A Simpler Motherhood

Category: A Simpler Childhood

Vanessa

Tips for A Simpler Summer

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Motherhood

Can you believe it? Sunshine and warmer days are ahead. Summertime ushers in kids at home, pool days, starry nights, staying up late and sleeping in, and the slower (or faster) pace the season brings.

The summers of my childhood were magical. Bike riding up and down every alley and side street, creating a carnival for the neighborhood kids, Little House on the Prairie marathons, swimming and coming home with a sunburned nose. Yes, my childhood summers were dreamy. And while I didn’t fully know it then, those summers were such an incredible gift. The time, space, and freedom to discover things about myself is something I will forever be grateful for.

I’m sure my childhood summers held more than idyllic, dreamy moments. However, my brain chooses to remember the magical parts instead of the quarrels with siblings or the extra chores I picked up those three months. And that’s exactly the point. There was enough good and beautiful in those summers for me to remember the good and beautiful. The rest of it falls away. The same applies for our kids: Let’s put in as much good and beautiful as we can. With fingers crossed and lots of prayers, our mistakes and mishaps and the not-so-fun-stuff will fall away and the good and beautiful will remain.

a simpler summer

We have 18 summers with our kids in our homes. Let’s make them whimsical, fun, and full of wonder and beauty. We don’t have to plan it all out or have extravagant craft projects or sign them up for every camp on God’s green earth. Although those can certainly be part of it. We simply need to give them space and opportunities to experience the freedom and beauty of summertime.

My hope for my family this summer is to strip it down. Let go of the expectations, the schedules (pray for me), the rigidity and embrace the essence of summer. Let’s talk today about ways we can make this a simpler summer – one that’s filled with all the good things and the memories to go with them.

Tips for A Simpler Summer

Check your expectations.

Expectations can make or break us. Like Goldilocks, we don’t want our expectations to be too high or too low. We want them to be (say it with me) just right. And speaking from experience, if we error one way or the other, let’s error on the low expectation end. Let’s be realistic about our expectations this summer. It will be loud. It will be messy. Chances are it will be chaotic at times. But, if our expectations are in the right place, it will be good, incredibly good. I’m preaching to my own choir here and telling myself I need to check my expectations this summer.

Have a plan.

Whether it’s a menu concept, bucket list, or go with the flow attitude, have a plan. Enlist your kids’ help and create a plan on how you want the summer to look. Kendra Adachi has a Lazy Genius principle of Decide Once. Is there a rhythm for your summer you can decide once on? Slow mornings and pool afternoons? Every Wednesday a playdate? Babysitter help one day a week? Library Mondays? A quiet time each afternoon? Will planning or packing lunches each day be helpful? Having a plan doesn’t mean you need to plan out each day to the hour, but deciding once on a few pieces of your summer rhythm can make your summer simpler.

What is important to you? What will make your summer days run smoother? How will you keep yourself and your kids in a healthy mental space?

Have a Plan and Decide once for A Simpler Summer.

Automate the boring stuff.

Summer can be slower or fuller, depending on the calendar. Whichever way the pendulum swings, it’s beneficial to automate the boring stuff to give us more time with our people. Automate the groceries, the bills, the toilet paper delivery.

If you’re automating groceries, choose 10 meals you will cook this summer and rotate through them each week. Make a list of the grocery items you need and put them on a list, so you know exactly what to order and then pick up each week. Popsicles, check. Hamburgers, check. Fresh fruit, check check.

Automate cleaning and paper products as well with Grove Co. or Amazon Subscribe and Save. You will never be in a pinch again for toilet paper with automated delivery.

If you’re automating bills, set up bill pay for each and every bill possible. This has saved our family countless hours and ensures each bill is paid on time.

What is one thing you can automate today to make room for A Simpler Summer?

Build in fun everyday.

Be sure to have fun everyday. Whether it’s saying ‘yes’ to the sprinkler, making ice cream sundaes for lunch, spending 10 minutes looking up funny jokes, or going on a family bike ride, make sure you have fun everyday. Believe me when I say, I know this is easier said than done. But, BUT we have 18 summers with our kids, so let’s make this one fun.

A Simpler Summer is possible with a little intentionality, planning, and fun. How will you make room for A Simpler Summer?

Vanessa

5 Ways to Connect with Our Kids

A Simpler Childhood

We were created for connection. As much as we adults long for connection and community, so do our kids. They want to feel close to us, even if they would never say that out loud. Here are 5 Ways to Connect with Our Kids.

