We hit a pretty big milestone with the start of this school year: all three kids are now in school full time! Our littlest started kindergarten and our oldest started middle school. It's been exciting. And overwhelming. 

For reasons not entirely in our control, the three kids ended up at three different schools. Two of the three schools are near each other geographically. The third is close to our house. 

On the first day of school, I had Dan take the morning off, because I didn't know how else we could get all three to their schools. The second day, we drove. I drove the kids to school the whole first week, I think. But then, as I'm apt to do, I reconsidered: we could bike? Couldn't we?

Up until this year, our school commutes have been pretty short. We made decisions about schools to keep the kids within a mile or so of our house. We walked. We biked. We drove only when it was super snowy or we had to pick up a friend.

This year, other factors took priority, and the schools are farther away. But not that far. Like I said, one school is walkable, but the other two are about 3.5 miles from our house by bike. It takes about 20 minutes to ride. Doable, right? We've been training for this!

However, here's the issue: after we drop off at the school near our house, we have exactly 20 minutes to get to the other schools so the kids aren't late. It's tight. If we forget something, we'll be late. We feel rushed every morning. I hate rushing. My kids don't like it either. It's stressful for all of us.

I've spent a good amount of time whining about this situation. But whining doesn't solve anything. In terms of solutions, here's what I've come up with:

one. // Change schools. Not possible in the short term. Maybe possible in the longer term. TBD.

two. // Take the cargo bike more. My oldest, W, is a great bike rider. She's fast. She's aware of her surroundings. But I can still make faster time when she rides in our cargo trike and I'm the only one biking. We probably save 3-5 minutes with this option because I bike faster and no time has to be spent locking up her bike at school. She just jumps out.

three. // Drive more. I always say that driving is only 5-10 minutes faster than biking. Unfortunately, in this case, we need those 5-10 minutes. I know we'll be driving more in the winter months, so I'm trying not to drive for every school run right now. If there are 10 school runs each week, I'm currently driving for 3-4 of them. So biking 60-70% of the time. I'm happy with that. But I don't want it to be 100% of the time. That will make me feel like I've given up.  

four. // Find more carpools. In my experience, carpooling with others works better in the afternoon. Mornings are hectic. It's hard to coordinate your family's timing with another family's. And with three kids, that's a lot of logistics...

four. // Have on of the two older kids go to school solo. This is on the horizon but I’m not sure we’re quite there. But going to continue to consider it.

five. // Move. Neighborhoods or to a city with school buses. I've heard that's a thing. It sounds glorious. Do your kids ride one? (We’re not moving.)

Before I conclude, it feels important to acknowledge how privileged I am to even have the time to do these school runs. It takes a total of 3 hours a day. This is a whole other issue that I might discuss another time: our transportation system is a policy failure.

One way or another, we'll figure it out. Mostly I just wanted to document and share the ways we're trying to continue to bike as our kids get older. It's hard. We live in a society where too many of us are rushing too much of the time, and we need cars to get us quickly from point A to point B. I don't like it, but I'm also realizing there's not much point fighting it. Or maybe, I fight it a little but not with my full force. I need to adapt some, too. 

How about you? How's your school commute going? Are you walking or biking? Do you wish you could? Is your middle schooler going to school solo? I'd love to hear how other families are managing! 

I am working on a post about our trip to Costa Rica earlier this year (so overdue!) and as a result, travel and its environmental impact have been on my mind. Actually, I frequently wrestle with the issue of travel and how responsible I am as an individual to decrease my travel due to the climate crisis. Light thoughts, right? Phew.

I don’t have many answers but I am always trying to learn more and to be aware of how my behavior fits into the larger picture. Apparently tourism accounts for 8-11% of annual greenhouse gas emissions globally, and that is mostly how you get where you’re going: car or plane. Planes are more polluting, but more people travel by car. 

