whacking at branches. “This is the best day ever,” the oldest said as he pulled down …
Being Present
I’ve been re-reading the book Tuesdays With Morrie, and have been reminded of the importance of being present. Paying attention to those around me; really listening to what others are saying. And you know, I realized how challenging that is. This weekend, I made a conscious effort to focus on what others were saying–in the …
Being Present, Part II
While I was making more of a conscious effort to listen and focus on others more intently, I received an unusual phone call. At 10:30 pm on a Saturday, I heard my cell phone ring, and I quickly ran upstairs. Late night calls shouldn’t be ignored. When I answered the phone, I could hear a woman quietly …
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