5 Ways to Connect with Our Kids

One on One Time

In our family, something we strive for is one on one dates with each kid as often as we can swing it. In some seasons, it’s once a month. Other seasons it’s once every three or four months. It’s super obvious when it’s a priority and when we aren’t on our game. When my husband and I make space for one on one time, we feel more connected as a family. Our kids are more responsive to us. And we are all a bit more content with one another.

One on one time doesn’t have to look like a date to a park or a restaurant. It can look like 15 minutes of chatting or baking or reading before baby brother gets up from his nap. One on one time can look like 5 minutes before bed, spending focused time with one child. It can look like talking with a kid in the car on the way to soccer practice. It doesn’t have to be well thought out or elaborate, it just has to be intentional.

Is there a time in your day you can spend one on one time with each child? Or maybe take it a step further and make space for a date?

Reading Aloud

A stack of books, a cozy blanket, and kids on your lap is a great place to foster connection. Reading aloud is one of my favorite ways to connect with my kids.

Reading aloud can become a rhythm of your day, making connection easier. Simply find a read aloud time in your day, whether it’s before nap, before bed, or after school. If you’re a homeschooling family, try a Morning Basket. Committing to reading aloud and making it part of your everyday rhythm ensures built in connection with your kids each day.

Is there a time in your day you can gather your kids and read aloud? What would it look like?

Play

You may be really good at playing with your kids and may even enjoy it. Or playing with your kids may make you cringe a little. I’m here to tell you it’s okay whichever camp you’re in. Getting on the floor to play Legos or cars with my kids is not my favorite thing in the world to do. And I’ll be honest when I say it’s not something I do super often. However, taking five to ten minutes (set a timer!) to play with our kids can build relationships. It shows we are interested in what they are interested in. We are given access to their world of imagination and creativity and get to see our kids being their true selves. Although it’s not my favorite thing to do, I never regret playing with my kids.

Can you find time in your day to set a timer for 10 minutes and play with your kids?

Physical Touch

Some kids love to be touched. And almost all toddlers do. Be mindful of incorporating touch into interactions with your kids. My eight year old puts my hand on his back or head to scratch it when we are reading together or he is telling me a story. My four year old crawls onto my lap with sleepy eyes each morning. There are times I think I ‘don’t have time’ for it, but I do. I always do. Physical touch is one way we can connect with our kids, especially if it is their love language.

Do you know your kid’s love language? Do you have a kid who likes physical touch? If so, how can you incorporate it more into your day?

Shared Passion, Project, or Experience

Have you ever seen your kid light up about something? A sport, Lego, cars, baby dolls, an animal? Getting involved with our kids’ passions builds a shared connection. Star Wars is absolutely not my thing, but it is my oldest son’s thing. I have read Star Wars books, gotten involved with Star Wars humor, and even sat through a movie or two. Although it’s not my favorite, it gives me great joy to see my boy light up about something and I know it’s fostering good things within our relationship.

Bike riding is something we do as a family. It’s nothing grand, but now that it’s spring, we try and bike ride together at least once a week. Bike rides have become a shared passion: the gathering of the gear, the ‘we can do hard things’ chant, the post bike ride ice cream. It’s a thread of our family and it’s a good one.

What is a shared passion you can do with your child or a shared experience or project you can do as a family?

We all want to feel connected to our kids and want them to feel the same. What is one way you foster connection with your kids?

Vanessa

Spring Capsules for Kids

A Simpler Childhood

Capsule wardrobes for kids just makes sense. Our little people wear clothes for a such a short amount of time, changing and growing before our eyes into the next size and stage. Spring Capsules for Kids make dressing our little humans simpler. Fall and spring are two times of year I really hone in on my kids’ closets and reassess what they’re wearing.

spring capsule

Spring Capsules for Kids

Why a spring capsule?

A spring capsule for kids reduces shopping, organizing, and laundry. It may be hard to believe, but it’s been true for our family.

A spring capsule for kids decreases shopping time and money spent. I shop once for the items they will wear this spring and it’s done. There will be times, of course, something comes up and we need to purchase a piece of clothing for an event or activity, but it’s easy to do because the capsule is in place. It reduces spending because I’m not buying a closet full of clothes for each child. I’m buying enough.

A spring capsule also helps with organizing clothes. The kids are able to put their clothes away and keep them organized because there aren’t hoards of them. In my experience, if the amount of clothes isn’t manageable for the child, it’s too much.

A spring capsule also helps with laundry. This may seem counterintuitive, but hear me out. If every kid has enough clothes for two weeks, that means at any given time I can have two weeks of laundry for each kid in my laundry room. And friends, I don’t want that. Keeping their wardrobes manageable creates less laundry. It also forces me to keep up on laundry, instead of letting it pile up. I do a load of laundry everyday, which has become a part of my daily rhythm and ensures my kids always have something to wear.