Like many people, I have always loved to travel, and I am so appreciative of the opportunities I’ve had in my lifetime to experience new places, both near and far. I grew up in a small, rural town, and always longed for adventures. My parents instilled a love of travel in me from a young age. Most of our trips were in North America: spring break in Florida at my grandparents’ house, holidays with family in Ohio, road trips across the country with stops at national parks.

When I was in high school, I had a unique opportunity to go on a school trip to China. I can’t remember all the details, but there was a lot of fundraising and some mandatory language lessons. I spent almost two weeks in Beijing, living with a host family. That experience prompted me to study Mandarin Chinese in college, which afforded me several more trips to China and Asia more broadly.

But before studying Chinese, I first worked on my French skills as an exchange student in France in between graduating high school and starting college. That was in the fall 2001, so my ability to explore France and Europe as an American was limited due to concerns in the aftermath of 9/11, but I did manage a solo trip to visit a friend in Germany. 

When I was taking these trips, I was blissfully unaware of the impact airplane travel has on the climate. Admittedly, I was selfish. I can recognize now that I was broadening my own horizons to the detriment of others.

But it’s not like I stopped traveling. Like I said, I love it. So many of us do... Before having kids I went to Greece, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Switzerland, Italy, and Aruba. As a family, we’ve traveled with one to three kids to Costa Rica, Mexico, Iceland, Germany, and Denmark.

I don’t mean to sound like a braggart here (does anyone even use that word anymore?); my main goal is to reflect on my past to help inform future choices, but I can see how listing where I’ve traveled might sound a little annoying. So let me get on with my point, shall I?

I have no plans to give up flying altogether. I do, however, try to be more thoughtful all the time about our trips, and only take the ones that are really important to our family. I also hope to go on a few longer trips where we can see several sights at the “cost” of only one long flight. There are also so many places closer to home we have yet to explore. I’m always reminding myself to explore my city; the state; our region. 

Another way I think about the impact of travel is through a yearly carbon budget, similar to the way I think of how the plane tickets I purchase affect our finances. I don’t do any actual calculations, but I just think about how it wouldn’t be good for my bank account to take five international trips a year, and it isn’t great for my “carbon footprint” to do that either. Now, there could be a year in which five international trips are necessary, whether it be for your work or if your family is abroad. I’m not judging. I’m not telling you what to do. I’m just suggesting we all think about it when we are booking our plane tickets.

There’s no doubt that flying is the single most polluting thing an individual can do, but there is some doubt about how much individual action has an impact on changing the systemic problems that got us into this mess. If my family stops flying, it won’t get us out of this mess. But if we all are more conscious about all our actions and we use them to educate others and advocate for change across industries and society, that might actually move the needle just a smidge.

I’d love to hear your musings in the comments! 

• If you could only take one international trip in the next five years, where would you go?

• Where’s your favorite place to explore in your city/town?

• What’s a road trip you hope to take in the next year?

More reading: the New York Times recently wrote about how to Be a More Sustainable Traveler

Do you want to bike to school with your kids? AWESOME! Do you want to help plan a ride for this year’s “Bike to School Day?” FANTASTIC! It’s on May 4th, but you can also pick any date that works for you school!

There is a wealth of guidance about how to plan an event on the national Walk, Bike and Roll to School website. Start there! I particularly appreciate their “plan an event in 7 days” guide.

Because I’m such a bike to school enthuiast, I’m also including my own tips below, in case those are helpful. If you have questions or just want to talk through Denver bike routes or what might be best for your child’s school, don’t hesitate to contact me!

Steps to take ASAP:

one. // Check with your child’s school to see if they already have an event planned. You can also check the national Bike, Walk and Roll to School website to see if an event is registered for your child’s school. If so, participate and spread the word! Maybe volunteer to help out. If not, continue to step 2.

two. // Take charge! Plan an event to get more people to ride to school on May 4! That can take a few different forms:

• If you don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to planning, you can keep it simple - talk to your school’s principal/head about the event and then spread the word to other parents. Maybe include it in the school’s newsletter, announcements, or on their social media. If you’re able, you can also provide support by suggesting routes and giving safety tips.

