A Day Like Today

A day like today is a good reminder of why I do the Fun Jar. The renovation of our kitchen started yesterday and while the day went well, I attribute that largely to the fact that Anna had a friend here to play all day and Bekah played with our contractor's son for most of the day. Had my own three daughters been stuck in their rooms or the basement together all day, it would not have been pretty.

So while I wasn't entirely thrilled about the Fun Jar draw of walking the one mile loop at Shelby Park's greenway, it would at least get us out of the house. In talking with a friend yesterday who was planning to join us for today's outing, she asked who I thought would be there today. I told her that I rarely know exactly who will be there until I show up. The surprise is part of the fun - for me and the girls. Today was no exception on that front.

About an hour before we were scheduled to meet at the park, a friend posted on Facebook that his kids were driving him - and each other - crazy. His son is Kate's age and his daughter, Bekah's age. So I offered to bring them along with us today. I'm so glad that I did. We had a small group today, so it was great to have friends along with us and it was easier to have them along than it would have been to host them in my chaotic house. I'm thankful I was not only able to help someone else by bringing their kids along, but that it was such an easy addition to our day. As an introvert, I can be hesitant to schedule lots of playdates for my daughters. And when I do, they don't always go well. Which makes me more hesitant to schedule playdates. So today was a good reminder that I can handle taking care of other people's children - and can even enjoy doing so.

A day like today is also a reminder that Fun Jar lets me reach out to people that I know, but not well. It lets me keep in touch with the friend I met when our daughters were at a Montessori school together - three years ago. It helps other moms get to know each other and get out of the house with their children. And it keeps me from going crazy about the plaster dust coating several rooms of my house on a day like today.

Join Us For Tomorrow's Fun

Sure, it's hot, but at least we'll lose some weight by sweating our way around the Shelby Park greenway. And it will be oh so easy to justify an ice cream from Pied Piper after a steamy outside walk.

Let's meet at 9:30 instead of 10 at the start of the greenway (by the Shelby Park nature center). If you need my cell number, e-mail me at shannontruss@yahoo.com and I'll send it to you.

Hope to see you soon!

Fun for the Week of June 14

My daughters started the summer with a nostalgic air - they wanted to go back to the good old days, when we put slips of paper into a Fun Jar and pulled them out for a surprise each week. But the first week into summer, they decided there were advantages to planning in advance - namely, that it let them choose their fun. So we reached a compromise - one day we pull from the jar, one day we choose.

Tuesday's Fun (pulled at random from the Fun Jar) is Shelby Park. We'll meet at the greenway entrance at 10:00 and have a picnic lunch at a nearby shelter after our walk. You are welcome to bring bikes, trikes or scooters, but it may be more difficult for the adults to keep up with the kids - and chat - if our children are all on wheels. Your call. :-) While I won't be sharing this part of the plan with my girls, if a few of us are interested, we can grab ice cream at Pied Piper or snow cones at the Jolly Rogue after lunch. You may also want to bring any stale bread hanging out at your house to let your kids feed the ducks after lunch. My girls always love this part of a Shelby Park visit!

Thursday's Fun (chosen by me to go easier with my schedule) is Granny White Park. I'll be in Brentwood anyway and thought this would be a good time to hang out with friends who live south of town. We'll arrive shortly after lunch (12:30ish) and wrap up our play time with ice cream at Maggie Moo's (using our Groupon, of course!).

If your schedule allows for more spontaneous outings, check this blog or the Facebook page Fun Jar 2010. Renovation of our kitchen starts Monday and I have a feeling we'll need to get out of our messy house more than just Tuesday and Thursday. Suggestions are welcome!