How to put together a Spring Kid Capsule

1. Decide what is enough for your kids and your lifestyle.

This is probably the hardest part of creating a capsule wardrobe for kids. Think through what is enough for your kids and your lifestyle. Ask yourself: What activities and events will my kid participate in the next three months? What items will my child need? How often do I want to do laundry? Does my kid need an outfit for everyday of the week or can I make do with less? Decide what is enough for your child and your lifestyle, knowing you can make tweaks along the way.

For our family, I have played around with the numbers of bottoms and tops and it fluctuates each season. Spring in the midwest can bring all sorts of weather, so layers and rain boots are essential.

For us, our boys need around 5 bottoms, 6-10 tops, 3 pairs of pajamas, a jacket, tennis shoes, and boots. For our daughter, 6-8 bottoms, 8-10 tops, 2-3 dresses, 1-2 pairs of tights, 1-2 cardigans, 3 pairs of pajamas, a jacket, tennis shoes, boots, and a dressier pair of shoes are enough. This is what works for us right now and changes with each season.

2. Pull out and try on potential pieces.

Bring out pieces you will consider this spring. Have each child try on the clothes to see what still fits. Keep what fits and donate or store the rest for siblings.

If your kids need an incentive to try on clothes (like mine), a piece of chocolate or the promise of a boardgame or puzzle might do the trick.

3. Make a list of gaps and shop.

After each kid tries on the pieces, make a list of gaps. Choose pieces that are versatile and can go with many of the clothing already in the capsule. A good rule: In order to purchase a piece, it must go with 3 other pieces already in the wardrobe. Shop swap pages, Poshmark, or wherever you like for clothes needed. If your kids are older, include them in the shopping. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about needs and wants, money and the cost of goods, and making intentional purchasing decisions.

After my kids tried on this year we needed: rain boots for everyone, a short sleeve top for my oldest, Easter shirts for the older boys, tennis shoes for my four year old, and a pair of pajamas and pair of bottoms for my 18 month old. We are blessed with lots of hand-me-downs from cousins, which make up the majority of my younger kids’ capsules. We like Hanna Anderson, Alice and Ames, Childhoods Clothing for any pieces we still need.

Spring Capsules for Kids is a way to make dressing your littles simpler and make it a more independent task. Tell me: Will you create a spring capsule for your kids this year?

Vanessa

Post-Christmas Purge

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Home

Wrapping paper strewn across the living room.  Cardboard, those annoying white plastic strips, ribbon, coffee mugs, lone Reese’s tree wrappers and fuzzy blankets.  An accurate picture of our living room after the big day.  A picture of a morning savored.

In an ideal world, the kids play happily the rest of the waking hours as Kevin and I cuddle on the couch, drink our coffee, and sneak bites of quiche and muffins.  The quiet, slow beauty of Christmas morning is one I savor each and every year.  And every year I wish it would last a teensy bit longer.

Post-Christmas Purge

But, it doesn’t and inevitably over the next few weeks we teeter back and forth between routine and cookies for breakfast.  Somewhere between the blurry days of Christmas and New Year’s we get in a good Post-Christmas Purge.  If you were around before Christmas, you know we did a Pre-Christmas Purge, but it’s inevitable we need to do one after the big day as well.

From experience, I think a good Post-Christmas Purge is best done the week or so following Christmas.  A few reasons:

1.  Kids are excited about new stuff and are more willing to part with old stuff.

2.  It relieves some stress and frees up space when our homes (could) look like a toy war zone.

Let’s get to it.  Here is how we do a Post-Christmas Purge and if you’ve been following along you might notice it’s pretty similar to the Pre-Christmas Purge.

Post Christmas Purge

1. Motivate your people.

Announce that your home looks like a Toy Story movie.  Remind your people they just received some fun things from friends and family and it’s a good time to let other things go.  I can’t emphasize this enough…make this purge fun.

This is a great opportunity to talk about how letting go of old things will bring joy to someone else.  Maybe do some research with your family to see if there is a certain organization that will take gently used toys and books. Kids knowing where their stuff is going can be a motivator.

If you or your spouse need some motivation or more of a why behind a Post-Christmas Purge, this is it. Studies have shown kids who have less toys to play with have more quality play.

Another simple way to motivate your people is to go first. Go through your closet, kitchen, or storage area and part with some things of your own. Actions speak louder than words and our people want to see us getting our hands dirty, too.