• If you are able to commit a bit more time and effort, you can plan “Park and Bike” event. Pick a meeting spot a short distance from your child’s school (0.5-1 mile away) and have people gather there on the morning of May 4, 30-45 minutes before school starts.

• Similarly, if your child attends a neighborhood school and you know others who live near you attend the same school, suggest meeting at a spot in the neighborhood and riding to school from there. If people from the school community who live elsewhere in the city want to join, they can drive to your neighborhood and join the ride.

three. // Spread the word! No matter how you’re involved in planning, it’s always important to spread the word to get more people to ride. First off, register the event. Then think of low-tech and high-tech options: flyers around school, phone calls, emails, social media, school announcement letters, text messages and more.

If you’re just promoting “bike to school” day, then you’re all done! If you’ve planned a group ride, here are a few more Steps to take 1-2 weeks before may 4:

one. // Share a map with those participating. You can also do this the day of, as you feel appropriate for your event.

two. // Ask for help! Get other parents who are enthusiastic about biking to help you. You’ll want volunteers to:

• Be the ride leader, if you’re hosting a group ride. You also want someone to bring up the rear of the ride.

• Help “staff” the route: Adults wearing fluorescent clothing should position themselves at intersections to help those in the group ride safely cross streets, particularly busy ones.

• Provide snacks at the meeting spot or at the school (optional, but always appreciated).

• Distribute maps at the meeting spot.

• Welcome kids and parents to the school.

How to lead a group ride on “Bike to School Day,” may 4:

one: // Make sure everyone knows the meeting spot, and make yourself available by text message for any questions or issues.

two: // Designate someone to lead the ride. This might be you, or another adult. This person should announce the route, and remind people of safety measures (where to turn, stop, watch for cars, etc.).

three. // If you have people staffing the route, send them out to their stations.

four. // Remind parents to ride with their kids.

five. // Depart with plenty of time to get to school before it starts! You don’t want people to be late!

Have fun!

What more info on biking to school? Check out my blog post “9 Tips for Biking to School.”

I talk all the time about how much I love my cargo bike, but this year I’m finding myself in a new situation: my two older kids are riding on their own more and more. I have several friends and acquaintances who are biking to school with there kids as well. One of those dear friends prompted me to put together this list of tips for biking to school! And just in time for Bike to School Day, too! That’s coming up on October 6, 2021. So get your gear together and reduce your family’s emissions by getting some glorious exercise in the bike lane.

one. // Make sure bikes, helmets, and other gear are in good condition. You need a certain about of gear to be able to ride a bike to school: a bike, helmet, and lights, at minimum. Before you ride, make sure everything is in good, working condition: tires have air, breaks are tight, lights are charged. In my experience, kids’ bikes are pretty easy to find used, and there are also lots of excellent high-quality bikes on the market if that’s what you’re looking for. Make sure the bike fits your child well, and they feel comfortable riding it. A test ride around the block is always a decent idea.

two. // Organize all your gear before your ride. You want to make going by bike as easy as other transportation options! Make sure you have a good system in place for where you store the bikes, helmets, and other gear. You want everything to be ready to go in the morning when you’re trying to get out the door for the school day. Set yourself up for success!

three. // Plan your route carefully. You rarely want to bike the same route you would drive. Often the route you would drive has more traffic, and biking is better on quieter streets. Google Maps has a biking overlay option that will show you which streets are city bike routes and where there are bike lanes. Check out local bike maps, too. For Denver, I recommend the Bike Streets Map. Also, talk to anyone you know who bikes regularly. They’re often the best source for figuring out a safe route.

four. // Make a plan with your kids and talk about it ahead of time. Don’t wait until you’re on the road to talk about bike safety. Before you ride, talk to your kids about where they should ride in relation to you, turn signals, and more. Make sure you’re all aware of the general route. It’s also great to “debrief” afterwards and make sure the speed was good for everyone and they felt comfortable with how the ride went.

five. // Wear high-visibility clothing and use lights, even during the daytime. I used to only wear bright colors on cloudy days, but now I wear high-viz gear every time I ride. I have a few fluorescent coats for cooler weather and lighter safety vests that the kids and I wear on hot days. We always turn on our lights when we ride, even on the sunniest days. I figure it doesn’t hurt anything and it might help keep you safe.

