But I totally agree with what Dawn from By Sun and Candlelight wrote about this chapter: “Every holiday has potential to be a wonderful experience for our children, and our children are only young for a short time. We mothers are always aware of that ticking clock ~ there are only so many years to go caroling or egg-rolling or trick-or-treating. And yet, I don’t want their holidays to be stretched thin with frantic energy and meaningess activity. I want those memories to be rich and sweet, and I want the meanings of the day(s) to be clear.”
I think her thoughts fit perfectly with both school at home and the upcoming celebrations! So, with that in mind, here are a few ways my little family will embrace simplicity in the next few months:
1. Our boys’ birthdays all happen in a six-week time period. They will only be receiving a couple of gifts from us…and that’s okay. I am challenging myself to find the most perfect gift for that particular child and leave it at that.
2. Our birthday parties are going to be fun, but not cost an arm and a leg. I want to include the boys in the party planning and have it be a fun experience for the whole family. No stress!
3. My mantra with Pre-K this year will be: Just Enough. Just Enough. I often fall into the trap of thinking I need to do every great idea I come across. I mean, there is just so much to see in books, magazines and the Internet! But I know that M doesn’t work that way. So I’m embracing simplicity in schooling: lots of reading, maybe a craft or two, and plenty of unstructured playtime. And that is just enough.
What are your thoughts on simplicity?
(our empty bag is pictured above)??? They were totally an impulse buy from the last time we went to the store, but they are excellent! 
scrapbook binder to hold the first half of my 2011 
