Category: Family Time

Brush Strokes

Living in the desert makes me see why so many Southwest artists don’t focus on details. Their art is about color applied in broad brush strokes. We admired these warm colors today as we took our drive. Some other drivers got angry at me for driving so slowly. Silly people. Didn’t they know there was a view?

Let me tell you about Thursdays. The Ross kids think everything is more difficult on Thursdays. A few years ago I started a tradition of taking the kids out to lunch and on a drive on those dreaded days.

Today we went out to lunch (McDonalds) and drove behind the mines by our house because we had never been there before. Somehow it made all the difference.

Serendipity beetles

After a little school work, we decided to go to the mountains. We went hiking and exploring.

I was hoping it would be an inspirational moment where we would talk about educational goals. We just played in the stream instead. And THEN we saw…

some ladybugs.

There were many ladybugs.

We saw ladybugs in the trees,

ladybugs on the ground…

and they were irresistible.

So, today we climbed rocks and found serendipity beetles.

It was a good day.

We have good parents


I’ve been thinking about some of the good things my parents taught me. Today I used the door slamming response.

1. If a kid slams a door, he will need to close it quietly 10 times.

2. No candy before noon.

3. It’s a good idea for kids to have a little spending money and freedom.

4. As kids get older, they need lists of tasks to do, and if you write them on a yellow legal pad, it seems more cheery.

5. Bedtime stories are important.

6. Pulling weeds is a good activity for sorting out grumpy or idle thoughts.

7. Kids should learn to walk and talk quietly through the house.

8. Kids need space to think and read and create.

9. Outdoor exercise is a good remedy for grumpiness, laziness, and boredom.

Let’s play Li’l Critters

Paige is a great big sister. Her room is a favorite place to be. Mark just loves playing with her tiny animals and ello building set. Paige stopped playing with such toys years ago but graciously keeps them within easy reach for Mark. Whenever Mark gets a little bored he seeks for her and asks, “So, do you wanna play li’l critters?” I really don’t know what Mark would do without her kind and gentle nurturing.