A note on lights: you want a white light on the front of your bike, and red lights on the rear. The white light should be flashing when it’s light out, and solid after dark. The rear red light can be flashing or solid; ideally have one of each.

six. // Make sure helmet straps are tight. You should only be able to slide 1-2 fingers under the chin strap. So often I see people with loose helmets. If you’re going to wear it, make sure it’s able to do it’s job if there was ever any impact. And yes, your kids probably will complain that it’s tight, but tell them it’s important for their safety.

seven. // Go on the sidewalk if necessary. Yes, it may go against local laws, but you have to stay safe when bike infrastructure is lacking. All parents approach biking with kids a little differently in terms of riding on the road or on the sidewalk. I have my daughter ride on the road with me and my cargo bike, but during one stretch of our commute she goes up on the sidewalk because the road is narrow and there is a lot of traffic that tries to pass us. Do what you need to do to stay safe.

eight. // Use hand signals. Pointing the direction you’re turning is simplest for kids and drivers. I do the “official” hand signals sometimes too (left arm up at a “L” when turning right and left arm straight out and pointing left when turning left), but it’s amazing how often someone thinks I’m waving at them.

nine. // Use a high-quality lock. If you do an internet search for “best kids’ bike lock,” you’ll get a lot of options that are not particularly robust. I think this is because the suggestions are for locks that kids can easily lock and unlock themselves? But if you’re going to be riding with your child to school and helping them lock up their bike, I’d get something that provides more security. Kryptonite is a good brand, and on their website they rate the security of their locks on a scale of 1 to 10.

Happy riding!

To me, summer is for getting outside (and also for staying home: see my last post!), and I love having weekday adventures with my kids that aren’t too far from home. In this “Easy Urban Outdoors” series, I feature places that are close to the city (Denver) to get one’s outdoor adventure fix.

Star K Ranch unquestionably fits this description. In Aurora, east of Denver, this trail system includes Morrison Nature Center, providing educational opportunities for people of all ages (and a resident bull snake, box turtle and tiger salamander!) . When my kids were littler, we’d go to their kids’ class on a weekday morning (check their schedule for current programming).

Here’s what I love about spending a few hours at Star K Ranch:

• There’s a loop trail from the nature center that is doable for young kids. It’s probably 1 mile, maximum.

• In the center of the trail is a wetland, filled with cat tails, reeds, butterflies, frogs, birds, and more.

• There are ample places along the trail to stop an explore. Lots of trees/logs to climb.

• You feel far from the city: there are very few urban views.

• There are opportunities to join programming at the nature center.

Other notes:

• The Star K Ranch trails connect to both the High Line Canal Trail and the Sand Creek Trail. I personally haven’t biked here, but I think it’d be quite doable, depending where you live.

• It’d moderately stroller-friendly. I’d recommend a carrier, but if you have a BOB stroller or similar, you’ll probably be fine!

• Maybe it’s just luck, but I’ve been here several times over the last 5 years and it’s never been crowded.

Have you been to Star K Ranch? What did you enjoy about it?

I saw a meme a few weeks back. Or maybe it was just a screenshot of a Twitter post. It said something to the effect of “stop asking me about my summer plans; I liked it better when I was being applauded just for staying home.”

I laughed out loud and could totally relate. My kids finished up school last week, and in the weeks preceding, I got asked innumerable times about our summer plans.

I get that it’s a conversation starter. It’s like when people talk about the weather. But I also bristle a little bit at the idea that summers should be filled with camps and pool days and hikes and lemonade stands. Don’t get me wrong, I adore all those things (ok, except lemonade stands!). But I also love days at home. Days where we stay in our pajamas until noon and dig up bugs in the backyard. We turn on the sprinklers for a few minutes and we read lots of library books. We save the gas money and pool money.