If you have older kids, they could sell their gently used toys online through Facebook Marketplace.  I have done this a few times with my two older kids (ages 8 and 6).  Cash=More Motivation

When you’re telling your people about the Post-Christmas Purge, try and dangle a carrot.  What I mean is, tell them First we purge, then we ____________.  Have a movie night or take them for ice cream or hot cocoa after the purge.  Motivating your people with a family experience after the reward has all kinds of benefits.

2. Get organized.

Decide how you want your Post-Christmas Purge to work.  A few options:

Option #1

Have each child choose 10 things to donate.  Take a tote or box (not see through) into each child’s room or playroom and have them choose 10 things to put into the tote.  Anything goes (except for the new stuff, unless you’re cool with it).  This is hard, but if your child doesn’t find value in a stuffed animal from their 2nd birthday, it’s okay to let it go.  A caveat to this:  If the thing has real sentimental value, put it away in a closet and decide at a later time.  Don’t let a sentimental item hold you back from completing the Post-Christmas Purge.

Option #2

Maybe you need a big purge.  Take 30 minutes for each kid and go through their rooms and the playroom to purge unneeded and unwanted stuff.  This can be a big undertaking, but a worthwhile activity for Christmas break. If you have big kids, ask for their help. For littles, decide if it would be best to go it alone or get their little hands involved.

Option #3

Maybe your kids aren’t old enough to purge and make decisions.  Go through each child’s room and the playroom and do a quick declutter.  Put the items in a box in a closet and write the date.  In 3 months if no child has asked for the toys in the box, it’s okay to let them go.

3. Do it.

Begin the purge.  I like to do it in a day, but if you have a lot of kids or a lot of stuff, it can be done over the course of several days, say the week between Christmas and New Year’s?  Make it work for you and your family and don’t let yourself get overwhelmed.  Progress takes work and making your home manageable, simple, and a fun, cozy place to be requires some effort.

There is no substitute for hard work.

Thomas Edison

4. Celebrate your Post-Christmas Purge.

If you have a reward to look forward to at the end of your purge, the work doesn’t seem so bad.  Reward your people with a movie night and popcorn, pizza, an ice cream cone, hot cocoa, or their favorite board game. If you dangle the carrot (or ice cream), they will purge.

5. Enjoy.

Enjoy your simplified spaces with less toys and less stuff.  Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.  You deserve it.

Are you in for a Post-Christmas Purge?  Tell a friend and make it a challenge with each other to see how full you can get your tote or box.  You and your home will feel lighter when you’re done.

Vanessa

Gratitude Activities for Kids

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Homeschool

Thanksgiving is just over a week away. As the plans get made, then change, then change again, (#2020) it’s a good time to take a step back and remember the reason for the turkey and pumpkin pie. Gratitude. Gratitude for the blessings and mercies we have experienced this year, even in the year 2020. Not only is it a good time to practice gratitude in our own lives, but it’s also a good time to practice gratitude with our littles. Today I’m sharing Gratitude Activities for Kids.

Gratitude Activities for Kids

Teach Gratitude through Literature

Books are a great way to coach kids in gratitude. Books help our kids make meaningful connections to what gratitude looks like and why being grateful is beneficial. These book recommendations can be used with any of the activities listed.

Bear Says Thanks

Give Thanks to the Lord

Sharing the Bread

Giving Thanks

The Thanksgiving Door

Look and Be Grateful

Thanking the Moon

Thankful

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

All the World

Thank you, Omu!

Everyday Gratitude

You want gratitude to become an everyday rhythm. At breakfast, dinner, or the beginning of the school day (if you’re doing school at home), simply have each child state something he/she is grateful for. We do this at the beginning of our schoolroom time each day after reading our Jesus Calling Devotional. It’s a simple way to make gratitude a daily rhythm.

Make a List

To piggy back off Everyday Gratitude, make a list. Record what kids are grateful for each day on a piece of chart or construction paper. It’s a good visual reminder of Everyday Gratitude.

Gratitude Journal

If you have older kids, gift them a journal to record 2-3 things they are grateful for each day. Do this alongside them. Another visual reminder and the act of writing it down is powerful.

Play a Game

Everyone loves M&Ms. Use the leftover mini bags from Halloween for this simple game to remind us of all the things we are thankful for. Thanks to A Thrifty Mom for the idea. Click here for the link.

Put it on Paper

If you have a worksheet loving kid, this one is for you. Simply download and print this worksheet or these free printables to color and record gratitude.

