An Outside the Box (Kiddo) Adventure (and a Little Craft)

I always knew I wanted to be a mother.

In fact, it took me three years of college to decide on a major but if you asked me what I really wanted to do I would have said, have lots of kids, drive a mini-van (OK, no I would never had actually said that), spend hours oogling over tiny feet and cooing mouths,  occupy days with play dates,  gymnastics, swim lessons, arts and crafts and DIY projects via pinterest, of course.

So it shouldn’t surprise me at this point (a stay-at-home mom for the past nine months) when I find myself carrying out exactly those life-long mommy-ing intentions. And honestly, often they are associated with the thought 'what-the-heck am I doing with my life?'

But quickly I remind myself that this occupation is by far the most challenging I’ve had, and equally the most gratifying.

The highlight of the past seven days was a play date and craft-for-mom with my MOMs Club. And that morning, while sipping coffee and wrapping a wreath with gray yarn, handing out goldfish to passing children, and chatting with my friends, it hit me. The highlight of my week is making a wreath. And I'm totally OK with that. 

Good news is, it’s not just me. My good friend and fellow MOMs clubber confessed that she re-scheduled a well-baby checkup for her daughter so she wouldn’t miss the craft and play date.  Hey folks, a ‘craft-for-mom’ is a rarity in our kids-first-and-foremost lives. From all accounts, her daughter is quite ‘well’ and can easily wait until next week to see her doctor. Valentine’s Day wreaths and mommy time are taking priority today people.

Besides play dates and crafts (and blowing off Doctor's appointments) we often spend our days exploring our community, finding low-cost adventures to stimulate and educate, and have fun.

It may surprise you how many totally awesome things you can do when you think outside the box.

Last Wednesday we took a ride on the city bus. My 3-year-old is always asking about the difference between school buses and city buses.

Do kids ride on the city buses?

Where do they drive to? 

Do they wear seat belts?

In my experience the fewer words in an explanation the better. And the best? Teach by experiencing. We went for a ride on the big blue city bus. 

It was a huge success.  Along with our friends, we had an absolute blast. 

What fun and outside the box adventures have you gone on in Vernon with your kiddos lately?

More adventures coming your way next week - stay tuned!

-Hannah

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*check out the bus schedules at ct transit. for more info on the MOMs Club of Vernon/Bolton please email me: hannah@tothemoonnback.net