Our family has plenty of summer plans: we are going camping, biking, hosting friends and family, and meeting up with people around the city and beyond. But if the time home during COVID taught us any lessons; if we truly did find some “silver linings,” maybe this summer can look different than the summer of 2019 for many of us. Maybe we don’t need to go back to “normal?”

Don’t feel bad if you’ve asked me about my summer plans. I’ve most likely asked you about yours!

I am honest with my answer: I tell people I’m looking forward to not doing much. I am grateful for that privilege. I know not everyone has it. But I think more people have it than realize they do. I also have some of my own pains. I occasionally find myself envious of those with more child care than we have. We've all go our challenges. Some more significant than others; I get that.

But I’m getting off track! My point is this: if it doesn’t come naturally to you to “just stay home,” try intentionally planning nothing for a few days this summer. Or this fall. Do it on purpose. Make it your plan. See how it feels.

I’ll be over here, too, doing the same. And maybe occasionally we can meet at the pool to discuss how it went ;)

Happy summer, friends!

Here in Denver, there are ample opportunities for recreation nearby. There are innumerable hikes and parks along the front range, and venturing deeper into the mountains offers even more avenues for outdoor exploration. Our family loves going hiking and camping, and we’re working on increasing our winter activities (I grew up skiing but haven’t tackled taking our kids yet!).

But all that said, most of you know I’m not the biggest fan of driving, so I’m always on the hunt for easy places close to the city to get our outdoor adventure fix.

One of our favorite places to take a short nature walk is Bluff Lake Nature Center. Here’s what I love about it:

• There’s one clearly defined loop trail, so you don’t need to think too much about where to go.

• From the main trail, there are several places to veer off and let the kids explore. These include wooden walkways out onto the lake.

• The loop is only about 1.5 miles, so it’s doable even when someone is whiney or hangry.

• Even though it’s in the city and close to a residential neighborhood, if you look the right direction you can see mountains and other vistas.

• There’s water - a lake and a stream. And some muck throughout!

• It’s stroller-friendly (a BOB or similar would be best).

• No bikes allowed. (You all know I love biking, but keeping my littles out of the way of mountain bikes is one of my least favorite parts of hiking some trails!)

Other notes:

• NO DOGS allowed, even on a leash.

• They run a Forest School and outdoor summer camps here.

• There are several other naturalist activities offered for families, kids and individuals. Check out their website!

• There are bathrooms by the parking lot.

• Bike parking is scarce. Last time I was there with the cargo bike I had to lock to a sign post.

Have you been to Bluff Lake? What do you enjoy about it?

When I became pregnant with my first child in 2011, I registered for glass baby bottles. I was planning to breastfed, and ultimately did breastfeed. My daughter never really took a bottle. Neither did my second baby, or my third. Back in 2011, I never really thought about why I was registering for baby bottles. Babies just needed bottles, right? Well maybe. But mine didn’t.

From the moment you think you’re pregnant (nay, from the moment you decide you’d like to maybe become pregnant), our capitalist society is ready to sell you something. Messages bombard you from all directions about what you need, what the baby needs, what will make your life easier.

I fell for a lot of it. We all do. We’re human. We’re products of our environment. We’re persuadable. And, honestly, some of it does actually make your life easier. You need some of it. You just don’t need all of it.

Here’s what I’d say to my 2011 self; the advice I’d give on what to buy and not buy and how to start off on the right foot in terms of low-impact, minimalist parenting:

Wear what you have. It might be tempting to buy a lot of maternity clothes, but try to first “shop your closet” for your baggier clothes, pants with a larger/lower waist band, and all the spandex. You can use a rubber band on your jeans button for a couple months, and if it’s summer, dresses are always a good choice for a growing belly. Yes, you will probably need some new clothing, but not as much as you might think.

