So about two weeks ago I had someone ask if the boys and I wanted to join them for an outing on a Friday night and I said I was going to pass as it just adds up too fast to do go out and do some things. The response got was "Your boys never get to do anything fun. You get to go out whenever you want but always say everything is too expensive when it is something for them!" Whoa, I guess I never thought my boys were missing out on anything, we do so much together but she is right we don't always spend a lot of money on the things we do. And now that I am on my own with only one income and a house and all the bills to pay for I have had to really focus on my spending even more. I have to say that I was a little offended but I feel that my boys do plenty and enjoy life to the fullest. And this last weekend was a perfect example of the fun we have together, even if it doesn't cost any money!
So Thursday night was a Cub Scout night and this time we were putting in some volunteer hours at Feed my Starving Children. This is the second time I have taken my den to package food and it so humbling and rewarding and doesn't cost me a thing. Colton really enjoys doing it and he was so proud to tell everyone later on that weekend that he helped package enough meals to feed 36 kids for a full year. It made me proud that he fully understands what a difference he made with his 2 hours of volunteer time. I plan to take him more often. I would love to do it once a month if we can because we have been blessed with so much in life that this is the least we can do to pay it forward to others in need.
Friday night was a beautifully warm March Evening, temps near 70. We were invited to go to a waterpark with my sister and her kids but my boys were outside running around and playing with the neighbor kids so I said we were gonna just going to stay at home. The boys love to be outside playing with their friends and I was quick to grab a cold one from the fridge and just sit on the deck and listen to their laughter. Then we decided to start up a fire to burn all the sticks and twigs that had fallen over the winter. Well once the fire was roaring good it just seemed appropriate to cook dinner over the fire. So Clint picked up hotdogs/brats and the stuff for smores on his way over. We all cooked our own dinner and then enjoyed more Smores than we should have and we ended the night listening to music around the fire. The boys picked their favorite songs and put on a little dance shows for us. This night didn't cost me any money but yet it was truly perfect and I would be more than blessed if I could spend every Friday night like that!
Saturday morning we got up and enjoyed breakfast and then jumped in the car and headed to the North Shore for the day! The first couple stops were just at rest spots along Lake Superior where we walked along the water taking in the beauty, skipping rocks and Clint and the boys hunted for Agates. After two hours of just soaking in the sunshine and scenery we were all getting hungry so we continued on our drive along the North Shore up to Two Harbors were we found an little Pizza shop to stop for lunch. After lunch we continued jsut a few more miles north to Gooseberry Falls State Park. This place is probably my favorite place in Minnesota. Clint had never been there and the last time Mason was there he was 3 1/2 so it was fun to show these two around the park. We did our fair share of hiking and climbing around the State Park and of course stopped to take plenty of pictures. Our next stop on this adventure was the lighthouse in Two Harbors. Mason is still obsessed with Lighthouses so this was the highlight of his day for sure. Him and I walked out on the extremely long pier to the little light house at the end of it while Colton and Clint made one last attempt to find that giant Agate. We were back in the car and ready to make the 3 hour drive home. It was another amazing day and it cost me only a tank of gas and some money for lunch. Another relatively cheap adventure but one that wont soon be forgotten. The boys have talked about it several times since Saturday and are already planning our next Trip to the North Shore.
Sunday morning we picked up my nephew (I watch him every Sunday) and we headed to Church/Sunday School. Then we spent the after noon at Clint's house, watched a movie and did a little swimming. Colton went to his cousin's birthday party in the later after/evening and Clint and I took Mason to his favorite restaurant, Shogun - Sushi and Hibachi! Of course we didn't think about the fact that we would be taking a baby to a Hibachi but of course he loved it, so much going on that he was very entertained. Another very fun filled day and we didn't have to spend hundreds to have a good time.
I think this weekend was the reminder I needed that I do give my boys all they need. They get to do plenty of fun things in life and I shouldn't feel guilty for the times I need to say No to something due to lack of time or money available. I know my boys won't want to spend time with me forever so I will soak in all the weekends I can like this, making memories to last a lifetime!
That person has no right to judge you on anything, least of all your parenting. You are perhaps one of the most involved mothers I know, and you are always finding adventure and fun for your boys. Who cares if it costs money or not. Kids don't care! And of course you can't say Yes all the time to everything either.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry if that comment made you question yourself. You give your boys exactly what they need, and more. If you ever doubt that again, call me and I'll remind you. :)
Thanks! My boys are not ones who put a monetary value on things which I think happens a lot with kids these days. The boys are 9 and 5 and they act like it, I have seen so many kids that won't go to a park cause it isnt cool and that to me is very sad. We need to let these kids be kids as long as we can, why are we trying to make them grow up so fast. My boys think a night of bike riding to several different parks or an evening of building legos and having a picnic dinner in the living room is the best! I am trying to teach them that they don't need to keep up with anyone else and that we don't need the biggest, best and newest things to be happy and to be honest I think it is working so I am going to stay on the route I am on. It might not be perfect and others may feel bad for my boys but the boys seem happy and they know they are loved and that is all I care about!
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