The Mommies' Diaries…Parenting, One Blog at a Time.

The calendar flipped over into August yesterday which means we are in the last month of summer. We have a week long lake vacation to look forward to this month, but I can definitely feel the summer starting to wind down as the Back to School ads start heating up. However, we are going to eek out every last moment of summer over here.

For most people, summer means a much more laid-back lifestyle of more ice cream and fewer baths; later bedtimes and less homework. And for us it certainly means a lot of those things. I mean, you will not see any homework around here until after August 28th, I can assure you. But int he last little while, my kids have become something of slothy, sugar-addicted monsters who, well, kind of can’t stand to be in the same room with each other.

I am ready for things to change. So, as of today, there are some new rules afoot at Casa de Patel.

We are keeping sugar to am minimum. Sugar has become an expectation around here and not a treat. I can’t stand that. I firmly believe that treats and sugary things are wonderful for kids… in moderation. But it’s a slippery slope, that moderation thing. And multiple visits from family and friends and many get-togethers and playdates and birthday parties have given my kids an awful case of the gimmies. Gimme ice cream! Gimme cookies! Gimme chocolate!

We are keeping screens to a minimum: iPads, iTouches, televisions, computers, xboxes, wiis. The kids are pretty addicted, and since their evenings are no longer filled with school work, they have taken to plopping in front of screens and slothing the night away. One hour a day — they can watch the Olympics, and that is it. The weather has been idyllic and I want them taking full advantage by spending time practicing archery (their latest obsession), hitting balls in the backyard, painting chalk masterpieces on the driveway, on their bikes or playing Clue.

Lest you think it’s a special case of DO AS I SAY AND AS I DO type of thing, I want you to know that these rules are for ME as well. I’m mostly off sugar right now. I had my last bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream yesterday, as I was starting to get a bad case of the gimmies too. Gimme cookie dough! Gimme cupcakes! Gimme Starbucks cakepops!

I’m mostly off of screens right now as well. I mean, I have a few comittments that require me to be in front of a screen for a certain amount of time each day, but for the majority of the day, I will be mostly unplugged. I’ll be spending time hitting balls in the backyard, painting chalk masterpieces on the driveway and practicing archery. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed they don’t ask me to play Clue with them.

At this very moment my kids are out in the sunny backyard creating flowers, bookmarks and even flip flops out of duct tape. TOGETHER. Without being forced. It was their idea even.

It is going to be a fabulous August. I just wish I had a Starbucks cakepop.

Duct Tape Flowers!