Write a Letter

Discuss how there are so many amazing people to be grateful for. Each family member chooses a person they know and are grateful for and writes a letter thanking the person for the impact on their life. Get it in the mail in time for Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Gratitude

For a fun twist on Write it down, have a family pumpkin to write down what you’re grateful for each day with a Sharpie.

Make Thankful Placemats or Collages

Have each child look through pictures and magazines and cut out things and people they are grateful for. Glue onto cardstock and laminate if you would like to use for a Thanksgiving placemat.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

If you’re looking for something to play around the dinner table on Thanksgiving with extended family, try this Photo Scavenger Hunt from KC Edventures. Simply print off the free printable for all the players and have fun scouring your phones to find each item on the list. The rules are included in the post.

Teaching our kids to be grateful is a worthwhile venture. Gratitude is a choice and my hope is I can teach my kids it’s a worthy choice to make everyday. Tell me: how will you practice gratitude this Thanksgiving?

Vanessa

Thanksgiving Learning Activities

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Homeschool

It is November and Thanksgiving is just weeks away. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the celebration of the blessing of harvest. For us Americans, it is modeled from a feast shared in 1621 between the pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. It is rich in history and tradition and worth our time to study.

Today I’m sharing a few Thanksgiving activities to help our kids learn about the traditions and history surrounding it. These activities are geared for elementary aged children.

Thanksgiving Learning Activities

The Mayflower

Literature: The Thanksgiving Story

Alternate YouTube Book: The Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving

After reading The Thanksgiving Story, make a Mayflower and sail it using an empty applesauce cup, paint, construction paper, popsicle sticks, and play dough. See instructions here.

Alternate Activity or Extension: Make this simple Mayflower Craft.

Pilgrim Life

Literature: Samuel Eaton’s Day, Sarah Morton’s Day, If You Lived in Colonial Times

YouTube Books: Samuel Eaton’s Day, Sarah Morton’s Day, If You Lived in Colonial Times

After reading, discuss the lives of pilgrim girls and boys. Make a list of what their lives looked like on a daily basis. If reading both books, compare and contrast how Samuel Eaton and Sarah Morton’s days were alike and different.

Extension: Pilgrim children played with marbles. Make marbles using this recipe or simply get out some marbles and have some fun.

Extension : Make butter in a mason jar.

Squanto

Literature: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

Youtube Book: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

Mom Note: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving is a hard and true story about Squanto being sold into slavery and then returned to America.

After reading, discuss how Squanto helped the pilgrims plant and care for crops. He also taught them how to fish. Corn was a big commodity in colonial America. The most common use for corn was cornbread, which can also be called ashcake, hoecake, Johnny cake, or cone pone. Make Johnny cakes together.

Alternate Activity or Extension: Make Squanto’s Dirt to learn how Squanto taught the pilgrims to plant and grow corn.

Legend of the Five Corn Kernels

Literature: Legend of the Five Kernels (free printable)

After reading the legend, cut corn shapes out of cardstock. Finger paint Indian corn using red, yellow, and brown paint.

Thanksgiving YouTube Videos

This video tells about the Mayflower’s journey.
(Mom Note: It mentions the pilgrims who died the first winter.)
This video explains pilgrim life told from the perspective a pilgrim boy.
This video tells about the first Thanksgiving and how it became a national holiday.
(Mom Note: It mentions the people who died the first winter.)
This is a shortened video that presents the Mayflower coming to America as well as the first Thanksgiving.
(Mom Note: It mentions people who died during this time.)
This video explains the 13 colonies.

Learning about the tradition of Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be complicated. It can simply mean a few books, some paint, and maybe some heavy cream to make butter for your muffins. Tell me: How will you teach your kids about Thanksgiving?

Vanessa

5 Simpler Art Projects for Fall

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Homeschool

In my limited experience as a homeschool mom, I find creating art can be put on the back burner. Figuring equations, phonics practice, grammar, read alouds, and learning the characteristics of a mammal seem to rank higher on the homeschool to-do list. However, as my mom once reminded me, creating is important to little humans. However much art is important to little humans the art of keeping it simple is just as important to the homeschool parent. Today I’m sharing 5 Simpler Art Projects for Fall.

The crafts on this list can be done (mostly) with things you already have in your home. A literature connection can be meaningful and is shared with each craft, although completely optional.

5 Simpler Art Projects for Fall

Leaf Rubbing

Supplies: Leaves, tape, cardstock, crayons (paper removed), watercolor

Literature Connection: We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt or an October poem

Hunt a few leaves down to do a leaf rubbing. Tape a leaf down on the table and then tape a piece of cardstock over it. Using the side of a crayon, rub the crayon all over the paper, revealing the leaf. (If you want a ‘magical’ leaf rubbing, use a white crayon instead of a colored one.) Next, use watercolors to paint over it. You will get a simple, beautiful result.