Seek out pre-loved maternity clothes. When you run out of options from your current wardrobe, it’s time to find some pre-loved options. Ask your friends, look on Facebook groups, or shop consignment online. You’re sure to find plenty of used maternity clothes. During this process, keep in mind: women are, by design, pregnant for only a relatively short period of time (I know it might not feel that way when you’re in the throes of it). This idea is important to remember for two reasons: you won’t need clothes that last a lifetime, and any used clothes you buy will likely be only lightly worn.

If you buy new, select a few key pieces from ethical brands that will work postpartum. If you do buy new clothing, seek out ethical brands that use natural materials. Undergarments and sleepwear that you can nurse in are items you’ll wear over and over again.

Do you really need the maternity pillow? Probably not. Think about it: what will you do when you’re no longer pregnant? Put it in your guest room? No. Use a few extra pillows to make yourself comfortable at night. Even buy a few new ones if needed; they’ll be much more useful in the long run.

But, if you do feel inclined to “stock up” on gear: GET IT USED! Parents love to get rid of things! Once a child is done with something, parents want it out of their house to make room for new items. As a result, they’re often happy to give things away or sell them for a reasonable price. Strollers, high chairs, baby bouncers, you name it! There are several online website dedicated to reselling kids’ gear, and Facebook groups are always a great place to look, too.

Rethink the registry. Once you have thought through what you can obtain for the baby from friends or neighbors, decide whether or not you want to create a baby registry. People love to show their affection through gifts, and you’re sure to have many well-wishers. Be very clear about what items you want (or don’t want!) for your baby. If you don’t give any guidance, you’ll get 25 Carter’s pajama suits in size newborn. And those are not very useful! Think about the items you truly want or need for the baby that might be more expensive and/or hard to find used: cloth diapers, a baby carrier, a crib. You also might ask for take-out gift cards, meal services, laundry service, a massage, etc.

Make goals + take classes. I didn’t love the idea of taking classes when I was pregnant, but I’m so glad that I had wise people in my life who encouraged me to do so. I gained a great deal from taking prenatal yoga and breastfeeding classes. The tools I gained from these classes definitely helped me during my pregnancies and postpartum periods.

Seek out like-minded friends. Generally, I think it’s great to have friends who have a wide-variety of views and ways of doing things. But when it comes to parenting, there are so many ways to do it and to do it well. As you think about your parenting style, it helps to talk to others who have similar intentions for how they want to raise their kids.

Focus on the baby and your health; the “staff” can wait. So often we want to prepare for a big event like a baby by buying all the things we “need.” But, remember, babies don’t need very much besides warmth, food, and love. Try to focus on your health during pregnancy and your relationships. Enjoy some alone time (trust me on this one). Of course you’ll get a few things for the baby, but you can still shop once the baby arrives!

With Christmas a few weeks, and Santa set to gift around the world, I thought I’d pop in with a few tips on how to decrease commercial consumption this holiday season. It feels potentially even more important this year due to the pandemic. As I’ve mentioned before, many of us use shopping as a way to try to address our emotional state. And let’s be honest, we all could use a little “pick me up” after the year it’s been.

Gift giving and receiving is a tricky topic, for sure, but it is one that is on many people’s minds. I’m a member of a few parents’ groups on Facebook, and there are numerous posts about how to minimize gift giving and decrease “all the stuff.”

There are so many different ways to look at this issue, and it is very important not to devalue the role of gift giving and reciprocity within one’s culture. Within that context, here are six ways my family has tried to navigate the holiday onslaught:

one // Communicate.
Obviously this is the best place to start. Discuss your family’s priorities and views with your partner, and then communicate these values to those closest to you who will likely be giving your family gifts. Also communicate them to your children. It’s important that your children have realistic expectations around gifts. We often talk about how different families do things differently and that certainly applies to the holidays!

A common complaint is that people have told their mom/dad/aunt/mother-in-law/grandmother how they feel and the “don’t listen.” Honestly, that’s their prerogative. All you can do is ask nicely.

two // Ask for and give experiences, food, or really useful items.
All of these things are slightly lighter on the environment and result in less stuff in your home. However, much of gift giving is about the “wow factor” and the recipient’s reaction, and the giver knows that. They might not want to give a museum membership instead of a toy that will bring the child instant gratification. Again, their prerogative.

