Long weekends, and routines.

Long weekends are amazing. They rejunivate us after long dull work weeks, they reconnect us with our families and ourselves, they bring out our neighbours and friends, they bring out fireworks and sparklers, camp fires and smores!  My kids love long weekends, because it means they get to stay up later than usual, which can mean total chaos for husband and I .

So, we've learned over these few years in the parenting game, a few tricks to keep our sanity intact.

1. Don't stress over routines! Trying to be super diligent over your nap schedules, eating schedules and bed time routines will just drive everyone crazy. Try to stay within an hour or two of your usual routines, but if you don't- don't stress. Just get to the necessary events when you can. Your kids won't let you forget to feed them, if they're anything like mine- they want to eat all day long during long weekends, or so it seems!

2. Give your kids more selection and choice , if they're old enough. Let them decide what to eat for dinner, even if it seems ridiculous. It's the best time to have breakfast for dinner, or even eat your dessert first! I can't do the latter, because I know my kids would eat the dessert and then suddenly be 'full' which I know...would be typical of other kiddos. But let them make a fun dessert- have a build your own sundae night but take them topping shopping first!

3. Take lots of pictures! Capture those family moments you otherwise wouldn't. If your kid says or does something funny, write it down on the calendar or in a journal. And don't just keep those photos in your computer or on your memory card. PRINT THEM. Go out to the store and buy some frames and designate a wall for photos, your kids artwork, etc.

4. On the last day of the long weekend, get your kids to bed early. I like to get mine down for around 7pm the last night of a long weekend- that means they've eaten and bathed, before 6pm. It's hard to do on a regular night because it's still light out and they just want to play but after a weekend of playing, celebrating, and staying up late- their little bodies need the rest. Even if you have to get up a little bit earlier the next day, consider it a win.

5. Enjoy yourself and your partner. We always get so lost in the goings on of busy weeks , appointments, work schedules , kids, etc. Take a few minutes to remember why you fell in love in the first place, play and be goofy. Husband and I seem to always get into water gun fights {....I prefer the hose, and a really good hiding spot..haha} or water balloon fights, that sort of thing. The kids absolutely love it, we have lots of fun and we actually giggle. I love that.

making potions on the front lawn. {grass,dirt,water, chalk}