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I’m seeing more and more warm weather blog posts, but here in Massachusetts it’s definitely still winter! My Japanese Maple tree is STILL hanging on to a handful of leaves, but there are fewer and fewer every week.
February was a busy month in our house! Emma turned seven, and enjoyed a fun crafty birthday party with five school friends. Her birthday was during our much-too-short school vacation week, and we all enjoyed celebrating on a no-school day!
We made 60 (well, 59, but do you blame me for rounding up?) valentines for the kids’ teachers and classmates. five-year-old Johnny’s were my favorite – all very detailed and very unique!
I spent a lot of time ignoring housework and hanging out with Anna instead. I’m good at that! It was a big month for her – she turned six months old, got much better at sitting up, and now has two teeth!
My parents drove up from Florida, and we have enjoyed spending some time with them!
I did get the house a little more organized – mostly by getting rid of stuff. I’ve adopted my sister’s strategy: if it’s something you would bring if you were going to live somewhere for six months, keep it. If not, ask yourself if you really need it!
Goals for March:
- Simplify! This is important for me, because there is a lot going on behind the scenes in my life at the moment – some that you’ll probably hear about soon (I hope) and some that just isn’t my story to tell. And simplifying is always a good thing! For me right now, simplifying specifically means cutting down on commitments and continuing my unending decluttering and organization quest. Focus area: gratitude, simplicity, and responsibility
- Make our traditional crayon shaving eggs for Easter, and any other crafts we make time for. Focus area: education
What are your goals for March? I’d love for you to grab this button and join in! Have a goals post? Share your link in the comments!
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I can’t wait to hear about your big news! It sounds like you had a very good February. I can’t believe that Anna is 6 months already!
Visit Natalie … The Children’s Bookshelf–Books for February Events
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 2:58 pm
Anna is growing up way too fast! Hopefully I’ll have news to share soon :)
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We’re in the declutter phase. My parents are moving from their house of 33 yrs, all so quickly, so everything I stored over there in hopes to bring back when we have more than a tiny apartment in the Bay Area needs to be sifted through and probably tossed. It’s all so sad. I feel the need to grieve, but I’ll be implementing your sister’s philosophy. I hadn’t needed it in 12 years. I’ll probably be ok without it.
Congrats on choosing family over housework. We’ve hired help to do our ever daunting task of laundry when the going got really tough (they picked it up on Tuesday and delivered it fresh, clean, and folded on Wednesday). I figured spending an extra 3-4 hours/week with J was more important.
I’m also learning that it’s ok to say no and not feel bad. I still have a long way to go, but I started since we became a 1 car family with my husband working a 30 minute drive away. It’s been my go-to excuse to take it easier.
Good luck with your March goals :-)
Visit Jess … Another ivillage highlight: Balloon Racers
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 5:56 pm
It’s hard to say no!
Laundry takes up a lot of time, so I can see how hiring someone to help with that would make sense!
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Nice goals. I need to do a goals post…really.
Do you have code for that button? I would love to participate.
I wanna do some art projects with my kids (even though I hate art). I really want to commit to it. Maybe get some ideas blogging and then link up with those blogs? I dont know. I have to figure it out.
I really dislike doing art.
Visit Lisa … Getting to Know You Blog Hop
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 5:52 pm
I’d love for you to join in! You can find the button code halfway down this page: http://mamasmiles.com/buttons/. I tried pasting the code here directly, but couldn’t get it to work.
If you’re looking for art activities with your kids, you might enjoy this series at Red Ted Art:
http://www.redtedart.com/kids-get-arty/
Good luck!
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Sounds like an interesting time ahead can’t wait to read what you have been getting up to. We’re decluttering like mad – next week sees mine and T’s birthday’s so more stuff will come in but we’re being specific on things that we need to replace what we have grown out of and what we haven’t got but need to grow.
We’re also into the start of the growing season in the UK and spending our days outside when we can gardening changing our waste land into a family garden and vegetable garden.
This means less time blogging and more organization and planning needed.
Visit Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum … The Gruffalo – a book a day
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 7:36 pm
I’m excited for things to thaw out here so we can start our garden – it will be a a while yet, though!
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I don’t blame you for spending time with your little one – she’s beautiful!
Visit Erin- The Usual Mayhem … Weekly wrap up – Paint in my hair and a crick in my neck
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 7:35 pm
Thank you! I really enjoy spending time with her!
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You’ve got me curious. We’re slowly decluttering here as well.
Visit Ticia … California: Cesar Chavez
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Sounds like a very productive month you had!
Yay to Anna turning 6! Alyssa is 8, has 2 teeth and just won’t sit up! She has big bottom (hah!) and thighs so it is challenging for her :-))
I am also trying to declutter the house – it is not an easy task. Seems like with the Spring cleaning I will have to part with A LOT of things.
Visit Varya @ littleartists … Toilet roll and tissue paper candy
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 3rd, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Isn’t it funny how different babies learn different skills? Anna still is not much good at scooting or rolling over – sitting up is her thing :)
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So great your parents came for a visit! Happy March!
Visit Jen … play {in the fog}
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I love that top photo where Anna is the only kid looking straight at the camera!
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 3rd, 2013 at 5:05 pm
That picture makes me laugh :)
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[...] Mama Smiles of Joyful Parenting is over in her part of the blogosphere setting monthly goals. I thought that was a great idea. I never make New Years Resolutions – simply because things change, priorities change – and I have always thought it was just a waste of time. However, I loved the idea of setting new goals every month – then holding myself accountable at the end of the month – not a year later. [...]
I’m always trying to declutter and simplify; it never ends! I’m intrigued about your news!!! I tend to play instead of cleaning too!
Visit Christy … Hand Prints
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 3rd, 2013 at 5:04 pm
Hopefully I can share it sooner rather than later…
The declutter/simplifying lasts forever in my house, too.
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I love your simplify mantra! Yes, I am going to blog on my monthly goals for March — is it March already?!!! — and will try to simplify too!
Visit PragmaticMom … Your Child’s Inner Voice is You!
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 3rd, 2013 at 5:03 pm
I’m so glad you are joining up with monthly goals!
I have no idea how February managed to fly by so quickly…
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I love that photo of your kids – I have trouble getting both of mine in one shot – I don’t know how you do it with four. I’ve also been trying to declutter. We are planning to move in the next few months and I’m trying to get a head start on packing by getting rid of a lot of stuff we don’t need. We are also planning to make your crayon shaving eggs this month!
Visit Mud Hut Mama … Preschool Math Activities and a Tortoise Shell
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 3rd, 2013 at 5:02 pm
I have yet to get all four looking at the camera…
I’m so glad you’re going to make crayon shaving eggs with us!
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I love the month-by-month goals you have here! Perhaps I will get motivated and join you. :) The picture of your kiddos is beyond adorable, by the way. Since you’re in a de-cluttering phase, can you stop by my place? That is at the top of my to-do list as well. Hope you have a great week ahead. :)
Visit Mary Catherine … Simple American Flag Craft
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Simplify, is one major goal that I have. Always trying to find new ways to simplify life here :-)
Visit Renee … As seen on pinterest ~ lets make Art
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Oh I adore that photo of you and Anna!! You’ve certainly made the right choices this month. I’ll have to keep your sister’s mantra in mind…. I always feel great when I declutter!!
Visit Elisa | blissfulE … sunset
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MaryAnne Reply:
March 8th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Yes! I find that it’s pretty rare for me to miss something that I’ve gotten rid of.
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