However, holidays can be a good time to ask for things that will help you to live the life you’ve imagined with your kids. For us, this has meant asking for bike-related gear or toys that get the kids outside (scooters, skateboards, stroller attachments, etc.). Maybe your child needs some new “gear” that will help the pursue their favorite activities?

three // Ask for and give the things your children truly need.
Around late summer, I stop buying my kids the things they need. Socks, underwear, new clothes… And if I do buy these things, I set them aside until Christmas. These are things you can ask relatives to give as well.

four // Shop consignment.
This works best when shopping for one’s own immediate family, as not everyone is “into” consignment. (Although they should be, and apparently it’s the next “big holiday trend.”)

I start looking for holiday gifts around summertime. If I see a good toy or clothing item, I’ll buy it and stash it away until December. Goodwill and similar stores are usually pretty picked over right before Christmas, but there are great things to be found in August!

I also have good luck at kid consignment stores when I need specific clothing items for my kids. Last year my youngest needed mittens, and I was able to find a Patagonia pair for $5!

five. // Gifts do not need to be new.
I usually give my children books form “Little Free Libraries.” I also have boxes hidden in the attic of toys from my childhood that I will give to my kids, as age appropriate. Perhaps your relatives have and heirloom or old item that they no longer want that you or your kids would enjoy. My mom gives me some of her beautiful sweaters and my mother-in-law recently gifted me a candle holder that had been in her family for decades. Remind yourself and others that gift giving is about the thought; it does not have to be a brand-new item.

six // Let it go.
This is a reminder to myself as much as a tip to you: when it comes down to it, you can only control the things you can control, and people have a lot of different emotional attachments to gift giving. People show their love through “stuff,” so sometimes we should just say “thank you” and appreciate the sentiment. There are signs that the culture around gift giving is evolving (note the article I linked above!). Do what you can, and then just put your feet up and enjoy a holiday treat!

Five years ago, I started doing daily advent activities with my littles. I’ve always been a planner…spontaneity doesn’t come naturally to me. Having a master list for the month of December seemed like a good way to enjoy the holiday season and all it’s potential activities.

We’ve kept the tradition going, but each year I’ve scaled it back a bit. My goal is for it to be festive and memorable for the kids while not being too much work for us parents. The first year or two were a bit stressful. And stress is not what any of us need; not ever, but definitely not this year!

Here’s what we’ll be up to by way of activities this month. Typically there are a few holiday parties in the mix, but unfortunately not in 2020. Hopefully next year!

december 2017.

• Head to the mountains and cut down a tree!

• Watch The Grinch with special snacks

• Make Pizzelle cookies

• Write letters to Santa 

• Watch Claymation Christmas

• Make orange peel decorations

• Make holiday cards for your extended family

• Go for a walk after dark with hot cocoa

• Bake cookies to deliver to the neighbors

• Fancy family dinner

• Snuggle on the couch + read some holiday books

• Dance party to everyone’s favorite song

• Write a list 10 things you’re grateful for

• Family facials!

• Spinach balls and drinks by the Christmas tree

• Family bike ride to see holiday lights

• Stay in your jammies for breakfast + watch Home Alone

• Go on a bird hunt: see how many birds you can find on a walk 

• Drop food off at a local food bank

• Bake gingerbread friends 

• Enjoy reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas before bed

And that’s all she wrote! A few that didn’t make the list this year involve nail polish (not relaxing for me with my 3 year old!) and putting food coloring in our cereal milk (we ran out of green food coloring and I’m not sure when I’ll get around to buying more…).

I also reserve the right to change the activities ahead of time. I put the activities on pieces of paper in the pockets of our reusable fabric advent calendar and also keep a master list on my computer so I know what’s happening. I swap days or change activities as life indicates!

What about you? Do you do advent activities? What are your favorite holiday traditions?