Natural Fall Picture

Supplies: Items from a nature walk, cardstock, glue

Literature Connection: Leaf Man

Grab a basket and go on a nature hunt collecting leaves, acorns, stems, grasses. Glue and create a leaf man or some other creature with the collected items.

Apple Art

Supplies: Apple template (or draw your own), empty toilet paper roll, black paint, watercolors and paint brush

Literature Connection: Apples or Ten Apples Up On Top

Print off the apple template or draw your own. Using black paint and the toilet paper roll, stamp circles on the apple. Let dry. Use watercolors to create a masterpiece!

Spookly the Square Pumpkin Art

Supplies: Large cut out shapes on construction paper or card stock (triangle, square, circle, oval, rectangle), Crayons, paints, or oil pastels, google eyes (optional)

Literature Connection: Spookly the Square Pumpkin

Read Spookly the Square Pumpkin. Discuss how God made us all unique. Cut out large shapes to use as pumpkins: triangles, squares, ovals, circles, rectangles. Have your children decorate the pumpkins using whatever medium they choose. Bonus: Make Spookly for a snack using graham crackers, orange frosting, and edible eyes. Another bonus: Watch the Spookly movie (47 minutes) on Prime.

Turkey Chalk Art

Supplies: Black construction paper, turkey template, crayons, googly eyes (optional), yellow and orange construction paper, chalk

Literature Connection: The Great Turkey Race or A Turkey for Thanksgiving

Thanks to Glued to My Crafts for this simple and easy craft. Children use chalk to make ‘feathers’ on a black sheet of construction paper. Cut and color the turkey template (or use this turkey template). Cut an orange triangle for the beak and a red gobble. Kids glue the turkey onto the black construction paper and then glue the beak, gobble, and googly eyes on to make the turkey.

Simpler Art

Art doesn’t require lots of fancy supplies or loads of time. It simply requires a bit of creativity and some eager artists. Tell me: will you create art this fall with your littles?

Vanessa

Book List for Fall

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Motherhood

The fall and winter months lend themselves to more book reading. Shorter days and longer nights, cooler temps, and the hankering to get cozy are just a few reasons to enjoy a good book in the fall.

I love a good book list. It allows me to always have a book ‘on deck’ so I’m never without something to read. Today I’m sharing a Book List for Fall for moms and kids.

Book List for Fall (For Moms)

Welcome Home

Myquillin Smith (aka The Nester) is my home decorating boss. She is real, down to earth, and has coined the term ‘cozy minimalist’, which I love. Her new book, Welcome Home came out September 15 and you better believe I pre-ordered it. This is her third book (I highly recommend her other two) and is about creating a home with more style and less stuff for each season.

The Lazy Genius Way

Kendra Adachi introduced me to one of my favorite meals: change your life chicken. She is a mom, wife, podcaster, and creator of The Lazy Genius movement. I am looking forward to diving into The Lazy Genius Way this fall.

Simplicity Parenting

Once a year, I try and read this book. It’s my favorite parenting book and one I gain a lot of value from. Kim John Payne thoroughly describes the childhood I want for my kids and how to get there. I thought I would get to this book over the summer, but it didn’t happen. It’s on my Book List for Fall.

You Be You: Why Satisfaction and Success Are Closer Than You Think

This is Jamie Ivey’s second book and comes out October 1, 2020. Jamie is a podcaster, mom, wife, and loves Jesus. I am a big fan of her and her work. I know I’m going to love this one.

Night Road

If you haven’t read Kristin Hannah, you should. The Nightingale, The Great Alone, Firefly Lane, and Winter Garden are some of my favorite books, all by Hannah. Somehow I missed this 2011 book and I’m excited to read it this fall. The only fiction book on the list, I will devour this one.

Book List for Fall (For Kids)

Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant

It’s not fall without a book about a scarecrow. This book is sweet and is the perfect lead in to a scarecrow art project. Check out this Art Hub for Kids.

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer

Every fall we have little oak trees growing in our yard because our squirrel friends bury acorns everywhere. This is the perfect book to discuss the connections of nature. It’s simple and short and begs for a nature walk after reading.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

Recommended by Sarah McKenzie over at Read Aloud Revival, this book is beautiful and gets you in the mood for fall.

Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper

Pumpkin Soup tells the story of friendship and three animals making pumpkin soup. My kids love to reread this one and giggle every time.

Applesauce Day by Lisa J. Amstutz

If you’re heading to an apple orchard to Celebrate Fall, this is a great read before or after you go.

