Literal Mom

How to Have an Old-Fashioned Summer

Go ahead, put it in the comments.  

"You have lost your mind."

I know.  I have.  

It has something to do with the post I wrote last week about Service and Self.

But here's the deal.  My family's going to have an Old-Fashioned Summer.  

What's that mean?  

Good question.  What DOES it mean?  

I think it can mean many things to many people.  But to us, it's going to mean a "practically technology free summer."  With lots of summer fun for kids.  

Yes, you heard me.  

"Practically technology free."  

Why practically?  Because we have to be realistic.  

Kids and technology go hand in hand.  

And I blog. And do most of my communications by email.  Big Brother will be starting in July and I can't miss that, for goodness' sake!

But in all seriousnes, I have some big concerns about how much technology is going to start pulling at my kids as they get older.  

I know I don't have much time left to put in my own stops with them.    

So, for us, an old fashioned summer is going to mean a maximum of 1 hour of technology per day.

That's all-inclusive - computer, TV, gaming devices (though we don't have those - we're so mean that way).  

They can choose what technology they want to do each day.  But I've chosen the timing and the length.

And I'm going to spend the summer sharing with YOU all of the things we've figured out to do without technology.  

I'll do a weekly Old Fashioned Summer feature, sharing how creative (or old-fashioned) we've gotten.  

And I'd like to feature you!  If you have ideas for an old-fashioned summer or would like to write about what that means to you, please email me at literalmom[@]gmail.com.  You don't have to be a blogger to write about this.  

If you have a whiz bang idea, share it.  

And Happy Summer to you.  I'm thrilled and terrified all at once.  Methinks this might require some stamina.  

UGH. Teacher Gift Time

Awhile back I found some awesome teacher gift ideas on Pinterest.  I pinned them, then promptly forgot about it.  

Now the last day of school is CAREENING at me on Thursday and I've done nothing.  

NOTHING!

I'm a strong believer in the teacher gift.  We entrust our children to them for hours and hours.  They don't get paid enough and a little appreciation (or a lot on a given year) is well-deserved in almost all cases.

Thank goodness I found what I pinned.  So I thought I'd share with you a couple of great ideas for your own teacher gifts.  

Smarties and Sharpies

I found this idea on Tip Junkie.  Fill a jar with smarties and put a sharpie on top and thank the teacher for making your child smarter and sharper.  Love it.

Pic from Tip Junkie

 

Hit the Beach

This next idea, from the Rachel Berry Blog, is awesome too.  Wrap up a beach towel, sunscreen, a magazine and a snack for them to "relax" with this summer.  LOVE.  

pic from Rachel Berry Blog

What do you think?  Which do you like best?  

Or should I just go with a gift card?  

Do you do teacher gifts?  Or, if you're a teacher, what do you like the most?

Things They Can't Say - I'm So There Today

There's no question my mouth has gotten me into trouble in my past.  It's funny when tell one of my children RIGHT NOW (and will continue to do so, I'm sure), "if you can just recognize when to STOP TALKING you'll get in a lot less trouble."

Words to live by - maybe I should take my own advice?

Anyhoo, that's what I'm doing at the incomparable Shell's place today - talking too much about something that really bugs me.  

I encounter it all.  The.  Time.

Want to come visit - tell me if you agree or disagree with me?  

I can take it if you disagree.  When you're someone who says too much sometimes, you have to learn to be a duck.  Let the water roll off your back.  

And thank you to Shell, who has been a mentor to me since the inception of Literal Mom.  If you don't follow her yet, get out from under the rock and do it!  (See?  That mouth again.)

IF you are visiting from Shell's place, welcome!  I wrote a rather revealing piece a few months ago about who I am and what Literal Mom is all about.  If you want to know even more about me, click here.  I hope that you stick around!  

We have fun here.

The 8 Line Throw Down at Mommy Nani Booboo

I'm thrilled, honored and terrified to have an 8 line challenge appearing at the incomparable Mommy Nani Booboo today.

I and another blogger were given the phrase misplaced hair and got to come up with 8 lines about it.

Uh, challenging much?

Want to come see how my challenger and I did?  

And if you think I did terrible?  Be gentle.  

Thanks.

And guess what?

This is 8 lines too.