PerryBuilt Family

I let my daughter stay home from school on Friday, and she wasn't sick.  It was so funny because I didn't really think that was a very big deal, but I got a very mixed reaction. My husband asked why?  I said because she wanted to and she always wants to go to school.  I figured if she was tired, then why not follow her lead.  After all it is the holiday season, it's a crazy time of year, why not take a day where nothing is planned and we do what we want in the moment, with no agenda.  A friend of mine said that her mom called them "mental health" days.  I was allowed to play hooky occasionally when I was a child.  Maximum, maybe once or twice a year, so I didn't abuse it. Both of my parents worked full time so it was only when they could be home with me which wasn't very often. The holiday season is so packed with special traditions and getting together with family and friends that we don't see all of the time.  If you can, why not...

If you are on facebook you are probably sick of November, with all of the thankful daily posts.  My favorite facebook posts are the posts that start a discussion or prompt a comment, or gives me more information on a subject I am interested in that I did not have without it before.  I don't need a 20 something list of the things people are thankful for. What is important to me is teaching my children gratitude.  It's also important to me to show them gratitude by example, and I am not sure I am always so great at that.  I always remind them to say "Thank You's" and "Please's."  But, they don't often remember on their own without the reminder, and then they just hear me say it over and over and over again. More important than just having manners, is thinking about what is meaningful in you life; it's why you make the decisions you do, it's being appreciative of life's little gifts.  When we see a beautiful sunset, do we say thank y...

It's time to make room for all that extra stuff that comes with the holiday season. From cleaning out the freezer to make room for leftovers for Thanksgiving, to getting out the decorations and wondering what items to put away while putting the seasonal stuff up. Additionally, my kids are working on their Christmas lists and I am thinking, where is it all going to go? My daughter has a hard time letting go of things.  Call it an emotional attachment, or as her teacher put it a pack rat.  I sneak into her room when she is at school to clean out things and she rarely notices they are missing. I was discussing this with a fellow mom recently, and she suggested that this is a value teaching point that I should meet head on to teach her how to let go of items that are no longer played with.  And there could be some added incentives.  Used clothing stores, usually have sections for books, DVDs and gently used toys.  I could put the items in her name a...

I have been a little more motivated in creating some decorations this year for Halloween.  I mean we are in a house that we own now, so I can make things to fit our specific space. We live in the mountains and don't get many or possibly any trick or treators according to the neighbors.  But I think there is something festive about decorating for the people that might be driving by.  More importantly, I think the kids get a kick out of it.  Although it's been a bit difficult explaining to a 3 and 6 year old why scary décor is kind of fun, or even why being scared is fun. Have you tried to explain what a zombie is to a 6 year old? I didn't get a lot of reassurance it was understood. I finally used my favorite book recommendation site, A Mighty Girl , (I have a boy too and still: great title recommendations) and ordered a bunch of books from the library for their age groupings and hopefully that will help explain some of the concepts more in s...

This is my second year where I have looked forward to and dreaded being a slave to the school calendar and going back to school!  My oldest will be in first grade this year.  It seems that there are two sides to every point I am thinking of in saying goodbye to the beautiful Summer and hello to Fall. First off, I think we have had an amazing summer.  We had a few beach days, played in a pool that was given to us most everyday, rode bikes, gone to the aquarium and the zoo, gone camping, boating, maintained a garden, checked off several house projects, and done it all while we both (Perry Mama and Perry Papa) somehow worked and kept it all on track. Boy, am I tired; and still attempting to fit in a few final activities in the last two days before school inevitable starts at 8:30 on Wednesday of this week!!  OMG! I am looking forward to a longer school day, my daughter will go to school until 2:30 for the first time in her life!  But, I am going t...

I'm trying to revive some of my kitchen staples to add a fun splash of color.  I was left with all of these unused paint samples that I wanted to use for a fun summer project, I thought it was going to be for something outside, but I found something inside that needed a  face lift.  Don't forget 1 coat of primer, even if your paint comes with primer in it and two coats of color (I learned that the hard way, thinking I could skip the primer step).  Unfortunately, all of the samples you get from Home Depot are flat, so I also needed to spray them with a glossy sealer, so they would also wipe clean.  Just some tips if this should inspire you! I definitely need to learn about wax sealers, if you have used them, please comment and give me your tips!          Yes, it might look a little like Easter, but with my tired linoleum counter tops that I am going to have to wait to replace, I needed something a little fun!   I al...

I'm usually full of thoughts, but today the only thing I can think of that I have spent and huge amount of time on lately other than work and family is gardening. I am honestly enjoying it! Even the weeding. I have tried to take before and after pictures, but I just get going when I have a few moments and so much changes so quickly and before you know it I haven't taken a before and after shot. I think the main thing is that I am learning a lot, and I am really enjoying it! It's been a great activity for all of us to do together.  And we get some sun and fresh air. I am also experimenting so much and just trying to see what works here in this climate, with our predators and maybe a few clumsy people that trample the wrong spot. The main thing is that the people that had this house before me, knew a lot more than I did. And, with a little help from my friends; I post what I don't know about on facebook and I get a ton of great advice and things to google and loo...