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: The Pumpkin Patch Puzzle

Mysteries are a thing around here and Nancy Drew is queen of mysteries. We will be reading The Pumpkin Patch Puzzle this fall.

The Friendship Garden: Pumpkin Spice

The Friendship Garden series is new to us, but it looks sweet and perfect for ages 4-8, which is great for our family.

Reading seems like the right thing to do in the fall. Tell me: What books will you be reading this fall?

Vanessa

Celebrate Fall

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Motherhood

Crisp fallen leaves, adventures in tall boots and brown grass, pumpkin muffins, and hay rack rides. It’s time to Celebrate Fall.

There is no denying fall is a magical time of year. Fall is the perfect temperature for a hoodie and cozy socks. It’s for Saturdays with a hot cup of coffee and a game to watch. Fall is making the house smell like banana bread or pumpkin muffins or zucchini cakes. It’s a season when we can watch and enjoy the transformation from summer to fall in all it’s red, purple, and gold glory. The changing of the seasons is an intentional rhythm and one we can celebrate.

Saying goodbye to summer and hello to fall looks different for all of us. Intentionally creating space and celebrating the seasonal rhythm can help us feel grounded, give us joyful anticipation, and make life a bit more fun.

Today I’m sharing some ways to Celebrate Fall. These ideas are simply a place to begin. Not every family will find joy in the things on this list. My hope is it will inspire you to create a list of ways you and your family can Celebrate Fall.

Celebrate Fall

Read Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak with your kids. Discuss the changing of the seasons and use this as the motivation to start your discussion on ways you can Celebrate Fall.

Go on a nature hunt to the nearest local park or preservation area. Read the book We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt prior to heading out. Bring sketch books to draw what you find.

Head to the local farmer’s market to see what has been harvested recently. Squash, pumpkins, tomatoes. Create a harvest meal together. In many places, these markets will wrap up in the next month, so make a trip soon!

Apple crisp, applesauce, apple pie, apple cider, apple donuts. Apples feel like fall. Choose a recipe you want to make with apples and then visit a local orchard to pick yourself.

Create a capsule wardrobe for yourself or your kids for this fall. Go through what you already have for the coming season and then make a shopping list. Get your closets ready for fall!

Invite family or friends over for a bonfire and s’more feast. Get creative with the combinations. My favorite is a s’more with a Reese’s inside.

Head to your local gardening center and pick up fall mums or other fall blooming flowers to brighten your pots.

Collect some fallen leaves and let your kids get creative as they paint and stamp with them. This tutorial is simple and easy.

It wouldn’t be fall without a trip to a pumpkin patch. Put on your boots and support your local patch. Pumpkins feel like fall.

Speaking of pumpkins, make some pumpkin goodies. These chocolate chip pumpkin muffins are my favorite fall treat.

How will you Celebrate Fall?

The changing from summer to fall keeps us grounded and allows us to anticipate all the adventures and experiences the new season will bring. Tell me: how will you Celebrate Fall?

Vanessa

A Day in the Life

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Motherhood

A few times a year I like to capture A Day in the Life. Mostly so I can look back someday and cry big crocodile tears over how little my babies were and how precious our time was, but also because sometimes inspiration strikes when we peek into someone else’s day. Personally, I like to read how others do things and many times when I do, I make a small edit somewhere that makes a load of difference.

I don’t need to tell anyone the year 2020 is one for the history books. As weird as the past nine months have been, I have savored this time because I’m pretty sure the entire world will never shut down again (at least I hope not). A Day in 2020 looks mighty different than a day in 2019. It’s a journey, nonetheless, and one I’m happy to be on.

A Day in the Life…

5:00 a.m. Alarm goes off. I get dressed and complete a Motivated workout in our bedroom.

5:20 a.m. Read devotion on the couch and pray. New Morning Mercies is my current read.

5:35 a.m. Mix up gluten free blueberry muffins. It’s a Tuesday rhythm since Kevin has Zoom Bible study each Tuesday and I am on breakfast duty.

5:50 a.m. Go for a walk. It’s my new self care.

6:10 a.m. Take a shower and get ready for the day.

6:25 a.m. Put muffins in the oven, sit down to write and read.

7:00 a.m. Get kids up for the day. Cuddle with Luke on the couch. Luke is slow to rise and I savor the cuddles with him. The ten minutes snuggled up with my firstborn is a treasure to me.

7:10 a.m. Breakfast. The kids aren’t super hungry this morning, so they each eat 2 muffins and I throw some sausage in the skillet for Lily and Jude. With some protein in their bellies, I know they will make it to lunch.

