Kids, Lakes, Loons and Pines

Minnesota Parent - September/October

The September/October issue of Minnesota Parent Magazine is available throughout Minnesota and online now.

My ramblings in my School Days Column this month are about my efforts to be part of the solution for positive change in our society.

With my accompanying School Days Stuff sidebar feature, I shared the Kelty Bestie Blanket.  I love mine and highly recommend!

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Pick up a print copy of Minnesota Parent Magazine, or read the full issue by clicking -->HERE.

Find the online link to my School Days column---> HERE.

Pick up a print copy of Minnesota Parent Magazine, or read the full issue by clicking -->HERE.

Find the online link to my School Days column---> HERE.

mothering.com

After a bit of a hiatus, I have found my way back to writing for mothering.com

Click through the top image to see my most recent post on mothering.com.  

You can find all of my individual contributions on my author page on mothering.com.

If you like what you see social media shares are appreciated.  

As always, thanks for reading!

Around Here...

It's been a while!   We've been busy around here.  I have been doing a lot of garden harvesting and preserving.  We have also been enjoying time outdoors.

We're running at a different pace this summer, our kids are getting bigger and busier.   I am keeping very busy keeping them moving and doing my best to keep up with them in all of their different roles and experiences as growing, active children.

This is the time of year that I would typically be in super-charge mode, working on fine-tuning my classroom and participating in teacher workshop days and trainings, but, I recently made a big decision.

After 19 years in the classroom, I have decided to step away for a year.   I requested and was granted a one year leave from my full-time kindergarten position.  This was a decision I felt I needed to take to help me manage my own stress and to be more available and present for my family with all of the unknowns of the school year.

So this fall is going to mark a new chapter for me.  My plan is to take on some work that I can do mostly from home with less responsibility and more flexibility than I would have if I were going back into my classroom this fall.   

I am very grateful that my school administration was supportive of this request and that someone has already been hired to take my position.  I am already appreciating the change of pace. 

Snapshots from our weekend on the big lake

Here are a few snapshots from our trip to Grand Marais, MN on the North Shore of Lake Superior last weekend.   

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This act of sharing photographs and ramblings of our daily life is a practice in gratitude that brings me joy.

I encourage you to reflect on the good in your life.

What are you grateful for today?

Minnesota Parent Magazine - July/Aug Gear Feature

I was busy writing prior to the publication of the July/August issue of Minnesota Parent Magazine.

I would like to share one more contribution I made to the issue.

I was able to put together a gear feature article with my recommendations of family-friendly gear to explore the outdoors.

You will probably notice many of these products in my photos of my outdoor adventures.  They are tried and true recommendations!

Find the online link to the article "Gear up for Adventure" by clicking ----> HERE.

Pick up a print copy of Minnesota Parent Magazine, or read the full issue by clicking -->HERE.

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If you like what you see, social media 'shares' are appreciated!

As, always - thanks for reading!

Minnesota Parent July/August - BWCA Feature

In the July/August issue of Minnesota Parent Magazine I contributed a feature article with tips on how to visit the BWCA as a family.

Find the online link to the article "BWCA or BUST" by clicking ----> HERE.

Pick up a print copy of Minnesota Parent Magazine, or read the full issue by clicking -->HERE.

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If you like what you see, social media 'shares' are appreciated!

As, always - thanks for reading!

Minnesota Parent - School Days - July/August

The July/August issue of Minnesota Parent Magazine is available throughout Minnesota and online now.

My ramblings in my School Days Column this month are all about the uncertainties of the school year ahead and how I am working to manage the stress associated with those unknowns.

With my accompanying School Days Stuff sidebar feature, I shared the Erin Condren line of planners.  I got one of the life planners (and some markers and stickers) to help me keep organized in the school year ahead.  I love it.  Be sure to check out the site: https://www.erincondren.com 

I wrote two more features that were included in this magazine that I will be highlighting in upcoming posts - stay tuned!

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Pick up a print copy of Minnesota Parent Magazine, or read the full issue by clicking -->HERE.

Find the online link to my School Days column---> HERE.

---------------------

If you like what you see, social media 'shares' are appreciated!

As, always - thanks for reading!

Pick up a print copy of Minnesota Parent Magazine, or read the full issue by clicking -->HERE.

Find the online link to my School Days column---> HERE.

---------------------

If you like what you see, social media 'shares' are appreciated!

As, always - thanks for reading!

Snapshots from our island camping trip

We are just settling back at home after a week-long camping in Voyageurs National Park.  We have been doing this for several years now and have been making wonderful memories.  

Enjoy these snapshots from our trip and be delighted by the beauty and bounty of this beautiful area of Northern Minnesota:

taking a break

I am taking some intentional time away from blogging, social media, and emails for a couple of weeks.

I will be back with an update from some of our adventures in a couple of weeks.

Until then!

I am taking some intentional time away from emails & social media - I will respond to your email after July 19th.

Nine

This guy turns nine TODAY.  

We celebrated a little early as a family at home with...

patriotic jello lobsters

 a pogo-stick

And some lake time.

❤️🌊 🎂