7:20 a.m. Get Jack up and feed him a breakfast of milk, banana, and Cheerios.

7:50 a.m. The kids watch Real City Heroes for 15 minutes because Jude earned a potty reward.

7:55 a.m. I mix up and make some zucchini muffins for our neighbors who so graciously gave us loads of zucchini this summer.

8:15 a.m. Luke begins his independent seat work. Lily and Jude get out the Quiet Box. Jack toddles around the house.

8:40 a.m. I play with Jack for a few minutes while Luke finishes up his independent seat work.

8:55 a.m. Sit down to complete seat work with Luke.

9:10 a.m. Sit down to complete seat work with Lily.

9:35 a.m. Put Jack down for his morning nap.

9:40 a.m. Meet in the school room with Luke, Lily and Jude. We read our devotion and pray. Luke and Lily recite their poems. We talk about the day and I read a few Eric Carle books.

10:25 a.m. Independent reading time for 20 minutes. I do reading lessons with Luke and Lily.

10:50 a.m. Make lunches to eat in the car. Peanut butter and jelly, pretzels, raspberries, carrots.

11:00 a.m. Get Jack up from his morning nap and head to Council Bluffs.

11:30 a.m. Drop off donations to Goodwill.

11:45 a.m. Drop off a meal to a friend. The three bigs have meltdowns in the car over someone kicking the back of a seat. They lose their tablets for the ride home.

12:30 p.m. Pick up grocery order at Wal-Mart.

12:35 p.m. Pick up Starbucks and head for home.

1:00 p.m. Luke and Lily drop off muffins to neighbors. It is the cutest.

1:10 p.m. Everyone helps put away groceries. Luke and Lily get screen time while Jude and Jack play.

1:35 p.m. Luke and Lily go to ‘help’ Grandma with the bees. They are all beekeepers.

2:00 p.m. Read Ten Thank You Letters to Jude and put him down for nap.

2:10 p.m. Put Jack down for an afternoon nap.

2:15 p.m. Prep roast and put in the oven for dinner. Do some blog work.

2:20 p.m. Luke comes in with two bumblebee stings. He isn’t too traumatized, so we put some ointment on and he is good to go.

3:00 p.m. Walk Luke back out to Grandma to work with the bees.

3:15 p.m. Pick cherry tomatoes.

3:45 p.m. Kids come back in from the bees and head to their rooms for Quiet Time.

4:00 p.m. Sit down to write and read.

4:15 p.m. Quiet time is over and the kids get up.

4:30 p.m. The kids turn on music as everyone gets up. It’s a lethargic dance party as everyone tries to wake up.

5:10 p.m. The roast comes out of the oven and dinner is ready.

5:30 p.m. We eat dinner together. Luke gets sick from the bumblebee sting.

5:45 p.m. Clean up dinner as Kevin leaves for a fantasy football draft with friends.

6:00 p.m. Kids get pajamas on and discuss a movie choice since Dad is gone and Luke isn’t feeling the best.

6:10 p.m. After much contemplation, we all agree on Tangled.

6:15 p.m. The three bigs start the movie while Jack and I tidy up the house and play.

7:00 p.m. Jack gets a bottle and I put him down for the night.

7:15 p.m. Kids eat bananas and Luke gets sick again.

7:20 p.m. We all finish the movie together.

7:45 p.m. I make a sick bed on the floor in Luke’s room and put him to bed.

7:50 p.m. Read stories, the Bible, and pray with Lily and Jude. Say goodnight.

8:05 p.m. Do office work for our farm. Lily and Jude come downstairs looking for a part of Jude’s truck.

8:40 p.m. Finish up the office work and leave a Marco Polo for a friend.

8:55 p.m. Check social media feeds. Read, then look at the rest of the week in my planner.

9:15 p.m. Start a new show on Netflix.

9:17 p.m. Luke wakes up crying. I move him into our room.

9:30 p.m. Kevin gets home and helps with Luke.

10:00 p.m. I call our pediatrician to ask about Luke as I google bumblebee stings.

10:45 p.m. Get a call back from our pediatrician’s nurse while Luke and Kevin are asleep in bed. Check to make sure Luke is okay.

Sometime before midnight: Fall asleep.

To be transparent, this wasn’t a typical day and to be totally transparent, our typical day changes often. Usually we don’t have a sick kid and usually I don’t make two batches of muffins and usually Kevin isn’t gone at night and usually I am asleep by 10. However, it was the day I randomly decided to record and here it is.

I know it’s always interesting to see what someone else’s day looks like. Tell me: do you ever record A Day in the Life?